* The parable of the importunate widow. (1-8) The Pharisee and the
publican. (9-14) Children brought to Christ. (15-17) The ruler
hindered by his riches. (18-30) Christ foreshows his death. (31-34) A
blind man restored to sight. (35-43)... [ Continue Reading ]
1-8 All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in
prayer for spiritual mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness
prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should
set him more against her; but our earnest prayer is pleasing to our
God. Even to the end there will... [ Continue Reading ]
9-14 This parable was to convince some who trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others. God sees with what
disposition and design we come to him in holy ordinances. What the
Pharisee said, shows that he trusted to himself that he was righteous.
We may suppose he was free fro... [ Continue Reading ]
15-17 None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who
knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to
him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought
to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid
them welcome to him with u... [ Continue Reading ]
18-30 Many have a great deal in them very commendable, yet perish for
lack of some one thing; so this ruler could not bear Christ's terms,
which would part between him and his estate. Many who are loth to
leave Christ, yet do leave him. After a long struggle between their
convictions and their corru... [ Continue Reading ]
31-34 The Spirit of Christ, in the Old Testament prophets, testified
beforehand his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, 1 Peter
1:11. The disciples' prejudices were so strong, that they would not
understand these things literally. They were so intent upon the
prophecies which spake of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
35-43 This poor blind man sat by the wayside, begging. He was not only
blind, but poor, the fitter emblem of the world of mankind which
Christ came to heal and save. The prayer of faith, guided by Christ's
encouraging promises, and grounded on them, shall not be in vain. The
grace of Christ ought to... [ Continue Reading ]