Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v01700

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 143 lines

01704
 #22-32 The place where our Lord Jesus was crucified, was called
 the place of a skull; it was the common place of execution; for
 he was in all respects numbered with the transgressors. Whenever
 we look unto Christ crucified, we must remember what was written
 over his head; he is a King, and we must give up ourselves to be
 his subjects, as Israelites indeed. They crucified two thieves
 with him, and him in the midst; they thereby intended him great
 dishonour. But it was foretold that he should be numbered with
 the transgressors, because he was made sin for us. Even those
 who passed by railed at him. They told him to come down from the
 cross, and they would believe; but they did not believe, though
 he gave them a more convincing sign when he came up from the
 grave. With what earnestness will the man who firmly believes
 the truth, as made known by the sufferings of Christ, seek for
 salvation! With what gratitude will he receive the dawning hope
 of forgiveness and eternal life, as purchased for him by the
 sufferings and death of the Son of God! and with what godly
 sorrow will he mourn over the sins which crucified the Lord of
 glory!
01715
 #33-41 There was a thick darkness over the land, from noon until
 three in the afternoon. The Jews were doing their utmost to
 extinguish the Sun of Righteousness. The darkness signified the
 cloud which the human soul of Christ was under, when he was
 making it an offering for sin. He did not complain that his
 disciples forsook him, but that his Father forsook him. In this
 especially he was made sin for us. When Paul was to be offered
 as a sacrifice for the service saints, he could joy and rejoice,
 #Php 2:17|; but it is another thing to be offered as a sacrifice
 for the sin of sinners. At the same instant that Jesus died, the
 veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom. This
 spake terror to the unbelieving Jews, and was a sign of the
 destruction of their church and nation. It speaks comfort to all
 believing Christians, for it signified the laying open a new and
 living way into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. The
 confidence with which Christ had openly addressed God as his
 Father, and committed his soul into his hands, seems greatly to
 have affected the centurion. Right views of Christ crucified
 will reconcile the believer to the thought of death; he longs to
 behold, love, and praise, as he ought, that Saviour who was
 wounded and pierced to save him from the wrath to come.

01724
 #42-47 We are here attending the burial of our Lord Jesus. Oh
 that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it! Joseph of
 Arimathea was one who waited for the kingdom of God. Those who
 hope for a share in its privileges, must own Christ's cause,
 when it seems to be crushed. This man God raised up for his
 service. There was a special providence, that Pilate should be
 so strict in his inquiry, that there might be no pretence to say
 Jesus was alive. Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down the body,
 and do what he pleased with it. Some of the women beheld where
 Jesus was laid, that they might come after the sabbath to anoint
 the dead body, because they had not time to do it before.
 Special notice was taken of Christ's sepulchre, because he was
 to rise again. And he will not forsake those who trust in him,
 and call upon him. Death, deprived of its sting, will soon end
 the believer's sorrows, as it ended those of the Saviour.
01730
 * Christ's resurrection made known the women. (1-8) Christ
 appears to Mary Magdalene and other disciples. (9-13) His
 commission to the apostles. (14-18) Christ's ascension. (19,20)

 #1-8 Nicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these
 good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to
 Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those
 who are carried by holy zeal, to seek Christ diligently, will
 find the difficulties in their way speedily vanish. When we put
 ourselves to trouble and expense, from love to Christ, we shall
 be accepted, though our endeavours are not successful. The sight
 of the angel might justly have encouraged them, but they were
 affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of
 comfort to us, through our own mistake, proves a terror to us.
 He was crucified, but he is glorified. He is risen, he is not
 here, not dead, but alive again; hereafter you will see him, but
 you may here see the place where he was laid. Thus seasonable
 comforts will be sent to those that lament after the Lord Jesus.
 Peter is particularly named, Tell Peter; it will be most welcome
 to him, for he is in sorrow for sin. A sight of Christ will be
 very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent is very
 welcome to a sight of Christ. The men ran with all the haste
 they could to the disciples; but disquieting fears often hinder
 us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men,
 which, if faith and the joy of faith were strong, we might do.

01738
 #9-13 Better news cannot be brought to disciples in tears, than
 to tell them of Christ's resurrection. And we should study to
 comfort disciples that are mourners, by telling them whatever we
 have seen of Christ. It was a wise providence that the proofs of
 Christ's resurrection were given gradually, and admitted
 cautiously, that the assurance with which the apostles preached
 this doctrine afterwards might the more satisfy. Yet how slowly
 do we admit the consolations which the word of God holds forth!
 Therefore while Christ comforts his people, he often sees it
 needful to rebuke and correct them for hardness of heart in
 distrusting his promise, as well as in not obeying his holy
 precepts.

01743
 #14-18 The evidences of the truth of the gospel are so full,
 that those who receive it not, may justly be upbraided with
 their unbelief. Our blessed Lord renewed his choice of the
 eleven as his apostles, and commissioned them to go into all the
 world, to preach his gospel to every creature. Only he that is a
 true Christian shall be saved through Christ. Simon Magus
 professed to believe, and was baptized, yet he was declared to
 be in the bonds of iniquity: see his history in #Ac 8:13-25|.
 Doubtless this is a solemn declaration of that true faith which
 receives Christ in all his characters and offices, and for all
 the purposes of salvation, and which produces its right effect
 on the heart and life; not a mere assent, which is a dead faith,
 and cannot profit. The commission of Christ's ministers extends
 to every creature throughout the world, and the declarations of
 the gospel contain not only truths, encouragements, and
 precepts, but also most awful warnings. Observe what power the
 apostles should be endued with, for confirming the doctrine they
 were to preach. These were miracles to confirm the truth of the
 gospel, and means of spreading the gospel among nations that had
 not heard it.

01748
 #19,20 After the Lord had spoken he went up into heaven. Sitting
 is a posture of rest, he had finished his work; and a posture of
 rule, he took possession of his kingdom. He sat at the right
 hand of God, which denotes his sovereign dignity and universal
 power. Whatever God does concerning us, gives to us, or accepts
 from us, it is by his Son. Now he is glorified with the glory he
 had before the world. The apostles went forth, and preached
 every where, far and near. Though the doctrine they preached was
 spiritual and heavenly, and directly contrary to the spirit and
 temper of the world; though it met with much opposition, and was
 wholly destitute of all worldly supports and advantages; yet in
 a few years the sound went forth unto the ends of the earth.
 Christ's ministers do not now need to work miracles to prove
 their message; the Scriptures are proved to be of Divine origin,
 and this renders those without excuse who reject or neglect
 them. The effects of the gospel, when faithfully preached, and
 truly believed, in changing the tempers and characters of
 mankind, form a constant proof, a miraculous proof, that the
 gospel is the power of God unto salvation, of all who believe.