_A CHAPTER IN HUMAN BIOGRAPHY_ ‘Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.’ Matthew 10:4 There is an awful and fascinating interest about the history of Judas; he stands in such a fearful solitude, his sin is so terribly unique, that the mind is irresistibly drawn to him. I. EARLY OPPORTUNITY.—Call... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE SALUTATION OF PEACE_ ‘And when ye come into an house, salute it.’ Matthew 10:12 In the only Service of our Prayer Book which is provided for private ministration,—if we except Private Baptism, and the communion for the Sick,—the command expressly runs, ‘When any person is sick, notice shall... [ Continue Reading ]
_A COUNSEL OF PRUDENCE_ ‘When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man be come.’ Matthew 10:23 The text is a counsel of prudence. The Gospel is no hare-brained or star-gazing enthusiasm,... [ Continue Reading ]
_HAIRS NUMBERED_ ‘The very hairs of your head are all numbered.’ Matthew 10:30 The chief object of our Saviour’s words was to convey the general comfort of the truth, that His people, and everything which belongs to them, are exceedingly dear and precious to Him. I. THE DIGNITY OF THE BODY.—And... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE AFFECTIONS DEMANDED_ ‘He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.’ Matthew 10:37 I. THE CONSECRATION of the priests in the Old Testament had a symbol of the heart’s affections being given to God. II. THE PHRASE of ‘hating father and mother’ is explained by not ‘lovin... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CROSS_ ‘He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.’ Matthew 10:38 The Cross is held in honour now; not so in our Lord’s day. I. THE LITERAL CROSS.—It was a thing most hateful and most horrible. This must have been a very dark saying to the Apostles; they had... [ Continue Reading ]