_This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them_ CHRIST’S INFLUENCE WITH THE MASSES The masses were drawn to Christ’s teachings. I. THE REASONS FOR THIS ADMIRATION. 1. All lack of affectation--no parade of greatness, no false assumption of humility. His manner was what beauty is to the landsca... [ Continue Reading ]
_What man of you, having an hundred sheep_ LOST, SOUGHT, FOUND The three parables in this chapter fall into two sections, each setting forth separately one-half of a great truth, and both in combination exhibiting the whole. 1. The first two parables illustrate conversion on its Divine side. Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Either what woman having ten pieces of silver_ MAN RESEMBLED TO SILVER COIN 1. And that in regard of matter. No metal except gold (which indeed is most solid and perfectly concocted with sufficient heat, so that it never corrupteth by rust) is to be compared with it. So man is the excellentest o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joy in the presence of the angels of God_ JOY AMONG THE ANGELS OVER REPENTING SINNERS I. THE CLASS REPRESENTED AS BEING SPECIALLY EXCITED BY THE EMOTION OF JOY OVER A SINNER’S REPENTANCE. “The angels of God”--uncorporeal, immaculately holy, composed of various orders, active messengers of God to... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain man had two sons._ THE PRODIGAL AND HIS BROTHER I. GOD’S TREATMENT OF THE PENITENT. 1. The alienation of the heart from God. (1) Homelessness. (2) Worldly happiness is unsatisfying. Husks are not food. (3) Degradation. 2. The period of repentance. (1) The first fact of religious e... [ Continue Reading ]