_That they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him._ CRAFT AND CRUELTY COUPLED IN THE CHURCH’S ADVERSARIES Neither of them “wants their mate,” as the Scripture says of those birds of prey and desolation (Isaiah 34:16). These priests and elders were so bitterly bent against Christ, that nothing w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper._ CHRIST ANOINTED FOR HIS BURIAL Let us endeavour to find out what was the latent virtue in the apparently simple act which won so noble a reward. I. There can be no doubt that the majority of Christians would express surprise at the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests._ JUDAS, THE TRUTH SOLD FOR MONEY What was his prompting principle? (1) Not a Divine impulse; (2) or sense of public duty; (3) or malicious feeling towards Christ; (4) but avarice. A man, to commit this sin, must have... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as they did eat, He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me._ SELF-DISTRUST Every man is a mystery to himself. In every soul there lie, coiled and dormant, like hybernating snakes, evils that a very slight rise in the temperature will wake up into poisonous activity. Let... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it._ RELATION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION TO CHRIST The bread and cup are His body and blood, because they are causes instrumental, upon the receipt whereof the participation of His body and blood ensueth. Every cause is in the effect which groweth... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had sung an hymn._ THE PARTING HYMN Our Lord commemorated the Passover as His countrymen were wont to do; and we may justly conclude that He sung what they were used to sing in finishing the solemn celebration. When the Passover was instituted on the night of the destruction of the f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended._ ENTHUSIASM AND ITS DANGERS I. The confidence of inexperience, aided by lack of imagination. How often is this repeated before our eyes! Castles in the air are built by inexperienced virtue, to be demolished, alas! at... [ Continue Reading ]
_A place called Gethsemane._ THE LANGUAGE AND TONE BEFITTING OUR PRAYERS TO GOD To a thoughtful and inquiring mind, nothing will be more manifest than the decorum of our Saviour’s addresses to the throne of grace. He is never betrayed into flights and ecstasies; never uses any phrase which is not m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation _ CHRISTIAN CAUTION Who sleeps by a magazine of gunpowder needs to take care even of sparks. Who walks on ice, let him not go star-gazing, but look to his feet, and take care of falling. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation,” is a w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?_ THE LAST PLEADING OF LOVE I. The patience of Christ’s love. The betrayer in the very instant of his treason has that changeless tenderness lingering around him, and that merciful hand beckoning to him still. Sin is mighty, but it cannot m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father?_ WAR OPPOSED TO THE PRECEPTS AND SPIRIT OF CHRISTIANITY Show that war is opposed to the spirit of Christianity. I. Offer such reasons as prove this. 1. The toleration of war under the New Testament dispensation is contrary to what Christianity... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled._ THE CAUSES, SIGNS, EVILS, AND CURE OF BACKSLIDING I. Its causes. 1. Opposition and fear of injury from those who are the enemies of religion. 2. A too frequent and uniform conformity and intercourse with the world. 3. Self-confidence in spiritual g... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Peter followed Him afar off._ DANGER OF FOLLOWING JESUS AFAR OFF I. What induced the apostle to follow Jesus afar of. It was fear of men, of the evil which might fall upon him. He might persuade himself that he could render no help to his Master. Compare the attachment of Ruth to Naomi. The a... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Jesus held His peace._ SILENCE THE BEST REPLY TO SLANDER It is reported of Titus Vespasian, that when any one spake ill of him he was wont to say that he was above false reports; and if they were true, he had more reason to be angry with himself than the relator. And the good Emperor Theodosi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now Peter sat without in the palace._ THE FALL OF PETER One of the most melancholy instances of depravity ever committed. But a little while before so confident, seated at the table of the Lord, etc. Draw from it important practical uses. I. The danger of self-confidence-“Let him that thinketh,”... [ Continue Reading ]