Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v03300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 136 lines

03304
 #8-12 Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed
 by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely
 different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's
 glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same
 precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of
 God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this
 spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see
 the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of
 the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the
 sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it
 goes.

03309
 #13-17 Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in
 such a manner as would give offence to the Jews, for he would
 not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for
 mere rites consumed the substantial matters of religion;
 therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also, works of
 necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be
 kept, in order to the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have
 been opened by the preaching of the gospel on the Lord's day!
 how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much unrighteous and
 uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies
 to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was
 our Redeemer, when his enemies could find nothing against him,
 but the oft-refuted charge of breaking the sabbath! May we be
 enabled, by well-doing, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

03314
 #18-23 The Pharisees vainly hoped to disprove this notable
 miracle. They expected a Messiah, but could not bear to think
 that this Jesus should be he, because his precepts were all
 contrary to their traditions, and because they expected a
 Messiah in outward pomp and splendour. The fear of man brings a
 snare, #Pr 29:25|, and often makes people deny and disown Christ
 and his truths and ways, and act against their consciences. The
 unlearned and poor, who are simple-hearted, readily draw proper
 inferences from the evidences of the light of the gospel; but
 those whose desires are another way, though ever learning, never
 come to the knowledge of the truth.

03320
 #24-34 As Christ's mercies are most valued by those who have
 felt the want of them, that have been blind, and now see; so the
 most powerful and lasting affections to Christ, arise from
 actual knowledge of him. In the work of grace in the soul,
 though we cannot tell when, and how, and by what steps the
 blessed change was wrought, yet we may take the comfort, if we
 can say, through grace, Whereas I was blind, now I see. I did
 live a worldly, sensual life, but, thanks be to God, it is now
 otherwise with me, #Eph 5:8|. The unbelief of those who enjoy
 the means of knowledge and conviction, is indeed marvellous. All
 who have felt the power and grace of the Lord Jesus, wonder at
 the wilfulness of others who reject him. He argues strongly
 against them, not only that Jesus was not a sinner, but that he
 was of God. We may each of us know by this, whether we are of
 God or not. What do we? What do we for God? What do we for our
 souls? What do we more than others?

03331
 #35-38 Christ owns those who own him and his truth and ways.
 There is particular notice taken of such as suffer in the cause
 of Christ, and for the testimony of a good conscience. Our Lord
 Jesus graciously reveals himself to the man. Now he was made
 sensible what an unspeakable mercy it was, to be cured of his
 blindness, that he might see the Son of God. None but God is to
 be worshipped; so that in worshipping Jesus, he owned him to be
 God. All who believe in him, will worship him.

03335
 #39-41 Christ came into the world to give sight to those who
 were spiritually blind. Also, that those who see might be made
 blind; that those who have a high conceit of their own wisdom,
 might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross was
 thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God.
 Nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions
 of the word, more than the high opinion which others have of
 them; as if all that gained applause with men, must obtain
 acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the
 self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the
 gospel of grace, therefore the guilt of their sin remains
 unpardoned, and the power of their sin remains unbroken.
03338
 * The parable of the good shepherd. (1-5) Christ the Door. (6-9)
 Christ the good Shepherd. (10-18) The Jews' opinion concerning
 Jesus. (19-21) His discourse at the feast of dedication. (22-30)
 The Jews attempt to stone Jesus. (31-38) He departs from
 Jerusalem. (39-42)

 #1-5 Here is a parable or similitude, taken from the customs of
 the East, in the management of sheep. Men, as creatures
 depending on their Creator, are called the sheep of his pasture.
 The church of God in the world is as a sheep-fold, exposed to
 deceivers and persecutors. The great Shepherd of the sheep knows
 all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by
 his Spirit and word, and goes before them, as the Eastern
 shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of his
 steps. Ministers must serve the sheep in their spiritual
 concerns. The Spirit of Christ will set before them an open
 door. The sheep of Christ will observe their Shepherd, and be
 cautious and shy of strangers, who would draw them from faith in
 him to fancies about him.

03343
 #6-9 Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it,
 because they will not. But we shall find one scripture
 expounding another, and the blessed Spirit making known the
 blessed Jesus. Christ is the Door. And what greater security has
 the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is between it and all
 its enemies? He is a door open for passage and communication.
 Here are plain directions how to come into the fold; we must
 come in by Jesus Christ as the Door. By faith in him as the
 great Mediator between God and man. Also, we have precious
 promises to those that observe this direction. Christ has all
 that care of his church, and every believer, which a good
 shepherd has of his flock; and he expects the church, and every
 believer, to wait on him, and to keep in his pasture.

03347
 #10-18 Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet
 were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was
 much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The
 Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they
 also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here
 the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he
 laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself
 to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case
 calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was
 both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying down his
 life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that
 he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set
 free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their
 sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid
 not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep.