_THE SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF CHRIST_ ‘And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, He sendeth forth two of His disciples.… And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus bad commanded.... [ Continue Reading ]
_‘THE NEEDS OF GOD’_ ‘And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him.’ Mark 11:3 Our Lord’s words illustrate the deliberateness with which He moved forward to His agony and death. I. THE FIRST STEP TO CALVARY.—When He sent the disciples for the colt which was... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRIST THE SUBJECT OF SONG_ ‘Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.’ Mark 11:9 I. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Jesus Christ is the subject of all songs. The Virgin Mary’s, Zacharias’s, Simeon’s, Anna’s, that beautiful hymn of the Church on St. Peter’s deliverance (in the fourth cha... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE BARREN FIG TREE_ ‘And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He … said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And His disciples heard it.’ Mark 11:13 This incident is also a parable, and that same Jesus Who walked that morning down the Mount of Olives, is passing at this mo... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN THE COURT OF THE GENTILES_ ‘And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple.’ Mark 11:15 The place where the market was held was not actually the Temple, properly so called. It was in the outer court—the court of the Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
_FAITH AND SPIRITUAL LIFE_ ‘Have faith in God.’ Mark 11:22 If we search the Word of God, we shall find that our spiritual life owes it commencement, its continuance, and its consummation to faith. I. SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMENCES BY AN ACT OF FAITH.—‘The just shall live by faith.’ The bestowal of sp... [ Continue Reading ]
_PRIVATE PRAYER_ ‘All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them.’ Mark 11:24. (R.V.) Private prayer and meditation seem to be in special danger of being overlooked or misunderstood, and yet they are of paramount importance. There is among us... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN THE DARK AT NOONTIDE_ ‘And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.’ Mark 11:33 Oh, terrible voice of most just judgment! ‘You have shut your eyes, I cannot show you My glory. You have st... [ Continue Reading ]