_And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Beth-phage._
SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT
I. It presents an illustration of the relation of Christ to the
religious feeling of mankind. We are religious beings. Our very nature
is grained with sensibilities for the sacred and the Divine. This
scene... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that
sold._
THE PURIFICATION OF THE TEMPLE
I. This act shows the mind of Jesus concerning the reverence which is
due to the house of God. He regarded it not so much as the temple of
the Jews as the temple of God; He revered it more than... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children crying in the temple._
THE BLESSEDNESS OF CHILDREN’S PIETY
It is upon the child that this sarcastic question still falls. Some
hardly think the children can be converted. The Saviour’s answer is
splendid when He said, “Have you never read?” Never caught the
inner sense, never read so... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he lodged there._
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC HAPPINESS
Domestic life like all other external goods, is not necessarily, and
of itself, but only under certain conditions, in particular
circumstances, a real advantage, and a source of true felicity. Only
there where wisdom and virtue dwell, where in... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, He came to it, and found
nothing thereon._
THE BARREN FIG-TREE
I. The destruction of this tree was not an act of injustice. People
find it difficult to understand the propriety of punishing an
inanimate object for defects which are only possible in higher
ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all things whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing._
FAITH IN PRAYER
Alexander the Great had a famous but indigent philosopher in his
court. This adept in science was once particularly straitened in his
circumstances. To whom should he apply, but to his patron, the
conqueror of the world. He no... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son,
go work to-day._
CHRISTIAN SONSHIP AND SERVICE
I. Christian sonship furnishes the best possible motives for Christian
service.
II. It furnishes the best possible facilities for Christian service.
III. It makes Christian servic... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard._
THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN
I. A representation of the jewish church as regards its privileges and
obligations. “There was a certain householder, which planted a
vineyard, etc.
1. The comparison employed. Palestine abounded in vineyards. This... [ Continue Reading ]
_The stone which the builders rejected._
REDEMPTION A MARVELLOUS WORK
I. It is God’s work.
1. Contrary to intentions or acts of the builders.
2. No one else competent to perform it.
II. It is a marvellous work.
1. From extent of agency employed.
2. Divine attributes displayed.
3. Demerit of... [ Continue Reading ]
_They feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet._
THE ADAPTATION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE POOR
“The multitude” were pleased with Christ and took Him for a
prophet. The pleasure which our text indicates may be referred to
wrong motives; they were glad to see others h... [ Continue Reading ]