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v02150
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1994-03-02
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02158
* The apostles sent forth. (1-9) The multitude miraculously fed.
(10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined.
(18-27) The transfiguration. (28-36) An evil spirit cast out.
(37-42) Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43-50) He
reproves their mistaken zeal. (51-56) Every thing to be given up
for Christ. (57-62)
#1-9 Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time
were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord.
They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's
esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The
Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all
creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he
goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners
from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for
their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the
message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without
excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty
conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the
dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see
him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he
wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now,
his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as
much prejudiced against him as others, #Lu 23:11|.
02167
#10-17 The people followed Jesus, and though they came
unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto
them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of
healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ
fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and
serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive
creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from
God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them
all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of
Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ
will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul,
abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here
were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread
enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in
Christ.
02175
#18-27 It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's
Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the
Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his
own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from
thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare
for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty;
and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when
they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after
Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or
ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be
miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though
the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We
must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.
02185
#28-36 Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in
which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement
to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring,
transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord
Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak
concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on
earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing
city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to
make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of
this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that
they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those
know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth
for glorified saints in heaven.
02194
#37-42 How deplorable the case of this child! He was under the
power of an evil spirit. Diseases of that nature are more
frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes. What
mischief Satan does where he gets possession! But happy those
that have access to Christ! He can do that for us which his
disciples cannot. A word from Christ healed the child; and when
our children recover from sickness, it is comfortable to receive
them as healed by the hand of Christ.