_CHRIST AND THE CHILDREN_ ‘And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them.… And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.’ Mark 10:13 The scene here is one of surpassing beauty. Preachers, artists, poets, have conspired to do honour to it. Christ r... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE FRIEND FOR LITTLE CHILDREN_ ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.’ Mark 10:14 This is inexpressibly touching; it is one of the most beautiful passages in the life of our Blessed Lord. I. JESUS LOVES LITTLE CHILDREN.—Rightly has... [ Continue Reading ]
_MODERN CULTURE_ ‘Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.’ Mark 10:15 It has been remarked that the Church has neglected a great duty in not dealing faithfully with modern culture. There are from the standpoint of Christianity at least three g... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE LOST OPPORTUNITY_ ‘Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieve... [ Continue Reading ]
_CIVILISATION AND WORSHIP_ ‘He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.’ Mark 10:22 The present time is the richest of times, the heir of all the ages, the fullest of honours. This age, like the young ruler, has great possessions. Like the young ruler, too, thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CHURCH AND WEALTH_ ‘And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in rich... [ Continue Reading ]
_MULTUM IN PARVO_ ‘For My sake.’ Mark 10:29 Here indeed is _ multum in parvo_. Here is the concentrated essence of religion. Here is a terse compendium of piety. Here are big thoughts in three little words. I. THE WORDS ARE UNIQUE.—Read Moses and David and all the prophets of the Old Testament,... [ Continue Reading ]
_BARGAINING IN RELIGION_ ‘But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.’ Mark 10:31 The Apostles were standing by, and when they saw the young man go away and _ refuse_ to do what Christ bade him, it is plain that they began to draw a contrast between themselves and that young man. S... [ Continue Reading ]
_FEARERS YET FOLLOWERS_ ‘And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.’ Mark 10:32 How is it that a real follower may be a real fearer? I find the answer on that road up to Jerusalem. Why did the disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRIST’S FOREKNOWLEDGE OF SUFFERING_ ‘And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him, saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall de... [ Continue Reading ]
_EXCELSIOR!_ ‘Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory.’ Mark 10:37 The subject to which I wish to call your attention is the duty, I might almost say the necessity, of having high aims in religion. I. IN YOUR INNER LIFE.—Christ is reall... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS_ ‘Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of?’ Mark 10:38 In more or less degree the great sacrifice of the Master must be reflected in the disciples. All suffering, mental, bodily, and spiritual, is to be for service of God or men. I. THE CUP IS IN THE FATHE... [ Continue Reading ]
_POSITION IN HEAVEN_ ‘But to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.’ Mark 10:40 I. THERE ARE DEGREES IN GLORY.—Our Lord does not deny that there are right and left places, but admits it. Otherwise He might reasonably h... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRISTIAN SERVICE_ ‘Whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. For verily the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:43 (R.V.) So our Lord s... [ Continue Reading ]
_DIVINE MEEKNESS_ ‘The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45 In our Lord’s day every one knew the pomp and the pride of those provincial governors of Rome, who broke in upon the rich East from out of the imperial city to de... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE ATONEMENT_ ‘The Son of Man came … to give His life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45 There can be no doubt at all that the main message of the New Testament is the Death, Passion, and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, with the attendant circumstances which led up to the crownin... [ Continue Reading ]
_A PARABLE OF LIFE_ ‘Blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging.… And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ Mark 10:46 We may take the story of the blind man of Jericho as a parable of our life. I. A BEGGAR.—He sat by the wayside begging. So... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE HIGHER LIFE_ ‘Rise; He calleth thee.’ Mark 10:49 What is religious life? A continual series of small progressions. I. NOW AT A LOW LEVEL.—It may be that your religious state has gone down to a very low level. A hope that you once felt has died; and everything that is good lies buried under... [ Continue Reading ]
_GARMENTS TO BE CAST AWAY_ ‘He, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.’ Mark 10:50 We all of us wear such an outer garment wrapped about our soul. Habits (the word habit means a garment, something worn), more or less confirmed, may not only impede our progress, but trip us up and make... [ Continue Reading ]
_OPENED EYES_ ‘Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.’ Mark 10:52 Bartimæus sat by the wayside, and he made no step of advance towards the Holy City; but when he had obtained mercy and the gift for which he asked he followed Christ, and that brought him to Jerusalem. So... [ Continue Reading ]