THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER; the gospel established, and rendered mightily efficacious to the salvation of men. Matthew 3:2; Matthew 16:28. The assurance of the speedy triumph of the Redeemer is a source of great encouragement to his people, and prepares them for all needful labors, hardships... [ Continue Reading ]
The transfiguration. Matthew 17:1-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
The great business of men is to hear the instructions of Christ, especially those which relate to his sufferings and death, and so to act as to influence as many as possible to believe on him, to the salvation of their souls.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THE RISING FROM THE DEAD SHOULD MEAN; though Christ had clearly foretold his resurrection from the dead, his disciples appear not to have understood, or not to have believed it.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIAS MUST FIRST COME; Matthew 17:10-13.... [ Continue Reading ]
RESTORETH ALL THINGS; the word "restore," used also in Matthew 17:11, is taken from the Septuagint version of Malachi 4:6 : "Who _Elias_ shall restore the heart of father to son," etc.: that is, bring them back to their former state of union in God's service. For the meaning of this prophecy, see no... [ Continue Reading ]
QUESTIONING; disputing or debating with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
The dumb spirit cast out. Matthew 17:14-21.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE GREATLY AMAZED; it has been supposed that a portion of the supernatural brightness of the Saviour's countenance on the mount of transfiguration yet remained.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatever calamities come upon children, it is the privilege and duty of parents to apply for them to the Saviour; and all their difficulties, however grievous or long-continued, he can remove.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is often an important connection between the faith of parents and the blessings which Christ bestows on children; and never in this world will children fully know the benefits which their parents, through earnest application to, and strong faith in the Redeemer, have been instrumental in procu... [ Continue Reading ]
HELP THOU; teach me to believe more fully thy willingness and power to help.... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ foretells his death. Matthew 17:22-23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who are greatest. Matthew 18:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
HELD THEIR PEACE; they were silent; ashamed, no doubt, as men always have reason to be when they contend which shall be the greatest. Desire of preeminence is a besetting sin even in ministers of the gospel. It is an evidence of wordly-mindedness which their Lord observes and highly disapproves, how... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THY NAME; in professed reliance on thy power. HE FOLLOWETH NOT US; he did not with them attend on the Saviour. Those who think that a man cannot be useful because he does not follow them, and who are therefore disposed to hinder his doing good, differ greatly from Jesus Christ. And if Christ wor... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBID HIM NOT; the principle which the Saviour here lays down is one of wide application. When a man is laboring in Christ's cause with His manifest presence and blessing, forbid him not because he does not in all things agree with you, or is not of your party.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER SHALL GIVE YOU A CUP OF WATER TO DRINK IN MY NAME-WHOSOEVER SHALL OFFEND; the charge respecting the man that followed not with the disciples, naturally led the Saviour to speak of the great preciousness in God's sight of deeds of kindness and love towards his disciples, especially the lowl... [ Continue Reading ]
Warning against offences, or occasions of sin. Matthew 18:6-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFEND THEE; lead thee to commit an offence. The immediate reference here is to offences against Christ's little ones, whereby they are let into sin. The hand, the foot, and the eye represent men's strongest desires and the earthly objects dearest to them. Whatever sacrifices the doing of the will o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE THEIR WORM DIETH NOT, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED; language borrowed from Isaiah 66:24, where the carcasses of God's enemies are represented as devoured by worms that never die, and fire that is never quenched. This terrible imagery teaches that in hell the misery of the wicked will never end... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY ONE SHALL BE SALTED WITH FIRE-SALTED WITH SALT; for the right understanding of this verse, the following particulars should be noted: first, the whole verse is better taken as a comparison, thus: For every one shall be salted with fire, as every sacrifice shall be salted with salt; secondl... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREWITH WILL YE SEASON IT? the man from whose soul the salt of God's grace has perished, is fit only to be salted with the fire of his wrath. Compare Matthew 5:13. HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES; secure the preserving influences of divine grace, that you may be kept henceforward from contests for superi... [ Continue Reading ]