_The beginning._ THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST I. In John’s way of living there was the beginning of a gospel spirit. (A) Self-denial. (B) Nonconformity to the world. II. In John’s preaching and baptizing there was the beginning of the gospel doctrines and ordinances. (A) Remissi... [ Continue Reading ]
_As it is written in the prophets._ THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THIS DOUBLE PROPHECY Its authors were- I. The first prophet (Isaiah 40:3) and the last (Malachi 3:1_._) who _wrote. _John was the last prophet of the old dispensation and the first of the new who _spoke._ II. The one like John was a prop... [ Continue Reading ]
_The voice of one crying in the wilderness._ I. Ministers ought to show zeal and earnestness in their office (Isaiah 58:1; Hosea 8:1; 2 Timothy 4:2). A minister of the Word must not do the work of the Lord negligently or coldly, but with zeal and fervency of spirit. This zeal and earnestness consis... [ Continue Reading ]
_John did baptize in the wilderness._ THE AGE IN WHICH THE BAPTIST MINISTERED The age of Tiberius, spiritually speaking, was not unlike the Victorian age. Some people were still satisfied with the old religious forms. Their piety still flowed through the time-worn channels of creeds and catechisms.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there went out to him all the land of Judaea._ THE BAPTIST’S AUDIENCE It was a mixed multitude of almost every class. The other Evangelists help us to realize its heterogeneous character. There were Pharisees, whose scrupulous routine of external observance had woven around them a web of self-... [ Continue Reading ]
_And John was clothed with camel’s hair._ RULES FOR SOBRIETY IN DIET 1. It must not exceed our means. 2. It must not exceed our station. 3. It is to be taken at fit times-when hunger dictates (Psalms 145:15; Ecclesiastes 10:16). 4. We must use such food as may serve to maintain strength and hea... [ Continue Reading ]
_There cometh one mightier than I after me._ CHRIST MIGHTIER THAN THE BAPTIST This not then apparent. As the two met on the banks of the Jordan it appeared the reverse: John the embodiment of matured strength; mighty in word, wondrously successful; _the _great man of the epoch. Jesus had given no... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus came from Nazareth._ NAZARETH OF GALILEE: THE FITNESS OF THE SPOT 1. Its seclusion. It lies in a narrow cleft in the limestone hills which form the boundary of Zabulon, entirely out of the ordinary roads of commerce, so that none could say that our Lord had learnt either from Gentiles or fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heavens opened._ THE DIVINE TRINITY This was the inauguration and proclamation of the Messiahs, when He began to be the great Prophet of the New Covenant. And this was the greatest meeting that ever was upon the earth, where the whole cabinet of the mysterious Trinity was opened and shown, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art My beloved Son._ HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION It will be well for us to remember that our great Example was most highly exalted just when His humiliation was deepest; that it was when He had made Himself one with the sons of men that He was declared to be the Son-the beloved Son-of God. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness._ THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST An awful and mysterious passage in the life of One whose tastes and habits were the very opposite of those of the prophet of the desert-One who loved men and cities, free social intercourse, and scenes of active usefulness. No s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now after that John was put in prison._ HINDRANCES NO INJURY But John had been doing a good work, doing an important work, doing the very work that God had planned for him to do. Why did the Lord let him be put in prison? Just such interruptions as that to the best men’s work, and just such trials... [ Continue Reading ]
_And saying, The time is fulfilled._ REPENTANCE AND FAITH I. The import of the exhortation. 1. By the repentance to which we are exhorted we are not to understand merely an external reformation. To the. Pharisees such an exhortation would have been inappropriate and useless. Their outward conduct... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now as He walked by the Sea of Galilee._ THE CALL OF THE FIRST APOSTLES The call of these men is a strange thing. It is strange that He begins with winning disciples, not working miracles. And it is more strange still that in our poor human nature He should find any fitness to aid Him in His work... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James._ THE CALL OF THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE I. Our first question is, what manner of men were James and John when Jesus summoned them to His service? Is it not suggested that they were free from gross vices; open-eyed to truth and righteousness? Con... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they went into Capernaum._ CAPERNAUM The Teacher of humility begins His mission at a town where pride chiefly reigned. Preference is due from ministers to the greatest need, not to the greatest inclination. A minister should always begin by instructing, in imitation of God, who leads men, not... [ Continue Reading ]
_For He taught them as one that had authority._ CONVICTION OF CHRIST’S AUTHORITY THROUGH HIS SERVANT’S TEACHING Francis Junius the younger was a considerable scholar, but by no means prejudiced in favour of the Scriptures, as appears by his own account, which is as follows:-“My father, who was freq... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man with an unclean spirit._ POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL The devil is always endeavouring to work on us, and seizes every advantage offered, and works through (1) a darkened mind, or (2) disordered nerves, or (3) a depraved heart. In all ages you find him oppressing with his torture all that are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee?_ THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN CAN ONLY BE APPRECIATED BY THE HOLY Even supposing a man of unholy life were suffered to enter heaven, he would not be happy there; so that it would be no mercy to permit him to enter. For heaven, it is plain from Scripture, is n... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever._ SIMON’S WIFE The Lord chose as the first of His apostles a married man, and after his election to follow the Lord he did not separate from his wife, but the Lord honours the family by sometimes dwelling in their house. St. Paul implies (1 Corinthian... [ Continue Reading ]
_And at even when the sun did set._ IN MINISTERING TO THE SICK, WE FOLLOW AND FIND CHRIST I. Describe the scene at Capernaum to which text alludes. Presence of Christ among sick. Wonderful change His visit wrought. What happy hearts and homes; what prayers and praises; what jubilant psalms. II. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in the morning, rising up a great while before day._ IF WE WOULD PRAY WELL, WE MUST PRAY EARLY Christians have often to choose between the indulgence of a little more sleep and the time of prayer cut short, and scant and hurried devotion, or between a little self-denial in sleep and the fresh... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had found Him._ THE DESIRE OF HUMANITY FOR CHRIST While rejoicing in Divine solitude, the loneliness in which He left the suffering, toiling people was indescribably painful to them. A man born blind does not realize his deprivation, but if there is given him a brief vision of dayli... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him._ THE CURED LEPER STILL REBELLIOUS I. His disease. II. His application. 1. We have here an intelligent appreciation of Christ as the Healer. 2. We have an instance of genuine earnestness. 3. We see here the marks of true humility. 4. A sample of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they came to Him from every quarter._ GATHERING TO THE CENTRE I. Of the open or professional coming to Christ. The gospel when it is preached draws many to itself who are not saved by it. Many come to Christ from the lowest motives; to receive benefits; some out of transient enthusiasm. Out o... [ Continue Reading ]