Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v01750

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 121 lines

01750
 ** This evangelist is generally supposed to have been a
 physician, and a companion of the apostle Paul. The style of his
 writings, and his acquaintance with the Jewish rites and usages,
 sufficiently show that he was a Jew, while his knowledge of the
 Greek language and his name, speak his Gentile origin. He is
 first mentioned #Ac 16:10,11|, as with Paul at Troas, whence he
 attended him to Jerusalem, and was with him in his voyage, and
 in his imprisonment at Rome. This Gospel appears to be designed
 to supersede many defective and unauthentic narratives in
 circulation, and to give a genuine and inspired account of the
 life, miracles, and doctrines of our Lord, learned from those
 who heard and witnessed his discourses and miracles.

 * The Preface. (1-4) Zacharias and Elisabeth. (5-25) Christ's
 birth announced. (26-38) Interview of Mary and Elisabeth.
 (39-56) The birth of John the Baptist. (57-66) The song of
 Zacharias. (67-80)

 #1-4. Luke will not write of things about which Christians may
 safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves;
 but the things which are, and ought to be surely believed. The
 doctrine of Christ is what the wisest and best of men have
 ventured their souls upon with confidence and satisfaction. And
 the great events whereon our hopes depend, have been recorded by
 those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of
 the word, and who were perfected in their understanding of them
 through Divine inspiration.

01754
 #5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as
 all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others;
 but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no
 children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should
 have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in
 the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying
 without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and
 successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God
 above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray,
 and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor
 can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain
 acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the
 mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The
 prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace.
 Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten.
 Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may
 be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies
 are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias
 shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in
 the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to
 receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with
 courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests
 and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought
 back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather,
 brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming
 among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his
 unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him,
 because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the
 patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus
 he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving
 words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we
 are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to
 the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real
 believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths
 are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would
 have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious
 dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us.
 He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore
 has thus dealt with us.

01775
 #26-38 We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though
 we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her.
 Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means
 only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of
 the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long
 desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary.
 The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God,
 and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call
 Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection
 with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting
 spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear,
 Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty,
 therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost
 and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish.
 Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us,
 and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us,
 it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that
 we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our
 way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith
 and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming
 her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of
 godliness, God manifest in the flesh, #1Ti 3:16|. Christ's human
 nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which
 was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must,
 as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all
 conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible;
 and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into
 prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto
 me according to thy word.

01788
 #39-56 It is very good for those who have the work of grace
 begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's
 arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was
 to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was
 filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared
 that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as
 peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary,
 animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the
 influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, and
 gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour,
 and that she could no otherwise rejoice in God than as
 interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those
 who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness
 and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best
 things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he
 gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who
 long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be
 sent empty away.