Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v03650

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 5KB | 90 lines

03654
 #13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been
 noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of
 sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a
 fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that
 another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we
 may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may
 fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said
 nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done
 so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of
 Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their
 eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine
 of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who
 judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries
 must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him
 the injury, and so may we.

03669
 #28-32 It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much
 good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from
 reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the
 sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the
 Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying
 was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted
 up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned;
 crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined
 concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall
 die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord,
 what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.

03674
 #33-40 Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who
 has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost
 thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ
 answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that
 Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any
 earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices
 laid to him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his
 kingdom. Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men,
 set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual,
 its power spiritual, and its glory within. Its supports are not
 worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used,
 force to maintain and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but
 that of sin and Satan. Its object and design are not worldly.
 When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a
 King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules
 by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom
 are those that are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he
 said, What is truth? When we search the Scriptures, and attend
 the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is
 truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all
 truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to
 preserve in their search after truth; or not humility enough to
 receive it. By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it
 appears, that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of
 evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it unfolds the
 design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins.
 Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by
 worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber,
 yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would
 truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our accusers ashamed
 as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.
03682
 * Christ condemned and crucified. (1-18) Christ on the cross.
 (19-30) His side pierced. (31-37) The burial of Jesus. (38-42)

 #1-18 Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these
 sufferings of Christ would, in after-ages, be thought upon and
 spoken of by the best and greatest of men. Our Lord Jesus came
 forth, willing to be exposed to their scorn. It is good for
 every one with faith, to behold Christ Jesus in his sufferings.
 Behold him, and love him; be still looking unto Jesus. Did their
 hatred sharpen their endeavours against him? and shall not our
 love for him quicken our endeavours for him and his kingdom?
 Pilate seems to have thought that Jesus might be some person
 above the common order. Even natural conscience makes men afraid
 of being found fighting against God. As our Lord suffered for
 the sins both of Jews and Gentiles, it was a special part of the
 counsel of Divine Wisdom, that the Jews should first purpose his
 death, and the Gentiles carry that purpose into effect. Had not
 Christ been thus rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected
 of God. Now was the Son of man delivered into the hands of
 wicked and unreasonable men. He was led forth for us, that we
 might escape. He was nailed to the cross, as a Sacrifice bound
 to the altar. The Scripture was fulfilled; he did not die at the
 altar among the sacrifices, but among criminals sacrificed to
 public justice. And now let us pause, and with faith look upon
 Jesus. Was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow? See him bleeding,
 see him dying, see him and love him! love him, and live to him!