_SABBATH WORKS AND WORDS_ ‘And it came to pass, as He went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched Him.’ Luke 14:1 Let us follow the Lord in spirit, and listen to the instruction that He gave to those who were gathered with Him at the board.... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE SPIRIT OF SUNDAY OBSERVANCE_ ‘Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?’ Luke 14:3 It was at Capernaum that the controversy with our Lord about the Sabbath took place. What do we learn from our Lord’s teaching? I. ALL THE CEREMONIAL PRESCRIPTION MUST GIVE WAY TO NECESSITY.—When the disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN THE LOWEST ROOM_ ‘Go and sit down in the lowest room.’ Luke 14:10 He had a right to say these words, Who, when all the chambers of creation were open to Him, came and ‘sat down in the lowest room!’ And, in this lone world of ours, where was He ever found, but in its ‘lowest room’? I. THE HU... [ Continue Reading ]
_HUMILITY AND ITS REWARD_ ‘But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; a... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE DOOM OF PRIDE_ ‘For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.’ Luke 14:11 When our Lord first began His ministerial work, and was, as it seems, looked upon as a less important person than His forerunner, His disciples were content to listen an... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GENERAL RESURRECTION_ ‘Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.’ Luke 14:14 Most people expect to receive the reward of good service done to God, so soon as they leave this world and enter heaven. But our Lord says, ‘Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just... [ Continue Reading ]
_EATING BREAD IN THE KINGDOM_ ‘Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God.’ Luke 14:15 That was the chance remark of a bystander who had heard our Lord speaking of the reward that belongs to the resurrection of the just. The resurrection of the just! The glory that belongs to the r... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GREAT SUPPER_ ‘A certain man made a great supper, and bade many.’ Luke 14:16 It is very instructive to mark the conduct of our Blessed Lord in His intercourse with worldly people. Wherever He went, He sought to do good by _ word_ as well as _ action_. Here we find Him at a feast (Luke 14:15... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GREAT INVITATION_ ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’ Luke 14:17 There are many things that inspire one about this glorious invitation of the Gospel. I. ITS SPLENDID NOTE OF CONFIDENCE.—There is too much apologising for the Gospel in these days. The old preachers never apologised for Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
_INNOCENT OCCUPATIONS_ ‘They all with one consent began to make excuse.’ Luke 14:18 To make excuse, to beg off. This was no sudden, unexpected summons, something making an unlooked-for demand upon time already blocked with legitimate engagements. It was the case of an invitation offered and accep... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHERE AND FOR WHOM THERE IS ROOM_ ‘Yet there is room.’ Luke 14:22 The language of the text reminds us that there is abundant provision in the counsels of God, and a gracious welcome in the heart of God, for all who need the Gospel and who are willing to comply with its requirements and accept it... [ Continue Reading ]
_COMPELLED GUESTS_ ‘Compel them to come in.’ Luke 14:23 Our Lord was ever ready to turn the circumstances of the hour to some good end. Thus, when at table, it occurred to Him to depict the privileges of those invited to the banquet of the Gospel. I. THE PROVISION MADE BY DIVINE BOUNTY.—The Old... [ Continue Reading ]
_TOWER BUILDING_ ‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost.… This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:28; Luke 14:30 In the parable set before us is one who without counting the cost set to work to build a tower, and was not... [ Continue Reading ]
_TOWER BUILDING_ ‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost.… This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:28; Luke 14:30 In the parable set before us is one who without counting the cost set to work to build a tower, and was not... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GENIUS OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION_ ‘So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:33 The genius of the Christian religion lies in sacrifice. Our Lord stands over against the souls of men inviting to sacrifice—claiming, welcoming sac... [ Continue Reading ]