The history which relates the calling and conversion of Zaccheus the publican, is ushered in with. note of wonder: BEHOLD, THERE WAS. MAN NAMED ZACCHEUS. It is both great and good news to hear of. soul converted unto God: especially such. remarkable sinner as Zaccheus was: for, 1. He was by profess... [ Continue Reading ]
Zaccheus desired to see Jesus, this is. sight that few rich men desired to see; the sight of Caesar's face upon their coin is more pleasing to them, than to see the face of Christ in his ordinances: yet it was not faith, but fancy and curiosity that made Zaccheus climb the sycamore, to see Jesus; bu... [ Continue Reading ]
What an instance is here of Christ's preventing grace and mercy! Zaccheus climbs up into the sycamore to see Jesus. Jesus first sees him; little did Zaccheus think, that Jesus should cast up his eyes to him: Christ's looks are converting looks; there went. divine power along with them, to change the... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, the Pharisees who were here, were highly discontented that Christ went to. publican's house, whom they looked upon as the worst of men; their eye was evil, because Christ's was good. Whither should the physician go, but to the sick? The whole need him not. However, the envious Pharisees cen... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things are here observable: the greatness of his charity, and the justice of his restitution. As to his charity, observe, 1. The freeness of it, not I LEND, but I GIVE. 2. The readiness of it: not I WILL, but I DO GIVE. 3. The justice and honesty of it, MY GOODS, not my spoils; what is my ow... [ Continue Reading ]
That which Zaccheus gave to the poor, was nothing to what Christ gave to him; it was but dross he gave to them, it was salvation Christ gave to him. Where is the man that can say, God is in his debt for acts of charity and mercy? Where is he that will not own God the best and quickest Paymaster? THI... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. description of man's deplorable state, and undone condition: he is LOST. 2. The care of Christ to seek and recover man out of that lost state: THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH IS LOST. Learn, 1. That man's condition is. lost condition, and every unregenerated man... [ Continue Reading ]
For the better understanding of this parable, we must, 1. Consider the occasion of it. 2. The design and scope of it. 3. The lessons of instruction which our Saviour intended us by it. As to the former; the occasion of our Saviour's uttering this parable seems to be this, He was now going up to... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Lord (as noted before) was now upon his last journey to Jerusalem, where he was to shed his blood, and lay down his life for the redemption and salvation of. lost world; and it is observable, what. double demonstration he gives of his great willingness and forwardness to go up to Jerusalem, ther... [ Continue Reading ]
No sooner did our Saviour come within the sight and view of the city of Jerusalem, but he burst out into tears, at the consideration of their obstinacy, and willful rejecting of the offers of grace and salvation made unto them; and also he wept to consider of the dreadful judgments that hung over th... [ Continue Reading ]
By THE THINGS BELONGING TO THEIR PEACE, we are to understand the presence of Christ amongst them, the preaching of the gospel to them: SHE DID NOT KNOW, that is, she did not consider, she did not prize and improve, her privileges as she ought; but stopped her ears against the words of Christ, and cl... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have. prophetical prediction of the total and final destruction of the city of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, who begirt the city round, burnt the temple, starved the people, and brought such ruin and destruction upon the place, as no history could ever parallel: the reason is assigned, BECA... [ Continue Reading ]
No sooner had our blessed Saviour entered Jerusalem, but his first walk was to the temple, and his first work was to purge and reform it from abuses, not to ruin and destory it because it had been abused. But what was the profanation of the temple, that so offended our Saviour? ANSWER. In the court... [ Continue Reading ]