home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Bible Heaven
/
Bible Heaven.iso
/
online
/
mhcc03
/
v03150
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-03-01
|
5KB
|
93 lines
03160
#47-51 The advantage of the manna was small, it only referred to
this life; but the living Bread is so excellent, that the man
who feedeth on it shall never die. This bread is Christ's human
nature, which he took to present to the Father, as a sacrifice
for the sins of the world; to purchase all things pertaining to
life and godliness, for sinners of every nation, who repent and
believe in him.
03165
#52-59 The flesh and blood of the Son of man, denote the
Redeemer in the nature of man; Christ and him crucified, and the
redemption wrought out by him, with all the precious benefits of
redemption; pardon of sin, acceptance with God, the way to the
throne of grace, the promises of the covenant, and eternal life.
These are called the flesh and blood of Christ, because they are
purchased by the breaking his body, and the shedding of his
blood. Also, because they are meat and drink to our souls.
Eating this flesh and drinking this blood mean believing in
Christ. We partake of Christ and his benefits by faith. The soul
that rightly knows its state and wants, finds whatever can calm
the conscience, and promote true holiness, in the redeemer, God
manifest in the flesh. Meditating upon the cross of Christ gives
life to our repentance, love, and gratitude. We live by him, as
our bodies live by our food. We live by him, as the members by
the head, the branches by the root: because he lives we shall
live also.
03173
#60-65 The human nature of Christ had not before been in heaven,
but being God and man, that wondrous Person was truly said to
have come down from heaven. The Messiah's kingdom was not of
this world; and they were to understand by faith, what he had
said of a spiritual living upon him, and his fulness. As without
the soul of man the flesh is of no value, so without the
quickening Spirit of God all forms of religion are dead and
worthless. He who made this provision for our souls, alone can
teach us these things, and draw us unto Christ, that we may live
by faith in him. Let us apply to Christ, thankful that it is
declared that every one who is willing to come unto him shall be
made welcome.
03179
#66-71 When we admit into our minds hard thoughts of the words
and works of Jesus, we enter into temptation, which, if the Lord
in mercy prevent not, will end in drawing back. The corrupt and
wicked heart of man often makes that an occasion for offence,
which is matter of the greatest comfort. Our Lord had, in the
foregoing discourse, promised eternal life to his followers; the
disciples fastened on that plain saying, and resolved to cleave
to him, when others fastened on hard sayings, and forsook him.
Christ's doctrine is the word of eternal life, therefore we must
live and die by it. If we forsake Christ, we forsake our own
mercies. They believed that this Jesus was the Messiah promised
to their fathers, the Son of the living God. When we are tempted
to backslide or turn away, it is good to remember first
principles, and to keep to them. And let us ever remember our
Lord's searching question; Shall we go away and forsake our
Redeemer? To whom can we go? He alone can give salvation by the
forgiveness of sins. And this alone brings confidence, comfort,
and joy, and bids fear and despondency flee away. It gains the
only solid happiness in this world, and opens a way to the
happiness of the next.
03185
* Christ goes to the feast of tabernacles. (1-13) His discourse
at the feast. (14-39) The people dispute concerning Christ.
(40-53)
#1-13 The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they
found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him.
Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the
work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote
present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and
miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow
their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to
be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get
reproach by avowing regard for them.
03198
#14-24 Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words.
His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word,
through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes
which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do
the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God,
or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the
truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it
was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health
to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told
them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import
of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their
outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and
graces of God's Spirit in them.