“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”
- Hebrews:_5:8
We are told that the Captain of our salvation (JESUS CHRIST)
was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of His own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master’s experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ’s “being made perfect through suffering”-it is, that He can have complete sympathy with us.
“He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, “I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He suffers in me now; He sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong.” Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony.
Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing-to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does He honour us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up.
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”
Book of Psalms Audibly and Video!
Death In Adam or Life In Christ
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1Co_15:21-22)
The new covenant of grace is a covenant of relationship.
Spiritual death through Adam made this covenant of grace necessary.
Spiritual life through Christ makes intimacy with God possible. Every human who has ever existed inherited a sinful, fallen, earthly life from Adam: "by man came death".
" Every person who has ever put their faith in Christ has received from Him a righteous, risen, heavenly life: "by Man [i.e., Jesus] also came the resurrection of the dead."
Adam began with a measure of intimacy with His Creator. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being . .
Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Gen_2:7, Gen_2:15). In the garden, Adam served the Lord and had fellowship with Him, when He would walk "in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen_3:8).
Adam could partake freely of all that was in the garden, except for one tree. "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Gen_2:17). For Adam, as for all of his race,
"the wages of sin is death" (Rom_6:23).
The day that Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate of the forbidden fruit, they died spiritually. "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden" (Gen_3:8). Whereas they had enjoyed a degree intimacy with Lord, they now fled from His presence. Ever after, the natural children of Adam would begin there existence "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph_2:1).
The only remedy for the spiritually dead human family would be through a relationship to a new "family head."
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many" (Rom_5:12, Rom_5:15).
There are only two families to which humanity can belong: Adam's or Christ's. There are only two family head's to which anyone can be related: Adam or Christ. Adam passed along spiritual death to his offspring. Christ gives to his own life eternal, life abundant — all by His glorious grace.
Creator God, my Father, I confess that I was born in Adam's sinful line. I have demonstrated my sinfulness on a multitude of occasions. I praise You for sending Your Son to rescue me from Adam's race and to place me in Christ, my new Head, Amen.
Isa 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. nkjv
Listen to the audible book of Psalms: Here!
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,.... Not for any sins of His own, but for ours, for our rebellions against God, and transgressions of his law, in order to make atonement and satisfaction for them; these were the procuring and meritorious causes of His sufferings and death, as they were taken upon Him by Him to answer for them to divine justice, which are meant by His being wounded; for not merely the wounds He received in His hands, feet, and side, made by the nails and spear, are meant, but the whole of His sufferings, and especially His being wounded to death, and which was occasionally by bearing the sins of His people; and hereby He removed the guilt from them, and freed them from the punishment due unto them:
he was bruised for our iniquities; as bread corn is bruised by threshing it, or by its being ground in the mill, as the manna was; or as spice is bruised in a mortar, he being broken and crushed to pieces under the weight of sin, and the punishment of it. The ancient Jews understood this of the Messiah; in one place they say,
"chastisements are divided into three parts, one to David and the fathers, one to our generation, and one to the King Messiah; as it is written, "he was wounded for our transgressions; and bruised for our iniquities":''
and in another place,
"at that time they shall declare to the Messiah the troubles of Israel in captivity, and the wicked which are among them, that do not mind to know the Lord; he shall lift up his voice, and weep over the wicked among them; as it is said, "he was wounded for our transgressions".
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; that is, the punishment of our sins was inflicted on him, whereby our peace and reconciliation with God was made by Him; for chastisement here does not design the chastisement of a father, and in love, such as the Lord chastises his people with; but an act of vindictive justice, and in wrath, taking vengeance on our sins, of our surety, whereby divine wrath is appeased, justice is satisfied, and peace is made:
and with His stripes we are healed; or "by His stripe" (q), or "bruise": properly the black and blue mark of it, so called from the gathering and settling of the blood where the blow is given. Sin is a disease belonging to all men, a natural, hereditary, nauseous, and incurable one, but by the blood of Christ; forgiving sin is a healing of this disease; and this is to be had, and in no other way, than through the stripes and wounds, the blood and sacrifice, of the Son of God. Christ is a wonderful physician; he heals by taking the sicknesses of his people upon himself, by bearing their sins, and being wounded and bruised for them, and by his enduring blows, and suffering death itself for them.
"when we obey his words, our sins will be forgiven us;''
but-
forgiveness is not through our obedience, but the blood of Christ.
Read Isaiah 53:4-12, While growing up, Michael Brown had no interest in spiritual things. His life revolved around being a drummer for a band, and he got mixed up with drugs. But then some friends invited him to church, where he found the love and prayers of the people to be irresistible.
After a short spiritual struggle, Michael trusted Jesus as his Saviour and Lord of his life.
This was a monumental change for a wayward Jewish teenager. One day he told his dad that he had heard about Old Testament texts describing Jesus. His dad, incredulous, asked "Where?"
When Michael exclaimed, "That's Him! That's Jesus!"
Indeed, it is Jesus. Through the help of Christians and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Brown
(today a Bible scholar and an author) came to recognize the Messiah of Isaiah 53.
He experienced the salvation that changes lives forgives sin and gives abundant life to all who trust the "Man of Sorrows" (v3), Jesus is the One who was "wounded for our transgressions"
and who died for us on the cross (v5). The Bible reveals Jesus, who alone has the power to change lives. - Dave Branon
God, I struggle with this idea of Jesus as Saviour. I know He's a good man, but I need to see that He is more than that. Please show me - through others and/or through the Bible (God's Words)
-how I can know for sure who Jesus the Christ is.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD USES THE WORD OF GOD TO CHANGE HEARTS!
know jesus.com
Hebrews 7:1-10
Heb_7:1-28. Christ’s High Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec superior to Aaron’s.
The foregoing chapter ended with a repetition of what had been cited once and again before out of Psa_110:4, Jesus, a high priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. Now this chapter is as a sermon upon that text; here the apostle sets before them some of the strong meat he had spoken of before, hoping they would by greater diligence be better prepared to digest it.
I. The great question that first offers itself is, Who was this Melchisedec? All the account we have of him in the Old Testament is in Gen_14:18, etc., and in Psa_110:4. Indeed we are much in the dark about him; God has thought fit to leave us so, that this Melchisedec might be a more lively type of him whose generation none can declare. If men will not be satisfied with what is revealed, they must rove about in the dark in endless conjectures, some fancying him to have been an angel, others the Holy Ghost; but,
1. The opinions concerning him that are best worthy our consideration are these three: -
(1.) Therabbin, and most of the Jewish writers, think he was Shem the son of Noah who was king and priest to their ancestors, after the manner of the other patriarchs; but it is not probable that he should thus change his name. Besides, we have no account of his settling in the land of Canaan.
(2.) Many Christian writers have thought him to be Jesus Christ himself, appearing by a special dispensation and privilege to Abraham in the flesh, and who was known to Abraham by the name Melchisedec, which agrees very well to Christ, and to what is said, John_8:56, Abraham saw his day and rejoiced. Much may be said for this opinion, and what is said in Heb_7:3 does not seem to agree with any mere man; but then it seems strange to make Christ a type of himself.
(3.) The most general opinion is that he was a Canaanite king, who reigned in Salem, and kept up religion and the worship of the true God; that he was raised to be a type of Christ, and was honoured by Abraham as such.
2. But we shall leave these conjectures, and labour to understand, as far as we can, what is here said of him by the apostle, and how Christ is represented thereby, Heb_7:1-3.
(1.) Melchisedec was a king, and so is the Lord Jesus - a king of God's anointing; the government is laid upon his shoulders, and he rules over all for the good of his people.
(2.) That he was king of righteousness: his name signifies the righteous king. Jesus Christ is a rightful and a righteous king - rightful in his title, righteous in his government. He is the Lord our righteousness; he has fulfilled all righteousness, and brought in an everlasting righteousness, and he loves righteousness and righteous persons, and hates iniquity.
(3.) He was king of Salem, that is, king of peace; first king of righteousness, and after that king of peace. So is our Lord Jesus; he by his righteousness made peace, the fruit of righteousness is peace. Christ speaks peace, creates peace, is our peace-maker.
(4.) He was priest of the most high God, qualified and anointed in an extraordinary manner to be his priest among the Gentiles. So is the Lord Jesus; he is the priest of the most high God, and the Gentiles must come to God by him; it is only through his priesthood that we can obtain reconciliation and remission of sin.
(5.) He was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, Heb_7:3. This must not be understood according to the letter; but the scripture has chosen to set him forth as an extraordinary person, without giving us his genealogy, that he might be a fitter type of Christ, who as man was without father, as God without mother; whose priesthood is without descent, did not descend to him from another, nor from him to another, but is personal and perpetual.
(6.) That he met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him. The incident is recorded Gen_14:18, etc. He brought forth bread and wine to refresh Abraham and his servants when they were weary; he gave as a king, and blessed as a priest. Thus our Lord Jesus meets his people in their spiritual conflicts, refreshes them, renews their strength, and blesses them. (7.) That Abraham gave him a tenth part of all (Heb_7:2), that is, as the apostle explains it, of all the spoils; and this Abraham did as an expression of his gratitude for what Melchisedec had done for him, or as a testimony of his homage and subjection to him as a king, or as an offering vowed and dedicated to God, to be presented by his priest. And thus are we obliged to make all possible returns of love and gratitude to the Lord Jesus for all the rich and royal favours we receive from him, to pay our homage and subjection to him as our King, and to put all our offerings into his hands, to be presented by him to the Father in the incense of his own sacrifice. (8.) That this Melchisedec was made like unto the Son of God, and abids a priest continually. He bore the image of God in his piety and authority, and stands upon record as an immortal high priest; the ancient type of him who is the eternal and only-begotten of the Father, who abideth a priest for ever.
II. Let us now consider (as the apostle advises) how great this Melchisedec was, and how far his priesthood was above that of the order of Aaron (Heb_7:4, Heb_7:5, etc.): Now consider how great this man was, etc. The greatness of this man and his priesthood appears,
1. From Abraham's paying the tenth of the spoils unto him; and it is well observed that Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec in Abraham, Heb_7:9. Now Levi received the office of the priesthood from God, and was to take tithes of the people, yet even Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec, as to a greater and higher priest than himself; therefore that high priest who should afterwards appear, of whom Melchisedec was a type, must be much superior to any of the Levitical priests, who paid tithes, in Abraham, to Melchisedec. And now by this argument of persons doing things that are matters of right or injury in the loins of their predecessors we have an illustration how we may be said to have sinned in Adam, and fallen with him in his first transgression. We were in Adam's loins when he sinned, and the guilt and depravity contracted by the human nature when it was in our first parents are equitably imputed and derived to the same nature as it is in all other persons naturally descended from them. They justly adhere to the nature, and it must be by an act of grace if ever they be taken away.
2. From Melchisedec's blessing of Abraham, who had the promises; and, without contradiction, the less is blessed of the greater, Heb_7:6, Heb_7:7. Here observe,
(1.) Abraham's great dignity and felicity - that he had the promises. He was one in covenant with God, to whom God had given exceedingly great and precious promises. That man is rich and happy indeed who has an estate in bills and bonds under God's own hand and seal. These promises are both of the life that now is and of that which is to come; this honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. (2.) Melchisedec's greater honour - in that it was his place and privilege to bless Abraham; and it is an uncontested maxim that the less is blessed of the greater, Heb_7:7. He who gives the blessing is greater than he who receives it; and therefore Christ, the antitype of Melchisedec, the meriter and Mediator of all blessings to the children of men, must be greater than all the priests of the order of Aaron.
“His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
- Luke_22:44
The Man Christ Jesus
The mental pressure arising from our Lord’s struggle with temptation, so forced His frame to an unnatural excitement, that his pores sent forth great drops of blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how tremendous must have been the weight of sin when it was able to crush the Saviour so that He distilled great drops of blood! This demonstrates the mighty power of his love. It is a very pretty observation of old Isaac Ambrose that the gum which exudes from the tree without cutting is always the best. This precious camphire-tree yielded most sweet spices when it was wounded under the knotty whips, and when it was pierced by the nails on the cross; but see, it giveth forth its best spice when there is no whip, no nail, no wound. This sets forth the voluntariness of Christ’s sufferings, since without a lance the blood flowed freely. No need to put on the leech, or apply the knife; it flows spontaneously. No need for the rulers to cry, “Spring up, O well;” of itself it flows in crimson torrents. If men suffer great pain of mind apparently the blood rushes to the heart. The cheeks are pale; a fainting fit comes on; the blood has gone inward as if to nourish the inner man while passing through its trial. But see our Saviour in His agony; He is so utterly oblivious of self, that instead of His agony driving His blood to the heart to nourish Himself, it drives it outward to bedew the earth. The agony of Christ, inasmuch as it pours Him out upon the ground, pictures the fullness of the offering which He made for men.
Do we not perceive how intense must have been the wrestling through which He passed, and will we not hear its voice to us? “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Behold the great Apostle and High Priest of our profession, and sweat even to blood rather than yield to the great tempter of your souls
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
John 3:11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
FIVE THINGS GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW
FIRST: You need to be saved! "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,"
Romans 3:23 "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.
SECOND: You cannot save yourself!
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.." Titus 3:5.
THIRD: Jesus Has Provided For Your Salvation.
"Who (Jesus) his own self bare our sins, in His own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
FOURTH: You must Accept Jesus Christ For Salvation.
"....Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved,"
Acts 16:31. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12.
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9.
FIFTH: Now Is The Time To Accept Jesus As Your Saviour.
"....behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2.
"....As the Holy Ghost, said, To day if you will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts...." Hebrews 3:7-8.
NOW: If you will receive Christ as your Saviour simply pray this prayer from your heart.
Dear Lord Jesus, I do now ask you to forgive me of my sins, and come into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Signed:................................................................................................
Date: .................................. Time: ...............................................
Let us know you have received Jesus; Allow us to share your joy!
The way of the Master Course and information
The Lavishness of Jesus
And they did all eat, and were filled. and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full— Mat_14:20
Love Never Asks How Little Can I Do
One of the characteristics of our Lord was a certain glorious lavishness, an uncalculating generosity that was impatient of the less or more. This made Him very lovable. It was one of the features of His grace. He exhibited that royal largeness which always captivates the human heart. For the miser is universally condemned, and the stingy person forever unattractive, nor does the niggard, though scrupulously just, ever really draw the hearts of men. There is a lavishness which is pure thoughtlessness, and which sooner or later issues in remorse. It is far easier for shallow natures to squander than to save. But the lavishness of Jesus struck its roots into His deepest being, and was the flower of uncalculating love. Love never asks how little can I do; love always asks how much. Love does not merely go the measured mile; love travels to the uttermost. Love never haggles, never bargains, with "nicely calculated less or more." It gives up to the point of prodigality.
The Lavishness of Jesus in His Actions
We find the lavishness of Christ in every sphere, and first let us note it in His actions. "Gather up the fragments that remain, and they gathered up twelve baskets full." Men find in that a lesson in economy. Christ was careful that not a crumb be lost. And it is well we should be taught that lesson—we are so apt to be careless with life's fragments. But surely a far deeper lesson, leading us to the inmost heart of Jesus, is that of His uncalculating lavishness. He took no nice and precise measurements of what that hungry multitude required. He did not think of the minimum of need; He thought of the maximum of love. He gave so lavishly that when every man was fed, and every little whimpering child was satisfied, there yet remained twelve baskets full. That was the manner in which Jesus gave, and in such a manner is He giving still. Men come for healing, and they get pardon also. They come for a shilling and they get a sovereign. I take it that is why so many people fail to see the answers to their prayers; they have asked for a sixpence, and they get a fortune.
The Lavishness of Jesus in His Parabolic Teaching
The same uncalculating lavishness of love is witnessed in the teaching of His parables. I do not think there is a single parable in which that divine element is wanting. The sower does not nicely measure things; he sows on the beaten path and on the rock. The employer of labour, at the eleventh hour, gives a full day's pay for an hour's work. The servant who was faithful with ten pounds finds himself the ruler of ten cities, no doubt to his own intense astonishment. Men quarrel with the doctrine of rewards. They say we ought to do good for its own sake. Christ, knowing human nature, never hesitates to introduce rewards. But then His rewards are so amazing, so utterly unproportioned to our merit, that they entirely lose the aspect of reward, and shine as gifts of undeserved grace. When the poor prodigal came home again, a bare forgiveness would have contented him. But it evidently did not content the overflowing heart of Jesus. The best robe must be given to him; there must be a ring on his finger and shoes upon his feet; there must be music and dancing in the house.
Jesus Noticed the Much Found in the Little
Again, we might think a moment of the kind of thing that Jesus loved. If we are to follow Him, and take His scale of values, it is imperative that we discover that. He did not love the narrowness of Pharisees, nor had He any tenderness for lengthy prayers. He felt no sympathy with the precise exactitude that tithes the mint and the anise and the cummin. But one day He saw a widow woman lavishing her little all for God, and that caught the tendrils of His heart. Again, another day there came a woman with an alabaster box of precious ointment. And she broke the box and poured that precious ointment on the dear feet of Him whom she loved. And men were indignant at this gross extravagance—to what purpose is this waste?—but to Jesus it was incomparably fine. It was not the squandering of hysteria. To Him it was the lavishness of love. It was love, despising calculation, and giving to the very uttermost. He caught in it a spark of that same flame that had lit up every moment of His life, and was now to shine in glory on the cross.
Was Christ's Death for All a Waste Since All Do Not Accept Him?
Jesus died on the cross for every man. He died for the sins of the whole world. There was virtue in that atoning death for all the guilty sinners of mankind. Now look around and tell me, are all men being saved? Are none going down into the glen of weeping? Are none heading for the outer darkness? If so, to what purpose is this waste? Why this lavish squandering of sacrifice in the agony and dereliction of the cross? The only answer is that God is love, and love never asks how little, but how much. Love does not calculate nor nicely measure; it gives as the woman with the alabaster box did. In that lavishness our Saviour lived. In that lavishness He fed the multitude. In that lavishness He died on Calvary.
Feeding the Five Thousand
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude— Mat_14:19
The Only Miracle Recorded in All Four Gospels
This is the only miracle recorded in each of the four Gospels, and we must take that as a token of the profound impression which it made. To us, the raising of Lazarus is more astounding than this mountain feast; but had we lived in Galilee, and heard the common talk, we should have perhaps found that this miracle was graven deepest on men's hearts. Most of the other miracles had been seen by few. There was no crowd near when the Nain widow got her son again. When Lazarus awoke, there were only the village neighbours present. But here five thousand lips had eaten, and five thousand lips would talk, until in every farm house and cottage this miracle would be a household word. That deep impression is registered in the fourfold narrative.
Only a word is needed to describe the miracle. Partly to avoid the dangerous neighbourhood of Herod, and still more, to refresh His overstrained disciples—for there is nothing like a day with Christ among the hills for making a worried heart itself again—Jesus and His disciples cross the lake, and steer for the quiet hills by the north shore. Alas! there was to be little rest that day. The folk had seen them launching. They hurry round by the north end of the lake, meeting and mingling with the pilgrim-companies making for Jerusalem to keep the Passover. And as the prow of the boat grates on the beach, and Jesus and His disciples step ashore, God's great cathedral of the mountainside, whose roof is heaven and whose organ music is the sea, is thronged with a vast and eager congregation. Then Jesus heals, and teaches, and in the evening feeds them. Which done, the stars come out, and the crowds are scattered, and the disciples are rowing homeward to Capernaum, and Jesus is on the mountainside in prayer.
Christ's Compassion
Note first that this miracle had its roots in Christ's compassion. When He stepped ashore and saw much people, we read that He was moved with compassion towards them. And all the healing, and teaching, and feeding of that memorable day sprang from that pity in the heart of Christ. And that is the glory of divine compassion it is the source and spring of noble deeds. Often we pity where we cannot help. But the compassion of Jesus sprang into action always. It set Him healing, teaching, feeding hungry men, and it still draws Him to the same service. Is Christ my compassionate High Priest today? Then He will help me in my struggle to be true. He will lift me up when I have failed and fallen. He will feed me when my soul is starving.
One Food for All
Mark, too, there was but one food for all these thousands. The rich were there, journeying to Jerusalem, and the poorest of the poor were there, from the rude huts by the lakeside. Yonder were the quick merchants from the cities, here lolled the farmhands from the fields. There was a mother crooning to her babe, and here were the children romping on the green. Old men were there with the first glow of heaven about them, and young men with the first glow of earth. Yet Jesus fed them all with the same bread. The strange thing is that no one scorned the victual. All ate, and all were filled. No swift relays of courses had ever been so sweet as the single dish with Jesus on the hill.
Now the wonderful thing about Christ—the living Bread—is that He satisfies us all.
What a great gulf between the Jew of Tarsus and the ignorant fishers of Bethsaida! What a world between the gentle Lydia and the rude jailer at Philippi! Yet the power of Christ that made a man of Peter was no less mighty in the heart of Paul; and the love of God that won the love of Lydia conquered the jailor too. In all love, says a thinker, there is something levelling; and the love of God is the great leveller of the ages. It knows no social barriers. It is not powerless where temperaments differ. It comes to all, this one glorious Gospel of the grace of God, and all may feed and be satisfied.
Jesus Uses Gifts Men Bring Him
Again note, that in satisfying the needs of men Christ uses the gifts which men bring Him. Had Jesus so willed, He could have made bread out of the stones. In times past, God had called water from the rock, and brought manna from the windows of heaven, and I do not know why God in Christ might not have summoned these hidden stores again. But Jesus' miracles were acted parables, not wrought to amaze, but to instruct. And so He takes what the disciples give Him, and uses that to feed the crowd. It is often Christ's way to help the world through men.
It is His plan to bring the Kingdom in through us. And if we take our gifts, however poor and humble, and lay them freely at the feet of Jesus, He will so bless and multiply and use them that we shall be amazed, and recognise His hand.
The Bread Increased in the Breaking of It
I see, too, that it was in the breaking that the bread increased. A wonder-worker would have touched the loaves, and made them swell and multiply before the crowd. But Jesus blessed, and broke, and gave to the disciples, and as they brake the bread, it increased. It was through the blessing that the miracle was wrought, and through the breaking that it was realised. And ever, through the breaking, comes the increase, and in the using of our gifts, with God's blessing, are our gifts enlarged. Trade with your talent bravely, and it shall be five. Power springs from power, and service out of service. Never try to do good, and you will find no good to do. Do all the little good you can, and every day will bring a fresh capacity and a new opportunity, until you find that "there is that scattereth and yet increaseth."
Careful of the Fragments
And lastly, note that Jesus was very careful of the fragments. One would have thought that Jesus was too rich to trouble Himself about the fragments. Surely it was but labour lost to sweat and stoop and stumble in the dark, to fill their wicker baskets with the scraps. But Jesus is imperious. "Gather the fragments that remain," is His command. And the twelve disciples, who a little before had been sent out to heal and teach and preach the Gospel, had now, in the presence of the thousands, to set about sweeping the crumbs. It was a splendid discipline. Someone has said that if two angels came to earth, the one to rule an empire, and the other to sweep a crossing, they would never seek to interchange their tasks. And our own poet has told us that:
A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine,
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.
But was that all? I think not. It was not merely to discipline the disciples that Jesus commanded the fragments to be gathered. We cannot read the story of His life, but we detect a care for the fragments through it all. The fragment of a day, how He employed it! The fragment of a life, how He redeemed it! The fragment of a character, how He ennobled it! Yes, that is His great passion—to love and lift our fragmentary lives till they are brought into the image of His own.
RISEN WITH CHRIST
"If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God."-- Col_3:1 (R.V.).
IF SOME one will say, "Ha, there's the rub! I'm afraid that is not true of me; my life is sinful and sorrowful; there are no Easter chimes in my soul, no glad fellowship with the Risen Lord; no victory over dark and hostile powers." But if you are Christ's disciple, you may affirm that you are risen in Him! With Christ you lay in the grave, and with Christ you have gone forth, according to the thought and purpose of God, if not in your feelings and experience. This is distinctly taught in Eph_2:1-10 and Rom. 6.
The whole Church (including all who believe in our Lord Jesus) has passed into the light of the Easter dawn; and the one thing for you and me, and all of us, is to begin from this moment to act as if it were a conscious experience, and as we dare to do so we shall have the experience.
Notice how the Apostle insists on this: "You died, you were raised with Christ, your life is hid with Christ. Give yourself time to think about it and realize it."
The Cross of Jesus stands between you and the constant appeal of the world, as when the neighbours of Christian tried to induce him to return to the City of Destruction. This does not mean that we are to be indifferent to all that is fair and lovely in the life which God has given us, but that the Cross is to separate us from all that is selfish, sensual, and savouring of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1Jo_2:15-17).
Set your mind on things above (Col_3:2). "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." With many of us there is little attempt to guard our thoughts. The door of our heart stands open, with none to control the ingress or egress of the tumultuous throng of thoughts that wander in and out. If only we would ask the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts, so that we might think only the things that are true and of good report, a wonderful change would pass over our life (Phi_4:7-8).
Realize that Christ is your life--He is in you! See to it that nothing hinders the output of His glorious indwelling. Never mind if the world of men misunderstand you. Some day your motives and reasons will be manifested (Col_3:4).
PRAYER
Grant, most gracious God, that we may love and seek Thee always and everywhere, and may at length find Thee and for ever hold Thee fast in the life to come. AMEN.
Luke 9:22
The Son of Man must suffer many things
Christ foreseeing the Cross
I. We have here set forth in the first place our LORD’S ANTICIPATION OF THE CROSS. Mark the tone of the language, the minuteness of the detail, the absolute certainty of the prevision. That is not the language of a man who simply is calculating that the course which He is pursuing is likely to end in His martyrdom; but the thing lies there before Him, a definite, fixed certainty; every detail known, the scene, the instruments, the non-participation of these in the final act of His death, His resurrection, and its date—all manifested and mapped out in His sight, and all absolutely certain.
II. OUR LORD’S RECOGNITION OF THE NECESSITY OF HIS SUFFERING. He does not say “shall,” but “must.” His suffering was necessary on the ground of filial obedience.
The Father’s will is the Son’s law. But yet that necessity grounded on filial obedience, was no mere external necessity determined solely by the Divine will.
God so willed it, because it must be so, and not it must be because God so willed it. That is to say, the work to which Christ had set His hand was a work that demanded the Cross, nor could it be accomplished without it.
For it was the work of redeeming the world, and required more than a beautiful life, more than a Divine gentleness of heart, more than the homely and yet deep wisdom of His teachings, it required the sacrifice that He offered on the Cross.
III HOW WE HAVE HERE ALSO, OUR LORD’S WILLING ACCEPTANCE OF THE NECESSITY. It is one thing to recognize, and another thing to accept, a needs-be. This “must” was no unwelcome obligation laid upon Him against His will, but one to which His whole nature responded, and which He accepted. No doubt there was in Him the innocent instinctive physical shrinking from death. No doubt the Cross, in so far, was pain and suffering. But that shrinking might be a shrinking of nature, but it was not a recoil of will. The ship may toss in dreadful billows, but the needle points to the pole. The train may rock upon the line, but it never leaves the rails. Christ felt that the Cross was an evil, but that never made Him falter in His determination to hear it, His willing acceptance of the necessity was owing to His full resolve to save the world. He must die because He would redeem, and He would redeem because He could not but love. So the “must” was not an iron chain that fastened Him to His Cross. Like some of the heroic martyrs of old, who refused to be bound to the funeral pile, He stood there chained to it by nothing but His own will and loving purpose to save the world. And oh I brethren; in that loving purpose, each of us may be sure that we had an individual and a personal share. He must die, because “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”
IV. notice here our LORD’S TEACHING THE NECESSITY OF HIS DEATH. This announcement was preceded by that conversation which led to the crystalizing of the half-formed convictions of the apostles in a definite creed—“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But that was not all that they needed to know, and believe and trust to. That was the first volume of their lesson-book. The second volume was this, that “Christ must suffer.” And so let us learn the central place which the Cross holds in Christ’s teaching. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
On the humiliation and sufferings of Christ
Why does the Saviour say He “must suffer”?
I. It was at that time, and in the sense our Saviour then spake it, necessary for this reason, because otherwise the prophecies that went before concerning Him could not have been fulfilled. This reason our Saviour Himself gives (Mat_26:53; Mar_14:48; Luk_24:26; Luk 24:44). The same reason is alleged also by the apostles in their preaching (Acts 1Pe_1:10).
II. The death of Christ was necessary to make the pardon of sin. But the death of Christ was necessary, at least in this respect, to make the pardon of sin consistent with the wisdom of God in His good government of the world, and to be a proper attestation of His irreconcilable hatred against all unrighteousness.
III. The practical inferences from what has been said are as follows.
1. This doctrine concerning Christ’s dying for our sins is a strong argument for the indispensable necessity of our own repentance and reformation of life.
2. The consideration of Christ’s giving Himself a sacrifice for our sins is, to them who truly repent, an encouragement to approach with confidence to the throne of grace in our prayers to God through Him (Rom_8:32).
3. The death of Christ is a great example to us of patient suffering at any time in well-doing, when the providence of God shall call us to bear testimony in that manner to His truth (1Pe_3:17). (S. Clarke, D. D.)
Romans 1:6
Among whom are you also,.... The Romans, though they were the chief, were among the nations of the world to whom the apostles were sent; and since Paul was called to be an apostle, and had, as others, grace and apostleship, and particularly the apostleship of the uncircumcision, or was ordained a teacher of the Gentiles, more especially he was an apostle to them, and as such was to be regarded by them. This seems to point out what they were originally; they were among all nations which lay in darkness; and were without Christ and hope, and God in the world;
but now,
the called of Jesus Christ. The calling here spoken of is not to an office, or a mere external one by the ministry of the word, but an internal special call by the grace of God; and which is irresistible, efficacious, and unchangeable, and is an high, holy, and heavenly one; by it persons are called out of darkness into light, out of bondage into liberty, out of the world, from the company of the men of it, and the sinful pleasures thereof, to fellowship with Christ and His Saints, and off a dependence on themselves, and their own righteousness, to the grace and righteousness of Christ, and to eternal glory.
The persons so called are the elect of God, who are secured in Christ, and redeemed by him, and who has a concern with the Father and Spirit in the calling of them: hence they are styled, "the called of Jesus Christ"; they are called by him, and after his name; he has an interest in them; as they were before his chosen and redeemed ones, they are now his called ones; as Jacob and Israel of old were named of God, מקראי, "my called", Isa_48:12; so these were named Christ's called ones; and who by calling came to be partakers of Him and of His Grace.
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.”
- John_15:9
As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves his people. What is that divine method? He loved him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves his members. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ, but his love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity. God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ’s love to those who rest in him. Yesterday you were on Tabor’s top, and you said, “He loves me:” to-day you are in the valley of humiliation, but he loves you still the same. On the hill Mizar, and among the Hermons, you heard his voice, which spake so sweetly with the turtle-notes of love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all his waves and billows go over you, his heart is faithful to his ancient choice. The Father loves the Son without any end, and thus does the Son love his people. Saint, you need not fear the loosing of the silver cord, for his love for thee will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave Christ will go with you, and that up again from it he will be your guide to the celestial hills. Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon his chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to his people. He “loved us and gave himself for us.” His is a love which passes knowledge. Ah! we have indeed an immutable Saviour, a precious Saviour, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end, even as the Father loves him! There is much food here for those who know how to digest it.
May the Holy Ghost lead us into its marrow and fatness!
The Pearl of Great Price
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it— Mat_13:45-46The Pearl in Ancient Times
Although the pearl is still held in high esteem, it does not now occupy the place which once belonged to it. In the old world, at any rate in the East, it was the most precious of all precious stones. The diamond was not unknown to the ancients, but it was too rare for effective illustration. Its introduction here would have had little meaning for the disciples to whom this parable was spoken. The measure of value which we give the diamond was by them associated with the pearl, and the comparison of the kingdom to a pearl was one that they would understand at once. Many stories were current in the East of fabulous prices being given for pearls. The most famous of antiquity were Cleopatra's, which were valued at $400,000 apiece. And the story of one of these is current yet, even where the queen is but a name, for have we not all read how she dissolved it, and drank it when at supper with her lover? It is very probable that the Old Testament ruby is in reality our pearl. When it is said of wisdom that her price is above rubies, it is likely that "above pearls" is the true rendering. And if this be so, it gives an added meaning to the comparison of the kingdom to a pearl, for between the kingdom of heaven and true wisdom there is a very slight difference indeed. There were very curious fancies in the East, too, about the way in which the pearl was formed. It was thought to be a drop of dew which had fallen from heaven into the open shell. And according to the hour at which it fell, and the brightness and the darkness of the sky then, was the perfection or imperfection of the pearl. Now of all this Jesus Christ makes nothing, and where He makes nothing we should not make much. His parables live because they have their roots, not in fancies, but in simple facts. Yet, as His hearers scattered to their homes and meditated on the story of the pearl, may there not have been some who thought on Hosea's text, "I will be as the dew unto Israel"?
The Finder Was a Seeker
Now the first thing to impress us in the parable is that the finder of the pearl had been a seeker. He was a merchantman seeking goodly pearls—that was his business as it was his quest. In the preceding parable of the hid treasure there is no mention and no thought of seeking. The man is walking abroad one summer morning, when unexpectedly he finds the treasure. But here there is no stroke of sudden fortune, no unexpected joy of treasure-trove; it is the business of the merchant's life to gather pearls, and he is a seeker before he is a finder. Probably it was his father's trade, for callings were generally ancestral with the Jews. Or else as a boy his fancy had been caught by the beauty of the stones in some bazaar. But at any rate this was his calling now, and for his calling he had been nicely trained, so that with eager heart and open eye he ranged from market to market of the East. There was a certain nobleness about the man, too. He had no traffic with inferior articles. It was goodly pearls he was in search of; such as were not goodly he despised. And so in a large and honourable way, a man of business of the worthiest kind, he gave himself to the search of what was goodly and, searching, found a better than the best.
Now, as we look abroad on human history we see it is so with the finding of the Kingdom. There are some who light upon it unexpectedly; there are others who win it after weary search. How many there are like the man who found the treasure who have been tolerably contented with their lot. They did not ask for much, nor look for much; they were never visited by high ambitions. They would have been satisfied to have moved on, surrounded by the comforts of their homes, and only praying to be undisturbed in the even and quiet tenor of their days. But God refused to leave them undisturbed. Something happened, and everything was changed. It may have been some message that aroused them. It may have been some trial or some sorrow. And the old barriers were swept away, and the old contentment was no longer possible, and the need of the living God grew very strong, and the things of eternity grew very real. Such, for instance, was the Samaritan woman who came up to Jesus sitting by the well. Little she reckoned on all that was to happen when she set out with her pitcher from the village. All unexpectedly she lit on Christ, and found in a moment a better than her best, just as the man, sauntering in the field, lit unexpectedly on the hid treasure. Now, with such a case as that, contrast the case of the Apostle Paul. What an unwearied search his life had been for peace of conscience and for spiritual liberty. He was a merchant seeking goodly pearls, unwearied and undaunted in his search; he gave himself to the search of what was goodly and, searching, found a better than his best.
He Found What He Was Looking For
I think, too, we must notice this about the merchant, that it was along the line of his quest he made his great discovery. All his days had been spent in seeking pearls, and it was a pearl of great price he found at last. Many must have been the rarities he saw as he travelled among the riches of the Orient. In India, when his journeys took him there, his eye would be sated with barbaric splendours. Yet to all that our Lord does not refer, nor does He indicate that the man so much as saw them. The merchant's object was procuring pearls, and it was a pearl of great price he found at last. Now we might draw from that the simple lesson that we commonly see what we are looking for. It is he who has eyes for every common flower who will detect the rarity upon the hedge-bank. But I think that we may read a deeper lesson, and it is that if we are seeking what is goodly, then the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, when we discover it, will be found in the direction of our quest. Christ Jesus never contradicts the best. He comes to crown and to complete the best. He never says to any earnest seeker, "That weary search of yours is all in vain." It is not in vain if it be for goodly pearls, for the final blessing also is a pearl, the very same as has been sought so long, yet pure and precious beyond the highest hope. In the first ages of the Christian Church we light on a deeply interesting figure. His name was Justin, and from the death he died he is known to history as Justin Martyr. Well, Justin has told us how he came to Christ, and never was there a more fascinating story. Hungering for peace and spiritual liberty, he passed from school to school of the philosophers. And some were cheats with an eye upon his fees, and others bade him study mathematics, and the best of them, for all their wisdom, were powerless to give him the peace for which he longed. And then one day as he walked by a lake shore he met with an aged and venerable man. And the man, reading his trouble in his face, entered into conversation with him. And he spoke of Christ, and of the work of Christ, till the heart of Justin began to glow within him, and he saw that here was all he had been seeking, and what others had been so powerless to give. Justin had been seeking goodly pearls; he had scorned delights and lived laborious days; and now he had discovered the great pearl, and in that finding all his past was crowned. For all he had sought for with such painful toil, and all he had hoped to win by his philosophy, and all he had struggled for through weary years, became his own when he discovered Christ. A man is always on the Kingdom's avenue when he is inwardly true to what is highest. Let him have worthy and unselfish aims, and his face is always set towards Jerusalem. And that is why, when in the chill of doubt, a man's first duty is to be living nobly, for only when one is seeking goodly pearls does the best lie along his line of search.
The Absence of the Mention of Joy
It is notable also that in this parable our Saviour does not say anything of joy. That is one of the minute, and I think intentional, differences between our parable and the preceding one. When the man has found the treasure in the field, immediately for joy he goes and acts. It is such a surprise he can scarce believe it real, and his heart throbs with the wonder of it all. Now here there is a thing of equal value and an act of similar and swift decision, and yet the joy that thrills in the one parable is not mentioned in our parable at all. I do not think that means that it was lacking. It means that the joy was of a different kind. In the one case it was tumultuous joy. In the other it was very quiet and deep. In the one case there was excitement in it, and the swift surprise of unexpected fortune. In the other there was the inward satisfaction that what had been long dreamed of had come true. The first was the joy as of a day in spring after a season of dark and wintry weather, when the contrast so intensifies the joy that the whole of nature seems to thrill with it. But the other was the quieter, fuller joy of a perfect morning in the height of summer, when for days the earth has been very warm and beautiful, and the sunset has given promise of the morn. Now in the realm of spiritual experience we are often conscious of a kindred difference. Sometimes when men have suddenly found Christ there has been a gladness about them that nothing could restrain. But when discipleship has come as the last stage of a long period of quiet preparation, then there is less disturbance of the feelings and fewer outward signs of the great change. When the lame man was healed at the Gate Beautiful he leapt and ran, he was so full of gladness. His healing was such an unexpected thing that his joy was overwhelming in intensity. But had it come to him as the last stage of a long period of medical attention his gladness would have been not less real, but of a quieter and less obtrusive kind. Let no one then doubt his being in Christ because the acceptance was very quietly made. The vital thing is making the decision; it is not the feelings that go with the decision. Our greatest decisions oftentimes are made in such a strange quietness of the heart that none could ever tell what was transacting save by the results of subsequent days.
Seeking Many, Found One
Once more, while this merchant was seeking many pearls, it is notable that he was led at last to one. The crowning possession of his lifelong search was not a multitude of things, it was one thing. With the treasure hid in the field it was not so; that treasure would consist of many things. Armlets and necklets and jewel-hilted swords would lie in the chest beside the hoard of coin. But in our parable the thought is different. It is not a string of pearls that is discovered; one pearl rewards the seeking of a lifetime, and one pearl gives perfect satisfaction. Now, brethren, in the Kingdom of our Lord we see what at once recalls to us both parables. No treasure hidden in any field can be more various than the Kingdom's riches. And yet the joy of the Kingdom is just this, that all its riches are treasured up in Christ, and that everything that the heart needs for satisfaction is to be found in Him and Him alone. What are some of the things that a man needs if he is to have the secret of sweet peace? He needs the pardon of his sins. And he needs fellowship. And he needs a love that will not let him go. And he needs to be assured in his dark hours that there is some hidden meaning in the burden. And he needs to learn that death is not the end, but that everything shall be perfected beyond. At different times of life these needs arise. They vary in urgency with varying hours. We pass from the call of one need to another, as we pass from winter to the call of spring. And the wonderful thing about Jesus Christ is this, that as these needs successively arise the man who looks to Him to have them satisfied never in any hour looks in vain. In Him is all the pardon of our sin. In Him is the strength made perfect in our weakness. He is the way, the truth, the life, the resurrection, the Shepherd, the vine, the door, the hope of glory. He is all we need and more than all we want. He is wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption. All that we need is treasured up in Christ, who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
And this is the reason why in Jesus Christ there is such satisfaction for the soul. For we are never at rest until our life is unified, and till our many searchings become one. There is no peace for the man whose life is broken; whose objects are many and whose aims are diverse. If he has to go hither and thither on his quest, he must ever lack the secret of stability. It is only when life is harmonised and unified, and when one Lord can satisfy the soul, that in the busiest round there is a peace which the world cannot give and cannot take away. That was one of the failures of old pagan-ism-men were distracted by their many gods. That was one of the triumphs of the Jew—his life was one, because his God was one. But in Christ the secret of the purest Jews has become the choicest treasure of the humble, for there is not a thing we set our hand to but we can do it heartily as to the Lord. All seeking outside of Jesus Christ is the seeking here and there of goodly pearls. It is a noble search, but at its noblest it leaves a man unsatisfied and restless. "Come unto me,…and I will give you rest." Art thou careful and troubled about many things? One thing is needful. This one thing I do. There is one pearl. We are complete in Christ.
To Gain the Pearl, Great Sacrifice Was Needed
In closing, let us notice this, that to gain the pearl great sacrifice was needed, yet even from the standpoint of a business man that sacrifice was perfectly reasonable. It was not a wild and heady speculation. It was not an unwarrantable plunge into the dark. The man sold all that he had for the one pearl, yet it was a sane and rational transaction. He had not been trained through all these years for nothing. He saw at a glance the value of the one. Had you spoken to this merchant about sacrifice, I think he would hardly have thanked you for your sympathy. "Sacrifice," he would have said, "I never thought of that. I suppose that in one sense it is a sacrifice. Yet if you knew half as much as I do about pearls you would congratulate me on the best bargain of my life." Brethren, I do think that sometimes we put too strong an accent upon sacrifice. We dwell on what we would lose by being a Christian. We dwell too little on all that we would gain. For this is certain, that whatever has to go, and whatever sacrifice one may be called to make, the hour in which a man comes out for Christ is the hour of the best bargain of his life. Like Peter, he may have to give up his nets, or like the rich young ruler, his great fortune. Like Paul, he may have to give up his legal righteousness; like Augustine, the darling object of his passion. Yet, like Peter and Paul and Augustine and Livingstone, the man who has won the pearl by what he gave will find that all he has sacrificed is nothing compared with the infinite worth of what he won. "He that keeps his life shall lose it." Hold to it miser-like, and it is gone. "But he that loses his life for my sake shall find it," unto life eternal. So does the figure of sacrifice retire, till God shall have decked her in a bridal garment, and she come forth again, all joy and praise, with life eternal written on her brow.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
- Mat_5:9
This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of “the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” It is well to understand that we are to be “first pure, then peaceable.” Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Not less does the verse that follows seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no marvel, for even the Prince of Peace, by his very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He himself, though he loved mankind, and did no ill, was “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be “first pure, then peaceable,” and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for thy sake we are persecuted.
Resurrection Victory for Effective Christian Living
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1Co_15:57-58)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings spiritual victory over sin and death to all who believe in Him. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." As we allow the Lord to be our guide through each day, He "leads us in triumph in Christ" (2Co_2:14). When this process is unfolding, an effective Christian life is developing, by the grace of God at work in us.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast." It is the will of God that our lives be marked by steadfastness (constancy and stability). Paul rejoiced concerning fellow believers who manifested such attributes: "rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (Col_2:5). He later added that they were to be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith" (Col_2:7).
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be . . . immovable." Our heavenly Father also wants us to be "immovable" (firmly persistent, unable to be swayed). Paul was a good example of this. Although he faced many threatening difficulties, he professed "But none of these things move me" (Act_20:24). When Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus, he warned of another threat to spiritual persistency: "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph_4:14).
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be . . . always abounding in the work of the Lord." Our Lord wants us to be abundantly laboring with Him. This is one of the purposes of Jesus' redemptive work for us: "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Tit_2:14). Yes, living by grace will produce abounding good works. The glorious fact is that such labors are actually the Lord at work in and through us: "always abounding in the work of the Lord." As the Lord sustains His work with us, we can grow in a certainty that this kind of laboring will be effective: "knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Note the key word that indicates the basis for all of these desirable traits: "Therefore." This refers back to the resurrection victory provided by the Lord Jesus. In light of this victorious work of Christ on our behalf, anyone trusting in this reality will find these spiritual virtues developing in their lives, by the grace of God at work.
Dear Lord, I long to walk in spiritual stability. I yearn for a life that cannot be swayed. I want to abundantly labor with You. Therefore, Lord, I place my confidence in the reality of Your resurrection victory. Work in me by Your grace, I pray, Amen.
“By grace are ye saved through faith.”
Jos_2:1-21
AS it is not possible to divide this narrative at an appropriate place, we must take, on this occasion, a little extra time for our reading.
Jos_2:1
There is no pretense for believing that Rahab was, originally, better than her name implies. She had been a sinful woman, but God’s grace had appeared to her and enabled her to believe in Jehovah, the only living and true God. Perhaps, on this account, she began to practice hospitality, and therefore, when the two men came to the city gates she was waiting to give them shelter. At any rate, providence cooperated with grace, and brought the believing woman into communication with those who could secure her safety. It was a work of faith on her part to receive the spies.
Jos_2:2
Israel’s enemies do not sleep, but keep good watch, and we also may rest assured that Satan and his legions will soon find us out if we go to war with his kingdom.
Jos_2:3
This must have been a trying moment for Rahab, and she had at once to decide whether she would give up her country or her God: whatever error she committed in her mode of action, her decision for the living God had no flaw in it.
Jos_2:5
This was a gross falsehood, and is not to be regarded in any other light. Her faith was weak, and therefore she adopted a wrong plan for accomplishing a right thing. We may not lie under any circumstances; but Rahab was very imperfectly aware of this. Orientals do not condemn, but rather admire clever deceit, and therefore her conscience did not condemn her upon this point. This fact shows that although faith may be marred by failings, it will save the soul if it be sincere.
Jos_2:6
Does not this look as if she had already, through her faith, become a virtuous and industrious woman, diligent in business proper to her sex? Vice is very seldom industrious.
Jos_2:7
Rahab had effectually misdirected the pursuers, and lulled to sleep all suspicion against herself. Her success does not, however, justify her deceit. Whether it succeed or fail, falsehood is always wrong.
Jos_2:11
She avowed her faith and gave her reasons for it, reasons which show that she had diligently gathered all information, had been a shrewd observer, and was fully convinced that Jehovah alone was the true God, ruling both in heaven and earth. She had heard no sermons, and seen neither Moses nor the prophets, and yet she believed. She will surely rise up in judgment against those, who, living in the midst of the means of grace, remain unbelievers still.
Jos_2:13
She sued for her own life, but like a true child of God she did not forget her kindred. One of the certain results of grace in the heart is a holy care for others. Grace and selfishness are as opposite as light and darkness. O may none of us forget to pray for our fathers, and mothers, and brethren, and sisters. May we live to see the whole family saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation.
Jos_2:14
Thus she obtained a promise of safety at once, and it was couched in very cheering words. “We will deal kindly and truly with thee.” This is the manner in which the Lord Jesus deals with all who put their trust in him.
Jos_2:19
When the men were leaving her they gave her a token, and made with her an agreement which is full of instruction. The scarlet line was to her house what the blood upon the lintel was to Israel in Egypt: the blood-red standard is the national flag of believers. Those who would share with God’s people must enlist under their banner, and therefore Rahab was instructed to hoist the sacred ensign. Safely was promised to all beneath the scarlet line, but to none else, however near and dear to her they might be. The like benefits belong to Christian households. Those of us who believe in Jesus, and rest in his precious blood, will be saved, but none besides. O let us see to it that we do not rest content until we lodge where the blood-red standard is displayed, for that house alone will stand when all others fall with a crash. In Jesus we must dwell, if we would escape the general doom. The sole token by which our faith realises her security is the blood of the covenant.
Jos_2:21
She complied with the stipulation. We must neglect no gospel command, however trifling it may seem to those who understand it not. By a public profession of faith we must bind the scarlet cord in the window. Neither Baptism, nor the Lord’s Supper, nor any other Gospel statute must be neglected, and we must note well that the gospel runs thus—He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
Heb_11:31
In Rahab’s case faith was most prominent, as Paul reminds us in—Heb_11:31.
Jas_2:25-26
But at the same time good works were not wanting, for we are reminded of the practical nature of her faith in—Jas_2:25-26.
