_And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Beth-phage._ SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT I. It presents an illustration of the relation of Christ to the religious feeling of mankind. We are religious beings. Our very nature is grained with sensibilities for the sacred and the Divine. This scene... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold._ THE PURIFICATION OF THE TEMPLE I. This act shows the mind of Jesus concerning the reverence which is due to the house of God. He regarded it not so much as the temple of the Jews as the temple of God; He revered it more than... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children crying in the temple._ THE BLESSEDNESS OF CHILDREN’S PIETY It is upon the child that this sarcastic question still falls. Some hardly think the children can be converted. The Saviour’s answer is splendid when He said, “Have you never read?” Never caught the inner sense, never read so... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he lodged there._ THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC HAPPINESS Domestic life like all other external goods, is not necessarily, and of itself, but only under certain conditions, in particular circumstances, a real advantage, and a source of true felicity. Only there where wisdom and virtue dwell, where in... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon._ THE BARREN FIG-TREE I. The destruction of this tree was not an act of injustice. People find it difficult to understand the propriety of punishing an inanimate object for defects which are only possible in higher ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all things whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing._ FAITH IN PRAYER Alexander the Great had a famous but indigent philosopher in his court. This adept in science was once particularly straitened in his circumstances. To whom should he apply, but to his patron, the conqueror of the world. He no... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day._ CHRISTIAN SONSHIP AND SERVICE I. Christian sonship furnishes the best possible motives for Christian service. II. It furnishes the best possible facilities for Christian service. III. It makes Christian servic... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard._ THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN I. A representation of the jewish church as regards its privileges and obligations. “There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, etc. 1. The comparison employed. Palestine abounded in vineyards. This... [ Continue Reading ]
_The stone which the builders rejected._ REDEMPTION A MARVELLOUS WORK I. It is God’s work. 1. Contrary to intentions or acts of the builders. 2. No one else competent to perform it. II. It is a marvellous work. 1. From extent of agency employed. 2. Divine attributes displayed. 3. Demerit of... [ Continue Reading ]
_They feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet._ THE ADAPTATION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE POOR “The multitude” were pleased with Christ and took Him for a prophet. The pleasure which our text indicates may be referred to wrong motives; they were glad to see others h... [ Continue Reading ]