_THE BAPTIST’S DOUBT_ ‘Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto Him, Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?’ Matthew 11:2 Of this very remarkable passage in John the Baptist’s life, very various views have been taken.... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRISTIANITY AND HUMAN SORROW_ ‘Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see.’ Matthew 11:4 What answer did our Lord send back to the Baptist? It is very suggestive; He let the messenger see how Christianity lent itself to alleviating human sorr... [ Continue Reading ]
_MISTAKES ABOUT RELIGION_ ‘And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.’ Matthew 11:6 By religion, I mean the religion which Jesus taught, which has been handed to us by the Bible, and by the Church. I. REASONS FOR THE MISTAKES.—How is it that there have been, and are now, so many... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE BAPTIST’S CHARACTER_ ‘What went ye out into the wilderness for to see?’ Matthew 11:7 ‘What went ye out for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? A man clothed in soft raiment? A prophet?’ Three classes of objects are here presented as contained in the ‘_ what_ went ye out for to see?’ (1) _ N... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHAT IS TRUE GREATNESS?_ ‘Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist.’ Matthew 11:11 There is no subject more generally discussed amongst us than as to what really constitutes a great man. In what sense was St. John the Baptist ‘greater’ than other gr... [ Continue Reading ]
_HEAVEN TAKEN BY STORM_ ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ Matthew 11:12 The preaching of John the Baptist was the point in which that change took place in God’s moral government of the world. His ministry introduced the genius of Christianity. At the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE PORTRAIT OF AN AGE_ ‘Whereunto shall I liken this generation?… Wisdom is justified of her children?’ Matthew 11:16 The portrait of an age—that and nothing less is what is essayed in these sentences. I. CHRIST’S INDICTMENT OF HIS AGE.—It is set forth with transcendent skill. A simple inciden... [ Continue Reading ]
_IN THE WORLD—NOT OF IT_ ‘The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.’ Matthew 11:19 The question whether the faith of Christ permits us to enjoy the good things with... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL_ ‘At that time Jesus answered and said … My burden is light.’ Matthew 11:25 Let us look at this remarkable passage sentence by sentence. I. TO WHOM THE GOSPEL WAS REVEALED.—First, the Lord gave open thanks to His Father because of the class of persons to whom the G... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE LESSON OF SUBMISSION_ Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.’ Matthew 11:26 The greatest thing which you have to do in life is to learn to say those words. I. GOD’S DISCIPLINE.—Perhaps God found you a character proud in intellect, resolute in disposition, tenacious of dignity... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRIST AND LABOUR_ ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour.’ Matthew 11:28 We have witnessed the entry upon the stage of our political history of a new power—the power of labour, united, organised, conscious of its strength. In spite—nay, in view—of all possible anxieties, we dare to say to the new po... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRIST’S INVITATION_ ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28 This invitation addressed to a certain class. To the self-sufficient it has no attraction, but to every one with an unsatisfied want down in his heart, the words bring peace and h... [ Continue Reading ]
_LEARNING OF CHRIST_ ‘Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.’ Matthew 11:29 Just before our Lord spoke these words, He had declared His joy and thankfulness that intellectual eminence had nothing to do with the entrance into His school; that the mysteries of His teaching were hidden from the wis... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE YOKE OF CHRIST_ For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’ Matthew 11:30 It is beautifully instructive how, in this incomparably winning invitation of Jesus, the call to rest, and the call to labour, are blended. The rest of faith, and the labour of love! I. THE EASY YOKE.—The ‘yoke’ of... [ Continue Reading ]