_And there was a man there which had a withered hand._ THE WITHERED HAND I. What the withered hand may be said to symbolize. 1. It represents capacity for work. By the hand the toiling millions earn their bread. 2. The hand stands as the symbol of fellowship. This is what our custom of shaking h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts._ THE ANGER OF CHRIST I. But is anger a passion which it was right for Christ to show and to feel? And if it were right for Christ, is it equally right for us? The answer to the first question is simple enough. As the Holy One, the very presence of ev... [ Continue Reading ]
_How they might destroy Him._ THE MEANNESS, EVIL, AND SINFULNESS OF HATRED I. The meanness of hatred is exhibited in the conduct of the Pharisees. 1. They professed to be peculiarly holy and righteous men. But here, on the Sabbath, in the synagogue, they watched Jesus, only that they might bring... [ Continue Reading ]
_Came unto Him._ A POWERFUL REASON FOR COMING TO CHRIST I. The attraction. They had heard with somewhat of a believing ear. They drew from what they heard an argument of hope. No doubt they were partly urged to come to Him by their own sad condition. They also perceived that Jesus was able to meet... [ Continue Reading ]
_A small ship._ CHRIST WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO ACCEPT SERVICE He borrowed a boat, an ass, a grave. He accepted a draught of water from a well, a few fishes from a net, and the money of those women who ministered unto Him. He who loves the Saviour will be surprised to find how many things there are t... [ Continue Reading ]
_They pressed upon Him for to touch Him._ CROWDING TO TOUCH THE SAVIOUR I. The parallel between the present times and those of the text. Jesus had healed many. These have been thoroughly and effectually restored. So far the parallel exists, but here is the marvel-that those who know this do not th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him._ CHRIST’S SUPREMACY OVER EVIL SPIRITS Whence the commotion in the intelligent universe when the Saviour entered on His public ministry? The diseased crowded around Him to be healed; the teachable to hear the words of celestial wisdom;... [ Continue Reading ]
_That they should not make Him known._ THE ART TO CONCEAL GOOD DEEDS It is the art of art to hide art, and the glory of glory to conceal glory. It is only the Christ who can charge the trophies of His healing power that they should not make Him known. (_L. Palmer._) CREATION’S GLORIES CONCEALED... [ Continue Reading ]
_And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him._ THIS WAS THE THIRD STAGE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE DISCIPLES FOR THE APOSTOLATE A certain number had been admitted at the beginning to terms of intimacy and friendship with Jesus. Then they had left their secular calling for a time to attend... [ Continue Reading ]
_And He surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder._ THE SOILS OF THUNDER In what sense this name was applicable to the character or teaching of these two brethren is not certain, particularly in the case of St. John, the apostle of gentleness and love. Perhaps, however, if we had heard... [ Continue Reading ]
_He Is beside Himself._ THE SINNER MAD, NOT THE SAINT I find St. Paul in the same chapter confesses and denies madness in himself. Whilst he was mad indeed, then none did suspect or accuse him to be distracted; but when converted, and in his right mind, then Festus taxeth him of madness. (See Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub._ SCRIBES-A LITERAL KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE VAIN These men were learned in the law of Moses, having great knowledge and skill in the letter of it; and yet they were wicked men, and blasphemers of Christ. How vain a thing it is,... [ Continue Reading ]
_No man can enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods._ THE DEVIL’S STRENGTH Christ is showing that He casts out demons by a greater power than Satan’s, viz., by the power of His own Godhead. This He illustrates by a comparison taken from one who forcibly enters the house of a strong man... [ Continue Reading ]
_All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men._ GREAT SIN NOT UNPARDONABLE, BUT CONTINUANCE IN IT There is great comfort to be derived from this statement, for such as are tempted by Satan to think their sins are too great to be forgiven. Thus thought wicked Cain, and thus many good though weak... [ Continue Reading ]
_All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men._ GREAT SIN NOT UNPARDONABLE, BUT CONTINUANCE IN IT There is great comfort to be derived from this statement, for such as are tempted by Satan to think their sins are too great to be forgiven. Thus thought wicked Cain, and thus many good though weak... [ Continue Reading ]
_There came then His brethren and His mother._ SPIRITUAL KINSHIP WITH CHRIST See the honour and dignity of good Christians that believe in Christ. There is a most near union between Christ and them, even as near as between natural parents and children, or between those that are of nearest kindred b... [ Continue Reading ]