* The disciples taught to pray. (1-4) Christ encourages being earnest
in prayer. (5-13) Christ casts out a devil, The blasphemy of the
Pharisees. (14-26) True happiness. (27,28) Christ reproves the Jews.
(29-36) He reproves the Pharisees. (37-54)... [ Continue Reading ]
1-4 "Lord, teach us to pray," is a good prayer, and a very needful
one, for Jesus Christ only can teach us, by his word and Spirit, how
to pray. Lord, teach me what it is to pray; Lord, stir up and quicken
me to the duty; Lord, direct me what to pray for; teach me what I
should say. Christ taught th... [ Continue Reading ]
5-13 Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come
for what we need, as a man does to his neighbour or friend, who is
kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful. If God
does not answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we
continue to pray. Obser... [ Continue Reading ]
14-26 Christ's thus casting out the devils, was really the destroying
of their power. The heart of every unconverted sinner is the devil's
palace, where he dwells, and where he rules. There is a kind of peace
in the heart of an unconverted soul, while the devil, as a strong man
armed, keeps it. The... [ Continue Reading ]
27,28 While the scribes and Pharisees despised and blasphemed the
discourses of our Lord Jesus, this good woman admired them, and the
wisdom and power with which he spake. Christ led the woman to a higher
consideration. Though it is a great privilege to hear the word of God,
yet those only are truly... [ Continue Reading ]
29-36 Christ promised that there should be one sign more given, even
the sign of Jonah the prophet; which in Matthew is explained, as
meaning the resurrection of Christ; and he warned them to improve this
sign. But though Christ himself were the constant preacher in any
congregation, and worked mira... [ Continue Reading ]
37-54 We should all look to our hearts, that they may be cleansed and
new-created; and while we attend to the great things of the law and of
the gospel, we must not neglect the smallest matter God has appointed.
When any wait to catch something out of our mouths, that they may
insnare us, O Lord, gi... [ Continue Reading ]