All who are wise will earnestly desire to be taught rightly to pray, and will ask Jesus Christ to instruct them. This is a blessing which he delights to give, and with it is connected, in his providence and by his grace, all needed good. "Ask and it shall be given you." Matthew 7:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord's prayer. Matthew 6:9-13.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHUT; bolted, as the original word implies.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF HIS IMPORTUNITY HE WILL RISE AND GIVE HIM; the point of the parable is to show the power of importunity in prayer. If it prevails with selfish men, how much more with God, who loves his children, and takes pleasure in granting their requests.... [ Continue Reading ]
ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN; now comes the application of the parable. Be importunate in asking, seeking, and knocking at God's door, and you will be heard and answered. God often delays answering prayer, that he may try the faith and earnestness of the suppliant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Asking of God in prayer. Matthew 7:7-11.... [ Continue Reading ]
SCORPION; a poisonous reptile, with eight legs, eight eyes, and a sting in its tail, which inflicts great pain.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT; this is the gift of gifts, including in itself all needed good. God loves to have men pray for the greatest blessing he can bestow, the Holy Spirit, which he has promised to those who ask him. If any, therefore, do not receive it, and are not enlightened, sanctified, and saved,... [ Continue Reading ]
Casting out devils by Beelzebub. Matthew 12:22-30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Return of the unclean spirit. Matthew 12:43-45.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wicked men reject the revealed truth of God, not because there is not sufficient evidence that it is truth, but because they are wicked, and the truth condemns them. When men reject evidence which God gives, and seek such as he will not give, they grow more wicked, and their last state becomes worse... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, RATHER, BLESSED; the outward relation of Mary to Jesus as his mother was not so high a privilege, and did not confer such blessedness, as a believing and obedient spirt brings to the humblest of his disciples. How wrong, then, to exalt Mary to be an object of worship because of this outward rel... [ Continue Reading ]
A sign sought. Matthew 12:38-42; MARK 8:11-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Candle under a bushel. Matthew 5:15; Matthew 6:22-23.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THY WHOLE BODY-FULL OF LIGHT; a clear view of spiritual things is to the soul what sight is to the body. It enables us to see clearly and correctly all truth that relates to God and Christ. Thus the soul becomes like a well-lighted chamber, having no dark corner.... [ Continue Reading ]
WASHED; in the original, baptized. Great attention may be paid to outward forms and ceremonies, especially when men are taught to depend on them for salvation, and yet their hearts be abominably wicked. All such dependence is vain. To be accepted of God, men must give him their hearts, and must mani... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SAID; this discourse at the Pharisee's table has much in common with that recorded in Matthew 23:1-39; but it was delivered on a different occasion. MAKE CLEAN; cleanse by washing. Matthew 23:25-26; RAVENING; greedy violence.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOLS; they who mock God with outward forms merely, while inwardly full of impurity, are not only wicked, but most foolish. MADE THAT WHICH IS WITHOUT-THAT WHICH IS WITHIN; the argument is, that since God made the spirit as well as the outer man, he must require that also to be kept clean from poll... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE ALMS OF SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE; that is, according to our version, bestow your property, as you have means and opportunity, in deeds of love for Christ's sake, and you will be accepted of him. But we may better render, Give the things within as alms; the things, namely, within the cup and platt... [ Continue Reading ]
UPPERMOST SEATS-AND GREETINGS; the most honorable places and public salutations. Matthew 23:6-7.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT; so that men walking over them are polluted without knowing it. In Matthew 23:27-28, there is a contrast between a fair outward appearance and inward abomination. Here the point is the carefulness of the Pharisees in hiding their wickedness.... [ Continue Reading ]
REPROACHEST US; as being inwardly corrupt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sin and doom of the Pharisees. Matthew 23:4; Matthew 23:29-36.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WISDOM OF GOD; as manifested in the words and works of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE; they prevented the people from obtaining the true knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah. They would not believe in him themselves, and they hindered others. To hinder men from obtaining that knowledge which God has revealed in his word, is a great sin, and one which exposes all who... [ Continue Reading ]