J. C. Ryle The Gospel of Mark (1857) PREFACE The volume now n !he rea"er#s han"s$ s a %on! nua!

! on of a work alrea"y %ommen%e" &y '()pos !ory Thou*h!s on Ma!!hew.' The na!ure of !he work has &een so fully e)pla ne" n !he prefa%e !o !he volume on Ma!!hew$ !ha! ! seems unne%essary !o say any!h n* on !he su&+e%!. ,! may &e suff % en! !o repea! !ha! !he rea"er mus! no! e)pe%! !o f n" n !hese '()pos !ory Thou*h!s$' a learne" %r ! %al %ommen!ary on !he Gospels. ,f he e)pe%!s !h s he w ll &e " sappo n!e". The work &efore h m makes no pre!ense !o &e n* any!h n* more !han a %on! nuous ser es of shor! pra%! %al e)pos ! ons. The ma n " fferen%e &e!ween !h s volume an" !he one wh %h has pre%e"e" !$ w ll &e foun" !o %ons s! n !he o%%as onal e)plana!ory foo!-no!es. The su&+e%!s of !hese no!es w ll *enerally prove !o &e " ff %ul! passa*es or e)press ons n !he nsp re" !e)!. , %anno! pre!en" !o say !ha! , have !hrown any new l *h! on !he " ff %ul! es n Mark. .u! , %an hones!ly say !ha! , have en"eavore" !o pu! !he rea"er n possess on of all !ha! %an &e sa " on ea%h " ff %ul!y. ,n %ompos n* !hese ()pos ! ons on Mark$ , have !r e" !o keep %on! nually &efore me !he !hree-fol" o&+e%! wh %h , ha" n v ew$ when , f rs! %ommen%e" wr ! n* on !he Gospels. , have en"eavore" !o pro"u%e some!h n* wh %h may &e useful !o hea"s of fam l es n !he %on"u%! of family devotions--some!h n* wh %h may ass s! !hose who visit the poor an" "es re !o rea" !o !hem--an" some!h n* wh %h may a " all rea"ers of !he . &le n !he private study of Go"#s wor". ,n pursuan%e of !h s !hree-fol" o&+e%!$ , have a"here" s!ea" ly !o !he lea" n* pr n% ples w !h wh %h , &e*an. , have "wel! pr n% pally on !he !h n*s nee"ful !o salva! on. , have purposely avo "e" all !op %s of m nor mpor!an%e. , have spoken pla nly on all su&+e%!s$ an" have s!r ven !o say no!h n* wh %h all may no! un"ers!an". , %anno! e)pe%! !ha! !he work w ll sa! sfy all who wan! some &ook !o rea" a! fam ly prayers. ,n fa%! , know$ from %ommun %a! ons wh %h , have re%e ve"$ !ha! some !h nk !he e)pos ! ons !oo lon*. The v ews of !he hea"s of fam l es as !o !he len*!h of !he r fam ly prayers are so e)%ee" n*ly var ous !ha! ! woul" &e mposs &le !o please one %lass w !hou! " spleas n* o!hers. ,n some househol"s !he fam ly prayers are so shor! an" hurr e"$ !ha! , shoul" "espa r of wr ! n* any!h n* su !a&le !o !he mas!er#s "es res. ,n su%h househol"s a few verses of /%r p!ure$ rea" slowly an" reveren!ly$ woul" pro&a&ly &e more useful !han any %ommen!ary a! all. 0s for !hose who f n" four pa*es !oo mu%h !o rea" a! one ! me$ an" ye! "es re !o rea" my ()pos !ory Thou*h!s$ , %an only su**es! !ha! !hey have an easy reme"y n !he r own han"s. They have only !o leave ou! one or !wo " v s ons n ea%h e)pos ! on$ an" !hey w ll f n" ! as shor! as !hey please. ,n prepar n* for pu&l %a! on !h s volume on Mark$ , have looke" !hrou*h all !hose Commen!ar es men! one" n my prefa%e !o !he volume on Ma!!hew$ wh %h !hrow any l *h! on Mark. 0f!er %areful e)am na! on$ , feel o&l *e" !o say$ !ha!$ n my hum&le +u"*men!$ very few %ommen!a!ors$ whe!her an% en! or mo"ern$ seem !o * ve !h s Gospel !he a!!en! on ! "eserves. ,! has &een !oo of!en !rea!e" as a mere a&r "*men! of Ma!!hew. Th s v ew of ! , &el eve !o &e an en! re m s!ake.

, now sen" for!h !hese '()pos !ory Thou*h!s on Mark' w !h an earnes! prayer !ha! ! may please Go" !o use !he volume for 1 s *lory. ,! has &een wr !!en un"er !he pressure of many pu&l % "u! es$ an" am " many n!errup! ons. 2o one s more %ons% ous of !s "efe%!s !han myself. .u! , %an hones!ly say$ !ha! my %h ef "es re$ f , know any!h n* of my hear!$ n !h s an" all my wr ! n*s$ s !o lea" my rea"ers !o Chr s! an" fa !h n 1 m$ !o repen!an%e an" hol ness$ !o !he . &le an" !o prayer. ,f !hese are !he resul!s of !h s volume n any one %ase$ !he la&or , have &es!owe" upon ! w ll &e more !han repa ".

Mark chapter 1 Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel of Mark$ wh %h we now &e* n$ s n some respe%!s unl ke !he o!her !hree Gospels. ,! !ells us no!h n* a&ou! !he & r!h an" early l fe of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. ,! %on!a ns %ompara! vely few of 1 s say n*s an" " s%ourses. 4f all !he four nsp re" h s!or es of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry$ !h s s &y far !he shor!es!. .u! we mus! no! allow !hese pe%ul ar ! es !o make us un"ervalue Mark#s Gospel. ,! s a Gospel s n*ularly full of pre% ous fa%!s a&ou! !he 3or" Jesus$ narra!e" n a s mple$ !erse$ p !hy$ an" %on"ense" s!yle. ,f ! !ells us few of our 3or"#s /05,2G/$ ! s em nen!ly r %h n !s %a!alo*ue of 1 s 64,2G/. ,! of!en %on!a ns m nu!e h s!or %al "e!a l of "eep n!eres!$ wh %h are wholly om !!e" n Ma!!hew$ 3uke an" John. ,n shor!$ ! s no mere a&r "*e" %opy of Ma!!hew$ as some have rashly asser!e"$ &u! !he n"epen"en! narra! ve of an n"epen"en! w !ness$ who was nsp re" !o wr !e a h s!ory of our 3or"#s 74R8/, ra!her !han of 1 s 74R6/. 3e! us rea" ! w !h holy reveren%e. 3 ke all !he res! of /%r p!ure$ every wor" of Mark s '* ven &y nsp ra! on of Go"$' an" every wor" s 'prof !a&le.' 3e! us o&serve$ n !hese verses$ what a full declaration we have of the dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ's person. The very f rs! sen!en%e speaks of 1 m as '!he /on of Go".' These wor"s$ '!he /on of Go"$' %onveye" far more !o Jew sh m n"s !han !hey "o !o ours. They were no!h n* less !han an asser! on of our 3or"#s " v n !y. They were a "e%lara! on !ha! Jesus was 1 mself very Go"$ an" 'e9ual w !h Go".' (John 5:18.) There s a &eau! ful f !ness n pla% n* !h s !ru!h n !he very &e* nn n* of a Gospel. The divinity of Christ is the citadel and keep of Christianity. 1ere l es !he nf n !e value of !he a!on n* sa%r f %e 1e ma"e upon !he %ross. 1ere l es !he pe%ul ar mer ! of 1 s a!on n* "ea!h for s nners. Tha! "ea!h was no! !he "ea!h of a mere man$ l ke ourselves$ &u! of one who s 'over all$ Go" &lesse" forever.' (Rom. ;:5.) 7e nee" no! won"er !ha! !he suffer n*s of one person were a suff % en! prop ! a! on for !he s n of a worl"$ when we remem&er !ha! 1e who suffere" was !he '/on of Go".' 3e! &el evers %l n* !o !h s "o%!r ne w !h +ealous wa!%hfulness. 7 !h !$ !hey s!an" upon a ro%k. 7 !hou! !$ !hey have no!h n* sol " &enea!h !he r fee!. 4ur hear!s are weak. 4ur s ns are many. 7e nee" a Re"eemer who s a&le !o save !o !he u!!ermos!$ an" "el ver from !he wra!h !o %ome. 7e have su%h a Re"eemer n Jesus Chr s!. 1e s '!he m *h!y Go".' (,sa ah ;:<.)

3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how the beginning of the Gospel was a fulfillment of Scripture. John !he .ap! s! &e*an h s m n s!ry$ 'as ! s wr !!en n !he prophe!s.' There was no!h n* unforeseen an" su""enly %on!r ve" n !he %om n* of Jesus Chr s! n!o !he worl". ,n !he very &e* nn n* of Genes s we f n" ! pre" %!e" !ha! '!he see" of !he woman shoul" &ru se !he serpen!#s hea".' (Gen. =:15.) 0ll !hrou*h !he 4l" Tes!amen! we f n" !he same even! fore!ol" w !h %ons!an!ly n%reas n* %learness. ,! was a prom se of!en renewe" !o pa!r ar%hs$ an" repea!e" &y prophe!s$ !ha! a 6el verer an" Re"eemer shoul" one "ay %ome. 1 s & r!h$ 1 s %hara%!er$ 1 s l fe$ 1 s "ea!h$ 1 s resurre%! on$ 1 s forerunner$ were all prophes e" of$ lon* &efore 1e %ame. Re"emp! on was worke" ou! an" a%%ompl she" n every s!ep$ +us! 'as ! was wr !!en.' We should always read the Old Testament with a desire to find something in it about Jesus Christ. 7e s!u"y !h s por! on of !he . &le w !h l !!le prof !$ f we %an see n ! no!h n* &u! Moses$ an" 6av "$ an" /amuel$ an" !he prophe!s. 3e! us sear%h !he &ooks of !he 4l" Tes!amen! more %losely. ,! was sa " &y 1 m whose wor"s %an never pass away$ 'These are !he /%r p!ures !ha! !es! fy a&ou! Me$' (John 5:=;.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ how great were the effects which the ministry of John the Baptist produced for a time on the Jewish nation. 7e are !ol" !ha!$ '>eople from Jerusalem an" from all over Ju"ea !ravele" ou! n!o !he w l"erness !o see an" hear John. 0n" when !hey %onfesse" !he r s ns$ he &ap! ?e" !hem n !he Jor"an R ver.' The fa%! here re%or"e" s one !ha! s mu%h overlooke". 7e are ap! !o lose s *h! of h m who wen! &efore !he fa%e of our 3or"$ an" !o see no!h n* &u! !he 3or" 1 mself. 7e for*e! !he morn n* s!ar n !he full &la?e of !he /un. 0n" ye! ! s %lear !ha! John#s prea%h n* arres!e" !he a!!en! on of !he whole Jew sh people$ an" %rea!e" an e)% !emen! all over >ales! ne. ,! arouse" !he na! on from !s slum&ers$ an" prepare" ! for !he m n s!ry of our 3or"$ when 1e appeare". Jesus 1 mself says$ '1e was a &urn n* an" a sh n n* l *h!--you were w ll n* !o re+o %e for a season n h s l *h!.' (John 5:=5.) 7e ou*h! !o remark here how l !!le "epen"en%e s !o &e pla%e" on wha! s %alle" 'popular !y.' ,f ever !here was one who was a popular m n s!er for a season$ John !he .ap! s! was !ha! man. 5e! of all !he %row"s who %ame !o h s &ap! sm$ an" hear" h s prea%h n*$ how few$ ! may &e feare"$ were %onver!e"@ /ome$ we may hope$ l ke 0n"rew$ were *u "e" &y John !o Chr s!. .u! !he vas! ma+or !y$ n all pro&a& l !y$ " e" n !he r s ns. 3e! us remem&er !h s whenever we see a %row"e" %hur%h. 0 *rea! %on*re*a! on no "ou&! s a pleas n* s *h!. .u! !he !hou*h! shoul" of!en %ome a%ross our m n"s$ '1ow many of !hese people w ll rea%h heaven a! las!A' ,! s no! enou*h !o hear an" a"m re popular prea%hers. ,! s no proof of our %onvers on !ha! we always worsh p n a pla%e where !here s a %row". 3e! us !ake %are !ha! we hear !he vo %e of Chr s! 1 mself$ an" follow 1 m. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ what clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist's preaching. 1e e)al!e" C1R,/T--'There %omes one m *h! er !han , af!er me.' 1e spoke pla nly of !he 1435 />,R,T--'1e shall &ap! ?e you w !h !he 1oly /p r !.' These !ru!hs ha" never &een so pla nly pro%la me" &efore &y mor!al man. More

mpor!an! !ru!hs !han !hese are no! !o &e foun" n !he whole sys!em of Chr s! an !y a! !h s "ay. The pr n% pal work of every fa !hful m n s!er of !he Gospel$ s !o se! !he 3or" Jesus fully &efore 1 s people$ an" !o show !hem 1 s fullness an" 1 s power !o save. The ne)! *rea! work 1e has !o "o$ s !o se! &efore !hem !he work of !he 1oly /p r !$ an" !he nee" of &e n* &orn a*a n$ an" nwar"ly &ap! ?e" &y 1 s *ra%e. These !wo m *h!y !ru!hs appear !o have &een fre9uen!ly on !he l ps of John !he .ap! s!. ,! woul" &e well for !he %hur%h an" !he worl"$ f !here were more m n s!ers l ke h m. 3e! us ask ourselves$ as we leave !he passa*e$ '1ow mu%h we know &y pra%! %al e)per en%e of !he !ru!hs wh %h John prea%he"A' 7ha! "o we !h nk of Chr s!A 1ave we fel! our nee" of 1 m$ an" fle" !o 1 m for pea%eA ,s 1e k n* over our hear!s$ an" all !h n*s !o our soulsA 7ha! "o we !h nk of !he 1oly /p r !A 1as 1e wrou*h! a sav n* work n our hear!sA 1as 1e renewe" an" %han*e" !hemA 1as 1e ma"e us par!akers of !he 6 v ne na!ureA 3 fe or "ea!h "epen" on our answer !o !hese 9ues! ons. '0n" f anyone "oes no! have !he /p r ! of Chr s!$ he "oes no! &elon* !o Chr s!.' (Rom. 8:;.)

Mark 1:9-20 Th s passa*e s s n*ularly full of ma!!er. ,! s a s!r k n* ns!an%e of !ha! &rev !y of s!yle$ wh %h s !he pe%ul ar %hara%!er s! % of Mark#s Gospel. The &ap! sm of our 3or"$ 1 s !emp!a! on n !he w l"erness$ !he %ommen%emen! of h s prea%h n*$ an" !he %all n* of 1 s f rs! " s% ples are rela!e" here n eleven verses. 3e! us no! %e$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ the voice from heaven which was heard at our Lord's baptism. 7e rea"$ 'There %ame a vo %e from heaven$ say n*$ 5ou are my &elove" /on$ n whom , am well please".' Tha! vo %e was !he vo %e of Go" !he Ba!her. ,! "e%lare" !he won"rous an" neffa&le love wh %h has e) s!e" &e!ween !he Ba!her an" !he /on from all e!ern !y. 'The Ba!her loves !he /on$ an" has * ven all !h n*s n!o 1 s han".' (John =:=5.) ,! pro%la me" !he Ba!her#s full an" %omple!e appro&a! on of Chr s!#s m ss on !o seek an" save !he los!. ,! announ%e" !he Ba!her#s a%%ep!an%e of !he /on as !he Me" a!or$ /u&s! !u!e$ an" /ure!y of !he new %ovenan!. There s a r %h m ne of %omfor!$ n !hese wor"s$ for all Chr s!#s &el ev n* mem&ers. ,n !hemselves$ an" n !he r own "o n*s$ !hey see no!h n* !o please Go". They are "a ly sens &le of weakness$ shor!%om n*$ an" mperfe%! on n all !he r ways. .u! le! !hem re%olle%! !ha! !he Ba!her re*ar"s !hem as mem&ers of 1 s &elove" /on Jesus Chr s!. 1e sees no spo! n !hem. (Can!. C:7.) 1e &ehol"s !hem as ' n Chr s!$' %lo!he" n 1 s r *h!eousness$ an" nves!e" w !h 1 s mer !. They are 'a%%ep!e" n !he .elove"$' an" when !he holy eye of Go" looks a! !hem$ 1e s 'well please".' 3e! us no! %e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the nature of Christ's preaching. 7e rea" !ha! he %ame say n*$ 'Repen!$ an" &el eve !he Gospel.' Th s s !ha! ol" sermon wh %h all !he fa !hful w !nesses of Go" have %on! nually prea%he"$ from !he very &e* nn n* of !he worl". Brom 2oah "own !o !he presen! "ay !he su&s!an%e of !he r a""ress has &een always !he same--'Repen! an" &el eve.'

The apos!le >aul !ol" !he (phes an el"ers$ when he lef! !hem for !he las! ! me$ !ha! !he su&s!an%e of h s !ea%h n* amon* !hem ha" &een 'repen!an%e !owar"s Go"$ an" fa !h !owar"s our 3or" Jesus Chr s!.' (0%!s DE:D1.) 1e ha" !he &es! of pre%e"en!s for su%h !ea%h n*. The Grea! 1ea" of !he Chur%h ha" * ven h m a pa!!ern. Repen!an%e an" fa !h were !he foun"a! on s!ones of Chr s!#s m n s!ry. Repen!an%e an" fa !h mus! always &e !he ma n su&+e%!s of every fa !hful m n s!er#s ns!ru%! on. 7e nee" no! won"er a! !h s$ f we %ons "er !he ne%ess ! es of human na!ure. 0ll of us are &y na!ure &orn n s n an" %h l"ren of wra!h$ an" all nee" !o repen!$ &e %onver!e"$ an" &orn a*a n$ f we woul" see !he k n*"om of Go". 0ll of us are &y na!ure *u l!y an" %on"emne" &efore Go"$ an" all mus! flee !o !he hope se! &efore us n !he Gospel$ an" &el eve n !$ f we woul" &e save". 0ll of us$ on%e pen !en!$ nee" "a ly s! rr n* up !o "eeper repen!an%e. 0ll of us$ !hou*h &el ev n*$ nee" %ons!an! e)hor!a! on !o n%rease" fa !h. 3e! us ask ourselves wha! we know of !h s repen!an%e an" fa !h. 1ave we fel! our s ns$ an" forsaken !hemA 1ave we la " hol" on Chr s!$ an" &el eve"A 7e may rea%h heaven w !hou! learn n*$ or r %hes$ or heal!h$ or worl"ly *rea!ness. .u! we shall never rea%h heaven$ f we " e mpen !en! an" un&el ev n*. 0 new hear!$ an" a l vely fa !h n a Re"eemer$ are a&solu!ely nee"ful !o salva! on. May we never res! un! l we know !hem &y e)per en%e$ an" %an %all !hem our own@ 7 !h !hem all !rue Chr s! an !y &e* ns n !he soul. ,n !he e)er% se of !hem %ons s!s !he l fe of rel * on. ,! s only !hrou*h !he possess on of !hen !ha! men have pea%e a! !he las!. Chur%hmem&ersh p an" pr es!ly a&solu! on alone save no one. They only " e n !he 3or" who 'repen! an" &el eve.' 3e! us no! %e$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ the occupation of those who were first called to be Christ's disciples. 7e rea" !ha! our 3or" %alle" / mon an" 0n"rew$ when !hey were '%as! n* a ne! n!o !he sea$' an" James an" John wh le !hey were 'men" n* !he r ne!s.' ,! s %lear$ from !hese wor"s$ !ha! !he f rs! followers of our 3or" were no! !he *rea! of !h s worl". They were men who ha" ne !her r %hes$ nor rank$ nor power. .u! !he k n*"om of Chr s! s no! "epen"en! on su%h !h n*s as !hese. 1 s %ause a"van%es n !he worl"$ 'no! &y m *h!$ nor &y power$ &u! &y my /p r !$ says !he 3or" of hos!s.' (Fe%h. C:<.) The wor"s of >aul w ll always &e foun" !rue--'2o! many w se men af!er !he flesh$ no! many m *h!y$ no! many no&le are %alle". .u! Go" has %hosen !he fool sh !h n*s of !he worl" !o %onfoun" !he w se$ an" Go" has %hosen !he weak !h n*s of !he worl" !o %onfoun" !he !h n*s wh %h are m *h!y.' (1 Cor. 1:D<$ D7.) The %hur%h wh %h &e*an w !h a few f shermen$ an" ye! oversprea" half !he worl"$ mus! have &een foun"e" &y Go". 7e mus! &eware of * v n* way !o !he %ommon no! on$ !ha! !here s any!h n* " s*ra%eful n &e n* poor$ an" n work n* w !h our own han"s. The . &le %on!a ns many ns!an%es of spe% al pr v le*es %onferre" on work n* men. Moses was keep n* sheep when Go" appeare" !o h m n !he &urn n* &ush. ideon was !hrash n* whea!$ when !he an*el &rou*h! h m a messa*e from heaven. !lisha was plou*h n*$ when (l +ah %alle" h m !o &e prophe! n h s s!ea". The apostles were f sh n*$ when Jesus %alle" !hem !o follow 1 m. ,! s " s*ra%eful !o &e %ove!ous$ or prou"$ or a %hea!$ or a *am&ler$ or a "runkar"$ or a *lu!!on$ or un%lean. .u! ! s no " s*ra%e !o &e poor. The laborer who serves Christ faithfully is far more honorable in od"s eyes, than the nobleman who serves sin.

3e! us no! %e$ n !he las! pla%e$ the office to which our Lord called is first disciples. 7e rea" !ha! 1e sa "$ 'Bollow Me$ an" , w ll make you f shers of men.' The mean n* of !h s e)press on s %lear an" unm s!aka&le. The " s% ples were !o &e%ome f shers for souls. They were !o la&or !o "raw men ou! of "arkness n!o l *h!$ an" from !he power of /a!an !o Go". They were !o s!r ve !o &r n* men n!o !he ne! of Chr s!#s %hur%h$ !ha! so !hey m *h! &e save" al ve$ an" no! per sh everlas! n*ly. 7e ou*h! !o mark !h s e)press on well. ,! s full of ns!ru%! on. ,! s !he ol"es! name &y wh %h !he m n s!er al off %e s "es%r &e" n !he 2ew Tes!amen!. ,! l es "eeper "own !han !he name of & shop$ el"er$ or "ea%on. ,! s !he f rs! "ea wh %h shoul" &e &efore a m n s!er#s m n". 1e s no! !o &e a mere rea"er of forms$ or a"m n s!ra!or of or" nan%es. 1e s !o &e a 'f sher' of souls. The m n s!er who "oes no! s!r ve !o l ve up !o !h s name has m s!aken h s %all n*. 6oes !he f sherman s!r ve !o %a!%h f shA 6oes he use all means$ an" *r eve f unsu%%essfulA The m n s!er ou*h! !o "o !he same. 6oes !he f sherman have pa! en%eA 6oes he !o l on "ay af!er "ay$ an" wa !$ an" work on n hopeA 3e! !he m n s!er "o !he same. 1appy s !ha! man$ n whom !he f sherman#s sk ll$ an" " l *en%e$ an" pa! en%e$ are all %om& ne"@ 3e! us resolve !o pray mu%h for m n s!ers. The r off %e s no l *h! one f !hey "o !he r "u!y. They nee" !he help of many n!er%ess ons from all pray n* people. They have no! only !he r own souls !o %are for$ &u! !he souls of o!hers. 2o won"er !ha! >aul %r es$ '7ho s suff % en! for !hese !h n*sA' (D Cor. D:1<.) ,f we never praye" for m n s!ers &efore$ le! us &e* n !o "o ! !h s "ay.

Mark 1:21-34 These verses &e* n !he lon* l s! of m ra%les wh %h Mark#s Gospel %on!a ns. They !ell us how our 3or" %as! ou! "ev ls n Capernaum$ an" heale" >e!er#s w fe#s mo!her of a fever. 7e learn$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the uselessness of a mere intellectual !nowledge of religion. Tw %e we are spe% ally !ol" !ha! !he un%lean sp r !s know our 3or". ,n one pla%e ! says$ '!hey knew 1 m.' !o ano!her$ !he "ev l %r es ou!$ ', know you who you are$ !he 1oly 4ne of Go".' They knew Chr s!$ when /%r &es were *noran! of 1 m$ an" >har sees woul" no! a%knowle"*e 1 m. 0n" ye! !he r knowle"*e was no! un!o salva! on. The mere &el ef of !he fa%!s an" "o%!r nes of Chr s! an !y w ll never save our souls. /u%h &el ef s no &e!!er !han !he &el ef of "ev ls. They all &el eve an" know !ha! Jesus s !he Chr s!. They &el eve !ha! he w ll one "ay +u"*e !he worl"$ an" %as! !hem "own !o en"less !ormen! n hell. ,! s a solemn an" sorrowful !hou*h!$ !ha! on !hese po n!s some profess n* Chr s! ans have even less fa !h !han !he "ev l. There are some who "ou&! !he real !y of hell an" !he e!ern !y of pun shmen!. /u%h "ou&!s as !hese f n" no pla%e e)%ep! n !he hear!s of self-w lle" men an" women. There s no nf "el !y amon* "ev ls. 'They &el eve an" !rem&le.' (James D:1;.) 3e! us !ake hee" !ha! our fa !h &e a fa !h of !he hear! as well as of !he hea". 3e! us

see !ha! our knowle"*e has a san%! fy n* nfluen%e on our affe%! ons an" our l ves. 3e! us no! only know Chr s! &u! love 1 m$ from a sense of a%!ual &enef ! re%e ve" from 1 m. 3e! us no! only &el eve !ha! he s !he /on of Go" an" !he /av or of !he worl"$ &u! re+o %e n 1 m$ an" %leave !o 1 m w !h purpose of hear!. 3e! us no! only &e a%9ua n!e" w !h 1 m &y !he hear n* of !he ear$ &u! &y "a ly personal appl %a! on !o 1 m for mer%y an" *ra%e. 'The l fe of Chr s! an !y$' says 3u!her$ '%ons s!s n possess ve pronouns.' ,! s one !h n* !o say 'Chr s! s a /av or.' ,! s 9u !e ano!her !o say '1e s my /av or an" my 3or".' The "ev l %an say !he f rs!. The !rue Chr s! an alone %an say !he se%on". 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ to what remedy a Christian ought to resort first" in time of trouble. 1e ou*h! !o follow !he e)ample of !he fr en"s of / mon#s mo!hern-law. 7e rea" !ha! when she 'lay s %k w !h a fever$' !hey '!ol" Jesus a&ou! her.' There s no reme"y l ke !h s. Means are !o &e use" " l *en!ly$ w !hou! 9ues! on$ n any ! me of nee". 6o%!ors are !o &e sen! for$ n s %kness. 3awyers are !o &e %onsul!e" when proper!y or %hara%!er nee"s "efense. The help of fr en"s s !o &e sou*h!. .u! s! ll$ af!er all$ the first thing to be done, is to cry to the #ord Jesus Christ for help. 2one %an rel eve us so effe%!ually as 1e %an. 2one s so %ompass ona!e$ an" so w ll n* !o rel eve. 7hen Jacob was n !rou&le he !urne" !o h s Go" f rs!--'6el ver me$ , &e* you$ from !he han" of (sau.' (Gen. =D:11.) 7hen $e%ekiah was n !rou&le$ he f rs! sprea" /enna%her &#s le!!er &efore !he 3or"--', &esee%h you$ save us ou! of h s han".' (D 8 n*s 1;:1;.) 7hen #a%arus fell s %k$ h s s s!ers sen! mme" a!ely !o Jesus '3or"$' !hey sa "$ 'he whom you love s s %k.' (John 11:D.) 2ow le! us "o l kew se. 'Cas! your &ur"en upon !he 3or"$ an" he shall sus!a n you.' 'Cas! n* all your %ares upon 1 m.' ',n every!h n* &y prayer an" suppl %a! on w !h !hanks* v n*$ le! your re9ues!s &e ma"e known !o Go".' (>salm. 55:DDG 1 >e!. 5:7G >h l. C:<.) 3e! us no! only remem&er !h s rule$ &u! pra%! %e ! !oo. 7e l ve n a worl" of s n an" sorrow. The "ays of "arkness n a man#s l fe are many. ,! nee"s no prophe!#s eye !o foresee !ha! we shall all she" many a !ear$ an" feel many a hear!-wren%h$ &efore we " e. 3e! us &e arme" w !h a formula a*a ns! "espa r$ &efore our !rou&les %ome. 3e! us know wha! !o "o$ when s %kness$ or &ereavemen!$ or %ross$ or loss$ or " sappo n!men! &reaks n upon us l ke an arme" man. 3e! us "o as !hey " " n / mon#s house a! Capernaum. 3e! us a! on%e '!ell Jesus.' 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ what a complete and perfect cure the Lord Jesus ma!es" when e heals. 1e !akes !he s %k woman &y !he han"$ an" l f!s her up$ an" ' mme" a!ely !he fever lef! her.' .u! !h s was no! all. 0 *rea!er m ra%le rema ne" &eh n". 0! on%e we are !ol" 'she m n s!ere" un!o !hem.' Tha! weakness an" pros!ra! on of s!ren*!h wh %h$ as a *eneral rule$ a fever leaves &eh n" !$ n her %ase was en! rely remove". The fevere" woman was no! only ma"e well n a momen!$ &u! n !he same momen! ma"e s!ron* an" a&le !o work. 7e may see n !h s %ase a l vely em&lem of Chr s!#s "eal n* w !h s n-s %k souls. Tha! &lesse" /av or no! only * ves mer%y an" for* veness--1e * ves renew n* *ra%e &es "es. To as many as re%e ve 1 m as !he r >hys % an$ 1e * ves power !o &e%ome !he sons of Go". 1e %leanses !hem &y 1 s /p r !$ when 1e washes !hem n 1 s pre% ous &loo". Those whom 1e +us! f es$ 1e also san%! f es. 7hen 1e &es!ows an a&solu! on$ 1e also &es!ows a new hear!. 7hen 1e *ran!s free for* veness for !he pas!$ 1e also *ran!s s!ren*!h !o 'm n s!er' !o 1 m for !he ! me !o %ome. The s n-s %k

soul s no! merely %ure"$ an" !hen lef! !o !self. ,! s also suppl e" w !h a new hear! an" a r *h! sp r !$ an" ena&le" so !o l ve as !o please Go". There s %omfor! n !h s !hou*h! for all who feel a "es re !o serve Chr s!$ &u! a! presen! are afra " !o &e* n. There are many n !h s s!a!e of m n". They fear !ha! f !hey %ome forwar" &ol"ly$ an" !ake up !he %ross$ !hey shall &y an" &ye fall away. They fear !ha! !hey shall no! &e a&le !o persevere$ an" shall &r n* " s%re" ! on !he r profess on. 3e! !hem fear no lon*er. 3e! !hem know !ha! Jesus s an 0lm *h!y /av or$ who never forsakes !hose who on%e %omm ! !hemselves !o 1 m. 4n%e ra se" &y 1 s m *h!y han" from !he "ea!h of s n$ an" washe" n 1 s pre% ous &loo"$ !hey shall *o on 'serv n* 1 m' !o !he r l fe#s en". They shall have power !o over%ome !he worl"$ an" %ru% fy !he flesh$ an" res s! !he "ev l. 4nly le! !hem &e* n$ an" !hey shall *o on. Jesus knows no!h n* of half-%ure" %ases an" half-f n she" work. 3e! !hem !rus! n Jesus an" *o forwar". The par"one" soul shall always &e ena&le" !o serve Chr s!. There s %omfor! here for all who are really serv n* Chr s!$ an" are ye! %as! "own &y a sense of !he r own nf rm !y. There are many n su%h %ase. They are oppresse" &y "ou&!s an" an) e! es. They some! mes !h nk !hey shall never rea%h heaven af!er all$ &u! &e %as! away n !he w l"erness. 3e! !hem fear no lon*er. The r s!ren*!h shall &e a%%or" n* !o !he r "ay. The " ff %ul! es !hey now fear shall van sh ou! of !he r pa!h. The l on n !he way wh %h !hey now "rea"$ shall prove !o &e %ha ne". The same *ra% ous han" wh %h f rs! !ou%he" an" heale"$ shall uphol"$ s!ren*!hen$ an" lea" !hem !o !he las!. The 3or" Jesus w ll never lose one of 1 s sheep. Those whom 1e loves an" par"ons$ 1e loves un!o !he en". Thou*h some! mes %as! "own$ !hey shall never &e %as! away. The heale" soul shall always *o on 'serv n* !he 3or".' race shall always lead to glory&

Mark 1:35-39 (very fa%! n our 3or"#s l fe on ear!h$ an" every wor" wh %h fell from 1 s l ps$ ou*h! !o &e "eeply n!eres! n* !o a !rue Chr s! an. 7e see a fa%! an" a say n* n !he passa*e we have +us! rea"$ wh %h "eserve %lose a!!en! on. 7e see$ for one !h n*$ an e#ample of our Lord Jesus Christ's habits about private prayer. 7e are !ol"$ !ha! ' n !he morn n*$ r s n* up a *rea! wh le &efore "ay$ 1e wen! ou! an" "epar!e" n!o a sol !ary pla%e$ an" !here praye".' 7e shall f n" !he same !h n* of!en re%or"e" of our 3or" n !he Gospel h s!ory. 7hen 1e was &ap! ?e"$ we are !ol" !ha! 1e was 'pray n*.' (3uke =:D1.) 7hen 1e was !ransf *ure"$ we are !ol"$ !ha! 'as 1e praye"$ !he form of 1 s fa%e was al!ere".' (3uke ;:D;.) .efore 1e %hose !he !welve apos!les$ we are !ol" !ha! '1e %on! nue" all n *h! n prayer !o Go".' (3uke <:1D.) 7hen all men spoke well of 1 m$ an" woul" s n%erely have ma"e 1 m a 8 n*$ we are !ol" !ha! '1e wen! up n!o a moun!a n alone !o pray.' (Mark 1C:D=.) 7hen !emp!e" n !he *ar"en of Ge!hsemane$ 1e sa "$ '/ ! here$ wh le , pray.' (Mark 1C:=C.) ,n shor!$ our 3or" praye" always$ an" " " no! fa n!. / nless as 1e was$ 1e se! us an e)ample of " l *en! %ommun on w !h 1 s Ba!her. 1 s Go"hea" " " no! ren"er 1 m n"epen"en! of !he use of all means as a man. 1 s very perfe%! on was a perfe%! on kep! up !hrou*h !he e)er% se of prayer. 7e ou*h! !o see n all !h s !he mmense mpor!an%e of pr va!e "evo! on. ,f 1e who

was 'holy$ harmless$ un"ef le"$ an" separa!e from s nners$' !hus praye" %on! nually$ how mu%h more ou*h! we who are %ompasse" w !h nf rm !yA ,f 1e foun" ! nee"ful !o offer up suppl %a! ons w !h s!ron* %ry n* an" !ears$ how mu%h more nee"ful s ! for us$ who n many !h n*s "a ly offen"A 7ha! shall we say !o !hose who never pray a! all$ n !he fa%e of su%h a passa*e as !h sA There are many su%h$ ! may &e feare"$ n !he l s! of &ap! ?e" people--many who r se up n !he morn n* w !hou! prayer$ an" w !hou! prayer l e "own a! n *h!-many who never speak one wor" !o Go". 0re !hey Chr s! ansA ,! s mposs &le !o say so. 0 pray n* Mas!er$ l ke Jesus$ %an have no prayerless servan!s. The /p r ! of a"op! on w ll always make a man %all upon Go". To &e prayerless s !o &e Chr s!less$ Go"less$ an" n !he h *h roa" !o "es!ru%! on. 7ha! shall we say !o !hose who pray$ ye! * ve &u! l !!le ! me !o !he r prayersA 7e are o&l *e" !o say !ha! !hey show a! presen! very l !!le of !he m n" of Chr s!. 0sk n* l !!le$ !hey mus! e)pe%! !o have l !!le. /eek n* l !!le$ !hey %anno! &e surpr se" f !hey possess l !!le. ,! w ll always &e foun" !ha! when prayers are few$ *ra%e$ s!ren*!h$ pea%e$ an" hope are small. 7e shall "o well !o wa!%h our ha& !s of prayer w !h a holy wa!%hfulness. 1ere s !he pulse of our Chr s! an !y. 1ere s !he !rue !es! of our s!a!e &efore Go". 1ere !rue rel * on &e* ns n !he soul$ when ! "oes &e* n. 1ere ! "e%ays an" *oes &a%kwar"$ when a man &a%ksl "es from Go". 3e! us walk n !he s!eps of our &lesse" Mas!er n !h s respe%! as well as n every o!her. 3 ke 1 m$ le! us &e " l *en! n our pr va!e "evo! on. 3e! us know wha! ! s !o '"epar! n!o sol !ary pla%es an" pray.' 7e see$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !h s passa*e$ a remar!able saying of our Lord as to the purpose for which e came into the world. 7e f n" 1 m say n*$ 'le! us *o n!o !he ne)! !owns$ !ha! , may >R(0C1 !here also--for !ha! s why , have %ome.' The mean n* of !hese wor"s s pla n an" unm s!aka&le. 4ur 3or" "e%lares !ha! 1e %ame on ear!h !o &e a prea%her an" a !ea%her. 1e %ame !o fulf ll !he prophe! %al off %e$ !o &e !he 'prophe! *rea!er !han Moses$' who ha" &een so lon* fore!ol". (6eu!. 18:15.) 1e lef! !he *lory wh %h 1e ha" from all e!ern !y w !h !he Ba!her$ !o "o !he work of an evan*el s!. 1e %ame "own !o ear!h !o show !o man !he way of pea%e$ !o pro%la m "el veran%e !o !he %ap! ves$ an" re%over n* of s *h! !o !he &l n". 4ne pr n% pal par! of 1 s work on ear!h$ was !o *o up an" "own an" pu&l sh *la" ! " n*s$ !o offer heal n* !o !he &roken-hear!e"$ l *h! !o !hose who sa! n "arkness$ an" par"on !o !he %h ef of s nners. 1e says$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.' 7e ou*h! !o o&serve here$ what infinite honor the Lord Jesus puts on the office of the preacher. ,! s an off %e wh %h !he e!ernal /on of Go" 1 mself un"er!ook. 1e m *h! have spen! h s ear!hly m n s!ry n ns! !u! n* an" keep n* up %eremon es$ l ke 0aron. 1e m *h! have rule" an" re *ne" as a k n*$ l ke 6av ". .u! 1e %hose a " fferen! %all n*. Hn! l !he ! me when 1e " e" as a sa%r f %e for our s ns$ 1 s "a ly$ an" almos! hourly work was !o prea%h. 1e says$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.' 3e! us never &e move" &y !hose who %ry "own !he prea%her#s off %e$ an" !ell us !ha! sa%ramen!s an" o!her or" nan%es are of more mpor!an%e !han sermons. 3e! us * ve !o every par! of Go"#s pu&l % worsh p !s proper pla%e an" honor$ &u! le! us &eware of pla% n* any par! of ! a&ove prea%h n*. .y prea%h n*$ !he Chur%h of Chr s! was f rs! *a!here" !o*e!her an" foun"e"$ an" &y prea%h n*$ ! has ever &een ma n!a ne" n

heal!h an" prosper !y. .y prea%h n*$ s nners are awakene". .y prea%h n*$ n9u rers are le" on. .y prea%h n*$ sa n!s are &u l! up. .y prea%h n*$ Chr s! an !y s &e n* %arr e" !o !he hea!hen worl". There are many now who sneer a! m ss onar es$ an" mo%k a! !hose who *o ou! n!o !he h *h-ways of our own lan"$ !o prea%h !o %row"s n !he open a r. .u! su%h persons woul" "o well !o pause$ an" %ons "er %almly wha! !hey are "o n*. The very work wh %h !hey r " %ule s !he work wh %h !urne" !he worl" ups "e "own$ an" %as! hea!hen sm !o !he *roun". 0&ove all$ ! s !he very work wh %h Chr s! 1 mself un"er!ook. The 8 n* of k n*s an" 3or" of lor"s 1 mself was on%e a prea%her. Bor !hree lon* years 1e wen! !o an" fro pro%la m n* !he Gospel. /ome! mes we see 1 m n a house$ some! mes on !he moun!a n s "e$ some! mes n a Jew sh syna*o*ue$ some! mes n a &oa! on !he sea. .u! !he *rea! work 1e !ook up was always one an" !he same. 1e %ame always prea%h n* an" !ea%h n*. 1e says$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.' 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h a solemn resolu! on never !o '"esp se prophesy n*.' (1 Thess. 5:DE.) The m n s!er we hear may no! &e h *hly * f!e". The sermons !ha! we l s!en !o may &e weak an" poor. .u! af!er all$ prea%h n* s Go"#s *ran" or" nan%e for %onver! n* an" sav n* souls. The fa !hful prea%her of !he Gospel s han"l n* !he very weapon wh %h !he /on of Go" was no! ashame" !o employ. Th s s !he work of wh %h Chr s! has sa "$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.'

Mark 1:40-45 7e rea" n !hese verses how our 3or" Jesus Chr s! heale" a leper. 4f all our 3or"#s m ra%les of heal n* none were pro&a&ly more marvelous !han !hose performe" on leprous people. Two %ases only have &een fully "es%r &e" n !he Gospel h s!ory. 4f !hese !wo$ !he %ase &efore us s one. 3e! us !ry !o real ?e$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ the dreadful nature of the disease which Jesus cured. 3eprosy s a %ompla n! of wh %h we know l !!le or no!h n* n our nor!hern %l ma!e. ,n . &le lan"s ! s far more %ommon. ,! s a " sease wh %h s utterly incurable. ,! s no mere sk n " sor"er$ as some *noran!ly suppose. ,! s a ra" %al " sease of !he whole man. ,! a!!a%ks$ no! merely !he sk n$ &u! !he &loo"$ !he flesh$ an" !he &ones$ un! l !he unhappy pa! en! &e* ns !o lose h s e)!rem ! es$ an" !o ro! &y n%hes. 3e! us remem&er &es "e !h s$ !ha!$ amon* !he Jews$ !he leper was re%kone" un%lean$ an" was %u! off from !he %on*re*a! on of ,srael an" !he or" nan%es of rel * on. 1e was o&l *e" !o "well n a separa!e house. 2one m *h! !ou%h h m or m n s!er !o h m. 3e! us remem&er all !h s$ an" !hen we may have some "ea of !he remarka&le wre!%he"ness of a leprous person. To use !he wor"s of 0aron$ when he n!er%e"e" for M r am$ he was 'as one "ea"$ of whom !he flesh s half %onsume".' (2um&ers 1D:1D.) .u! s !here no!h n* l ke leprosy amon* ourselvesA 5es@ n"ee" !here s. There s a foul soul-" sease wh %h s n*ra ne" n!o our very na!ure$ an" %leaves !o our &ones an" marrow w !h "ea"ly for%e. Tha! " sease s !he pla*ue of s n. 3 ke leprosy$ ! s a "eep-sea!e" " sease nfe%! n* every par! of our na!ure$ hear!$ w ll$ %ons% en%e$ un"ers!an" n*$ memory$ an" affe%! ons. 3 ke leprosy$ ! makes us loa!hsome an" a&om na&le$ unf ! for !he %ompany of Go"$ an" unf ! for !he *lory of heaven. 3 ke

leprosy$ ! s n%ura&le &y any ear!hly phys % an$ an" s slowly &u! surely "ra** n* us "own !o !he se%on" "ea!h. 0n"$ wors! of all$ far worse !han leprosy$ ! s a " sease from wh %h no mor!al man s e)emp!. '7e are all$' n Go"#s s *h!$ 'as an un%lean !h n*.' (,sa ah <C:<.) 6o we know !hese !h n*sA 1ave we foun" !hem ou!A 1ave we " s%overe" our own s nfulness$ *u l!$ an" %orrup! onA 1appy n"ee" s !ha! person who has &een really !au*h! !o feel !ha! he s a 'm sera&le s nner$' an" !ha! !here s 'no heal!h n h m@' .lesse" n"ee" s he who has learne" !ha! he s a sp r !ual leper$ an" a &a"$ w %ke"$ s nful %rea!ure@ To know our " sease s one s!ep !owar"s a %ure. ,! s !he m sery an" !he ru n of many souls !ha! !hey never ye! saw !he r s ns an" !he r nee". 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the wondrous and almighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ. 7e are !ol" !ha! !he unhappy leper %ame !o our 3or"$ '&e** n* 1 m$ an" kneel n* "own$' an" say n*$ ',f you w ll$ you %an make me %lean.' 7e are !ol" !ha! 'Jesus$ move" w !h %ompass on$ pu! for!h 1 s han" an" !ou%he" h m$ an" sa " !o h m$ , w ll$ &e %lean.' 0! on%e !he %ure was effe%!e". Tha! very ns!an! !he "ea"ly pla*ue "epar!e" from !he poor sufferer$ an" he was heale". ,! was &u! a wor"$ an" a !ou%h$ an" !here s!an"s &efore our 3or"$ no! a leper$ &u! a soun" an" heal!hy man. 7ho %an %on%e ve !he *rea!ness of !he %han*e n !he feel n*s of !h s leper$ when he foun" h mself heale"A The morn n* sun rose upon h m$ a m sera&le &e n*$ more "ea" !han al ve$ h s whole frame a mass of sores an" %orrup! on$ h s very e) s!en%e a &ur"en. The even n* sun saw h m full of hope an" +oy$ free from pa n$ an" f ! for !he so% e!y of h s fellow-men. /urely !he %han*e mus! have &een l ke l fe from !he "ea". 3e! us &less Go" !ha! !he /av or w !h whom we have !o "o s alm *h!y. ,! s a %heer n* an" %omfor!a&le !hou*h! !ha! w !h Chr s! no!h n* s mposs &le. 2o hear!" sease s so "eep-sea!e" &u! 1e s a&le !o %ure !. 2o pla*ue of soul s so v rulen! &u! our Grea! >hys % an %an heal !. 3e! us never "espa r of any one#s salva! on$ so lon* as he l ves. The wors! of sp r !ual lepers may ye! &e %leanse". 2o %ases of sp r !ual leprosy %oul" &e worse !han !hose of Manasseh$ /aul$ an" Fa%%heus$ ye! !hey were all %ure"--Jesus Chr s! ma"e !hem whole. The %h ef of s nners may ye! &e &rou*h! near !o Go" &y !he &loo" an" /p r ! of Chr s!. Men are no! los!$ &e%ause !hey are !oo &a" !o &e save"$ &u! &e%ause !hey w ll no! %ome !o Chr s! !ha! 1e may save !hem. 3e! us learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !ha! there is a time to be silent about the wor! of Christ" as well as a time to spea!. Th s s a !ru!h wh %h s !au*h! us n a remarka&le way. 7e f n" our 3or" s!r %!ly %har* n* !h s man !o !ell no one of h s %ure$ !o 'say no!h n* !o any man.' 7e f n" !h s man n !he warm!h of h s ?eal " so&ey n* !h s n+un%! on$ an" pu&l sh n* an" '&la? n* a&roa"' h s %ure n every 9uar!er. 0n" we are !ol" !ha! !he resul! was !ha! Jesus '%oul" no more en!er n!o !he % !y$ &u! s!aye" ou!s "e n "eser! pla%es.' There s a lesson n all !h s of "eep mpor!an%e$ however " ff %ul! ! may &e !o use ! r *h!ly. ,! s %lear !ha! !here are ! mes when our 3or" woul" have us work for 1 m 9u e!ly an" s len!ly$ ra!her !han a!!ra%! pu&l % a!!en! on &y a no sy ?eal. There s a

?eal wh %h s 'no! a%%or" n* !o knowle"*e$' as well as a ?eal wh %h s r *h!eous an" pra sewor!hy. (very!h n* s &eau! ful n !s season. 4ur Mas!er#s %ause may on some o%%as ons &e more a"van%e" &y 9u e!ness an" pa! en%e$ !han n any o!her way. 7e are no! !o '* ve !ha! wh %h s holy !o "o*s$' nor '%as! pearls &efore sw ne.' .y for*e!fulness of !h s we may even "o more harm !han *oo"$ an" re!ar" !he very %ause we wan! !o ass s!. The su&+e%! s a "el %a!e an" " ff %ul! one$ w !hou! "ou&!. Hn9ues! ona&ly !he ma+or !y of Chr s! ans are far more n%l ne" !o &e s len! a&ou! !he r *lor ous Mas!er !han !o %onfess 1 m &efore men--an" "o no! nee" !he bridle so mu%h as !he spur. .u! s! ll ! s un"en a&le !ha! !here s a ! me for all !h n*sG an" !o know !he ! me shoul" &e one *rea! a m of a Chr s! an. There are *oo" men who have more ?eal !han " s%re! on$ an" even help !he enemy of !ru!h &y unseasona&le a%!s an" wor"s. 3e! us all pray for !he /p r ! of w s"om an" of a soun" m n". 3e! us seek "a ly !o know !he pa!h of "u!y$ an" ask "a ly for " s%re! on an" *oo" sense. 3e! us &e &ol" as a l on n %onfess n* Chr s!$ an" no! &e afra " !o 'speak of 1 m &efore pr n%es$' f nee" &e. .u! le! us never for*e! !ha! '7 s"om s prof !a&le !o " re%!' ((%%les. 1E:11)$ an" le! us &eware of "o n* harm &y an ll-" re%!e" ?eal.

Mark chapter 2
Mark 2:1-12 Th s passa*e shows our 3or" on%e more a! Capernaum. 4n%e more we f n" 1 m "o n* 1 s a%%us!ome" work$ prea%h n* !he wor"$ an" heal n* !hose !ha! were s %k. 7e see$ n !hese verses$ what great spiritual privileges some people en$oy" and yet ma!e no use of them. Th s s a !ru!h wh %h s s!r k n*ly llus!ra!e" &y !he h s!ory of Capernaum. 2o % !y n >ales! ne appears !o have en+oye" so mu%h of our 3or"#s presen%e$ "ur n* 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry$ as " " !h s % !y. ,! was !he pla%e where 1e "wel!$ af!er 1e lef! 2a?are!h. (Ma!!. C:1=.) ,! was !he pla%e where many of 1 s m ra%les were worke"$ an" many of 1 s sermons "el vere". .u! no!h n* !ha! Jesus sa " or " " seems !o have ha" any effe%! on !he hear!s of !he nha& !an!s. They %row"e" !o hear 1 m$ as we rea" n !h s passa*e$ 'un! l !here was no room a&ou! !he "oor.' They were ama%ed. They were astonished. They were filled with wonder at $is mighty works. 'ut they were not converted. They lived in the full noon(tide bla%e of the )un of *ighteousness, and yet their hearts remained hard. 0n" !hey "rew from our 3or" !he heav es! %on"emna! on !ha! 1e ever pronoun%e" a*a ns! any pla%e$ e)%ep! Jerusalem--'0n" you people of Capernaum$ w ll you &e e)al!e" !o heavenA 2o$ you w ll &e &rou*h! "own !o !he pla%e of !he "ea". Bor f !he m ra%les , " " for you ha" &een "one n /o"om$ ! woul" s! ll &e here !o"ay. , assure you$ /o"om w ll &e &e!!er off on !he +u"*men! "ay !han you.' (Ma!!. 11:D=$ DC) ,! s *oo" for us all !o mark well !h s %ase of Capernaum. 7e are all !o ap! !o suppose !ha! ! nee"s no!h n* &u! !he powerful prea%h n* of !he Gospel !o %onver! people#s souls$ an" !ha! f !he Gospel s only &rou*h! n!o a pla%e every&o"y mus! &el eve. 7e for*e! !he ama? n* power of un&el ef$ an" !he "ep!h of man#s enm !y a*a ns! Go". 7e for*e! !ha! !he Caperna !es hear" !he mos! faul!less prea%h n*$ an" saw ! %onf rme" &y !he mos! surpr s n* m ra%les$ an" ye! rema ne" "ea" n

!respasses an" s ns. 7e nee" rem n" n* !ha! !he same Gospel wh %h s !he savor of l fe !o some$ s !he savor of "ea!h !o o!hers$ an" !ha! !he same f re wh %h sof!ens !he wa) w ll also har"en !he %lay. 2o!h n*$ n fa%!$ seems !o har"en man#s hear! so mu%h$ as !o hear !he Gospel re*ularly$ an" ye! "el &era!ely prefer !he serv %e of s n an" !he worl". 2ever was !here a people so h *hly favore" as !he people of Capernaum$ an" never was !here a people who appear !o have &e%ome so har". 3e! us &eware of walk n* n !he r s!eps. 7e ou*h! of!en !o use !he prayer of !he 3 !any$ 'Brom har"ness of hear!$ *oo" 3or"$ "el ver us.' 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how great a blessing %&&L'C(')* may prove to a man's soul. 7e are !ol" !ha! one paraly?e" was &rou*h! !o our 3or"$ a! Capernaum$ n or"er !o &e heale". 1elpless an" mpo!en!$ he was %arr e" n h s &e" &y four k n" fr en"s$ an" le! "own n!o !he m "s! of !he pla%e where Jesus was prea%h n*. 0! on%e !he o&+e%! of !he man#s "es re was *a ne". The *rea! >hys % an of soul an" &o"y saw h m$ an" *ave h m spee"y rel ef. 1e res!ore" h m !o heal!h an" s!ren*!h. 1e *ran!e" h m !he far *rea!er &less n* of for* veness of s ns. ,n shor!$ !he man who ha" &een %arr e" from h s house !ha! morn n* weak$ "epen"en!$ an" &owe" "own &o!h n &o"y an" soul$ re!urne" !o h s own house re+o % n*. 7ho %an "ou&! !ha! !o !he en" of h s "ays !h s man woul" !hank Go" for h s paralys sA 7 !hou! ! he m *h! pro&a&ly have l ve" an" " e" n *noran%e$ an" never seen Chr s! a! all. 7 !hou! !$ he m *h! have kep! h s sheep on !he *reen h lls of Gal lee all h s l fe lon*$ an" never &een &rou*h! !o Chr s!$ an" never hear" !hese &lesse" wor"s$ 'your s ns are for* ven.' Tha! paralys s was n"ee" a &less n*. 7ho %an !ell &u! ! was !he &e* nn n* of e!ernal l fe !o h s soulA 1ow many n every a*e %an !es! fy !ha! !h s paraly?e" man#s e)per en%e has &een !he r own@ They have learne" w s"om &y affl %! on. .ereavemen!s have prove" mer% es. 3osses have prove" real *a ns. / %knesses have le" !hem !o !he *rea! >hys % an of souls$ sen! !hem !o !he . &le$ shu! ou! !he worl"$ shown !hem !he r own fool shness$ !au*h! !hem !o pray. Thousan"s %an say l ke 6av "$ ',! s *oo" for me !ha! , was affl %!e"$ !ha! , m *h! learn your s!a!u!es.' (>salm. 11;:71.) 3e! us &eware of murmur n* un"er affl %! on. 7e may &e sure !here s a nee"s-&e for every %ross$ an" a w se reason for every !r al. (very s %kness an" sorrow s a *ra% ous messa*e from Go"$ an" s mean! !o %all us nearer !o 1 m. 3e! us pray !ha! we may learn !he lesson !ha! ea%h affl %! on s appo n!e" !o %onvey. 3e! us see !ha! we 'refuse no! 1 m !ha! speaks.' 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ n !hese verses$ the priestly power of forgiving sins" which is possessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. 7e rea" !ha! our 3or" sa " !o !he s %k of !he palsy '/on$ your s ns are for* ven.' 1e sa " !hese wor"s w !h a mean n*. 1e knew !he hear!s of !he /%r &es &y whom 1e was surroun"e". 1e n!en"e" !o show !hem !ha! 1e la " %la m !o &e !he !rue 1 *h >r es!$ an" !o have !he power of a&solv n* s nners$ !hou*h a! presen! !he %la m was sel"om pu! forwar". .u! !ha! 1e ha" !he power 1e !ol" !hem e)pressly. 1e says$ '!he /on of man has power on ear!h !o for* ve s ns.' ,n say n*$ 'your s ns are for* ven$' 1e ha" only e)er% se" 1 s r *h!ful off %e.

3e! us %ons "er how *rea! mus! &e !he au!hor !y of 1 m$ who has !he power !o for* ve s ns@ Th s s !he !h n* !ha! none %an "o &u! Go". 2o an*el n heaven$ no man upon ear!h$ no %hur%h n %oun% l$ no m n s!er of any "enom na! on$ %an !ake away from !he s nner#s %ons% en%e !he loa" of *u l!$ an" * ve h m pea%e w !h Go". They may po n! !o !he foun!a n open for all s n. They may "e%lare w !h au!hor !y whose s ns Go" s w ll n* !o for* ve. .u! !hey %anno! a&solve &y !he r own au!hor !y. They %anno! pu! away !rans*ress ons. Th s s !he pe%ul ar prero*a! ve of Go"$ an" a prero*a! ve wh %h 1e has pu! n !he han"s of 1 s /on Jesus Chr s!. 3e! us !h nk for a momen! how *rea! a &less n* ! s$ !ha! Jesus s our *rea! 1 *h >r es!$ an" !ha! we know where !o *o for a&solu! on@ 7e mus! have a >r es! an" a sa%r f %e &e!ween ourselves an" Go". Cons% en%e "eman"s an a!onemen! for our many s ns. Go"#s hol ness makes ! a&solu!ely nee"ful. 7 !hou! an a!on n* >r es! !here %an &e no pea%e of soul. Jesus Chr s! s !he very >r es! !ha! we nee"$ m *h!y !o for* ve an" par"on$ !en"er-hear!e" an" w ll n* !o save. 0n" now le! us ask ourselves whe!her we have ye! known !he 3or" Jesus as our 1 *h >r es!A 1ave we appl e" !o 1 mA 1ave we sou*h! a&solu! onA ,f no!$ we are ye! n our s ns. May we never res! un! l !he /p r ! w !nesses w !h our sp r ! !ha! we have sa! a! !he fee! of Jesus an" hear" h s vo %e$ say n*$ '/on$ your s ns are for* ven.'

Mark 2:13-22 The person who s %alle" 3ev $ a! !he &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e$ s !he same person who s %alle" Ma!!hew n !he f rs! of !he four Gospels. 3e! us no! for*e! !h s. ,! s no less !han an apos!le an" an evan*el s!$ whose early h s!ory s now &efore our eyes. 7e learn from !hese verses the power of Christ to call men out from the world" and ma!e them is disciples . 7e rea" !ha! he sa " !o 3ev $ when 's !! n* a! !he re%e p! of %us!om$ Bollow me.' 0n" a! on%e 'he arose an" followe" h m.' Brom a !a)%olle%!or he &e%ame an apos!le$ an" a wr !er of !he f rs! &ook n !he 2ew Tes!amen!$ wh %h s now known all over !he worl". Th s s a !ru!h of "eep mpor!an%e. 7 !hou! a " v ne %all no one %an &e save". 7e are all so sunk n s n$ an" so we""e" !o !he worl"$ !ha! we woul" never !urn !o Go" an" seek salva! on$ unless 1e f rs! %alle" us &y 1 s *ra%e. Go" mus! speak !o our hear!s &y 1 s /p r !$ &efore we shall ever speak !o 1 m. Those who are sons of Go"$ says !he 17!h 0r! %le$ are '%alle" a%%or" n* !o Go"#s purpose &y 1 s /p r ! work n* n "ue season.' 2ow how &lesse" s !he !hou*h! !ha! !h s %all n* of s nners s %omm !!e" !o so *ra% ous a /av or as Chr s!@ 7hen !he 3or" Jesus %alls a s nner !o &e 1 s servan!$ 1e a%!s as a )overeignG &u! 1e a%!s w !h infinite mercy. 1e of!en %hooses !hose who seem mos! unl kely !o "o 1 s w ll$ an" fur!hes! off from 1 s k n*"om. 1e "raws !hem !o 1 mself w !h alm *h!y power$ &reaks !he %ha ns of ol" ha& !s an" %us!oms$ an" makes !hem new %rea!ures. 0s !he ma*ne! a!!ra%!s !he ron$ an" !he sou!h w n" sof!ens !he fro?en *roun"$ so "oes Chr s!#s %all n* "raw s nners ou! from !he worl"$ an" mel! !he har"es! hear!. 'The vo %e of !he 3or" s m *h!y n opera! on.' .lesse" are !hey$ who$ when !hey hear !$ har"en no! !he r hear!s@

7e ou*h! never !o "espa r en! rely of any one#s salva! on$ when we rea" !h s passa*e of /%r p!ure. 1e who %alle" 3ev $ s! ll l ves an" s! ll works. The a*e of m ra%les s no! ye! pas!. The love of money s a powerful pr n% ple$ &u! !he %all of Chr s! s more powerful. 3e! us no! "espa r even a&ou! !hose who 's ! a! !he re%e p! of %us!om$' an" en+oy a&un"an%e of !h s worl"#s *oo" !h n*s. The vo %e wh %h sa " !o 3ev $ 'Bollow me$' may ye! rea%h !he r hear!s. 7e may ye! see !hem ar se$ an" !ake up !he r %ross$ an" follow Chr s!. 3e! us hope %on! nually$ an" pray for o!hers. 7ho %an !ell wha! Go" may &e *o n* !o "o for any one aroun" usA 2o one s !oo &a" for Chr s! !o %all. 3e! us pray for all. 7e learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !hese verses$ !ha! one of Christ's principal offices is that of a +hysician . The /%r &es an" >har sees foun" faul! w !h 1 m for ea! n* an" "r nk n* w !h pu&l %ans an" s nners. .u! 'when Jesus hear" !$ 1e sa " un!o !hem$ Those who are heal!hy have no nee" of a phys % an$ &u! !hose who are s %k.' The 3or" Jesus " " no! %ome n!o !he worl"$ as some suppose$ !o &e no!h n* more !han a law-* ver$ a k n*$ a !ea%her$ an" an e)ample. 1a" !h s &een all !he purpose of 1 s %om n*$ !here woul" have &een small %omfor! for man. 6 e!-re* mens an" rules of heal!h are all very well for !he %onvales%en!$ &u! no! su !a&le !o !he man la&or n* un"er a mor!al " sease. 0 !ea%her an" an e)ample m *h! &e suff % en! for an unfallen &e n* l ke 0"am n !he *ar"en of ("en. .u! fallen s nners l ke ourselves nee" heal n* f rs!$ &efore we %an value rules. The 3or" Jesus %ame n!o !he worl" !o &e a phys % an as well as a !ea%her. 1e knew !he ne%ess ! es of human na!ure. 1e saw us all s %k of a mor!al " sease$ s!r %ken w !h !he pla*ue of s n$ an" "y n* "a ly. 1e p ! e" us$ an" %ame "own !o &r n* " v ne me" % ne for our rel ef. 1e %ame !o * ve heal!h an" %ure !o !he "y n*$ !o heal !he &roken hear!e"$ an" !o offer s!ren*!h !o !he weak. 2o s n-s %k soul s !oo far *one for 1 m. ,! s 1 s *lory !o heal an" res!ore !o l fe !he mos! "espera!e %ases. Bor unfa l n* sk ll$ for unwear e" !en"erness$ for lon* e)per en%e of man#s sp r !ual a lmen!s$ !he *rea! >hys % an of souls s!an"s alone. There s none l ke 1 m. .u! wha! "o we know ourselves of !h s spe% al off %e of Chr s!A 1ave we ever fel! our sp r !ual s %kness an" appl e" !o h m for rel efA 7e are never r *h! n !he s *h! of Go" un! l we "o. 7e know no!h n* ar *h! n rel * on$ f we !h nk !he sense of s n shoul" keep us &a%k from Chr s!. To feel our s ns$ an" know our s %kness s !he &e* nn n* of real Chr s! an !y. To &e sens &le of our %orrup! on an" a&hor our own !rans*ress ons$ s !he f rs! symp!om of sp r !ual heal!h. 1appy n"ee" are !hey who have foun" ou! !he r soul#s " sease@ 3e! !hem know !ha! Chr s! s !he very >hys % an !hey re9u re$ an" le! !hem apply !o 1 m w !hou! "elay. 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !ha! in religion it is worse than useless to attempt to mi# things which essentially differ. 2o man$ '1e !ells !he >har sees$' sews a p e%e of new %lo!h on an ol" *armen!.' '2o man pu!s new w ne n!o ol" &o!!les.' These wor"s$ we mus! of %ourse see$ were a para&le. They were spoken w !h a spe% al referen%e !o !he 9ues! on wh %h !he >har sees ha" +us! ra se"--'7hy "o !he " s% ples of John fas!$ &u! your " s% ples "o no! B0/TA' 4ur 3or"#s reply ev "en!ly means$ !ha! !o enfor%e fas! n* amon* 1 s " s% ples woul" &e ne)pe" en! an" unseasona&le. 1 s l !!le flo%k was as ye! youn* n *ra%e$ an" weak n fa !h$

knowle"*e$ an" e)per en%e. They mus! &e le" on sof!ly$ an" no! &ur"ene" a! !h s early s!a*e w !h re9u remen!s wh %h !hey were no! a&le !o &ear. Bas! n*$ moreover$ m *h!$ &e su !a&le !o !he " s% ples of h m who was only !he .r "e*room#s fr en"$ who l ve" n !he w l"erness$ prea%he" !he &ap! sm of repen!an%e$ was %lo!he" n %amel#s ha r$ an" a!e lo%us!s an" w l" honey. .u! fas! n* was no! e9ually su !a&le !o !he " s% ples of 1 m$ who was !he .r "e*room 1 mself$ &rou*h! *la" ! " n*s !o s nners$ an" %ame l v n* l ke o!her men. ,n shor!$ !o re9u re fas! n* of h s " s% ples a! presen!$ woul" &e pu!! n* 'new w ne n!o ol" &o!!les.' ,! woul" &e !ry n* !o m n*le an" amal*ama!e !h n*s !ha! essen! ally " ffere". The pr n% ple la " "own n !hese l !!le para&les s one of *rea! mpor!an%e. ,! s a k n" of prover& al say n*$ an" a"m !s of a w "e appl %a! on. Bor*e!fulness of ! has fre9uen!ly "one *rea! harm n !he Chur%h. The ev ls !ha! have ar sen from !ry n* !o sew !he new pa!%h on !he ol" *armen!$ an" pu! !he new w ne n!o ol" &o!!les$ have ne !her &een few nor small. 1ow was ! w !h !he Gala! an Chur%hA ,! s re%or"e" n >aul#s ep s!le. Men w she" n !ha! Chur%h !o re%on% le Ju"a sm w !h Chr s! an !y$ an" !o % r%um% se as well as &ap! ?e. They en"eavore" !o keep al ve !he law of %eremon es an" or" nan%es$ an" !o pla%e ! s "e &y s "e w !h !he Gospel of Chr s!. ,n fa%! !hey woul" s n%erely have pu! !he 'new w ne n!o ol" &o!!les.' 0n" n so "o n* !hey *rea!ly erre". 1ow was ! w !h !he early Chr s! an Chur%h$ af!er !he apos!les were "ea"A 7e have ! re%or"e" n !he pa*es of Chur%h h s!ory. /ome !r e" !o make !he Gospel more a%%ep!a&le &y m n*l n* ! w !h >la!on % ph losophy. /ome la&ore" !o re%ommen" ! !o !he hea!hen &y &orrow n* forms$ pro%ess ons$ an" ves!men!s from !he !emples of hea!hen *o"s. ,n shor!$ !hey 'sewe" !he new pa!%h on !he ol" *armen!.' 0n" n so "o n* !hey s%a!!ere" !he see"s of enormous ev l. They pave" !he way for !he whole Rom sh apos!asy. 1ow s ! w !h many profess n* Chr s! ans n !he presen! "ayA 7e have only !o look aroun" us an" see. There are !housan"s who are !ry n* !o re%on% le !he serv %e of Chr s! an" !he serv %e of !he worl"$ !o have !he name of Chr s! an an" ye! l ve !he l fe of !he un*o"ly--!o keep n w !h !he servan!s of pleasure an" s n$ an" ye! &e !he followers of !he %ru% f e" Jesus a! !he same ! me. ,n a wor"$ !hey are !ry n* !o en+oy !he 'new w ne$' an" ye! !o %l n* !o !he 'ol" &o!!les.' They w ll f n" one "ay !ha! !hey have a!!emp!e" !ha! wh %h %anno! &e "one. 3e! us leave !he passa*e n a sp r ! of ser ous self- n9u ry. ,! s one !ha! ou*h! !o ra se *rea! sear%h n*s of hear! n !he presen! "ay. 1ave we never rea" wha! !he /%r p!ure saysA '2o man %an serve !wo mas!ers.' '5ou %anno! serve Go" an" mammon. 3e! us pla%e s "e &y s "e w !h !hese !e)!s !he %on%lu" n* wor"s of our 3or" n !h s passa*e$ '2ew w ne mus! &e pu! n!o new &o!!les.'

Mark 2:23-28 These verses se! &efore us a remarka&le s%ene n our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s ear!hly m n s!ry. 7e see our &lesse" Mas!er an" 1 s " s% ples *o n* '!hrou*h !he *ra nf el"s on !he /a&&a!h "ay.' 7e are !ol" !ha! 1 s " s% ples$ 'as !hey wen!$ &e*an !o plu%k hea"s of *ra n.' 0! on%e we hear !he >har sees a%%us n* !hem !o our 3or"$ as f !hey

ha" %omm !!e" some *rea! moral offen%e. '7hy are !hey "o n* !ha! wh %h s no! lawful on !he /a&&a!h "ayA' They re%e ve" an answer full of "eep w s"om$ wh %h all shoul" s!u"y well$ who "es re !o un"ers!an" !he su&+e%! of /a&&a!h o&servan%e. 7e see from !hese verses$ what e#travagant importance is attached to trifles by those who are mere formalists in religion. The >har sees were mere formal s!s$ f !here ever were any n !he worl". They seem !o have !hou*h! e)%lus vely of !he ou!war" par!$ !he husk$ !he shell$ an" !he %eremon al of rel * on. They even a""e" !o !hese e)!ernals &y !ra" ! ons of !he r own. The r *o"l ness was ma"e up of wash n*s$ an" fas! n*s$ an" pe%ul ar ! es n "ress$ an" w ll-worsh p$ wh le repen!an%e$ an" fa !h$ an" hol ness were %ompara! vely overlooke". The >har sees woul" pro&a&ly have foun" no faul!$ f !he " s% ples ha" &een *u l!y of some offen%e a*a ns! !he moral law. They woul" have w nke" a! %ove!ousness$ or per+ury$ or e)!or! ons$ or e)%ess$ &e%ause !hey were s ns !o wh %h !hey !hemselves were n%l ne". .u! no sooner " " !hey see an nfr n*emen! on !he r man-ma"e !ra" ! ons a&ou! !he r *h! way of keep n* !he /a&&a!h$ !han !hey ra se" an ou!%ry$ an" foun" faul!. 3e! us wa!%h an" pray$ les! we fall n!o !he error of !he >har sees. There are never la%k n* professors who walk n !he r s!eps. There are !housan"s a! !he presen! "ay who pla nly !h nk more of !he mere ou!war" %eremon al of rel * on !han of !s "o%!r nes. They make more a"o a&ou! keep n* sa n!s# "ays$ an" !urn n* !o !he eas! n !he %ree"$ an" &ow n* a! !he name of Jesus$ !han a&ou! repen!an%e$ or fa !h$ or separa! on from !he worl". 0*a ns! !h s sp r ! le! us ever &e on our *uar". ,! %an ne !her %omfor!$ sa! sfy$ nor save. ,! ou*h! !o &e a se!!le" pr n% ple n our m n"s$ !ha! a man#s soul s n a &a" s!a!e$ when he &e* ns !o re*ar" man-ma"e r !es an" %eremon es$ as !h n*s of super or mpor!an%e$ an" e)al!s !hem a&ove !he prea%h n* of !he Gospel. ,! s a symp!om of sp r !ual " sease. There s m s%h ef w !h n. ,! s !oo of!en !he resour%e of an uneasy %ons% en%e. The f rs! s!eps of apos!asy from >ro!es!an! sm !o Roman sm have of!en &een n !h s " re%! on. 2o won"er !ha! >aul sa " !o !he Gala! ans$ '5ou o&serve "ays$ an" mon!hs$ an" ! mes$ an" years. , am afra " of you$ les! , have &es!owe" on you la&or n va n.' (Gal. C:1E$ 11.) 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the value of a !nowledge of holy Scripture. 4ur 3or" repl es !o !h s a%%usa! on of !he >har sees &y a referen%e !o holy /%r p!ure. 1e rem n"s 1 s enem es of !he %on"u%! of 6av "$ when he 'ha" nee" an" was hun*ry.' '1ave you never rea" wha! 6av " " "A' They %oul" no! "eny !ha! !he wr !er of !he &ook of >salms$ an" !he man af!er Go"#s own hear!$ was no! l kely !o se! a &a" e)ample. They knew n fa%! !ha! he ha" no! !urne" as "e from Go"#s %omman"men!$ all !he "ays of h s l fe$ 'e)%ep! only n !he ma!!er of Hr ah !he 1 !! !e.' (1 8 n*s 15:5.) 5e! wha! ha" 6av " "oneA 1e ha" *one n!o !he house of Go"$ when presse" &y hun*er$ an" ea!en '!he show&rea"$ wh %h s no! lawful !o ea! &u! for !he pr es!s.' 1e ha" !hus shown !ha! some re9u remen!s of Go"#s laws m *h! &e rela)e" n %ase of ne%ess !y. To !h s /%r p!ure e)ample our 3or" refers h s a"versar es. They foun" no!h n* !o reply !o !. The swor" of !he /p r ! was a weapon wh %h !hey %oul"

no! res s!. They were s len%e" an" pu! !o shame. 2ow !he %on"u%! of our 3or" on !h s o%%as on ou*h! !o &e a pa!!ern !o all 1 s people. 4ur *ran" reason for our fa !h$ an" pra%! %e$ shoul" always &e$ 'Thus ! s wr !!en n !he . &le.' '7ha! says !he /%r p!ureA' 7e shoul" en"eavor !o have !he wor" of Go" on our s "e n all "e&a!a&le 9ues! ons. 7e shoul" seek !o &e a&le !o * ve a s%r p!ural answer for our &ehav or n all ma!!ers of " spu!e. 7e shoul" refer our enem es !o !he . &le as our rule of %on"u%!. 7e shall always f n" a pla n !e)! !he mos! powerful ar*umen! we %an use. ,n a worl" l ke !h s we mus! e)pe%! our op n ons !o &e a!!a%ke"$ f we serve Chr s!$ an" we may &e sure !ha! no!h n* s len%es a"versar es so soon as a 9uo!a! on from /%r p!ure. 3e! us however remem&er$ !ha! f we are !o use !he . &le as our 3or" " "$ we mus! know ! well$ an" &e a%9ua n!e" w !h !s %on!en!s. 7e mus! rea" ! " l *en!ly$ hum&ly$ persever n*ly$ prayerfully$ or we shall never f n" !s !e)!s %om n* !o our a " n !he ! me of nee". To use !he swor" of !he /p r ! effe%!ually$ we mus! &e fam l ar w !h !$ an" have ! of!en n our han"s. There s no royal roa" !o !he knowle"*e of !he . &le. ,! "oes no! %ome !o man &y n!u ! on. The &ook mus! &e s!u" e"$ pon"ere"$ praye" over$ sear%he" n!o$ an" no! lef! always ly n* on a shelf$ or %arelessly looke" a! now an" !hen. ,! s !he s!u"en!s of !he . &le$ an" !hey alone$ who w ll f n" ! a weapon rea"y n han" n !he "ay of &a!!le. 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !he true principle by which all ,uestions about the observance of the S%BB%( ought to be decided . 'The /a&&a!h$' says our 3or"$ 'was ma"e for man$ an" no! man for !he /a&&a!h.' There s a m ne of "eep w s"om n !hose wor"s. They "eserve %lose a!!en! on$ an" !he more so &e%ause !hey are no! re%or"e" n any Gospel &u! !ha! of Mark. 3e! us see wha! !hey %on!a n. 'The /a&&a!h was ma"e for man.' Go" ma"e ! for 0"am n >ara" se$ an" renewe" ! !o ,srael on Moun! / na . ,! was ma"e for all mank n"$ no! for !he Jew only$ &u! for !he whole fam ly of 0"am. ,! was ma"e for man#s &enef ! an" happ ness. ,! was for !he *oo" of h s &o"y$ !he *oo" of h s m n"$ an" !he *oo" of h s soul. ,! was * ven !o h m as a &enef ! an" a &less n*$ an" no! as a &ur"en. Th s was !he or * nal ns! !u! on. .u! 'man was no! ma"e for !he /a&&a!h.' The o&servan%e of !he "ay of Go" was never mean! !o &e so enfor%e" as !o &e an n+ury !o h s heal!h$ or !o n!erfere w !h h s ne%essary re9u remen!s. The or * nal %omman" !o 'keep holy !he /a&&a!h "ay$' was no! n!en"e" !o &e so n!erpre!e" as !o "o harm !o h s &o"y$ or preven! a%!s of mer%y !o h s fellow-%rea!ures. Th s was !he po n! !ha! !he >har sees ha" for*o!!en$ or &ur e" un"er !he r !ra" ! ons. There s no!h n* n all !h s !o warran! !he rash asser! on of some$ !ha! our 3or" has "one away w !h !he four!h %omman"men!. 4n !he %on!rary$ 1e man fes!ly speaks of !he /a&&a!h "ay as a pr v le*e an" a * f!$ an" only re*ula!es !he e)!en! !o wh %h !s o&servan%e shoul" &e enfor%e". 1e shows !ha! works of ne%ess !y an" mer%y may &e "one on !he /a&&a!h "ayG &u! 1e says no! a wor" !o +us! fy !he no! on !ha! Chr s! ans nee" no! 'remem&er !he "ay !o keep ! holy.' 3e! us &e +ealous over our own %on"u%! n !he ma!!er of o&serv n* !he /a&&a!h.

There s l !!le "an*er of !he "ay &e n* kep! !oo s!r %!ly n !he presen! a*e. There s far more "an*er of !s &e n* profane" an" for*o!!en en! rely. 3e! us %on!en" earnes!ly for !s preserva! on amon* us n all !s n!e*r !y. 7e may res! assure" !ha! na! onal prosper !y an" personal *row!h n *ra%e$ are n! ma!ely &oun" up n !he ma n!enan%e of a holy /a&&a!h.

Mark chapter 3
Mark 3:1-12 These verses show us our 3or" a*a n work n* a m ra%le. 1e heals a man n !he syna*o*ue$ 'who ha" a w !here" han".' 0lways a&ou! 1 s Ba!her#s &us ness--always "o n* *oo"--"o n* ! n !he s *h! of enem es as well as of fr en"s--su%h was !he "a ly !enor of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry. 0n" 1e 'lef! us an e)ample !ha! we shoul" follow 1 s s!eps.' (1 >e!er D:D1.) .lesse" n"ee" are !hose Chr s! ans who s!r ve$ however fee&ly$ !o m !a!e !he r Mas!er@ 3e! us o&serve n !hese verses$ how our Lord Jesus Christ was watched by is enemies. 7e rea" !ha! '!hey wa!%he" 1 m$ whe!her 1e woul" heal h m on !he /a&&a!h "ay$ !ha! !hey m *h! a%%use 1 m.' 7ha! a melan%holy proof we have here of !he w %ke"ness of human na!ure@ ,! was !he /a&&a!h "ay$ when !hese !h n*s happene". ,! was n !he syna*o*ue$ where men were assem&le" !o hear !he wor" an" worsh p Go". 5e! even on !he "ay of Go"$ an" a! !he ! me of worsh p n* Go"$ these wretched formalists were plotting mischief against our #ord. The very men who pre!en"e" !o su%h s!r %!ness an"$ san%! !y n l !!le !h n*s$ were full of mal % ous an" an*ry !hou*h!s n !he m "s! of !he %on*re*a! on. (>rov. 5:1C.) Chr s!#s people mus! no! e)pe%! !o fare &e!!er !han !he r Mas!er. They are always wa!%he" &y an ll-na!ure" an" sp !eful worl". The r %on"u%! s s%anne" w !h a keen an" +ealous eye. The r ways are no!e" an" " l *en!ly o&serve". They are marke" men. They %an "o no!h n* w !hou! !he worl"#s no! % n* !. The r "ress$ !he r e)pen" !ure$ !he r employmen! of ! me$ !he r %on"u%! n all !he rela! ons of l fe$ are all r * "ly an" %losely marke". The r a"versar es wa ! for !he r hal! n*$ an" f a! any ! me !hey fall n!o an error$ !he un*o"ly re+o %e. ,! s *oo" for all Chr s! ans !o keep !h s &efore !he r m n"s. 7herever we *o$ an" wha!ever we "o$ le! us remem&er !ha!$ l ke our Mas!er$ we are 'wa!%he".' The !hou*h! shoul" make us e)er% se a holy +ealousy over all our %on"u%!$ !ha! we may "o no!h n* !o %ause !he enemy !o &laspheme. ,! shoul" make us " l *en! !o avo " even !he 'appearan%e of ev l.' 0&ove all$ ! shoul" make us pray mu%h$ !o &e kep! &lameless n our !empers$ !on*ues$ an" "a ly pu&l % "emeanor. Tha! /av or who was 'wa!%he"' 1 mself$ knows how !o sympa!h ?e w !h h s people$ an" !o supply *ra%e !o help n ! me of nee". 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the great principle that our Lord lays down about Sabbath observance. 1e !ea%hes !ha! ! s lawful '!o "o *oo"' on !he /a&&a!h. Th s pr n% ple s !au*h! &y a remarka&le 9ues! on. 1e asks !hose aroun" 1 m$ whe!her ! was 'lawful !o "o *oo" or ev l on !he /a&&a!h "ays$ !o save l fe$ or !o k llA'

7as ! &e!!er !o heal !h s poor sufferer &efore 1 m w !h !he w !here" han"$ or !o leave h m aloneA 7as ! more s nful !o res!ore a person !o heal!h on !he /a&&a!h$ !han !o plo! mur"er$ an" nour sh ha!re" a*a ns! an nno%en! person$ as !hey were "o n* a! !ha! momen! a*a ns! 1 mselfA 7as 1e !o &e &lame" for sav n* a l fe on !he /a&&a!hA 7ere !hey &lameless who were "es rous !o k llA 2o won"er !ha! &efore su%h a 9ues! on as !h s$ our 3or"#s enem es 'hel" !he r pea%e.' ,! s pla n from !hese wor"s of our 3or"$ !ha! no Chr s! an nee" ever hes !a!e !o "o a really *oo" work on !he /un"ay. 0 real work of mer%y$ su%h as m n s!er n* !o !he s %k$ or rel ev n* pa n$ may always &e "one w !hou! s%ruple. The hol ness w !h wh %h !he four!h %omman"men! nves!s !he /a&&a!h "ay$ s no! n !he leas! "e*ree nva"e" &y any!h n* of !h s k n". .u! we mus! !ake %are !ha! !he pr n% ple here la " "own &y our 3or"$ s no! a&use" an" !urne" !o &a" a%%oun!. 7e mus! no! allow ourselves !o suppose !ha! !he perm ss on !o '"o *oo"$' mpl e" !ha! every one m *h! f n" h s own pleasure on !he /a&&a!h. The perm ss on !o '"o *oo"' was never mean! !o open !he "oor !o amusemen!s$ worl"ly fes! v ! es$ !ravel n*$ +ourney n*$ an" sensual *ra! f %a! on. ,! was never n!en"e" !o l %ense !he /un"ay ra lway !ra n$ or !he /un"ay s!eam&oa!$ or !he /un"ay e)h & ! on. These !h n*s "o *oo" !o none$ an" "o %er!a n harm !o many. They ro& many a servan! of h s seven!h "ay#s res!. They !urn !he /un"ay of !housan"s n!o a "ay of har" !o l. 3e! us &eware of perver! n* our 3or"#s wor"s from !he r proper mean n*. 3e! us remem&er wha! k n" of '"o n* *oo"' on !he /a&&a!h 1 s &lesse" e)ample san%! one". 3e! us ask ourselves whe!her !here s !he sl *h!es! l keness &e!ween our 3or"#s works on !he /a&&a!h$ an" !hose ways of spen" n* !he /a&&a!h for wh %h many %on!en"$ who ye! "are !o appeal !o our 3or"#s e)ample. 3e! us fall &a%k on !he pla n mean n* of our 3or"#s wor"s$ an" !ake our s!an" on !hem. 1e * ves us a l &er!y !o '"o *oo"' on /un"ay$ &u! for feas! n*$ s *h!-see n*$ par!y* v n*$ an" e)%urs ons$ 1e * ves no l &er!y a! all. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ the feelings which the conduct of our Lord's enemies called forth in is heart . 7e are !ol" !ha! '1e looke" roun" a&ou! on !hem w !h 02G(R$ &e n* *r eve" for !he har"ness of !he r hear!s.' Th s e)press on s very remarka&le$ an" "eman"s spe% al a!!en! on. ,! s mean! !o rem n" us !ha! our 3or" Jesus Chr s! was a man l ke ourselves n all !h n*s$ s n only e)%ep!e". 7ha!ever s nless feel n*s &elon* !o !he %ons! !u! on of man$ our 3or" par!ook of$ an" knew &y e)per en%e. 7e rea" !ha! 1e 'marvele"$' !ha! 1e 're+o %e"$' !ha! 1e 'wep!$' !ha! 1e 'love"$' an" here we rea" !ha! 1e fel! 'an*er.' ,! s pla n from !hese wor"s !ha! !here s an 'an*er' wh %h s lawful$ r *h!$ an" no! s nful. There s an n" *na! on wh %h s +us! f a&le$ an" on some o%%as ons may &e properly man fes!e". The wor"s of /olomon an" >aul &o!h seem !o !ea%h !he same lesson. 'The nor!h w n" "r ves away ra n$ so "oes an an*ry %oun!enan%e a &a%k& ! n* !on*ue.' '.e an*ry an" s n no!.' (>rov. D5:D=. (phes. C:D<.) 5e! ! mus! &e %onfesse" !ha! !he su&+e%! s full of " ff %ul!y. 4f all !he feel n*s !ha! man#s hear! e)per en%es$ !here s none perhaps wh %h so soon runs n!o s n as !he feel n* of anger. There s none wh %h on%e e)% !e" seems less un"er %on!rol. There s none wh %h lea"s on !o so mu%h ev l. The len*!h !o wh %h ll-!emper$ rr !a& l !y$ an" pass on$ w ll %arry even *o"ly men$ all mus! know. The h s!ory of '!he %on!en! on' of >aul an" .arna&as a! 0n! o%h$ an" !he s!ory of Moses &e n* provoke" un! l he

'spoke una"v se"ly w !h h s l ps$' are fam l ar !o every . &le rea"er. The "rea"ful fa%! !ha! pass ona!e wor"s are a &rea%h of !he s )!h %omman"men!$ s pla nly !au*h! n !he /ermon on !he Moun!. 0n" ye! here we see !ha! !here s an*er wh %h s lawful. 3e! us leave !h s su&+e%! w !h an earnes! prayer$ !ha! we may all &e ena&le" !o !ake hee" !o our sp r ! n !he ma!!er of an*er. 7e may res! assure" !ha! !here s no human feel n* wh %h nee"s so mu%h %au! ous *uar" n* as !h s. + sinless wrath is a very rare thing. The wrath of man is seldom for the glory of od. ,n every %ase a r *h!eous n" *na! on shoul" &e m n*le" w !h *r ef an" sorrow for !hose who %ause !$ even as ! was n !he %ase of our 3or". 0n" !h s$ a! all even!s$ we may &e sure of-- ! s &e!!er never !o &e an*ry$ !han !o &e an*ry an" s n.

Mark 3:13-21 The &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e "es%r &es !he appo n!men! of !he !welve apos!les. ,! s an even! n our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry$ wh %h shoul" always &e rea" w !h "eep n!eres!. 7ha! a vas! amoun! of &enef ! !hese few men have %onferre" on !he worl"@ The names of a few Jew sh f shermen are known an" love" &y m ll ons all over !he *lo&e$ wh le !he names of many k n*s an" r %h men are los! an" for*o!!en. ,! s !hey who "o *oo" !o souls who are ha" ' n everlas! n* remem&ran%e.' (>salm 11D:<.) 3e! us no! %e n !hese verses$ how many of the twelve who are here named" had been called to be disciples before they were ordained apostles . There are s )$ a! leas!$ ou! of !he num&er$ whose f rs! %all !o follow Chr s! s spe% ally re%or"e". These s ) are >e!er an" 0n"rew$ James an" John$ >h l p an" Ma!!hew. ,n shor!$ !here %an &e l !!le "ou&! !ha! eleven of our 3or"#s apos!les were %onver!e" &efore !hey were or"a ne". ,! ou*h! !o &e !he same w !h all m n s!ers of !he Gospel. They ou*h! !o &e men who have &een f rs! %alle" &y !he /p r !$ &efore !hey are se! apar! for !he *rea! work of !ea%h n* o!hers. The rule shoul" &e !he same w !h !hem as w !h !he apos!les--'f rs! %onver!e"$ !hen or"a ne".' ,! s mposs &le !o overra!e !he mpor!an%e of !h s !o !he n!eres!s of !rue rel * on. . shops an" pres&y!er es %an never &e !oo s!r %! an" par! %ular n !he en9u r es !hey make a&ou! !he sp r !ual %hara%!er of %an" "a!es for or"ers. 0n un%onver!e" m n s!er s u!!erly unf ! for h s off %e. 1ow %an he speak e)per men!ally of !ha! *ra%e wh %h he has never !as!e" h mselfA 1ow %an he %ommen" !ha! /av or !o h s people whom he h mself only knows &y nameA 1ow %an he ur*e on souls !he nee" of !ha! %onvers on an" new & r!h$ wh %h he h mself has no! e)per en%e"A M sera&ly m s!aken are !hose paren!s who persua"e !he r sons !o &e%ome %ler*ymen$ n or"er !o o&!a n a *oo" l v n*$ or follow a respe%!a&le profess on@ 7ha! s ! &u! persua" n* !hem !o say wha! s no! !rue$ an" !o !ake !he 3or"#s name n va nA ,one do such in-ury to the cause of Christianity, as unconverted, worldly ministers. They are a support to the infidel, a -oy to the devil, and an offence to od. 3e! us no! %e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the nature of the office to which the apostles were ordained. They were !o '&e w !h Chr s!.' They were !o &e 'sen! for!h !o prea%h.' They were !o have 'power !o heal s %knesses.' They were !o '%as! ou!

"ev ls.' These four po n!s "eserve a!!en! on. They %on!a n mu%h ns!ru%! on. 4ur 3or"#s !welve apos!les$ &eyon" "ou&!$ were a " s! n%! or"er of men. They ha" no su%%essors when !hey " e". /!r %!ly an" l !erally speak n*$ !here s no su%h !h n* as apos!ol %al su%%ess on. 2o man %an &e really %alle" a 'su%%essor of !he apos!les$' unless he %an work m ra%les$ an" !ea%h nfall &ly$ as !hey " ". .u! s! ll$ n say n* !h s$ we mus! no! for*e!$ !ha! n many !h n*s !he apos!les were n!en"e" !o &e pa!!erns an" mo"els for all m n s!ers of !he Gospel. .ear n* !h s n m n"$ we may "raw mos! useful lessons from !h s passa*e$ as !o !he "u! es of a fa !hful m n s!er. 3 ke !he apos!les$ !he fa !hful m n s!er ou*h! !o keep up %lose %ommun on w !h Chr s!. 1e shoul" &e mu%h 'w !h 1 m.' 1 s fellowsh p shoul" &e 'w !h !he /on.' (1 John 1:=.) 1e shoul" a& "e n 1 m. 1e shoul" &e separa!e from !he worl"$ an" "a ly s !$ l ke Mary$ a! Jesus# fee!$ an" hear 1 s wor". 1e shoul" s!u"y 1 m$ %opy 1 m$ "r nk n!o 1 s /p r !$ an" walk n 1 s s!eps. 1e shoul" s!r ve !o &e a&le !o say$ when he en!ers !he pulp !$ '!ha! wh %h we have seen an" hear" "e%lare we un!o you.' (1 John 1:=.) 3 ke !he apos!les$ !he fa !hful m n s!er ou*h! !o &e a prea%her. Th s mus! ever &e h s pr n% pal work$ an" re%e ve !he *rea!es! par! of h s !hou*h!s. 1e mus! pla%e ! a&ove !he a"m n s!ra! on of !he sa%ramen!s. (1 Cor. 1:17.) 1e mus! e)al! ! a&ove !he rea" n* of forms. 0n unprea%h n* m n s!er s of l !!le use !o !he %hur%h of Chr s!. 1e s a lampless l *h!-house$ a s len! !rumpe!er$ a sleep n* wa!%hman$ a pa n!e" f re. 3 ke !he apos!les$ !he fa !hful m n s!er mus! la&or !o "o *oo" n every way. Thou*h he %anno! heal !he s %k$ he mus! seek !o allev a!e sorrow$ an" !o n%rease happ ness amon* all w !h whom he has !o "o. 1e mus! s!r ve !o &e known as !he %omfor!er$ !he %ounselor$ !he pea%emaker$ !he helper$ an" !he fr en" of all. Men shoul" know h m$ no! as one who rules an" "om neers$ &u! as one who s '!he r servan! for Jesus# sake.' (D Cor. C:5.) 3 ke !he apos!les$ !he fa !hful m n s!er mus! oppose every work of !he "ev l. Thou*h no! %alle" now !o %as! ou! ev l sp r !s from !he &o"y$ he mus! &e ever rea"y !o res s! !he "ev l#s "ev %es$ an" !o "enoun%e h s snares for !he soul. 1e mus! e)pose !he !en"en%y of ra%es$ !hea!ers$ &alls$ *am&l n*$ "runkenness$ /a&&a!h-profana! on$ an" sensual *ra! f %a! ons. (very a*e has !s own pe%ul ar !emp!a! ons. Many are !he "ev %es of /a!an. .u! wha!ever &e !he " re%! on n wh %h !he "ev l s mos! &usy$ !here ou*h! !he m n s!er !o &e$ rea"y !o %onfron! an" w !hs!an" h m. 1ow *rea! s !he respons & l !y of m n s!ers@ 1ow heavy !he r work$ f !hey "o !he r "u!y@ 1ow mu%h !hey nee" !he prayers of all pray n* people$ n or"er !o suppor! an" s!ren*!hen !he r han"s@ 2o won"er !ha! >aul says so of!en !o !he %hur%hes$ '>ray for us.' 3e! us no! %e$ n !he las! pla%e$ how our Lord Jesus Christ's zeal was misunderstood. 7e are !ol" !ha! !hey 'wen! ou! !o lay hol" of h m$ for !hey sa "$ he s &es "e h mself.' There s no!h n* n !h s fa%! !ha! nee" surpr se us. The prophe! who %ame !o ano n! Jehu was %alle" a 'ma" fellow.' (D 8 n*s ;:11.) Bes!us !ol" >aul !ha! he was 'ma".' Bew !h n*s show !he %orrup! on of human na!ure more %learly$ !han man#s na& l !y !o

un"ers!an" ?eal n rel * on. Feal a&ou! money$ or s% en%e$ or war$ or %ommer%e$ or &us ness$ s n!ell * &le !o !he worl". .u! ?eal a&ou! rel * on s !oo of!en re%kone" fool shness$ fana! % sm$ an" !he s *n of a weak m n". ,f a man n+ures h s heal!h &y s!u"y$ or e)%ess ve a!!en! on !o &us ness$ no faul! s foun"--'1e s a " l *en! man.' .u! f he wears h mself ou! w !h prea%h n*$ or spen"s h s whole ! me n "o n* *oo" !o souls$ !he %ry s ra se"$ '1e s an en!hus as! an" r *h!eous over-mu%h.' The worl" s no! al!ere". The '!h n*s of !he /p r !' are always 'fool shness !o !he na!ural man.' (1 Cor. D:1C.) 3e! ! no! shake our fa !h$ f we have !o "r nk of !he same %up as our &lesse" 3or". 1ar" as ! may &e !o flesh an" &loo" !o &e m sun"ers!oo" &y our rela! ons$ we mus! re%olle%! ! s no new !h n*. 3e! us %all !o m n" our 3or"#s wor"s$ '1e !ha! loves fa!her an" mo!her more !han me s no! wor!hy of me.' Jesus knows !he & !!erness of our !r als$ Jesus feels for us. Jesus w ll * ve us help. 3e! us &ear pa! en!ly !he unreasona&leness of un%onver!e" men$ even as our 3or" " ". 3e! us p !y !he r &l n"ness an" la%k of knowle"*e$ an" no! love !hem one wh ! !he less. 0&ove all$ le! us pray !ha! Go" woul" %han*e !he r hear!s. 7ho %an !ell &u! !he very persons who now !ry !o !urn us away from Chr s!$ may one "ay &e%ome new %rea!ures$ see all !h n*s " fferen!ly$ an" follow Chr s! !hemselvesA

Mark 3:22-30 7e all know how pa nful ! s !o have our %on"u%! m sun"ers!oo" an" m srepresen!e"$ when we are "o n* r *h!. ,! s a !r al wh %h our 3or" Jesus Chr s! ha" !o en"ure %on! nually$ all !hrou*h 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry. 7e have an ns!an%e n !he passa*e &efore us. The '/%r &es who %ame "own from Jerusalem' saw !he m ra%les wh %h 1e worke". They %oul" no! "eny !he r real !y. 7ha! !hen " " !hey "oA They a%%use" our &lesse" /av or of &e n* n lea*ue an" un on w !h !he "ev l. They sa "$ '1e has .eel?e&u&$ an" &y !he pr n%e of !he "ev ls %as!s he ou! "ev ls.' ,n our 3or"#s answer !o !h s w %ke" a%%usa! on$ !here are e)press ons wh %h "eserve spe% al a!!en! on. 3e! us see wha! lessons !hey %on!a n for our use. 7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ how great is the evil of dissension and divisions. Th s s a lesson wh %h s s!ron*ly &rou*h! ou! n !he &e* nn n* of our 3or"#s reply !o !he s%r &es. 1e shows !he a&sur" !y of suppos n* !ha! /a!an woul" '%as! ou! /a!an$' an" so help !o "es!roy h s own power. 1e appeals !o !he no!or ous fa%!$ wh %h even h s enem es mus! allow$ !ha! !here %an &e no s!ren*!h where !here s " v s on. ',f a k n*"om &e " v "e" a*a ns! !self$ !ha! k n*"om %anno! s!an".' Th s !ru!h s one wh %h "oes no! re%e ve suff % en! %ons "era! on. 4n no po n! has !he a&use of !he r *h! of pr va!e +u"*men! pro"u%e" so mu%h ev l. The " v s ons of Chr s! ans are one *rea! %ause of !he weakness of !he v s &le %hur%h. They of!en a&sor& ener*y$ ! me$ an" power$ wh %h m *h! have &een well &es!owe" on &e!!er !h n*s. They furn sh !he nf "el w !h a pr me ar*umen! a*a ns! !he !ru!h of Chr s! an !y. They help !he "ev l. /a!an n"ee" s !he %h ef promo!er of rel * ous " v s ons. ,f he %anno! e)! n*u sh Chr s! an !y$ he la&ors !o make Chr s! ans 9uarrel w !h one

ano!her$ an" !o se! every man#s han" a*a ns! h s ne *h&or. 2one knows &e!!er !han !he "ev l$ !ha! '!o " v "e s !o %on9uer.' 3e! us resolve$ so far as n us l es$ !o avo " all " fferen%es$ " ssens ons$ an" " spu!es n rel * on. 3e! us loa!he an" a&hor !hem as !he pla*ue of !he %hur%hes. 7e %anno! &e !oo +ealous a&ou! all sav n* !ru!hs. .u! ! s easy !o m s!ake mor& " s%rupulos !y for %ons% en! ousness$ an" ?eal a&ou! mere !r fles for ?eal a&ou! !he !ru!h. ,othing -ustifies separation from a church but the separation of that church from the ospel. 3e! us &e rea"y !o %on%e"e mu%h$ an" make many sa%r f %es for !he sake of un !y an" pea%e. 7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ what a glorious declaration our Lord ma!es in these verses about the forgiveness of sins . 1e says$ ', assure you !ha! any s n %an &e for* ven$ n%lu" n* &lasphemy.' These wor"s fall l *h!ly on !he ears of many persons. They see no par! %ular &eau!y n !hem. .u! !o !he man who s al ve !o h s own s nfulness an" "eeply sens &le of h s nee" of mer%y$ !hese wor"s are swee! an" pre% ous. '0ll s ns shall &e for* ven.' The s ns of you!h an" a*e--!he s ns of hea"$ an" han"$ an" !on*ue$ an" ma* na! on--!he s ns a*a ns! all Go"#s %omman"men!s--!he s ns of perse%u!ors$ l ke /aul--!he s ns of "ola!ers$ l ke Manasseh--!he s ns of open enem es of Chr s!$ l ke !he Jews who %ru% f e" 1 m--!he s ns of &a%ksl "ers from Chr s!$ l ke >e!er--all$ all may &e for* ven. The &loo" of Chr s! %an %leanse all away. The r *h!eousness of Chr s! %an %over all$ an" h "e all from Go"#s eyes. The "o%!r ne here la " "own s !he %rown an" *lory of !he Gospel. The very f rs! !h n* ! proposes !o man s free par"on$ full for* veness$ %omple!e rem ss on$ w !hou! money an" w !hou! pr %e. 'Throu*h !h s man s prea%he" un!o you !he for* veness of s nsG an" &y 1 m all !ha! &el eve are +us! f e" from all !h n*s.' (0%!s 1=:=;.) 3e! us lay hol" on !h s "o%!r ne w !hou! "elay$ f we never re%e ve" ! &efore. ,! s for us$ as well as for o!hers. 7e !oo$ !h s very "ay$ f we %ome !o Chr s!$ may &e %omple!ely for* ven. 'Thou*h our s ns have &een as s%arle!$ !hey shall &e wh !e as snow.' (,sa ah 1:18.) 3e! us %leave f rmly !o !h s "o%!r ne$ f we have re%e ve" ! alrea"y. 7e may some! mes feel fa n!$ an" unwor!hy$ an" %as! "own. .u! f we have really %ome !o Jesus &y fa !h$ our s ns are fully for* ven. They are %as! &eh n" Go"#s &a%k--&lo!!e" ou! of !he &ook of 1 s remem&ran%e--sunk n!o !he "ep!hs of !he sea. 3e! us &el eve an" no! &e afra ". 7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ n !he las! pla%e$ !ha! it is possible for a man's soul to be lost forever in hell. The wor"s of our 3or" are " s! n%! an" e)press. 1e speaks of one who 'has never for* veness$ &u! s n "an*er of e!ernal "amna! on.' Th s s an "rea"ful !ru!h$ &eyon" "ou&!. .u! ! s a !ru!h$ an" we mus! no! shu! our eyes a*a ns! !. 7e f n" ! asser!e" over an" over a*a n n /%r p!ure. B *ures of all k n"s are mul! pl e"$ an" lan*ua*e of every sor! s employe"$ n or"er !o make ! pla n an" unm s!aka&le. ,n shor!$ f !here s no su%h !h n* as 'e!ernal "amna! on$' we may !hrow !he . &le as "e$ an" say !ha! wor"s have no mean n* a! all. 7e have *rea! nee" !o keep !h s "rea"ful !ru!h s!ea" ly n v ew n !hese la!!er "ays.

Tea%hers have r sen up$ who are openly a!!a%k n* !he "o%!r ne of !he e!ern !y of pun shmen!$ or la&or n* har" !o e)pla n ! away. Men#s ears are &e n* ! %kle" w !h plaus &le say n*s a&ou! '!he love of Go"$' an" !he mposs & l !y of a lov n* Go" perm !! n* an everlas! n* hell. The e!ern !y of pun shmen! s spoken of as a mere 'spe%ula! ve 9ues! on$' a&ou! wh %h men may &el eve any!h n* !hey please. ,n !he m "s! of all !h s floo" of false "o%!r ne$ le! us hol" f rmly !he ol" !ru!h. 3e! us no! &e ashame" !o &el eve !ha! !here s an e!ernal Go"--an e!ernal heaven--an" an e!ernal hell. 3e! us re%olle%! !ha! s n s an nf n !e ev l. ,! nee"e" an a!onemen! of nf n !e value !o "el ver !he &el ever from !s %onse9uen%es--an" ! en!a ls an nf n !e loss on !he un&el ever who re+e%!s !he reme"y prov "e" for !. 0&ove all$ le! us fall &a%k on pla n s%r p!ural s!a!emen!s$ l ke !ha! &efore us !h s "ay. 42( >30,2 T(IT ,/ 74RT1 0 T14H/026 0./TRH/( 0RGHM(2T/. B nally$ f ! &e !rue !ha! !here s an 'e!ernal "amna! on$' le! us * ve " l *en%e !ha! we ourselves "o no! fall n!o !. 3e! us es%ape for our l ves$ an" no! l n*er. (Gen. 1;:1<$17.) 3e! us flee for refu*e !o !he hope se! &efore us n !he Gospel$ an" never res! un! l we know an" feel !ha! we are safe. 0n" never$ never le! us &e ashame" of seek n* safe!y. 4f s n$ worl"l ness$ an" !he love of pleasure$ we may well &e ashame". .u! we never nee" &e ashame" of seek n* !o &e "el vere" from an e!ernal hell.

Mark 3:31-35 ,n !he verses wh %h mme" a!ely pre%e"e !h s passa*e$ we see our &lesse" 3or" a%%use" &y !he /%r &es of &e n* n lea*ue w !h !he "ev l. They sa "$ '1e has .eel?e&u&$ an" &y !he pr n%e of !he "ev ls %as!s he ou! "ev ls.' ,n !he verses we have now rea"$ we f n" !ha! !h s a&sur" %har*e of !he /%r &es was no! all !ha! Jesus ha" !o en"ure a! !h s ! me. 7e are !ol" !ha! 'Jesus# mo!her an" &ro!hers arr ve" a! !he house where he was !ea%h n*. They s!oo" ou!s "e an" sen! wor" for h m !o %ome ou! an" !alk w !h !hem.' They %oul" no! ye! un"ers!an" !he &eau!y an" usefulness of !he l fe !ha! our 3or" was l v n*. Thou*h !hey "ou&!less love" 1 m well$ !hey woul" s n%erely have persua"e" h m !o %ease from 1 s work$ an" 'spare h mself.' 3 !!le " " !hey know wha! !hey were "o n*@ 3 !!le ha" !hey o&serve" or un"ers!oo" our 3or"#s wor"s when 1e was only !welve years ol"$ 'know you no! !ha! , mus! &e a&ou! my Ba!her#s &us nessA' (3uke D:C;.) ,! s n!eres! n* !o mark !he 9u e!$ f rm perseveran%e of our 3or"$ n !he fa%e of all " s%oura*emen!s. 2one of !hese !h n*s move" 1 m. The slan"erous su**es! ons of enem es$ an" !he well-mean! remons!ran%es of *noran! fr en"s$ were al ke powerless !o !urn 1 m from 1 s %ourse. 1e ha" se! 1 s fa%e as a fl n! !owar"s !he %ross an" !he %rown. 1e knew !he work 1e ha" %ome n!o !he worl" !o "o. 1e ha" a &ap! sm !o &e &ap! ?e"$ an" was s!ra !ene" un! l ! was a%%ompl she". (3uke 1D:5E.) /o le! ! &e w !h all !rue servan!s of Chr s!. 3e! no!h n* !urn !hem for a momen! ou! of !he narrow way$ or make !hem s!op an" look &a%k. 3e! !hem no! hee" !he ll-na!ure" remarks of enem es. 3e! !hem no! * ve way !o !he well- n!en! one" &u! m s!aken en!rea! es of un%onver!e" rela! ons an" fr en"s. 3e! !hem reply n !he wor"s of 2ehem ah$ ', am "o n* a *rea! work$ an" , %anno! %ome "own.' (2eh. <:=.) 3e! !hem say$ ', have !aken up !he %ross$ an" , w ll no! %as! ! away.'

7e learn from !hese verses one m *h!y lesson. 7e learn$ who they are that are rec!oned the relations of Jesus Christ. They are !hey who are 1 s " s% ples$ an" '"o !he w ll of Go".' 4f su%h !he *rea! 1ea" of !he Chur%h says$ '!he same s my &ro!her$ an" s s!er$ an" mo!her.' 1ow mu%h !here s n !h s s n*le e)press on@ 7ha! a r %h m ne of %onsola! on ! opens !o all !rue &el evers@ 7ho %an %on%e ve !he "ep!h of our 3or"#s love !owar"s Mary !he mo!her !ha! &ore 1 m$ an" on whose &osom 1e ha" &een nurse"A 7ho %an ma* ne !he &rea"!h of 1 s love !owar"s 1 s &re!hren a%%or" n* !o !he flesh$ w !h whom !he !en"er years of h s %h l"hoo" ha" &een spen!A 6ou&!less no hear! ever ha" w !h n ! su%h "eep well-spr n*s of affe%! on as !he hear! of Chr s!. 5e! even 1e says$ of all who '"o !he w ll of Go"$' !ha! ea%h ' s h s &ro!her$ an" s s!er$ an" mo!her.' 3e! all !rue Chr s! ans "r nk %omfor! ou! of !hese wor"s. 3e! !hem know !ha! !here s 4ne a! leas!$ who knows !hem$ loves !hem$ %ares for !hem$ an" re%kons !hem as 1 s own fam ly. 7ha! !hou*h !hey &e poor n !h s worl"A They have no %ause !o &e ashame"$ when !hey remem&er !ha! !hey are !he &re!hren an" s s!ers of !he /on of Go". 7ha! !hou*h !hey &e perse%u!e" an" ll-!rea!e" n !he r own homes &e%ause of !he r rel * onA They may remem&er !he wor"s of 6av "$ an" apply !hem !o !he r own %ase$ '7hen my fa!her an" mo!her forsake me$ !hen !he 3or" w ll !ake me up.' (>salm. D7:1E.) B nally$ le! all who perse%u!e an" r " %ule o!hers &e%ause of !he r rel * on$ !ake warn n* &y !hese wor"s$ an" repen!. 7hom are !hey perse%u! n* an" r " %ul n*A The rela! ons of Jesus !he /on of Go"@ The fam ly of !he 8 n* of k n*s an" 3or" of lor"s@ /urely !hey woul" "o w sely !o hol" !he r pea%e$ an" %ons "er well wha! !hey are "o n*. These whom !hey perse%u!e have a m *h!y Br en"--'The r re"eemer s m *h!yG he shall plea" !he r %ause.' (>rov. D=:11.)

Mark chapter 4
Mark 4:1-20 These verses %on!a n !he para&le of !he sower. 4f all !he para&les spoken &y our 3or"$ none s pro&a&ly so well-known as !h s. There s none wh %h s so eas ly un"ers!oo" &y all$ from !he *ra% ous fam l ar !y of !he f *ures wh %h ! %on!a ns. There s none wh %h s of su%h un versal an" perpe!ual appl %a! on. /o lon* as !here s a Chur%h of Chr s! an" a %on*re*a! on of Chr s! ans$ so lon* !here w ll &e employmen! for !h s para&le. The lan*ua*e of !he para&le re9u res no e)plana! on. To use !he wor"s of an an% en! wr !er$ ' ! nee"s appl %a! on$ no! e)pos ! on.' 3e! us now see wha! ! !ea%hes. 7e are !au*h!$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ that there are some hearers of the Gospel" whose hearts are li!e the wayside in a field. These are !hey who hear sermons$ &u! pay no a!!en! on !o !hem. They *o !o a pla%e of worsh p$ for form or fash on$ or !o appear respe%!a&le &efore men. .u! !hey !ake no n!eres! wha!ever n !he prea%h n*. ,! seems !o !hem a mere ma!!er of wor"s an" names$ an" un n!ell * &le !alk. ,! s ne !her money$ nor foo"$ nor "r nk$ nor %lo!hes$ nor %ompanyG an" as !hey s ! un"er !he soun" of !$ !hey are !aken up w !h !h nk n* of

o!her !h n*s. ,! ma!!ers no!h n* whe!her ! s 3aw or Gospel. ,! pro"u%es no more effe%! on !hem !han wa!er on a s!one. 0n" a! !he en" !hey *o away$ know n* no more !han when !hey %ame n. There are myr a"s of profess n* Chr s! ans n !h s s!a!e of soul. There s har"ly a %hur%h or %hapel$ where s%ores of !hem are no! !o &e foun". /un"ay af!er /un"ay !hey allow !he "ev l !o %a!%h away !he *oo" see" !ha! s sown on !he surfa%e of !he r hear!s. 7eek af!er week !hey l ve on$ w !hou! fa !h$ or fear$ or knowle"*e$ or *ra%e-feel n* no!h n*$ %ar n* no!h n*$ !ak n* no more n!eres! n rel * on$ !han f Chr s! ha" never " e" on !he %ross a! all. 0n" n !h s s!a!e !hey of!en " e an" are &ur e"$ an" are los! forever n hell. Th s s a mournful p %!ure$ &u! only !oo !rue. 7e are !au*h!$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ !ha! there are some hearers of the Gospel whose hearts are li!e the stony ground in a field . These are !hey on whom prea%h n* pro"u%es !emporary mpress ons$ &u! no "eep$ las! n*$ an" a& " n* effe%!. They !ake pleasure n hear n* sermons n wh %h !he !ru!h s fa !hfully se! for!h. They %an speak w !h apparen! +oy an" en!hus asm a&ou! !he swee!ness of !he Gospel$ an" !he happ ness wh %h !hey e)per en%e n l s!en n* !o !. They %an &e move" !o !ears &y !he appeals of prea%hers$ an" !alk w !h apparen! earnes!ness of !he r own nwar" %onfl %!s$ hopes$ s!ru**les$ "es res$ an" fears. .u! unhapp ly !here s no s!a& l !y a&ou! !he r rel * on. 'They have no roo! n !hemselves$ an" so en"ure &u! for a ! me.' There s no real work of !he 1oly /p r ! w !h n !he r hear!s. The r mpress ons are l ke Jonah#s *our"$ wh %h %ame up n a n *h! an" per she" n a n *h!. They fa"e as rap "ly as !hey *row. 2o sooner "oes 'affl %! on an" perse%u! on ar se for !he wor"#s sake$' !han !hey fall away. The r *oo"ness proves as '!he morn n* %lou"$ an" !he early "ew.' (1osea <:C.) The r rel * on has no more l fe n ! !han !he %u! flower. ,! has no roo!$ an" soon w !hers away. There are many n every %on*re*a! on wh %h hears !he Gospel$ who are +us! n !h s s!a!e of soul. They are no! %areless an" na!!en! ve hearers$ l ke many aroun" !hem$ an" are !herefore !emp!e" !o !h nk well of !he r own %on" ! on. They feel a pleasure n !he prea%h n* !o wh %h !hey l s!en$ an" !herefore fla!!er !hemselves !hey mus! have *ra%e n !he r hear!s. 0n" ye! !hey are !horou*hly "e%e ve". 4l" !h n*s have no! ye! passe" away. There s no real work of %onvers on n !he r nwar" man. 7 !h all !he r feel n*s$ affe%! ons$ +oys$ hopes$ an" "es res$ !hey are a%!ually on !he h *h roa" !o "es!ru%! on. 7e are !au*h!$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ !ha! there are some hearers of the Gospel" whose hearts are li!e the thorny ground in a field. These are !hey who a!!en" !o !he prea%h n* of Chr s!#s !ru!h$ an" !o a %er!a n e)!en! o&ey !. The r un"ers!an" n* assen!s !o !. The r +u"*men! approves of !. The r %ons% en%e s affe%!e" &y !. The r affe%! ons are n favor of !. They a%knowle"*e !ha! ! s all r *h!$ an" *oo"$ an" wor!hy of all re%ep! on. They even a&s!a n from many !h n*s wh %h !he Gospel %on"emns$ an" a"op! many ha& !s wh %h !he Gospel re9u res. .u! here unhapp ly !hey s!op shor!. /ome!h n* appears !o %ha n !hem fas!$ an" !hey never *e! &eyon" a %er!a n po n! n !he r rel * on. 0n" !he *ran" se%re! of !he r %on" ! on s !he 74R36. 'The %ares of !he worl"$ an" !he "e%e !fulness of r %hes$ an" !he lus!s of o!her !h n*s$' preven! !he wor" hav n* !s full effe%! on !he r souls. 7 !h every!h n* apparen!ly !ha! s prom s n* an" favora&le n !he r sp r !ual s!a!e$ !hey s!an" s! ll. They never %ome up !o !he full s!an"ar" of 2ew Tes!amen!

Chr s! an !y. They &r n* no fru ! !o perfe%! on. There are few fa !hful m n s!ers of Chr s! who %oul" no! po n! !o %ases l ke !hese. 4f all %ases !hey are !he mos! melan%holy. To *o so far an" ye! *o no fur!her--!o see so mu%h an" ye! no! see all--!o approve so mu%h an" ye! no! * ve Chr s! !he hear!$ !h s s n"ee" mos! "eplora&le@ 0n" !here s &u! one ver" %! !ha! %an &e * ven a&ou! su%h people. 7 !hou! a "e% "e" %han*e !hey w ll never en!er !he k n*"om of heaven. Chr s! w ll have all our hear!s. ',f any man w ll &e a fr en" of !he worl"$ he s !he enemy of Go".' (James C:C.) 7e are !au*h!$ n !he las! pla%e$ !ha! there are some hearers of the Gospel" whose hearts are li!e the good ground in a field . These are !hey who really re%e ve Chr s!#s !ru!h n!o !he &o!!om of !he r hear!s$ &el eve ! mpl % !ly$ an" o&ey ! !horou*hly. ,n !hese !he fru !s of !ha! !ru!h w ll &e seen--un form$ pla n$ an" unm s!aka&le resul!s n hear! an" l fe. /,2 w ll &e !ruly ha!e"$ mourne" over$ res s!e"$ an" renoun%e". C1R,/T w ll &e !ruly love"$ !rus!e" n$ followe"$ love"$ an" o&eye". 143,2(// w ll show !self n all !he r l fe$ n hum l !y$ sp r !ual-m n"e"ness$ pa! en%e$ meekness$ an" %har !y. There w ll &e some!h n* !ha! %an &e seen. The !rue work of !he 1oly /p r ! %anno! &e h ""en. There w ll always &e some people n !h s s!a!e of soul$ where !he Gospel s fa !hfully prea%he". The r num&ers may very l kely &e few$ %ompare" !o !he worl"ly aroun" !hem. The r e)per en%e an" "e*ree of sp r !ual a!!a nmen! may " ffer w "ely$ some &r n* n* for!h !h r!y$ some s )!y$ an" some a hun"re"-fol". .u! !he fru ! of !he see" fall n* n!o *oo" *roun" w ll always &e of !he same k n". There w ll always &e v s &le repen!an%e$ v s &le fa !h n Chr s!$ an" v s &le hol ness of l fe. 7 !hou! !hese !h n*s$ !here s no sav n* rel * on. 0n" now le! us ask ourselves$ 7ha! are weA Hn"er wh %h %lass of hearers ou*h! we !o &e ranke"A 7 !h wha! k n" of hear!s "o we hear !he wor"A 2ever$ never may we for*e!$ !ha! !here are !hree ways of hear n* w !hou! prof !$ an" only one way of hear n* ar *h!@ 2ever$ never may we for*e! !ha! !here s only one nfall &le mark of &e n* a r *h!-hear!e" hearer@ Tha! mark s !o &ear fru !. To &e w !hou! fru !$ s !o &e n !he way !o hell.

Mark 4:21-25 These verses seem n!en"e" !o enfor%e !he para&le of !he sower on !he a!!en! on of !hose who hear" !. They are remarka&le for !he su%%ess on of shor!$ p !hy$ prover& al say n*s wh %h !hey %on!a n. /u%h say n*s are em nen!ly %al%ula!e" !o arres! an *noran! hearer. They of!en s!r ke$ an" s! %k n !he memory$ when !he ma n su&+e%! of !he sermon s for*o!!en. 7e learn$ from !hese verses$ !ha! we ought not only to receive !nowledge" but to impart it to others. 0 %an"le s no! l *h!e" n or"er !o &e h ""en an" %on%eale"$ &u! !o &e se! on a %an"les! %k an" use". Rel * ous l *h! s no! * ven !o a man for h mself alone$ &u! for !he &enef ! of o!hers. 7e are !o !ry !o sprea" an" " ffuse our knowle"*e. 7e are !o

" splay !o o!hers !he pre% ous !reasure !ha! we have foun"G an" persua"e !hem !o seek ! for !hemselves. 7e are !o !ell !hem of !he *oo" news !ha! we have hear"$ an" en"eavor !o make !hem &el eve an" value ! !hemselves. 7e shall all have !o * ve a%%oun! of our use of knowle"*e one "ay. The &ooks of Go" n !he "ay of +u"*men! w ll show wha! we have "one. ,f we have &ur e" our !alen! n !he ear!h-- f we have &een %on!en! w !h a la?y$ "le$ "o-no!h n* Chr s! an !y$ an" %are" no!h n* wha! happene" !o o!hers$ so lon* as we wen! !o heaven ourselves--!here w ll &e a fearful e)posure a! las!--'There s no!h n* h ""en$ wh %h shall no! &e man fes!e".' ,! &e%omes all Chr s! ans !o lay !hese !h n*s !o hear!. ,! s h *h ! me !ha! !he ol" !ra" ! on$ !ha! !he %ler*y alone ou*h! !o !ea%h an" sprea" rel * ous knowle"*e$ shoul" &e e)plo"e" an" %as! as "e forever. To "o *oo" an" " ffuse l *h! s a "u!y for wh %h all mem&ers of Chr s!#s Chur%h are respons &le$ whe!her m n s!ers or laymen. 2e *h&ors ou*h! !o !ell ne *h&ors$ f !hey have foun" an unfa l n* reme"y n ! me of pla*ue. Chr s! ans ou*h! !o !ell o!hers !ha! !hey have foun" me" % ne for !he r souls$ f !hey see !hem *noran!$ an" "y n* for la%k of !. 7ha! says !he apos!le >e!erA '0s every man has re%e ve" !he * f!$ even so m n s!er !he same one !o ano!her.' (1 >e!er C:1E.) They w ll &e happy "ays for !he Chur%h when !ha! !e)! s o&eye". 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the importance of hearing" and of considering well what we hear. Th s s a po n! !o wh %h our 3or" ev "en!ly a!!a%hes *rea! we *h!. 7e have seen ! alrea"y &rou*h! ou! n !he para&le of !he sower. 7e see ! here enfor%e" n !wo remarka&le e)press ons. ',f any man have an ear !o hear$ le! h m hear.' 'Take hee" wha! you hear.' 1ear n* !he !ru!h s one pr n% pal avenue !hrou*h wh %h *ra%e s %onveye" !o !he soul of man. 'Ba !h %omes &y hear n*.' (Rom. 1E:17.) 4ne of !he f rs! s!eps !owar"s %onvers on s !o re%e ve from !he /p r ! a hear n* ear. /el"om are men &rou*h! !o repen!an%e an" fa !h n Chr s! w !hou! 'hear n*.' The *eneral rule s !ha! of wh %h >aul rem n"s !he (phes ans$ 'you also !rus!e"$ af!er you 1(0R6 !he wor" of !ru!h.' ((ph. 1:1=.) 3e! us &ear !h s n m n" when we hear prea%h n* "e%r e" as a means of *ra%e. There are never la%k n* men who seek !o %as! ! "own from !he h *h pla%e wh %h !he . &le * ves !. There are many who pro%la m lou"ly !ha! ! s of far more mpor!an%e !o !he soul !o hear l !ur* %al forms rea"$ an" !o re%e ve !he 3or"#s /upper$ !han !o hear Go"#s wor" e)poun"e". 4f all su%h no! ons le! us &eware. 3e! ! &e a se!!le" pr n% ple w !h us !ha! 'hear n* !he wor"$' s one of !he foremos! means of *ra%e !ha! Go" has * ven !o man. 3e! us * ve !o every o!her means an" or" nan%e !s proper value an" propor! on. .u! never le! us for*e! !he wor"s of >aul$ '"esp se no! prophesy n*s$' an" h s "y n* %har*e !o T mo!hy$ '>rea%h !he wor".' (1 Thess. 5:DEG D T m. C:D.) 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the importance of a diligent use of religious privileges. 7ha! says our 3or"A 'Hn!o you !ha! hear shall more &e * ven. 1e !ha! has$ !o h m shall &e * ven--an" he !ha! has no!$ from h m shall &e !aken even !ha! wh %h he has.'

Th s s a pr n% ple wh %h we f n" %on! nually &rou*h! forwar" n /%r p!ure. 0ll !ha! &el evers have s un"ou&!e"ly of *ra%e. The r repen!an%e$ fa !h$ an" hol ness$ are all !he * f! of Go". .u! !he "e*ree !o wh %h a &el ever a!!a ns n *ra%e$ s ever se! &efore us as %losely %onne%!e" w !h h s own " l *en%e n !he use of means$ an" h s own fa !hfulness n l v n* fully up !o !he l *h! an" knowle"*e wh %h he possesses. ,n"olen%e an" la? ness are always " s%oura*e" n Go"#s wor". 3a&or an" pa ns n hear n*$ rea" n*$ an" prayer$ are always represen!e" as &r n* n* !he r own rewar". 'The soul of !he " l *en! shall &e ma"e fa!.' (>rov. 1=:C.) '0n "le soul shall suffer hun*er.' (>rov. 1;:15.) 0!!en! on !o !h s *rea! pr n% ple s !he ma n se%re! of sp r !ual prosper !y. The man who makes rap " pro*ress n sp r !ual a!!a nmen!s--who *rows v s &ly n *ra%e$ an" knowle"*e$ an" s!ren*!h$ an" usefulness--w ll always &e foun" !o &e a " l *en! man. 1e leaves no s!one un!urne" !o promo!e h s soul#s well-"o n*. 1e s " l *en! over h s . &le$ " l *en! n h s pr va!e "evo! ons$ " l *en! as a hearer of sermons$ " l *en! n h s a!!en"an%e a! !he 3or"#s !a&le. 0n" he reaps a%%or" n* as he sows. Jus! as !he mus%les of !he &o"y are s!ren*!hene" &y re*ular e)er% se$ so are !he *ra%es of !he soul n%rease" &y " l *en%e n us n* !hem. 6o we w sh !o *row n *ra%eA 6o we "es re !o have s!ron*er fa !h$ &r *h!er hope$ an" %learer knowle"*eA .eyon" "ou&! we "o$ f we are !rue Chr s! ans. Then le! us l ve fully up !o our l *h!$ an" mprove every oppor!un !y. 3e! us never for*e! our 3or"#s wor"s n !h s passa*e. '7 !h wha! measure we useG' !o our souls$ ' ! shall &e measure" !o us a*a n.' The more we "o for our souls$ !he more shall we f n" Go" "oes for !hem.

Mark 4:26-29 The para&le %on!a ne" n !hese verses s shor!$ an" only re%or"e" n Mark#s Gospel. .u! ! s one !ha! ou*h! !o &e "eeply n!eres! n* !o all who have reason !o hope !ha! !hey are !rue Chr s! ans. ,! se!s &efore us !he h s!ory of !he work of *ra%e n an n" v "ual soul. ,! summons us !o an e)am na! on of our own e)per en%e n " v ne !h n*s. There are some e)press ons n !he para&le wh %h we mus! no! press !oo far. /u%h are !he 'sleep n* an" r s n*' of !he farmer$ an" !he 'n *h! an" "ay.' ,n !h s$ as n many of our 3or"#s para&les$ 7( MH/T C0R(BH335 8((> ,2 J,(7 T1( M0,2 /C4>( 026 4.J(CT 4B T1( 7143( /T4R5$ 026 24T 305 T44 MHC1 /TR(// 42 3(//(R >4,2T/. ,n !he %ase &efore us !he ma n !h n* !au*h! s !he %lose resem&lan%e &e!ween some fam l ar opera! ons n !he %ul!ure of *ra n$ an" !he work of *ra%e n !he hear!. To !h s le! us r * "ly %onf ne our a!!en! on. 7e are !au*h!$ f rs!ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ra n$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ there must be a sower. The ear!h$ as we all know$ never &r n*s for!h *ra n of !self. ,! s a mo!her of wee"s$ &u! no! of whea!. The han" of man mus! plou*h !$ an" s%a!!er !he see"$ or else !here woul" never &e a harves!. The hear! of man$ n l ke manner$ w ll never of !self !urn !o Go"$ repen!$ &el eve$ an"

o&ey. ,! s u!!erly &arren of *ra%e. ,! s en! rely "ea" !owar"s Go"$ an" una&le !o * ve !self sp r !ual l fe. The /on of man mus! &reak ! up &y 1 s /p r !$ an" * ve ! a new na!ure. 1e mus! s%a!!er over ! &y !he han" of h s la&or n* m n s!ers !he *oo" see" of !he wor". 3e! us mark !h s !ru!h well. Gra%e n !he hear! of man s an e)o! %. ,! s a new pr n% ple from ou!s "e$ sen! "own from heaven an" mplan!e" n h s soul. 3ef! !o h mself$ no man l v n* woul" ever seek Go". 0n" ye! n %ommun %a! n* *ra%e$ Go" or" nar ly works &y means. To "esp se !he ns!rumen!al !y of !ea%hers an" prea%hers$ s !o e)pe%! %orn where no see" has &een sown. 7e are !au*h!$ se%on"ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ra n$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ there is much that is beyond man's comprehension and control . The w ses! farmer on ear!h %an never e)pla n all !ha! !akes pla%e n a *ra n of whea!$ when he has sown !. 1e knows !he &roa" fa%! !ha! unless he pu!s ! n!o !he so l$ an" %overs ! up$ !here w ll no! &e an ear of %orn n ! me of harves!. .u! he %anno! %omman" !he prosper !y of ea%h *ra n. 1e %anno! e)pla n why some *ra ns %ome up an" o!hers " e. 1e %anno! spe% fy !he hour or !he m nu!e when l fe shall &e* n !o show !self. 1e %anno! "ef ne wha! !ha! l fe s. These are ma!!ers he mus! leave alone. 1e sows h s see"$ an" leaves !he *row!h !o Go". 'Go" * ves !he n%rease.' (1 Cor. =:7.) The work n*s of *ra%e n !he hear! n l ke manner$ are u!!erly mys!er ous an" unsear%ha&le. 7e %anno! e)pla n why !he wor" pro"u%es effe%!s on one person n a %on*re*a! on$ an" no! upon ano!her. 7e %anno! e)pla n why$ n some %ases--w !h every poss &le a"van!a*e$ an" n sp !e of every en!rea!y--people re+e%! !he wor"$ an" %on! nue "ea" n !respasses an" s ns. 7e %anno! e)pla n why n o!her %ases-w !h every poss &le " ff %ul!y$ an" w !h no en%oura*emen!--people are &orn a*a n$ an" &e%ome "e% "e" Chr s! ans. 7e %anno! "ef ne !he manner n wh %h !he /p r ! of Go" %onveys l fe !o a soul$ an" !he e)a%! pro%ess &y wh %h a &el ever re%e ves a new na!ure. 0ll !hese are h ""en !h n*s !o us. 7e see %er!a n resul!s$ &u! we %an *o no fur!her. 'The w n" &lows where ! w lls$ an" you hear !he soun" !hereof$ &u! %an no! !ell when%e ! %omes$ an" where ! *oes--so s every one !ha! s &orn of !he /p r !.' (John =:8.) 3e! us mark !h s !ru!h also$ for ! s "eeply ns!ru%! ve. ,! s hum&l n* no "ou&! !o m n s!ers$ an" !ea%hers of o!hers. The h *hes! a& l ! es$ !he mos! powerful prea%h n*$ !he mos! " l *en! work n*$ %anno! %omman" su%%ess. Go" alone %an * ve sp r !ual l fe. .u! ! s a !ru!h a! !he same ! me$ wh %h suppl es an a"m ra&le an! "o!e !o overan) e!y an" "espon"en%y. 4ur pr n% pal work s !o sow !he see". Tha! "one$ we may wa ! w !h fa !h an" pa! en%e for !he resul!. '7e may sleep$ an" r se n *h! an" "ay$' an" leave our work w !h !he 3or". 1e alone %an$ an"$ f 1e !h nks f !$ 1e w ll * ve su%%ess. 7e are !au*h!$ !h r"ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ra n$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ life manifests itself gradually. There s a !rue prover& wh %h says$ '2a!ure "oes no!h n* a! a &oun".' The r pe ear of whea! "oes no! appear a! on%e$ as soon as !he see" &urs!s for!h n!o l fe. The plan! *oes !hrou*h many s!a*es$ &efore ! arr ves a! perfe%! on--'f rs! !he &la"e$ !hen !he ear$ !hen !he full %orn n !he ear.' .u! n all !hese s!a*es one *rea! !h n* s !rue

a&ou! !--even a! !s weakes!$ ! s a l v n* plan!. The work of *ra%e$ n l ke manner$ *oes on n !he hear! &y "e*rees. The %h l"ren of Go" are no! &orn perfe%! n fa !h$ or hope$ or knowle"*e$ or e)per en%e. The r &e* nn n* s *enerally a '"ay of small !h n*s.' They see n par! !he r own s nfulness$ an" Chr s!#s fullness$ an" !he &eau!y of hol ness. .u! for all !ha!$ !he weakes! %h l" n Go"#s fam ly s a !rue %h l" of Go". 7 !h all h s weakness an" nf rm !y he s al ve. The see" of *ra%e has really %ome up n h s hear!$ !hou*h a! presen! ! &e only n !he &la"e. 1e s 'al ve from !he "ea".' 0n" !he w se man says$ 'a l v n* "o* s &e!!er !han a "ea" l on.' ((%%les. ;:C.) 3e! us mark !h s !ru!h also$ for ! s full of %onsola! on. 3e! us no! "esp se *ra%e$ &e%ause ! s weak$ or !h nk people are no! %onver!e"$ &e%ause !hey are no! ye! as s!ron* n !he fa !h as >aul. 3e! us remem&er !ha! *ra%e$ l ke every!h n* else$ mus! have a &e* nn n*. The m *h! es! oak was on%e an a%orn. The s!ron*es! man was on%e a &a&e. .e!!er a !housan" ! mes have *ra%e n !he &la"e !han no *ra%e a! all. 7e are !au*h!$ las!ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ra n$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ there is no harvest until the seed is ripe. 2o farmer !h nks of %u!! n* h s whea! when ! s *reen. 1e wa !s un! l !he sun$ an" ra n$ an" hea!$ an" %ol"$ have "one !he r appo n!e" work$ an" !he *ol"en ears han* "own. Then$ an" no! un! l !hen$ he pu!s n !he s %kle$ an" *a!hers !he whea! n!o h s &arn. Go" "eals w !h 1 s work of *ra%e e)a%!ly n !he same way. 1e never removes 1 s people from !h s worl" un! l !hey are r pe an" rea"y. 1e never !akes !hem away un! l !he r work s "one. They never " e a! !he wron* ! me$ however mys!er ous !he r "ea!hs appear some! mes !o man. Jos ah$ an" James !he &ro!her of John were &o!h %u! off n !he m "s! of usefulness. 4ur own 8 n* ("war" !he / )!h was no! allowe" !o rea%h ma!ure s!a!e. .u! we shall see n !he resurre%! on morn n* !ha! !here was a nee"s-&e. 0ll was "one well a&ou! !he r "ea!hs$ as well as a&ou! !he r & r!hs. The Grea! 1us&an"man never %u!s 1 s *ra n un! l ! s r pe. 3e! us leave !he para&le w !h !h s !ru!h on our m n"s$ an" !ake %omfor! a&ou! !he "ea!h of every &el ever. 3e! us res! sa! sf e"$ !ha! !here s no %han%e$ no a%% "en!$ no m s!ake a&ou! !he "e%ease of any of Go"#s %h l"ren. They are all 'Go"#s f el"$' an" Go" knows &es! when !hey are rea"y for !he harves!.

Mark 4:30-34 The para&le of !he mus!ar" see" s one of !hose para&les wh %h par!ake of !he %hara%!er &o!h of h s!ory an" prophe%y. ,! seems n!en"e" !o llus!ra!e !he h s!ory of Chr s!#s v s &le %hur%h on ear!h$ from !he ! me of !he f rs! a"ven! "own !o !he +u"*men! "ay. The see" %as! n!o !he ear!h$ n !he pre%e" n* para&le$ showe" us !he work of *ra%e n a hear!. The mus!ar" see" shows us T1( >R4GR(// 4B >R4B(//,2G C1R,/T,02,T5 ,2 T1( 74R36. 7e learn$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ !ha!$ l ke !he *ra n of mus!ar" see"$ Christ's visible church was to be small and wea! in its beginnings.

0 *ra n of mus!ar" see" was a prover& al e)press on amon* !he Jews for some!h n* very small an" ns *n f %an!. 4ur 3or" %alls ! 'smaller !han all !he see"s !ha! are n !he ear!h.' Tw %e n !he Gospels we f n" our 3or" us n* !he f *ure as a wor" of %ompar son$ when speak n* of a weak fa !h. (Ma!!. 17:DEG 3uke 17:<.) The "ea was "ou&!less fam l ar !o a Jew sh m n"$ however s!ran*e ! may soun" !o us. 1ere$ as n o!her pla%es$ !he /on of Go" shows us !he w s"om of using language familiar to the minds of those whom we may address. ,! woul" &e " ff %ul! !o f n" an em&lem wh %h more fa !hfully represen!s !he h s!ory of !he v s &le %hur%h of Chr s! !han !h s *ra n of mus!ar" see". 7eakness an" apparen! ns *n f %an%e were un"ou&!e"ly !he %hara%!er s! %s of !s &e* nn n*. 1ow " " !s 1ea" an" 8 n* %ome n!o !he worl"A 1e %ame as a fee&le nfan!$ &orn n a man*er a! .e!hlehem$ w !hou! r %hes$ or arm es$ or a!!en"an!s$ or power. 7ho were !he men !ha! !he 1ea" of !he Chur%h *a!here" roun" 1 mself$ an" appo n!e" 1 s apos!lesA They were poor an" unlearne" people--f shermen$ pu&l %ans$ an" men of l ke o%%upa! ons$ !o all appearan%e !he mos! unl kely people !o shake !he worl". 7ha! was !he las! pu&l % a%! of !he ear!hly m n s!ry of !he *rea! 1ea" of !he Chur%hA 1e was %ru% f e"$ l ke a malefa%!or$ &e!ween !wo !h eves$ af!er hav n* &een forsaken &y nearly all 1 s " s% ples$ &e!raye" &y one$ an" "en e" &y ano!her. 7ha! was !he "o%!r ne wh %h !he f rs! &u l"ers of !he Chur%h wen! for!h from !he upper %ham&er n Jerusalem !o prea%h !o mank n"A ,! was a "o%!r ne wh %h !o !he Jews was a s!um&l n*-&lo%k$ an" !o !he Greeks fool shness. ,! was a pro%lama! on !ha! !he *rea! 1ea" of !he r new rel * on ha" &een pu! !o "ea!h on a %ross$ an" !ha! no!w !hs!an" n* !h s$ !hey offere" l fe !hrou*h 1 s "ea!h !o !he worl"@ ,n all !h s !he m n" of man %an per%e ve no!h n* &u! weakness an" fee&leness. Truly !he em&lem of a *ra n of mus!ar" see" was ver f e" an" fulf lle" !o !he very le!!er. To !he eyes of man !he &e* nn n* of !he v s &le %hur%h was %on!emp! &le$ ns *n f %an!$ powerless$ an" small. 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ !ha!$ l ke !he mus!ar" see"$ the visible church" once planted" was to grow and greatly increase. 'The *ra n of mus!ar" see"$' says our 3or"$ 'when ! s sown$ *rows up an" &e%omes *rea!er !han all *ar"en plan!s.' These wor"s may soun" s!ar!l n* !o an (n*l sh ear. 7e are no! a%%us!ome" !o su%h a *row!h n our %ol" nor!hern %l ma!e. .u! !o !hose who know eas!ern %oun!r es$ !here s no!h n* surpr s n* n !. The !es! mony of well- nforme" an" e)per en%e" !ravelers s " s! n%!$ !ha! su%h an n%rease s &o!h poss &le an" pro&a&le. 2o f *ure %oul" &e %hosen more s!r k n*ly appl %a&le !o !he *row!h an" n%rease of Chr s!#s v s &le %hur%h n !he worl". ,! &e*an !o *row from !he "ay of >en!e%os!$ an" *rew w !h a rap " !y$ wh %h no!h n* %an a%%oun! for &u! !he f n*er of Go". ,! *rew won"erfully when !hree !housan" souls were %onver!e" a! on%e$ an" f ve !housan" more n a few "ays af!erwar"s. ,! *rew won"erfully$ when a! 0n! o%h$ an" (phesus$ an" >h l pp $ an" Cor n!h$ an" Rome$ %on*re*a! ons were *a!here" !o*e!her$ an" Chr s! an !y f rmly es!a&l she". ,! *rew won"erfully$ when a! las! !he "esp se" rel * on of Chr s! oversprea" !he *rea!er par! of (urope$ an" 0s a M nor$ an" 2or!h 0fr %a$ an"$ n sp !e of f er%e perse%u! on an" oppos ! on$ supplan!e" hea!hen "ola!ry$ an" &e%ame !he professe" %ree" of !he whole Roman emp re. /u%h *row!h mus! have &een marvelous n !he eyes of many. .u! ! was only wha! our 3or" fore!ol" n !he para&le &efore us. 'The k n*"om of Go" s l ke a *ra n of mus!ar" see".'

The v s &le %hur%h of Chr s! s no! ye! "one *row n*. 2o!w !hs!an" n* !he melan%holy apos!asy of some of !s &ran%hes$ an" !he "eplora&le weakness of o!hers$ ! s s! ll e)!en" n* an" e)pan" n* over !he worl". 2ew &ran%hes have %on! nually &een spr n* n* up n 0mer %a$ n ,n" a$ n 0us!ral a$ n 0fr %a$ n Ch na$ n !he ,slan"s of !he /ou!h /eas$ "ur n* !he las! f f!y years. (v ls un"ou&!e"ly !here are many. Balse profess on an" %orrup! on a&oun". .u! s! ll$ on !he whole$ hea!hen sm s wan n*$ wear n* ou!$ an" mel! n* away. ,n sp !e of all !he pre" %! ons of Jol!a re an" >a ne$ n sp !e of foes w !hou!$ an" !rea%hery w !h n$ !he v s &le %hur%h pro*resses--!he mus!ar" plan! s! ll *rows@ 0n" !he prophe%y$ we may res! assure"$ s no! ye! e)haus!e". 0 "ay shall ye! %ome$ when !he *rea! 1ea" of !he %hur%h shall !ake !o 1 mself 1 s power$ an" re *n$ an" pu! "own every enemy un"er 1 s fee!. The ear!h shall ye! &e f lle" w !h !he knowle"*e of Go"$ as !he wa!ers %over !he sea. (1a&. D:1C.) /a!an shall ye! &e &oun". The hea!hen shall ye! &e our 3or"#s nher !an%e$ an" !he u!mos! par!s of !he ear!h 1 s possess on. 0n" !hen !h s para&le shall re%e ve !s full a%%ompl shmen!. The l !!le see" shall &e%ome 'a *rea! !ree$' an" f ll !he whole ear!h. (6an. C:11.) 3e! us leave !he para&le w !h a resolu! on never !o "esp se any movemen! or ns!rumen!al !y n !he %hur%h of Chr s!$ &e%ause a! f rs! ! was weak an" small. 3e! us remem&er !he man*er of .e!hlehem$ an" learn w s"om. The name of 1 m who lay !here$ a helpless nfan!$ s now known all over !he *lo&e. The l !!le see" wh %h was plan!e" n !he "ay when Jesus was &orn$ has &e%ome a *rea! !ree$ an" we ourselves are re+o % n* un"er !s sha"ow. 3e! ! &e a se!!le" pr n% ple n our rel * on$ never !o '"esp se !he "ay of small !h n*s.' (Fe%h. C:1E.) 4ne %h l" may &e !he &e* nn n* of a flour sh n* s%hool--one %onvers on !he &e* nn n* of a m *h!y %hur%h-one wor" !he &e* nn n* of some &lesse" Chr s! an en!erpr se--one see" !he &e* nn n* of a r %h harves! of save" souls.

Mark 4:35-41 These verses "es%r &e a s!orm on !he sea of Gal lee$ when our 3or" an" 1 s " s% ples were %ross n* !$ an" a m ra%le performe" &y our 3or" n %alm n* !he s!orm n a momen!. Bew m ra%les re%or"e" n !he Gospel were so l kely !o s!r ke !he m n"s of !he apos!les as !h s. Bour of !hem a! leas! were f shermen. >e!er$ 0n"rew$ James$ an" John$ ha" pro&a&ly known !he sea of Gal lee$ an" !s s!orms$ from !he r you!h. Bew even!s n our 3or"#s +ourney n*s !o an" fro upon ear!h$ %on!a n more r %h ns!ru%! on !han !he one rela!e" n !h s passa*e. 3e! us learn$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ !ha! Christ's service does not e#empt is servants from storms. 1ere were !he !welve " s% ples n !he pa!h of "u!y. They were o&e" en!ly follow n* Jesus$ wherever 1e wen!. They were "a ly a!!en" n* on 1 s m n s!ry$ an" hearken n* !o 1 s wor". They were "a ly !es! fy n* !o !he worl"$ !ha!$ wha!ever /%r &es an" >har sees m *h! !h nk$ !hey &el eve" on Jesus$ love" Jesus$ an" were no! ashame" !o * ve up all for 1 s sake. 5e! here we see !hese men n !rou&le$ !osse" up an" "own &y a !empes!$ an" n "an*er of &e n* "rowne". 3e! us mark well !h s lesson. ,f we are !rue Chr s! ans$ we mus! no! e)pe%! every!h n* smoo!h n our +ourney !o heaven. 7e mus! %oun! ! no s!ran*e !h n*$ f we have !o en"ure s %knesses$ losses$ &ereavemen!s$ an" " sappo n!men!s$ +us! l ke o!her men.

Bree par"on an" full for* veness$ *ra%e alon* !he way$ an" *lory a! !he en"--all !h s our /av or has prom se" !o * ve. .u! 1e has never prom se" !ha! we shall have no affl %! on. 1e loves us !oo well !o prom se !ha!. .y affl %! on 1e !ea%hes us many pre% ous lessons$ wh %h w !hou! ! we shoul" never learn. .y affl %! on 1e shows us our emp! ness an" weakness$ "raws us !o !he !hrone of *ra%e$ pur f es our affe%! ons$ weans us from !he worl"$ makes us lon* for heaven. ,n !he resurre%! on morn n*$ we shall all say$ ',! s *oo" for me !ha! , was affl %!e".' 7e shall !hank Go" for every s!orm. 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ !ha! our Lord Jesus Christ was really and truly man. 7e are !ol" n !hese verses$ !ha! when !he s!orm &e*an$ an" !he waves &ea! over !he sh p$ 1e was n !he &a%k par! of !he &oa!$ 'asleep.' 1e ha" a &o"y e)a%!ly l ke our own--a &o"y !ha! %oul" hun*er$ an" !h rs!$ an" feel pa n$ an" &e weary$ an" nee" res!. 2o won"er !ha! 1 s &o"y nee"e" repose a! !h s ! me. 1e ha" &een " l *en! n 1 s Ba!her#s &us ness all !he "ay. 1e ha" &een prea%h n* !o a *rea! mul! !u"e n !he open a r. 2o won"er !ha! 'when !he even n* was %ome$' an" 1 s work f n she"$ he fell 'asleep.' 3e! us mark !h s lesson also a!!en! vely. The /av or n whom we are & " !o !rus!$ s as really a man as 1e s Go". 1e knows !he !r als of a man$ for 1e has e)per en%e" !hem. 1e knows !he &o" ly nf rm ! es of a man$ for 1e has fel! !hem. 1e %an well un"ers!an" wha! we mean$ when we %ry !o 1 m for help n !h s worl" of nee". 1e s +us! !he very /av or !ha! men an" women$ w !h weary frames an" a%h n* hea"s$ n a weary worl"$ re9u re for !he r %omfor! every morn n* an" n *h!. '7e have no! a h *h pr es! wh %h %anno! &e !ou%he" w !h !he feel n* of our nf rm ! es.' (1e&. C:15.) 3e! us learn$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ !ha! our Lord Jesus Christ" as God" has almighty power. 7e see 1 m n !hese verses "o n* !ha! wh %h s prover& ally mposs &le. 1e speaks !o !he 7,26/$ an" !hey o&ey 1 m. 1e speaks !o !he 70J(/ an" !hey su&m ! !o 1 s %omman". 1e !urns !he R0G,2G /T4RM n!o a %alm w !h a few wor"s--'>ea%e$ &e s! ll.' Those wor"s were !he wor"s of 1 m who f rs! %rea!e" all !h n*s. The elemen!s knew !he vo %e of !he r Mas!er$ an"$ l ke o&e" en! servan!s$ were 9u e! a! on%e. 3e! us mark !h s lesson also$ an" lay ! up n our m n"s. 7 !h !he 3or" Jesus Chr s! no!h n* s mposs &le. 2o s!ormy pass ons are so s!ron* &u! 1e %an !ame !hem. 2o !emper s so rou*h an" v olen! &u! 1e %an %han*e !. 2o %ons% en%e s so " s!ur&e"$ &u! 1e %an speak pea%e !o !$ an" make ! %alm. 2o man ever nee" "espa r$ f 1e w ll only &ow "own h s pr "e$ an" %ome as a hum&le" s nner !o Chr s!. Chr s! %an "o m ra%les upon h s hear!. 2o man ever nee" "espa r of rea%h n* h s +ourney#s en"$ f he has on%e %omm !!e" h s soul !o Chr s!#s keep n*. Chr s! w ll %arry h m !hrou*h every "an*er. Chr s! w ll make h m %on9ueror over every foe. 7ha! !hou*h our rela! ons oppose usA 7ha! !hou*h our ne *h&ors lau*h us !o s%ornA 7ha! !hou*h our pla%e &e har"A 7ha! !hou*h our !emp!a! ons &e *rea!A ,! s all no!h n*$ f Chr s! s on our s "e$ an" we are n !he sh p w !h 1 m. Grea!er s 1e !ha! s for us$ !han all !hose who are a*a ns! us. B nally$ we learn from !h s passa*e$ !ha! our Lord Jesus Christ is e#ceedingly patient and piteous in dealing with is own people . 7e see !he " s% ples on !h s o%%as on show n* *rea! la%k of fa !h$ an" * v n* way !o mos! mproper fears. They for*o! !he r Mas!er#s m ra%les an" %are for !hem n "ays *one &y. They !hou*h! of no!h n* &u! !he r presen! per l. They awoke our 3or" has! ly$ an" %r e"$ 'Tea%her$

"on#! you %are f we "rownA' 7e see our 3or" "eal n* mos! *en!ly an" !en"erly w !h !hem. 1e * ves !hem no sharp reproof. 1e makes no !hrea! of %as! n* !hem off$ &e%ause of !he r un&el ef. 1e s mply asks !he !ou%h n* 9ues! on$ '7hy are you so fearfulA 1ow s ! !ha! you have no fa !hA' 3e! us mark well !h s lesson. The 3or" Jesus s very empa!he! % an" full of !en"er mer%y. '0s a fa!her p ! es h s %h l"ren$ even so !he 3or" p ! es !hose who fear 1 m.' (>salm 1E=:1=.) 1e "oes no! "eal w !h &el evers a%%or" n* !o !he r s ns$ nor rewar" !hem a%%or" n* !o !he r n 9u ! es. 1e sees !he r weakness. 1e s aware of !he r shor!-%om n*s. 1e knows all !he "efe%!s of !he r fa !h$ an" hope$ an" love$ an" %oura*e. 0n" ye! 1e w ll no! %as! !hem off. 1e &ears w !h !hem %on! nually. 1e loves !hem even !o !he en". 1e ra ses !hem when !hey fall. 1e res!ores !hem when !hey err. 1 s pa! en%e$ l ke 1 s love$ s a pa! en%e !ha! passes knowle"*e. 7hen 1e sees a hear! r *h!$ ! s 1 s *lory !o pass over many a shor!-%om n*. 3e! us leave !hese verses w !h !he %omfor!a&le re%olle%! on !ha! Jesus s no! %han*e". 1 s hear! s s! ll !he same !ha! ! was when 1e %rosse" !he sea of Gal lee an" s! lle" !he s!orm. 1 *h n heaven a! !he r *h! han" of Go"$ Jesus s s! ll sympa!h ? n*--s! ll alm *h!y--s! ll p !eous an" pa! en! !owar"s 1 s people. 3e! us &e more %har !a&le an" pa! en! !owar"s our &re!hren n !he fa !h. They may err n many !h n*s$ &u! f Jesus has re%e ve" !hem an" %an &ear w !h !hem$ surely we may &ear w !h !hem !oo. 3e! us &e more hopeful a&ou! ourselves. 7e may &e very weak$ an" fra l$ an" uns!a&leG &u! f we %an !ruly say !ha! we "o %ome !o Chr s! an" &el eve on 1 m$ we may !ake %omfor!. The 9ues! on for %ons% en%e !o answer s no!$ '0re we l ke !he an*elsA are we perfe%! as we shall &e n heavenA The 9ues! on s$ '0re we real an" !rue n our approa%hes !o Chr s!A 6o we !ruly repen! an" &el eveA'

Mark chapter 5
Mark 5:1-17 These verses "es%r &e one of !hose mys!er ous m ra%les wh %h !he Gospels fre9uen!ly re%or"--!he %as! n* ou! of a "ev l. 4f all !he %ases of !h s k n" n !he 2ew Tes!amen!$ none s so fully "es%r &e" as !h s one. 4f all !he !hree evan*el s!s who rela!e !he h s!ory$ none * ves ! so fully an" m nu!ely as Mark. 7e see$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ n !hese verses$ !ha! the possession of a man's body by the devil" was a real and true thing in the time of our Lord's earthly ministry . ,! s a pa nful fa%!$ !ha! !here are never la%k n* profess n* Chr s! ans who !ry !o e)pla n away our 3or"#s m ra%les. They en"eavor !o a%%oun! for !hem &y na!ural %auses$ an" !o show !ha! !hey were no! worke" &y any e)!raor" nary power. 4f all m ra%les$ !here are none wh %h !hey assaul! so s!renuously as !he %as! n* ou! of "ev ls. They "o no! s%ruple !o "eny /a!an % possess on en! rely. They !ell us !ha! ! was no!h n* more !han luna%y$ or fren?y$ or ep lepsy$ an" !ha! !he "ea of !he "ev l nha& ! n* a man#s &o"y s a&sur". The &es! an" s mples! answer !o su%h skep! %al o&+e%! ons$ s a referen%e !o !he pla n narra! ves of !he Gospels$ an" espe% ally !o !he one &efore us a! !h s momen!. The fa%!s here "e!a le" are u!!erly ne)pl %a&le$ f we "o no! &el eve /a!an % possess on. ,! s no!or ous !ha! luna%y$ an" fren?y$ an" ep lepsy are no! nfe%! ous %ompla n!s$ an" a! any ra!e %anno! &e %ommun %a!e" !o a her" of sw ne@ 0n" ye!

men ask us !o &el eve$ !ha! as soon as !h s man was heale"$ !wo !housan" sw ne ran v olen!ly "own a s!eep pla%e n!o !he sea$ from a su""en mpulse$ w !hou! any apparen! %ause !o a%%oun! for !he r so "o n*@ /u%h reason n* s !he he *h! of %re"ul !y. 7hen men %an sa! sfy !hemselves w !h su%h e)plana! ons$ !hey are n a p ! a&le s!a!e of m n". 3e! us &eware of a skep! %al an" n%re"ulous sp r ! n all ma!!ers rela! n* !o !he "ev l. 2o "ou&! !here s mu%h n !he su&+e%! of /a!an % possess on wh %h we "o no! un"ers!an"$ an" %anno! e)pla n. .u! le! us no! !herefore refuse !o &el eve !. The eas!ern k n* who woul" no! &el eve n !he poss & l !y of %e$ &e%ause he l ve" n a ho! %oun!ry$ an" ha" never seen !$ was no! more fool sh !han !he man who refuses !o &el eve n /a!an % possess on$ &e%ause he never saw a %ase h mself$ an" %anno! un"ers!an" !. 7e may &e sure$ !ha! upon !he su&+e%! of !he "ev l an" h s power$ we are far more l kely !o &el eve !oo l !!le !han !oo mu%h. Hn&el ef a&ou! !he e) s!en%e an" personal !y of /a!an$ has of!en prove" !he f rs! s!ep !o un&el ef a&ou! Go". 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !hese verses$ what an awfully cruel" powerful" and malicious being Satan is. 4n all !hese !hree po n!s$ !he passa*e &efore us s full of ns!ru%! on. The cruelty of /a!an appears n !he m sera&le %on" ! on of !he unhappy man$ of whose &o"y he ha" possess on. 7e rea" !ha! he "wel! 'amon* !he !om&s$' !ha! 'no man %oul" & n" h m$ no$ no! w !h %ha ns' !ha! no man %oul" !ame h m--an" !ha! he was 'always n *h! an" "ay n !he moun!a ns$ an" n !he !om&s$ %ry n*$ an" %u!! n* h mself w !h s!ones$' nake"$ an" w !hou! %lo!h n*. /u%h s !he s!a!e !o wh %h !he "ev l woul" &r n* us all$ f he only ha" !he power. 1e woul" re+o %e !o nfl %! upon us !he u!mos! m sery$ &o!h of &o"y an" m n". Cases l ke !h s are fa n! !ypes of !he m ser es of hell. The power of /a!an appears n !he "rea"ful wor"s wh %h !he un%lean sp r ! use"$ when our 3or" aske"$ '7ha! s your nameA' 1e answere"$ say n* 'My name s 3e* on--for we are many.' 7e pro&a&ly have no! !he fa n!es! "ea of !he num&er$ su&!le!y$ an" a%! v !y of /a!an#s a*en!s. 7e for*e! !ha! he s k n* over an enormous hos! of su&or" na!e sp r !s who "o h s w ll. 7e woul" pro&a&ly f n"$ f our eyes were opene" !o see sp r !s$ !ha! !hey are a&ou! our pa!h$ an" a&ou! our &e"$ an" o&serv n* all our ways$ !o an e)!en! of wh %h we have no %on%ep! on. ,n pr va!e an" n pu&l %$ n %hur%h an" n !he worl"$ !here are &usy enem es ever near us$ of whose presen%e we are no! aware. The malice of /a!an appears n !he s!ran*e pe! ! on 'sen" us n!o !he sw ne.' Cas! for!h from !he man$ whose &o"y !hey ha" so lon* nha& !e" an" possesse"$ !hey s! ll !h rs!e" !o "o m s%h ef. Hna&le !o n+ure any more an mmor!al soul$ !hey "es re" leave !o n+ure !he "um& &eas!s wh %h were fee" n* near. /u%h s !he !rue %hara%!er of /a!an. ,! s !he &en! of h s na!ure !o "o harm$ !o k ll$ an" !o "es!roy. 2o won"er !ha! he s %alle" 0pollyon$ !he "es!royer. 3e! us &eware of * v n* way !o !he senseless ha& ! of +es! n* a&ou! !he "ev l. ,! s a ha& ! wh %h furn shes "rea"ful ev "en%e of !he &l n"ness an" %orrup! on of human na!ure$ an" one wh %h s far !oo %ommon. 7hen ! s seemly n !he %on"emne" %r m nal !o +es! a&ou! h s e)e%u! oner$ !hen$ an" no! un! l !hen$ ! w ll &e seemly for mor!al man !o !alk l *h!ly a&ou! /a!an. 7ell woul" ! &e for us all$ f we s!rove more !o real ?e !he power an" presen%e of our *rea! sp r !ual enemy$ an" praye" more !o &e

"el vere" from h m. ,! was a !rue say n* of an em nen! Chr s! an$ now *one !o res!$ '2o prayer s %omple!e wh %h "oes no! %on!a n a pe! ! on !o &e kep! from !he "ev l.' 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how complete is our Lord's power and authority over the devil. 7e see ! n !he %ry of !he un%lean sp r !$ ', a"+ure you &y Go"$ !ha! you !ormen! me no!.' 7e see ! n !he %omman"$ 'Come ou! of !he man$ you un%lean sp r !$' an" !he mme" a!e o&e" en%e !ha! followe". 7e see ! n !he &lesse" %han*e !ha! a! on%e !ook pla%e n h m !ha! was possesse"--he was foun" 's !! n*$ an" %lo!he"$ an" n h s r *h! m n".' 7e see ! n !he pe! ! on of all !he "ev ls--'sen" us n!o !he sw ne$' %onfess n* !he r %ons% ousness !ha! !hey %oul" "o no!h n* w !hou! leave. 0ll !hese !h n*s show !ha! one m *h! er !han /a!an was !here. /!ron* as !he *rea! enemy of man was$ he was n !he presen%e of 4ne s!ron*er !han he. 2umerous as h s hos!s were$ he was %onfron!e" w !h 4ne who %oul" %omman" more !han !welve le* ons of an*els. '7here !he wor" of !he k n* s$ !here s power.' ((%%les. 8:C.) The !ru!h here !au*h! s full of s!ron* %onsola! on for all !rue Chr s! ans. 7e l ve n a worl" full of " ff %ul! es an" snares. 7e are ourselves weak an" %ompasse" w !h nf rm !y. The "rea"ful !hou*h! !ha! we have a m *h!y sp r !ual enemy ever near us$ su&!le$ powerful$ an" mal % ous as /a!an s$ m *h! well " s9u e! us$ an" %as! us "own. .u!$ !hanks &e un!o Go"$ we have n Jesus an alm *h!y Br en"$ who s 'a&le !o save us !o !he u!!ermos!.' 1e has alrea"y !r umphe" over /a!an on !he %ross. 1e w ll ever !r umph over h m n !he hear!s of all &el evers$ an" n!er%e"e for !hose who !he r fa !h fa l no!. 0n" 1e w ll f nally !r umph over /a!an %omple!ely$ when 1e shall %ome for!h a! !he se%on" a"ven!$ an" & n" h m n !he &o!!omless p !. 0n" now$ 0re we ourselves "el vere" from /a!an#s powerA Th s af!er all s !he *ran" 9ues! on !ha! %on%erns our souls. 1e s! ll re *ns an" rules n !he hear!s of all who are %h l"ren of " so&e" en%e. ((ph. D:=.) 1e s s! ll a k n* over !he un*o"ly. 1ave we$ &y *ra%e$ &roken h s &on"s$ an" es%ape" h s han"A 1ave we really renoun%e" h m an" all h s worksA 6o we "a ly res s! h m an" make h m fleeA 6o we pu! on !he whole armor of Go" an" s!an" a*a ns! h s w lesA May we never res! un! l we %an * ve sa! sfa%!ory answers !o !hese 9ues! ons.

Mark 5:18-20 The af!er-%on"u%! of !hose whom our 3or" Jesus Chr s! heale" an" %ure" when upon ear!h$ s a !h n* wh %h s no! of!en rela!e" n !he Gospels. The s!ory of!en "es%r &es !he m ra%ulous %ure$ an" !hen leaves !he af!er h s!ory of !he person %ure" n o&s%ur !y$ an" passes on !o o!her !h n*s. .u! !here are some "eeply n!eres! n* %ases$ n wh %h !he af!er-%on"u%! of persons %ure" s "es%r &e"G an" !he man from wh m !he "ev l was %as! ou! n !he %oun!ry of !he Ga"arenes s one. The verses &efore us !ell !he s!ory. Bew as !hey are$ !hey are full of pre% ous ns!ru%! on. 7e learn from !hese verses !ha! the Lord Jesus !nows better than is people what is the right position for them to be in. 7e are !ol" !ha! when our 3or" was on !he po n! of leav n* !he %oun!ry of !he Ga"arenes$ !he man '!ha! ha" &een possesse" w !h !he "ev l$ &e**e" 1 m !ha! he m *h! *o w !h 1 m.' 7e %an well

un"ers!an" !ha! re9ues!. 1e fel! *ra!eful for !he &lesse" %han*e !ha! ha" !aken pla%e n h mself. 1e fel! full of love !owar"s h s 6el verer. 1e !hou*h! he %oul" no! "o &e!!er !han follow our 3or"$ an" *o w !h 1 m as h s %ompan on an" " s% ple. 1e was rea"y !o * ve up home an" %oun!ry$ an" *o af!er Chr s!. 0n" ye!$ s!ran*e as ! appears a! f rs! s *h!$ !he re9ues! was refuse". 'Jesus " " no! le! h m.' 4ur 3or" ha" o!her work for h m !o "o. 4ur 3or" saw &e!!er !han he " " n wha! way he %oul" *lor fy Go" mos!. 'Go home !o your fr en"s$' 1e says$ 'an" !ell !hem wha! *rea! !h n*s !he 3or" has "one for you$ an" how he has ha" %ompass on on you.' There are lessons of profoun" w s"om n !hese wor"s. The pla%e !ha! Chr s! ans w sh !o &e n$ s no! always !he pla%e wh %h s &es! for !he r souls. The pos ! on !ha! !hey woul" %hoose$ f !hey %oul" have !he r own way$ s no! always !ha! wh %h Jesus woul" have !hem o%%upy. There are none who nee" !h s lesson so mu%h as &el evers newly %onver!e" !o Go". /u%h people are of!en very poor +u"*es of wha! s really for !he r *oo". Bull of !he new v ews wh %h !hey have &een *ra% ously !au*h!$ e)% !e" w !h !he novel!y of !he r presen! pos ! on$ see n* every!h n* aroun" !hem n a new l *h!$ know n* l !!le ye! of !he "ep!hs of /a!an an" !he weakness of !he r own hear!s--know n* only !ha! a l !!le ! me a*o !hey were &l n"$ an" now$ !hrou*h mer%y$ !hey see--of all people !hey are n !he *rea!es! "an*er of mak n* m s!akes. 7 !h !he &es! n!en! ons$ !hey are ap! !o fall n!o m s!akes a&ou! !he r plans n l fe$ !he r %ho %es$ !he r moves$ !he r profess ons. They for*e! !ha! wha! we l ke &es!$ s no! always &es! for our souls$ an" !ha! !he see" of *ra%e nee"s w n!er as well as summer$ %ol" as well as hea!$ !o r pen ! for *lory. 3e! us pray !ha! Go" woul" *u "e us n all our ways af!er %onvers on$ an" no! allow us !o err n our %ho %es$ or !o make has!y "e% s ons. Tha! pla%e an" pos ! on s mos! heal!hful for us n wh %h we are kep! mos! hum&le--mos! !au*h! our own s nfulness-"rawn mos! !o !he . &le an" prayer--le" mos! !o l ve &y fa !h an" no! &y s *h!. ,! may no! &e 9u !e wha! we l ke. .u! f Chr s! &y 1 s prov "en%e has pla%e" us n !$ le! us no! &e n a hurry !o leave !. 3e! us !here n a& "e w !h Go". The *rea! !h n* s !o have no w ll of our own$ an" !o &e where Jesus woul" have us &e. 7e learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !hese verses$ !ha! a believer's own home has the first claims on his attention. 7e are !au*h! !ha! n !he s!r k n* wor"s wh %h our 3or" a""resses !o !he man who ha" &een possesse" w !h !he "ev l. 'Go home$' 1e says$ '!o your fr en"s$ an" !ell !hem wha! *rea! !h n*s !he 3or" has "one for you.' The fr en"s of !h s man ha" pro&a&ly no! seen h m for some years$ e)%ep! n* un"er !he nfluen%e of /a!an. Mos! l kely he ha" &een as one "ea" !o !hem$ or worse !han "ea"$ an" a %ons!an! %ause of !rou&le$ an) e!y$ an" sorrow. 1ere !hen was !he pa!h of "u!y. 1ere was !he way &y wh %h he %oul" mos! *lor fy Go". 3e! h m *o home an" !ell h s fr en"s wha! Jesus ha" "one for h m. 3e! h m &e a l v n* w !ness &efore !he r eyes of !he %ompass on of Chr s!. 3e! h m "eny h mself !he pleasure of &e n* n Chr s!#s &o" ly presen%e$ n or"er !o "o !he h *her work of &e n* useful !o o!hers. 1ow mu%h !here s n !hese s mple wor"s of our 3or"@ 7ha! !hou*h!s !hey ou*h! !o s! r up n !he hear!s of all !rue Chr s! ans@ 'Go home an" !ell your fr en"s.' 1ome s !he pla%e a&ove all o!hers where !he %h l" of Go" ou*h! !o make h s f rs! en"eavors !o "o *oo". 1ome s !he pla%e where he s mos! %on! nually seen$ an" where !he real !y of h s *ra%e ou*h! mos! !ruly !o appear. 1ome s !he pla%e where h s &es! affe%! ons ou*h! !o &e %on%en!ra!e". 1ome s !he pla%e where he shoul" s!r ve "a ly !o w !ness for Chr s!. 1ome s !he pla%e where he was "a ly "o n* harm &y h s

e)ample$ so lon* as he serve" !he worl". 1ome s !he pla%e where he s spe% ally &oun" !o &e a l v n* ep s!le of Chr s!$ so soon as he has &een mer% fully !au*h! !o serve Go". May we all remem&er !hese !h n*s "a ly@ May ! never &e sa " of us$ !ha! we are sa n!s a&roa"$ &u! w %ke" &y our own f res "e--!alkers a&ou! rel * on a&roa"$ &u! worl"ly an" un*o"ly a! home@ .u! af!er all$ have we any!h n* !o !ell o!hersA Can we !es! fy !o any work of *ra%e n our hear!sA 1ave we e)per en%e" any "el veran%e from !he power of !he worl"$ !he flesh$ an" !he "ev lA 1ave we ever !as!e" !he *ra% ousness of Chr s!A These are n"ee" ser ous 9ues! ons. ,f we have never ye! &een &orn a*a n$ an" ma"e new %rea!ures$ we %an of %ourse have no!h n* !o '!ell.' ,f we have any!h n* !o !ell o!hers a&ou! Chr s!$ le! us resolve !o !ell !. 3e! us no! &e s len!$ f we have foun" pea%e an" res! n !he Gospel. 3e! us speak !o our rela! ons$ an" fr en"s$ an" fam l es$ an" ne *h&ors$ a%%or" n* as we have oppor!un !y$ an" !ell !hem wha! !he 3or" has "one for our souls. 0ll are no! %alle" !o &e m n s!ers. 0ll are no! n!en"e" !o prea%h. .u! all %an walk n !he s!eps of !he man of whom we have &een rea" n*$ an" n !he s!eps of 0n"rew$ an" >h l p$ an" !he /amar !an woman. (John 1:C1$ C5G C:D;.) 1appy s he who s no! ashame" !o say !o o!hers$ 'Come an" hear wha! !he 3or" has "one for my soul.' (>salm. <<:1<.)

Mark 5:21-34 The ma n su&+e%! of !hese verses s !he m ra%ulous heal n* of a s %k woman. Grea! s our 3or"#s e)per en%e n %ases of " sease@ Grea! s h s sympa!hy w !h 1 s s %k an" a l n* mem&ers@ The *o"s of !he hea!hen are *enerally represen!e" as !err &le an" m *h!y n &a!!le$ "el *h! n* n &loo"she"$ !he s!ron* man#s pa!rons$ an" !he warr or#s fr en"s. The /av or of !he Chr s! an s always se! &efore us as *en!le$ an" easy !o &e en!rea!e"$ !he healer of !he &roken hear!e"$ !he refu*e of !he weak an" helpless$ !he %omfor!er of !he " s!resse"$ !he s %k man#s &es! fr en". 0n" s no! !h s +us! !he /av or !ha! human na!ure nee"sA The worl" s full of pa n an" !rou&le. The weak on ear!h are far more numerous !han !he s!ron*. 3e! us mark$ n !hese verses$ what misery sin has brought into the world . 7e rea" of one who ha" ha" a mos! pa nful " sease 'for !welve years.' /he ha" 'suffere" many !h n*s of many phys % ans$ an" ha" spen! all !ha! she ha"$ an" was no!h n* &e!!er$ &u! ra!her *rew worse.' Means of every k n" ha" &een !r e" n va n. Me" %al sk ll ha" prove" una&le !o %ure. Twelve lon* weary years ha" &een spen! n &a!!l n* w !h " sease$ an" rel ef seeme" no nearer !han a! f rs!. '1ope "eferre"' m *h! well 'make her hear! s %k.' (>rov. 1=:1D.) 1ow n%re" &le ! s !ha! we "o no! ha!e s n more !han we "o@ / n s !he %ause of all !he pa n an" " sease n !he worl". Go" " " no! %rea!e man !o &e an a l n* an" suffer n* %rea!ure. ,! was s n$ an" no!h n* &u! s n$ wh %h &rou*h! n all !he lls !ha! flesh s he r !o. ,! was s n !o wh %h we owe every ra%k n* pa n$ an" every loa!hsome nf rm !y$ an" every hum&l n* weakness !o wh %h our poor &o" es are l a&le. 3e! us keep !h s ever n m n". 3e! us ha!e s n w !h a *o"ly ha!re". 3e! us mark$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how different are the feelings with which people draw near to Christ. 7e are !ol" n !hese verses !ha! 'many people

followe"' our 3or"$ 'an" !hron*e" h m.' .u! we are only !ol" of one person who '%ame n !he press &eh n"$' an" !ou%he" 1 m w !h fa !h an" was heale". Many followe" Jesus from %ur os !y$ an" "er ve" no &enef ! from 1 m. 4ne$ an" only one$ followe" un"er a "eep sense of her nee"$ an" of our /av or#s power !o rel eve her$ an" !ha! one re%e ve" a m *h!y &less n*. 7e see !he same !h n* *o n* on %on! nually n !he Chur%h of Chr s! a! !he presen! "ay. Mul! !u"es *o !o our pla%es of worsh p$ an" f ll our pews. 1un"re"s %ome up !o !he 3or"#s !a&le$ an" re%e ve !he &rea" an" w ne. .u! of all !hese worsh pers an" %ommun %an!s$ how few really o&!a n any!h n* from Chr s!@ Bash on$ %us!om$ r !ual$ ha& !$ !he love of e)% !emen!$ or an !%h n* ear$ are !he !rue mo! ves of !he vas! ma+or !y. There are &u! few here an" !here who !ou%h Chr s! &y fa !h$ an" *o home ' n pea%e.' These may seem har" say n*s. .u! !hey are unhapp ly !oo !rue@ 3e! us mark$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ how immediate and instantaneous was the cure which this woman received. 2o sooner " " she !ou%h our 3or"#s %lo!hes !han she was heale". The !h n* !ha! she ha" sou*h! n va n for !welve years$ was "one n a momen!. The %ure !ha! many phys % ans %oul" no! effe%!$ was wrou*h! n an ns!an! of ! me. '/he fel! n her &o"y !ha! she was heale" of !ha! pla*ue.' 7e nee" no! "ou&! !ha! we are mean! !o see here an em&lem of !he rel ef !ha! !he Gospel %onfers on souls. The e)per en%e of many a weary %ons% en%e has &een e)a%!ly l ke !ha! of !h s woman w !h her " sease. Many a man has spen! sorrowful years n sear%h of pea%e w !h Go"$ an" fa le" !o f n" !. 1e has *one !o ear!hly reme" es an" o&!a ne" no rel ef. 1e has wear e" h mself n *o n* from pla%e !o pla%e$ an" %hur%h !o %hur%h$ an" has fel! af!er all 'no!h n* &e!!ere"$ &u! ra!her worse.' .u! a! las! he has foun" res!. 0n" where has he foun" !A 1e has foun" !$ where !h s woman foun" hers$ n Jesus Chr s!. 1e has %ease" from h s own works. 1e has s!oppe" look n* !o h s own en"eavors an" "o n*s for rel ef. 1e has %ome !o Chr s! 1 mself$ as a hum&le s nner$ an" %omm !!e" h mself !o 1 s mer%y. 0! on%e !he &ur"en has fallen from off h s shoul"ers. 1eav ness s !urne" !o +oy$ an" an) e!y !o pea%e. 4ne !ou%h of real fa !h %an "o more for !he soul !han a hun"re" self- mpose" aus!er ! es. 4ne look a! Jesus s more eff %a% ous !han years of sa%k-%lo!h an" ashes. May we never for*e! !h s !o our "y n* "ay@ >ersonal appl %a! on !o Chr s! s !he real se%re! of pea%e w !h Go". 3e! us mark$ n !he four!h pla%e$ how much it becomes Christians to confess before men the benefit they receive from Christ . 7e see !ha! !h s woman was no! allowe" !o *o home$ when %ure"$ w !hou! her %ure &e n* no! %e". 4ur 3or" n9u re" who ha" !ou%he" 1 m$ an" 'looke" roun" a&ou! !o see her who ha" "one !h s !h n*.' 2o "ou&! 1e knew perfe%!ly !he name an" h s!ory of !he woman. 1e nee"e" no! !ha! any shoul" !ell 1 m. .u! 1e "es re" !o !ea%h her$ an" all aroun" 1 m$ !ha! healed souls should make public acknowledgment of mercies received. There s a lesson here wh %h all !rue Chr s! ans woul" "o well !o remem&er. 7e are no! !o &e ashame" !o %onfess Chr s! &efore men$ an" !o le! o!hers know wha! 1e has "one for our souls. ,f we have foun" pea%e !hrou*h 1 s &loo"$ an" &een renewe" &y 1 s /p r !$ we mus! no! shr nk from avow n* !$ on every proper o%%as on. ,! s no! ne%essary !o &low a !rumpe! n !he s!ree!s$ an" for%e our e)per en%e on every&o"y#s no! %e. 0ll !ha! s re9u re" s a w ll n*ness !o a%knowle"*e Chr s! as our Mas!er$ w !hou! fl n%h n* from !he r " %ule or perse%u! on wh %h &y so "o n* we may &r n* on ourselves. More !han !h s s no! re9u re"G &u! less !han !h s ou*h! no! !o

%on!en! us. ,f we are ashame" of Jesus &efore men$ 1e w ll one "ay &e ashame" of us &efore 1 s Ba!her an" !he an*els. 3e! us mark$ n !he las! pla%e$ how precious a grace is faith. '6au*h!er$' says our 3or" !o !he woman who was heale"$ 'your B0,T1 has ma"e you whole--*o n pea%e.' 4f all !he Chr s! an *ra%es$ none s so fre9uen!ly men! one" n !he 2ew Tes!amen! as fa !h$ an" none s so h *hly %ommen"e". 2o *ra%e &r n*s su%h *lory !o Chr s!. 1ope &r n*s an ea*er e)pe%!a! on of *oo" !h n*s !o %ome. 3ove &r n*s a warm an" w ll n* hear!. Ba !h &r n*s an emp!y han"$ re%e ves every!h n*$ an" %an * ve no!h n* n re!urn. 2o *ra%e s so mpor!an! !o !he Chr s! an#s own soul. .y fa !h we &e* n. .y fa !h we l ve. .y fa !h we s!an". 7e walk &y fa !h an" no! &y s *h!. .y fa !h we over%ome. .y fa !h we have pea%e. .y fa !h we en!er n!o res!. 2o *ra%e shoul" &e !he su&+e%! of so mu%h self- n9u ry. 7e shoul" of!en ask ourselves$ 6o , really &el eveA ,s my fa !h !rue$ *enu ne$ an" !he * f! of Go"A May we never res! un! l we %an * ve a sa! sfa%!ory answer !o !hese 9ues! ons@ Chr s! s no! %han*e" s n%e !he "ay when !h s woman was heale". 1e s s! ll *ra% ous an" s! ll m *h!y !o save. There s &u! one !h n* nee"ful f we wan! salva! on. Tha! one !h n* s !he han" of fa !h. 3e! a man only '!ou%h' Jesus$ an" he shall &e ma"e whole.

Mark 5:35-43 0 *rea! m ra%le s re%or"e" n !hese verses. 0 "ea" * rl s res!ore" !o l fe. M *h!y as !he '8 n* of !errors' s$ !here s 4ne m *h! er !han he. The keys of "ea!h are n our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s han"s. 1e w ll one "ay 'swallow up "ea!h n v %!ory.' (,sa ah D5:8.) 3e! us learn from !hese verses$ !ha! ran! places no man beyond the reach of sorrow. Ja rus was a 'rulerG' ye! s %kness an" !rou&le %ame !o h s house. Ja rus pro&a&ly ha" weal!h$ an" all !he me" %al help !ha! weal!h %an %omman"G ye! money %oul" no! keep "ea!h away from h s %h l". The "au*h!ers of rulers are l a&le !o s %kness$ as well as !he "au*h!ers of poor men. The "au*h!ers of rulers mus! " e. ,! s *oo" for us all !o remem&er !h s. 7e are !oo ap! !o for*e! !. 7e of!en !h nk an" !alk as f !he possess on of r %hes was !he *rea! an! "o!e !o sorrow$ an" as f money %oul" se%ure us a*a ns! s %kness an" "ea!h. .u! ! s !he very e)!reme of &l n"ness !o !h nk so. 7e have only !o look aroun" us an" see a hun"re" proofs !o !he %on!rary. 6ea!h %omes !o pala%es$ as well as !o %o!!a*es--!o lan"lor"s as well as !o !enan!s--!o r %h as well as !o poor. ,! !arr es no man#s le sure or %onven en%e. ,! w ll no! &e kep! ou! &y lo%ks an" &ars. ',! s appo n!e" un!o men on%e !o " e$ &u! af!er !h s !he +u"*men!.' (1e&. ;:D7.) A are g!"ng t! !ne p ace# the gra$e. 7e may &e sure !here s far more e9ual !y n !he por! ons appo n!e" !o men !han a! f rs! s *h! appears. / %kness s a *rea! leveler. ,! makes no " s! n%! on. 1eaven s !he only pla%e where '!he nha& !an! shall no! say$ , am s %k.' (,sa. ==:DC.) 1appy are !hey who se! !he r affe%! ons on !h n*s a&ove@ They$ an" !hey only$ have a !reasure wh %h s n%orrup! &le. 5e! a l !!le wh le$ an" !hey w ll &e where !hey shall hear no more ev l ! " n*s. 0ll !ears shall &e w pe" from !he r fa%es. They shall mourn no

more. 2ever a*a n shall !hey hear !hose sorrowful wor"s$ 'your "au*h!er--your son-your w fe--your hus&an"-- s "ea".' The former !h n*s w ll have passe" away. 3e! us learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ how almighty is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tha! messa*e wh %h p er%e" !he ruler#s hear!$ !ell n* h m !ha! h s %h l" was "ea"$ " " no! s!op our 3or" for a momen!. 0! on%e he %heere" !he fa!her#s fa n! n* sp r !s w !h !hese *ra% ous wor"s$ '&e no! afra "$ only &el eve.' 1e %omes !o !he house where many are weep n* an" wa l n*$ an" en!ers !he room where !he * rl s ly n*. 1e !akes her &y !he han"$ an" says$ 'l !!le * rl$ , say un!o you$ 0r se.' 0! on%e !he hear! &e* ns !o &ea! a*a n$ an" !he &rea!h re!urns !o !he l feless &o"y. 'The * rl arose an" walke".' 2o won"er !ha! we rea" !he wor"s$ '!hey were as!on she" w !h a *rea! as!on shmen!.' 3e! us !h nk for a momen! how won"erful was !he %han*e wh %h !ook pla%e n !ha! house. Brom weep n* !o re+o % n*--from mourn n* !o %on*ra!ula! on--from "ea!h !o l fe--how *rea! an" marvelous mus! have &een !he !rans ! on@ They only %an !ell !ha!$ who have seen "ea!h fa%e !o fa%e$ an" ha" !he l *h! of !he r househol"s 9uen%he"$ an" fel! !he ron en!er n* n!o !he r own souls. They$ an" !hey only$ %an %on%e ve wha! !he fam ly of Ja rus mus! have fel!$ when !hey saw !he r &elove" one * ven &a%k on%e more n!o !he r &osom &y !he power of Chr s!. There mus! have &een a happy fam ly *a!her n* !ha! n *h!@ 3e! us see n !h s *lor ous m ra%le a proof of what Jesus can do for dead souls. 1e %an ra se our %h l"ren from !he "ea!h of !respasses an" s ns$ an" make !hem walk &efore 1 m n newness of l fe. 1e %an !ake our sons an" "au*h!ers &y !he han"$ an" say !o !hem$ 'ar se$' an" & " !hem l ve no! !o !hemselves$ &u! !o 1 m !ha! " e" for !hem an" rose a*a n. 1ave we a "ea" soul n our fam lyA 3e! us %all on !he 3or" !o %ome an" 9u %ken h m. ((ph. D:1.) 3e! us sen" !o 1 m messa*e af!er messa*e$ an" en!rea! 1 m !o help. 1e !ha! %ame !o !he suppor! of Ja rus s s! ll plen!eous n mer%y$ an" m *h!y n power. B nally$ le! us see n !h s m ra%le a blessed pledge of what our Lord will do in the day of is second appearing. 1e w ll %all 1 s &el ev n* people from !he r *raves. 1e w ll * ve !hem a &e!!er$ more *lor ous$ an" more &eau! ful &o"y$ !han !hey ha" n !he "ays of !he r p l*r ma*e. 1e w ll *a!her !o*e!her 1 s ele%! from nor!h$ an" sou!h$ an" eas!$ an" wes!$ !o par! no more$ an" " e no more. .el ev n* paren!s shall on%e more see &el ev n* %h l"ren. .el ev n* hus&an"s shall on%e more see &el ev n* w ves. 3e! us &eware of sorrow n* l ke !hose who have no hope$ over fr en"s who fall asleep n Chr s!. The youn*es! an" lovel es! &el ever %an never " e &efore !he r *h! ! me. 3e! us look forwar". There s a *lor ous resurre%! on morn n* ye! !o %ome. 'Those who sleep n Jesus w ll Go" &r n* w !h 1 m.' (1 Thess. C:1C.) Those wor"s shall one "ay re%e ve a %omple!e fulf llmen!$ ', w ll ransom !hem from !he power of !he *rave--, w ll re"eem !hem from "ea!h--4 "ea!h$ , w ll &e your pla*ue--4 *rave$ , w ll &e your "es!ru%! on.' (1osea 1=:1C.) 1e !ha! ra se" !he "au*h!er of Ja rus s! ll l ves@ 7hen 1e *a!hers 1 s flo%k aroun" 1 m a! !he las! "ay$ no! one lam& shall &e foun" m ss n*.

Mark chapter 6
Mark 6:1-6 Th s passa*e shows us our 3or" Jesus Chr s! n 'h s home!own$' a! 2a?are!h. ,! s a

melan%holy llus!ra! on of !he w %ke"ness of man#s hear!$ an" "eserves spe% al a!!en! on. 7e see$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ how apt men are to undervalue things with which they are familiar. The men of 2a?are!h 'were offen"e"' a! our 3or". They %oul" no! !h nk ! poss &le !ha! one who ha" l ve" so many years amon* !hemselves$ an" whose &re!hren an" s s!ers !hey knew$ %oul" "eserve !o &e followe" as a pu&l % !ea%her. 2ever ha" any pla%e on ear!h su%h pr v le*es as 2a?are!h. Bor !h r!y years !he /on of Go" res "e" n !h s !own$ an" wen! !o an" fro n !s s!ree!s. Bor !h r!y years 1e walke" w !h Go" &efore !he eyes of !s nha& !an!s$ l v n* a &lameless$ perfe%! l fe. .u! ! was all los! upon !hem. They were no! rea"y !o &el eve !he Gospel$ when !he 3or" %ame amon* !hem an" !au*h! n !he r syna*o*ue. They woul" no! &el eve !ha! one whose fa%e !hey knew so well$ an" who ha" l ve" so lon*$ ea! n*$ an" "r nk n*$ an" "ress n* l ke one of !hemselves$ ha" any r *h! !o %la m !he r a!!en! on. They were 'offen"e" a! 1 m.' There s no!h n* n all !h s !ha! nee" surpr se us. The same !h n* s *o n* on aroun" us every "ay$ n our own lan". The holy /%r p!ures$ !he prea%h n* of !he Gospel$ !he pu&l % or" nan%es of rel * on$ !he a&un"an! means of *ra%e !ha! (n*lan" en+oys$ are %on! nually un"ervalue" &y (n*l sh people. They are so a%%us!ome" !o !hem$ !ha! !hey "o no! know !he r pr v le*es. ,! s an "rea"ful !ru!h$ !ha! n rel * on$ more !han n any!h n* else$ %a&" "ar"t' (ree)* c!nte&pt. There s %omfor! n !h s par! of our 3or"#s e)per en%e$ for some of !he 3or"#s people. There s %omfor! for fa !hful m n s!ers of !he Gospel$ who are %as! "own &y !he un&el ef of !he r par sh oners or re*ular hearers. There s %omfor! for !rue Chr s! ans who s!an" alone n !he r fam l es$ an" see all aroun" !hem %leav n* !o !he worl". 3e! &o!h remem&er !ha! !hey are "r nk n* !he same %up as !he r &elove" Mas!er. 3e! !hem remem&er !ha! 1e !oo was "esp se" mos! &y !hose who knew 1 m &es!. 3e! !hem learn !ha! !he +t&!*t c!n*"*tenc' !% c!n)+ct ," n!t &ake !ther* a)!pt the"r $"e,* an) !p"n"!n*$ any more !han ! " " !he people of 2a?are!h. 3e! !hem know !ha! !he sorrowful wor"s of !he r 3or" w ll *enerally &e fulf lle" n !he e)per en%e of 1 s servan!s$ 'a prophe! s no! w !hou! honor$ &u! n h s own %oun!ry$ an" amon* h s own k n$ an" n h s own house.' 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how humble was the ran! of life which our Lord condescended to occupy before e began is public ministry . The people of 2a?are!h sa " of 1 m$ n %on!emp!$ ',s no! !h s !he %arpen!erA' Th s s a remarka&le e)press on$ an" s only foun" n !he Gospel of Mark. ,! shows us pla nly !ha! for !he f rs! !h r!y years of 1 s l fe$ our 3or" was no! ashame" !o work w !h 1 s own han"s. There s some!h n* marvelous an" overwhelm n* n !he !hou*h!@ 1e who ma"e heaven$ an" ear!h$ an" sea$ an" all !ha! !here n s--1e$ w !hou! whom no!h n* was ma"e !ha! was ma"e--!he /on of Go" 1 mself$ !ook on 1 m !he form of a servan!$ an" ' n !he swea! of 1 s fa%e a!e &rea"$' as a work n* man. Th s s n"ee" !ha! 'love of Chr s! !ha! passes knowle"*e.' Thou*h 1e was r %h$ ye! for our sakes 1e &e%ame poor. .o!h n l fe an" "ea!h 1e hum&le" 1 mself$ !ha! !hrou*h 1 m s nners m *h! l ve an" re *n for evermore. 3e! us remem&er$ when we rea" !h s passa*e$ !ha! !here s no s n n pover!y. 7e never nee" &e ashame" of pover!y$ unless our own s ns have &rou*h! ! upon us.

7e never ou*h! !o "esp se o!hers$ &e%ause !hey are poor. ,! s " s*ra%eful !o &e a *am&ler$ or a "runkar"$ or a %ove!ous man$ or a l arG &u! ! s no " s*ra%e !o work w !h our own han"s$ an" earn our &rea" &y our own la&or. The !hou*h! of !he %arpen!er#s shop a! 2a?are!h$ shoul" %as! "own !he h *h !hou*h!s of all who make an "ol of r %hes. ,! %anno! &e " shonora&le !o o%%upy !he same pos ! on as !he /on of Go"$ an" /av or of !he worl". 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ how e#ceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief . Two remarka&le e)press ons are use" n !ea%h n* !h s lesson. 4ne s$ !ha! our 3or" '%oul" "o no m *h!y work' a! 2a?are!h$ &y reason of !he har"ness of !he people#s hear!s. The o!her s$ !ha! '1e was ama?e" a! !he r un&el ef.' The one shows us !ha! un&el ef has a power !o ro& men of !he h *hes! &less n*s. The o!her shows !ha! ! s so su % "al an" unreasona&le a s n$ !ha! even !he /on of Go" re*ar"s ! w !h surpr se. 7e %an never &e !oo mu%h on our *uar" a*a ns! un&el ef. ,! s !he ol"es! s n n !he worl". ,! &e*an n !he *ar"en of ("en$ when (ve l s!ene" !o !he "ev l#s prom ses$ ns!ea" of &el ev n* Go"#s wor"s$ 'you shall " e.' ,! s !he mos! ru nous of all s ns n !s %onse9uen%es. ,! &rou*h! "ea!h n!o !he worl". ,! kep! ,srael for for!y years ou! of Canaan. ,! s !he s n !ha! espe% ally f lls hell. '1e !ha! &el eves no! shall &e "amne".' ,! s !he mos! fool sh an" n%ons s!en! of all s ns. ,! makes a man refuse !he pla nes! ev "en%e$ shu! h s eyes a*a ns! !he %leares! !es! mony$ an" ye! &el eve l es. 7ors! of all$ ! s !he %ommones! s n n !he worl". Thousan"s are *u l!y of ! on every s "e. ,n profess on !hey are Chr s! ans. They know no!h n* of >a ne an" Jol!a re. .u! n pra%! %e !hey are really un&el evers. They "o no! mpl % !ly &el eve !he . &le$ an" re%e ve Chr s! as !he r /av or. 3e! us wa!%h our own hear!s %arefully n !he ma!!er of un&el ef. The hear!$ an" no! !he hea"$ s !he sea! of !s mys!er ous power. ,! s ne !her !he la%k of ev "en%e$ nor !he " ff %ul! es of Chr s! an "o%!r ne$ !ha! make men un&el evers. ,! s la%k of w ll !o &el eve. They love s n. They are we""e" !o !he worl". ,n !h s s!a!e of m n" !hey never la%k spe% ous reasons !o %onf rm !he r w ll. The hum&le$ %h l"l ke hear! s !he hear! !ha! &el eves. 3e! us *o on wa!%h n* our hear!s$ even af!er we have &el eve". The roo! of un&el ef s never en! rely "es!roye". 7e have only !o leave off wa!%h n* an" pray n*$ an" a no) ous %rop of un&el ef w ll soon spr n* up. 2o prayer s so mpor!an! as !ha! of !he " s% ples$ '3or"$ n%rease our fa !h.'

Mark 6:7-13 These verses "es%r &e !he f rs! sen" n* for!h of !he apos!les !o prea%h. The *rea! 1ea" of !he %hur%h ma"e proof of 1 s m n s!ers$ &efore 1e lef! !hem alone n !he worl". 1e !au*h! !hem !o !ry !he r own powers of !ea%h n*$ an" !o f n" ou! !he r own weaknesses$ wh le 1e was ye! w !h !hem. Thus$ on !he one han"$ 1e was ena&le" !o %orre%! !he r m s!akes. Thus$ on !he o!her$ !hey were !ra ne" for !he work !hey were one "ay !o "o$ an" were no! nov %es$ when f nally lef! !o !hemselves. 7ell woul" ! &e for !he %hur%h$ f all m n s!ers of !he Gospel were prepare" for !he r "u!y n l ke manner$ an" " " no! so of!en !ake up !he r off %e un!r e"$ unprove"$ an" ne)per en%e".

3e! us o&serve$ n !hese verses$ how our Lord Jesus Christ sent forth is apostles -two by two.- Mark s !he only evan*el s! who men! ons !h s fa%!. ,! s one !ha! "eserves espe% al no! %e. There %an &e no "ou&! !ha! !h s fa%! s mean! !o !ea%h us !he a"van!a*es of Chr s! an %ompany !o all who work for Chr s!. The w se man ha" *oo" reason for say n*$ 'Two are &e!!er !han one.' ((%%les. C:;.) Two men !o*e!her w ll "o more work !han !wo men s n*ly. They w ll help one ano!her n +u"*men!$ an" %omm ! fewer m s!akes. They w ll a " one ano!her n " ff %ul! es$ an" less of!en fa l of su%%ess. They w ll s! r one ano!her up when !emp!e" !o "leness$ an" less of!en relapse n!o n"olen%e an" n" fferen%e. They w ll %omfor! one ano!her n ! mes of !r al$ an" &e less of!en %as! "own. '7oe !o h m !ha! s alone when he fallsG for he has no! ano!her !o help h m up.' ((%%les. C:1E.) ,! s pro&a&le !ha! !h s pr n% ple s no! suff % en!ly remem&ere" n !he %hur%h of Chr s! n !hese la!!er "ays. The harves! s un"ou&!e"ly *rea! all over !he worl"$ &o!h a! home an" a&roa". The la&orers are un9ues! ona&ly few$ an" !he supply of fa !hful men far less !han !he "eman". The ar*umen!s for sen" n* ou! men 'one &y one$' un"er e) s! n* % r%ums!an%es$ are un"en a&ly s!ron* an" we *h!y. .u! s! ll !he %on"u%! of our 3or" n !h s pla%e s a s!r k n* fa%!. The fa%! !ha! !here s har"ly a s n*le %ase n !he 0%!s$ where we f n" >aul or any o!her apos!le work n* en! rely alone$ s ano!her remarka&le % r%ums!an%e. ,! s " ff %ul! !o avo " !he %on%lus on$ !ha! f !he rule of *o n* for!h '!wo an" !wo' ha" &een more s!r %!ly o&serve"$ !he m ss onary f el" woul" have y el"e" lar*er resul!s !han ! has. 4ne !h n* a! all even!s s %lear$ an" !ha! s !he "u!y of all workers for Chr s! !o work !o*e!her an" help one ano!her whenever !hey %an. '0s ron sharpens ron$ so "oes !he %oun!enan%e of a man h s fr en".' M n s!ers an" m ss onar es$ an" " s!r %! v s !ors$ an" /un"ay s%hool !ea%hers$ shoul" !ake oppor!un ! es for mee! n*$ an" !ak n* swee! %ounsel !o*e!her. The wor"s of >aul %on!a n a !ru!h wh %h s !oo mu%h for*o!!en--'0n" le! us %ons "er how we may spur one ano!her on !owar" love an" *oo" "ee"s. 3e! us no! * ve up mee! n* !o*e!her$ as some are n !he ha& ! of "o n*$ &u! le! us en%oura*e one ano!her--an" all !he more as you see !he 6ay approa%h n*.' (1e&. 1E:DC$ D5.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ what solemn words our Lord uses about those who will not receive nor hear is ministers . 1e says$ ' ! shall &e more !olera&le for /o"om an" Gomorrah n !he "ay of +u"*men! !han for !ha! % !y.' Th s s a !ru!h wh %h we f n" very fre9uen!ly la " "own n !he Gospels. ,! s pa nful !o !h nk how en! rely ! s overlooke" &y many. Thousan"s appear !o suppose$ !ha! so lon* as !hey *o !o %hur%h$ an" "o no! mur"er$ or s!eal$ or %hea!$ or openly &reak any of Go"#s %omman"men!s$ !hey are n no *rea! "an*er. They for*e! !ha! ! nee"s some!h n* more !han mere a&s! nen%e from ou!war" rre*ular ! es !o save a man#s soul. They "o no! see !ha! one of !he *rea!es! s ns a man %an %omm ! n !he s *h! of Go"$ s !o hear !he Gospel of Chr s! an" no! &el eve !--!o &e nv !e" !o repen! an" &el eve$ an" ye! !o rema n %areless an" un&el ev n*. ,n shor!$ !o re+e%! !he Gospel w ll s nk a man !o !he lowes! pla%e n hell. 3e! us never !urn away from a passa*e l ke !h s w !hou! ask n* ourselves--7ha! are we "o n* w !h !he GospelA 7e l ve n a Chr s! an lan". 7e have !he . &le n our houses. 7e hear of !he salva! on of !he Gospel fre9uen!ly every year. .u! have we

re%e ve" ! n!o our hear!sA 1ave we really o&eye" ! n our l vesA 1ave we$ n shor!$ la " hol" on !he hope se! &efore us$ !aken up !he %ross$ an" followe" Chr s!A ,f no!$ we are far worse !han !he hea!hen$ who &ow "own !o s!o%ks an" s!ones. 7e are far more *u l!y !han !he people of /o"om an" Gomorrah. They never hear" !he Gospel$ an" !herefore never re+e%!e" !. .u! as for us$ we hear !he Gospel$ an" ye! w ll no! &el eve. May we sear%h our own hear!s$ an" !ake hee" !ha! we "o no! ru n our own souls@ 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ what was the doctrine which our Lord's apostles preached. 7e rea" !ha! '!hey wen! ou! an" prea%he" !ha! men shoul" R(>(2T.' The ne%ess !y of repen!an%e may seem a! f rs! s *h! a very s mple an" elemen!ary !ru!h. 0n" ye! volumes m *h! &e wr !!en !o show !he fullness of !he "o%!r ne$ an" !he su !a&leness of ! !o every a*e an" ! me$ an" !o every rank an" %lass of mank n". ,! s nsepara&ly %onne%!e" w !h r *h! v ews of Go"$ of human na!ure$ of s n$ of Chr s!$ of hol ness$ an" of heaven. 0ll have s nne" an" %ome shor! of !he *lory of Go". 0ll nee" !o &e &rou*h! !o a sense of !he r s ns--!o a sorrow for !hem--!o a w ll n*ness !o * ve !hem up--an" !o a hun*er an" !h rs! af!er par"on. 0ll$ n a wor"$ nee" !o &e &orn a*a n an" !o flee !o Chr s!. Th s s repen!an%e un!o l fe. 2o!h n* less !han !h s s re9u re" for !he salva! on of any man. 2o!h n* less !han !h s ou*h! !o &e presse" on men$ &y every one who professes !o !ea%h . &le rel * on. 7e mus! & " men repen!$ f we woul" walk n !he s!eps of !he apos!les$ an" when !hey have repen!e"$ we mus! & " !hem repen! more an" more !o !he r las! "ay. 1ave we ourselves repen!e"A Th s$ af!er all$ s !he 9ues! on !ha! %on%erns us mos!. ,! s well !o know wha! !he apos!les !au*h!. ,! s well !o &e fam l ar w !h !he whole sys!em of Chr s! an "o%!r ne. .u! ! s far &e!!er !o know repen!an%e &y e)per en%e an" !o feel ! nwar"ly n our own hear!s. May we never res! un! l we know an" feel !ha! we have repen!e"@ There are no mpen !en! people n !he k n*"om of heaven. 0ll who en!er n !here have fel!$ mourne" over$ forsaken$ an" sou*h! par"on for s n. Th s mus! &e our e)per en%e$ f we hope !o &e save".

Mark 6:14-29 These verses "es%r &e !he "ea!h of one of !he mos! em nen! sa n!s of Go". They rela!e !he mur"er of John !he .ap! s!. 4f all !he evan*el s!s none !ells !h s melan%holy s!ory so fully as Mark. 3e! us see wha! pra%! %al lessons !he passa*e %on!a ns for our own souls. 7e see$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ the amazing power of truth over the conscience. 1ero" 'fears' John !he .ap! s! wh le he l ves$ an" s !rou&le" a&ou! h m af!er he " es. 0 fr en"less$ sol !ary prea%her$ w !h no o!her weapon !han Go"#s !ru!h$ " s!ur&s an" !err f es a k n*. (very&o"y has a %ons% en%e. 1ere l es !he se%re! of a fa !hful m n s!er#s power. Th s s !he reason why Bel ) '!rem&le"$' an" 0*r ppa was 'almos! persua"e"$' when >aul !he pr soner spoke &efore !hem. Go" has no! lef! 1 mself w !hou! w !ness n !he hear!s of un%onver!e" people. Ballen an" %orrup! as man s$ !here are !hou*h!s w !h n h m a%%us n* or e)%us n*$ a%%or" n* as he l ves--!hou*h!s !ha! w ll no! &e shu!

ou!--!hou*h!s !ha! %an make even k n*s$ l ke 1ero"$ res!less an" afra ". 2one ou*h! !o remem&er !h s so mu%h as m n s!ers an" !ea%hers. ,f !hey prea%h an" !ea%h Chr s!#s !ru!h$ !hey may res! assure" !ha! !he r work s no! n va n. Ch l"ren may seem na!!en! ve n s%hools. 1earers may seem %areless n %on*re*a! ons. .u! n &o!h %ases !here s of!en far more *o n* on n !he %ons% en%e !han our eyes see. /ee"s of!en spr n* up an" &ear fru !$ when !he sower$ l ke John !he .ap! s!$ s "ea" or *one. 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how far people may go in religion" and yet miss salvation by yielding to one master.sin. 8 n* 1ero" wen! fur!her !han many. 1e 'feare" John.' 1e 'knew !ha! he was a +us! man an" a holy.' 1e 'o&serve"' h m. 1e 'hear" h m$ an" " " many !h n*s' n %onse9uen%e. 1e even 'hear" h m *la"ly.' .u! !here was one !h n* 1ero" woul" no! "o. 1e woul" no! %ease from a"ul!ery. 1e woul" no! * ve up 1ero" as. 0n" so he ru ne" h s soul for evermore. 3e! us !ake warn n* from 1ero"#s %ase. 3e! us keep &a%k no!h n*--%leave !o no favor !e v %e--spare no!h n* !ha! s!an"s &e!ween us an" salva! on. 3e! us of!en look w !h n$ an" make sure !ha! !here s no "arl n* lus! or pe! !rans*ress on$ wh %h$ 1ero" as-l ke$ s mur"er n* our souls. 3e! us ra!her %u! off !he r *h! han"$ an" plu%k ou! !he r *h! eye$ !han *o n!o hell-f re. 3e! us no! &e %on!en! w !h a"m r n* favor !e prea%hers$ an" *la"ly hear n* evan*el %al sermons. 3e! us no! res! un! l we %an say w !h 6av "$ ', es!eem all 5our %omman"men!s %on%ern n* all !h n*s !o &e r *h!$ an" , ha!e every false way.' (>salm 11;:1D8.) 7e see$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ how boldly a faithful minister of God ought to rebu!e sin. John !he .ap! s! spoke pla nly !o 1ero" a&ou! !he w %ke"ness of h s l fe. 1e " " no! e)%use h mself un"er !he plea !ha! ! was mpru"en!$ or mpol ! %$ or un! mely$ or useless !o speak ou!. 1e " " no! say smoo!h !h n*s$ an" pall a!e !he k n*#s un*o"l ness &y us n* sof! wor"s !o "es%r &e h s offen%e. 1e !ol" h s royal hearer !he pla n !ru!h$ re*ar"less of all %onse9uen%es--',! s no! lawful for you !o have your &ro!her#s w fe.' 1ere s a pa!!ern !ha! all m n s!ers ou*h! !o follow. >u&l %ly an" pr va!ely$ from !he pulp ! an" n pr va!e v s !s$ !hey ou*h! !o re&uke all open s n$ an" "el ver a fa !hful warn n* !o all who are l v n* n !. ,! may * ve offen%e. ,! may en!a l mmense unpopular !y. 7 !h all !h s !hey have no!h n* !o "o. 6u! es are !he rs. Resul!s are Go"#s. 2o "ou&! ! re9u res *rea! *ra%e an" %oura*e !o "o !h s. 2o "ou&! a reprover$ l ke John !he .ap! s!$ mus! *o !o work w sely an" lov n*ly n %arry n* ou! h s Mas!er#s %omm ss on$ an" re&uk n* !he w %ke". .u! ! s a ma!!er n wh %h h s %hara%!er for fa !hfulness an" %har !y are man fes!ly a! s!ake. ,f he &el eves a man s n+ur n* h s soul$ he ou*h! surely !o !ell h m so. ,f he loves h m !ruly an" !en"erly$ he ou*h! no! !o le! h m ru n h mself unwarne". Grea! as !he presen! offen%e may &e$ n !he lon* run !he fa !hful reprover w ll *enerally &e respe%!e". '1e !ha! re&ukes a man$ af!erwar"s shall f n" more favor !han he !ha! fla!!ers h m w !h h s !on*ue.' (>rov. D8:D=.) 7e see$ n !he four!h pla%e$ how bitterly people hate a reprover" when they are determined to !eep their sins . 1ero" as$ !he k n*#s unhappy par!ner n n 9u !y$

seems !o have sunk even "eeper n s n !han 1ero". 1ar"ene" an" seare" n %ons% en%e &y her w %ke"ness$ she ha!e" John !he .ap! s! for h s fa !hful !es! mony$ an" never res!e" un! l she ha" pro%ure" h s "ea!h. 7e nee" no! won"er a! !h s. 7hen men an" women have %hosen !he r l ne$ an" resolve" !o have !he r own w %ke" way$ !hey " sl ke any one who !r es !o !urn !hem. They wan! !o &e le! alone. They are rr !a!e" &y oppos ! on. They are an*ry when !hey are !ol" !he !ru!h. The prophe! (l +ah was %alle" a 'man !ha! !rou&le" ,srael.' The prophe! M %a ah was ha!e" &y 0ha&$ '&e%ause he never prophes e" *oo" of h m$ &u! ev l.' The prophe!s an" fa !hful prea%hers of every a*e have &een !rea!e" n l ke manner. They have &een ha!e" &y some$ as well as no! &el eve". 3e! ! never surpr se us when we hear of fa !hful m n s!ers of !he Gospel &e n* spoken a*a ns!$ ha!e"$ an" rev le". 3e! us ra!her remem&er !ha! !hey are or"a ne" !o &ear w !ness a*a ns! s n$ !he worl"$ an" !he "ev l$ an" !ha! f !hey are fa !hful$ !hey %anno! help * v n* offen%e. ,! s no " s*ra%e !o a m n s!er#s %hara%!er !o &e " sl ke" &y !he w %ke" an" un*o"ly. ,! s no real honor !o a m n s!er !o &e !hou*h! well of &y every&o"y. Those wor"s of our 3or" are no! enou*h %ons "ere"--'7oe un!o you when all men speak well of you.' 7e see$ n !he f f!h pla%e$ how much sin may sometimes follow from feasting and reveling. 1ero" keeps h s & r!h-"ay w !h a splen" " &an9ue!. Company$ "r nk n*$ "an% n*$ f ll up !he "ay. ,n a momen! of e)% !emen!$ he *ran!s a w %ke" * rl#s re9ues! !o have !he hea" of John !he .ap! s! %u! off. 2e)! "ay$ n all pro&a& l !y$ he repen!e" & !!erly of h s %on"u%!. .u! !he "ee" was "one. ,! was !oo la!e. Th s s a fa !hful p %!ure of wha! of!en resul!s from feas! n* an" merry-mak n*. >eople "o !h n*s a! su%h seasons$ from hea!e" feel n*s$ wh %h !hey af!erwar"s "eeply repen!. 1appy are !hey who keep %lear of !emp!a! ons$ an" avo " * v n* o%%as on !o !he "ev l. Men never know wha! !hey may "o when !hey on%e ven!ure off safe *roun". 3a!e hours$ an" %row"e" rooms$ an" splen" " en!er!a nmen!s$ an" m )e" %ompany$ an" mus %$ an" "an% n*$ may seem harmless !o many people. .u! !he Chr s! an shoul" never for*e!$ !ha! !o !ake par! n !hese !h n*s s !o open a w "er "oor !o !emp!a! on. 7e see$ f nally$ n !hese verses$ how little reward some of God's best servants receive in this world. 0n un+us! mpr sonmen! an" a v olen! "ea!h$ were !he las! fru ! !ha! John !he .ap! s! reape"$ n re!urn for h s la&or. 3 ke /!ephen an" James$ an" o!hers$ of whom !he worl" was no! wor!hy$ he was %alle" !o seal h s !es! mony w !h h s &loo". 1 s!or es l ke !hese are mean! !o rem n" us$ !ha! !he !rue Chr s! an#s &es! !h n*s are yet to come. 1 s res!$ h s %rown$ h s wa*es$ h s rewar"$ are all on !he o!her s "e of !he *rave. 1ere$ n !h s worl"$ he mus! walk &y fa !h$ an" no! &y s *h!G an" f he looks for !he pra se of man$ he w ll &e " sappo n!e". 1ere$ n !h s l fe$ he mus! sow$ an" la&or$ an" f *h!$ an" en"ure perse%u! onG an" f he e)pe%!s a *rea! ear!hly rewar"$ he e)pe%!s wha! he w ll no! f n". .u! !h s l fe s no! all. There s !o &e a "ay of re!r &u! on. There s a *lor ous harves! ye! !o %ome. -ea$en ," &ake a&en)* %!r a . (ye has no! seen$ an" ear has no! hear" !he *lor ous !h n*s !ha! Go" has la " up for all !ha! love 1 m. The value of real rel * on s no! !o &e measure" &y !he !h n*s seen$ &u! !he !h n*s unseen. 'The suffer n*s of !h s presen! ! me are no! wor!hy !o &e %ompare" w !h !he *lory wh %h shall &e reveale".' '4ur l *h! affl %! on$ wh %h s &u! for a

momen!$ works for us a far more e)%ee" n* an" e!ernal we *h! of *lory.' (Rom. 8:18G D Cor. C:17.)

Mark 6:30-34 3e! us mark n !h s passa*e$ the conduct of the apostles when they returned from their first mission as preachers . 7e rea" !ha! !hey '*a!here" !hemselves !o*e!her un!o Jesus$ an" !ol" 1 m all !h n*s$ &o!h wha! !hey ha" "one$ an" wha! !hey ha" !au*h!.' These wor"s are "eeply ns!ru%! ve. They are a &r *h! e)ample !o all m n s!ers of !he Gospel$ an" !o all la&orers n !he *rea! work of "o n* *oo" !o souls. 0ll su%h shoul" "a ly "o as !he apos!les " " on !h s o%%as on. They shoul" !ell all !he r pro%ee" n*s !o !he *rea! 1ea" of !he Chur%h. They shoul" sprea" all !he r work &efore Chr s!$ an" ask of 1 m %ounsel$ *u "an%e$ s!ren*!h$ an" help. >rayer s !he ma n se%re! of su%%ess n sp r !ual &us ness. ,! moves 1 m who %an move heaven an" ear!h. ,! &r n*s "own !he prom se" a " of !he 1oly /p r !$ w !hou! whom !he f nes! sermons$ !he %leares! !ea%h n*$ an" !he mos! " l *en! la&ors$ are all al ke n va n. ,! s no! always !hose who have !he mos! em nen! * f!s who are mos! su%%essful la&orers for Go". ,! s *enerally !hose who keep up %loses! %ommun on w !h Chr s! an" are mos! %ons!an! n prayer. ,! s !hose who %ry w !h !he prophe! (?ek el$ 'Come from !he four w n"s$ 4 &rea!h$ an" &rea!he upon !hese sla n !ha! !hey may l ve.' ((?ek. =7:;.) ,! s !hose who follow mos! e)a%!ly !he apos!ol % mo"el$ an" '* ve !hemselves !o prayer$ an" !he m n s!ry of !he wor".' (0%!s <:C.) 1appy s !ha! %hur%h wh %h has a pray n* as well as a prea%h n* m n s!ry@ The 9ues! on we shoul" ask a&ou! a new m n s!er$ s no! merely 'Can he prea%h wellA' &u! '6oes he pray mu%h for h s people an" h s workA' 3e! us mark$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the words of our Lord to the apostles" when they returned from their first public ministry . Jesus sa " !o !hem$ 'Come w !h Me &y yourselves !o a 9u e! pla%e an" *e! some res!.' These wor"s are full of !en"er %ons "era! on. 4ur 3or" knows well !ha! 1 s servan!s are flesh as well as sp r !$ an" have &o" es as well as souls. 1e knows !ha! a! &es! !hey have a !reasure n ear!hen vessels$ an" are !hemselves en%ompasse" w !h many nf rm ! es. 1e shows !hose who 1e "oes no! e)pe%! from !hem more !han !he r &o" ly s!ren*!h %an "o. 1e asks for wha! we %an "o$ an" no! for wha! we %anno! "o. 'Come w !h Me &y yourselves !o a 9u e! pla%e an" *e! some res!.' These wor"s are full of "eep w s"om. 4ur 3or" knows well !ha! 1 s servan!s mus! a!!en" !o !he r own souls as well as !he souls of o!hers. 1e knows !ha! a %ons!an! a!!en! on !o pu&l % work s ap! !o make us for*e! our own pr va!e soul-&us ness$ an" !ha! wh le we are keep n* !he v neyar"s of o!hers$ we are n "an*er of ne*le%! n* our own. (Can!. 1:<.) 1e rem n"s us !ha! ! s *oo" for m n s!ers !o w !h"raw o%%as onally from pu&l % work$ an" look w !h n. 'Come w !h Me &y yourselves !o a 9u e! pla%e an" *e! some res!.' There are few unhapp ly n !he %hur%h of Chr s!$ who nee" !hese a"mon ! ons. There are &u! few n "an*er of overwork n* !hemselves$ an" n+ur n* !he r own &o" es an"

souls &y e)%ess ve a!!en! on !o o!hers. The vas! ma+or !y of profess n* Chr s! ans are n"olen! an" slo!hful$ an" "o no!h n* for !he worl" aroun" !hem. There are few %ompara! vely who nee" !he &r "le nearly so mu%h as !he spur. 5e! !hese few ou*h! !o lay !o hear! !he lessons of !h s passa*e. They shoul" e%onom ?e !he r heal!h as a !alen!$ an" no! s9uan"er ! away l ke *am&lers. They shoul" &e %on!en! w !h spen" n* !he r "a ly n%ome of s!ren*!h$ an" shoul" no! "raw re%klessly on !he r pr n% pal. They shoul" remem&er !ha! !o "o a l !!le$ an" "o ! well$ s of!en !he way !o "o mos! n !he lon* run. 0&ove all !hey shoul" never for*e! !o wa!%h !he r own hear!s +ealously$ an" !o make ! me for re*ular self-e)am na! on$ an" %alm me" !a! on. The prosper !y of a man#s m n s!ry an" pu&l % work s n! ma!ely &oun" up w !h !he prosper !y of h s own soul. 4%%as onal re! remen! s one of !he mos! useful or" nan%es. B nally$ le! us mark !he feelings of our Lord Jesus Christ towards the people who came together to im. 7e rea" !ha! 1e 'was move" w !h %ompass on !owar" !hem$ &e%ause !hey were as sheep w !hou! a shepher".' They were "es! !u!e of !ea%hers. They ha" no *u "es &u! !he &l n" /%r &es an" >har sees. They ha" no sp r !ual foo" &u! man-ma"e !ra" ! ons. Thousan"s of mmor!al souls s!oo" &efore our 3or"$ *noran!$ helpless$ an" on !he h *h-roa" !o ru n. ,! !ou%he" !he *ra% ous hear! of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. 1e was 'move" w !h %ompass on !owar" !hem. 1e &e*an !o !ea%h !hem many !h n*s.' 3e! us never for*e! !ha! our 3or" s !he same yes!er"ay$ !o"ay an" forever. 1e never %han*es. 1 *h n heaven$ a! Go"#s r *h! han"$ 1e s! ll looks w !h %ompass on on !he %h l"ren of men. 1e s! ll p ! es !he *noran!$ an" !hose who are ou! of !he way. 1e s s! ll w ll n* !o '!ea%h !hem many !h n*s.' /pe% al as 1 s love s !owar"s 1 s own sheep who hear 1 s vo %e$ 1e s! ll has a m *h!y #*eneral love# !owar"s all mank n"--a love of real p !y$ a love of %ompass on. 7e mus! no! overlook !h s. ,! s a poor !heolo*y wh %h !ea%hes !ha! Chr s! %ares for none e)%ep! &el evers. There s warran! n /%r p!ure for !ell n* !he %h ef of s nners$ !ha! Jesus p ! es !hem$ an" %ares for !he r souls$ !ha! Jesus s w ll n* !o save !hem$ an" nv !es !hem !o &el eve an" &e save". 3e! us ask ourselves$ as we leave !he passa*e$ whe!her we know any!h n* of !he m n" of Chr s!A 0re we$ l ke 1 m$ !en"erly %on%erne" a&ou! !he souls of !he un%onver!e"A 6o we$ l ke 1 m$ feel "eep %ompass on for all who are ye! as sheep w !hou! a shepher"A 6o we %are a&ou! !he mpen !en! an" un*o"ly near our own "oorsA 6o we %are a&ou! !he 1ea!hen$ !he Jew$ !he Mohamme"an$ an" !he Roman Ca!hol % n fore *n lan"sA 6o we use every means$ an" * ve our money w ll n*ly$ !o sprea" !he Gospel n !he worl"A These are ser ous 9ues! ons$ an" "eman" a ser ous reply. The man who cares nothing for the souls of other people is not like Jesus Christ. .t may well be doubted whether he is converted himself, and knows the value of his own soul.

Mark 6:35-46 4f all our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s m ra%les$ none s so fre9uen!ly "es%r &e" n !he Gospels$ as !ha! wh %h we have now rea". (a%h of !he four (van*el s!s was nsp re" !o re%or" !. ,! s ev "en! !ha! ! "eman"s a more !han or" nary a!!en! on from every rea"er of Go"#s wor".

3e! us o&serve$ for one !h n*$ n !h s passa*e$ what an e#ample this miracle affords of our Lord Jesus Christ's almighty +)/01 . 7e are !ol" !ha! 1e fe" f ve !housan" men$ w !h f ve loaves an" !wo f sh. 7e are " s! n%!ly !ol" !ha! !h s mul! !u"e ha" no!h n* !o ea!. 7e are no less " s! n%!ly !ol" !ha! !he whole prov s on for !he r sus!enan%e %ons s!e" of only f ve loaves an" !wo f sh. 0n" ye! we rea" !ha! our 3or" !ook !hese loaves an" f sh$ &lesse"$ &roke$ an" *ave !hem !o 1 s " s% ples !o se! &efore !he people. 0n" !he %on%lus on of !he narra! ve !ells us$ !ha! '!hey a!e$ an" were f lle"$' an" !ha! '!welve &aske!s full of fra*men!s' were !aken up. 1ere was %rea! ve power$ &eyon" all 9ues! on. /ome!h n* real$ sol "$ su&s!an! al$ mus! man fes!ly have &een %alle" n!o &e n*$ wh %h " " no! &efore e) s!. There s no room lef! for !he !heory$ !ha! !he people were un"er !he nfluen%e of an op! %al "elus on$ or a hea!e" ma* na! on. B ve !housan" hun*ry people woul" never have &een sa! sf e"$ f !hey ha" no! re%e ve" n!o !he r mou!hs ma!er al &rea". Twelve &aske!s full of fra*men!s woul" never have &een !aken up$ f !he f ve loaves ha" no! &een m ra%ulously mul! pl e". ,n shor!$ ! s pla n !ha! !he han" of 1 m who ma"e !he worl" ou! of no!h n* was presen! on !h s o%%as on. 2one &u! 1e who a! !he f rs! %rea!e" all !h n*s$ an" sen! "own manna n !he "eser!$ %oul" !hus have 'sprea" a !a&le n !he w l"erness.' ,! &e%omes all !rue Chr s! ans !o s!ore up fa%!s l ke !hese n !he r m n"s$ an" !o remem&er !hem n ! me of nee". 7e l ve n !he m "s! of an ev l worl"$ an" see few w !h us$ an" many a*a ns! us. 7e %arry w !h n us a weak hear!$ !oo rea"y a! any momen! !o !urn as "e from !he r *h! way. 7e have near us$ a! every momen!$ a &usy "ev l$ wa!%h n* %on! nually for our hal! n*$ an" seek n* !o lea" us n!o !emp!a! on. 7here shall we !urn for %omfor!A 7ha! shall keep fa !h al ve$ an" preserve us from s nk n* n "espa rA There s only one answer. 7e mus! look !o Jesus. 7e mus! !h nk on 1 s alm *h!y power$ an" 1 s won"ers of ol" ! me. 7e mus! %all !o m n" how 1e %an %rea!e foo" for 1 s people ou! of no!h n*$ an" supply !he nee"s of !hose who follow 1 m$ even n !he w l"erness. 0n" as we !h nk !hese !hou*h!s$ we mus! remem&er !ha! !h s Jesus s! ll l ves$ never %han*es$ an" s on our s "e. 3e! us o&serve$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !h s passa*e$ our Lord Jesus Christ's conduct" when the miracle of feeding the multitude had been performed . 7e rea"$ !ha! 'when 1e ha" sen! !hem away$ 1e "epar!e" n!o a moun!a n !o pray.' There s some!h n* "eeply ns!ru%! ve n !h s % r%ums!an%e. 4ur 3or" never sou*h! !he pra se of man. 0f!er one of 1 s *rea!es! m ra%les$ we f n" 1 m mme" a!ely seek n* sol !u"e$ an" spen" n* 1 s ! me n prayer. 1e pra%! %e" wha! 1e ha" !au*h! elsewhere$ when 1e sa "$ 'en!er n!o your %lose!$ an" shu! your "oor$ an" pray !o your Ba!her wh %h s n se%re!.' 2one ever " " su%h m *h!y works as 1e " ". 2one ever spoke su%h wor"s. 2one ever was so %ons!an! n prayer. 3e! our 3or"#s %on"u%! n !h s respe%! &e our e)ample. 7e %anno! work m ra%les as 1e " "G n !h s 1e s!an"s alone. .u! we %an walk n 1 s s!eps$ n !he ma!!er of pr va!e "evo! on. ,f we have !he /p r ! of a"op! on$ we %an pray. 3e! us resolve !o pray more !han we have "one h !her!o. 3e! us s!r ve !o make ! me$ an" pla%e$ an" oppor!un !y for &e n* alone w !h Go". 0&ove all$ le! us no! only pray .(B4R( we a!!emp! !o work for Go"$ &u! pray also 0BT(R our work s "one. ,! woul" &e well for us all$ f we e)am ne" ourselves more fre9uen!ly as !o our ha& !s a&ou! pr va!e prayer. 7ha! ! me "o we * ve !o ! n !he !wen!y-four hours of !he "ayA

7ha! pro*ress %an we mark$ one year w !h ano!her$ n !he ferven%y$ fullness$ an" earnes!ness of our prayersA 7ha! "o we know &y e)per en%e$ of 'la&or n* ferven!ly n prayerA' (Col. C:1D.) These are hum&l n* n9u r es$ &u! !hey are useful for our souls. There are few !h n*s$ ! may &e feare"$ n wh %h Chr s! ans %ome so far shor! of Chr s!#s e)ample$ as !hey "o n !he ma!!er of prayer. 4ur Mas!er#s s!ron* %ry n* an" !ears--1 s %on! nu n* all n *h! n prayer !o Go"--1 s fre9uen! w !h"rawal !o pr va!e pla%es$ !o hol" %lose %ommun on w !h !he Ba!her$ are !h n*s more !alke" of an" a"m re" !han m !a!e". 7e l ve n an a*e of hurry$ &us!le$ an" so-%alle" a%! v !y. Men are !emp!e" %on! nually !o %u! shor! !he r pr va!e "evo! ons$ an" a&r "*e !he r prayers. 7hen !h s s !he %ase$ we nee" no! won"er !ha! !he Chur%h of Chr s! "oes l !!le n propor! on !o !s ma%h nery. The Chur%h mus! learn !o %opy !s 1ea" more %losely. ,!s mem&ers mus! &e more n !he r %lose!s. '7e have l !!le$' &e%ause l !!le s aske". (James C:D.)

Mark 6:47-56 The even! f rs! re%or"e" n !hese verses$ s a &eau! ful em&lem of !he pos ! on of all &el evers$ &e!ween !he f rs! an" se%on" a"ven!s of Jesus Chr s!. 3 ke !he " s% ples$ we are now !osse" !o an" fro &y s!orms$ an" "o no! en+oy !he v s &le presen%e of our 3or". 3 ke !he " s% ples$ we shall see our 3or" fa%e !o fa%e a*a n$ !hou*h ! may &e a ! me of *rea! e)!rem !y$ when 1e re!urns. 3 ke !he " s% ples$ we shall see all !h n*s %han*e" for !he &e!!er$ when our Mas!er %omes !o us. 7e shall no lon*er &e &uffe!e" &y s!orms. There w ll &e a *rea! %alm. There s no!h n* fan% ful n su%h an appl %a! on of !he passa*e. 7e nee" no! "ou&! !ha! !here s a "eep mean n* n every s!ep of 1 s l fe$ who was 'Go" man fes! n !he flesh.' Bor !he presen!$ however$ le! us %onf ne ourselves !o !he pla n$ pra%! %al lessons wh %h !hese verses %on!a n. 3e! us no! %e$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ how our Lord sees the troubles of is believing people" and in due time will help them . 7e rea" !ha! when '!he sh p was n !he m "s! of !he sea$ an" 1e alone on !he lan"$' 1e 'saw 1 s " s% ples !o l n* n row n*' %ame !o !hem walk n* on !he sea--%heere" !hem w !h !he *ra% ous wor"s$ ',! s ,$ &e no! afra "' an" %han*e" !he s!orm n!o a %alm. There are !hou*h!s of %omfor! here for all !rue &el evers. 7herever !hey may &e$ or wha!ever !he r % r%ums!an%es$ !he 3or" Jesus sees !hem. 0lone$ or n %ompany-- n s %kness or n heal!h--&y sea or &y lan"-- n per ls n !he % !y-- n per ls n !he w l"erness--!he same eye wh %h saw !he " s% ples !osse" on !he lake$ s ever look n* a! us. 7e are never &eyon" !he rea%h of 1 s %are. 4ur way s never h ""en from 1 m. 1e knows !he pa!h !ha! we !ake$ an" s s! ll a&le !o help. 1e may no! %ome !o our a " a! !he ! me we l ke &es!$ &u! 1e w ll never allow us u!!erly !o fa l. 1e who walke" upon !he wa!er never %han*es. 1e w ll always %ome a! !he r *h! ! me !o uphol" 1 s people. Thou*h 1e !arry$ le! us wa ! pa! en!ly. Jesus sees us$ an" w ll no! forsake us. 3e! us no! %e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the fears of the disciples" when they first saw our Lord wal!ing upon the sea. 7e are !ol" !ha! '!hey suppose" ! ha" &een a *hos!$ an" %r e" ou!. Bor !hey all saw 1 m$ an" were afra ".'

7ha! a fa !hful p %!ure of human na!ure we have n !hese wor"s@ 1ow many !housan"s n !he presen! "ay$ f !hey ha" seen wha! !he " s% ples saw$ woul" have &ehave" n !he same manner@ 1ow few$ f !hey were on &oar" a sh p$ n a s!orm a! m "n *h!$ an" su""enly saw one walk n* on !he wa!er$ an" "raw n* near !o !he sh p--how few woul" preserve !he r %omposure$ an" &e al!o*e!her free from fears@ 3e! men lau*h$ f !hey please$ a! !he supers! ! ous fears of !hese unlearne" " s% ples. 3e! !hem &oas!$ f !hey l ke$ of !he mar%h of n!elle%!$ an" !he sprea" of knowle"*e$ n !hese la!!er ! mes. There are few$ we may %onf "en!ly asser!$ who$ pla%e" n !he same pos ! on as !he apos!les$ woul" have shown more %oura*e !han !hey. The &ol"es! skep! %s have some! mes prove" !he *rea!es! %owar"s$ when appearan%es have &een seen a! n *h!$ wh %h !hey %oul" no! e)pla n. The !ru!h s$ !here s an ns! n%! ve feel n* n all men$ wh %h makes !hem shr nk from any!h n* wh %h seems !o &elon* !o ano!her worl". There s a %ons% ousness wh %h many !ry n va n !o %on%eal &y affe%!e" %omposure$ !ha! !here are &e n*s unseen$ as well as seen$ an" !ha! !he l fe wh %h we now l ve n !he flesh$ s no! !he only l fe n wh %h man has a por! on. The %ommon s!or es a&ou! *hos!s an" appar ! ons$ are un"ou&!e"ly fool sh an" supers! ! ous. They are almos! always !ra%ea&le !o !he fears an" ma* na! ons of weak-m n"e" people. 5e! !he un versal a!!en! on wh %h su%h s!or es o&!a n$ all over !he worl"$ s a fa%! !ha! "eserves no! %e. ,! s an n" re%! ev "en%e of #la!en! &el ef n unseen !h n*s#$ +us! as %oun!erfe ! %o n s an ev "en%e !ha! !here s !rue money. ,! forms a pe%ul ar !es! mony wh %h !he nf "el woul" f n" ! har" !o e)pla n away. ,! proves !ha! !here s some!h n* w !h n men$ wh %h !es! f es of a worl" &eyon" !he *rave$ an" !ha! when men feel !$ !hey are afra ". The pla n "u!y of !he !rue Chr s! an s$ !o l ve prov "e" w !h an an! "o!e a*a ns! all fears of !he *rea! unseen worl". Tha! an! "o!e s fa !h n an unseen /av or$ an" %ons!an! %ommun on w !h 1 m. 0rme" w !h !ha! an! "o!e$ an" see n* 1 m who s nv s &le$ no!h n* nee" make us afra ". 7e !ravel on !owar"s a worl" of sp r !s. 7e are surroun"e" even now &y many "an*ers. .u! w !h Jesus for our /hepher"$ we have no %ause for alarm. 7 !h 1 m for our /h el"$ we are safe. 3e! us no! %e$ n !he %on%lus on of !he %hap!er$ what a bright e#ample we have of our duty to one another. 7e are !ol" !ha! when our 3or" %ame n!o !he lan" of Gennesare!$ !he people 'ran !hrou*h !ha! whole re* on$' an" &rou*h! !o 1 m n &e"s '!hose !ha! were s %k.' 7e rea" !ha! 'wherever he en!ere"$ n!o v lla*es$ or % ! es$ or %oun!ry$ !hey la " !he s %k n !he s!ree!s$ an" &esou*h! 1 m$ !ha! !hey m *h! !ou%h f ! were &u! !he &or"er of 1 s *armen!.' 3e! us see here a pa!!ern for ourselves. 3e! us *o an" "o l kew se. 3e! us s!r ve !o &r n* all aroun" us who are n nee" of sp r !ual me" % ne$ !o Jesus !he *rea! >hys % an$ !ha! !hey may &e heale". /ouls are "y n* every "ay. T me s shor!. 4ppor!un ! es are rap "ly pass n* away. The n *h! %omes when no man %an work. 3e! us spare no pa ns n la&or n* !o &r n* men an" women !o !he knowle"*e of Jesus Chr s!$ !ha! !hey may &e save". ,! s a %omfor!a&le !hou*h!$ !ha! 'as many as !ou%h 1 m w ll &e ma"e whole.'

Mark chapter 7
Mark 7:1-13

Th s passa*e %on!a ns a hum&l n* p %!ure of wha! human na!ure s %apa&le of "o n* n rel * on. ,! s one of !hose /%r p!ures wh %h ou*h! !o &e fre9uen!ly an" " l *en!ly s!u" e" &y all who "es re !he prosper !y of !he Chur%h of Chr s!. The f rs! !h n* wh %h "eman"s our a!!en! on n !hese verses$ s the low and degraded condition of Jewish religion" when our Lord was upon earth . 7ha! %an &e more "eplora&le !han !he s!a!emen! now &efore usA 7e f n" !he pr n% pal !ea%hers of !he Jew sh na! on f n" n* faul!$ '&e%ause our 3or"#s " s% ples a!e &rea" w !h unwashe" han"s@' 7e are !ol" !ha! !hey a!!a%he" *rea! mpor!an%e !o !he wash n* of %ups$ an" po!s$ an" &ron?e vessels$ an" !a&les@' ,n shor!$ !he man who pa " mos! r * " a!!en! on !o mere e)!ernal o&servan%es of human nven! on was re%kone" !he hol es! man@ The na! on$ &e ! remem&ere"$ n wh %h !h s s!a!e of !h n*s e) s!e"$ was !he mos! h *hly favore" n !he worl". To !$ was * ven !he law on Moun! / na $ !he serv %e of Go"$ !he pr es!hoo"$ !he %ovenan!s$ an" !he prom ses. Moses$ an" /amuel$ an" 6av "$ an" !he prophe!s$ l ve" an" " e" amon* !s people. 2o na! on upon ear!h ever ha" so many sp r !ual pr v le*es. 2o na! on ever m suse" !s pr v le*es so fearfully$ an" so !horou*hly forsook !s own mer% es. 2ever " " f ne *ol" &e%ome so " m@ Brom !he rel * on of !he &ooks of 6eu!eronomy an" >salms$ !o !he rel * on of wash n* han"s$ an" po!s$ an" %ups--how *rea! was !he fall@ 2o won"er !ha! n !he ! me of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry$ 1e foun" !he people l ke sheep w !hou! a shepher". !/ternal observances alone feed no consciences and sanctify no hearts& 3e! !he h s!ory of !he Jew sh %hur%h &e a warn n* !o us never !o !r fle w !h false "o%!r ne. ,f we on%e !olera!e ! we never know how far ! may *o$ or n!o wha! "e*ra"e" s!a!e of rel * on we may a! las! fall. 4n%e leave !he 8 n*#s h *hway of !ru!h$ an" we may en" w !h wash n* po!s an" %ups$ l ke >har sees an" /%r &es. There s no!h n* !oo &ase$ !r fl n*$ or rra! onal for a man$ f he on%e !urns h s &a%k on Go"#s wor". There are &ran%hes of !he Chur%h of Chr s! a! !h s "ay n wh %h !he /%r p!ures are never rea"$ an" !he Gospel never prea%he"--&ran%hes n wh %h !he only rel * on now rema n n* %ons s!s n us n* a few unmean n* forms an" keep n* %er!a n manma"e fas!s an" feas!s--&ran%hes wh %h &e*an well$ l ke !he Jew sh %hur%h$ an"$ l ke !he Jew sh %hur%h$ have now fallen n!o u!!er &arrenness an" "e%ay. 7e %an never &e !oo +ealous a&ou! false "o%!r ne. 0 l !!le leaven leavens !he whole lump. 3e! us earnes!ly %on!en" for !he whole fa !h on%e "el vere" !o !he sa n!s. The se%on" !h n*$ !ha! "eman"s our a!!en! on$ s the uselessness of mere lip. service in the worship of God . 4ur 3or" enfor%es !h s lesson &y a 9uo!a! on from !he 4l" Tes!amen!--'7ell has (l +ah prophes e" of you hypo%r !es$ Th s people honors me w !h !he r l ps$ &u! !he r hear! s far from me.' The hear! s !he par! of man wh %h Go" %h efly no! %es n rel * on. The &owe" hea"$ an" !he &en"e" knee--!he *rave fa%e an" !he r * " pos!ure--!he r !ual response$ an" !he formal amen--all !hese !o*e!her "o no! make up a sp r !ual worsh per. The eyes of Go" look fur!her an" "eeper. 1e re9u res !he worsh p of !he hear!. 'My son$' he says !o every one of us$ 'G ve me your hear!.' 3e! us remem&er !h s n !he pu&l % %on*re*a! on. ,! mus! no! %on!en! us !o !ake our &o" es !o %hur%h$ f we leave our hear!s a! home. The eye of man may "e!e%! no flaw n our serv %e. 4ur m n s!er may look a! us w !h appro&a! on. 4ur ne *h&ors may !h nk us pa!!erns of wha! a Chr s! an ou*h! !o &e. 4ur vo %e may &e hear" foremos!

n !he pra se an" prayer. .u! ! s all worse !han no!h n* n Go"#s s *h!$ f our hear!s are far away. ,! s only woo"$ hay$ an" s!u&&le &efore 1 m who " s%erns !hou*h!s$ an" rea"s !he se%re!s of !he nwar" man. 3e! us remem&er !h s n our pr va!e "evo! ons. ,! mus! no! sa! sfy us !o say *oo" wor"s$ f our hear! an" our l ps "o no! *o !o*e!her. 7ha! "oes ! prof ! us !o &e fluen! an" len*!hy$ f our ma* na! ons are rov n* far away$ wh le we are upon our kneesA ,! prof !s us no!h n* a! all. Go" sees wha! we are really "o n*$ an" re+e%!s our offer n*. 1ear!-prayers are !he prayers 1e loves !o hear. 1ear!-prayers are !he only prayers !ha! 1e w ll answer. 4ur pe! ! ons may &e weak$ an" s!ammer n*$ an" poor n our eyes. They may &e presen!e" w !h no f ne wor"s$ or well-%hosen lan*ua*e$ an" m *h! seem almos! un n!ell * &le$ f !hey were wr !!en "own. .u! f !hey %ome from a r *h! hear!$ Go" un"ers!an"s !hem. /u%h prayers are 1 s "el *h!. The las! !h n* !ha! "eman"s our a!!en! on n !hese verses$ s the tendency of man's inventions in religion to supplant God's word . Three ! mes we f n" !h s %har*e &rou*h! forwar" &y our 3or" a*a ns! !he >har sees. '3ay n* as "e !he %omman"men!s of Go"$ you hol" !he !ra" ! ons of men.' 'Bull well you re+e%! !he %omman"men! of Go"$ !ha! you may keep your own !ra" ! ons.' 'Mak n* !he 7or" of Go" of none effe%! !hrou*h your !ra" ! ons.' The f rs! s!ep of !he >har sees$ was !o a"" !he r !ra" ! ons !o !he /%r p!ures$ as useful supplemen!s. The se%on" was !o pla%e !hem on a level w !h !he 7or" of Go"$ an" * ve !hem e9ual au!hor !y. The las! was !o honor !hem a&ove !he /%r p!ure$ an" !o "e*ra"e /%r p!ure from !s lawful pos ! on. Th s was !he s!a!e of !h n*s wh %h our 3or" foun" when he was upon ear!h. >ra%! %ally$ !he !ra" ! ons of man were every!h n*$ an" !he 7or" of Go" was no!h n* a! all. 4&e" en%e !o !he !ra" ! ons %ons! !u!e" !rue rel * on. 4&e" en%e !o !he /%r p!ures was los! s *h! of al!o*e!her. ,! s a mournful fa%!$ !ha! Chr s! ans have far !oo of!en walke" n !he s!eps of >har sees n !h s ma!!er. The very same pro%ess has !aken pla%e over an" over a*a n. The very same %onse9uen%es have resul!e". Rel * ous o&servan%es of man#s nven! on$ have &een presse" on !he a%%ep!an%e of Chr s! ans--o&servan%es !o all appearan%e useful$ an" a! all even!s well-mean!$ &u! o&servan%es nowhere %omman"e" n !he wor" of Go". These very o&servan%es have &y an" &y &een re9u re" w !h more v *or !han Go"#s own %omman"men!s$ an" "efen"e" w !h more ?eal !han !he au!hor !y of Go"#s own 7or". 7e nee" no! look far for e)amples. The h s!ory of our own %hur%h w ll supply !hem.

3e! us &eware of a!!emp! n* !o a"" any!h n* !o !he wor" of Go"$ as ne%essary !o salva! on. ,! provokes Go" !o * ve us over !o +u" % al &l n"ness. ,! s as *oo" as say n* !ha! 1 s . &le s no! perfe%!$ an" !ha! we know &e!!er !han 1e "oes wha! s ne%essary for man#s salva! on. ,! s +us! as easy !o "es!roy !he au!hor !y of Go"#s wor" &y a"" ! on as &y su&!ra%! on$ &y &ury n* ! un"er man#s nven! ons as &y "eny n* !s !ru!h. The whole . &le$ an" no!h n* &u! !he . &le$ mus! &e our rule of fa !h no!h n* a""e" an" no!h n* !aken away. B nally$ le! us "raw a &roa" l ne of " s! n%! on &e!ween !hose !h n*s n rel * on wh %h have &een "ev se" &y man$ an" !hose wh %h are pla nly %omman"e" n Go"#s wor". 7ha! Go" %omman"s s ne%essary !o salva! on. 7ha! man %omman"s s no!. 7ha! man "ev ses may &e useful an" e)pe" en! for !he ! mesG &u! salva! on "oes no!

h n*e on o&e" en%e !o !. 7ha! Go" re9u res s essen! al !o l fe e!ernal. 1e !ha! w lfully " so&eys ! ru ns h s own soul.

Mark 7:14-23 7e see n !he &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e$ how slow of understanding men are in spiritual things. '1earken$' says our 3or" !o !he people$ 'hearken un!o me every one of you$ an" un"ers!an".' '0re you so w !hou! un"ers!an" n*A' 1e says !o 1 s " s% ples--'6o you no! per%e veA' The %orrup! on of human na!ure s a un versal " sease. ,! affe%!s no! only a man#s hear!$ w ll$ an" %ons% en%e$ &u! h s m n"$ memory$ an" un"ers!an" n*. The very same person who s 9u %k an" %lever n worl"ly !h n*s$ w ll of!en u!!erly fa l !o %omprehen" !he s mples! !ru!hs of Chr s! an !y. 1e w ll of!en &e una&le !o *rasp !he pla nes! reason n*s of !he Gospel. 1e w ll see no mean n* n !he %leares! s!a!emen!s of evan*el %al "o%!r ne. They w ll soun" !o h m e !her fool sh or mys!er ous. 1e w ll l s!en !o !hem l ke one l s!en n* !o a fore *n lan*ua*e$ %a!%h n* a wor" here an" !here$ &u! no! see n* !he "r f! of !he whole. 'The worl" &y w s"om knows no! Go".' (1 Cor. 1:D1.) ,! hears$ &u! "oes no! un"ers!an". 7e mus! pray "a ly for !he !ea%h n* of !he 1oly /p r !$ f we woul" make pro*ress n !he knowle"*e of " v ne !h n*s. 7 !hou! 1 m$ !he m *h! es! n!elle%! an" !he s!ron*es! reason n* powers w ll %arry us &u! a l !!le way. ,n rea" n* !he . &le an" hear n* sermons$ every!h n* "epen"s on !he sp r ! n wh %h we rea" an" hear. 0 hum&le$ !ea%ha&le$ %h l"-l ke frame of m n" s !he *ran" se%re! of su%%ess. 1appy s he who of!en says w !h 6av "$ 'Tea%h me 5our s!a!u!es.' (>salm 11;:<C.) /u%h an one w ll un"ers!an" as well as hear. 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ !ha! the heart is the chief source of defilement and impurity in God's sight . Moral pur !y "oes no! "epen" on wash n* or no! wash n*--!ou%h n* !h n*s or no! !ou%h n* !hem--ea! n* !h n*s or no! ea! n* !hem$ as !he /%r &es an" >har sees !au*h!. 'There s no!h n* from ou!s "e a man$ !ha! en!er n* n!o h m %an "ef le h m--&u! !he !h n*s wh %h %ome ou! of h m$ !hese are !hose who "ef le !he man.' There s a "eep !ru!h n !hese wor"s wh %h s fre9uen!ly overlooke". 4ur or * nal s nfulness an" na!ural n%l na! on !o ev l are sel"om suff % en!ly %ons "ere". The w %ke"ness of men s of!en a!!r &u!e" !o &a" e)amples$ &a" %ompany$ pe%ul ar !emp!a! ons$ or !he snares of !he "ev l. ,! seems for*o!!en !ha! every man %arr e" w !h n h m a foun!a n of w %ke"ness. 7e nee" no &a" %ompany !o !ea%h us$ an" no "ev l !o !emp! us$ n or"er !o run n!o s n. 7e have w !h n us !he &e* nn n* of every s n un"er heaven. 7e ou*h! !o remem&er !h s n !he !ra n n* an" e"u%a! on of %h l"ren. ,n all our mana*emen! we mus! never for*e!$ !ha! !he see"s of all m s%h ef an" w %ke"ness are n !he r hear!s. ,! s no! enou*h !o keep &oys an" * rls a! home$ an" shu! ou! every ou!war" !emp!a! on. They %arry w !h n !hem a hear! rea"y for any s n$ an" un! l !ha! hear! s %han*e" !hey are no! safe$ wha!ever we "o. 7hen %h l"ren "o wron*$ ! s a %ommon pra%! %e !o lay all !he &lame on &a" %ompan ons. .u! ! s mere *noran%e$ &l n"ness$ an" fool shness !o "o so. .a" %ompan ons are a *rea! ev l no

"ou&!$ an" an ev l !o &e avo "e" as mu%h as poss &le. .u! no &a" %ompan on !ea%hes a &oy or * rl half as mu%h s n as !he r own hear!s w ll su**es! !o !hem$ unless !hey are renewe" &y !he /p r !. The &e* nn n* of all w %ke"ness s w !h n. ,f paren!s were half as " l *en! n pray n* for !he r %h l"ren#s %onvers on as !hey are n keep n* !hem from &a" %ompany$ !he r %h l"ren woul" !urn ou! far &e!!er !han !hey "o. 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ what a blac! catalogue of evils the human heart contains. 'Bor from w !h n$ ou! of a person#s hear!$ %ome ev l !hou*h!s$ se)ual mmoral !y$ !hef!$ mur"er$ a"ul!ery$ *ree"$ w %ke"ness$ "e%e !$ ea*erness for lus!ful pleasure$ envy$ slan"er$ pr "e$ an" fool shness. 0ll !hese v le !h n*s %ome from w !h nG !hey are wha! "ef le you an" make you una%%ep!a&le !o Go".' 3e! us " s! n%!ly un"ers!an"$ when we rea" !hese wor"s$ !ha! our 3or" s speak n* of !he human hear! *enerally. 1e s no! speak n* only of !he no!or ous profl *a!e$ or !he pr soner n !he +a l. 1e s speak n* of all mank n". 0ll of us$ whe!her h *h or low$ r %h or poor$ mas!ers or servan!s$ ol" or youn*$ learne" or unlearne"--all of us have &y na!ure su%h a hear! as Jesus here "es%r &es. The see"s of all !he ev ls here men! one" l e h ""en w !h n us all. They may l e "orman! all our l ves. They may &e kep! "own &y !he fear of %onse9uen%es--!he res!ra n! of pu&l % op n on--!he "rea" of " s%overy--!he "es re !o &e !hou*h! respe%!a&le--an"$ a&ove all$ &y !he alm *h!y *ra%e of Go". .u! every man has w !h n h m !he roo! of every s n. 1ow hum&le we ou*h! !o &e$ when we rea" !hese verses@ '7e are all as an un%lean !h n*' n Go"#s s *h!. (,sa ah. <C:<.) 1e sees n ea%h one of us %oun!less ev ls$ wh %h !he worl" never sees a! all$ for 1e rea"s our hear!s. /urely of all s ns !o wh %h we are l a&le$ self-r *h!eousness s !he mos! unreasona&le an" unf !! n*. 1ow !hankful we ou*h! !o &e for !he Gospel$ when we rea" !hese verses@ Tha! Gospel %on!a ns a %omple!e prov s on for all !he nee"s of our poor "ef le" na!ures. The &loo" of Chr s! %an '%leanse us from all s n.' The 1oly /p r ! %an %han*e even our s nful hear!s$ an" keep !hem %lean$ when %han*e". The man !ha! "oes no! *lory n !he Gospel$ %an surely know l !!le of !he pla*ue !ha! s w !h n h m. 1ow wa!%hful we ou*h! !o &e$ when we remem&er !hese verses@ 7ha! a %areful *uar" we ou*h! !o keep over our ma* na! ons$ our !on*ues$ an" our "a ly &ehav or@ 0! !he hea" of !he &la%k l s! of our hear!#s %on!en!s$ s!an" 'ev l !hou*h!s.' 3e! us never for*e! !ha!. Thou*h!s are !he paren!s of wor"s an" "ee"s. 3e! us pray "a ly for *ra%e !o keep our !hou*h!s n or"er$ an" le! us %ry earnes!ly an" ferven!ly$ 'lea" us no! n!o !emp!a! on.'

Mark 7:24-30 7e know no!h n* of !he woman who s here men! one"$ &eyon" !he fa%!s !ha! we here rea". 1er name$ her former h s!ory$ !he way n wh %h she was le" !o seek our 3or"$ !hou*h a Gen! le$ an" "well n* n !he &or"ers of Tyre an" / "on--all !hese !h n*s are h ""en from us. .u! !he few fa%!s !ha! are rela!e" a&ou! !h s woman are full of pre% ous ns!ru%! on. 3e! us o&serve !hem$ an" learn w s"om.

,n !he f rs! pla%e$ this passage is meant to encourage us to pray for others . The woman who %ame !o our 3or"$ n !he h s!ory now &efore us$ mus! "ou&!less have &een n "eep affl %! on. /he saw a &elove" %h l" possesse" &y an un%lean sp r !. /he saw her n a %on" ! on n wh %h no !ea%h n* %oul" rea%h !he m n"$ an" no me" % ne %oul" heal !he &o"y--a %on" ! on only one "e*ree &e!!er !han "ea!h !self. /he hears of Jesus$ an" &esee%hes 1 m !o '%as! !he "emon ou! of her "au*h!er.' /he prays for one who %oul" no! pray for herself$ an" never res!s un! l her prayer s *ran!e". .y prayer she o&!a ns !he %ure wh %h no human means %oul" o&!a n. Throu*h !he prayer of !he mo!her$ !he "au*h!er s heale". 4n her own &ehalf !ha! "au*h!er " " no! speak a wor"G &u! her mo!her spoke for her !o !he 3or"$ an" " " no! speak n va n. 1opeless an" "espera!e as her %ase appeare"$ she ha" a pray n* mo!her$ an" where !here s a pray n* mo!her !here s always hope. The !ru!h here !au*h! s one of "eep mpor!an%e. The %ase here re%or"e" s one !ha! "oes no! s!an" alone. Bew "u! es are so s!ron*ly re%ommen"e" &y /%r p!ural e)ample$ as !he "u!y of n!er%essory prayer. There s a lon* %a!alo*ue of ns!an%es n /%r p!ure$ wh %h show !he &enef !s !ha! may &e %onferre" on o!hers &y pray n* for !hem. The no&leman#s son a! Capernaum--!he %en!ur on#s servan!--!he "au*h!er of Ja rus$ are all s!r k n* e)amples. ,n%re" &le as ! may seem$ Go" s please" !o "o *rea! !h n*s for souls$ when fr en"s an" rela! ons are move" !o pray for !hem. 'The effe%!ual ferven! prayer of a r *h!eous man ava ls mu%h.' (James 5:1<.) Ba!hers an" mo!hers are espe% ally &oun" !o remem&er !he %ase of !h s woman. They %anno! * ve !he r %h l"ren new hear!s. They %an * ve !hem Chr s! an e"u%a! on$ an" show !hem !he way of l feG &u! !hey %anno! * ve !hem a w ll !o %hoose Chr s!#s serv %e$ an" a hear! !o love Go". 5e! !here s one !h n* !hey %an always "o--!hey %an pray for !hem. They %an pray for !he %onvers on of profl *a!e sons$ who w ll have !he r own way$ an" run *ree" ly n!o s n. They %an pray for !he %onvers on of worl"ly "au*h!ers$ who se! !he r affe%! ons on !h n*s &elow$ an" love pleasure more !han Go". /u%h prayers are hear" on h *h. /u%h prayers w ll of!en &r n* "own &less n*s. 2ever$ never le! us for*e! !ha! !he %h l"ren for whom many prayers have &een offere"$ sel"om f nally per sh. 3e! us pray more for our sons an" "au*h!ers. (ven when !hey w ll no! le! us speak !o !hem a&ou! rel * on$ !hey %anno! preven! us speak n* for !hem !o Go". ,n !he se%on" pla%e$ this passage is meant to teach us to persevere in praying for others. The woman whose h s!ory we are now rea" n*$ appeare" a! f rs! !o o&!a n no!h n* &y her appl %a! on !o our 3or". 4n !he %on!rary$ our 3or"#s reply was " s%oura* n*. 5e! she " " no! * ve up n "espa r. /he praye" on$ an" " " no! fa n!. /he presse" her su ! w !h n*en ous ar*umen!s. /he woul" !ake no refusal. /he plea"e" for a few '%rum&s' of mer%y$ ra!her !han none a! all. 0n" !hrou*h !h s holy mpor!un !y she su%%ee"e". /he hear" a! las! !hese +oyful wor"s--'Bor !h s say n* *o your wayG !he "emon s *one ou! of your "au*h!er@' >erseveran%e n prayer s a po n! of *rea! momen!. 4ur hear!s are ap! !o &e%ome %ool an" n" fferen!$ an" !o !h nk !ha! ! s no use !o "raw near !o Go". 4ur han"s soon han* "own$ an" our knees wa) fa n!. /a!an s ever la&or n* !o "raw us off from our prayers$ an" f ll n* our m n"s w !h reasons why we may * ve !hem up. These !h n*s are !rue w !h respe%! !o all prayers$ &u! !hey are espe% ally !rue w !h respe%! !o n!er%essory prayer. ,! s always far more mea*er !han ! ou*h! !o &e. ,! s of!en a!!emp!e" for a l !!le season$ an" !hen lef! off. 7e see no mme" a!e answer !o our prayers. 7e see !he people for whose souls we pray$ *o n* on s! ll n s n. 7e "raw

!he %on%lus on !ha! ! s useless !o pray for !hem$ an" allow our n!er%ess on !o %ome !o an en". ,n or"er !o arm our m n"s w !h ar*umen!s for perseveran%e n n!er%essory prayer$ le! us of!en s!u"y !he %ase of !h s woman. 3e! us remem&er how she praye" on an" " " no! fa n!$ n !he fa%e of *rea! " s%oura*emen!. 3e! us mark how a! las! she wen! home re+o % n*$ an" le! us resolve$ &y Go"#s *ra%e$ !o follow her e)ample. 6o we know wha! ! s !o pray for ourselvesA Th s$ af!er all$ s !he f rs! 9ues! on for self- n9u ry. The man who never speaks !o Go" a&ou! h s own soul$ %an know no!h n* of pray n* for o!hers. 1e s as ye! Go"less$ Chr s!less$ an" hopeless$ an" has !o learn !he very ru" men!s of rel * on. 3e! h m awake$ an" %all upon Go". .u! "o we pray for ourselvesA Then le! us !ake hee" !ha! we pray for o!hers also. 3e! us &eware of self sh prayers--prayers wh %h are wholly !aken up w !h our own affa rs$ an" n wh %h !here s no pla%e for o!her souls &es "e our own. 3e! us name all whom we love &efore Go" %on! nually. 3e! us pray for all--!he wors!$ !he har"es!$ an" !he mos! un&el ev n*. 3e! us %on! nue pray n* for !hem year af!er year$ n sp !e of !he r %on! nue" un&el ef. Go"#s ! me of mer%y may &e a " s!an! one. 4ur eyes may no! see an answer !o our n!er%ess on. The answer may no! %ome for !en$ f f!een$ or !wen!y years. ,! may no! %ome un! l we have e)%han*e" prayer for pra se$ an" are far away from !h s worl". .u! wh le we l ve$ le! us pray for o!hers. ,! s !he *rea!es! k n"ness we %an "o !o any one$ !o speak for h m !o our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. The "ay of +u"*men! w ll show !ha! one of !he *rea!es! l nks n "raw n* some souls !o Go"$ has &een !he n!er%essory prayer of fr en"s.

Mark 7:31-37 The f rs! !h n* !ha! "eman"s our no! %e n !hese verses$ s the mighty miracle that is here recorded. 7e rea" !ha! !hey &rou*h! un!o our 3or" 'one !ha! was "eaf an" ha" an mpe" men! n h s spee%h$' an" &esou*h! 1 m !ha! 1e woul" 'pu! 1 s han" upon h m.' 0! on%e !he pe! ! on s *ran!e"$ an" !he %ure s wrou*h!. /pee%h an" hear n* are ns!an!aneously * ven !o !he man &y a wor" an" a !ou%h. ',mme" a!ely h s ears were opene"$ an" h s !on*ue was loose"$ an" he spoke pla n.' 7e see &u! half !he ns!ru%! on of !h s passa*e$ f we only re*ar" ! as an e)ample of our 3or"#s " v ne power. ,! s su%h an e)ample$ &eyon" "ou&!$ &u! ! s some!h n* more !han !ha!. 7e mus! look fur!her$ "eeper$ an" lower !han !he surfa%e$ an" we shall f n" n !he passa*e pre% ous sp r !ual !ru!hs. 1ere we are mean! !o see our 3or"#s power !o heal !he sp r !ually "eaf. 1e %an * ve !he %h ef of s nners a hear n* ear. 1e %an make h m "el *h! n l s!en n* !o !he very Gospel wh %h he on%e r " %ule" an" "esp se". 1ere also we are mean! !o see our 3or"#s power !o heal !he sp r !ually "um&. 1e %an !ea%h !he har"es! of !rans*ressors !o %all upon Go". 1e %an pu! a new son* n !he mou!h of h m whose !alk was on%e only of !h s worl". 1e %an make !he v les! of men speak of sp r !ual !h n*s$ an" !es! fy !he Gospel of !he *ra%e of Go". 7hen Jesus pours for!h 1 s /p r !$ no!h n* s mposs &le. 7e mus! never "espa r of o!hers. 7e mus! never re*ar" our own hear!s as !oo &a" !o &e %han*e". 1e !ha!

heale" !he "eaf an" "um& s! ll l ves. The %ases wh %h so% e!y pronoun%es hopeless$ are no! n%ura&le f !hey are &rou*h! !o Chr s!. The se%on" !h n* wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !hese verses$ s the peculiar manner in which our Lord thought good to wor! the miracle here recorded . 7e are !ol" !ha! when !he "eaf an" "um& person was &rou*h! !o Jesus$ '1e !ook h m as "e from !he mul! !u"e$ an" pu! h s f n*ers n!o h s ears$ an" he sp ! an" !ou%he" h s !on*ueG an" look n* up !o heaven$ he s *he"' an" !hen$ an" no! un! l !hen$ %ame !he wor"s of %omman" n* power$ '(phpha!ha$ !ha! s$ &e opene".' There s un"ou&!e"ly mu%h !ha! s mys!er ous n !hese a%! ons. 7e know no! why !hey were use". ,! woul" have &een as easy !o our 3or" !o speak !he wor"$ an" %omman" heal!h !o re!urn a! on%e$ as !o "o wha! 1e here " ". 1 s reasons for !he %ourse 1e a"op!e" are no! re%or"e". 7e only know !ha! !he resul! was !he same as on o!her o%%as ons--!he man was %ure". .u! !here s one s mple lesson !o &e learne" from our 3or"#s %on"u%! on !h s o%%as on. Tha! lesson s$ !ha! Chr"*t ,a* n!t t"e) t! the +*e !% an' !ne &ean* "n )!"ng -"* ,!rk* amon* men. /ome! mes 1e !hou*h! f ! !o work n one way$ some! mes n ano!her. 1 s enem es were never a&le !o say$ !ha! unless 1e employe" %er!a n nvar a&le a*en%y 1e %oul" no! work a! all. 7e see !he same !h n* *o n* on s! ll n !he Chur%h of Chr s!. 7e see %on! nual proof !ha! the .!r) "* n!t t"e) t! the +*e !% an' !ne &ean* e/c +*"$e ' "n c!n$e'"ng grace t! the *!+ . /ome! mes 1e s please" !o work &y !he wor" prea%he" pu&l %ly$ some! mes &y !he wor" rea" pr va!ely. /ome! mes 1e awakens people &y s %kness an" affl %! on$ some! mes &y !he re&ukes or %ounsel of fr en"s. /ome! mes 1e employs means of *ra%e !o !urn people ou! of !he way of s n. /ome! mes 1e arres!s !he r a!!en! on &y some prov "en%e$ w !hou! any means of *ra%e a! all. 1e w ll no! have any means of *ra%e ma"e an "ol an" e)al!e"$ !o !he " spara*emen! of o!her means. 1e w ll no! have any means "esp se" as useless$ an" ne*le%!e" as of no value. 0ll are *oo" an" valua&le. 0ll are n !he r !urn employe" for !he same *rea! en"$ !he %onvers on of souls. 0ll are n !he han"s of 1 m who '* ves no! a%%oun! of 1 s ma!!ers$' an" knows &es! wh %h !o use$ n ea%h separa!e %ase !ha! 1e heals. The las! !h n* wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !hese verses$ s the remar!able testimony which was borne by those who saw the miracle here recorded . They sa " of our 3or"$ '1e has "one all !h n*s well@' ,! s more !han pro&a&le !ha! !hose who sa " !hese wor"s were l !!le sens &le of !he r full mean n*$ when appl e" !o Chr s!. 3 ke Ca aphas$ !hey 'spoke no! of !hemselves.' (John 11:51.) .u! !he !ru!h !o wh %h !hey *ave u!!eran%e s full of "eep an" unspeaka&le %omfor!$ an" ou*h! !o &e "a ly remem&ere" &y all !rue Chr s! ans. 3e! us remem&er ! as we look &a%k over !he "ays pas! of our l ves$ from !he hour of our %onvers on. '4ur 3or" has "one all !h n*s well.' ,n !he f rs! &r n* n* us ou! of "arkness n!o marvelous l *h!-- n hum&l n* us an" !ea%h n* us our weakness$ *u l!$ an" folly-- n s!r pp n* us of our "ols$ an" %hoos n* all our por! ons n pla% n* us where we are$ an" * v n* us wha! we have--how well every!h n* has &een "one@ 1ow *rea! !he mer%y !ha! we have no! ha" our own way@ 3e! us remem&er ! as we look forwar" !o !he "ays ye! !o %ome. 7e know no! wha! !hey may &e$ &r *h! or "ark$ many or few. .u! we know !ha! we are n !he han"s of

1 m who '"oes all !h n*s well.' 1e w ll no! err n any of 1 s "eal n*s w !h us. 1e w ll !ake away an" * ve--1e w ll affl %! an" &ereave--1e w ll move an" 1e w ll se!!le$ w !h perfe%! w s"om$ a! !he r *h! ! me$ n !he r *h! way. The *rea! /hepher" of !he sheep makes no m s!akes. 1e lea"s every lam& of 1 s flo%k &y !he r *h! way !o !he % !y of ha& !a! on. 7e shall never see !he full &eau!y of !hese wor"s un! l !he resurre%! on morn n*. 7e shall !hen look &a%k over our l ves$ an" know !he mean n* of every!h n* !ha! happene" from f rs! !o las!. 7e shall remem&er all !he way &y wh %h we were le"$ an" %onfess !ha! all was 'well "one.' The why an" !he wherefore$ !he %auses an" !he reasons of every!h n* wh %h now perple)es$ w ll &e %lear an" pla n as !he sun a! noon-"ay. 7e shall won"er a! our own pas! &l n"ness$ an" marvel !ha! we %oul" ever have "ou&!e" our 3or"#s love. '2ow we see !hrou*h a *lass "arkly$ &u! !hen fa%e !o fa%e. 2ow we know n par!$ &u! !hen shall we know even as we are known.' (1 Cor. 1=:1D.)

Mark chapter 8
Mark 8:1-13 4n%e more we see our 3or" fee" n* a *rea! mul! !u"e w !h a few loaves an" f sh. 1e knew !he hear! of man. 1e saw !he r se of %av lers an" skep! %s$ who woul" 9ues! on !he real !y of !he won"erful works 1e performe". .y repea! n* !he m *h!y m ra%le here re%or"e"$ 1e s!ops !he mou!h of all who are no! w lfully &l n" !o ev "en%e. >u&l %ly$ an" &efore four !housan" w !nesses$ 1e shows 1 s alm *h!y power a se%on" ! me. 3e! us o&serve n !h s passa*e how great is the !indness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1e saw aroun" 1 m a 'very *rea! mul! !u"e$' who ha" no!h n* !o ea!. 1e knew !ha! !he *rea! ma+or !y were follow n* 1 m from no o!her mo! ve !han "le %ur os !y$ an" ha" no %la m wha!ever !o &e re*ar"e" as 1 s " s% ples. 5e! when 1e saw !hem hun*ry an" "es! !u!e$ 1e p ! e" !hem--', have %ompass on on !he mul! !u"e$ &e%ause !hey have now &een w !h me !hree "ays$ an" have no!h n* !o ea!.' The feel n* hear! of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! appears n !hese wor"s. 1e has %ompass on even on !hose who are no! 1 s people--!he fa !hless$ !he *ra%eless$ !he followers of !h s worl". 1e feels !en"erly for !hem$ !hou*h !hey know ! no!. 1e " e" for !hem$ !hou*h !hey %are l !!le for wha! 1e " " on !he %ross. 1e woul" re%e ve !hem *ra% ously$ an" par"on !hem freely$ f !hey woul" only repen! an" &el eve on 1 m. 3e! us ever &eware of measur n* !he love of Chr s! &y any human measure. $e has a special love, beyond doubt, for $is own believing people. .u! 1e has also a *eneral love of %ompass on$ even for !he un!hankful an" !he ev l. 1 s love 'passes knowle"*e.' ((phes. =:1;.) 3e! us s!r ve !o make Jesus our pa!!ern n !h s$ as well as n every!h n* else. 3e! us &e k n"$ an" %ompass ona!e$ an" p !eous$ an" %our!eous !o all men. 3e! us &e rea"y !o "o *oo" !o all men$ an" no! only !o fr en"s an" !he househol" of fa !h. 3e! us %arry n!o pra%! %e our 3or"#s n+un%! on$ '3ove your enem es$ &less !hose who %urse you$ "o *oo" !o !hose who ha!e you.' (Ma!!. 5:CC.) Th s s !o show !he m n" of Chr s!. Th s s !he r *h! way !o heap %oals of f re on an enemy#s hea"$ an" !o mel! foes n!o fr en"s (Rom. 1D:DE.)

3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ !ha! with Christ nothing is impossible. The " s% ples sa "$ '.u! where n !h s remo!e pla%e %an anyone *e! enou*h &rea" !o fee" !hemA' They m *h! well say so. 7 !hou! !he han" of 1 m who f rs! ma"e !he worl" ou! of no!h n*$ !he !h n* %oul" no! &e. .u! n !he alm *h!y han"s of Jesus seven loaves an" a few f shes were ma"e suff % en! !o sa! sfy four !housan" men. 2o!h n* s !oo har" for !he 3or". 7e mus! never allow ourselves !o "ou&! Chr s!#s power !o supply !he sp r !ual nee"s of all 1 s people. 1e has '&rea" enou*h an" !o spare' for every soul !ha! !rus!s n 1 m. 7eak$ nf rm$ %orrup!$ emp!y as &el evers feel !hemselves$ le! !hem never "espa r$ wh le Jesus l ves. ,n 1 m !here s a &oun"less s!ore of mer%y an" *ra%e$ la " up for !he use of all 1 s &el ev n* mem&ers$ an" rea"y !o &e &es!owe" on all who ask n prayer. ',! please" !he Ba!her !ha! n 1 m shoul" all fullness "well.' (Colos. 1:1;.) 3e! us never "ou&! Chr s!#s prov "en! al %are for !he !emporal nee"s of all 1 s people. 1e knows !he r % r%ums!an%es. 1e s a%9ua n!e" w !h all !he r ne%ess ! es. 1e w ll never allow !hem !o la%k any!h n* !ha! s really for !he r *oo". 1 s hear! s no! %han*e" s n%e 1e as%en"e" up on h *h$ an" sa! "own on !he r *h! han" of Go". 1e s! ll l ves who ha" %ompass on on !he hun*ry %row" n !he w l"erness$ an" suppl e" !he r nee". 1ow mu%h more$ may we suppose$ w ll 1e supply !he nee" of !hose who !rus! 1 mA 1e w ll supply !hem w !hou! fa l. The r fa !h may o%%as onally &e !r e". They may some! mes &e kep! wa ! n*$ an" &e &rou*h! very low. .u! !he &el ever shall never &e lef! en! rely "es! !u!e. '.rea" shall &e * ven h mG h s wa!er shall &e sure.' (,sa ah ==:1<.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ how much sorrow unbelief occasions to our Lord Jesus Christ. 7e are !ol" !ha! when '!he >har sees &e*an !o 9ues! on w !h 1 m$ seek n* of 1 m a s *n from heaven$ !es! n* 1 m$ 1e s *he" "eeply n 1 s sp r !.' There was a "eep mean n* n !ha! s *h@ ,! %ame from a hear! wh %h mourne" over !he ru n !ha! !hese w %ke" men were &r n* n* on !he r own souls. (nem es as !hey were$ Jesus %oul" no! &ehol" !hem har"en n* !hemselves n un&el ef w !hou! sorrow. The feel n* wh %h our 3or" Jesus Chr s! here e)presse"$ w ll always &e !he feel n* of all !rue Chr s! ans. Gr ef over !he s ns of o!hers s one lea" n* ev "en%e of !rue *ra%e. The man who s really %onver!e"$ w ll always re*ar" !he un%onver!e" w !h p !y an" %on%ern. Th s was !he m n" of 6av "--', &ehel" !he !rans*ressors$ an" was *r eve".' (>salm 11;:158.) Th s was !he m n" of !he *o"ly n !he "ays of (?ek el--'They s *he" an" %r e" for !he a&om na! ons "one n !he lan".' ((?ek. ;:C.) Th s was !he m n" of 3o!--'1e ve)e" h s r *h!eous soul w !h !he unlawful "ee"s' of !hose aroun" h m. (D >e!er D:8.) Th s was !he m n" of >aul--', have *rea! heav ness an" %on! nual sorrow for my &re!hren.' (Rom. ;:D.) ,n all !hese %ases we see some!h n* of !he m n" of Chr s!. 0s !he *rea! 1ea" feels$ so feel !he mem&ers. They all *r eve when !hey see s n. 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h solemn self- n9u ry. 6o we know any!h n* of l keness !o Chr s!$ an" fellow-feel n* w !h 1 mA 6o we feel hur!$ an" pa ne"$ an" sorrowful$ when we see men %on! nu n* n s n an" un&el efA 6o we feel *r eve" an" %on%erne" a&ou! !he s!a!e of !he un%onver!e"A These are hear!-sear%h n* 9ues! ons$ an" "eman" ser ous %ons "era! on. There are few surer marks of an un%onver!e" hear!$ !han %arelessness an" n" fferen%e a&ou! !he souls of o!hers.

B nally$ le! us never for*e! !ha! un&el ef an" s n are +us! as *rea! a %ause of *r ef !o our 3or" now$ as !hey were e *h!een hun"re" years a*o. 3e! us s!r ve an" pray !ha! we may no! a"" !o !ha! *r ef &y any a%! or "ee" of ours. The s n of *r ev n* Chr s! s one wh %h many %omm ! %on! nually w !hou! !hou*h! or refle%! on. 1e who s *he" over !he un&el ef of !he >har sees s s! ll un%han*e". Can we "ou&! !ha! when 1e sees some pers s! n* n un&el ef a! !he presen! "ay$ 1e s *r eve"A Brom su%h s n may we &e "el vere"@

Mark 8:14-21 3e! us no! %e the solemn warning which our Lord gives to is disciples a! !he &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e. 1e says$ 'Take hee"$ &eware of !he leaven of !he >har sees an" of !he leaven of 1ero".' 7e are no! lef! !o %on+e%!ure !he mean n* of !h s warn n*. Th s s ma"e %lear &y !he parallel passa*e n Ma!!hew#s Gospel. 7e !here rea" !ha! Jesus " " no! mean !he leaven of '&rea"$' &u! !he leaven of '"o%!r ne.' The self-r *h!eousness an" formal sm of !he >har sees--!he worl"l ness an" skep! % sm of !he %our! ers of 1ero"$ were !he o&+e%! of our 3or"#s %au! on. 0*a ns! &o!h 1e & "s 1 s " s% ples &e on !he r *uar". /u%h warn n*s are of "eep mpor!an%e. ,! woul" &e well for !he Chur%h of Chr s!$ f !hey ha" &een more remem&ere". The assaul!s of perse%u! on from w !hou! have never "one half so mu%h harm !o !he Chur%h$ as !he r se of false "o%!r nes w !h n. Balse prophe!s an" false !ea%hers w !h n !he %amp have "one far more m s%h ef n Chr s!en"om !han all !he &loo"y perse%u! ons of !he emperors of Rome. The swor" of !he foe has never "one su%h "ama*e !o !he %ause of !ru!h as !he !on*ue an" !he pen. The "o%!r nes wh %h our 3or" spe% f es$ are pre% sely !hose wh %h have always &een foun" !o nfl %! mos! n+ury on !he %ause of Chr s! an !y. Bormal sm on !he one han"$ an" skep! % sm on !he o!her$ have &een %hron % " seases n !he profess n* Chur%h of Chr s!. ,n every a*e mul! !u"es of Chr s! ans have &een nfe%!e" &y !hem. ,n every a*e men nee" !o wa!%h a*a ns! !hem$ an" &e on !he r *uar". The e)press on use" &y our 3or" n speak n* of false "o%!r ne s s n*ularly for% &le an" appropr a!e. 1e %alls ! 'leaven.' 2o wor" more su !a&le %oul" have &een employe". ,! e)a%!ly "es%r &es !he small &e* nn n*s of false "o%!r ne--!he su&!le 9u e! way n wh %h ! nsens &ly perva"es a man#s rel * on--!he "ea"ly power w !h wh %h ! %han*es !he whole %hara%!er of h s Chr s! an !y. 1ere$ n fa%!$ l es !he *rea! "an*er of false "o%!r ne. ,f ! approa%he" us un"er !s !rue %olors$ ! woul" "o l !!le harm. The *rea! se%re! of !s su%%ess s !s su&!le!y an" l keness !o !ru!h. (very error n rel * on has &een sa " !o &e a !ru!h a&use". 3e! us of!en 'e)am ne ourselves whe!her we &e n !he fa !h$' an" &eware of 'leaven.' 3e! us no more !r fle w !h a l !!le false "o%!r ne$ !han we woul" !r fle w !h a l !!le mmoral !y or a l !!le l e. 4n%e a"m ! ! n!o our hear!s$ an" we never know how far ! may lea" us as!ray. The &e* nn n* of "epar!ure from !he pure !ru!h s l ke !he le!! n* ou! of wa!ers--f rs! a "rop$ an" a! las! a !orren!. 0 l !!le leaven leavens !he whole lump. (Gal. 5:;.)

3e! us no! %e the dull understanding of the disciples , when our 3or" *ave !he warn n* of !h s passa*e. They !hou*h! !ha! !he 'leaven' of wh %h 1e spoke mus! &e !he leaven of &rea". ,! never s!ru%k !hem !ha! 1e was speak n* of "o%!r ne. They "rew from 1 m !he sharp reproof--'>er%e ve you no! ye!$ ne !her un"ers!an"A are your hear!s har"ene"A 1ow s ! !ha! you "o no! un"ers!an"A' .el evers$ %onver!e"$ renewe"$ as !he " s% ples were$ !hey were s! ll "ull of apprehens on n sp r !ual !h n*s. The r eyes were s! ll " m$ an" !he r per%ep! on slow n !he ma!!ers of !he k n*"om of Go". 7e shall f n" ! useful !o ourselves !o remem&er wha! s here re%or"e" of !he " s% ples. ,! may help !o %orre%! !he h *h !hou*h!s wh %h we are ap! !o en!er!a n of our own w s"om$ an" !o keep us hum&le an" lowly-m n"e". 7e mus! no! fan%y !ha! we know every!h n* as soon as we are %onver!e". 4ur knowle"*e$ l ke all our *ra%es$ s always mperfe%!$ an" never so far from perfe%! on as a! our f rs! &e* nn n* n !he serv %e of Chr s!. There s more *noran%e n our hear!s !han we are a! all aware of. ',f any man !h nk !ha! he knows any!h n*$ he knows no!h n* ye! as he ou*h! !o know.' (1 Cor. 8:D.) 0&ove all$ we shall f n" ! useful !o remem&er wha! s here re%or"e"$ n "eal n* w !h youn* Chr s! ans. 7e mus! no! e)pe%! perfe%! on n a new %onver!. 7e mus! no! se! h m "own as *ra%eless an" *o"less an" a false professor$ &e%ause a! f rs! he sees &u! half !he !ru!h an" %omm !s many m s!akes. 1 s hear! may &e r *h! n !he s *h! of Go"$ an" ye!$ l ke !he " s% ples$ he may &e very slow of un"ers!an" n* n !he !h n*s of !he /p r !. 7e mus! &ear w !h h m pa! en!ly$ an" no! %as! h m as "e. 7e mus! * ve h m ! me !o *row n *ra%e an" knowle"*e$ an" h s la!!er en" may f n" h m r pe n w s"om$ l ke >e!er an" John. ,! s a &lesse" !hou*h! !ha! Jesus$ our Mas!er n heaven$ "esp ses none of 1 s people. ,n%re" &le an" &lamewor!hy as !he r slowness !o learn un"ou&!e"ly s$ 1 s pa! en%e never * ves way. 1e *oes on !ea%h n* !hem$ 'l ne upon l ne$ pre%ep! upon pre%ep!.' 3e! us "o l kew se. 3e! ! &e a rule w !h us never !o "esp se !he weakness an" "ulness of youn* Chr s! ans. 7herever we see a spark of !rue *ra%e$ however " m an" m )e" w !h nf rm !y$ le! us &e helpful an" k n". 3e! us "o as we woul" &e "one &y.

Mark 8:22-26 7e "o no! know !he reason of !he pe%ul ar means employe" &y our 3or" Jesus Chr s!$ n work n* !he m ra%le re%or"e" n !hese verses. 7e see a &l n" man m ra%ulously heale". 7e know !ha! a wor" from our 3or"#s mou!h$ or a !ou%h of 1 s han" woul" have &een suff % en! !o effe%! a %ure. .u! we see Jesus !ak n* !h s &l n" man &y !he han"--lea" n* h m ou! of !he !own--sp !! n* on h s eyes--pu!! n* 1 s han"s on h m$ an" !hen$ an" no! un! l !hen$ res!or n* h s s *h!. 0n" !he mean n* of all !hese a%! ons$ !he passa*e &efore us leaves en! rely une)pla ne". .u! ! s well !o remem&er$ n rea" n* passa*es of !h s k n"$ !ha! the Lord is not tied to the use of any one means. ,n !he %onvers on of men#s souls !here are " vers ! es of opera! on$ &u! ! s !he same /p r ! wh %h %onver!s. /o also n !he heal n* of men#s &o" es !here were var e! es of a*en%y employe" &y our 3or"$ &u! ! was !he same " v ne power !ha! effe%!e" !he %ure. ,n all 1 s works Go" s a sovere *n. 1e * ves no a%%oun! of any of 1 s ma!!ers.

4ne !h n* n !he passa*e "eman"s our spe% al o&serva! on. Tha! !h n* s the gradual nature of the cure which our Lord performed on this blind man. 1e " " no! "el ver h m from h s &l n"ness a! on%e$ &u! &y "e*rees. 1e m *h! have "one ! n a momen!$ &u! 1e %hose !o "o ! s!ep &y s!ep. B rs! !he &l n" man sa " !ha! he only saw 'men as !rees walk n*.' 0f!erwar"s h s eyes *h! was res!ore" %omple!ely$ an" he 'saw every man %learly.' ,n !h s respe%! !he m ra%le s!an"s en! rely alone. 7e nee" har"ly "ou&! !ha! !h s *ra"ual %ure was mean! !o &e an em&lem of sp r !ual !h n*s. 7e may &e sure !ha! !here was a "eep mean n* n every wor" an" work of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry$ an" here$ as n o!her pla%es$ we shall f n" a useful lesson. 3e! us see !hen n !h s *ra"ual res!ora! on !o s *h!$ a vivid illustration of the manner in which the Spirit fre,uently wor!s in the conversion of souls. 7e are all na!urally &l n" an" *noran! n !he ma!!ers wh %h %on%ern our souls. Convers on s an llum na! on$ a %han*e from "arkness !o l *h!$ from &l n"ness !o see n* !he k n*"om of Go". 5e! few %onver!e" people see !h n*s " s! n%!ly a! f rs!. The na!ure an" propor! on of "o%!r nes$ pra%! %es$ an" or" nan%es of !he Gospel are " mly seen &y !hem$ an" mperfe%!ly un"ers!oo". They are l ke !he man &efore us$ who a! f rs! saw men as !rees walk n*. The r v s on s "a??le" an" una%%us!ome" !o !he new worl" n!o wh %h !hey have &een n!ro"u%e". ,! s no! un! l !he work of !he /p r ! has &e%ome "eeper an" !he r e)per en%e &een somewha! ma!ure"$ !ha! !hey see all !h n*s %learly$ an" * ve !o ea%h par! of rel * on !s proper pla%e. Th s s !he h s!ory of !housan"s of Go"#s %h l"ren. They &e* n w !h see n* men as !rees walk n* !hey en" w !h see n* all %learly. 1appy s he who has learne" !h s lesson well$ an" s hum&le an" " s!rus!ful of h s own +u"*men!. B nally$ le! us see n !he *ra"ual %ure of !h s &l n" man$ a stri!ing picture of the present position of Christ's believing people in the world" compared with that which is to come. 7e see n par! an" know n par! n !he presen! " spensa! on. 7e are l ke !hose !ha! !ravel &y n *h!. 7e know no! !he mean n* of mu%h !ha! s pass n* aroun" us. ,n !he prov "en! al "eal n*s of Go" w !h 1 s %h l"ren$ an" n !he %on"u%! of many of Go"#s sa n!s$ we see mu%h !ha! we %anno! un"ers!an"--an" %anno! al!er. ,n shor!$ we are l ke h m !ha! saw 'men as !rees walk n*.' .u! le! us look forwar" an" !ake %omfor!. The ! me %omes when we shall see all '%learly.' The n *h! s far spen!. The "ay s a! han". 3e! us &e %on!en! !o wa !$ an" wa!%h$ an" work$ an" pray. 7hen !he "ay of !he 3or" %omes$ our sp r !ual eyes *h! w ll &e perfe%!e". 7e shall see as we have &een seen$ an" know as we have &een known.

Mark 8:27-33 The % r%ums!an%es here re%or"e" are of *rea! mpor!an%e. They !ook pla%e "ur n* a +ourney$ an" arose ou! of a %onversa! on '&y !he way.' 1appy are !hose +ourneys$ n wh %h ! me s no! was!e" on !r fles$ &u! re"eeme" as far as poss &le for !he %ons "era! on of ser ous !h n*s. 3e! us o&serve the variety of opinions about Christ , wh %h preva le" amon* !he Jews. /ome sa " !ha! 1e was John !he .ap! s!--some (l +ah--an" o!hers one of !he

prophe!s. ,n shor! every k n" of op n on appears !o have &een %urren!$ e)%ep! n* !ha! one wh %h was !rue. 7e may see !he same !h n* on every s "e a! !he presen! "ay. Chr s! an" h s Gospel are +us! as l !!le un"ers!oo" n real !y$ an" are !he su&+e%! of +us! as many " fferen! op n ons as !hey were e *h!een hun"re" years a*o. Many know !he name of Chr s!$ a%knowle"*e 1 m as one who %ame n!o !he worl" !o save s nners$ an" re*ularly worsh p n &u l" n*s se! apar! for 1 s serv %e. Bew !horou*hly real ?e !ha! 1e s very Go"--!he one Me" a!or--!he one 1 *h >r es!--!he only sour%e of l fe an" pea%e--!he r own /hepher" an" !he r own Br en". Ja*ue "eas a&ou! Chr s! are s! ll very %ommon. ,n!ell *en! e)per men!al a%9ua n!an%e w !h Chr s! s s! ll very rare. May we never res! un! l we %an say of Chr s!$ 'My &elove" s m ne an" , am 1 s.' (Can!. D:1<.) Th s s sav n* knowle"*e. Th s s l fe e!ernal. 3e! us o&serve the good confession of faith which the apostle +eter witnessed . 1e repl e" !o our 3or"#s 9ues! on$ '7hom "o you say !ha! , amA' '5ou are !he Chr s!.' Th s was a no&le answer$ when !he % r%ums!an%es un"er wh %h ! was ma"e are "uly %ons "ere". ,! was ma"e when Jesus was poor n %on" ! on$ w !hou! honor$ ma+es!y$ weal!h$ or power. ,! was ma"e when !he hea"s of !he Jew sh na! on$ &o!h n %hur%h an" s!a!e$ refuse" !o re%e ve Jesus as !he Mess ah. 5e! even !hen / mon >e!er says$ '5ou are !he Chr s!.' 1 s s!ron* fa !h was no! s!um&le" &y our 3or"#s pover!y an" low es!a!e. 1 s %onf "en%e was no! shaken &y !he oppos ! on of /%r &es an" >har sees$ an" !he %on!emp! of rulers an" pr es!s. 2one of !hese !h n*s move" / mon >e!er. 1e &el eve" !ha! 1e whom he followe"$ Jesus of 2a?are!h$ was !he prom se" /av or$ !he !rue >rophe! *rea!er !han Moses$ !he lon*-pre" %!e" Mess ah. 1e "e%lare" ! &ol"ly an" unhes !a! n*ly$ as !he %ree" of h mself an" h s few %ompan ons--'5ou are !he Chr s!.' There s mu%h !ha! we may prof !a&ly learn from >e!er#s %on"u%! on !h s o%%as on. (rr n* an" uns!a&le as he some! mes was--!he fa !h he e)h & !e"$ n !he passa*e now &efore us$ s well wor!hy of m !a! on. /u%h &ol" %onfess ons as h s$ are !he !rues! ev "en%e of l v n* fa !h$ an" are re9u re" n every a*e$ f men w ll prove !hemselves !o &e Chr s!#s " s% ples. 7e !oo mus! &e rea"y !o %onfess Chr s!$ even as >e!er " ". 7e shall never f n" our Mas!er an" 1 s "o%!r ne popular. 7e mus! &e prepare" !o %onfess 1 m$ w !h few on our s "e$ an" many a*a ns! us. .u! le! us !ake %oura*e an" walk n >e!er#s s!eps$ an" we shall no! fa l of re%e v n* >e!er#s rewar". Jesus !akes no! %e of !hose who %onfess 1 m &efore men$ an" w ll one "ay %onfess !hem as 1 s servan!s &efore an assem&le" worl". 3e! us o&serve the full declaration which our Lord ma!es of is own coming death and resurrection. 7e rea" !ha! '1e &e*an !o !ea%h !hem$ !ha! !he /on of man mus! suffer many !h n*s$ an" &e re+e%!e" of !he el"ers$ an" of !he %h ef pr es!s$ an" s%r &es$ an" &e k lle"$ an" af!er !hree "ays r se a*a n.' The even!s here announ%e" mus! have soun"e" s!ran*e !o !he " s% ples. To &e !ol" !ha! !he r &elove" Mas!er$ af!er all 1 s m *h!y works$ woul" soon &e pu! !o "ea!h$ mus! have &een heavy ! " n*s an" pas! !he r un"ers!an" n*. .u! !he wor"s wh %h %onvey !he announ%emen! are s%ar%ely less remarka&le !han !he even!--'1e must suffer--1e must &e k lle"--1e must r se a*a n.'

7hy " " our 3or" say 'mus!A' 6 " 1e mean !ha! 1e was una&le !o es%ape suffer n*--!ha! 1e mus! " e &y %ompuls on of a s!ron*er power !han 1 s ownA ,mposs &le. Th s %oul" no! have &een 1 s mean n*. 6 " 1e mean !ha! 1e mus! " e !o * ve a *rea! e)ample !o !he worl" of self-sa%r f %e an" self-"en al$ an" !ha! !h s$ an" !h s alone$ ma"e 1 s "ea!h ne%essaryA 4n%e more ! may &e repl e"$ ',mposs &le.' There s a far "eeper mean n* n !he wor" 'mus!' suffer an" &e k lle". 1e mean! !ha! $is death and passion were necessary in order to make atonement for man"s sin. 7 !hou! she"" n* 1 s &loo" !here %oul" &e no rem ss on. 7 !hou! !he sa%r f %e of 1 s &o"y on !he %ross$ !here %oul" &e no sa! sfa%! on !o Go"#s holy law. 1e 'mus!' suffer !o make re%on% l a! on for n 9u !y. 1e 'mus!' " e$ &e%ause w !hou! 1 s "ea!h as a prop ! a!ory offer n*$ s nners %oul" never have l fe. 1e 'mus!' suffer$ &e%ause w !hou! 1 s v %ar ous suffer n*s$ our s ns %oul" never &e !aken away. ,n a wor"$ 1e 'mus!' &e "el vere" for our offen%es$ an" ra se" a*a n for our +us! f %a! on. 1ere s !he %en!er !ru!h of !he . &le. 3e! us never for*e! !ha!. 0ll o!her !ru!hs %ompare" !o !h s are of se%on"ary mpor!an%e. 7ha!ever v ews we hol" of rel * ous !ru!h$ le! us see !ha! we have a f rm *rasp upon !he a!on n* eff %a%y of Chr s!#s "ea!h. 3e! !he !ru!h so of!en pro%la me" &y our 3or" !o 1 s " s% ples$ an" so " l *en!ly !au*h! &y !he " s% ples !o !he worl"$ &e !he foun"a! on !ru!h n our Chr s! an !y. ,n l fe an" n "ea!h$ n heal!h an" n s %kness$ le! us lean all our we *h! on !h s m *h!y fa%!-!ha! !hou*h we have s nne"$ Chr s! has " e" for s nners--an" !ha! !hou*h we "eserve no!h n*$ Chr s! has suffere" on !he %ross for us$ an" &y !ha! suffer n* pur%hase" heaven for all who &el eve n 1 m. B nally$ le! us o&serve n !h s passa*e the strange mi#ture of grace and infirmity which may be found in the heart of a true Christian . 7e see !ha! very >e!er who ha" +us! w !nesse" so no&le a %onfess on$ presum n* !o re&uke h s Mas!er &e%ause 1e spoke of suffer n* an" "y n*. 7e see h m "raw n* "own on h mself !he sharpes! re&uke wh %h ever fell from our 3or"#s l ps "ur n* 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry--'Ge! &eh n" me$ /a!an@ 5ou "o no! have n m n" !he !h n*s of Go"$ &u! !he !h n*s of men.' 7e have here a hum&l n* proof !ha! !he &es! of sa n!s s a poor fall &le %rea!ure. 1ere was ignorance n / mon >e!er. 1e " " no! un"ers!an" !he ne%ess !y of our 3or"#s "ea!h$ an" woul" have a%!ually preven!e" 1 s sa%r f %e on !he %ross. 1ere was self(conceit n / mon >e!er. 1e !hou*h! he knew wha! was r *h! an" f !! n* for h s Mas!er &e!!er !han h s Mas!er 1 mself$ an" a%!ually un"er!ook !o show !he Mess ah a more e)%ellen! way. 0n" las!$ &u! no! leas!$ / mon >e!er " " ! all w !h !he best intentions& 1e mean! well. 1 s mo! ves were pure. .u! ?eal an" earnes!ness are no e)%use for error. 0 man may mean well an" ye! fall n!o !remen"ous m s!akes. 3e! us learn hum l !y from !he fa%!s here re%or"e". 3e! us &eware of &e n* puffe" up w !h our own sp r !ual a!!a nmen!s$ or e)al!e" &y !he pra se of o!hers. 3e! us never !h nk !ha! we know every!h n* an" are no! l kely !o err. 7e see !ha! ! s &u! a l !!le s!ep from mak n* a *oo" %onfess on !o &e n* a '/a!an' n Chr s!#s way. 3e! us pray "a ly$ '1ol" me up--keep me--!ea%h me--le! me no! err.' 3as!ly$ le! us learn %har !y !owar"s o!hers from !he fa%!s here re%or"e". 3e! us no! &e n a hurry !o %as! off our &ro!her as *ra%eless &e%ause of errors an" m s!akes. 3e! us remem&er !ha! h s hear! may &e r *h! n !he s *h! of Go"$ l ke >e!er#s$ !hou*h l ke >e!er he may for a ! me !urn as "e. Ra!her le! us %all !o m n" >aul#s a"v %e$ an" a%! upon !. ',f a man &e over!aken n a faul!$ you who are sp r !ual$ res!ore su%h an one n !he sp r ! of meeknessG %ons "er n* yourself$ les! you also &e !emp!e".' (Gal. <:1.)

Mark 8:34-38 The wor"s of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! n !h s passa*e are pe%ul arly we *h!y an" solemn. They were spoken !o %orre%! !he m s!aken v ews of 1 s " s% ples$ as !o !he na!ure of 1 s k n*"om. .u! !hey %on!a n !ru!hs of !he "eepes! mpor!an%e !o Chr s! ans n every a*e of !he Chur%h. The whole passa*e s one wh %h shoul" of!en form !he su&+e%! of pr va!e me" !a! on. 7e learn$ for one !h n*$ from !hese verses$ the absolute necessity of self.denial" if we would be Christ's disciples" and be saved . 7ha! says our 3or"A '7hoever w ll %ome af!er Me$ le! h m "eny h mself$ an" !ake up h s %ross$ an" follow Me.' /alva! on s un"ou&!e"ly all of *ra%e. ,! s offere" freely n !he Gospel !o !he %h ef of s nners$ w !hou! money an" w !hou! pr %e. '.y *ra%e are you save" !hrou*h fa !h$ an" !ha! no! of yourselvesG ! s !he * f! of Go"--no! of works$ les! any man shoul" &oas!.' ((phes. D:8$ ;.) .u! all who a%%ep! !h s *rea! salva! on$ mus! prove !he real !y of !he r fa !h &y %arry n* !he %ross af!er Chr s!. They mus! no! !h nk !o en!er heaven w !hou! !rou&le$ pa n$ suffer n*$ an" %onfl %! on ear!h. They mus! &e %on!en! !o !ake up !he %ross of 64CTR,2($ an" !he %ross of >R0CT,C(--!he %ross of hol" n* a fa !h wh %h !he worl" "esp ses$ an" !he %ross of l v n* a l fe wh %h !he worl" r " %ules as !oo s!r %!$ an" r *h!eous overmu%h. They mus! &e w ll n* !o %ru% fy !he flesh$ !o mor! fy !he "ee"s of !he &o"y$ !o f *h! "a ly w !h !he "ev l$ !o %ome ou! from !he worl" an" !o lose !he r l ves$ f nee"ful$ for Chr s!#s sake an" !he Gospel#s. These are har" say n*s$ &u! !hey a"m ! of no evas on. The wor"s of our 3or" are pla n an" unm s!aka&le. ,f we w ll no! %arry !he %ross$ we shall never wear !he %rown. 3e! us no! &e "e!erre" from Chr s!#s serv %e &y fear of !he %ross. 1eavy as !ha! %ross may seem$ Jesus w ll * ve us *ra%e !o &ear !. ', %an "o all !h n*s !hrou*h Chr s! who s!ren*!hens me.' (>h l. C:1=.) Thousan"s an" !ens of !housan"s have &orne ! &efore us$ an" have foun" Chr s!#s yoke easy$ an" Chr s!#s &ur"en l *h!. 2o *oo" !h n* on ear!h was ever a!!a ne" w !hou! !rou&le. 7e %anno! surely e)pe%! !ha! w !hou! !rou&le we %an en!er !he k n*"om of Go". 3e! us *o forwar" &ol"ly$ an" allow no " ff %ul!y !o keep us &a%k. The %ross &y !he way s &u! for a few years. The *lory a! !he en" s for evermore. 3e! us of!en ask ourselves whe!her our Chr s! an !y %os!s us any!h n*A 6oes ! en!a l any sa%r f %eA 1as ! !he !rue s!amp of heavenA 6oes ! %arry w !h ! any %rossA ,f no!$ we may well !rem&le an" &e afra ". 7e have every!h n* !o learn. A re "g"!n ,h"ch c!*t* n!th"ng# "* ,!rth n!th"ng. ,! w ll "o us no *oo" n !he l fe !ha! now s. ,! w ll lea" !o no salva! on n !he l fe !o %ome. 7e learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !hese verses$ the unspea!able value of the soul. 7ha! says our 3or"A '7ha! shall ! prof ! a man f he shall *a n !he whole worl"$ an" lose h s own soulA' These wor"s were mean! !o s! r us up !o e)er! on an" self"en al. They ou*h! !o r n* n our ears l ke a !rumpe!$ every morn n* when we r se from our &e"s$ an" every n *h! when we l e "own. May !hey &e "eeply en*rave" n our memor es$ an" never effa%e" &y !he "ev l an" !he worl"@ 7e have all souls !ha! w ll l ve for evermore. 7he!her we know ! or no!$ we all %arry a&ou! w !h us some!h n* wh %h w ll l ve on when our &o" es are moul"er n* n !he

*rave. 7e have all souls$ for wh %h we shall have !o * ve a%%oun! !o Go". ,! s an "rea"ful !hou*h!$ when we %ons "er how l !!le a!!en! on mos! men * ve !o any!h n* e)%ep! !h s worl". .u! ! s !rue. 0ny man may lose h s own soul. 1e %anno! save !. Chr s! alone %an "o !ha!. .u! he %an lose !$ an" !ha! n many " fferen! ways. 1e may mur"er !$ &y lov n* * n an" %leav n* !o !he worl". 1e may po son ! &y %hoos n* a rel * on of l es$ an" &el ev n* man-ma"e supers! ! ons. 1e may s!arve !$ &y ne*le%! n* all means of *ra%e$ an" refus n* !o re%e ve n!o h s hear! !he Gospel. Many are !he ways !ha! lea" !o !he p !. 7ha!ever way a man !akes$ he$ an" he alone$ s a%%oun!a&le for !. 7eak$ %orrup!$ fallen$ mpo!en! as human na!ure s$ man has a m *h!y power of "es!roy n*$ ru n n*$ an" los n* h s own soul. The whole worl" %anno! make up !o a man !he loss of h s soul. The possess on of all !he !reasures !ha! !he worl" %on!a ns$ woul" no! %ompensa!e for e!ernal ru n. They woul" no! sa! sfy us$ an" make us happy wh le we ha" !hem. They %oul" only &e en+oye" for a few years$ a! &es!$ an" mus! !hen &e lef! for evermore. 4f all unprof !a&le an" fool sh &ar*a ns !ha! man %an make$ !he wors! s !ha! of * v n* up h s soul#s salva! on for !he sake of !h s presen! worl". ,! s a &ar*a n of wh %h !housan"s$ l ke (sau$ who sol" h s & r!h-r *h! for a mess of po!!a*e$ have repen!e"-&u! many$ unhapp ly$ l ke (sau$ have repen!e" !oo la!e. 3e! !hese say n*s of our 3or" s nk "eep n!o our hear!s. 7or"s are na"e9ua!e !o e)press !he r mpor!an%e. May we remem&er !hem n !he hour of !emp!a! on$ when !he soul seems a small an" un mpor!an! !h n*$ an" !he worl" seems very &r *h! an" *rea!. May we remem&er !hem n !he hour of perse%u! on$ when we are !r e" &y !he fear of man$ an" half n%l ne" !o forsake Chr s!. ,n hours l ke !hese$ le! us %all !o m n" !h s m *h!y 9ues! on of our 3or"$ an" repea! ! !o ourselves$ '7ha! shall ! prof ! a man f he *a n !he whole worl"$ an" lose h s own soulA' 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the great danger of being ashamed of Christ. 7ha! says our 3or"A '7hoever shall &e ashame" of me an" of my wor"s n !h s a"ul!erous an" s nful *enera! on$ of h m also shall !he /on of Man &e ashame" when 1e %omes n !he *lory of 1 s Ba!her w !h !he holy an*els.' 7hen %an ! &e sa " of any one$ !ha! he s ashame" of Chr s!A 7e are *u l!y of !$ when we are ashame" of le!! n* people see !ha! we &el eve an" love !he "o%!r nes of Chr s!$ !ha! we "es re !o l ve a%%or" n* !o !he %omman"men! of Chr s!$ an" !ha! we w sh !o &e re%kone" amon* !he people of Chr s!. Chr s!#s "o%!r ne$ laws$ an" people were never popular$ an" never w ll &e. The man who &ol"ly %onfesses !ha! he loves !hem$ s sure !o &r n* on h mself r " %ule an" perse%u! on. 7hoever shr nks from !h s %onfess on from fear of !h s r " %ule an" perse%u! on$ s ashame" of Chr s!$ an" %omes un"er !he sen!en%e of !he passa*e &efore us. >erhaps !here are few of our 3or"#s say n*s wh %h are more %on"emn n* !han !h s. 'The fear of man' "oes n"ee" '&r n* a snare.' (>rov. D;:D5.) There are !housan"s of men who woul" fa%e a l on$ or s!orm a &rea%h$ f "u!y %alle" !hem$ an" fear no!h n*--an" ye! woul" &e ashame" of &e n* !hou*h! 'rel * ous' an" woul" no! "are !o avow !ha! !hey "es re" !o please Chr s! ra!her !han man. 0ma? n* n"ee" s !he power of r " %ule@ ,n%re" &le s !he &on"a*e n wh %h men l ve !o !he op n on of !he worl"@

3e! us all pray "a ly for fa !h an" %oura*e !o %onfess Chr s! &efore men. 4f s n$ or worl"l ness$ or un&el ef$ we may well &e ashame". 7e ou*h! never !o &e ashame" of 1 m who " e" for us on !he %ross. ,n sp !e of lau*h!er$ mo%kery$ an" har" wor"s$ le! us &ol"ly avow !ha! we serve Chr s!. 3e! us of!en look forwar" !o !he "ay of 1 s se%on" %om n*$ an" remem&er wha! 1e says n !h s pla%e. .e!!er a !housan" ! mes %onfess Chr s! now$ an" &e "esp se" &y man$ !han &e " sowne" &y Chr s! &efore 1 s Ba!her n !he "ay of +u"*men!.

Mark chapter 9
Mark 9:1-13 The %onne%! on of !h s passa*e w !h !he en" of !he las! %hap!er ou*h! never !o &e overlooke". 4ur 3or" ha" &een speak n* of 1 s own %om n* "ea!h an" pass on--of !he ne%ess !y of self-"en al$ f men woul" &e 1 s " s% ples--of !he nee" of los n* our l ves$ f we woul" have !hem save". .u! n !he same &rea!h he *oes on !o speak of 1 s fu!ure k n*"om an" *lory. 1e !akes off !he e"*e of 1 s 'har" say n*s$' &y prom s n* a s *h! of !ha! *lory !o some of !hose who hear" 1 m. 0n" n !he h s!ory of !he !ransf *ura! on$ wh %h s here re%or"e"$ we see !ha! prom se fulf lle". The f rs! !h n* wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !hese verses$ s the marvelous vision they contain of the glory which Christ and is people shall have at is second coming. There %an &e no "ou&! !ha! !h s was one of !he pr n% pal purposes of !he !ransf *ura! on. ,! was mean! !o !ea%h !he " s% ples$ !ha! !hou*h !he r 3or" was lowly an" poor n appearan%e now$ 1e woul" one "ay appear n su%h royal ma+es!y as &e%ame !he /on of Go". ,! was mean! !o !ea%h !hose who when !he r Mas!er %ame !he se%on" ! me$ 1 s sa n!s$ l ke Moses an" (l +ah$ woul" appear w !h 1 m. ,! was mean! !o rem n" !hem$ !ha! !hou*h rev le" an" perse%u!e" now$ &e%ause !hey &elon*e" !o Chr s!$ !hey woul" one "ay &e %lo!he" w !h honor$ an" &e par!akers of !he r Mas!er#s *lory. 7e have reason !o !hank Go" for !h s v s on. 7e are of!en !emp!e" !o * ve up Chr s!#s serv %e$ &e%ause of !he %ross an" affl %! on wh %h ! en!a ls. 7e see few w !h us$ an" many a*a ns! us. 7e f n" our names %as! ou! as ev l$ an" all manner of ev l sa " of us$ &e%ause we &el eve an" love !he Gospel. 5ear af!er year we see our %ompan ons n Chr s!#s serv %e remove" &y "ea!h$ an" we feel as f we knew l !!le a&ou! !hem$ e)%ep! !ha! !hey are *one !o an unknown worl"$ an" !ha! we are lef! alone. 0ll !hese !h n*s are !ry n* !o flesh an" &loo". 2o won"er !ha! !he fa !h of &el evers some! mes lan*u shes$ an" !he r eyes fa l wh le !hey look for !he r hope. 3e! us see n !he s!ory of !he !ransf *ura! on$ a reme"y for su%h "ou&! n* !hou*h!s as !hese. The v s on of !he holy moun! s a *ra% ous ple"*e !ha! *lor ous !h n*s are n s!ore for !he people of Go". The r %ru% f e" /av or shall %ome a*a n n power an" *rea! *lory. 1 s sa n!s shall all %ome w !h 1 m$ an" are n safe keep n* un! l !ha! happy "ay. 7e may wa ! pa! en!ly. '7hen Chr s!$ who s our l fe shall appear$ !hen shall you also appear w !h 1 m n *lory.' (Colos. =:C.) The se%on" !h n* wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !h s passa*e$ s the strong e#pression of the apostle +eter" when he saw his Lord transfigured . 'Mas!er$' he sa "$ ' ! s *oo" for us !o &e here.'

2o "ou&! !here was mu%h n !h s say n*$ wh %h %anno! &e %ommen"e". ,! showe" an *noran%e of !he purpose for wh %h Jesus %ame n!o !he worl"$ !o suffer an" !o " e. ,! showe" a for*e!fulness of h s &re!hren$ who were no! w !h h m$ an" of !he "ark worl" wh %h so mu%h nee"e" h s Mas!er#s presen%e. 0&ove all$ !he proposal wh %h he ma"e a! !he same ! me !o '&u l" !hree !a&erna%les' for Moses$ (l +ah$ an" Chr s!$ showe" a low v ew of h s Mas!er#s " *n !y$ an" mpl e" !ha! he " " no! know !ha! a *rea!er !han Moses an" (l +ah was !here. ,n all !hese respe%!s !he apos!le#s e)%lama! on s no! !o &e pra se"$ &u! !o &e &lame". .u! hav n* sa " !h s$ le! us no! fa l !o remark wha! +oy an" happ ness !h s *lor ous v s on %onferre" on !h s warm-hear!e" " s% ple. 3e! us see n h s ferven! %ry ',! s *oo" !o &e here$' wha! %omfor! an" %onsola! on !he s *h! of *lory %an * ve !o a !rue &el ever. 3e! us look forwar"$ an" !ry !o form some "ea of !he pleasure wh %h !he sa n!s shall e)per en%e$ when !hey shall a! las! mee! !he 3or" Jesus a! 1 s se%on" %om n*$ an" mee! !o par! no more. 0 v s on of a few m nu!es was suff % en! !o warm an" s! r >e!er#s hear!. The s *h! of !wo sa n!s n *lory was so %heer n* an" 9u %ken n*$ !ha! he woul" *la"ly have en+oye" more of !. 7ha! !hen shall we say$ when we see our 3or" appear a! !he las! "ay w !h all 1 s sa n!sA 7ha! shall we say$ when we ourselves are allowe" !o share n 1 s *lory$ an" +o n !he happy %ompany$ an" feel !ha! we shall *o ou! no more from !he +oy of our 3or"A These are 9ues! ons !ha! no man %an answer. The happ ness of !ha! *rea! "ay of *a!her n* !o*e!her s one !ha! we %anno! now %on%e ve. The feel n*s of wh %h >e!er ha" a l !!le fore!as!e$ w ll !hen &e ours n full e)per en%e. 7e shall all say w !h one hear! an" one vo %e$ when we see Chr s! an" all 1 s sa n!s$ ',! s *oo" !o &e here.' The las! !h n* wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !h s passa*e s the distinct testimony which it bears to Christ's office and dignity" as the promised 2essiah . 7e see !h s !es! mony f rs! n !he appearan%e of Moses an" (l +ah$ !he represen!a! ves of !he law an" !he prophe!s. They appear as w !nesses !ha! Jesus s 1e of whom !hey spoke n ol" ! mes$ an" of whom !hey wro!e !ha! 1e woul" %ome. They " sappear af!er a few m nu!es$ an" leave Jesus alone$ as !hou*h !hey woul" show !ha! !hey were only w !nesses$ an" !ha! our Mas!er hav n* %ome$ !he servan!s res *n !o 1 m !he %h ef pla%e. 7e see !h s !es! mony$ se%on"ly$ n !he m ra%ulous vo %e from heaven$ say n*$ 'Th s s my &elove" /on--hear 1 m.' The same vo %e of Go" !he Ba!her$ wh %h was hear" a! our 3or"#s &ap! sm$ was hear" on%e more a! 1 s !ransf *ura! on. 4n &o!h o%%as ons !here was !he same solemn "e%lara! on$ 'Th s s my &elove" /on.' 4n !h s las! o%%as on$ !here was an a"" ! on of !wo mos! mpor!an! wor"s$ '1ear 1 m.' The whole %on%lus on of !he v s on was %al%ula!e" !o leave a las! n* mpress on on !he m n"s of !he !hree " s% ples. ,! !au*h! !hem n !he mos! s!r k n* manner$ !ha! !he r 3or" was far a&ove !hem an" !he prophe!s$ as !he mas!er of !he house s a&ove !he servan!s$ an" !ha! !hey mus! n all !h n*s &el eve$ follow$ o&ey$ !rus!$ an" hear 1 m. B nally$ !he las! wor"s of !he vo %e from heaven$ are wor"s !ha! shoul" &e ever &efore !he m n"s of all !rue Chr s! ans. They shoul" 0hear Christ.0 1e s !he *rea! Tea%herG !hose who woul" &e w se mus! learn of 1 m. 1e s !he l *h! of !he worl"-!hose who woul" no! err mus! follow 1 m. 1e s !he 1ea" of !he Chur%h--!hose who woul" &e l v n* mem&ers of 1 s mys! %al &o"y mus! ever look !o 1 m. The *ran" 9ues! on !ha! %on%erns us all s no! so mu%h wha! man says$ or m n s!ers say--wha! !he Chur%h says$ or wha! %oun% ls say--&u! wha! says Chr s!A 1 m le! us hear. ,n 1 m le! us a& "e. 4n h m le! us lean. To 1 m le! us look. 1e an" 1e only w ll never fa l us$

never " sappo n! us$ an" never lea" us as!ray. 1appy are !hey who know e)per men!ally !he mean n* of !he !e)!$ 'my sheep hear my vo %e$ an" , know !hem$ an" !hey follow me--an" , * ve un!o !hem e!ernal l feG an" !hey shall never per sh$ ne !her shall any man plu%k !hem ou! of my han".' (John 1E:D7$ D8.)

Mark 9:14-29 The %on!ras! &e!ween !hese verses an" !hose wh %h pre%e"e !hem n !he %hap!er s very s!r k n*. 7e pass from !he moun! of !ransf *ura! on !o a melan%holy h s!ory of !he work of !he "ev l. 7e %ome "own from !he v s on of *lory$ !o a %onfl %! w !h /a!an % possess on. 7e %han*e !he &lesse" %ompany of Moses an" (l +ah$ for !he %ru"e %ommun on of un&el ev n* /%r &es. 7e leave !he fore!as!e of m llenn al *lory$ an" !he solemn vo %e of Go" !he Ba!her !es! fy n* !o Go" !he /on$ an" re!urn on%e more !o a s%ene of pa n$ weakness$ an" m sery--a &oy n a*ony of &o"y$ a fa!her n "eep " s!ress$ an" a l !!le &an" of fee&le " s% ples res!ra ne" &y /a!an#s power$ an" una&le !o * ve rel ef. The %on!ras!$ we mus! all feel$ s very *rea!. 5e! ! s &u! a fa n! em&lem of !he %han*e of s%ene !ha! Jesus volun!ar ly un"er!ook !o w !ness$ when 1e f rs! la " as "e 1 s *lory an" %ame n!o !he worl". 0n" ! s af!er all a v v " p %!ure of !he l fe of all !rue Chr s! ans. 7 !h !hem$ as w !h !he r Mas!er$ work$ %onfl %!$ an" s%enes of weakness an" sorrow w ll always &e !he rule. 7 !h !hem !oo$ v s ons of *lory$ fore!as!es of heaven$ seasons on !he moun!$ w ll always &e !he e)%ep! on. 3e! us learn from !hese verses$ how dependent Christ's disciples are on the company and help of their 2aster. 7e see !h s !ru!h &rou*h! ou! n a s!r k n* manner n !he s%ene wh %h mee!s our 3or"#s eyes$ when 1e %ame "own from !he moun!. 3 ke Moses$ when he %ame "own from Moun! / na $ 1e f n"s h s l !!le flo%k n %onfus on. 1e sees 1 s n ne apos!les &ese! &y a par!y of mal % ous /%r &es$ an" &affle" n an a!!emp! !o heal one who ha" &een &rou*h! !o !hem possesse" w !h a "ev l. The very same " s% ples who a shor! ! me &efore ha" "one many m ra%les an" '%as! ou! many "ev ls$' ha" now me! w !h a %ase !oo har" for !hem. They were learn n* &y hum&l n* e)per en%e !he *rea! lesson$ 'w !hou! me you %an "o no!h n*.' (John 15:5.)--,! was a useful lesson$ no "ou&!$ an" over-rule" !o !he r sp r !ual *oo". ,! woul" pro&a&ly &e remem&ere" all !he "ays of !he r l ves. The !h n*s !ha! we learn &y smar! n* e)per en%e$ a& "e n our memor es$ wh le !ru!hs hear" w !h !he ear are of!en for*o!!en. .u! we may &e sure ! was a & !!er lesson a! !he ! me. 7e "o no! l ke !o learn !ha! we %an "o no!h n* w !hou! Chr s!. 7e nee" no! look far !o see many llus!ra! ons of !h s !ru!h n !he h s!ory of Chr s!#s people n every a*e. The very men who a! one ! me have "one *rea! e)plo !s n !he %ause of !he Gospel$ a! ano!her ! me have fa le" en! rely$ an" prove" weak an" uns!a&le as wa!er. The !emporary re%an!a! ons of Cranmer an" Jewell are s!r k n* e)amples. The hol es! an" &es! of Chr s! ans has no!h n* !o *lory of. 1 s s!ren*!h s no! h s own. 1e has no!h n* &u! wha! he has re%e ve". 1e has only !o provoke !he 3or" !o leave h m for a season$ an" he w ll soon " s%over !ha! h s power s *one. 3 ke /amson$ when h s ha r was shorn$ he s weak as any o!her man. 3e! us learn a lesson of hum l !y from !he fa lure of !he " s% ples. 3e! us s!r ve !o real ?e every "ay our nee" of !he *ra%e an" presen%e of Chr s!. 7 !h 1 m we may "o

all !h n*s. 7 !hou! 1 m we %an "o no!h n* a! all. 7 !h 1 m we may over%ome !he *rea!es! !emp!a! ons. 7 !hou! 1 m !he leas! may over%ome us. 3e! our %ry &e every morn n*$ 'leave us no! !o ourselves--we know no! wha! a "ay may &r n* for!h-- f your presen%e "oes no! *o w !h us we %anno! *o up.' 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how early in life we are liable to be in$ured by Satan. 7e rea" a fearful "es%r p! on of !he m ser es nfl %!e" &y /a!an on !he youn* man$ whose %ase s here re%or"e". 0n" we are !ol" !ha! he ha" &een un"er !h s "rea"ful v s !a! on from h s very nfan%y. ,! %ame !o h m$ 'from %h l"hoo".' There s a lesson of "eep mpor!an%e here wh %h we mus! no! overlook. 7e mus! la&or !o "o *oo" !o our %h l"ren even from !he r earl es! years. ,f /a!an &e* ns so early !o "o !hem harm$ we mus! no! &e &eh n" h m n " l *en%e !o lea" !hem !o Go". 1ow soon n l fe a %h l" &e%omes respons &le an" a%%oun!a&le$ s a " ff %ul! 9ues! on !o solve. >erhaps far sooner !han many of us suppose. 4ne !h n*$ a! all even!s$ s very %lear-- ! s never !oo soon !o s!r ve an" pray for !he salva! on of !he souls of %h l"ren--never !oo soon !o speak !o !hem as moral &e n*s$ an" !ell !hem of Go"$ an" Chr s!$ an" r *h!$ an" wron*. The "ev l$ we may &e 9u !e sure$ loses no ! me n en"eavor n* !o nfluen%e !he m n"s of youn* people. 1e &e* ns w !h !hem even 'from %h l"hoo".' 3e! us work har" !o %oun!era%! h m. ,f youn* hear!s %an &e f lle" &y /a!an$ !hey %an also &e f lle" w !h !he /p r ! of Go". 3e! us learn$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how faith and unbelief can be mi#ed together in the same heart . The wor"s of !he %h l"#s fa!her se! !h s !ru!h &efore us n a !ou%h n* way. '3or"$' he %r e"$ ', &el eveG help my un&el ef.' 7e see n !hose wor"s a v v " p %!ure of !he hear! of many a !rue Chr s! an. Bew n"ee" are !o &e foun" amon* &el evers$ n whom !rus! an" "ou&!$ hope an" fear$ "o no! e) s! s "e &y s "e. 2o!h n* s perfe%! n a %h l" of Go"$ so lon* as he s n !he &o"y. 1 s knowle"*e$ an" love$ an" hum l !y$ are all more or less "efe%! ve$ an" m n*le" w !h %orrup! on. 0n" as ! s w !h h s o!her *ra%es$ so ! s w !h h s fa !h. 1e &el eves$ an" ye! has a&ou! h m a rema n"er of un&el ef. 7ha! shall we "o w !h our B0,T1A 7e mus! use it. 7eak$ !rem&l n*$ "ou&! n*$ fee&le as ! may &e$ we mus! use !. 7e mus! no! wa ! un! l ! s *rea!$ perfe%!$ an" m *h!y$ &u! l ke !he man &efore us$ !urn ! !o a%%oun!$ an" hope !ha! one "ay ! w ll &e more s!ron*. '3or"$' he sa "$ ', &el eve.' 7ha! shall we "o w !h our H2.(3,(BA 7e mus! resist it$ an" pray a*a ns! !. 7e mus! no! allow ! !o keep us &a%k from Chr s!. 7e mus! !ake ! !o Chr s!$ as we !ake all o!her s ns an" nf rm ! es$ an" %ry !o 1 m for "el veran%e. 3 ke !he man &efore us$ we mus! %ry$ '3or"$ help my un&el ef.' These are e)per men!al !ru!hs. 1appy are !hey who know some!h n* of !hem. The worl" s *noran! of !hem. Ba !h an" un&el ef$ "ou&!s an" fears$ are all fool shness !o !he na!ural man. .u! le! !he !rue Chr s! an s!u"y !hese !h n*s well$ an" !horou*hly un"ers!an" !hem. ,! s of !he u!mos! mpor!an%e !o our %omfor! !o know$ !ha! a !rue &el ever may &e known &y h s nwar" warfare$ as well as &y h s nwar" pea%e. 3e! us mark$ n !he las! pla%e$ the complete dominion which our Lord e#ercises over Satan and all his agents . The sp r ! who was !oo s!ron* for !he " s% ples$ s a!

on%e %as! ou! &y !he Mas!er. 1e speaks w !h m *h!y au!hor !y$ an" /a!an a! on%e s o&l *e" !o o&ey$ ', %har*e you$ %ome ou! of h m$ an" en!er no more n!o h m.' 7e may leave !he passa*e w !h %omfor!a&le feel n*s. Grea!er s 1e !ha! s for us !han all !hose who are a*a ns! us. /a!an s s!ron*$ &usy$ a%! ve$ mal % ous. .u! Jesus s a&le !o save !o !he u!!ermos! all !ha! %ome un!o Go" &y 1 m--from !he "ev l$ as well as from s n--from !he "ev l$ as well as from !he worl". 3e! us possess our souls n pa! en%e. Jesus s! ll l ves$ an" w ll no! le! /a!an plu%k us ou! of 1 s han". Jesus s! ll l ves$ an" w ll soon %ome a*a n !o "el ver us en! rely from !he f ery "ar!s of !he w %ke" one. The *rea! %ha n s prepare". (Rev. DE:1.) /a!an shall one "ay &e &oun". The Go" of pea%e shall &ru se /a!an un"er our fee! shor!ly.' (Rom. 1<:DE.)

Mark 9:30-37 3e! us mark$ n !hese verses$ our Lord's renewed announcement of is own coming" death" and resurrection. '1e !au*h! 1 s " s% ples$ an" sa " un!o !hem$ The /on of man s "el vere" n!o !he han"s of men$ an" !hey shall k ll 1 mG an" af!er 1e s k lle"$ he shall r se !he !h r" "ay.' The "ullness of !he " s% ples n sp r !ual !h n*s appears on%e more$ as soon as !h s announ%emen! was ma"e. There was *oo" n !he ! " n*s as well as seem n* ev l-swee! as well as & !!er--l fe as well as "ea!h--!he resurre%! on as well as !he %ross. .u! ! was all "arkness !o !he &ew l"ere" !welve. 'They " " no! un"ers!an" wha! 1e was say n*$ an" were afra " !o ask.' The r m n"s were s! ll full of !he r m s!aken "eas of !he r Mas!er#s re *n upon ear!h. They !hou*h! !ha! 1 s ear!hly k n*"om was mme" a!ely !o appear. 2ever are we so slow !o un"ers!an"$ as when pre+u" %e an" pre-%on%e ve" op n ons "arken our eyes. The mmense mpor!an%e of our 3or"#s "ea!h an" resurre%! on %omes ou! s!ron*ly n !h s fresh announ%emen! wh %h 1e makes. ,! s no! for no!h n* !ha! 1e rem n"s us a*a n !ha! 1e mus! " e. 1e woul" have us know !ha! 1 s "ea!h was !he *rea! en" for wh %h 1e %ame n!o !he worl". 1e woul" rem n" us !ha! &y !ha! "ea!h !he *rea! pro&lem was !o &e solve"--how Go" %oul" &e +us!$ an" ye! +us! fy s nners. 1e " " no! %ome upon ear!h merely !o !ea%h$ an" prea%h$ an" work m ra%les. 1e %ame !o make sa! sfa%! on for s n$ &y 1 s own &loo" an" suffer n* on !he %ross. 3e! us never for*e! !h s. The n%arna! on$ an" e)ample$ an" wor"s of Chr s!$ are all of "eep mpor!an%e. .u! !he *ran" o&+e%! wh %h "eman"s our no! %e n !he h s!ory of 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry$ s 1 s "ea!h on Calvary. 3e! us mark$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !hese verses$ the ambition and love of pre. eminence which the apostles e#hibited. '.y !he way !hey " spu!e" amon* !hemselves who was !he *rea!es!.' 1ow s!ran*e !h s soun"s@ 7ho woul" have !hou*h! !ha! a few f shermen an" pu&l %ans %oul" have &een over%ome &y env ous r valry$ an" !he "es re of suprema%yA 7ho woul" have e)pe%!e" !ha! poor men$ who ha" * ven up all for Chr s!#s sake$ woul" have &een !rou&le" &y s!r fe an" " ssens on$ as !o !he pla%e an" pre%e"en%e wh %h ea%h one "eserve"A 5e! so ! s. The fa%! s re%or"e" for our learn n*. The 1oly /p r ! has %ause" ! !o &e wr !!en "own for !he perpe!ual use of Chr s!#s Chur%h. 3e! us !ake %are !ha! ! s no! wr !!en n va n.

,! s an "rea"ful fa%!$ whe!her we l ke !o allow ! or no!$ !ha! pr "e s one of !he %ommones! s ns wh %h &ese! human na!ure. 7e are all &orn >har sees. 7e all na!urally !h nk far &e!!er of ourselves !han we ou*h!. 7e all na!urally ma* ne !ha! we "eserve some!h n* &e!!er !han we have. ,! s an ol" s n. ,! &e*an n !he *ar"en of ("en$ when 0"am an" (ve !hou*h! !hey ha" no! *o! every!h n* !ha! !he r mer !s "eserve". ,! s a su&!le s n. ,! rules an" re *ns n many a hear! w !hou! &e n* "e!e%!e"$ an" %an even wear !he *ar& of hum l !y. ,! s a mos! soul ru n n* s n. ,! preven!s repen!an%e$ keeps men &a%k from Chr s!--%he%ks &ro!herly love$ an" n ps n !he &u" sp r !ual "es res. 3e! us wa!%h a*a ns! !$ an" &e on our *uar". 4f all *armen!s$ none s so *ra%eful$ none wears so well$ an" none s so rare$ as !rue hum l !y. 3e! us mark$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ the peculiar standard of true greatness which our Lord sets before is disciples. 1e says !o !hem$ ',f anyone wan!s !o &e f rs!$ he mus! &e !he very las!$ an" !he servan! of all.' These wor"s are "eeply ns!ru%! ve. They show us !ha! !he ma) ms of !he worl" are " re%!ly %on!rary !o !he m n" of Chr s!. The worl"#s "ea of *rea!ness s !o rule$ &u! Chr s! an *rea!ness %ons s!s n serv n*. The worl"#s am& ! on s !o re%e ve honor an" a!!en! on$ &u! !he "es re of !he Chr s! an shoul" &e !o * ve ra!her !han re%e ve$ an" !o a!!en" on o!hers ra!her !han &e a!!en"e" on h mself. ,n shor!$ !he man who lays h mself ou! mos! !o serve h s fellow men$ an" !o &e useful n h s "ay an" *enera! on$ s !he *rea!es! man n !he eyes of Chr s!. 3e! us s!r ve !o make a pra%! %al use of !h s hear!-sear%h n* ma) m. 3e! us seek !o "o *oo" !o our fellow men$ an" !o mor! fy !ha! self-pleas n* an" self- n"ul*en%e$ !o wh %h we are all so prone. ,s !here any serv %e !ha! we %an ren"er !o our fellow Chr s! ansA ,s !here any k n"ness !ha! we %an "o !hem$ !o help !hem an" promo!e !he r happ nessA ,f !here s$ le! us "o ! w !hou! "elay. 7ell woul" ! &e for Chr s!en"om$ f emp!y &oas!s of %hur%hmansh p an" or!ho"o)y were less fre9uen!$ an" pra%! %al a!!en! on !o our 3or"#s wor"s n !h s passa*e more %ommon. The men who are w ll n* !o &e las! of all$ an" servan!s of all$ for Chr s!#s sake$ are always few. 5e! !hese are !he men who "o *oo"$ &reak "own pre+u" %es$ %onv n%e nf "els !ha! Chr s! an !y s a real !y$ an" shake !he worl". 3e! us mark$ n !he las! pla%e$ what encouragement our Lord gives us to show !indness to the least and lowest who believe in is name . 1e !ea%hes !h s lesson n a very !ou%h n* mannerG 1e !ook a %h l" n 1 s arms$ an" sa " !o 1 s " s% ples$ '7hoever shall re%e ve one of su%h %h l" n my name$ re%e ves me$ an" whoever shall re%e ve me$ re%e ves 1 m !ha! sen! me.' The pr n% ple here la " "own s a %on! nua! on of !ha! wh %h we have +us! %ons "ere". ,! s one wh %h s fool shness !o !he na!ural man. Blesh an" &loo" %an see no o!her way !o *rea!ness !han %rowns$ an" rank$ an" weal!h$ an" h *h pos ! on n !he worl". The /on of Go" "e%lares !ha! !he way l es n "evo! n* ourselves !o !he %are of !he weakes! an" lowes! of 1 s flo%k. 1e enfor%es 1 s "e%lara! on &y marvelous wor"s$ wh %h are of!en rea" an" hear" w !hou! !hou*h!. 1e !ells us !ha! !o 're%e ve one %h l" n 1 s name$ s !o re%e ve Chr s!$ an" !o re%e ve Chr s! s !o re%e ve Go".' There s r %h en%oura*emen! here for all who "evo!e !hemselves !o !he %har !a&le work of "o n* *oo" !o ne*le%!e" souls. There s en%oura*emen! for every one who la&ors !o res!ore !he ou!%as! !o a pla%e n so% e!y--!o ra se !he fallen--!o *a!her

!o*e!her !he ra**e" %h l"ren$ whom no man %ares for--!o plu%k !he wors! of %hara%!ers from a l fe of s n$ l ke &ran"s from !he &urn n* an" !o &r n* !he wan"erers home. 3e! all su%h !ake %omfor! when !hey rea" !hese wor"s. The r work may of!en &e har" an" " s%oura* n*. They may &e mo%ke"$ r " %ule"$ an" hel" up !o s%orn &y !he worl". .u! le! !hem know !ha! !he /on of Go" marks all !hey "o$ an" s well please". 7ha!ever !he worl" may !h nk$ !hese are !hey whom Jesus w ll "el *h! !o honor a! !he las! "ay.

Mark 9:38-50 7e see n !hese verses$ the mind of Christ on the great sub$ect of ()L01%(')* in religion. The apos!le John sa " !o Jesus$ 'Tea%her$ we saw a man us n* your name !o %as! ou! "emons$ &u! we !ol" h m !o s!op &e%ause he sn#! one of our *roup.' The man was "o n* a *oo" work w !hou! "ou&!. 1e was warr n* on !he same s "e as !he apos!les$ &eyon" 9ues! on. .u! !h s " " no! sa! sfy John. 1e " " no! work n !he %ompany of !he apos!les. 1e " " no! f *h! n l ne w !h !hem. 0n" !herefore John ha" oppose" h m. .u! le! us hear now wha! !he *rea! 1ea" of !he %hur%h "e% "es@ '6on#! s!op h m@' Jesus sa ". '2o one who performs m ra%les n my name w ll soon &e a&le !o speak ev l of me. 0nyone who s no! a*a ns! us s for us.' 1ere s a *ol"en rule n"ee"$ an" one !ha! human na!ure severely nee"s$ an" has !oo of!en for*o!!en. Men of all &ran%hes of Chr s!#s Chur%h are ap! !o !h nk !ha! no *oo" %an &e "one n !he worl"$ unless ! s "one &y !he r own par!y an" "enom na! on. They are so narrow-m n"e"$ !ha! !hey %anno! %on%e ve !he poss & l !y of work n* on any o!her pa!!ern &u! !ha! wh %h !hey follow. They make an "ol of !he r own pe%ul ar e%%les as! %al ma%h nery$ an" %an see no mer ! n any o!her. They are l ke h m who %r e" when (l"a" an" Me"a" prophes e" n !he %amp$ 'Moses$ my mas!er$ make !hem s!op@' (2um. 11:D8.) To !h s n!oleran! sp r ! we owe some of !he &la%kes! pa*es of Chur%h h s!ory. Chr s! ans have repea!e"ly perse%u!e" Chr s! ans for no &e!!er reason !han !ha! wh %h s here * ven &y John. They have pra%! %ally pro%la me" !o !he r &re!hren$ 'you shall e !her follow us$ or no! work for Chr s! a! all.' 3e! us &e on our *uar" a*a ns! !h s feel n*. ,! s only !oo near !he surfa%e of all our hear!s. 3e! us s!u"y !o real ?e !ha! l &eral$ !oleran! sp r ! wh %h Jesus here re%ommen"s$ an" &e !hankful for *oo" works wheresoever an" &y whoever "one. 3e! us &eware of !he sl *h!es! n%l na! on !o s!op an" %he%k o!hers$ merely &e%ause !hey "o no! %hoose !o a"op! our plans$ or work &y our s "e. 7e may !h nk our fellow Chr s! ans m s!aken n some po n!s. 7e may fan%y !ha! more woul" &e "one for Chr s!$ f !hey woul" +o n us$ an" f all worke" n !he same way. 7e may see many ev ls ar s n* from rel * ous " ssens ons an" " v s ons. .u! all !h s mus! no! preven! us re+o % n* f !he works of !he "ev l are "es!roye" an" souls are save". ,s our ne *h&or warr n* a*a ns! /a!anA ,s he really !ry n* !o la&or for Chr s!A Th s s !he *ran" 9ues! on. .e!!er a !housan" ! mes !ha! !he work shoul" &e "one &y o!her han"s !han no! "one a! all. 1appy s he who knows some!h n* of !he sp r ! of Moses$ when he sa "$ ', w sh !ha! all !he 3or"#s people were prophe!s$ an" !ha! !he 3or"

woul" pu! h s /p r ! upon !hem all@' an" of >aul$ when he says$ ',f Chr s! s prea%he"$ , re+o %e$ yes$ an" w ll re+o %e.' (2um. 11:D;G >h l. 1:18.) 7e see$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !hese verses$ the need of giving up anything that stands between us and the salvation of our souls . The 'han"' an" !he 'foo!' are !o &e %u! off$ an" !he 'eye' !o &e plu%ke" ou!$ f !hey are o%%as ons of fall n*. The !h n*s !ha! are "ear !o us as eye$ foo!$ or han"$ are !o &e %as! off an" * ven up f !hey n+ure our souls$ wha!ever pa n !he sa%r f %e may %os! us. Th s s a rule !ha! soun"s s!ern an" harsh a! f rs! s *h!. .u! our lov n* Mas!er " " no! * ve !he rule w !hou! %ause. Compl an%e w !h ! s a&solu!ely ne%essary$ s n%e ne*le%! of ! s !he sure way !o hell. 4ur &o" ly senses are !he %hannels !hrou*h wh %h many of our mos! form "a&le !emp!a! ons approa%h us. 4ur &o" ly mem&ers are rea"y ns!rumen!s of ev l$ &u! slow !o !ha! wh %h s *oo". The eye$ !he han"$ an" !he foo! are *oo" servan!s$ when un"er r *h! " re%! on. .u! !hey nee" "a ly wa!%h n*$ les! !hey lea" us n!o s n. 3e! us resolve &y Go"#s *ra%e !o make a pra%! %al use of our 3or"#s solemn n+un%! on n !h s pla%e. 3e! us re*ar" ! as !he a"v %e of a w se phys % an$ !he %ounsel of a !en"er fa!her$ !he warn n* of a fa !hful fr en". 1owever men may r " %ule us for our s!r %!ness an" pre% seness$ le! us ha& !ually '%ru% fy our flesh w !h !s affe%! ons an" lus!s.' 3e! us "eny ourselves any en+oymen!$ ra!her !han n%ur per l of s nn n* a*a ns! Go". 3e! us walk n Jo&#s s!eps--he says$ ', ma"e a %ovenan! w !h my eyes.' (Jo& =1:1.) 3e! us remem&er >aul--he says$ ', keep un"er my &o"y$ an" &r n* ! n!o su&+e%! on$ les! !ha! &y any means$ when , have prea%he" !o o!hers$ , myself shoul" &e a %as! away.' (1 Cor. ;:D7.) 7e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ n !hese verses$ the reality" awfulness" and eternity of future punishment. Three ! mes !he 3or" Jesus speaks of 'hell.' Three ! mes 1e men! ons !he 'worm !ha! never " es.' Three ! mes 1e says !ha! '!he f re s no! 9uen%he".' These are "rea"ful e)press ons. They %all for refle%! on ra!her !han e)pos ! on. They shoul" &e pon"ere"$ %ons "ere"$ an" remem&ere" &y all profess n* Chr s! ans. ,! ma!!ers l !!le whe!her we re*ar" !hem as f *ura! ve an" em&lema! %. ,f !hey are so$ one !h n* a! leas! s very %lear. The worm an" !he f re are em&lems of real !h n*s. There s a real hell$ an" !ha! hell s e!ernal. There s no mer%y n keep n* &a%k from men !he su&+e%! of hell. Bearful an" !remen"ous as ! s$ ! ou*h! !o &e presse" on all$ as one of !he *rea! !ru!hs of Chr s! an !y. 4ur lov n* /av or speaks fre9uen!ly of !. The apos!le John$ n !he &ook of Revela! on$ of!en "es%r &es !. The servan!s of Go" n !hese "ays mus! no! &e ashame" of %onfess n* !he r &el ef n !. 7ere !here no &oun"less mer%y n Chr s! for all !ha! &el eve n 1 m$ we m *h! well shr nk from !he "rea"ful !op %. 7ere !here no pre% ous &loo" of Chr s! a&le !o %leanse away all s n$ we m *h! well keep s len%e a&ou! !he wra!h !o %ome. .u! !here s mer%y for all who ask n Chr s!#s name. There s a foun!a n open for all s n. 3e! us !hen &ol"ly an" unhes !a! n*ly ma n!a n !ha! !here s a hell$ an" &esee%h men !o flee from !$ &efore ! &e !oo la!e. '8now n* !he !errors of !he 3or"$' !he worm$ an" !he f re$ le! us 'persua"e men.' (D Cor. 5:11.) ,! s no! poss &le !o say !oo mu%h a&ou! Chr s!. .u! ! s 9u !e poss &le !o say !oo l !!le a&ou! hell.

3e! !he %on%lu" n* wor"s of our 3or" r n* n our ears$ as we leave !he passa*e--'1ave sal! n yourselves$ an" have pea%e one w !h ano!her.' 3e! us make sure !ha! we have n our hear!s !he sav n* *ra%e of !he 1oly /p r !$ san%! fy n*$ pur fy n*$ preserv n* from %orrup! on$ our whole nwar" man. 3e! us wa!%h !he *ra%e * ven !o us w !h "a ly wa!%hfulness$ an" pray !o &e kep! from %arelessness an" s n$ les! we &e over!aken n faul!s$ &r n* m sery on our %ons% en%es$ an" " s%re" ! on our profess on. 0&ove all le! us l ve n pea%e one w !h ano!her$ no! seek n* *rea! !h n*s$ or s!r v n* for !he pre-em nen%e$ &u! %lo!he" w !h hum l !y$ an" lov n* all who love Chr s! n s n%er !y. These seem s mple !h n*s. .u! n a!!en" n* !o !hem s *rea! rewar".

Mark chapter 10
Mark 10:1-12 The open n* verse of !h s passa*e shows us the patient perseverance of our Lord Jesus Christ as a teacher . 7e are !ol" !ha! 'Jesus !hen lef! !ha! pla%e an" wen! n!o !he re* on of Ju"ea an" a%ross !he Jor"an. 0*a n %row"s of people %ame !o h m$ an" as was h s %us!om$ he !au*h! !hem.' 7herever our 3or" wen!$ 1e was always a&ou! 1 s Ba!her#s &us ness$ prea%h n*$ !ea%h n*$ an" la&or n* !o "o *oo" !o souls. 1e !hrew away no oppor!un !y. ,n !he whole h s!ory of 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry$ we never rea" of an "le "ay. 4f 1 m ! may &e !ruly sa "$ !ha! 1e 'sowe" &es "e all wa!ers$' an" !ha! ' n !he morn n* 1e sowe" h s see"$ an" n !he even n* w !hhel" no! 1 s han".' (,sa ah =D:DE. (%%les. 11:<.) 0n" ye! our 3or" knew !he hear!s of all men. 1e knew perfe%!ly well !ha! !he *rea! propor! on of 1 s hearers were har"ene" an" un&el ev n*. 1e knew$ as 1e spoke$ !ha! mos! of 1 s wor"s fell !o !he *roun" un%are" for an" unhee"e"$ an" !ha! so far as %on%erne" !he salva! on of souls$ mos! of 1 s la&or was n va n. 1e knew all !h s$ an" ye! 1e la&ore" on. 3e! us see n !h s fa%! a s!an" n* pa!!ern !o all who !ry !o "o *oo" !o o!hers$ wha!ever !he r off %e may &e. 3e! ! &e remem&ere" &y every m n s!er an" every m ss onary-&y every s%hoolmas!er an" every /un"ay-s%hool !ea%her--&y every " s!r %! v s !or an" every lay a*en!--&y every hea" of a house who has fam ly prayers--an" &y every %are!aker who has !he %har*e of %h l"ren. 3e! all su%h remem&er Chr s!#s e)ample$ an" resolve !o "o l kew se. 7e are no! !o * ve up !ea%h n*$ &e%ause we see no *oo" "one. 7e are no! !o rela) our e)er! ons$ &e%ause we see no fru ! of our !o l. 7e are !o work on s!ea" ly$ keep n* &efore us !he *rea! pr n% ple$ !ha! )+t' "* !+r*# an) re*+ t* are 0!)1*. There mus! &e plou*hmen an" sowers as well as reapers an" & n"ers of sheaves. The hones! mas!er pays h s la&orers a%%or" n* !o !he work !hey "o$ an" no! a%%or" n* !o !he %rops !ha! *row on h s lan". 4ur Mas!er n heaven w ll "eal w !h all 1 s servan!s a! !he las! "ay n l ke manner. 1e knows !ha! su%%ess s no! n !he r han"s. 1e knows !ha! !hey %anno! %han*e hear!s. 1e w ll rewar" !hem a%%or" n* !o !he r la&or$ an" no! a%%or" n* !o !he fru !s wh %h have resul!e" from !he r la&or. ,! s no! '!he *oo" an" successful servan!$' &u! '!he *oo" an" faithful servan!$' !o whom 1e w ll say$ '(n!er n!o !he +oy of your 3or".' (Ma!!. D5:D1.) The *rea!er por! on of !h s passa*e s mean! !o show us the dignity and importance

of marriage. ,! s pla n !ha! !he preva l n* op n ons of !he Jews upon !h s su&+e%!$ when our 3or" was upon ear!h$ were la) an" low n !he e)!reme. The & n" n* %hara%!er of !he marr a*e ! e was no! re%o*n ?e". 6 vor%e for sl *h! an" !r v al %auses was allowa&le an" %ommon. The "u! es of hus&an"s !owar"s w ves$ an" of w ves !owar"s hus&an"s$ as a na!ural %onse9uen%e$ were l !!le un"ers!oo". To %orre%! !h s s!a!e of !h n*s$ our 3or" se!s up a h *h an" holy s!an"ar" of pr n% ples. 1e refers !o !he or * nal ns! !u! on of marr a*e a! !he %rea! on$ as !he un on of one man an" one woman. 1e 9uo!es an" en"orses !he solemn wor"s use" a! !he marr a*e of 0"am an" (ve$ as wor"s of perpe!ual s *n f %an%e$ 'a man shall leave h s fa!her an" mo!her$ an" %leave !o h s w fe--an" !he !wo shall &e one flesh.' 1e a""s a solemn %ommen! !o !hese wor"s--'7ha! Go" has +o ne" !o*e!her$ le! no! man pu! asun"er.' 0n" f nally$ n reply !o !he n9u ry of 1 s " s% ples$ he "e%lares !ha! " vor%e followe" &y re-marr a*e$ e)%ep! for !he %ause of unfa !hfulness$ s a &rea%h of !he seven!h %omman"men!. The mpor!an%e of !he whole su&+e%!$ on wh %h our 3or" here pronoun%es +u"*men!$ %an har"ly &e over-ra!e". 7e ou*h! !o &e very !hankful !ha! we have so %lear an" full an e)pos ! on of 1 s m n" upon !. The marr a*e rela! onsh p l es a! !he very roo! of !he so% al sys!em of na! ons. The pu&l % moral !y of a people$ an" !he pr va!e happ ness of !he fam l es wh %h %ompose a na! on$ are "eeply nvolve" n !he whole 9ues! on of !he law of marr a*e. The e)per en%e of all na! ons %onf rms !he w s"om of our 3or"#s "e% s on n !h s passa*e n !he mos! s!r k n* manner. ,! s a fa%! %learly as%er!a ne"$ !ha! poly*amy$ an" perm ss on !o o&!a n " vor%e on sl *h! *roun"s$ have a " re%! !en"en%y !o promo!e mmoral !y. ,n shor!$ !he nearer a na! on#s laws a&ou! marr a*e approa%h !o !he law of Chr s!$ !he h *her has !he moral !one of !ha! na! on always prove" !o &e. ,! &e%omes all !hose who are marr e"$ or purpose marr a*e$ !o pon"er well !he !ea%h n* of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! n !h s passa*e. 4f all rela! ons of l fe$ none ou*h! !o &e re*ar"e" w !h su%h reveren%e$ an" none !aken n han" so %au! ously as !he rela! on of hus&an" an" w fe. ,n no rela! on s so mu%h ear!hly happ ness !o &e foun"$ f ! &e en!ere" upon " s%ree!ly$ a"v se"ly$ an" n !he fear of Go". ,n none s so mu%h m sery seen !o follow$ f ! &e !aken n han" una"v se"ly$ l *h!ly$ wan!only$ an" w !hou! !hou*h!. Brom no s!ep n l fe "oes so mu%h &enef ! %ome !o !he soul$ f people marry ' n !he 3or".' Brom none "oes !he soul !ake so mu%h harm$ f fan%y$ pass on$ or any mere worl"ly mo! ve s !he only %ause wh %h pro"u%e !he un on. /olomon was !he w ses! of men. '7as ! no! &e%ause of marr a*es l ke !hese !ha! /olomon k n* of ,srael s nne"A 0mon* !he many na! ons !here was no k n* l ke h m. 1e was love" &y h s Go"$ an" Go" ma"e h m k n* over all ,srael$ &u! even he was le" n!o s n &y fore *n women.' (2eh. 1=:D<.) There s$ unhapp ly$ only !oo mu%h ne%ess !y for mpress n* !hese !ru!hs upon people. ,! s a mournful fa%!$ !ha! few s!eps n l fe are *enerally !aken w !h so mu%h lev !y$ self-w ll$ an" for*e!fulness of Go" as marr a*e. Bew are !he youn* %ouples who !h nk of nv ! n* Chr s! !o !he r we"" n*@ ,! s a mournful fa%! !ha! unhappy marr a*es are one *rea! %ause of !he m sery an" sorrow of wh %h !here s so mu%h n !he worl". >eople f n" ou! !oo la!e !ha! !hey have ma"e a m s!ake$ an" *o n & !!erness all !he r "ays. 1appy are !hey$ who n !he ma!!er of marr a*e o&serve !hree rules. The f rs! s !o marry only n !he 3or"$ an" af!er prayer for Go"#s approval an" &less n*. The se%on" s no! !o e)pe%! !oo mu%h from !he r par!ners$ an" !o remem&er !ha! marr a*e s$ af!er all$ !he un on of !wo s nners$ an" no! of !wo an*els. The !h r" rule s !o s!r ve f rs! an" foremos! for one ano!her#s san%! f %a! on. The more

holy marr e" people are$ !he happ er !hey are. 'Chr s! love" !he %hur%h$ an" *ave 1 mself for !$ !ha! 1e m *h! san%! fy !.' ((ph. 5:D5$ D<.)

Mark 10:13-16 The s%ene &rou*h! &efore us n !hese four verses s "eeply n!eres! n*. 7e see youn* %h l"ren &rou*h! !o Chr s!$ '!ha! 1e shoul" !ou%h !hem$' an" !he " s% ples re&uk n* !hose !ha! &rou*h! !hem. 7e are !ol" !ha! when Jesus saw !h s 1e was 'mu%h " splease"$' an" re&uke" 1 s " s% ples n wor"s of a very remarka&le !enor. 0n" f nally we are !ol"$ !ha! '1e !ook !hem up n 1 s arms$ pu! 1 s han"s upon !hem$ an" &lesse" !hem.' 3e! us learn$ for one !h n*$ from !h s passa*e$ how much attention the souls of children should receive from the Church of Christ . The Grea! 1ea" of !he Chur%h foun" ! me !o !ake spe% al no! %e of %h l"ren. 0l!hou*h 1 s ! me on ear!h was pre% ous$ an" *rown-up men an" women were per sh n* on every s "e for la%k of knowle"*e$ 1e " " no! !h nk l !!le &oys an" * rls of small mpor!an%e. 1e ha" room n 1 s m *h!y hear! even for !hem. 1e "e%lare" &y 1 s ou!war" *es!ure an" "ee"$ 1 s *oo" w ll !owar" !hem. 0n" no! leas!$ 1e has lef! on re%or" wor"s %on%ern n* !hem$ wh %h 1 s Chur%h shoul" never for*e!$ '4f su%h s !he k n*"om of Go".' 7e mus! never allow ourselves !o suppose !ha! l !!le %h l"ren#s souls may &e safely le! alone. The r %hara%!ers for l fe "epen" e)%ee" n*ly on wha! !hey see an" hear "ur n* !he r f rs! seven years. They are never !oo youn* !o learn ev l an" s n. They are never !oo youn* !o re%e ve rel * ous mpress ons. They !h nk n !he r %h l" sh way a&ou! Go"$ an" !he r souls$ an" a worl" !o %ome$ far sooner an" far more "eeply !han mos! people are aware. They are far more rea"y !o respon" !o appeals !o !he r feel n* of r *h! an" wron* !han many suppose. They have ea%h a %ons% en%e. Go" has mer% fully no! lef! 1 mself w !hou! a w !ness n !he r hear!s$ fallen an" %orrup! as !he r na!ures are. They have ea%h a soul wh %h w ll l ve forever n heaven or n hell. 7e %anno! &e* n !oo soon !o en"eavor !o &r n* !hem !o Chr s!. These !ru!hs ou*h! !o &e " l *en!ly %ons "ere" &y every &ran%h of !he Chur%h of Chr s!. ,! s !he &oun"en "u!y of every Chr s! an %on*re*a! on !o make prov s on for !he sp r !ual !ra n n* of !s %h l"ren. The &oys an" * rls of every fam ly shoul" &e !au*h! as soon as !hey %an learn--shoul" &e &rou*h! !o pu&l % worsh p as soon as !hey %an &ehave w !h propr e!y--shoul" &e re*ar"e" w !h affe%! ona!e n!eres! as !he fu!ure %on*re*a! on$ wh %h w ll f ll our pla%es when we are "ea". 7e may %onf "en!ly e)pe%! Chr s!#s &less n* on all a!!emp!s !o "o *oo" !o %h l"ren. 2o %hur%h %an &e re*ar"e" as &e n* n a heal!hy s!a!e wh %h ne*le%!s !s youn*er mem&ers$ an" la? ly e)%uses !self on !he plea$ !ha! 'youn* people w ll &e youn*$' an" !ha! ! s useless !o !ry !o "o !hem *oo". /u%h a %hur%h shows pla nly !ha! ! has no! !he m n" of Chr s!. 0 %on*re*a! on wh %h %ons s!s of none &u! *rown up people$ whose %h l"ren are "l n* a! home or runn n* w l" n !he s!ree!s or f el"s$ s a mos! "eplora&le an" unsa! sfa%!ory s *h!. The mem&ers of su%h a %on*re*a! on may pr "e !hemselves on !he r num&ers$ an" on !he soun"ness of !he r own v ews. They may %on!en! !hemselves w !h lou" asser! ons !ha! !hey %anno! %han*e !he r %h l"ren#s hear!s$ an" !ha! Go" w ll %onver! !hem some "ay f he !h nks f !. .u! !hey have ye! !o learn !ha! Chr s! re*ar"s !hem as ne*le%! n* a solemn "u!y$ an" !ha! Chr s! ans who "o no! use every means !o &r n* %h l"ren !o Chr s! are %omm !! n* a *rea! s n.

3e! us learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !h s passa*e$ how much encouragement there is to bring young children to be baptized . 4f %ourse ! s no! pre!en"e" !ha! !here s any men! on of &ap! sm$ or even any referen%e !o ! n !he verses &efore us. 0ll we mean !o say s !ha! !he e)press ons an" *es!ures of our 3or" n !h s passa*e$ are a s!ron* n" re%! ar*umen! n favor of nfan! &ap! sm. ,! s on !h s a%%oun! !ha! !he passa*e o%%up es a prom nen! pla%e n !he &ap! smal serv %e of !he Chur%h of (n*lan". The su&+e%! of nfan! &ap! sm s un"ou&!e"ly a "el %a!e an" " ff %ul! one. 1oly an" pray n* men are una&le !o see al ke upon !. 0l!hou*h !hey rea" !he same . &le$ an" profess !o &e le" &y !he same /p r !$ !hey arr ve a! " fferen! %on%lus ons a&ou! !h s sa%ramen!. The *rea! ma+or !y of Chr s! ans hol" !ha! nfan! &ap! sm s s%r p!ural an" r *h!. 0 %ompara! vely small se%! on of !he >ro!es!an! Chur%h$ &u! one %on!a n n* many em nen! sa n!s amon* !s mem&ers$ re*ar"s nfan! &ap! sm as uns%r p!ural an" wron*. The " fferen%e s a melan%holy proof of !he &l n"ness an" nf rm !y wh %h rema n even n !he sa n!s of Go". .u! !he " fferen%e now referre" !o mus! no! make mem&ers of !he Chur%h of (n*lan" shr nk from hol" n* "e% "e" op n ons on !he su&+e%!. Tha! %hur%h has "e%lare" pla nly$ n !s 0r! %les$ !ha! '!he &ap! sm of youn* %h l"ren s n any w se !o &e re!a ne"$ as mos! a*reea&le w !h !he ns! !u! on of Chr s!.' To !h s op n on we nee" no! &e afra " !o a"here. ,! s allowe" on all s "es !ha! nfan!s may &e ele%! an" %hosen of Go" un!o salva! on--may &e washe" n Chr s!#s &loo"$ &orn a*a n of !he /p r !$ have *ra%e$ &e +us! f e"G san%! f e"$ an" en!er heaven. ,f !hese !h n*s &e so$ ! s har" !o see why !hey may no! re%e ve !he ou!war" s *n of &ap! sm. ,! s allowe" fur!hermore !ha! nfan!s are mem&ers of Chr s!#s v s &le %hur%h$ &y v r!ue of !he r paren!s# Chr s! an !y. 7ha! else %an we make of >aul#s wor"s$ 'now are !hey holy$' (1 Cor. 7:1C.) ,f !h s &e so$ ! s " ff %ul! !o un"ers!an" why an nfan! may no! re%e ve !he ou!war" s *n of a"m ss on n!o !he %hur%h$ +us! as !he Jew sh %h l" re%e ve" !he ou!war" s *n of % r%um% s on. The o&+e%! on !ha! &ap! sm ou*h! only !o &e * ven !o !hose who are ol" enou*h !o repen! an" &el eve$ "oes no! appear a %onv n% n* one. 7e rea" n !he 2ew Tes!amen! !ha! !he 'houses' of 3y" a an" /!ephanus were &ap! ?e"$ an" !ha! !he +a ler of >h l pp an" 'all h s' were &ap! ?e". ,! s very " ff %ul! !o suppose !ha! n no one of !hese !hree %ases were !here any %h l"ren. (0%!s 1<:15$ ==. 1 Cor. 1:1<.) The o&+e%! on !ha! our 3or" Jesus Chr s! 1 mself never " re%!ly %omman"e" nfan!s !o &e &ap! ?e" s no! a we *h!y one. The %hur%h of !he Jews$ !o wh %h 1e %ame$ ha" always &een a%%us!ome" !o a"m ! %h l"ren n!o !he %hur%h &y !he s *n of % r%um% s on. The very fa%! !ha! Jesus says no!h n* a&ou! !he a*e for &ap! ? n*$ *oes far !o prove !ha! 1e n!en"e" no %han*e !o &e ma"e. The su&+e%! may &e safely lef! here. Bew %on!rovers es have "one so mu%h harm$ an" le" !o so l !!le sp r !ual fru ! as !he %on!roversy a&ou! &ap! sm. 4n none has so mu%h &een sa " an" wr !!en w !hou! pro"u% n* %onv %! on. 4n none "oes e)per en%e seem !o show !ha! Chr s! ans ha" &e!!er leave ea%h o!her alone$ an" a*ree !o " ffer. The &ap! sm !ha! ! %on%erns us all !o know$ s no! so mu%h !he &ap! sm of wa!er$ as

!he &ap! sm of !he 1oly /p r !. Thousan"s are washe" n &ap! smal wa!ers who are never renewe" &y !he /p r !. 1ave we &een &orn a*a nA 1ave we re%e ve" !he 1oly /p r !$ an" &een ma"e new %rea!ures n Jesus Chr s!A ,f no!$ ! ma!!ers l !!le when$ an" where$ an" how we have &een &ap! ?e"G we are ye! n our s ns. 7 !hou! a new & r!h !here %an &e no salva! on. May we never res! un! l we know an" feel !ha! we have passe" from "ea!h !o l fe$ an" are n"ee" &orn of Go"@

Mark 10:17-27 The s!ory we have now rea" s re%or"e" no less !han !hree ! mes n !he 2ew Tes!amen!. Ma!!hew$ Mark$ an" 3uke were all nsp re" &y one /p r ! !o wr !e ! for our learn n*. There s no "ou&! a w se purpose n !h s !hree-fol" repe! ! on of !he same s mple fa%!s. ,! s n!en"e" !o show us !ha! !he lessons of !he passa*e "eserve par! %ular no! %e from !he Chur%h of Chr s!. 3e! us learn for one !h n* from !h s passa*e$ the self.ignorance of man. 7e are !ol" of one who '%ame runn n*' !o our 3or"$ an" 'kneele" !o h m an" aske"' !he solemn 9ues! on$ 'wha! shall , "o !ha! , may nher ! e!ernal l feA' 0! f rs! s *h! !here was mu%h !ha! was prom s n* n !h s man#s %ase. 1e showe" an) e!y a&ou! sp r !ual !h n*s$ wh le mos! aroun" h m were %areless an" n" fferen!. 1e showe" a " spos ! on !o reveren%e our 3or"$ &y kneel n* !o 1 m$ wh le /%r &es an" >har sees "esp se" 1 m. 5e! all !h s ! me !h s man was profoun"ly *noran! of h s own hear!. 1e hears our 3or" re% !e !hose %omman"men!s wh %h make up our "u!y !o our ne *h&or$ an" a! on%e "e%lares$ '0ll !hese have , o&serve" from my you!h.' The sear%h n* na!ure of !he moral law$ !s appl %a! on !o our !hou*h!s$ an" wor"s$ as well as a%! ons$ are ma!!ers w !h wh %h he s u!!erly una%9ua n!e". The sp r !ual &l n"ness here e)h & !e" s unhapp ly mos! %ommon. Myr a"s of profess n* Chr s! ans a! !he presen! "ay have no! an "ea of !he r own s nfulness an" *u l! n !he s *h! of Go". They fla!!er !hemselves !ha! !hey have never "one any!h n* very w %ke". 'They have never mur"ere"$ or s!olen$ or %omm !!e" a"ul!ery$ or &orne false w !ness. They %anno! surely &e n mu%h "an*er of m ss n* heaven.' They for*e! !he holy na!ure of !ha! Go" w !h whom !hey have !o "o. They for*e! how of!en !hey &reak 1 s law n !emper$ or ma* na! on$ even when !he r ou!war" %on"u%! s %orre%!. They never s!u"y su%h por! ons of /%r p!ure as !he f f!h %hap!er of Ma!!hew$ or a! any ra!e !hey s!u"y ! w !h a !h %k ve l over !he r hear!s$ an" "o no! apply ! !o !hemselves. The resul! s !ha! !hey are wrappe" up n self-r *h!eousness. 3 ke !he %hur%h of 3ao" %ea$ !hey are 'r %h an" n%rease" w !h *oo"s$ an" have nee" of no!h n*.' (Rev. =:17.) /elf-sa! sf e" !hey l ve$ an" self-sa! sf e" !oo of!en !hey " e. 3e! us &eware of !h s s!a!e of m n". /o lon* as we !h nk !ha! we %an keep !he law of Go"$ Chr s! prof !s us no!h n*. 3e! us pray for self-knowle"*e. 3e! us ask for !he 1oly /p r ! !o %onv n%e us of s n$ !o show us our own hear!s$ !o show us Go"#s hol ness$ an" so !o show us our nee" of Chr s!. 1appy s he who has learne" &y e)per en%e !he mean n* of >aul#s wor"s$ ', was al ve w !hou! !he law on%eG &u! when !he %omman"men! %ame$ s n rev ve"$ an" , " e".' (Rom. 7:;.) ,*noran%e of !he 3aw an" *noran%e of !he Gospel w ll *enerally &e foun" !o*e!her. 1e whose eyes have really &een opene" !o !he sp r !ual !y of !he %omman"men!s$ w ll never res! un! l he has foun" Chr s!.

3e! us learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !h s passa*e$ the love of Christ towards sinners. Th s s a !ru!h wh %h s &rou*h! ou! n !he e)press on use" &y Mark$ when$ n h s a%%oun! of !h s man#s s!ory$ he says$ !ha! 'Jesus &ehol" n* h m$ love" h m.' Tha! love$ &eyon" "ou&!$ was a love of p !y an" %ompass on. 4ur 3or" &ehel" w !h p !y !he s!ran*e m )!ure of earnes!ness an" *noran%e wh %h !he %ase &efore 1 m presen!e". 1e saw w !h %ompass on a soul s!ru**l n* w !h all !he weakness an" nf rm !y en!a le" &y !he fall--!he %ons% en%e ll a! ease$ an" sens &le !ha! ! nee"e" rel ef--!he un"ers!an" n* sunk n "arkness an" &l n"e" as !o !he f rs! pr n% ples of sp r !ual rel * on. Jus! as we look w !h sorrow a! some no&le ru n$ roofless$ an" sha!!ere"$ an" unf ! for man#s use$ ye! show n* many a mark of !he sk ll w !h wh %h ! was "es *ne" an" ra se" a! f rs!$ so may we suppose !ha! Jesus looke" w !h !en"er %on%ern a! !h s man#s soul. 7e mus! never for*e! !ha! Jesus feels love an" %ompass on for !he souls of !he un*o"ly. 7 !hou! %on!roversy 1e feels a " s! n*u sh n* love for !hose who hear 1 s vo %e an" follow 1 m. They are 1 s sheep$ * ven !o 1 m &y !he Ba!her$ an" wa!%he" w !h a spe% al %are. They are 1 s &r "e$ +o ne" !o 1 m n an everlas! n* %ovenan!$ an" "ear !o 1 m as par! of 1 mself. .u! !he hear! of Jesus s a w "e hear!. 1e has a&un"an%e of p !y$ %ompass on$ an" !en"er %on%ern even for !hose who are follow n* s n an" !he worl". 1e who wep! over un&el ev n* Jerusalem s s! ll !he same. 1e woul" s! ll *a!her n!o h s &osom !he *noran! an" self-r *h!eous$ !he fa !hless an" mpen !en!$ f !hey were only w ll n* !o &e *a!here". (Ma!!. D=:=7.) 7e may &ol"ly !ell !he %h ef of s nners !ha! Chr s! loves h m. /alva! on s rea"y for !he wors! of men$ f !hey w ll only %ome !o Chr s!. ,f men are los!$ ! s no! &e%ause Jesus "oes no! love !hem$ an" s no! rea"y !o save. 1 s own solemn wor"s unravel !he mys!ery$ 'Men love "arkness ra!her !han l *h!.' '5ou w ll no! %ome un!o me !ha! you m *h! have l fe.' (John =:1;G 5:CE.) 3e! us learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ the immense danger of the love of money. Th s s a lesson wh %h s !w %e enfor%e" on our no! %e. 4n%e ! %omes ou! n !he %on"u%! of !he man whose h s!ory s here rela!e". 7 !h all h s professe" "es re af!er e!ernal l fe$ he love" h s money &e!!er !han h s soul. '1e wen! away *r eve".' 4n%e ! %omes ou! n !he solemn wor"s of our 3or" !o 1 s " s% ples$ '1ow har" s ! for !hose who have r %hes !o en!er n!o !he k n*"om of Go".' ',! s eas er for a %amel !o *o !hrou*h !he eye of a nee"le !han for a r %h man !o en!er n!o !he k n*"om of Go".' The las! "ay alone w ll fully prove how !rue !hose wor"s are. 3e! us wa!%h a*a ns! !he love of money. ,! s a snare !o !he poor as well as !o !he r %h. ,! s no! so mu%h !he hav n* money$ as !he !rus! n* n !$ wh %h ru ns !he soul. 3e! us pray for %on!en!men! w !h su%h !h n*s as we have. The h *hes! w s"om s !o &e of one m n" w !h >aul$ ', have learne"$ n wha!ever s!a!e , am$ !herew !h !o &e %on!en!.' (>h l. C:11.)

Mark 10:28-34 The f rs! !h n* wh %h "eman"s our a!!en! on n !hese verses$ s the glorious promise which they contain. The 3or" Jesus sa " !o 1 s apos!les$ ', !ell you !he !ru!h$ no one who has lef! home or &ro!hers or s s!ers or mo!her or fa!her or %h l"ren

or f el"s for me an" !he *ospel w ll fa l !o re%e ve a hun"re" ! mes as mu%h n !h s presen! a*e (homes$ &ro!hers$ s s!ers$ mo!hers$ %h l"ren an" f el"s--an" w !h !hem$ perse%u! ons) an" n !he a*e !o %ome$ e!ernal l fe.' There are few w "er prom ses !han !h s n !he wor" of Go". There s none %er!a nly n !he 2ew Tes!amen! wh %h hol"s ou! su%h en%oura*emen! for !he l fe !ha! now s. 3e! every one !ha! s fearful an" fa n!-hear!e" n Chr s!#s serv %e look a! !h s prom se. 3e! all who are en"ur n* har"ness an" !r &ula! on for Chr s!#s sake$ s!u"y !h s prom se well$ an" "r nk ou! of ! %omfor!. To all who make sa%r f %es on a%%oun! of !he Gospel$ Jesus prom ses 'an hun"re"fol" now n !h s ! me.' They shall have no! only par"on an" *lory n !he worl" !o %ome. They shall have even here upon ear!h$ hopes$ an" +oys$ an" sens &le %omfor!s suff % en! !o make up for all !ha! !hey lose. They shall f n" n !he %ommun on of sa n!s$ new fr en"s$ new rela! ons$ new %ompan ons$ more lov n*$ fa !hful$ an" valua&le !han any !hey ha" &efore !he r %onvers on. The r n!ro"u%! on n!o !he fam ly of Go" shall &e an a&un"an! re%ompense for e)%lus on from !he so% e!y of !h s worl". Th s may soun" s!ar!l n* an" n%re" &le !o many ears. .u! !housan"s have foun" &y e)per en%e !ha! ! s !rue. To all who make sa%r f %es on a%%oun! of !he Gospel$ Jesus prom ses 'e!ernal l fe n !he worl" !o %ome.' 0s soon as !hey pu! off !he r ear!hly !a&erna%le$ !hey shall en!er upon a *lor ous e) s!en%e$ an" n !he morn n* of !he resurre%! on shall re%e ve su%h honor an" +oy as pass man#s un"ers!an" n*. The r l *h! affl %! ons for a few years shall en" n an everlas! n* rewar". The r f *h!s an" sorrows wh le n !he &o"y$ shall &e e)%han*e" for perfe%! res! an" a %on9ueror#s %rown. They shall "well n a worl" where !here s no "ea!h$ no s n$ no "ev l$ no %ares$ no weep n*$ no par! n*$ for !he former !h n*s w ll have passe" away. Go" has sa " !$ an" ! shall all &e foun" !rue. 7here s !he sa n! who w ll "are !o say n !he fa%e of !hese *lor ous prom ses$ !ha! !here s no en%oura*emen! !o serve Chr s!A 7here s !he man or woman whose han"s are &e* nn n* !o han* "own$ an" whose knees are &e* nn n* !o fa n! n !he Chr s! an ra%eA 3e! all su%h pon"er !h s passa*e$ an" !ake fresh %oura*e. The ! me s shor!. The en" s sure. 1eav ness may en"ure for a n *h!$ &u! +oy %omes n !he morn n*. 3e! us wa ! pa! en!ly on !he 3or". The se%on" !h n*$ wh %h "eman"s our a!!en! on n !hese verses$ s the solemn warning which they contain. The 3or" Jesus saw !he se%re! self-%on%e ! of 1 s apos!les. 1e * ves !hem a wor" n season !o %he%k !he r h *h !hou*h!s. 'Many !ha! are f rs! shall &e las!$ an" !he las! f rs!.' 1ow !rue were !hese wor"s$ when appl e" !o !he T7(3J( 0>4/T3(/@ There s!oo" amon* !hose who hear" our 3or" speak$ a man who a! one ! me seeme" l kely !o &e one of !he foremos! of !he !welve. 1e was one who appeare" more %areful an" !rus!wor!hy !han any. 1e ha" !he %har*e of !he money &a*$ an" kep! wha! was pu! n !. 0n" ye! !ha! man fell away an" %ame !o a " s*ra%eful en". 1 s name was Ju"as ,s%ar o!. 0*a n$ !here " " no! s!an" amon* our 3or"#s hearers !ha! "ay one who a! a la!er per o" " " more for Chr s! !han any of !he !welve. 0! !he ! me when our 3or" spoke he was a youn* >har see$ &rou*h! up a! !he fee! of Gamal el$ an" ?ealous for no!h n* so mu%h as !he law. 0n" ye! !ha! youn* man n !he en" was %onver!e" !o !he

fa !h of Chr s!$ was no! &eh n" !he %h ef apos!les$ an" la&ore" more a&un"an!ly !han all. 1 s name was /aul. 7ell m *h! our 3or" say$ '!he f rs! shall &e las!G an" !he las! f rs!.' 1ow !rue were !hese wor"s$ when we apply !hem !o !he 1,/T4R5 4B C1R,/T,02 C1HRC1(/@ There was a ! me when 0s a M nor$ an" Gree%e$ an" 2or!hern 0fr %a$ were full of profess n* Chr s! ans$ wh le (n*lan" an" 0mer %a were hea!hen lan"s. / )!een hun"re" years have ma"e a m *h!y %han*e. The %hur%hes of 0fr %a an" 0s a have fallen n!o %omple!e "e%ay. The (n*l sh an" 0mer %an %hur%hes are la&or n* !o sprea" !he Gospel over !he worl". 7ell m *h! our 3or" say$ '!he f rs! shall &e las!$ an" !he las! f rs!.' 1ow !rue !hese wor"s appear !o &el evers$ when !hey look &a%k over !he r own l ves$ an" remem&er all !hey have seen from !he ! me of !he r own %onvers on@ 1ow many &e*an !o serve Chr s! a! !he same ! me w !h !hemselves an" seeme" !o run well for a season. .u! where are !hey nowA The worl" has *o! hol" of one. Balse "o%!r ne has &e*u le" ano!her. 0 m s!ake n marr a*e has spo le" a !h r". Bew n"ee" are !he &el evers who %anno! %all !o m n" many su%h %ases. Bew have fa le" !o " s%over$ &y sorrowful e)per en%e$ !ha! '!he las! are of!en f rs!$ an" !he f rs! las!.' 3e! us learn !o pray for hum l !y$ when we rea" !e)!s l ke !h s. ,! s no! enou*h !o &e* n well. 7e mus! persevere$ an" *o on$ an" %on! nue n well-"o n*. 7e mus! no! &e %on!en! w !h !he fa r &lossoms of a few rel * ous %onv %! ons$ an" +oys$ an" sorrows$ an" hopes$ an" fears. 7e mus! &ear !he *oo" fru ! of se!!le" ha& !s of repen!an%e$ fa !h$ an" hol ness. 1appy s he who %oun!s !he %os!$ an" resolves$ hav n* on%e &e*un !o walk n !he narrow way$ &y Go"#s *ra%e never !o !urn as "e. The las! !h n* !ha! "eman"s our a!!en! on n !h s passa*e$ s our Lord's clear fore!nowledge of is own suffering and death . Calmly an" "el &era!ely 1e !ells 1 s " s% ples of 1 s %om n* pass on a! Jerusalem. 4ne af!er ano!her 1e "es%r &es all !he lea" n* % r%ums!an%es wh %h woul" a!!en" 1 s "ea!h. 2o!h n* s reserve". 2o!h n* s kep! &a%k. 3e! us mark !h s well. There was no!h n* nvolun!ary an" unforeseen n our 3or"#s "ea!h. ,! was !he resul! of h s own free$ "e!erm na!e$ an" "el &era!e %ho %e. Brom !he &e* nn n* of 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry 1e saw !he %ross &efore 1 m$ an" wen! !o ! a w ll n* sufferer. 1e knew !ha! 1 s "ea!h was !he nee"ful paymen! !ha! mus! &e ma"e !o re%on% le Go" an" man. Tha! paymen! 1e ha" %ovenan!e" an" en*a*e" !o make a! !he pr %e of 1 s own &loo". 0n" so when !he appo n!e" ! me %ame$ l ke a fa !hful su&s! !u!e$ 1e kep! 1 s wor"$ an" " e" for our s ns on Calvary. 3e! us ever &less Go" !ha! !he Gospel se!s &efore us su%h a /av or$ so fa !hful !o !he !erms of !he %ovenan!--so rea"y !o suffer--so w ll n* !o &e re%kone" s n an" a %urse n our s!ea". 3e! us no! "ou&! !ha! 1e who fulf lle" h s en*a*emen! !o suffer$ w ll also fulf ll 1 s en*a*emen! !o save all who %ome !o 1 m. 3e! us no! only a%%ep! 1 m *la"ly as our Re"eemer an" 0"vo%a!e$ &u! *la"ly * ve ourselves$ an" all we have$ !o 1 s serv %e. /urely$ f Jesus %heerfully " e" for us$ ! s a small !h n* !o re9u re Chr s! ans !o l ve for 1 m.

Mark 10:35-45

3e! us mark n !h s passa*e$ the ignorance of our #ord"s disciples . 7e f n" James an" John pe! ! on n* for !he f rs! pla%es n !he k n*"om of *lory. 7e f n" !hem %onf "en!ly "e%lar n* !he r a& l !y !o "r nk of !he r Mas!er#s %up an" &e &ap! ?e" w !h !he r Mas!er#s &ap! sm. ,n sp !e of all !he pla n warn n*s of our 3or"$ !hey %lun* o&s! na!ely !o !he &el ef !ha! Chr s!#s k n*"om on ear!h was mme" a!ely *o n* !o appear. 2o!w !hs!an" n* !he r many shor!%om n*s n Chr s!#s serv %e$ !hey ha" no m s* v n*s as !o !he r power !o en"ure any !h n* wh %h m *h! %ome upon !hem. 7 !h all !he r fa !h$ an" *ra%e$ an" love !o Jesus$ !hey ne !her knew !he r own hear!s$ nor !he na!ure of !he pa!h &efore !hem. They s! ll "reame" of !emporal %rowns$ an" ear!hly rewar"s. They s! ll knew no! wha! manner of men !hey were. There are few !rue Chr s! ans who "o no! resem&le James an" John$ when !hey f rs! &e* n !he serv %e of Chr s!. 7e are ap! !o e)pe%! far more presen! en+oymen! from our rel * on$ !han !he Gospel warran!s us !o e)pe%!. 7e are ap! !o for*e! !he %ross$ an" !he !r &ula! on$ an" !o !h nk only of !he %rown. 7e form an n%orre%! es! ma!e of our own for! !u"e an" power of en"uran%e. 7e m s+u"*e our own a& l !y !o s!an" !emp!a! on an" !r al. 0n" !he resul! of all s !ha! we of!en &uy w s"om "early$ &y & !!er e)per en%e$ af!er many " sappo n!men!s$ an" no! a few falls. 3e! !he %ase &efore us !ea%h us !he mpor!an%e of a sol " an" %alm +u"*men! n our rel * on. 3 ke James an" John$ we are r *h! n %ove! n* !he &es! * f!s$ an" n !ell n* all our "es res !o Chr s!. 3 ke !hem we are r *h! n &el ev n* !ha! Jesus s 8 n* of k n*s$ an" w ll one "ay re *n upon !he ear!h. .u! le! us no!$ l ke !hem$ for*e! !ha! !here s a %ross !o &e &orne &y every Chr s! an$ an" !ha! '!hrou*h mu%h !r &ula! on we mus! en!er n!o !he k n*"om of Go".' (0%!s 1C:DD.) 3e! us no!$ l ke !hem$ &e over%onf "en! n our own s!ren*!h$ an" forwar" n profess n* !ha! we %an "o any!h n* !ha! Chr s! re9u res. 3e! us$ n shor!$ &eware of a &oas!ful sp r !$ when we f rs! &e* n !o run !he Chr s! an %ourse. ,f we remem&er !h s$ ! may save us many a hum&l n* fall. 3e! us mark$ se%on"ly$ n !h s passa*e$ what praise our Lord bestows on lowliness" and devotion to the good of others . ,! seems !ha! !he !en were mu%h " splease" w !h James an" John$ &e%ause of !he pe! ! on wh %h !hey ma"e !o !he r Mas!er. The r am& ! on an" love of pre-em nen%e were on%e more e)% !e" a! !he "ea of any one &e n* pla%e" a&ove !hemselves. 4ur 3or" saw !he r feel n*s$ an"$ l ke a w se phys % an$ pro%ee"e" a! on%e !o supply a %orre%! ve me" % ne. 1e !ells !hem !ha! !he r "eas of *rea!ness were &u l! on a m s!aken foun"a! on. 1e repea!s w !h renewe" emphas s$ !he lesson alrea"y la " "own n !he pre%e" n* %hap!er$ '7hoever of you w ll &e !he %h ef$ shall &e servan! of all.' 0n" 1e &a%ks up all &y !he overwhelm n* ar*umen! of 1 s own e)ample--'(ven !he /on of man %ame no! !o &e m n s!ere" un!o$ &u! !o m n s!er.' 3e! all who "es re !o please Chr s!$ wa!%h an" pray a*a ns! self-es!eem. ,! s a feel n* wh %h s "eeply roo!e" n our hear!s. Thousan"s have %ome ou! from !he worl"$ !aken up !he %ross$ professe" !o forsake !he r own r *h!eousness$ an" &el eve n Chr s!$ who have fel! rr !a!e" an" annoye"$ when a &ro!her has &een more honore" !han !hemselves. These !h n*s ou*h! no! so !o &e. 7e ou*h! of!en !o pon"er !he wor"s of >aul$ '3e! no!h n* &e "one !hrou*h s!r fe or va n *loryG &u! n lowl ness of m n"$ le! ea%h es!eem o!hers &e!!er !han !hemselves.' (>h l pp. D:=.) .lesse" s !ha! man who %an s n%erely an" *la"ly re+o %e when o!hers are e)al!e"$ !hou*h he h mself s overlooke" an" passe" &y@ 0&ove all$ le! all who "es re !o walk n Chr s!#s s!eps la&or !o &e useful !o o!hers. 3e!

!hem lay !hemselves ou! !o "o *oo" n !he r "ay an" *enera! on. There s always a vas! f el" for "o n* !$ f men have !he w ll an" n%l na! on. 3e! !hem never for*e!$ !ha! !rue *rea!ness "oes no! %ons s! n &e n* an a"m ral$ or a *eneral--a s!a!esman$ or an ar! s!. ,! %ons s!s n "evo! n* ourselves$ &o"y$ an" soul$ an" sp r ! !o !he &lesse" work of mak n* our fellow men more holy an" more happy. ,! s !hose who e)er! !hemselves &y !he use of /%r p!ure means !o lessen !he sorrow$ an" n%rease !he +oy of all aroun" !hem--!he 1owar"s$ !he 7 l&erfor%es$ !he Mar!yns$ !he Ju"sons of a %oun!ry--who are !ruly *rea! n !he s *h! of Go". 7h le !hey l ve !hey are lau*he" a!$ mo%ke"$ r " %ule"$ an" of!en perse%u!e". .u! !he r memor al s on h *h. The r names are wr !!en n heaven. The r pra se en"ures forever. 3e! us remem&er !hese !h n*s$ an" wh le we have ! me "o *oo" un!o all men$ an" &e servan!s of all for Chr s!#s sake. 3e! us s!r ve !o leave !he worl" &e!!er$ hol er$ happ er !han ! was when we were &orn. 0 l fe spen! n !h s way s !ruly Chr s!-l ke$ an" &r n*s !s own rewar". 3e! us mark$ las!ly$ n !h s passa*e$ the language which our Lord uses in spea!ing of is own death . 1e says$ 'The /on of Man %ame !o * ve 1 s l fe a ransom for many.' Th s s one of !hose e)press ons wh %h ou*h! !o &e %arefully !reasure" up n !he m n"s of all !rue Chr s! ans. ,! s one of !he !e)!s wh %h prove n%on!rover! &ly !he a!on n* %hara%!er of Chr s!#s "ea!h. Tha! "ea!h was no %ommon "ea!h$ l ke !he "ea!h of a mar!yr$ or of o!her holy men. ,! was !he pu&l % paymen!$ &y an 0lm *h!y Represen!a! ve$ of !he "e&!s of s nful man !o a holy Go". ,! was !he ransom wh %h a 6 v ne /ure!y un"er!ook !o prov "e$ n or"er !o pro%ure l &er!y for s nners$ ! e" an" &oun" &y !he %ha n of !he r s ns. .y !ha! "ea!h Jesus ma"e a full an" %omple!e sa! sfa%! on for man#s %oun!less !rans*ress ons. 1e &ore our s ns n 1 s own &o"y on !he !ree. The 3or" la " on 1 m !he n 9u !y of us all. 7hen 1e " e"$ 1e " e" for us. 7hen 1e suffere"$ 1e suffere" n our s!ea". 7hen 1e hun* on !he %ross$ 1e hun* !here as our /u&s! !u!e. 7hen 1 s &loo" flowe"$ ! was !he pr %e of our souls. 3e! all who !rus! n Chr s! !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h! !ha! !hey &u l" on a sure foun"a! on. ,! s !rue !ha! we are s nners$ &u! Chr s! has &orne our s ns. ,! s !rue !ha! we are poor helpless "e&!ors$ &u! Chr s! has pa " our "e&!s. ,! s !rue !ha! we "eserve !o &e shu! up forever n !he pr son of hell. .u! !hanks &e !o Go"$ Chr s! has pa " a full an" %omple!e ransom for us. The "oor s w "e open. The pr soners may *o free. May we all know !h s pr v le*e &y hear!fel! e)per en%e$ an" walk n !he &lesse" l &er!y of !he %h l"ren of Go".

Mark 10:46-52 7e rea" n !hese verses an a%%oun! of one of our 3or"#s m ra%les. 3e! us see n !$ as we rea"$ a v v " em&lem of sp r !ual !h n*s. 7e are no! s!u"y n* a h s!ory wh %h %on%erns us personally no more !han !he e)plo !s of Caesar or 0le)an"er. 7e have &efore us a p %!ure wh %h ou*h! !o &e "eeply n!eres! n* !o !he soul of every Chr s! an. ,n !he f rs! pla%e$ we have here an e#ample of strong faith. 7e are !ol" !ha! as Jesus wen! ou! of Jer %ho$ a &l n" man name" .ar! maeus 'sa! &y !he ways "e &e** n*. 0n" when he hear" !ha! ! was Jesus of 2a?are!h$ he &e*an !o %ry ou!$ an" say$ Jesus$ /on of 6av "$ have mer%y on me.'

.ar! maeus was &l n" n &o"y$ &u! no! n soul. The eyes of h s un"ers!an" n* were open. 1e saw !h n*s wh %h 0nnas an" Ca aphas$ an" hos!s of le!!er-learne" /%r &es an" >har sees$ never saw a! all. 1e saw !ha! Jesus of 2a?are!h$ as our 3or" was %on!emp!uously %alle"--Jesus$ who ha" l ve" for !h r!y years n an o&s%ure Gal lean v lla*e--!h s very Jesus was !he /on of 6av "--!he Mess ah of whom prophe!s ha" prophes e" lon* a*o. 1e ha" w !nesse" none of our 3or"#s m *h!y m ra%les. 1e ha" no! ha" !he oppor!un !y of &ehol" n* "ea" people ra se" w !h a wor"$ an" lepers heale" &y a !ou%h. 4f all !hese pr v le*es$ h s &l n"ness !o!ally "epr ve" h m. .u! he ha" hear" !he repor! of our 3or"#s m *h!y works$ an" hear n* ha" &el eve". 1e was sa! sf e" from mere hear-say$ !ha! 1e of whom su%h won"erful !h n*s were repor!e"$ mus! &e !he prom se" /av or$ an" mus! &e a&le !o heal h m. 0n" so when our 3or" "rew near$ he %r e"$ 'Jesus$ /on of 6av "$ have mer%y on me.' 3e! us s!r ve an" pray !ha! we may have l ke pre% ous fa !h. 3 ke .ar! maeus$ we are no! allowe" !o see Jesus w !h our &o" ly eyes. .u! we have !he repor! of 1 s power$ an" *ra%e$ an" w ll n*ness !o save$ n !he Gospel. 7e have e)%ee" n* *rea! prom ses from 1 s own l ps$ wr !!en "own for our en%oura*emen!. 3e! us !rus! !hose prom ses mpl % !ly$ an" %omm ! our souls !o Chr s! unhes !a! n*ly. 3e! us no! &e afra " !o repose all our %onf "en%e on 1 s own *ra% ous wor"s$ an" !o &el eve !ha! wha! 1e has en*a*e" !o "o for s nners$ 1e w ll surely perform. 7ha! s !he &e* nn n* of all sav n* fa !h$ &u! a soul#s ven!ure on Chr s!A 7ha! s !he l fe of sav n* fa !h$ when on%e &e*un$ &u! a %on! nual lean n* on an unseen /av or#s wor"A 7ha! s !he f rs! s!ep of a Chr s! an$ &u! a %ry n*$ l ke .ar! maeus$ 'Jesus have mer%y on meA' 7ha! s !he "a ly %ourse of a Chr s! an$ &u! keep n* up !he same sp r ! of fa !hA 'Thou*h now we see 1 m no!$ ye! &el ev n* we re+o %e w !h +oy unspeaka&le$ an" full of *lory.' (1 >e!er 1:8.) 7e have$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !hese verses$ an e#ample of determined perseverance in the face of difficulties . 7e are !ol" !ha! when .ar! maeus &e*an !o %ry ou!$ 'Jesus$ /on of 6av " have mer%y on me$' he me! w !h l !!le en%oura*emen! from !hose who were near h m. 4n !he %on!rary$ 'many %har*e" h m !ha! he shoul" hol" h s pea%e.' .u! he was no! !o &e s!oppe". ,f o!hers " " no! know !he m sery of &l n"ness$ he " ". ,f o!hers " " no! !h nk ! wor!h wh le !o !ake su%h !rou&le$ n or"er !o o&!a n rel ef$ he$ a! any ra!e$ knew &e!!er. 1e %are" no! for !he re&ukes of unfeel n* &ys!an"ers. 1e hee"e" no! !he r " %ule wh %h h s mpor!un !y pro&a&ly &rou*h! on h m. '1e %r e" !he more a *rea! "eal$' an" so %ry n* o&!a ne" h s hear!#s "es re$ an" re%e ve" h s s *h!. 3e! all who w sh !o &e save"$ mark well !h s %on"u%! of .ar! maeus$ an" walk " l *en!ly n h s s!eps. 3 ke h m$ we mus! %are no!h n* wha! o!hers !h nk an" say of us$ when we seek !he heal n* of our souls. There never w ll &e la%k n* people who w ll !ell us !ha! ! s '!oo soon$' or '!oo la!e' !ha! we are *o n* '!oo fas!$' or '!oo far' !ha! we nee" no! pray so mu%h$ or rea" our . &les so mu%h--or &e so an) ous a&ou! salva! on. 7e mus! * ve no hee" !o su%h people. 3 ke .ar! maeus$ we mus! cry the more$ 'Jesus have mer%y on me.' 7ha! s !he reason !ha! men are so half-hear!e" n seek n* Chr s!A 7hy are !hey so soon "e!erre"$ an" %he%ke"$ an" " s%oura*e" n "raw n* near !o Go"A The answer s shor! an" s mple. They "o no! feel suff % en!ly !he r own s ns. They are no! !horou*hly %onv n%e" of !he pla*ue of !he r own hear!s$ an" !he " sease of !he r own souls. 4n%e le! a man see h s own *u l!$ as ! really s$ an" he w ll never res! un! l he has foun" par"on an" pea%e n Chr s!. ,! s !hey who$ l ke .ar! maeus$ really know

!he r own "eplora&le %on" ! on$ who persevere$ l ke .ar! maeus$ an" are f nally heale". ,n !he las! pla%e$ we have$ n !hese verses$ an e#ample of the constraining influence which gratitude to Christ ought to have upon our souls . .ar! maeus " " no! re!urn home as soon as he was res!ore" !o s *h!. 1e woul" no! leave 1 m from whom he ha" re%e ve" su%h mer%y. 0! on%e he "evo!e" !he new powers$ wh %h h s %ure *ave h m$ !o !he /on of 6av " who ha" worke" !he %ure. 1 s h s!ory %on%lu"es w !h !he !ou%h n* e)press on$ he 'followe" Jesus n !he way.' 3e! us see n !hese s mple wor"s$ a l vely em&lem of !he effe%! !ha! !he *ra%e of Chr s! ou*h! !o have on every one who !as!es !. ,! ou*h! !o make h m a follower of Jesus n h s l fe$ an" !o "raw h m w !h m *h!y power n!o !he way of hol ness. Breely par"one"$ he ou*h! !o * ve h mself freely an" w ll n*ly !o Chr s!#s serv %e. .ou*h! a! so m *h!y a pr %e as !he &loo" of Chr s!$ he ou*h! !o "evo!e h mself hear! ly an" !horou*hly !o 1 m who re"eeme" h m. Gra%e really e)per en%e" w ll make a man feel "a ly$ '7ha! shall , ren"er !o !he 3or" for all 1 s &enef !s.' ,! " " so for !he apos!le >aul--he says$ '!he love of Chr s! %ons!ra ns us.' (D Cor. 5:1C.) ,! w ll "o so for all !rue Chr s! ans a! !he presen! "ay. The man who &oas!s of hav n* a sav n* n!eres! n Chr s!$ wh le he "oes no! follow Chr s! n h s l fe$ s a m sera&le self"e%e ver$ an" s ru n n* h s own soul. '0s many as are le" &y !he /p r ! of Go"$ !hey$' an" !hey only$ 'are !he sons of Go".' (Rom. 8:1C.) 1ave we ha" our eyes opene" &y !he /p r ! of Go"A 1ave we ye! &een !au*h! !o see s n$ an" Chr s!$ an" hol ness$ an" heaven$ n !he r !rue l *h!A Can we say$ 4ne !h n* , know$ !ha! whereas , was &l n"$ now , seeA ,f so$ we shall know !he !h n*s of wh %h we have &een rea" n*$ &y e)per en%e. ,f no!$ we are ye! n !he &roa" way !ha! lea"s !o "es!ru%! on$ an" have every!h n* !o learn.

Mark chapter 11
Mark 11:1-11 The even! "es%r &e" n !hese verses$ s a s n*ular e)%ep! on n !he h s!ory of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry. Generally speak n*$ we see Jesus w !h"raw n* 1 mself from pu&l % no! %e--of!en pass n* 1 s ! me n !he remo!e par!s of Gal lee--no! nfre9uen!ly a& " n* n !he w l"erness--an" so fulf ll n* !he prophe%y$ !ha! 1e shoul" 'no! %ry$ nor s!r ve$ nor le! 1 s vo %e &e hear" n !he s!ree!s.' 1ere$ an" here only$ our 3or" appears !o "rop 1 s pr va!e %hara%!er$ an" of 1 s own %ho %e !o %all pu&l % a!!en! on !o 1 mself. 1e "el &era!ely makes a pu&l % en!ry n!o Jerusalem$ a! !he hea" of 1 s " s% ples. 1e volun!ar ly r "es n!o !he holy % !y$ surroun"e" &y a vas! mul! !u"e$ %ry n*$ 1osanna$ l ke k n* 6av " re!urn n* !o h s pala%e n !r umph. (D /am. 1;:CE.) 0ll !h s !oo was "one a! a ! me when myr a"s of Jews were *a!here" ou! of every lan" !o Jerusalem$ !o keep !he >assover. 7e may well &el eve !ha! !he holy % !y ran* w !h !he ! " n*s of our 3or"#s arr val. ,! s pro&a&le !here was no! a house n Jerusalem n wh %h !he en!ry of !he prophe! of 2a?are!h was no! known an" !alke" of !ha! n *h!. These !h n*s shoul" always &e remem&ere" n rea" n* !h s por! on of our 3or"#s h s!ory. ,! s no! for no!h n* !ha! !h s en!ry n!o Jerusalem s four ! mes rela!e" n !he 2ew Tes!amen!. ,! s ev "en! !ha! ! s a s%ene n !he ear!hly l fe of Jesus$ wh %h Chr s! ans are n!en"e" !o s!u"y w !h spe% al a!!en! on. 3e! us s!u"y ! n !ha! sp r !$

an" see wha! pra%! %al lessons we may learn from !he passa*e for our own souls. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ how public our Lord purposely made the last act of is life. 1e %ame !o Jerusalem !o " e$ an" 1e "es re" !ha! all Jerusalem shoul" know !. 7hen 1e !au*h! !he "eep !h n*s of !he /p r !$ 1e of!en spoke !o none &u! 1 s apos!les. 7hen 1e "el vere" 1 s para&les$ 1e of!en a""resse" none &u! a mul! !u"e of poor an" *noran! Gal leans. 7hen 1e worke" 1 s m ra%les$ 1e was *enerally a! Capernaum$ or n !he lan" of Fe&ulon an" 2aph!al . .u! when !he ! me %ame !ha! 1e shoul" " e$ 1e ma"e a pu&l % en!ry n!o Jerusalem. 1e "rew !he a!!en! on of rulers$ an" pr es!s$ an" el"ers$ an" /%r &es$ an" Greeks$ an" Romans !o 1 mself. 1e knew !ha! !he mos! won"erful even! !ha! ever happene" n !h s worl" was a&ou! !o !ake pla%e. The e!ernal /on of Go" was a&ou! !o suffer n !he s!ea" of s nful men--!he *rea! sa%r f %e for s n a&ou! !o &e offere" up--!he *rea! >assover 3am& a&ou! !o &e sla n--!he *rea! a!onemen! for a worl"#s s n a&ou! !o &e ma"e. 1e !herefore or"ere" ! so !ha! 1 s "ea!h was em nen!ly a pu&l % "ea!h. 1e over-rule" !h n*s n su%h a way !ha! !he eyes of all Jerusalem were f )e" upon 1 m$ an" when 1e " e"$ 1e " e" &efore many w !nesses. 3e! us see here one more proof of !he unspeaka&le mpor!an%e of !he "ea!h of Chr s!. 3e! us !reasure up 1 s *ra% ous say n*s. 3e! us s!r ve !o walk n !he s!eps of 1 s holy l fe. 3e! us pr ?e 1 s n!er%ess on. 3e! us lon* for 1 s se%on" %om n*. .u! never le! us for*e! !ha! !he %rown n* fa%! n all we know of Jesus Chr s!$ s 1 s "ea!h upon !he %ross. Brom !ha! "ea!h flow all our hopes. 7 !hou! !ha! "ea!h we woul" have no!h n* sol " &enea!h our fee!. May we pr ?e !ha! "ea!h more an" more every year we l veG an" n all our !hou*h!s a&ou! Chr s!$ re+o %e n no!h n* so mu%h as !he *rea! fa%! !ha! 1e " e" for us@ 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !h s passa*e$ the voluntary poverty which our Lord underwent" when e was upon earth . 1ow " " 1e en!er Jerusalem when 1e %ame !o ! on !h s remarka&le o%%as onA 6 " 1e %ome n a royal %har o!$ w !h horses$ sol" ers$ an" a re! nue aroun" 1 m$ l ke !he k n*s of !h s worl"A 7e are !ol" no!h n* of !he k n". 7e rea" !ha! 1e &orrowe" !he %ol! of an "onkey for !he o%%as on$ an" sa! upon !he *armen!s of 1 s " s% ples for la%k of a sa""le. Th s was n perfe%! keep n* w !h all !he !enor of 1 s m n s!ry. 1e never ha" any of !he r %hes of !h s worl". 7hen 1e %rosse" !he sea of Gal lee$ ! was n a &orrowe" &oa!. 7hen 1e ro"e n!o !he holy % !y$ ! was on a &orrowe" &eas!. 7hen 1e was &ur e"$ ! was n a &orrowe" !om&. 7e have n !h s s mple fa%!$ an ns!an%e of !ha! marvelous un on of weakness an" power$ r %hes an" pover!y$ !he *o"hea" an" !he manhoo"$ wh %h may &e so of!en !ra%e" n !he h s!ory of our &lesse" 3or". 7ho !ha! rea"s !he Gospels %arefully %an fa l !o o&serve$ !ha! 1e who %oul" fee" !housan"s w !h a few loaves$ was 1 mself some! mes hun*ry--an" 1e who %oul" heal !he s %k an" nf rm$ was 1 mself some! mes weary--!ha! 1e who %oul" %as! ou! "ev ls w !h a wor"$ was 1 mself !emp!e"--an" 1e who %oul" ra se !he "ea"$ %oul" 1 mself su&m ! !o " eA 7e see !he very same !h n* n !he passa*e &efore us. 7e see !he power of our 3or" n 1 s &en" n* !he w lls of a vas! mul! !u"e !o %on"u%! 1 m n!o Jerusalem n !r umph. 7e see !he pover!y of our 3or" n 1 s &orrow n* a "onkey !o %arry 1 m when 1e ma"e 1 s !r umphal en!ry. ,! s all won"erful$ &u! !here s a f !ness n ! all. ,! s appropr a!e an" r *h! !ha! we shoul" never for*e! !he un on of !he " v ne an" human na!ures n our 3or"#s person. ,f we saw 1 s " v ne a%!s only$ we m *h! for*e! !ha! 1e

was man. ,f we saw 1 s seasons of pover!y an" weakness only$ we m *h! for*e! !ha! 1e was Go". .u! we are n!en"e" !o see n Jesus " v ne s!ren*!h an" human weakness un !e" n one person. 7e %anno! e)pla n !he mys!eryG &u! we may !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h!$ '!h s s our /av or$ !h s s our Chr s!--one a&le !o sympa!h ?e$ &e%ause 1e s man$ &u! one 0lm *h!y !o save$ &e%ause 1e s Go".' B nally$ le! us see n !he s mple fa%!$ !ha! our 3or" ro"e on a &orrowe" "onkey$ one more proof !ha! poverty is in itself no sin. The %auses wh %h o%%as on mu%h of !he pover!y !here s aroun" us$ are un"ou&!e"ly very s nful. 6runkenness$ e)!rava*an%e$ profl *a%y$ " shones!y$ "leness$ wh %h pro"u%e so mu%h of !he "es! !u! on n !he worl"$ are un9ues! ona&ly wron* n !he s *h! of Go". .u! !o &e &orn a poor man$ an" !o nher ! no!h n* from our paren!s--!o work w !h our own han"s for our &rea"$ an" !o have no lan" of our own--all !h s s no! s nful a! all. The hones! poor man s as honora&le n !he s *h! of Go" as !he r %hes! k n*. The 3or" Jesus Chr s! 1 mself was poor. / lver an" *ol" 1e ha" none. 1e ha" of!en nowhere !o lay 1 s hea". Thou*h 1e was r %h$ ye! for our sakes 1e &e%ame poor. To &e l ke 1 m n % r%ums!an%es$ %anno! &e n !self wron*. 3e! us "o our "u!y n !ha! s!a!e of l fe !o wh %h Go" has %alle" us$ an" f 1e !h nks f ! !o keep us poor le! us no! &e ashame". The /av or of s nners %ares for us as well as for o!hers. The /av or of s nners knows wha! ! s !o &e poor.

Mark 11:12-21 7e see n !he &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e$ one of the many proofs that our Lord Jesus Christ was really man. 7e rea" !ha! '1e was hun*ry.' 1e ha" a na!ure an" &o" ly %ons! !u! on$ l ke our own n all !h n*s$ s n only e)%ep!e". 1e %oul" weep$ an" re+o %e$ an" suffer pa n. 1e %oul" &e weary an" nee" res!. 1e %oul" &e !h rs!y$ an" nee" "r nk. 1e %oul" &e hun*ry$ an" nee" foo". ()press ons l ke !h s shoul" !ea%h us !he %on"es%ens on of Chr s!. 1ow won"erful !hey are when we refle%! upon !hem@ 1e who s !he e!ernal Go"--1e who ma"e !he worl" an" all !ha! ! %on!a ns--1e from whose han" !he fru !s of !he ear!h$ !he f sh of !he sea$ !he fowls of !he a r$ !he &eas!s of !he f el"$ all ha" !he r &e* nn n*--1e$ even 1e was please" !o suffer hun*er$ when 1e %ame n!o !he worl" !o save s nners. Th s s a *rea! mys!ery. 8 n"ness an" love l ke !h s pass man#s un"ers!an" n*. 2o won"er !ha! >aul speaks of !he 'unsear%ha&le r %hes of Chr s!.' ((phes. =:8.) ()press ons l ke !h s shoul" !ea%h us Chr s!#s power !o sympa!h ?e w !h 1 s &el ev n* people on ear!h. 1e knows !he r sorrows &y e)per en%e. 1e %an &e !ou%he" w !h !he feel n* of !he r nf rm ! es. 1e has ha" e)per en%e of a &o"y an" !s "a ly nee"s. 1e has allowe" 1 mself !he severe suffer n*s !ha! !he &o"y of man s l a&le !o. 1e has !as!e" pa n$ an" weakness$ an" wear ness$ an" hun*er$ an" !h rs!. 7hen we !ell 1 m of !hese !h n*s n our prayers$ 1e knows wha! we mean$ an" s no s!ran*er !o our !rou&les. /urely !h s s +us! !he /av or an" Br en" !ha! poor a%h n*$ *roan n*$ human na!ure re9u res@ 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the great danger of unfruitfulness and formality in religion . Th s s a lesson wh %h our 3or" !ea%hes n a remarka&le !yp %al a%! on. 7e are !ol" !ha! %om n* !o a f * !ree n sear%h of fru !$ an" f n" n* 'on ! no!h n* &u! leaves$' 1e pronoun%e" on ! !he solemn sen!en%e$

'may no one ea! fru ! from you a*a n.' 0n" we are !ol" !ha! !he ne)! "ay !he f * !ree was foun" '"r e" up from !he roo!s.' 7e %anno! "ou&! for a momen! !ha! !h s whole !ransa%! on was an em&lem of sp r !ual !h n*s. ,! was a para&le n "ee"s$ as full of mean n* as any of our 3or"#s para&les n wor"s. .u! who were !hey !o whom !h s w !here" f * !ree was n!en"e" !o speakA ,! was a sermon of !hree-fol" appl %a! on$ a sermon !ha! ou*h! !o speak lou"ly !o !he %ons% en%es of all profess n* Chr s! ans. Thou*h w !here" an" "r e" up$ !ha! f * !ree ye! speaks. There was a vo %e n ! for !he J(7,/1 C1HRC1. R %h n !he leaves of a formal rel * on$ &u! &arren of all fru !s of !he /p r !$ !ha! Chur%h was n fearful "an*er$ a! !he very ! me when !h s w !her n* !ook pla%e. 7ell woul" ! have &een for !he Jew sh Chur%h f ! ha" ha" eyes !o see !s per l@ There was a vo %e n !he f * !ree for all !he &ran%hes of Chr s!#s J,/,.3( C1HRC1 n every a*e$ an" every par! of !he worl". There was a warn n* a*a ns! an emp!y profess on of Chr s! an !y una%%ompan e" &y soun" "o%!r ne an" holy l v n*$ wh %h some of !hose &ran%hes woul" have "one well !o lay !o hear!. .u! a&ove all !here was a vo %e n !ha! w !here" f * !ree for all C0R203$ 15>4CR,T,C03$ 026 B03/(-1(0RT(6 C1R,/T,02/. 7ell woul" ! &e for all who are %on!en! w !h a name !o l ve wh le n real !y !hey are "ea"$ f !hey woul" only see !he r own fa%es n !he *lass of !h s passa*e. 3e! us !ake %are !ha! we ea%h n" v "ually learn !he lesson !ha! !h s f * !ree %onveys. 3e! us always remem&er$ !ha! &ap! sm$ an" %hur%h-mem&ersh p$ an" re%ep! on of !he 3or"#s /upper$ an" a " l *en! use of !he ou!war" forms of Chr s! an !y$ are no! suff % en! !o save our souls. They are leaves$ no!h n* &u! leaves$ an" w !hou! fru ! w ll a"" !o our %on"emna! on. 3 ke !he f * leaves of wh %h 0"am an" (ve ma"e !hemselves *armen!s$ !hey w ll no! h "e !he nake"ness of our souls from !he eye of an all-see n* Go"$ or * ve us &ol"ness when we s!an" &efore 1 m a! !he las! "ay. 2o@ we mus! &ear fru !$ or &e los! forever. There mus! &e fru ! n our hear!s an" fru ! n our l ves$ !he fru ! of repen!an%e !owar" Go"$ an" fa !h !owar" our 3or" Jesus Chr s!$ an" !rue hol ness n our %onversa! on. 7 !hou! su%h fru !s as !hese a profess on of Chr s! an !y w ll only s nk us lower n!o hell. 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ how reverently we ought to use places which are set apart for public worship . Th s s a !ru!h wh %h s !au*h! us n a s!r k n* manner &y our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s %on"u%!$ when 1e wen! n!o !he !emple. 7e are !ol" !ha! '1e %as! ou! !hose who sol" an" &ou*h! n !he !emple$ an" over!hrew !he !a&les of !he money-%han*ers$ an" !he sea!s of !hose who sol" "oves.' 0n" we are !ol" !ha! 1e enfor%e" !h s a%! on &y warran! of /%r p!ure$ say n*$ ',s ! no! wr !!en$ My house shall &e %alle" a house of prayer for all na! onsA &u! you have ma"e ! a "en of !h eves.' 7e nee" no! "ou&! !ha! !here was a "eep mean n* n !h s a%! on of our 3or" on !h s o%%as on. 3 ke !he %urs n* of !he f * !ree$ !he whole !ransa%! on was em nen!ly !yp %al. .u! n say n* !h s$ we mus! no! allow ourselves !o lose s *h! of one s mple an" o&v ous lesson wh %h l es on !he surfa%e of !he passa*e. Tha! lesson s !he s nfulness of %areless an" rreveren! &ehav or n !he use of &u l" n*s se! apar! for !he pu&l % serv %e of Go". ,! was no! so mu%h as !he house of sa%r f %e$ &u! as !he 'house of prayer$' !ha! our 3or" pur f e" !he !emple. 1 s a%! on %learly n" %a!es !he feel n* w !h wh %h every 'house of prayer' shoul" &e re*ar"e". 0 Chr s! an pla%e of

worsh p no "ou&! s n no sense so sa%re" as !he Jew sh !a&erna%le$ or !emple. ,!s arran*emen!s have no !yp %al mean n*. ,! s no! &u l! af!er a " v ne mo"el$ an" n!en"e" !o serve as an e)ample of heavenly !h n*s. .u! ! "oes no! follow &e%ause !hese !h n*s are so$ !ha! a Chr s! an pla%e of worsh p s !o &e use" w !h no more reveren%e !han a pr va!e "well n*$ or a shop$ or an nn. There s surely a "e%en! reveren%e$ wh %h s "ue !o a pla%e where Chr s! an" 1 s people re*ularly mee! !o*e!her an" pu&l % prayer s offere" up--a reveren%e wh %h ! s fool sh an" unw se !o &ran" as supers! ! ous$ an" %onfoun" w !h >opery. There s a %er!a n feel n* of san%! !y an" solemn !y wh %h ou*h! !o &elon* !o all pla%es where Chr s! s prea%he"$ an" souls are &orn a*a n$ a feel n* wh %h "oes no! "epen" on any %onse%ra! on of man$ an" ou*h! !o &e en%oura*e" ra!her !han %he%ke". 0! all even!s !he m n" of !he 3or" Jesus n !h s passa*e seems very pla n. 1e !akes no! %e of men#s &ehav or n pla%es of worsh p$ an" all rreveren%e or profan !y s an offen%e n 1 s s *h!. 3e! us remem&er !hese verses whenever we *o !o !he house of Go"$ an" !ake hee" !ha! we *o n a ser ous frame$ an" "o no! offer !he sa%r f %e of fools. 3e! us %all !o m n" where we are--wha! we are "o n*--wha! &us ness we are a&ou!--an" n whose presen%e we are en*a*e". 3e! us &eware of * v n* Go" a mere formal serv %e$ wh le our hear!s are full of !he worl". 3e! us leave our &us ness an" money a! home$ an" no! %arry !hem w !h us !o %hur%h. 3e! us &eware of allow n* any &uy n* an" sell n* n our hear!s$ n !he m "s! of our rel * ous assem&l es. The 3or" s! ll l ves$ who %as! ou! &uyers an" sellers from !he !emple$ an" when 1e sees su%h %on"u%! 1e s mu%h " splease".

Mark 11:22-26 3e! us learn from !hese wor"s of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!$ the immense importance of faith. Th s s a lesson wh %h our 3or" !ea%hes f rs! &y a prover& al say n*. Ba !h shall ena&le a man !o a%%ompl sh works$ an" over%ome " ff %ul! es$ as *rea! an" form "a&le as !he 'remov n* of a moun!a n$ an" %as! n* ! n!o !he sea.' 0f!erwar"s !he lesson s mpresse" upon us s! ll fur!her$ &y a *eneral e)hor!a! on !o e)er% se fa !h when we pray. '7ha! !h n*s soever you "es re$ when you pray$ &el eve !ha! you re%e ve !hem$ an" you shall have !hem.' Th s prom se mus! of %ourse &e !aken w !h a reasona&le 9ual f %a! on. ,! assumes !ha! a &el ever w ll ask !h n*s wh %h are no! s nful$ an" wh %h are n a%%or"an%e w !h !he w ll of Go". 7hen 1e asks su%h !h n*s$ he may %onf "en!ly &el eve !ha! h s prayer w ll &e answere". To use !he wor"s of James$ '3e! h m ask n fa !h$ no!h n* waver n*.' (James 1:<.) The fa !h here %ommen"e" mus! &e " s! n*u she" from !ha! fa !h wh %h s essen! al !o +us! f %a! on. ,n pr n% ple un"ou&!e"ly all !rue fa !h s one an" !he same. ,! s always !rus! or &el ef. .u! n !he o&+e%! an" opera! ons of fa !h$ !here are " vers ! es$ wh %h ! s useful !o un"ers!an". Jus! fy n* fa !h s !ha! a%! of !he soul &y wh %h a man lays hol" on Chr s!$ an" has pea%e w !h Go". ,!s spe% al o&+e%! s !he a!onemen! for s n wh %h Jesus ma"e on !he %ross. The fa !h spoken of n !he passa*e now &efore us s a *ra%e of more *eneral s *n f %a! on$ !he fru ! an" %ompan on of +us! fy n* fa !h$ &u! s! ll no! !o &e %onfoun"e" w !h !. ,! s ra!her a *eneral %onf "en%e n Go"#s power$ w s"om$ an" *oo"w ll !owar"s &el evers. 0n" !s spe% al o&+e%!s are !he prom ses$ !he wor"$ an" !he %hara%!er of Go" n Chr s!.

Conf "en%e n Go"#s power an" w ll !o help every &el ever n Chr s!$ an" n !he !ru!h of every wor" !ha! Go" has spoken$ s !he *ran" se%re! of su%%ess an" prosper !y n our rel * on. ,n fa%!$ ! s !he very roo! of sav n* Chr s! an !y. '.y ! !he el"ers o&!a ne" a *oo" repor!.' '1e !ha! %omes un!o Go" mus! &el eve !ha! 1e s$ an" !ha! 1e s a rewar"er of !hose who " l *en!ly seek 1 m.' To know !he full wor!h of ! n !he s *h! of Go"$ we shoul" of!en s!u"y !he eleven!h %hap!er of !he (p s!le !o !he 1e&rews. 6o we "es re !o *row n *ra%e$ an" n !he knowle"*e of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!A 6o we w sh !o make pro*ress n our rel * on$ an" &e%ome s!ron* Chr s! ans$ an" no! mere &a&es n sp r !ual !h n*sA Then le! us pray "a ly for more fa !h$ an" wa!%h our fa !h w !h mos! +ealous wa!%hfulness. 1ere s !he %orner-s!one of our rel * on. 0 flaw or weakness here w ll affe%! !he whole %on" ! on of our nner man. 0%%or" n* !o our fa !h w ll &e !he "e*ree of our pea%e$ our hope$ our +oy$ our "e% s on n Chr s!#s serv %e$ our &ol"ness n %onfess on$ our s!ren*!h n work$ our pa! en%e n !r al$ our res *na! on n !rou&le$ our sens &le %omfor! n prayer. 0ll$ all w ll h n*e on !he propor! on of our fa !h. 1appy are !hey who know how !o res! !he r whole we *h! %on! nually on a %ovenan! Go"$ an" !o walk &y fa !h$ no! &y s *h!. '1e !ha! &el eves shall no! make has!e.' (,sa ah. D8:1<.) 3e! us learn$ for ano!her !h n*$ from !hese verses$ the absolute necessity of a forgiving spirit towards others. Th s lesson s here !au*h! us n a s!r k n* way. There s no mme" a!e %onne%! on &e!ween !he mpor!an%e of fa !h$ of wh %h our 3or" ha" +us! &een speak n*$ an" !he su&+e%! of for* v n* n+ur es. .u! !he %onne%! n* l nk s prayer. B rs! we are !ol" !ha! fa !h s essen! al !o !he su%%ess of our prayers. .u! !hen ! s a""e"$ no prayers %an &e hear" wh %h "o no! %ome from a for* v n* hear!. '7hen you s!an" pray n*$ for* ve$ f you have ou*h! a*a ns! any$ !ha! your Ba!her also wh %h s n heaven may for* ve you your !respasses.' The value of our prayers$ we %an all un"ers!an"$ "epen"s e)%ee" n*ly on !he s!a!e of m n" n wh %h we offer !hem. .u! !he po n! &efore us s one wh %h re%e ves far less a!!en! on !han ! "eserves. 4ur prayers mus! no! only &e earnes!$ ferven!$ an" s n%ere$ an" n !he name of Chr s!. They mus! %on!a n one more n*re" en! &es "es. They mus! %ome from a for* v n* hear!. 7e have no r *h! !o look for mer%y$ f we are no! rea"y !o e)!en" mer%y !o our &re!hren. 7e %anno! really feel !he s nfulness of !he s ns we ask !o have par"one" f we %her sh mal %e !owar"s our fellow men. 7e mus! have !he hear! of a &ro!her !owar" our ne *h&or on ear!h$ f we w sh Go" !o &e our Ba!her n heaven. 7e mus! no! fla!!er ourselves !ha! we have !he /p r ! of a"op! on f we %anno! &ear an" for&ear. Th s s a hear!-sear%h n* su&+e%!. The 9uan! !y of mal %e$ & !!erness$ an" par!y sp r ! amon* Chr s! ans s fearfully *rea!. 2o won"er !ha! so many prayers seem !o &e !hrown away an" unhear". ,! s a su&+e%! wh %h ou*h! !o %ome home !o all %lasses of Chr s! ans. 0ll have no! e9ual * f!s of knowle"*e an" u!!eran%e n !he r approa%hes !o Go". .u! all %an for* ve !he r fellow-men. ,! s a su&+e%! wh %h our 3or" Jesus Chr s! has !aken spe% al pa ns !o mpress on our m n"s. 1e has * ven ! a prom nen! pla%e n !ha! pa!!ern of prayers$ !he 3or"#s prayer. 7e are all fam l ar from our nfan%y w !h !he wor"s$ 'for* ve us our !respasses as we for* ve !hem !ha! !respass a*a ns! us.' 7ell woul" ! &e for many$ f !hey woul" %ons "er wha! !hose wor"s mean@ 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h ser ous self- n9u ry. 6o we know wha! ! s !o &e of a for* v n* sp r !A Can we for* ve !he n+ur es !ha! we re%e ve from ! me !o ! me n !h s

ev l worl"A Can we pass over a !rans*ress on an" par"on an offen%eA f no!$ where s our Chr s! an !yA ,f no!$ why shoul" we won"er !ha! our souls "o no! prosperA 3e! us resolve !o amen" our ways n !h s ma!!er. 3e! us "e!erm ne &y Go"#s *ra%e !o for* ve$ even as we hope !o &e for* ven. Th s s !he neares! approa%h we %an make !o !he m n" of Chr s! Jesus. Th s s !he %hara%!er wh %h s mos! su !a&le !o a poor s nful %h l" of 0"am. Go"#s free for* veness of s ns s our h *hes! pr v le*e n !h s worl". Go"#s free for* veness w ll &e our only ! !le !o e!ernal l fe n !he worl" !o %ome. Then le! us &e for* v n* "ur n* !he few years !ha! we are here upon ear!h.

Mark 11:27-33 3e! us o&serve n !hese verses how mu%h sp r !ual &l n"ness may &e n !he hear!s of !hose who hol" h *h e%%les as! %al off %e. 7e see '!he %h ef pr es!s an" s%r &es an" el"ers' %om n* !o our 3or" Jesus$ an" ra s n* " ff %ul! es an" o&+e%! ons n !he way of 1 s work. These men$ we know$ were !he a%%re" !e" !ea%hers an" rulers of !he Jew sh Chur%h. They were re*ar"e" &y !he Jews as !he foun!a n an" spr n*-hea" of rel * ous knowle"*e. They were$ mos! of !hem$ re*ularly or"a ne" !o !he pos ! on !hey hel"$ an" %oul" !ra%e !he r or"ers &y re*ular "es%en! from 0aron. 0n" ye! we f n" !hese very men$ a! !he ! me when !hey ou*h! !o have &een ns!ru%!ors of o!hers$ full of pre+u" %e a*a ns! !he !ru!h$ an" & !!er enem es of !he Mess ah@ These !h n*s are wr !!en !o show Chr s! ans !ha! !hey mus! &eware of "epen" n* !oo mu%h on or"a ne" men. They mus! no! look up !o m n s!ers as >opes$ or re*ar" !hem as nfall &le. The or"ers of no %hur%h %onfer nfall & l !y$ whe!her !hey &e (p s%opal$ >res&y!er an$ or ,n"epen"en!. . shops$ pr es!s$ an" "ea%ons$ a! !he r &es!$ are only flesh an" &loo"$ an" may err$ &o!h n "o%!r ne an" pra%! %e$ as well as !he %h ef pr es!s an" el"ers of !he Jews. The r a%!s an" !ea%h n* mus! always &e !es!e" &y !he wor" of Go". They mus! &e followe" so far as !hey follow /%r p!ure$ an" no fur!her. There s only one >r es! an" . shops of souls$ who makes no m s!akes. Tha! one s !he 3or" Jesus Chr s!. ,n 1 m alone s no weakness$ no fa lure$ no sha"ow of nf rm !y. 3e! us learn !o lean more en! rely on 1 m. 3e! us '%all no man fa!her on ear!h$' (Ma!!. D=:;.) /o "o n*$ we shall never &e " sappo n!e". 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how envy and unbelief ma!e men throw discredit on the commission of those who wor! for God . These %h ef pr es!s an" el"ers %oul" no! "eny !he real !y of our 3or"#s m ra%les of mer%y. They %oul" no! say !ha! 1 s !ea%h n* was %on!rary !o 1oly /%r p!ure$ or !ha! 1 s l fe was s nful. 7ha! !hen " " !hey "oA They a!!a%ke" 1 s %la m !o a!!en! on$ an" "eman"e" 1 s au!hor !y--'.y wha! au!hor !y "o you !hese !h n*sA an" who *ave you !h s au!hor !yA' There %an &e no "ou&! wha!ever !ha!$ as a *eneral pr n% ple$ all who un"er!ake !o !ea%h o!hers$ shoul" &e re*ularly appo n!e" !o !he work. >aul h mself "e%lares !ha! !h s was !he %ase w !h our 3or"$ n !he ma!!er of !he pr es!ly off %e--'2o man !akes !h s honor un!o h mself$ &u! he !ha! s %alle" of Go"$ as was 0aron.' (1e&. 5:C.) 0n" even now$ when !he off %e of !he sa%r f % n* pr es! no lon*er e) s!s$ !he wor"s of !he !wen!y-!h r" 0r! %le of !he Chur%h of (n*lan" are w se an" s%r p!ural--',! s no! lawful for any man !o !ake upon h m !he off %e of pu&l % prea%h n*$ or m n s!er n* !he sa%ramen!s n !he %on*re*a! on$ &efore he &e lawfully %alle" an" sen! !o e)e%u!e !he

same.' .u! ! s one !h n* !o ma n!a n !he lawfulness of an ou!war" %all !o m n s!er n sa%re" !h n*s$ an" 9u !e ano!her !o asser! !ha! ! s !he one !h n* nee"ful$ w !hou! wh %h no work for Go" %an &e "one. Th s s !he po n! on wh %h !he Jews ev "en!ly erre" n !he ! me of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry$ an" on wh %h many have unhapp ly followe" !hem "own !o !he presen! "ay. 3e! us &eware of !h s narrow sp r !$ an" spe% ally n !hese las! a*es of !he worl". Hn9ues! ona&ly we mus! no! un"ervalue or"er an" " s% pl ne n !he %hur%h. ,! s +us! as valua&le !here as ! s n an army. .u! we mus! no! suppose !ha! Go" s a&solu!ely ! e" !o !he use of or"a ne" men. 7e mus! no! for*e! !ha! !here may &e an nwar" %all of !he 1oly /p r ! w !hou! any ou!war" %all of man$ no less !han an ou!war" %all of man w !hou! any nwar" %all of !he 1oly /p r !. The f rs! 9ues! on af!er all s !h s--',s a man for Chr s!$ or a*a ns! 1 mA 7ha! "oes he !ea%hA 1ow "oes he l veA ,s he "o n* *oo"A' ,f 9ues! ons l ke !hese %an &e answere" sa! sfa%!or ly$ le! us !hank Go" an" &e %on!en!. 7e mus! remem&er !ha! a phys % an s useless$ however h *h h s "e*ree an" " ploma$ f he %anno! %ure " seases$ an" a sol" er useless$ however well "resse" an" "r lle"$ f he w ll no! fa%e !he enemy n !he "ay of &a!!le. The &es! "o%!or s !he man who %an %ure$ an" !he &es! sol" er !he man who %an f *h!. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ what dishonesty and e,uivocation unbelievers may be led into by pre$udice against the truth . The %h ef pr es!s an" el"ers "are" no! answer our 3or"#s 9ues! on a&ou! John#s .ap! sm. They "are" no! say$ ! was 'of men$' &e%ause !hey feare" !he people. They "are" no! %onfess !ha! ! was 'of heaven$' &e%ause !hey saw our 3or" woul" say$ '7hy " " you no! &el eve h mA 1e !es! f e" pla nly of me.' 7ha! !hen " " !hey "oA They !ol" a " re%! l e. They sa "$ '7e "on#! know.' ,! s a melan%holy fa%!$ !ha! " shones!y l ke !h s s far from &e n* un%ommon amon* un%onver!e" people. There are !housan"s who eva"e appeals !o !he r %ons% en%e &y answers wh %h are no! !rue. 7hen presse" !o a!!en" !o !he r souls$ !hey say !h n*s wh %h !hey know are no! %orre%!. They love !he worl" an" !he r own way$ an" l ke our 3or"#s enem es are "e!erm ne" no! !o * ve !hem up$ &u! l ke !hem also are ashame" !o say !he !ru!h. 0n" so !hey answer e)hor!a! ons !o repen!an%e an" "e% s on &y false e)%uses. 4ne man pre!en"s !ha! he '%anno! un"ers!an"' !he "o%!r nes of !he Gospel. 0no!her assures as !ha! he really '!r es' !o serve Go"$ &u! makes no pro*ress. 0 !h r" "e%lares !ha! he has every w sh !o serve Chr s!$ &u! 'has no ! me.' 0ll !hese are of!en no!h n* &e!!er !han m sera&le e9u vo%a! ons. 0s a *eneral rule$ !hey are as wor!hless as !he %h ef pr es!#s answer$ '7e "on#! know.' The pla n !ru!h s !ha! we ou*h! !o &e very slow !o * ve %re" ! !o !he un%onver!e" man#s professe" reasons for no! serv n* Chr s!. 7e may &e !olera&ly sure !ha! when he says ', %anno!$' !he real mean n* of h s hear! s ', w ll no!.' 0 really hones! sp r ! n rel * ous ma!!ers s a m *h!y &less n*. 4n%e le! a man &e w ll n* !o l ve up !o h s l *h!$ an" a%! up !o h s knowle"*e$ an" he w ll soon know of !he "o%!r ne of Chr s!$ an" %ome ou! from !he worl". (John 7:17.) The ru n of !housan"s s s mply !h s$ !ha! !hey "eal " shones!ly w !h !he r own souls. They alle*e pre!en"e" " ff %ul! es as !he %ause of !he r no! serv n* Chr s!$ wh le n real !y !hey 'love "arkness ra!her !han l *h!$' an" have no hones! "es re !o %han*e. (John =:1;.)

Mark chapter 12
Mark 12:1-12

The verses &efore us %on!a n a h s!or %al para&le. The h s!ory of !he Jew sh na! on$ from !he "ay !ha! ,srael lef! (*yp! "own !o !he ! me of !he "es!ru%! on of Jerusalem$ s here se! &efore us as n a m rror. Hn"er !he f *ure of !he v neyar" an" !he hus&an"men$ !he 3or" Jesus !ells !he s!ory of Go"#s "eal n*s w !h 1 s people for f f!een hun"re" years. 3e! us s!u"y ! a!!en! vely$ an" apply ! !o ourselves. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ God's special !indness to the Jewish Church and nation. 1e *ave !o !hem pe%ul ar pr v le*es. 1e "eal! w !h !hem as a man "eals w !h a p e%e of lan" wh %h he separa!es an" he"*es n for 'a v neyar".' 1e *ave !hem *oo" laws an" or" nan%es. 1e plan!e" !hem n a *oo"ly lan"$ an" %as! ou! seven na! ons &efore !hem. 1e passe" &y *rea!er an" m *h! er na! ons !o show !hem favor. 1e le! alone (*yp!$ an" 0ssyr a$ an" Gree%e$ an" Rome$ an" showere" "own mer% es on a few m ll on people n >ales! ne. The v neyar" of !he 3or" was !he house of ,srael. 2o fam ly un"er heaven ever re%e ve" so many s *nal an" " s! n*u sh n* pr v le*es as !he fam ly of 0&raham. 0n" we !oo$ who l ve n Grea! .r !a n$ %an we say !ha! we have re%e ve" no spe% al mer% es from Go"A 7e %anno! say so. 7hy are we no! a hea!hen %oun!ry$ l ke Ch naA 7hy are we no! a lan" of "ola!ers$ l ke 1 n"os!anA 7e owe ! all !o !he " s! n*u sh n* favor of Go". ,! s no! for our *oo"ness an" wor!h ness$ &u! of Go"#s free *ra%e$ !ha! (n*lan" s wha! (n*lan" s amon* !he na! ons of !he ear!h. 3e! us &e !hankful for our mer% es$ an" know !he han" from wh %h !hey %ome. 3e! us no! &e h *h-m n"e"$ &u! hum&le$ les! we provoke Go" !o !ake our mer% es away. ,f ,srael ha" pe%ul ar na! onal pr v le*es$ so also has (n*lan". 3e! (n*l shmen mark !h s well$ an" !ake hee" les! !ha! wh %h happene" !o ,srael shoul" happen also !o !hem. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ God's patience and patience towards the Jewish nation. 7ha! s !he r whole h s!ory as re%or"e" n !he 4l" Tes!amen!$ &u! a lon* re%or" of repea!e" provo%a! ons$ an" repea!e" par"onsA 4ver an" over a*a n we rea" of prophe!s &e n* sen! !o !hem$ an" warn n*s &e n* "el vere"$ &u! !oo of!en en! rely n va n. 4ne servan! af!er ano!her %ame !o !he v neyar" of ,srael$ an" aske" for fru !. 4ne servan! af!er ano!her was 'sen! away emp!y' &y !he Jew sh hus&an"men$ an" no fru ! &orne &y !he na! on !o !he *lory of Go". 'They mo%ke" !he messen*ers of Go"$ an" "esp se" 1 s wor"s$ an" m suse" 1 s prophe!s.' (D Chron. =<:1<.) 5e! hun"re"s of years passe" away &efore '!he wra!h of !he 3or" arose a*a ns! 1 s people$ un! l !here was no reme"y.' 2ever was !here a people so pa! en!ly "eal! w !h as ,srael. 0n" we !oo$ who "well n Grea! .r !a n$ have we no pa! en%e of Go" !o &e !hankful forA .eyon" "ou&!$ we have a&un"an! %ause !o say !ha! our 3or" s pa! en!. 1e "oes no! "eal w !h us a%%or" n* !o our s ns$ or rewar" us a%%or" n* !o our n 9u ! es. 7e have of!en provoke" 1 m !o !ake our %an"les! %k away$ an" !o "eal w !h as 1e has "eal! w !h Tyre$ an" .a&ylon$ an" Rome. 5e! 1 s pa! en%e an" lov n*-k n"ness %on! nue s! ll. 3e! us &eware !ha! we "o no! presume on 1 s *oo"ness !oo far. 3e! us hear n 1 s mer% es a lou" %all !o us !o &ear fru !$ an" le! us s!r ve !o a&oun" n !ha! r *h!eousness wh %h alone e)al!s a na! on. (>rov. 1C:=C.) 3e! every fam ly n !he lan" feel !s respons & l !y !o Go"$ an" !hen !he whole na! on w ll &e seen show n* for!h 1 s pra se. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ the hardness and wic!edness of human nature" as e#emplified in the history of the Jewish people .

,! s " ff %ul! !o ma* ne a more s!r k n* proof of !h s !ru!h$ !han !he summary of ,srael#s "eal n*s w !h Go"#s messen*ers$ wh %h our 3or" ske!%hes n !h s para&le. >rophe! af!er prophe! was sen! !o !hem n va n. M ra%le af!er m ra%le was wrou*h! amon* !hem$ w !hou! any las! n* effe%!. The /on of Go" 1 mself$ !he well &elove"$ a! las! %ame "own !o !hem$ an" was no! &el eve". Go" 1 mself was man fes! n !he flesh$ "well n* amon* !hem$ an" '!hey !ook 1 m an" k lle" 1 m.' There s no !ru!h so l !!le real ?e" an" &el eve" as !he '"espera!e w %ke"ness' of !he human hear!. 3e! !he para&le &efore us !h s "ay &e always re%kone" amon* !he s!an" n* proofs of !. 3e! us see n ! wha! men an" women %an "o$ n !he full &la?e of rel * ous pr v le*es-- n !he m "s! of prophe% es an" m ra%les-- n !he presen%e of !he /on of Go" 1 mself. 'The %arnal m n" s enm !y a*a ns! Go".' (Rom. 8:7.) Men never saw Go" fa%e !o fa%e &u! on%e$ when Jesus &e%ame a man$ an" l ve" upon ear!h. They saw 1 m holy$ harmless$ un"ef le"$ *o n* a&ou! "o n* *oo". 5e! !hey woul" no! have 1 m$ re&elle" a*a ns! 1 m$ an" a! las! k lle" 1 m. 3e! us " sm ss from our m n"s !he "ea !ha! !here s any nna!e *oo"ness or na!ural re%! !u"e$ n our hear!s. 3e! us pu! away !he %ommon no! on !ha! see n* an" know n* wha! s *oo" s enou*h !o make a man a Chr s! an. The *rea! e)per men! has &een ma"e n !he ns!an%e of !he Jew sh na! on. 7e$ !oo$ l ke ,srael$ m *h! have amon* us m ra%les$ prophe!s$ an" !he %ompany of Chr s! 1 mself n !he flesh$ an" ye!$ l ke ,srael$ have !hem n va n. 2o!h n* &u! !he /p r ! of Go" %an %han*e !he hear!. '7e mus! &e &orn a*a n.' (John =:7.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ !ha! men's consciences may be pierced" and yet they may continue impenitent. The Jews$ !o whom our 3or" a""resse" !he solemn h s!or %al para&le wh %h we have &een rea" n*$ saw %learly !ha! ! appl e" !o !hemselves. They fel! !ha! !hey an" !he r forefa!hers were !he hus&an"men !o whom !he v neyar" was le!$ an" who ou*h! !o have ren"ere" fru ! !o Go". They fel! !ha! !hey an" !he r forefa!hers were !he w %ke" la&orers$ who ha" refuse" !o * ve !he Mas!er of !he v neyar" 1 s "ues$ an" ha" 'shamefully han"le"' 1 s servan!s$ '&ea! n* some$ an" k ll n* some.' 0&ove all$ !hey fel! !ha! !hey !hemselves were plann n* !he las! %rown n* a%! of w %ke"ness$ wh %h !he para&le "es%r &e". They were a&ou! !o k ll !he well-&elove" /on$ an" '%as! 1 m ou! of !he v neyar".' 0ll !h s !hey knew perfe%!ly well. 'They knew !ha! 1e ha" spoken !he para&le a*a ns! !hem.' 5e! !hou*h !hey knew !$ !hey woul" no! repen!. Thou*h %onv %!e" &y !he r own %ons% en%es$ !hey were har"ene" n s n. 3e! us learn from !h s "rea"ful fa%!$ !ha! knowle"*e an" %onv %! on alone save no man#s soul. ,! s 9u !e poss &le !o know !ha! we are wron*$ an" &e una&le !o "eny !$ an" ye! !o %leave !o our s ns o&s! na!ely$ an" per sh m sera&ly n hell. The !h n* !ha! we all nee"$ s a %han*e of hear! an" w ll. Bor !h s le! us pray earnes!ly. Hn! l we have !h s$ le! us never res!. 7 !hou! !h s$ we shall never &e real Chr s! ans$ an" rea%h heaven. 7 !hou! ! we may l ve all our l ves$ l ke !he Jews$ know n* nwar"ly !ha! we are wron*$ an" ye!$ l ke !he Jews$ persevere n our own way$ an" " e n our s ns.

Mark 12:13-17 3e! us o&serve n !he &e* nn n* of !h s passa*e$ how men of different religious opinions can unite in opposing Christ. 7e rea" of '>har sees an" 1ero" ans'

%om n* !o*e!her !o '%a!%h our 3or" n 1 s wor"s$' an" perple) 1 m w !h a har" 9ues! on. The >har see was a supers! ! ous formal s!$ who %are" for no!h n* &u! !he ou!war" %eremon es of rel * on. The 1ero" an was a mere man of !he worl"$ who "esp se" all rel * on$ an" %are" more for pleas n* men !han Go". 5e! when !here %ame amon* !hem a m *h!y !ea%her who assa le" !he rul n* pass ons of &o!h al ke$ an" spare" ne !her formal s! nor worl"l n*$ we see !hem mak n* %ommon %ause$ an" un ! n* n a %ommon effor! !o s!op 1 s mou!h. ,! has always &een so from !he &e* nn n* of !he worl". 7e may see !he same !h n* *o n* on a! !he presen! "ay. 7orl"ly men an" formal s!s have l !!le real sympa!hy w !h one ano!her. They " sl ke one ano!her#s pr n% ples$ an" "esp se one an!her#s ways. .u! !here s one !h n* wh %h !hey &o!h " sl ke even more$ an" !ha! s !he pure Gospel of Jesus Chr s!. 0n" hen%e$ whenever !here s a %han%e of oppos n* !he Gospel$ we shall always see !he worl"ly man an" !he formal s! %om& ne an" a%! !o*e!her. 7e mus! e)pe%! no mer%y from !hem--!hey w ll show none. 7e mus! never re%kon on !he r " v s ons--!hey w ll always pa!%h up an all an%e !o res s! Chr s!. 3e! us o&serve$ for ano!her !h n* n !h s passa*e$ the e#ceeding subtlety of the ,uestion propounded to our Lord. 1 s enem es aske" h m$ ',s ! lawful !o pay !a)es !o Caesar$ !he Roman emperor$ or no!A /hall we * ve$ or shall we no! * veA' 1ere was a 9ues! on$ wh %h ! seeme" a! f rs! s *h! mposs &le !o answer w !hou! per l. ,f our 3or" ha" repl e" 'G ve$' !he >har sees woul" have a%%use" h m &efore !he pr es!s$ as one who re*ar"e" !he Jew sh na! on as un"er su&+e%! on !o Rome. ,f our 3or" ha" repl e"$ '6o no! * ve$' !he 1ero" ans woul" have a%%use" h m &efore > la!e$ as a se" ! ous person who !au*h! re&ell on a*a ns! !he Roman *overnmen!. The !rap was n"ee" well planne". /urely we may see n ! !he %unn n* han" of one *rea!er !han man. Tha! ol" serpen! !he "ev l was !here. 7e shall "o well !o remem&er$ !ha! of all 9ues! ons wh %h have perple)e" Chr s! ans$ none have ever prove" so n!r %a!e an" pu??l n*$ as !he %lass of 9ues! ons wh %h !he >har sees an" 1ero" ans here propoun"e". 7ha! are !he "ues of Caesar$ an" wha! are !he "ues of Go"--where !he r *h!s of !he %hur%h en"$ an" where !he r *h!s of !he s!a!e &e* n--wha! are lawful % v l %la ms an" wha! are lawful sp r !ual %la ms--all !hese are har" kno!s an" "eep pro&lems wh %h Chr s! ans have of!en foun" ! " ff %ul! !o un! e$ an" almos! mposs &le !o solve. 3e! us pray !o &e "el vere" from !hem. 2ever "oes !he %ause of Chr s! suffer so mu%h as when !he "ev l su%%ee"s n &r n* n* %hur%hes n!o %oll s ons an" law-su !s w !h !he % v l power. ,n su%h %oll s ons pre% ous ! me s was!e"--ener* es are m sappl e"--m n s!ers are "rawn off from !he r proper work--!he souls of people suffer$ an" a %hur%h#s v %!ory of!en proves only one "e*ree &e!!er !han a "efea!. 'G ve pea%e n our ! me$ 4 3or"$' s a prayer of w "e mean n*$ an" one !ha! shoul" of!en &e on a Chr s! an#s l ps. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ the marvelous wisdom which our Lord showed in is answer to is enemies. The r fla!!er n* wor"s " " no! "e%e ve 1 m. 1e 'knew !he r hypo%r sy.' 1 s all-see n* eye "e!e%!e" !he 'po!sher"s %overe" w !h s lver "ross' wh %h s!oo" &efore 1 m. (>rov. D<:D=.) 1e was no! mpose" upon$ as !oo many of 1 s people are$ &y *low n* lan*ua*e an" f ne spee%hes. 1e ma"e !he "a ly pra%! %e of 1 s own enem es supply 1 m w !h an answer !o !he r %unn n* 9ues! ons. 1e !ells !hem !o '&r n* 1 m a "enar us$' a %ommon %o n wh %h

!hey !hemselves were n !he ha& ! of us n*. 1e asks !hem 'whose ma*e an" supers%r p! on' are s!ampe" upon !ha! %o nA They are o&l *e" !o reply$ 'Caesar#s.' They were !hemselves us n* a Roman %o n$ ssue" an" % r%ula!e" &y !he Roman *overnmen!. .y !he r own %onfess on !hey were n some way un"er !he power of !he Romans$ or !h s Roman money woul" no! have &een %urren! amon* !hem. 0! on%e our 3or" s len%es !hem &y !he memora&le wor"s$ 'Ren"er un!o Caesar !he !h n*s !ha! are Caesar#s$ an" un!o Go" !he !h n*s !ha! are Go"#s.' 1e & "s !hem pay !r &u!e !o !he Roman *overnmen! n !emporal !h n*s$ for &y us n* !s money !hey allowe" !hemselves &oun" !o "o so. 5e! 1e & "s !hem * ve o&e" en%e !o Go" n sp r !ual !h n*s$ an" no! !o suppose !ha! "u!y !o an ear!hly sovere *n an" a heavenly sovere *n are n%apa&le of &e n* re%on% le" one w !h !he o!her. ,n shor!$ 1e & "s !he prou" >har see no! !o refuse h s "ues !o Caesar$ an" !he worl"ly 1ero" an no! !o refuse h s "ues !o Go". 3e! us learn from !h s mas!erly "e% s on !he *rea! pr n% ple$ !ha! !rue Chr s! an !y was never mean! !o n!erfere w !h a man#s o&e" en%e !o !he % v l power. /o far from !h s &e n* !he %ase ! ou*h! !o make h m a 9u e!$ loyal$ an" fa !hful su&+e%!. 1e ou*h! !o re*ar" !he powers !ha! &e as 'or"a ne" of Go"$' an" !o su&m ! !o !he r rules an" re*ula! ons so lon* as !he law s enfor%e"$ !hou*h he may no! !horou*hly approve of !hem. ,f !he law of !he lan" an" !he law of Go" %ome n %oll s on$ no "ou&! h s %ourse s %lear--he mus! o&ey Go" ra!her !han man. 3 ke !he !hree %h l"ren$ !hou*h he serves a hea!hen k n*$ he mus! no! &ow "own !o an "ol. 3 ke 6an el$ !hou*h he su&m !s !o a !yrann %al *overnmen!$ he mus! no! * ve over pray n* n or"er !o please !he rul n* powers. 3e! us of!en pray for a lar*er measure of !ha! sp r ! of w s"om wh %h "wel! so a&un"an!ly n our &lesse" 3or". Many are !he ev ls wh %h have ar sen n !he Chur%h of Chr s!$ from a mor& " an" " s!or!e" v ew of !he rela! ve pos ! ons of !he % v l *overnmen! an" of Go". Many are !he ren!s an" " v s ons wh %h have &een o%%as one" &y la%k of soun" +u"*men! as !o !he r %ompara! ve %la ms. 1appy s he who remem&ers our 3or"#s "e% s on n !h s passa*e$ un"ers!an"s ! r *h!ly$ an" makes a pra%! %al appl %a! on of ! !o h s own ! mes.

Mark 12:18-27 These verses rela!e a %onversa! on &e!ween our 3or" Jesus Chr s! an" !he /a""u%ees. The rel * on of !hese men$ we know$ was l !!le &e!!er !han nf "el !y. They sa " !here was 'no resurre%! on.' They !oo$ l ke !he >har sees$ !hou*h! !o en!an*le an" perple) our 3or" w !h har" 9ues! ons. The Chur%h of Chr s! mus! no! e)pe%! !o fare &e!!er !han !s Mas!er. Bormal sm on one s "e an" nf "el !y on ano!her$ are !wo enem es for whose a!!a%ks we mus! always &e prepare". 7e learn from !h s passa*e$ how much unfairness may often be detected in the arguments of infidels. The 9ues! on propoun"e" &y !he /a""u%ees s a s!r k n* llus!ra! on of !h s. They !ell h m of a woman who marr e" seven &ro!hers n su%%ess on$ ha" no %h l"ren$ an" ou!l ve" her seven hus&an"s. They ask$ 'whose w fe' of all !he seven !he woman woul" &e ' n !he resurre%! onA' ,! may well &e surm se" !ha! !he %ase was a suppose" an" no! a real one. 4n !he fa%e of ! !here s !he s!ron*es! appearan%e of

mpro&a& l !y. The %han%es a*a ns! su%h a %ase o%%urr n* n real !y$ are almos! nf n !e. .u! !ha! was no!h n* !o !he /a""u%ees. 0ll !hey %are" for was !o ra se a " ff %ul!y$ an" f poss &le !o pu! our 3or" !o s len%e. The "o%!r ne of !he resurre%! on !hey ha" no! !he fa%e manfully !o "eny. The poss &le %onse9uen%es of !he "o%!r ne were !he *roun" wh %h !hey %hose !o !ake up. There are !hree !h n*s wh %h we shall "o well !o remem&er$ f unhapp ly we have a! any ! me !o ar*ue w !h nf "els. Bor one !h n*$ le! us remem&er !ha! an nf "el w ll always !ry !o press us w !h !he " ff %ul! es an" a&s!ruse !h n*s of rel * on$ an" espe% ally w !h !hose wh %h are %onne%!e" w !h !he worl" !o %ome. 7e mus! avo " !h s mo"e of ar*umen! as far as poss &le. ,! s leav n* !he open f el" !o f *h! n a +un*le. 7e mus! en"eavor$ as far as we %an$ !o make our " s%uss on !urn on !he *rea! pla n fa%!s an" ev "en%es of Chr s! an !y. Bor ano!her !h n*$ le! us remem&er$ we mus! &e on our *uar" a*a ns! unfa rness an" " shones!y n ar*umen!. ,! may seem har" an" un%har !a&le !o say !h s. .u! e)per en%e proves !ha! ! s nee"ful. Thousan"s of professe" nf "els have %onfesse" n !he r la!!er "ays !ha! !hey ha" never s!u" e" !he . &le wh %h !hey pre!en"e" !o "eny$ an" !hou*h well rea" n !he works of un&el evers an" skep! %s$ ha" never %almly e)am ne" !he foun"a! ons of Chr s! an !y. 0&ove all$ le! us remem&er !ha! every nf "el has a %ons% en%e. To !h s we may always appeal %onf "en!ly. The very men who !alk mos! lou"ly an" " s"a nfully a*a ns! rel * on$ are of!en feel n* %ons% ous$ even wh le !hey !alk$ !ha! !hey are wron*. The very ar*umen!s wh %h !hey have sneere" a! an" r " %ule"$ w ll of!en prove a! las! no! !o have &een !hrown away. 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ how much of religious error may be traced to ignorance of the Bible . 4ur 3or"#s f rs! wor"s n reply !o !he /a""u%ees "e%lare !h s pla nly. 1e says$ '6o you no! err$ &e%ause you know no! !he /%r p!uresA' The !ru!h of !he pr n% ple here la " "own$ s prove" &y fa%!s n almos! every a*e of %hur%h h s!ory. The reforma! on n Jos ah#s "ay was %losely %onne%!e" w !h !he " s%overy of !he &ook of !he law. The false "o%!r nes of !he Jews n our 3or"#s ! me were !he resul! of ne*le%! n* !he /%r p!ures. The "ark a*es of Chr s!en"om were ! mes when !he . &le was kep! &a%k from !he people. The >ro!es!an! Reforma! on was ma nly effe%!e" &y !ransla! n* an" % r%ula! n* !he . &le. The %hur%hes wh %h are mos! flour sh n* a! !h s "ay$ are %hur%hes wh %h honor !he . &le. The na! ons wh %h en+oy mos! moral l *h!$ are na! ons n wh %h !he . &le s mos! known. The par shes n our lan" where !here s mos! !rue rel * on$ are !hose n wh %h !he . &le s mos! s!u" e". The *o"l es! fam l es are . &le-rea" n* fam l es. The hol es! men an" women are . &le-rea" n* people. These are s mple fa%!s wh %h %anno! &e "en e". 3e! !hese !h n*s s nk "eeply n!o our hear!s$ an" &ear fru ! n our l ves. 3e! us no! &e *noran! of !he . &le$ les! we fall n!o some "ea"ly error. 3e! us ra!her rea" ! " l *en!ly$ an" make ! our rule of fa !h an" pra%! %e. 3e! us la&or !o sprea" !he . &le over !he worl". The more !he &ook s known$ !he &e!!er !he worl" w ll &e. 2o! leas!$ le! us !ea%h our %h l"ren !o value !he . &le. The very &es! por! on we %an * ve !hem$ s a knowle"*e of !he /%r p!ures. 7e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !h s passa*e$ how different will be the state of

things after the resurrection" from the state in which we live now . 4ur 3or" !ells us$ !ha! 'when !hey shall r se from !he "ea"$ !hey ne !her marry$ nor are * ven n marr a*eG &u! are as !he an*els wh %h are n heaven.' ,! woul" &e fool sh !o "eny !ha! !here are many " ff %ul! es %onne%!e" w !h !he "o%!r ne of !he l fe !o %ome. ,! mus! nee"s &e so. The worl" &eyon" !he *rave s a worl" unseen &y mor!al eye$ an" !herefore unknown. The %on" ! ons of e) s!en%e !here$ are ne%essar ly h ""en from us$ an" f more were !ol"$ we woul" pro&a&ly no! un"ers!an" !. 3e! ! suff %e us !o know !ha! !he &o" es of !he sa n!s shall &e ra se"$ an"$ !hou*h *lor f e"$ shall &e l ke !he r &o" es on ear!h--so l ke$ !ha! !hose who knew !hem on%e shall know !hem a*a n. .u! !hou*h ra se" w !h a real &o"y$ !he r sen sa n! w ll &e %omple!ely free" from every!h n* wh %h s now an ev "en%e of weakness an" nf rm !y. There shall &e no!h n* l ke Mahome!#s *ross an" sensual >ara" se n !he Chr s! an#s fu!ure e) s!en%e. 1un*er an" !h rs! &e n* no more--!here shall &e no nee" of foo". 7ear ness an" fa! *ue &e n* no more--!here shall &e no nee" of sleep. 6ea!h &e n* no more--!here shall &e no nee" of & r!hs !o supply !he pla%e of !hose who are remove". (n+oy n* !he full presen%e of Go" an" 1 s Chr s!--men an" women shall no more nee" !he marr a*e un on$ n or"er !o help one ano!her. 0&le !o serve Go" w !hou! wear ness$ an" a!!en" on 1 m w !hou! " s!ra%! on--"o n* 1 s w ll perfe%!ly$ an" see n* 1 s fa%e %on! nually--%lo!he" n a *lor ous &o"y--!hey shall &e 'as !he an*els wh %h are n heaven.' There s %omfor! n all !h s for !he !rue Chr s! an. ,n !he &o"y !ha! he now has he of!en '*roans$ &e n* &ur"ene"$' from a "a ly sense of weakness an" mperfe%! on. (D Cor. 5:C.) 1e s now !r e" &y many %ares a&ou! !h s worl"--wha! !o ea!$ an" wha! !o "r nk$ an" wha! !o pu! on--how !o mana*e h s affa rs$ where !o l ve$ an" wha! %ompany !o %hoose. ,n !he worl" !o %ome$ all shall &e %han*e". 2o!h n* shall &e la%k n* !o make h s happ ness %omple!e. 4ne !h n* only we mus! %arefully &ear n m n". 3e! us !ake hee" !ha! we r se a*a n n '!he resurre%! on of l fe$' an" no! n '!he resurre%! on of %on"emna! on.' (John 5:D;.) To !he &el ever n !he 3or" Jesus$ !he resurre%! on w ll &e !he *rea!es! of &less n*s. To !he worl"ly$ !he *o"less$ an" !he profane$ !he resurre%! on w ll &e a m sery an" a %urse. 3e! us never res! un! l we are one w !h Chr s! an" Chr s! n us$ an" !hen we may look forwar" w !h +oy !o a l fe !o %ome.

Mark 12:28-34 These verses %on!a n a %onversa! on &e!ween our 3or" Jesus Chr s! an" 'one of !he /%r &es.' Bor !he !h r" ! me n one "ay we see our 3or" !r e" &y a har" 9ues! on. 1av n* pu! !o s len%e !he >har sees an" /a""u%ees$ 1e s aske" !o "e% "e a po n! on wh %h mu%h " fferen%e of op n on preva le" amon* !he Jews--'7h %h s !he f rs! %omman"men! of allA' 7e have reason !o &less Go" !ha! so many har" 9ues! ons were propoun"e" !o our 3or". 7 !hou! !hem !he marvelous wor"s of w s"om wh %h 1 s !hree answers %on!a n$ m *h! never have &een spoken a! all. 1ere$ as n many o!her %ases$ we see how Go" %an &r n* *oo" ou! of ev l. 1e %an make !he mos! mal % ous assaul!s of 1 s enem es work roun" !o !he *oo" of 1 s %hur%h$ an" re"oun" !o 1 s own pra se. 1e %an make !he enm !y of >har sees an" /a""u%ees an" /%r &es m n s!er ns!ru%! on !o 1 s people. 3 !!le " " !he !hree 9ues! oners n !h s %hap!er !h nk wha! &enef ! !he r %raf!y 9ues! ons woul" %onfer on all Chr s!en"om.

'4u! of !he ea!er %ame for!h mea!.' (Ju"*es 1C:1C.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !hese verses$ how high is our Lord Jesus Christ's standard of duty to God and man. The 9ues! on !ha! !he /%r &e propoun"e" was a very w "e one--'7h %h s !he f rs! %omman"men! of allA' The answer he re%e ve" was pro&a&ly very unl ke wha! he e)pe%!e". 0! any ra!e$ f he !hou*h! !ha! our 3or" woul" %ommen" !o h m !he o&servan%e of some ou!war" form or %eremony$ he was m s!aken. 1e hears !hese solemn wor"s--'5ou shall love !he 3or" your Go" w !h all your hear!$ an" w !h all your soul$ an" w !h all your m n"$ an" w !h all your s!ren*!h--!h s s !he f rs! %omman"men!. 0n" !he se%on" s l ke$ namely !h s$ you shall love your ne *h&or as yourself.' 1ow s!r k n* s our 3or"#s "es%r p! on of !he 1!!#., w !h wh %h we ou*h! !o re*ar" &o!h Go" an" our ne *h&or@ 7e are no! merely !o o&ey !he one$ or !o a&s!a n from n+ur n* !he o!her. ,n &o!h %ases we are !o * ve far more !han !h s. 7e are !o * ve love$ !he s!ron*es! of all affe%! ons$ an" !he mos! %omprehens ve. 0 rule l ke !h s n%lu"es every!h n*. ,! makes all pe!!y "e!a ls unne%essary. 2o!h n* w ll &e n!en! onally la%k n* where !here s love. 1ow s!r k n* a*a n s our 3or"#s "es%r p! on of !he M!+)2*! n wh %h we shoul" love Go" an" our ne *h&or@ 7e are !o love Go" &e!!er !han ourselves$ w !h all !he powers of our nwar" man. 7e %anno! love 1 m !oo well. 7e are !o love our ne *h&or as ourselves$ an" !o "eal w !h h m n all respe%!s as we woul" l ke h m !o "eal w !h us. The marvelous w s"om of !h s " s! n%! on s %lear an" pla n. 7e may eas ly err n our affe%! ons !owar" o!hers$ e !her &y !h nk n* !oo l !!le or !oo mu%h of !hem. 7e !herefore nee" !he rule !o love !hem as ourselves$ ne !her more nor less. 7e %anno! err n our affe%! on !owar" Go" n !he ma!!er of e)%ess. 1e s wor!hy of all we %an * ve 1 m. 7e are !herefore !o love 1 m w !h all our hear!. 3e! us keep !hese !wo *ran" rules %on! nually &efore our m n"s$ an" use !hem "a ly n our +ourney !hrou*h l fe. 3e! us see n !hem a summary of all !ha! we ou*h! !o a m a! n our pra%! %e$ &o!h as re*ar"s Go" an" man. .y !hem le! us !ry every " ff %ul!y of %ons% en%e !ha! may happen !o &ese! us$ as !o r *h! an" wron*. 1appy s !ha! man who s!r ves !o frame h s l fe a%%or" n* !o !hese rules. 3e! us learn from !h s &r ef e)pos ! on of !he !rue s!an"ar" of "u!y$ how *rea! s !he nee" n wh %h we all na!urally s!an" of !he a!onemen! an" me" a! on of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. 7here are !he men or women who %an say w !h !ru!h$ !ha! !hey have perfe%!ly love" Go" an" perfe%!ly love" manA 7here s !he person on ear!h who mus! no! plea" '*u l!y$' when !r e" &y su%h a law as !h sA 2o won"er !ha! !he /%r p!ure says$ '!here s none r *h!eous$ no@ no! one.' '.y !he "ee"s of !he law shall no flesh &e +us! f e".' (Rom. =:1E$ DE.) ,! s only *ross *noran%e of !he re9u remen!s of Go"#s law wh %h makes people un"ervalue !he Gospel. The man who has !he %leares! v ew of !he moral law$ w ll always &e !he man who has !he h *hes! sense of !he value of Chr s!#s a!on n* &loo". 3e! us o&serve$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !hese verses$ how far a man may go in religion" and yet not be a true disciple of Christ. The /%r &e$ n !he passa*e now &efore us$ was ev "en!ly a man of more knowle"*e

!han mos! of h s e9uals. 1e saw !h n*s wh %h many /%r &es an" >har sees never saw a! all. 1 s own wor"s are a s!ron* proof of !h s. 'There s one Go"--an" !here s none o!her &u! 1e an" !o love 1 m w !h all !he hear!$ an" w !h all !he un"ers!an" n*$ an" w !h all !he soul$ an" w !h all !he s!ren*!h$ an" !o love h s ne *h&or as h mself$ s more !han all whole &urn! offer n*s an" sa%r f %es.' These wor"s are remarka&le n !hemselves$ an" "ou&ly remarka&le when we remem&er who !he speaker was$ an" !he *enera! on amon* whom he l ve". 2o won"er !ha! we rea" ne)!$ !ha! our 3or" sa "$ 'you are no! far from !he k n*"om of Go".' .u! we mus! no! shu! our eyes !o !he fa%!$ !ha! we are nowhere !ol" !ha! !h s man &e%ame one of our 3or"#s " s% ples. 4n !h s po n! !here s a mournful s len%e. The parallel passa*e n Ma!!hew !hrows no! a *leam of l *h! on h s %ase. The o!her par!s of !he 2ew Tes!amen! !ell us no!h n* a&ou! h m. 7e are lef! !o "raw !he pa nful %on%lus on !ha!$ l ke !he r %h youn* man$ he %oul" no! make up h s m n" !o * ve up all an" follow Chr s!G or !ha!$ l ke !he %h ef rulers$ elsewhere men! one"$ he 'love" !he pra se of men more !han !he pra se of Go".' (John 1D:C=.) ,n shor!$ !hou*h 'no! far from !he k n*"om of Go"$' he pro&a&ly never en!ere" n!o !$ an" " e" ou!s "e. Cases l ke !ha! of !h s /%r &e$ are unhapp ly far from &e n* un%ommon. There are !housan"s on every s "e$ who$ l ke h m$ see mu%h an" know mu%h of rel * ous !ru!h$ an" ye! l ve an" " e un"e% "e". There are few !h n*s wh %h are so mu%h overlooke" as !he len*!h !o wh %h people may *o n rel * ous a!!a nmen!s$ an" ye! never &e %onver!e" an" never save". May we all mark well !h s man#s %ase$ an" !ake hee"@ 3e! us &eware of res! n* our hopes of salva! on on mere n!elle%!ual knowle"*e. 7e l ve n "ays when !here s *rea! "an*er of "o n* so. ("u%a! on makes %h l"ren a%9ua n!e" w !h many !h n*s n rel * on$ of wh %h !he r paren!s were on%e u!!erly *noran!. .u! e"u%a! on alone w ll never make a Chr s! an n !he s *h! of Go". 7e mus! no! only know !he lea" n* "o%!r nes of !he Gospel w !h our hea"s$ &u! re%e ve !hem n!o our hear!s$ an" &e *u "e" &y !hem n our l ves. May we never res! un! l we are ns "e !he k n*"om of Go"$ un! l we have !ruly repen!e"$ really &el eve"$ an" have &een ma"e new %rea!ures n Chr s! Jesus. ,f we res! sa! sf e" w !h &e n* 'no! far from !he k n*"om$' we shall f n" a! las! !ha! we are shu! ou! for evermore.

Mark 12:35-44 7e have seen n !he former par! of !h s %hap!er$ how !he enem es of our 3or" en"eavore" !o '%a!%h 1 m n 1 s wor"s.' 7e have seen how !he >har sees$ !he /a""u%ees$ an" !he /%r &es su%%ess vely propoun"e" !o 1 m har" 9ues! ons-9ues! ons we %an har"ly fa l !o o&serve more l kely !o m n s!er s!r fe !han e" f %a! on. The passa*e &efore us &e* ns w !h a 9ues! on of a very " fferen! %hara%!er. 4ur 3or" 1 mself propoun"s !. 1e asks 1 s enem es a&ou! Chr s! an" !he mean n* of 1oly /%r p!ure. /u%h 9ues! ons are always !ruly prof !a&le. Well would it be for the church if theological discussions were less about trifles, and more about weighty matters $ an" !h n*s ne%essary !o salva! on. 3e! us learn$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how much there is about Christ in the )ld (estament Scriptures. 4ur 3or" "es res !o e)pose !he *noran%e of !he Jew sh !ea%hers a&ou! !he !rue na!ure of !he Mess ah. 1e "oes ! &y referr n* !o a passa*e n !he &ook of >salms$ an" show n* !ha! !he /%r &es " " no! r *h!ly

un"ers!an" !. 0n" n so "o n* 1e shows us !ha! one su&+e%!$ a&ou! wh %h 6av " was nsp re" &y !he 1oly /p r ! !o wr !e$ was Chr s!. 7e know$ from our 3or"#s own wor"s n ano!her pla%e$ !ha! !he 4l" Tes!amen! /%r p!ures '!es! fy of Chr s!.' (John 5:=;.) They were n!en"e" !o !ea%h men a&ou! Chr s!$ &y !ypes$ an" f *ures$ an" prophe%y$ un! l 1e 1 mself shoul" appear on ear!h. 7e shoul" always keep !h s n m n"$ n rea" n* !he 4l" Tes!amen!$ &u! never so mu%h as n rea" n* !he >salms. Chr s! s un"ou&!e"ly !o &e foun" n every par! of !he 3aw an" !he >rophe!s$ &u! nowhere s 1e so mu%h !o &e foun"$ as n !he &ook of >salms. 1 s e)per en%e an" suffer n*s a! 1 s f rs! %om n* n!o !he worl"--1 s fu!ure *lory$ an" 1 s f nal !r umph a! 1 s se%on" %om n*--are !he %h ef su&+e%!s of many a passa*e n !ha! won"erful par! of Go"#s wor". ,! s a !rue say n*$ !ha! we shoul" look for Chr s! 9u !e as mu%h as 6av "$ n rea" n* !he >salms. 3e! us &eware of un"ervalu n*$ or "esp s n* !he 4l" Tes!amen!. ,n !s pla%e an" propor! on$ !he 4l" Tes!amen! s +us! as valua&le as !he 2ew. There are pro&a&ly many r %h passa*es n !ha! par! of !he . &le wh %h have never ye! &een fully e)plore". There are "eep !h n*s a&ou! Jesus n !$ wh %h many walk over l ke h ""en *ol" m nes$ an" know no! !he !reasures &enea!h !he r fee!. 3e! us reveren%e all !he . &le. 0ll s * ven &y nsp ra! on$ an" all s prof !a&le. 4ne par! !hrows l *h! upon ano!her$ an" no par! %an ever &e ne*le%!e" w !hou! loss an" "ama*e !o our souls. 0 &oas!ful %on!emp! for !he 4l" Tes!amen! /%r p!ures has of!en prove" !he f rs! s!ep !owar"s nf "el !y. 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how odious is the sin of hypocrisy in the sight of Christ . Th s s a lesson wh %h s !au*h! us &y our 3or"#s warn n* a*a ns! !he /%r &es. 1e e)poses some of !he r no!or ous pra%! %es--!he r os!en!a! ous manner of "ress n*--!he r love of !he honor an" pra se of man ra!her !han Go"--!he r love of money$ " s*u se" un"er a pre!en"e" %on%ern for w "ows-!he r lon*-pro!ra%!e" pu&l % "evo! ons$ n!en"e" !o make men !h nk !hem em nen!ly *o"ly. 0n" 1e w n"s up all &y !he solemn "e%lara! on$ '!hese shall re%e ve *rea!er "amna! on.' 4f all !he s ns n!o wh %h men %an fall$ none seem so e)%ee" n*ly s nful as false profess on an" hypo%r sy. 0! all even!s$ none have "rawn from our 3or"#s mou!h su%h s!ron* lan*ua*e$ an" su%h heavy "enun% a! ons. ,! s &a" enou*h !o &e le" away %ap! ve &y open s n$ an" !o serve " verse lus!s an" pleasures. .u! ! s even worse !o pre!en" !o have a rel * on$ wh le n real !y we serve !he worl". 3e! us &eware of fall n* n!o !h s a&om na&le s n. 7ha!ever we "o n rel * on$ le! us never wear a %loak. 3e! us &e real$ hones!$ !horou*h$ an" s n%ere n our Chr s! an !y. 7e %anno! "e%e ve an all-see n* Go". 7e may !ake n poor shor!-s *h!e" man &y a l !!le !alk an" profess on$ an" a few %an! phrases$ an" an affe%!a! on of "evou!ness. .u! Go" s no! mo%ke". 1e s a " s%erner of !he !hou*h!s an" n!en!s of !he hear!. 1 s allsee n* eye p er%es !hrou*h !he pa n!$ an" varn sh$ an" ! nsel$ wh %h %over !he unsoun" hear!. The "ay of +u"*men! w ll soon &e here. The '+oy of !he hypo%r !e s &u! for a momen!.' (Jo& DE:5.) 1 s en" w ll &e shame an" everlas! n* %on!emp!. 4ne !h n*$ however$ mus! never &e for*o!!en n %onne%! on w !h !he su&+e%! of hypo%r sy. 3e! us no! fla!!er ourselves$ &e%ause some make a false profess on of rel * on$ !ha! o!hers nee" no! make any profess on a! all. Th s s a %ommon "elus on$ an" one a*a ns! wh %h we mus! %arefully *uar". ,! "oes no! follow$ &e%ause some &r n* Chr s! an !y n!o %on!emp! &y profess n* wha! !hey "o no! really &el eve an"

feel$ !ha! we shoul" run un!o !he o!her e)!reme$ an" &r n* ! n!o %on!emp! &y a %owar"ly s len%e an" &y keep n* our rel * on ou! of s *h!. 3e! us ra!her &e "ou&ly %areful !o a"orn our "o%!r ne &y our l ves. 3e! us prove our s n%er !y &y !he %ons s!en%y of our l ves. 3e! us show !he worl" !ha! !here s !rue %o n$ as well as %oun!erfe ! %o n$ an" !ha! !he v s &le Chur%h %on!a ns Chr s! ans who %an w !ness a *oo" %onfess on$ as well as >har sees an" /%r &es. 3e! us %onfess our Mas!er mo"es!ly an" hum&ly$ &u! f rmly an" "e% "e"ly$ an" show !he worl" !ha! al!hou*h some men may &e hypo%r !es$ !here are o!hers who are hones! an" !rue. 3e! us learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how pleasing to Christ is self. denying liberality in giving. Th s s a lesson wh %h s !au*h! us n a s!r k n* manner$ &y our 3or"#s %ommen"a! on of a %er!a n poor w "ow. 7e are !ol" !ha! 1e '&ehel" how !he people %as! n' !he r volun!ary %on!r &u! ons for Go"#s serv %e n!o !he pu&l %$ %olle%! n* &o) or '!reasury.' 1e saw 'many !ha! were r %h %as! n* n mu%h.' 0! las! he saw !h s poor w "ow %as! n all !ha! she ha" for her "a ly ma n!enan%e. 0n" !hen we hear 1 m pronoun%e !he solemn wor"s$ 'Th s poor woman has %as! more n !han !hey all' more n !he s *h! of 1 m who looks no! merely a! !he amoun! * ven$ &u! a! !he a& l !y of !he * ver--no! merely a! !he 9uan! !y %on!r &u!e"$ &u! a! !he mo! ve an" hear! of !he %on!r &u!or. There are few of our 3or"#s say n*s so mu%h overlooke" as !h s. There are !housan"s who remem&er all 1 s "o%!r nal " s%ourses$ an" ye! %on!r ve !o for*e! !h s l !!le n% "en! n 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry. The proof of !h s s !o &e seen n !he mea*er an" spar n* %on!r &u! ons wh %h are yearly ma"e &y Chr s!#s %hur%h !o "o *oo" n !he worl". The proof s !o &e seen n !he m sera&ly small n%omes of all !he m ss onary so% e! es$ n propor! on !o !he weal!h of !he %hur%hes. The proof s !o &e seen n !he lon* annual l s!s of self-%ompla%en! *u nea su&s%r &ers$ of whom many %oul" eas ly * ve hun"re"s of poun"s. The s! n* ness of profess n* Chr s! ans n all ma!!ers wh %h %on%ern Go" an" rel * on$ s one of !he %ry n* s ns of !he "ay$ an" one of !he wors! s *ns of !he ! mes. The * vers !o Chr s!#s %ause are &u! a small se%! on of !he v s &le %hur%h. 2o! one &ap! ?e" person n !wen!y$ pro&a&ly$ knows any !h n* of &e n* 'r %h !owar"s Go".' (3uke 1D:D1.) The vas! ma+or !y spen" poun"s on !hemselves$ an" * ve no! even pen%e !o Chr s!. 3e! us mourn over !h s s!a!e of !h n*s$ an" pray Go" !o amen" !. 3e! us pray 1 m !o open men#s eyes$ an" awake men#s hear!s$ an" s! r up a sp r ! of l &eral !y. 0&ove all$ le! us ea%h "o our own "u!y$ an" * ve l &erally an" *la"ly !o every Chr s! an o&+e%! wh le we %an. There w ll &e no * v n* when we are "ea". 3e! us * ve as !hose who remem&er !ha! !he eyes of Chr s! are upon us. 1e s! ll sees e)a%!ly wha! ea%h * ves$ an" knows e)a%!ly how mu%h s lef! &eh n". 0&ove all le! us * ve as !he " s% ples of a %ru% f e" /av or$ who *ave 1 mself for us$ &o"y an" soul$ on !he %ross. Breely we have re%e ve". 3e! us freely * ve.

Mark chapter 13
Mark 13:1-8 The %hap!er we have now &e*un s full of prophe%y--prophe%y of wh %h par! has &een fulf lle"$ an" par! rema ns !o &e a%%ompl she". Two *rea! even!s form !he su&+e%! of !h s prophe%y. 4ne s !he "es!ru%! on of Jerusalem$ an" !he %onse9uen! en" of !he Jew sh " spensa! on. The o!her s !he se%on" %om n* of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!$ an" !he w n" n* up of !he s!a!e of !h n*s un"er wh %h we now l ve. The "es!ru%! on of Jerusalem was an even! wh %h happene" only for!y years af!er our

3or" was %ru% f e". The se%on" %om n* of Chr s! s an even! wh %h s ye! !o %ome$ an" we may ye! l ve !o see ! w !h our own eyes. Chap!ers l ke !h s ou*h! !o &e "eeply n!eres! n* !o every !rue Chr s! an. 2o h s!ory ou*h! !o re%e ve so mu%h of our a!!en! on as !he pas! an" fu!ure h s!ory of !he Chur%h of Chr s!. The r se an" fall of worl"ly emp res are even!s of %ompara! vely small mpor!an%e n !he s *h! of Go". .a&ylon$ an" Gree%e$ an" Rome$ an" Bran%e$ an" (n*lan"$ are as no!h n* n 1 s eyes &y !he s "e of !he mys! %al &o"y of Chr s!. The mar%h of arm es an" !he v %!or es of %on9uerors are mere !r fles n %ompar son w !h !he pro*ress of !he Gospel$ an" !he f nal !r umph of !he >r n%e of >ea%e. May we remem&er !h s n rea" n* prophe! %al /%r p!ure@ '.lesse" s he !ha! rea"s.' (Rev. 1:=.) The f rs! !h n* !ha! "eman"s our a!!en! on n !he verses &efore us$ s the prediction of our Lord concerning the temple at Jerusalem. The " s% ples$ w !h !he na!ural pr "e of Jews$ ha" %alle" !he r Mas!er#s a!!en! on !o !he ar%h !e%!ural splen"or of !he !emple. '/ee$' !hey sa "$ 'wha! mass ve s!ones an" wha! &u l" n*s are here@' They re%e ve" an answer from !he 3or" very " fferen! from wha! !hey e)pe%!e"$ a hear!-sa""en n* answer$ an" one well %al%ula!e" !o s! r up n9u s ! ve !hou*h!s n !he r m n"s. 2o wor" of a"m ra! on falls from 1 s l ps. 1e e)presses no %ommen"a! on of !he "es *n or workmansh p of !he *or*eous s!ru%!ure &efore 1 m. 1e appears !o lose s *h! of !he form an" lovel ness of !he ma!er al &u l" n*$ n 1 s %on%ern for !he w %ke"ness of !he na! on !o wh %h ! &elon*e". '6o you see$' 1e repl es$ '!hese *rea! &u l" n*sA There shall no! &e lef! one s!one upon ano!her$ !ha! shall no! &e %as! "own.' 3e! us learn from !h s solemn say n*$ !ha! !he !rue *lory of a Chur%h "oes no! %ons s! n !s &u l" n*s for pu&l % worsh p$ &u! n !he fa !h an" *o"l ness of !s mem&ers. The eyes of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! %oul" f n" no pleasure n look n* a! !he very !emple wh %h %on!a ne" !he holy of hol es$ an" !he *ol"en %an"les! %k$ an" !he al!ar of &urn! offer n*. Mu%h less$ may we suppose$ %an he f n" pleasure n !he mos! splen" " pla%es of worsh p amon* profess n* Chr s! ans$ f 1 s 7or" an" 1 s /p r ! are no! honore" n !. 7e shall all "o well !o remem&er !h s. 7e are na!urally n%l ne" !o +u"*e !h n*s &y !he ou!war" appearan%e$ l ke %h l"ren who value popp es more !han %orn. 7e are !oo ap! !o suppose !ha! where !here s a s!a!ely e%%les as! %al &u l" n* an" a ma*n f %en! %eremon al--%arve" s!one an" pa n!e" *lass--f ne mus % an" *or*eously"resse" m n s!ers$ !here mus! &e some real rel * on. 0n" ye! !here may &e no rel * on a! all. ,! may &e all form$ an" show$ an" appeal !o !he senses. There may &e no!h n* !o sa! sfy !he %ons% en%e--no!h n* !o %ure !he hear!. ,! may prove on n9u ry !ha! Chr s! s no! prea%he" n !ha! s!a!ely &u l" n*$ an" !he 7or" of Go" no! e)poun"e". The m n s!ers may perhaps &e u!!erly *noran! of !he Gospel$ an" !he worsh pers may &e "ea" n !respasses an" s ns. 7e nee" no! "ou&! !ha! Go" sees no &eau!y n su%h a &u l" n* as !h s. 7e nee" no! "ou&! !he >ar!henon ha" no *lory n Go"#s s *h! %ompare" !o !he "ens an" %aves where !he early Chr s! ans worsh pe"$ or !ha! !he lowes! room where Chr s! s prea%he" a! !h s "ay$ s more honora&le n h s eyes !han /!. >e!er#s Ca!he"ral a! Rome. 3e! us however no! run n!o !he a&sur" e)!reme of suppos n* !ha! ! ma!!ers no! wha! k n" of &u l" n* we se! apar! for Go"#s serv %e. There s no >opery n mak n* a

%hur%h han"some. There s no !rue rel * on n hav n* a " r!y$ mean$ sha&&y$ an" " sor"erly pla%e of worsh p. '3e! all !h n*s &e "one "e%en!ly an" n or"er.' (1 Cor. 1C:CE.) .u! le! ! &e a se!!le" pr n% ple n our rel * on$ however &eau! ful we make our %hur%hes$ !o re*ar" pure "o%!r ne an" holy pra%! %e as !he r pr n% pal ornamen!s. Without !hese !wo !h n*s$ !he no&les! e%%les as! %al e" f %e s ra" %ally "efe%! ve. ,! has no *lory f Go" s no! !here. With !hese !wo !h n*s$ !he hum&les! &r %k %o!!a*e where !he Gospel s prea%he"$ s lovely an" &eau! ful. ,! s %onse%ra!e" &y Chr s!#s own presen%e an" !he 1oly /p r !#s own &less n*. The se%on" !h n* !ha! "eman"s our a!!en! on n !hese verses$ s the remar!able manner in which our Lord commences the great prophecy of this chapter . 7e are !ol" !ha! four of 1 s " s% ples$ arouse" no "ou&! &y 1 s warn n* pre" %! on a&ou! !he !emple$ appl e" !o 1 m for fur!her nforma! on. 'Tell us$' !hey sa "$ 'when shall !hese !h n*s &eA an" wha! shall &e !he s *n when all !hese !h n*s shall &e fulf lle"A' The answer wh %h our 3or" * ves !o !hese 9ues! ons$ &e* ns a! on%e w !h a pre" %! on of %om n* false "o%!r ne an" %om n* wars. ,f 1 s " s% ples !hou*h! 1e woul" prom se !hem mme" a!e su%%ess an" !emporal prosper !y n !h s worl"$ !hey were soon un"e%e ve". /o far from & "" n* !hem e)pe%! a spee"y v %!ory of !ru!h$ 1e !ells !hem !o look ou! for !he r se of error. 'Take hee" les! any man "e%e ve you. Many shall %ome n my name$ say n*$ , am Chr s!.' /o far from & "" n* !hem e)pe%! a *eneral re *n of pea%e an" 9u e!ness$ 1e !ells !hem !o prepare for wars an" !rou&les. '2a! on shall r se a*a ns! na! on$ an" k n*"om a*a ns! k n*"om. There shall &e ear!h9uakes n " verse pla%es$ an" !here shall &e fam nes an" !rou&les--!hese are !he &e* nn n*s of sorrows.' There s some!h n* "eeply ns!ru%! ve n !h s open n* of our 3or"#s prophe! %al " s%ourse. ,! seems l ke !he key no!e of wha! 1 s Chur%h s !o e)pe%! &e!ween 1 s f rs! an" se%on" a"ven!s. ,! looks as f ! were spe% ally n!en"e" !o %orre%! !he m s!aken v ews$ no! only of 1 s apos!les$ &u! of !he vas! &o"y of profess n* Chr s! ans n every a*e. ,! looks as f our 3or" knew well !ha! man s always %a!%h n* a! !he "ea of a '*oo" ! me %om n*$' an" as f 1e woul" * ve us pla n no! %e !ha! !here w ll &e no '*oo" ! me' un! l 1e re!urns. ,! may no! &e pleasan! !o us !o hear su%h ! " n*s. .u! ! s n s!r %! a%%or"an%e w !h wha! we rea" n !he prophe! Jerem ah$ 'The prophe!s !ha! have &een &efore$ prophes e" of war$ an" of ev l$ an" of pes! len%e. The prophe! wh %h prophes es of pea%e$ when !he wor" of !he prophe! shall %ome !o pass$ !hen shall !he prophe! &e known$ !ha! !he 3or" has !ruly sen! h m.' (Jer. D8:8$ ;.) 3e! us learn from our 3or"#s open n* pre" %! on !o &e mo"era!e n our e)pe%!a! ons. 2o!h n* has %rea!e" so mu%h " sappo n!men! n !he Chur%h of Chr s!$ as !he e)!rava*an! e)pe%!a! ons n wh %h many of !s mem&ers have n"ul*e". 3e! us no! &e %arr e" away &y !he %ommon "ea$ !ha! !he worl" w ll &e %onver!e" &efore !he 3or" Jesus re!urns$ an" !he ear!h f lle" w !h !he knowle"*e of !he 3or". ,! w ll no! &e so. There s no!h n* n /%r p!ure !o +us! fy su%h e)pe%!a! ons. 3e! us %ease !o e)pe%! a re *n of pea%e. 3e! us ra!her look for wars. 3e! us %ease !o e)pe%! all men !o &e ma"e holy &y any e) s! n* ns!rumen!al !y--s%hools$ m ss ons$ prea%h n*$ or any!h n* of !he k n". 3e! us ra!her look for !he r se of 0n! %hr s! 1 mself. 3e! us un"ers!an" !ha! we l ve n a "ay of ele%! on$ an" no! of un versal %onvers on. There w ll &e no un versal pea%e un! l !he >r n%e of >ea%e appears. There w ll &e no un versal

hol ness un! l /a!an s &oun". ,! may %os! us mu%h !o hol" su%h op n ons as !hese. .u! !here s no! a %hur%h or %on*re*a! on on ear!h$ whose s!a!e "oes no! show !ha! !hese op n ons are !rue$ an" !ha! wh le 'many are %alle"$ few are %hosen.' ,! may &r n* on us !he unk n" remarks an" !he unfavora&le +u"*men! of many. .u! !he en" w ll prove who s r *h! an" who s wron*. Bor !ha! en" le! us wa ! pa! en!ly. 3e! us la&or$ an" !ea%h$ an" work$ an" pray. .u! le! ! no! surpr se us f we f n" our 3or"#s wor" s!r %!ly !rue--'2arrow s !he way wh %h lea"s un!o l fe$ an" few !here &e !ha! f n" !.' (Ma!!. 7:1C.)

Mark 13:9-13 ,n rea" n* !he prophe% es of !he . &le %on%ern n* Chr s!#s Chur%h$ we shall *enerally f n" +u"*men! an" mer%y &len"e" !o*e!her. They are sel"om all & !!er w !hou! any swee!--sel"om all "arkness w !hou! any l *h!. The 3or" knows our weakness$ an" rea" ness !o fa n!$ an" has !aken %are !o m n*le %onsola! ons w !h !hrea!en n*s--k n" wor"s w !h har" wor"s$ l ke warp an" woof n a *armen!. 7e may mark !h s !hrou*hou! !he &ook of Revela! on. 7e may see ! all !hrou*h !he prophe%y we are now %ons "er n*. 7e may no!e ! n !he few verses wh %h we have +us! rea". 3e! us o&serve$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ what troubles our Lord bids is people e#pect between the time of is first and second comings . Trou&le$ no "ou&!$ s !he por! on of all men$ s n%e !he "ay !ha! 0"am fell. ,! %ame n w !h !he !horns an" !h s!les. 'Man s &orn !o !rou&le as !he sparks fly upwar"s.' (Jo& 5:7) .u! !here are spe% al !rou&les !o wh %h &el evers n Jesus Chr s! are l a&le an" of !hese our 3or" * ves !hem pla n warn n*. 2he' &+*t e/pect tr!+( e from the world. They mus! no! look for !he help of 'rulers an" k n*s.' They w ll f n" !he r ways an" !he r "o%!r nes &r n* !hem no favor n h *h pla%es. 4n !he %on!rary$ !hey w ll of!en &e mpr sone"$ &ea!en$ an" &rou*h! &efore +u"*men! sea!s as malefa%!ors$ for no o!her reason !han !he r a"heren%e !o !he Gospel of Chr s!. 2he' &+*t e/pect tr!+( e from their own families. '.ro!her shall &e!ray &ro!her !o "ea!h$ an" !he fa!her !he son.' The r own flesh an" &loo" w ll of!en for*e! !o love !hem$ from ha!re" !o !he r rel * on. They w ll f n" some! mes !ha! !he enm !y of !he %arnal m n" a*a ns! Go"$ s s!ron*er !han even !he ! es of fam ly an" &loo". 7e shall "o well !o lay !hese !h n*s !o hear!$ an" !o '%oun! !he %os!' of &e n* a Chr s! an. 7e mus! !h nk ! no s!ran*e !h n* f our rel * on &r n*s w !h ! some & !!er !h n*s. 4ur lo!$ no "ou&!$ s %as! n favora&le ! mes. The l nes of a .r ! sh Chr s! an are fallen n pleasan! pla%es. 7e have no reason !o &e afra " of "ea!h or mpr sonmen!$ f we serve Chr s!. .u!$ for all !ha!$ we mus! make up our m n"s !o en"ure a %er!a n propor! on of har"sh p$ f we are real$ !horou*h$ an" "e% "e" Chr s! ans. 7e mus! &e %on!en! !o pu! up w !h lau*h!er$ r " %ule$ mo%kery$ slan"er$ an" pe!!y perse%u! on. 7e mus! even &ear har" wor"s an" unk n"ness from our neares! an" "eares! rela! ons. The 'offen%e of !he %ross' s no! %ease". 'The na!ural man re%e ves no! !he !h n*s of !he /p r ! of Go".' Those who are '&orn af!er !he flesh' w ll perse%u!e !hose !ha! are '&orn af!er !he /p r !.' (1 Cor. D:1CG Gal. C:D;.) The u!mos! %ons s!en%y of l fe w ll no! preven! !. ,f we are %onver!e"$ we mus! never &e surpr se" !o f n" !ha! we are ha!e" for Chr s!#s sake.

3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ what rich encouragement the Lord Jesus holds out to is persecuted people. 1e se!s &efore !hem !hree r %h %or" als !o %heer !he r souls. Bor one !h n* 1e !ells us !ha! '!he Gospel mus! f rs! &e prea%he" amon* all na! ons.' ,! mus! &e$ an" ! shall &e. ,n sp !e of men an" "ev ls$ !he s!ory of !he %ross of Chr s! shall &e !ol" n every par! of !he worl". The *a!es of hell shall no! preva l a*a ns! !. 2o!w !hs!an" n* perse%u! on$ mpr sonmen!$ an" "ea!h$ !here never shall &e la%k n* a su%%ess on of fa !hful men$ who shall pro%la m !he *la" ! " n*s of salva! on &y *ra%e. Bew may &el eve !hem. Many of !he r hearers may %on! nue har"ene" n s n. .u! no!h n* shall preven! !he Gospel &e n* prea%he". The wor" shall never &e &oun"$ !hou*h !hose who prea%h ! may &e mpr sone" an" sla n. (D T m. D:;.) Bor ano!her !h n*$ our 3or" !ells us$ !ha! !hose who are pla%e" n spe% al !r al for !he Gospel#s sake$ shall have spe% al help n !he r ! me of nee". The 1oly /p r ! shall ass s! !hem n mak n* !he r "efense. They shall have a mou!h an" w s"om wh %h !he r a"versar es shall no! &e a&le !o *a nsay or res s!. 0s ! was w !h >e!er an" John an" >aul$ when &rou*h! &efore Jew sh an" Roman %oun% ls$ so shall ! &e w !h all !rue-hear!e" " s% ples. 1ow !horou*hly !h s prom se has &een fulf lle"$ !he h s!or es of 1uss$ an" 3u!her$ an" 3a! mer$ an" R "ley$ an" .a)!er a&un"an!ly prove. Chr s! has &een fa !hful !o 1 s wor". Bor ano!her !h n*$ our 3or" !ells us !ha! pa! en! perseveran%e shall resul! n f nal salva! on. '1e who en"ures un!o !he en"$ !he same shall &e save".' 2o! one of !hose who en"ure !r &ula! on shall m ss h s rewar". 0ll shall a! len*!h reap a r %h harves!. Thou*h !hey sow n !ears$ !hey shall reap n +oy. The r l *h! affl %! on$ wh %h s &u! for a momen!$ shall lea" !o an e!ernal we *h! of *lory. 3e! us *a!her %omfor! from !hese %omfor!a&le prom ses for all !rue-hear!e" servan!s of Chr s!. >erse%u!e"$ ve)e"$ an" mo%ke"$ as !hey are now$ !hey shall f n" a! len*!h !hey are on !he v %!or ous s "e. .ese!$ perple)e"$ !r e"$ as !hey some! mes are$ !hey shall never f n" !hemselves en! rely forsaken. Thou*h %as! "own$ !hey shall no! &e "es!roye". 3e! !hem possess !he r souls n pa! en%e. The en" of all !ha! !hey see *o n* on aroun" !hem s %er!a n$ f )e"$ an" sure. The k n*"oms of !h s worl" shall ye! &e%ome !he k n*"oms of !he r Go" an" of h s Chr s!. 0n" when !he s%offers an" un*o"ly$ who so of!en nsul!e" !hem$ are pu! !o shame$ &el evers shall re%e ve a %rown of *lory !ha! fa"es no! away.

Mark 13:14-23 7e are !au*h! n !hese verses the lawfulness of using means to provide for our own personal safety. The lan*ua*e of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! on !he su&+e%! s %lear an" unm s!aka&le--'3e! !hose who &e n Ju"ea B3(( !o !he moun!a ns--le! h m !ha! s on !he house!op no! *o "own n!o !he house--le! h m !ha! s n !he f el" no! !urn &a%k a*a n--pray you !ha! your fl *h! &e no! n !he w n!er.' 2o! a wor" s sa " !o make us suppose !ha! fl *h! from "an*er$ n %er!a n % r%ums!an%es$ s unwor!hy of a Chr s! an. 0s !o !he ! me prophes e" of n !he passa*e &efore us$ men may " ffer w "ely. .u! as !o !he lawfulness of !ak n* measures !o avo " per l$ !he !ea%h n* of !he passa*e s pla n.

The lesson s one of w "e appl %a! on$ an" of mu%h usefulness. 0 Chr s! an s no! !o ne*le%! !he use of means$ &e%ause he s a Chr s! an$ n !he !h n*s of !h s l fe$ any more !han n !he !h n*s of !he l fe !o %ome. 0 &el ever s no! !o suppose !ha! Go" w ll !ake %are of h m$ an" prov "e for h s nee"s$ f he "oes no! make use of means an" !he %ommon sense wh %h Go" has * ven h m$ as well as o!her people. .eyon" "ou&! he may e)pe%! !he spe% al help of h s Ba!her n heaven$ n every ! me of nee". .u! he mus! e)pe%! ! n !he " l *en! use of lawful means. To profess !o !rus! Go"$ wh le we "ly s ! s! ll an" "o no!h n*$ s no!h n* &e!!er !han fana! % sm$ an" &r n*s rel * on n!o %on!emp!. The wor" of Go" %on!a ns several ns!ru%! ve e)amples on !h s su&+e%!$ !o wh %h we shall "o well !o !ake hee". The %on"u%! of Ja%o&$ when he wen! !o mee! h s &ro!her (sau$ s a s!r k n* %ase n po n!. 1e f rs! prays a mos! !ou%h n* prayer$ an" !hen sen"s h s &ro!her a %arefully arran*e" presen!. (Gen. =D:;-1=.) The %on"u%! of 1e?ek ah$ when /enna%her & %ame a*a ns! Jerusalem$ s ano!her %ase. '7 !h us$' he !ells !he people$ ' s !he 3or" our Go"$ !o f *h! our &a!!les.' 0n" ye!$ a! !he same ! me$ he &u l! up !he walls of !he % !y$ an" ma"e "ar!s an" sh el"s. (D Chron. =D:5.) The %on"u%! of >aul s ano!her %ase. Bre9uen!ly we rea" of h s flee n* from one pla%e !o ano!her$ !o preserve l fe. 4n%e we see h m le! "own from !he walls of 6amas%us &y a &aske!. 4n%e we hear h m !ell n* !he sol" ers on &oar" !he 0le)an"r an sh p$ '()%ep! !he sh pmen a& "e n !he sh p$ you %anno! &e save".' (0%!s D7:=1.) 7e know !he *rea! apos!le#s fa !h an" %onf "en%e. 7e know h s %oura*e an" rel an%e on h s Mas!er. 0n" ye! we see !ha! even he never "esp se" !he use of means. 3e! us no! &e ashame" !o "o l kew se. 4ne !h n* only le! us &ear n m n". 3e! us no! res! upon means wh le we use !hem. 3e! us look far &eyon" !hem !o !he &less n* of Go". ,! s a *rea! s n !o &e l ke 0sa$ an" seek no! !o !he 3or" &u! !o !he phys % ans. To use all means " l *en!ly$ an" !hen leave !he whole even! n !he han" of Go"$ s !he mark a! wh %h a !rue &el ever ou*h! !o a m. 7e are !au*h!$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !hese verses$ the great privileges of God's elect. Tw %e n !he passa*e our 3or" uses a remarka&le e)press on a&ou! !hem. 1e says of !he *rea! !r &ula! on$ '()%ep! !ha! !he 3or" ha" shor!ene" !hose "ays$ no flesh shoul" &e save"G &u! for !he ele%!#s sake$ whom 1e has %hosen$ 1e has shor!ene" !he "ays.' 1e says a*a n of !he false Chr s!s an" false prophe!s$ !ha! !hey 'shall show s *ns an" won"ers$ !o "e%e ve$ f ! were poss &le$ !he ele%!.' ,! s pla n from !h s$ an" o!her passa*es n !he . &le$ !ha! Go" has an ele%! people n !he worl". They are !hose$ a%%or" n* !o !he seven!een!h ar! %le of our %hur%h$ whom '1e has "e%ree" &y 1 s %ounsel$ se%re! !o us$ !o "el ver from %urse an" "amna! onG !hose whom 1e has %hosen n Chr s! ou! of mank n"$ an" "e%ree" !o &r n* &y Chr s! !o everlas! n* salva! on$ as vessels ma"e !o honor.' To !hem$ an" !hem only$ &elon* !he *rea! pr v le*es of +us! f %a! on$ san%! f %a! on$ an" f nal *lory. They$ an" !hey only$ are '%alle" &y !he /p r ! n "ue season.' They$ an" !hey only$ 'o&ey !he %all n*. They are ma"e sons of Go" &y a"op! on. They are ma"e l ke !he ma*e of Go"#s only &e*o!!en /on$ Jesus Chr s!. They walk rel * ously n *oo" works$ an" a! len*!h$ &y Go"#s mer%y$ a!!a n !o everlas! n* fel % !y.' To !hem &elon* !he pre% ous prom ses of !he Gospel. They are !he &r "e$ !he 3am&#s w fe. They are !he &o"y of Chr s!. They are !hose whom Go" espe% ally %ares for n !he worl". 8 n*s$ pr n%es$ no&lemen$ r %h men$ are all no!h n* n Go"#s eyes$ %ompare" !o 1 s ele%!. These !h n*s are pla nly reveale" n /%r p!ure. The pr "e of man may no! l ke !hem. .u! !hey %anno! &e

*a nsa ". The su&+e%! of ele%! on s$ no "ou&!$ "eep an" mys!er ous. Hn9ues! ona&ly ! has &een of!en sa"ly perver!e" an" a&use". .u! the &"*+*e !% tr+th* &+*t n!t pre$ent +* %r!& +*"ng the&. R *h!ly use"$ an" fen%e" w !h proper %au! ons$ ele%! on s a "o%!r ne 'full of swee!$ pleasan!$ an" unspeaka&le %omfor!.' .efore we leave !he su&+e%!$ le! us see wha! !hese %au! ons are. Bor one !h n*$ we mus! never for*e! !ha! Go"#s ele%! on "oes no! "es!roy man#s respons & l !y an" a%%oun!a&leness for h s own soul. The same . &le wh %h speaks of ele%! on$ always a""resses men as free a*en!s$ an" %alls on !hem !o repen!$ !o &el eve$ !o seek$ !o pray$ !o s!r ve$ !o la&or. ',n our "o n*s$' mos! w sely says !he seven!een!h ar! %le$ '!ha! w ll of Go" s !o &e followe"$ wh %h we have e)pressly "e%lare" un!o us n !he wor" of Go".' Bor ano!her !h n*$ le! us never for*e! !ha! !he *rea! !h n* we have !o "o$ s !o repen! an" &el eve !he Gospel. 7e have no r *h! !o !ake any %omfor! from Go"#s ele%! on$ unless we %an show pla n ev "en%e of repen!an%e an" fa !h. 7e are no! !o s!an" s! ll$ !rou&l n* ourselves w !h an) ous spe%ula! ons whe!her we are ele%! or no!$ when Go" %omman"s us pla nly !o repen! an" &el eve. (0%!s 17:=E. 1 John =:D=.) 3e! us %ease !o "o ev l. 3e! us learn !o "o well. 3e! us &reak off from s n. 3e! us lay hol" on Chr s!. 3e! us "raw near !o Go" n prayer. /o "o n*$ we shall soon know an" feel whe!her we are Go"#s ele%!. To use !he wor"s of an ol" " v ne$ we mus! &e* n a! !he *rammar s%hool of repen!an%e an" fa !h &efore we *o !o !he un vers !y of ele%! on. ,! was when >aul remem&ere" !he fa !h$ an" hope$ an" love of !he Thessalon ans$ !ha! he sa "$ ', know your ele%! on of Go".' (1 Thess. 1:C.)

Mark 13:24-31 Th s par! of our 3or"#s prophe%y on !he Moun! of 4l ves s en! rely unfulf lle". The even!s "es%r &e" n ! are all ye! !o !ake pla%e. They may poss &ly !ake pla%e n our own "ay. The passa*e !herefore s one wh %h we ou*h! always !o rea" w !h pe%ul ar n!eres!. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ what solemn ma$esty will attend our Lord Jesus Christ's second coming to this world . The lan*ua*e !ha! s use" a&ou! !he sun$ moon$ an" s!ars$ %onveys !he "ea of some un versal %onvuls on of !he un verse a! !he %lose of !he presen! " spensa! on. ,! rem n"s us of !he apos!le >e!er#s wor"s$ '!he heavens shall pass away w !h a *rea! no se$ an" !he elemen!s shall mel! w !h ferven! hea!.' (D >e!.=:1E.) 0! su%h a ! me as !h s$ am " !error an" %onfus on$ e)%ee" n* all !ha! even ear!h9uakes or hurr %anes are known !o pro"u%e$ men 'shall see !he /on of Man %om n* n !he %lou"s w !h *rea! power an" *lory.' The se%on" %om n* of Chr s! shall &e u!!erly unl ke !he f rs!. 1e %ame !he f rs! ! me n weakness$ a !en"er nfan!$ &orn of a poor woman n !he man*er a! .e!hlehem$ unno! %e"$ unhonore"$ an" s%ar%ely known. 1e shall %ome !he se%on" ! me n royal " *n !y$ w !h !he arm es of heaven aroun" 1 m$ !o &e known$ re%o*n ?e"$ an" feare" &y all !he !r &es of !he ear!h. 1e %ame !he f rs! ! me !o suffer--!o &ear our s ns--!o &e re%kone" a %urse--!o &e "esp se"$ re+e%!e"$ un+us!ly %on"emne"$ an" sla n. 1e shall %ome !he se%on" ! me !o re *n--!o pu! "own every enemy &enea!h 1 s fee!--!o !ake

!he k n*"oms of !h s worl" for 1 s nher !an%e--!o rule !hem w !h r *h!eousness--!o +u"*e all men$ an" !o l ve for evermore. 1ow vas! !he " fferen%e@ 1ow m *h!y !he %on!ras!@ 1ow s!ar!l n* !he %ompar son &e!ween !he se%on" a"ven! an" !he f rs!@ 1ow solemn !he !hou*h!s !ha! !he su&+e%! ou*h! !o s! r up n our m n"s@ 1ere are comforting !hou*h!s for Chr s!#s fr en"s. The r own 8 n* w ll soon &e here. They shall reap a%%or" n* as !hey have sown. They shall re%e ve a r %h rewar" for all !ha! !hey have en"ure" for Chr s!#s sake. They shall e)%han*e !he r %ross for a %rown. 1ere are confounding !hou*h!s for Chr s!#s foes. Tha! same Jesus of 2a?are!h$ whom !hey have so lon* "esp se" an" re+e%!e"$ shall a! len*!h have !he preem nen%e. Tha! very Chr s!$ whose Gospel !hey have refuse" !o &el eve$ shall appear as !he r Ju"*e$ an" helpless$ hopeless$ an" spee%hless$ !hey w ll have !o s!an" &efore 1 s &ar. May we all lay !hese !h n*s !o hear!$ an" learn w s"om@ 3e! us o&serve$ n !he ne)! pla%e$ that the first event after the #ord"s second coming, shall be the gathering of $is elect . '1e shall sen" 1 s an*els an" *a!her !o*e!her 1 s ele%! from !he four w n"s.' The safe!y of !he 3or"#s people shall &e prov "e" for$ when +u"*men! falls upon !he ear!h. 1e w ll "o no!h n* un! l 1e has pla%e" !hem &eyon" !he rea%h of harm. The floo" " " no! &e* n un! l 2oah was safe n !he ark. The f re " " no! fall on /o"om un! l 3o! was safe w !h n !he walls of Foar. The wra!h of Go" on un&el evers shall no! &e le! loose un! l &el evers are h ""en an" se%ure. The !rue Chr s! an may look forwar" !o !he a"ven! of Chr s! w !hou! fear. 1owever "rea"ful !he !h n*s !ha! shall %ome upon !he ear!h$ h s Mas!er w ll !ake %are !ha! no harm %omes !o h m. 1e may well &ear pa! en!ly !he par! n*s an" separa! ons of !h s presen! ! me. 1e shall have a +oyful mee! n*$ &y an" &ye$ w !h all h s &re!hren n !he fa !h$ of every a*e$ an" %oun!ry$ an" people$ an" !on*ue. Those who mee! n !ha! "ay$ shall mee! !o par! no more. The *rea! *a!her n* s ye! !o %ome. (D Thess. D:1.) 3e! us o&serve$ n !he ne)! pla%e$ how important it is to note the signs of our own times. 4ur 3or" & "s 1 s " s% ples 'learn a para&le of !he f * !ree.' Jus! as !s &u"" n* leaves !ell men !ha! summer s near$ so !he fulf llmen! of even!s n !he worl" aroun" us$ shoul" !ea%h us !ha! !he 3or"#s %om n* ' s near$ even a! !he "oor.' ,! &e%omes all !rue Chr s! ans !o o&serve %arefully !he pu&l % even!s of !he r own "ay. ,! s no! only a "u!y !o "o !h s$ &u! a s n !o ne*le%! !. 4ur 3or" reprove" !he Jews for 'no! " s%ern n* !he s *ns of !he ! mes.' (Ma!!. 1<:=.) They " " no! see !ha! !he s%ep!er was pass n* away from Ju"ah$ an" !he weeks of 6an el runn n* ou!. 3e! us &eware of fall n* n!o !he r error. 3e! us ra!her open our eyes$ an" look a! !he worl" aroun" us. 3e! us mark !he "ry n* up of !he Turk sh power$ an" !he n%rease of m ss onary work n !he worl". 3e! us mark !he rev val of >opery$ an" !he r se of new an" su&!le forms of nf "el !y. 3e! us mark !he rap " sprea" of lawlessness an" %on!emp! for au!hor !y. 7ha! are !hese !h n*s &u! !he &u"" n* of !he f * !reeA They show us !ha! !h s worl" s wear n* ou!$ an" nee"s a new an" &e!!er "ynas!y. ,! nee" !s r *h!ful k n*$ even Jesus. May we wa!%h$ an" keep our *armen!s$ an" l ve rea"y !o mee! our 3or"@ (Rev. 1<:15.) 3e! us o&serve$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ how carefully our Lord asserts the

certainty of is predictions being fulfilled . 1e speaks as !hou*h he foresaw !he n%re"ul !y an" skep! % sm of !hese la!!er "ays. 1e warns us empha! %ally a*a ns! !--'1eaven an" ear!h shall pass away$ &u! my wor"s shall no! pass away.' 7e ou*h! never !o allow ourselves !o suppose !ha! any prophe%y s mpro&a&le or unl kely !o &e fulf lle"$ merely &e%ause ! s %on!rary !o pas! e)per en%e. 3e! us no! say$ '7here s !he l kel hoo" of Chr s! %om n* a*a nA 7here s !he l kel hoo" of !he worl" &e n* &urne" upA' 7e have no!h n* !o "o w !h 'l kely or unl kely' n su%h ma!!ers. The only 9ues! on s$ 'wha! s wr !!en n Go"#s wor"A' The wor"s of >e!er shoul" never &e for*o!!en--'There shall %ome n !he las! "ays s%offers$ walk n* af!er !he r own lus!s$ say n*$ 7here s !he prom se of 1 s %om n*A' (D >e!. =:=$ C.) 7e shall "o well !o ask ourselves wha! we woul" have !hou*h! f we ha" l ve" on ear!h !wo !housan" years a*o. 7oul" we have !hou*h! ! more pro&a&le !ha! !he /on of Go" woul" %ome on ear!h as a poor man$ an" " e$ or !ha! 1e woul" %ome on ear!h as a 8 n*$ an" re *nA 7oul" we no! have sa " a! on%e$ !ha! f 1e %ame a! all$ 1e woul" %ome !o re *n$ an" no! !o " eA 5e! we know !ha! 1e " " %ome as 'a man of sorrows$' an" " e" on !he %ross. Then le! us no! "ou&! !ha! 1e w ll %ome !he /e%on" ! me n *lory$ an" re *n as a 8 n* for evermore. 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h a !horou*h %onv %! on of !he !ru!h of every +o! of !s pre" %! ons. 3e! us &el eve !ha! every wor" of ! shall prove a! las! !o have &een fully a%%ompl she". 0&ove all$ le! us s!r ve !o l ve un"er an a& " n* sense of !s !ru!h$ l ke *oo" servan!s rea"y !o mee! !he r mas!er. Then$ wha!ever &e !he fulf llmen! of !$ or however soon$ we shall &e safe. Mark 13:32-37 These verses %on%lu"e Mark#s repor! of our 3or"#s prophe%y on !he Moun! of 4l ves. They ou*h! !o form a personal application of !he whole " s%ourse !o our %ons% en%es. 7e learn from !hese verses$ !ha! the e#act time of our Lord Jesus Christ's second advent is purposely withheld from is church . The even! s %er!a n. The pre% se "ay an" hour are no! reveale". '4f !ha! "ay an" hour knows no man$ no$ no! !he an*els wh %h are n heaven.' There s "eep w s"om an" mer%y n !h s n!en! onal s len%e. 7e have reason !o !hank Go" !ha! !he !h n* has &een h ""en from us. Hn%er!a n!y a&ou! !he "a!e of !he 3or"#s re!urn s %al%ula!e" !o keep &el evers n an a!! !u"e of %ons!an! e)pe%!a! on$ an" !o preserve !hem from "espon"en%y. 7ha! a "reary prospe%! !he early %hur%h woul" have ha" &efore !$ f ! ha" known for %er!a n !ha! Chr s! woul" no! re!urn !o ear!h for a! leas! f f!een hun"re" years@ The hear!s of men l ke 0!hanas us$ Chrysos!om$ an" 0u*us! ne$ m *h! well have sunk w !h n !hem$ f !hey ha" &een aware of !he %en!ur es of "arkness !hrou*h wh %h !he worl" woul" pass$ &efore !he r Mas!er %ame &a%k !o !ake !he k n*"om. 7ha! a 9u %ken n* mo! ve$ on !he o!her han"$ !rue Chr s! ans have perpe!ually ha"$ for a %lose walk w !h Go"@ They have never known$ n any a*e$ !ha! !he r Mas!er m *h! no! %ome su""enly !o !ake a%%oun! of h s servan!s. This very uncertainty has supplied them with a reason for living always ready to meet $im. There s one %au! on %onne%!e" w !h !he su&+e%!$ wh %h mus! no! &e overlooke". 7e

mus! no! allow !he un%er!a n!y of !he ! me of our 3or"#s se%on" a"ven! !o preven! our * v n* a!!en! on !o !he unfulf lle" prophe% es of /%r p!ure. Th s s a *rea! "elus on$ &u! one n!o wh %h$ unhapp ly$ many Chr s! ans fall. There s a w "e " s! n%! on !o &e "rawn &e!ween "o*ma! %al an" pos ! ve asser! ons a&ou! "a!es$ an" a hum&le$ prayerful sear%h n* n!o !he *oo" !h n*s ye! !o %ome. 0*a ns! "o*ma! sm a&ou! ! mes an" seasons$ our 3or"#s wor"s n !h s pla%e are a s!an" n* %au! on. .u! as !o !he *eneral prof !a&leness of s!u"y n* prophe%y$ we %an have no pla ner au!hor !y !han !he apos!le >e!er#s wor"s--'5ou "o well !ha! you !ake hee" !o prophe%yG' an" !he apos!le John#s wor"s n Revela! on--'.lesse" s he !ha! rea"s.' (D >e!er 1:1;. Rev. 1:=.) 7e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ what are the practical duties of all true believers in the prospect of the second coming of Jesus Christ . 4ur 3or" men! ons !hree !h n*s$ !o wh %h 1 s people shoul" a!!en". 1e !ells !hem pla nly !ha! 1e s %om n* a*a n one "ay$ n power an" *rea! *lory. 1e !ells !hem a! !he same ! me$ !ha! !he pre% se hour an" "a!e of !ha! %om n* are no! known. 7ha! !hen are 1 s people !o "oA ,n wha! pos ! on of m n" are !hey !o l veA They are !o wa!%h. They are !o pray. They are !o work. 7e are !o W+TC$. 7e are !o l ve always on our *uar". 7e are !o keep our souls n a wakeful$ l vely s!a!e$ prepare" a! any ! me !o mee! our Mas!er. 7e are !o &eware of any!h n* l ke sp r !ual le!har*y$ "ulness$ "ea"ness$ an" !orpor. The %ompany$ !he employmen! of ! me$ !he so% e!y wh %h n"u%es us !o for*e! Chr s! an" 1 s se%on" a"ven!$ shoul" &e marke"$ no!e"$ an" avo "e". '3e! us no! sleep as "o o!hers$' says !he apos!le. '&u! le! us wa!%h an" &e so&er' (1 Thess. 5:<.) 7e are !o 3*+4. 7e are !o keep up ha& !s of re*ular %ommun on an" %ommun on w !h Go". 7e are !o allow no %ol"ness !o %ome n &e!ween us an" our Ba!her n heaven$ &u! !o speak w !h 1 m "a lyG !ha! so we may &e rea"y a! any momen! !o see 1 m fa%e !o fa%e. Moreover$ we are !o make spe% al prayer a&ou! !he 3or"#s %om n*$ !ha! we may &e 'foun" n pea%e$ w !hou! spo! an" &lameless$' an" !ha! our hear!s may a! no ! me &e 'over%har*e"' w !h !he %ares of !h s l fe$ an" so !he "ay %ome upon us unawares. (D >e!er =:1C. 3uke D1:=C.) B nally$ we are !o WO*5. 7e are !o real ?e !ha! we are all servan!s of a *rea! Mas!er$ who has * ven !o every man h s work$ an" e)pe%!s !ha! work !o &e "one. 7e are !o la&or !o *lor fy Go"$ ea%h n our par! %ular sphere an" rela! on. There s always some!h n* for every one !o "o. 7e are !o s!r ve ea%h of us !o sh ne as a l *h!--!o &e !he sal! of our own ! mes--!o &e fa !hful w !nesses for our Mas!er$ an" !o honor 1 m &y %ons% en! ousness an" %ons s!en%y n our "a ly l ves. 4ur *rea! "es re mus! &e !o &e foun" no! "le an" sleep n*$ &u! work n* an" "o n*. /u%h are !he s mple n+un%! ons !o wh %h our 3or" woul" have us a!!en". They ou*h! !o s! r up n !he hear!s of all profess n* Chr s! ans *rea! self-e)am na! on. 0re we look n* for our /av or#s re!urnA 6o we lon* for 1 s appear n*A Can we say w !h s n%er !y$ Come$ 3or" JesusA 6o we l ve as f we e)pe%!e" Chr s! !o %ome a*a nA These are 9ues! ons wh %h "eman" ser ous %ons "era! on. May we * ve !hem !he a!!en! on wh %h !hey "eserve@ 6oes our 3or" re9u re us !o ne*le%! any of !he "u! es of l fe$ n !he e)pe%!a! on of 1 s re!urnA 1e re9u res no!h n* of !he k n". 1e "oes no! & " !he farmer ne*le%! h s lan"$ or !he la&orer h s work$ !he mer%han! h s &us ness$ or !he lawyer h s %all n*. 0ll 1e

asks s !ha! &ap! ?e" people shoul" l ve up !o !he fa !h n!o wh %h !hey were &ap! ?e"--shoul" l ve as pen !en! people--l ve as &el ev n* people--l ve as people who know !ha! 'w !hou! hol ness no man %an see !he 3or".' /o l v n*$ we are rea"y !o mee! our Mas!er. 2o! l v n* n !h s way$ we are ne !her f ! for "ea!h$ +u"*men!$ nor e!ern !y. To l ve n !h s way s !o &e !ruly happy$ &e%ause ! s !o &e !ruly prepare" for any!h n* !ha! may %ome upon !he ear!h. 3e! us never &e %on!en! w !h a lower s!an"ar" of pra%! %al Chr s! an !y !han !h s. The las! wor"s of !he prophe%y are pe%ul arly solemn--'7ha! , say un!o you$ , say un!o all$ 7a!%h@'

Mark chapter 14
Mark 14:1-9 Th s %hap!er &e* ns !ha! par! of Mark#s Gospel$ wh %h "es%r &es our 3or"#s suffer n*s an" "ea!h. 1 !her!o we have %h efly seen our /av or as our prophe! an" !ea%her. 7e have now !o see 1 m as our 1 *h >r es!. 1 !her!o we have ha" !o %ons "er 1 s m ra%les an" say n*s. 7e have now !o %ons "er 1 s v %ar ous sa%r f %e on !he %ross. 3e! us f rs! o&serve n !hese verses$ how God can disappoint the designs of wic!ed men" and over.rule them to is own glory. ,! s pla n from Mark#s wor"s$ an" !he parallel passa*e n Ma!!hew$ !ha! our 3or"#s enem es " " no! n!en" !o make 1 s "ea!h a pu&l % !ransa%! on. 'They sou*h! !o !ake 1 m se%re!ly.' 'They sa "$ no! on !he feas! "ay$ les! !here &e an uproar of !he people.' ,n shor!$ ! woul" appear !ha! !he r or * nal plan was !o "o no!h n* un! l !he feas! of !he passover was over$ an" !he passover-worsh pers ha" re!urne" !o !he r own homes. The overrul n* prov "en%e of Go" %omple!ely "efea!e" !h s pol ! %al "es *n. The &e!rayal of our 3or" !ook pla%e a! an earl er ! me !han !he %h ef pr es!s ha" e)pe%!e". The "ea!h of our 3or" !ook pla%e on !he very "ay when Jerusalem was mos! full of people$ an" !he passover feas! was a! !s he *h!. ,n every way !he %ounsel of !hese w %ke" men was !urne" !o fool shness. They !hou*h! !hey were *o n* !o pu! an en" forever !o Chr s!#s sp r !ual k n*"omG an" n real !y !hey were help n* !o es!a&l sh !. They !hou*h! !o have ma"e 1 m v le an" %on!emp! &le &y !he %ru% f ) onG an" n real !y !hey ma"e 1 m *lor ous. They !hou*h! !o have pu! 1 m !o "ea!h pr v ly an" w !hou! o&serva! onG an" ns!ea"$ !hey were %ompelle" !o %ru% fy 1 m pu&l %ly$ an" &efore !he whole na! on of !he Jews. They !hou*h! !o have s len%e" 1 s " s% ples$ an" s!oppe" !he r !ea%h n*--an" ns!ea"$ !hey suppl e" !hem w !h a !e)! an" a su&+e%! for evermore. /o easy s ! for Go" !o %ause !he wra!h of man !o pra se 1 m. (>salm 7<:1E.) There s %omfor! n all !h s for !rue Chr s! ans. They l ve n a !rou&le" worl"$ an" are of!en !osse" !o an" fro &y an) e!y a&ou! pu&l % even!s. 3e! !hem res! !hemselves n !he !hou*h! !ha! every!h n* s or"ere" for *oo" &y an all-w se Go". 3e! !hem no! "ou&! !ha! all !h n*s n !he worl" aroun" !hem$ are work n* !o*e!her for !he r Ba!her#s *lory. 3e! !hem %all !o m n" !he wor"s of !he se%on" >salm--'The k n*s of !he ear!h se! !hemselves$ an" !he rulers !ake %oun% l !o*e!her a*a ns! !he 3or".' 0n" ye! ! *oes on$ '1e !ha! s !s n !he heavens shall lau*h--!he 3or" shall have !hem n "er s on.' ,! has &een so n ! me pas!. ,! w ll &e so n ! me !o %ome. 3e! us o&serve$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ how good wor!s are sometimes

undervalued and misunderstood. 7e are !ol" of !he *oo" work of a %er!a n woman$ n pour n* o n!men! on our 3or"#s hea"$ n a house a! .e!hany. /he " " !$ no "ou&!$ as a mark of honor an" respe%!$ an" n !oken of her own *ra! !u"e an" love !owar"s 1 m. 5e! !h s a%! of hers was &lame" &y some. The r %ol" hear!s %oul" no! un"ers!an" su%h %os!ly l &eral !y. They %alle" ! 'was!e.' 'They ha" n" *na! on w !h n !hemselves.' They 'murmure" a*a ns! her.' The sp r ! of !hese narrow-m n"e" faul!-f n"ers s unhapp ly only !oo %ommon. The r followers an" su%%essors are !o &e foun" n every par! of Chr s!#s v s &le %hur%h. There s never la%k n* a *enera! on of people who "epre% a!e wha! !hey %all 'e)!remes' n rel * on$ an" are n%essan!ly re%ommen" n* wha! !hey !erm 'mo"era! on' n !he serv %e of Chr s!. ,f a man "evo!es h s ! me$ money$ an" affe%! ons !o !he pursu ! of worl"ly !h n*s$ !hey "o no! &lame h m. ,f he * ves h mself up !o !he serv %e of money$ pleasure$ or pol ! %s$ !hey f n" no faul!. .u! f !he same man "evo!es h mself$ an" all he has$ !o Chr s!$ !hey %an s%ar%ely f n" wor"s !o e)press !he r sense of h s folly. '1e s &es "e h mself.' '1e s ou! of h s m n".' '1e s a fana! %.' '1e s an en!hus as!.' '1e s r *h!eous over-mu%h.' '1e s an e)!reme man.' ,n shor!$ !hey re*ar" ! as 'was!e.' 3e! %har*es l ke !hese no! " s!ur& us$ f we hear !hem ma"e a*a ns! us &e%ause we s!r ve !o serve Chr s!. 3e! us &ear !hem pa! en!ly$ an" remem&er !ha! !hey are as ol" as Chr s! an !y !self. 3e! us p !y !hose who make su%h %har*es a*a ns! &el evers. They show pla nly !ha! !hey have no sense of o&l *a! on !o Chr s!. A c! ) heart &ake* a * !, han). ,f a man on%e un"ers!an"s !he s nfulness of s n$ an" !he mer%y of Chr s! n "y n* for h m$ he w ll never !h nk any!h n* !oo *oo" or !oo %os!ly !o * ve !o Chr s!. 1e w ll ra!her feel$ 'wha! shall , ren"er !o !he 3or" for all 1 s &enef !s !o me.' (>salm 11<:1D.) 1e w ll fear was! n* ! me$ !alen!s$ money$ affe%! ons on !he !h n*s of !h s worl". 1e w ll no! &e afra " of lav sh n* !hem on h s /av or. 1e w ll fear *o n* n!o e)!remes a&ou! &us ness$ money$ pol ! %s$ or pleasureG &u! he w ll no! &e afra " of "o n* !oo mu%h for Chr s!. 3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ how highly our Lord Jesus Christ esteems any service done to imself. 2owhere$ perhaps$ n !he Gospels$ "o we f n" su%h s!ron* pra ses &es!owe" on any person$ as !h s woman here re%e ves. Three po n!s$ n par! %ular$ s!an" ou! prom nen!ly n our 3or"#s wor"s$ !o wh %h many who now r " %ule an" &lame o!hers for !he r rel * on#s sake$ woul" "o well !o !ake hee". Bor one !h n*$ our 3or" says$ '7hy are you !rou&l n* herA' 0 hear!-sear%h n* 9ues! on !ha!$ an" one wh %h all who perse%u!e o!hers &e%ause of !he r rel * on woul" f n" ! har" !o answer@ 7ha! %ause %an !hey showA 7ha! reason %an !hey ass *n for !he r %on"u%!A 2one@ none a! all. They !rou&le o!hers ou! of envy$ mal %e$ *noran%e$ an" " sl ke of !he !rue Gospel. Bor ano!her !h n*$ our 3or" says$ '/he has "one a &eau! ful !h n* !o Me.' 1ow *rea! an" marvelous s !ha! pra se$ from !he l ps of !he 8 n* of k n*s@ Money s of!en * ven !o !he %hur%h or &es!owe" on %har !a&le ns! !u! ons$ from os!en!a! on$ or o!her false mo! ves. .u! ! s !he person who loves an" honors Jesus 1 mself$ who really '"oes *oo" works.' Bor ano!her !h n*$ our 3or" says$ '/he has "one wha! she %oul".' 2o s!ron*er wor" of %ommen"a! on !han !ha! %oul" poss &ly have &een use". Thousan"s l ve an" " e w !hou! *ra%e$ an" are los! e!ernally$ who are always say n*$ ', !ry all , %an. , "o all ,

%an.' 0n" ye! n say n* so$ !hey !ell as *rea! a l e as 0nan as an" /apph ra. Bew$ ! may &e feare"$ are !o &e foun" l ke !h s woman$ an" really "eserve !o have ! sa " of !hem$ !ha! !hey '"o wha! !hey %an.' 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h pra%! %al self-appl %a! on. 3e! us$ l ke !h s holy woman$ whose %on"u%! we have +us! hear" "es%r &e"$ "evo!e ourselves$ an" all we have$ !o Chr s!#s *lory. 4ur pos ! on n !he worl" may &e lowly$ an" our means of usefulness few. .u! le! us$ l ke her$ '"o wha! we %an.' B nally$ le! us see n !h s passa*e a swee! fore!as!e of !h n*s ye! !o %ome n !he "ay of +u"*men!. 3e! us &el eve !ha! !he same Jesus who here plea"e" !he %ause of 1 s lov n* servan!$ when she was &lame"$ w ll one "ay plea" for all who have &een 1 s servan!s n !h s worl". 3e! us work on$ remem&er n* !ha! 1 s eye s upon us$ an" !ha! all we "o s no!e" n 1 s &ook. 3e! us no! hee" wha! men say or !h nk of us$ &e%ause of our rel * on. The pra se of Chr s! a! !he las! "ay$ w ll more !han %ompensa!e for all we suffer n !h s worl" from un k n" !on*ues.

Mark 14:10-16 ,n !hese verses$ Mark !ells us how our 3or" was "el vere" n!o !he han"s of 1 s enem es. ,! %ame !o pass !hrou*h !he !rea%hery of one of 1 s own !welve " s% ples. The false apos!le$ Ju"as ,s%ar o!$ &e!raye" 1 m. 7e ou*h! !o mark$ f rs!ly$ n !h s passa*e$ to what lengths a man may go in a false profession of religion. ,! s mposs &le !o %on%e ve a more s!r k n* proof of !h s pa nful !ru!h$ !han !he h s!ory of Ju"as ,s%ar o!. ,f ever !here was a man who a! one ! me looke" l ke a !rue " s% ple of Chr s!$ an" &a"e fa r !o rea%h heaven$ !ha! man was Ju"as. 1e was %hosen &y !he 3or" Jesus 1 mself !o &e an apos!le. 1e was pr v le*e" !o &e a %ompan on of !he Mess ah$ an" an eye-w !ness of 1 s m *h!y works$ !hrou*hou! 1 s ear!hly m n s!ry. 1e was an asso% a!e of >e!er$ James an" John. 1e was sen! for!h !o prea%h !he k n*"om of Go"$ an" !o work m ra%les n Chr s!#s name. 1e was re*ar"e" &y all !he eleven apos!les as one of !hemselves. 1e was so l ke h s fellow " s% ples$ !ha! !hey " " no! suspe%! h m of &e n* a !ra !or. 0n" ye! !h s very man !urns ou! a! las! a falsehear!e" %h l" of !he "ev l--"epar!s en! rely from !he fa !h--ass s!s our 3or"#s "ea"l es! enem es$ an" leaves !he worl" w !h a worse repu!a! on !han any one s n%e !he "ays of Ca n. 2ever was !here su%h a fall$ su%h an apos!asy$ su%h a m sera&le en" !o a fa r &e* nn n*--su%h a !o!al e%l pse of a soul@ 0n" how %an !h s ama? n* %on"u%! of Ju"as &e a%%oun!e" forA There s only one answer !o !ha! 9ues! on. 'The love of money' was !he %ause of !h s unhappy man#s ru n. Tha! same *rovel n* %ove!ousness$ wh %h enslave" !he hear! of .alaam$ an" &rou*h! on Geha? a leprosy$ was !he "es!ru%! on of ,s%ar o!#s soul. 2o o!her e)plana! on of h s &ehav or w ll sa! sfy !he pla n s!a!emen!s of /%r p!ure. 1 s a%! was an a%! of &ase %ove!ousness$ w !hou! a re"eem n* fea!ure a&ou! !. The 1oly /p r ! "e%lares pla nly 'he was a !h ef.' (John 1D:<.) 0n" h s %ase s!an"s &efore !he worl" as an e!ernal %ommen! on !he solemn wor"s$ '!he love of money s !he roo! of all ev l.' (1 T m. <:1E.)

3e! us learn from !h s melan%holy h s!ory of Ju"as$ !o &e '%lo!he" w !h hum l !y$' an" !o &e %on!en! w !h no!h n* shor! of !he *ra%e of !he 1oly /p r ! n our hear!s. 8nowle"*e$ * f!s$ profess on$ pr v le*es$ %hur%h-mem&ersh p$ power of prea%h n*$ pray n*$ an" !alk n* a&ou! rel * on$ are all useless !h n*s$ f our hear!s are no! %onver!e". They are all no &e!!er !han soun" n* &rass$ an" a ! nkl n* %ym&al$ f we have no! pu! off !he ol" man$ an" pu! on !he new. They w ll no! "el ver us from hell. 0&ove all$ le! us remem&er our 3or"#s %au! on$ !o '&eware of %ove!ousness.' (3uke 1D:15.) ,! s a s n !ha! ea!s l ke a %anker$ an" on%e a"m !!e" n!o our hear!s$ may lea" us f nally n!o every w %ke"ness. 3e! us pray !o &e '%on!en! w !h su%h !h n*s as we have.' (1e&. 1=:5.) The possess on of money s no! !he one !h n* nee"ful. R %hes en!a l *rea! per l on !he souls of !hose who have !hem. The !rue Chr s! an ou*h! !o &e far more afra " of &e n* r %h !han of &e n* poor. 7e ou*h! !o mark$ se%on"ly$ n !h s passa*e$ the intentional connection between the time of the Jewish +assover and the time of Christ's death . 7e %anno! "ou&! for a momen! !ha! ! was no! &y %han%e$ &u! &y Go"#s prov "en! al appo n!men!$ !ha! our 3or" was %ru% f e" n !he passover week$ an" on !he very "ay !ha! !he passover lam& was sla n. ,! was mean! !o "raw !he a!!en! on of !he Jew sh na! on !o 1 m as !he !rue 3am& of Go". ,! was mean! !o &r n* !o !he r m n"s !he !rue o&+e%! an" purpose of 1 s "ea!h. (very sa%r f %e$ no "ou&!$ was n!en"e" !o po n! !he Jew onwar" !o !he one *rea! sa%r f %e for s n wh %h Chr s! offere". .u! none$ %er!a nly$ was so s!r k n* a f *ure an" !ype of our 3or"#s sa%r f %e$ as !he slay n* of !he passover lam&. ,! was pre-em nen!ly an or" nan%e wh %h was a 's%hoolmas!er un!o Chr s!.' (Gal. =:DC.) 2ever was !here a !ype so full of mean n* n !he whole % r%le of Jew sh %eremon es$ as !he passover was a! !s or * nal ns! !u! on. 6 " !he passover rem n" !he Jew of !he marvelous "el veran%e of h s forefa!hers ou! of !he lan" of (*yp!$ when Go" slew !he f rs!-&ornA 2o "ou&! ! " ". .u! ! was also mean! !o &e a s *n !o h m of !he far *rea!er re"emp! on an" "el veran%e from !he &on"a*e of s n$ wh %h was !o &e &rou*h! n &y our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. 6 " !he passover rem n" !he Jew$ !ha! &y !he "ea!h of an nno%en! lam&$ !he fam l es of h s forefa!hers were on%e e)emp!e" from !he "ea!h of !he r f rs!-&ornA 2o "ou&! ! " ". .u! ! was also mean! !o !ea%h h m !he far h *her !ru!h$ !ha! !he "ea!h of Chr s! on !he %ross was !o &e !he l fe of !he worl". 6 " !he passover rem n" !he Jew !ha! !he spr nkl n* of &loo" on !he "oor-pos!s of h s forefa!hers# houses$ preserve" !hem from !he swor" of !he "es!roy n* an*elA 2o "ou&! ! " ". .u! ! was also mean! !o show h m !he far more mpor!an! "o%!r ne !ha! Chr s!#s &loo" spr nkle" on man#s %ons% en%e$ %leanses ! from all s!a n of *u l!$ an" makes h m safe from !he wra!h !o %ome. 6 " !he passover rem n" !he Jew !ha! none of h s fore-fa!hers were safe from !he "es!roy n* an*el$ n !he n *h! when he slew !he f rs!-&orn$ unless he a%!ually a!e of !he sla n lam&A 2o "ou&! ! " ". .u! ! was mean! !o *u "e h s m n" !o !he far h *her lesson$ !ha! all who woul" re%e ve &enef ! from Chr s!#s a!onemen!$ mus! a%!ually fee" upon 1 m &y fa !h$ an" re%e ve 1 m n!o !he r hear!s. 3e! us %all !hese !h n*s !o m n"$ an" we *h !hem well. 7e shall !hen see a pe%ul ar f !ness an" &eau!y n !he ! me appo n!e" &y Go" for our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s "ea!h on !he %ross. ,! happene" a! !he very season when !he m n" of all ,srael was &e n* " re%!e" !o !he "el veran%e from (*yp!$ an" !o !he even!s of !ha! won"rous n *h!$

when ! !ook pla%e. The lam& sla n an" ea!en &y every mem&er of !he fam ly--!he "es!roy n* an*el--!he safe!y w !h n !he &loo"-spr nkle" "oor$ woul" have &een !alke" over an" %ons "ere" n every Jew sh househol"$ !he very week !ha! our &lesse" 3or" was sla n. ,! woul" &e s!ran*e n"ee" f su%h a remarka&le "ea!h as 1 s$ a! su%h a ! me$ " " no! se! many m n"s !h nk n*$ an" open many eyes. To wha! e)!en! we shall never know un! l !he las! "ay. 3e! ! &e a rule w !h us$ n !he rea" n* of our . &les$ !o s!u"y !he !ypes an" or" nan%es of !he Mosa % law w !h prayerful a!!en! on. They are all full of Chr s!. The al!ar--!he s%ape-*oa!--!he "a ly &urn!-offer n*--!he "ay of a!onemen!$ are all so many s *n-pos!s po n! n* !o !he *rea! sa%r f %e offere" &y our 3or" on Calvary. Those who ne*le%! !o s!u"y !he Jew sh or" nan%es$ as "ark$ "ull$ an" un n!eres! n* par!s of !he . &le$ only show !he r own *noran%e$ an" m ss *rea! a"van!a*es. Those who e)am ne !hem w !h Chr s! as !he key !o !he r mean n*$ w ll f n" !hem full of Gospel l *h! an" %omfor!a&le !ru!h.

Mark 14:17-25 These verses %on!a n Mark#s a%%oun! of !he ns! !u! on of !he 3or"#s /upper. The s mpl % !y of !he "es%r p! on "eserves spe% al o&serva! on. 7ell woul" ! have &een for !he Chur%h$ f men ha" no! "epar!e" from !he s mple s!a!emen!s of /%r p!ure a&ou! !h s &lesse" sa%ramen!@ ,! s a mournful fa%! !ha! ! has &een %orrup!e" &y false e)plana! ons an" supers! ! ous a"" ! ons$ un! l !s real mean n*$ n many par!s of Chr s!en"om$ s u!!erly unknown. 3e! us however$ a! presen!$ " sm ss from our m n"s all ma!!ers of %on!roversy$ an" s!u"y !he wor"s of Mark w !h a v ew !o our own personal e" f %a! on. 3e! us learn from !he passa*e &efore us$ that self.e#amination should precede the reception of the Lord's Supper. 7e %anno! "ou&! !ha! !h s was one o&+e%! of our 3or"#s solemn warn n*$ '4ne of you who ea!s w !h me shall &e!ray me.' 1e mean! !o s! r up n !he m n"s of h s " s% ples$ !hose very sear%h n*s of hear! wh %h are here so !ou%h n*ly re%or"e"--'They &e*an !o &e sorrowful$ an" !o say un!o 1 m one &y one$ ,s ! ,A' 1e mean! !o !ea%h 1 s whole Chur%h !hrou*hou! !he worl"$ !ha! !he ! me of "raw n* near !o !he 3or"#s !a&le shoul" &e a ! me for " l *en! self- n9u ry. The &enef ! of !he 3or"#s /upper "epen"s en! rely on !he sp r ! an" frame of m n" n wh %h we re%e ve !. The &rea" wh %h we !here ea!$ an" !he w ne wh %h we !here "r nk$ have no power !o "o *oo" !o our souls$ as me" % ne "oes *oo" !o our &o" es$ w !hou! !he %o-opera! on of our hear!s an" w lls. They w ll no! %onvey any &less n* !o us$ &y v r!ue of !he m n s!er#s %onse%ra! on$ f we "o no! re%e ve !hem r *h!ly$ wor!h ly$ an" w !h fa !h. To asser!$ as some "o$ !ha! !he 3or"#s supper mus! "o *oo" !o all %ommun %an!s$ wha!ever &e !he s!a!e of m n" n wh %h !hey re%e ve !$ s a mons!rous an" uns%r p!ural f *men! of ma* na! on$ an" has * ven r se !o *ross an" w %ke" supers! ! on. The s!a!e of m n" wh %h we shoul" look for n ourselves$ &efore *o n* !o !he 3or"#s !a&le$ s well "es%r &e" n !he Ca!e%h sm of !he Chur%h of (n*lan". 7e ou*h! !o 'e)am ne ourselves whe!her we repen! !ruly of our former s ns--whe!her we s!ea"fas!ly purpose !o lea" a new l fe--whe!her we have a l vely fa !h n Go"#s mer%y !hrou*h Chr s!--an" a !hankful remem&ran%e of 1 s "ea!h--an" whe!her we are n

%har !y w !h all men.' ,f our %ons% en%e %an answer !hese 9ues! ons sa! sfa%!or ly$ we may re%e ve !he 3or"#s supper w !hou! fear. More !han !h s Go" "oes no! re9u re of any %ommun %an!. 3ess !han !h s ou*h! never !o %on!en! us. 3e! us !ake hee" !o ourselves n !he ma!!er of !he 3or"#s supper. ,! s easy !o err a&ou! ! on e !her s "e. 4n !he one han"$ we are no! !o &e %on!en! w !h s!ay n* away from !he 3or"#s !a&le un"er !he va*ue plea of unf !ness. 0s lon* as we so s!ay away$ we are " so&ey n* a pla n %omman" of Chr s!$ an" are l v n* n s n. .u!$ on !he o!her han"$ we are no! !o *o !o !he 3or"#s !a&le as a mere form$ an" w !hou! !hou*h!. 0s lon* as we re%e ve !he sa%ramen! n !ha! s!a!e of m n"$ we "er ve no *oo" from !$ an" are *u l!y of a *rea! !rans*ress on. ,! s a "rea"ful !h n* !o &e unf ! for !he sa%ramen!$ for !h s s !o &e unf ! !o " e. ,! s a no less "rea"ful !h n* !o re%e ve ! unwor!h ly$ for !h s s mos! provok n* !o Go". The only safe %ourse s !o &e a "e% "e" servan! of Chr s!$ an" !o l ve !he l fe of fa !h n 1 m. Then we may "raw near w !h &ol"ness$ an" !ake !he sa%ramen! !o our %omfor!. 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !ha! the principal ob$ect of our Lord's Supper" is to remind us of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross . The &rea" s n!en"e" !o &r n* !o our re%olle%! on !he '&o"y' of Chr s!$ wh %h was woun"e" for our !rans*ress ons. The w ne s n!en"e" !o &r n* !o our re%olle%! on !he '&loo"' of Chr s!$ wh %h was she" !o %leanse us from all s n. The a!onemen! an" prop ! a! on wh %h our 3or" effe%!e" &y 1 s "ea!h as our /ure!y an" /u&s! !u!e$ s!an" ou! prom nen!ly n !he whole or" nan%e. The false "o%!r ne wh %h some !ea%h$ !ha! 1 s "ea!h was no!h n* more !han !he "ea!h of a very holy man$ who lef! us an e)ample how !o " e$ !urns !he 3or"#s supper n!o an unmean n* or" nan%e$ an" %anno! poss &ly &e re%on% le" w !h our 3or"#s wor"s a! !s ns! !u! on. 0 %lear un"ers!an" n* of !h s po n! s of *rea! mpor!an%e. ,! w ll pla%e us n !he r *h! pos ! on of m n"$ an" !ea%h us how we ou*h! !o feel n "raw n* near !o !he 3or"#s !a&le. ,! w ll pro"u%e n us !rue humility of sp r !. The &rea" an" w ne$ w ll rem n" us h!, *"n%+ *"n &+*t (e$ ,hen n!th"ng (+t Chr"*t1* )eath c!+ ) at!ne %!r "t. ,! w ll pro"u%e n us hopefulness a&ou! our souls. The &rea" an" w ne w ll rem n" us !ha! !hou*h our s ns are *rea!$ a *rea! pr %e has &een pa " for our re"emp! on. 2o! leas!$ ! w ll pro"u%e n us gratitude. The &rea" an" w ne w ll rem n" us how *rea! s our "e&! !o Chr s!$ an" how "eeply &oun" we are !o *lor fy 1 m n our l ves. May !hese &e !he feel n*s !ha! we e)per en%e$ whenever we re%e ve !he 3or"#s supper@ B nally$ we learn from !hese verses$ the nature of the spiritual benefits which the Lord's supper as intended to convey" and the persons who have a right to e#pect them. 7e may *a!her !h s lesson from !he s *n f %an! a%! ons wh %h are use" n re%e v n* !h s sa%ramen!. 4ur 3or" %omman"s us !o 'ea!' &rea" an" !o '"r nk' w ne. 2ow ea! n* an" "r nk n* are !he a%!s of a l v n* person. The o&+e%! of ea! n* an" "r nk n* s !o &e s!ren*!hene" an" refreshe". The %on%lus on we are mean! !o "raw$ s man fes!ly !h s$ !ha! !he 3or"#s supper s appo n!e" for '!he s!ren*!hen n* an" refresh n* of our souls$' an" !ha! !hose who ou*h! !o par!ake of ! are !hose who are l vely$ real Chr s! ans. 0ll su%h w ll f n" !h s sa%ramen! a means of *ra%e. ,! w ll ass s! !hem !o res! n Chr s! more s mply$ an" !o !rus! n 1 m more en! rely. The v s &le sym&ols of &rea" an" w ne w ll a "$ 9u %ken$ an" %onf rm !he r fa !h. 0 r *h! v ew of !h s po n! s of !he u!mos! momen! n !hese la!!er "ays. 7e mus! always &eware of !h nk n* !ha! !here s any way of ea! n* Chr s!#s &o"y$ an" "r nk n* Chr s!#s &loo"$ &u! &y fa !h--or !ha! re%e v n* !he 3or"#s supper w ll * ve any man a

" fferen! n!eres! n Chr s!#s sa%r f %e on !he %ross from !ha! wh %h fa !h * ves. Ba !h s !he one *ran" means of %ommun %a! on &e!ween !he soul an" Chr s!. The 3or"#s supper %an a "$ 9u %ken$ an" %onf rm fa !h$ &u! %an never superse"e !$ or supply !s a&sen%e. 3e! !h s never &e for*o!!en. (rror on !h s po n! s a mos! fa!al "elus on$ an" lea"s !o many supers! ! ons. 3e! ! &e a se!!le" pr n% ple n our Chr s! an !y$ !ha! no un&el ever ou*h! !o *o !o !he 3or"#s !a&le$ an" !ha! !he sa%ramen! w ll no! "o our souls !he sl *h!es! *oo"$ f we "o no! re%e ve ! w !h repen!an%e an" fa !h. The 3or"#s supper s no! a %onver! n* or +us! fy n* or" nan%e$ an" !hose who %ome !o ! un%onver!e" an" un+us! f e"$ w ll *o away no &e!!er !han !hey %ame$ &u! ra!her worse. ,! s an or" nan%e for &el evers$ an" no! for un&el evers$ for !he l v n* an" no! for !he "ea". ,! s mean! !o sus!a n l fe$ &u! no! !o mpar! !--!o s!ren*!hen an" n%rease *ra%e$ &u! no! !o * ve !--!o help fa !h !o *row$ &u! no! !o sow or plan! !. 3e! !hese !h n*s s nk "own n!o our hear!s$ an" never &e for*o!!en. 0re we al ve un!o Go"A Th s s !he *rea! 9ues! on. ,f we are$ le! us *o !o !he 3or"#s supper$ an" re%e ve ! !hankfully$ an" never !urn our &a%ks on !he 3or"#s !a&le. ,f we "o no! *o$ we %omm ! a *rea! s n. 0re we ye! "ea" n s n an" worl"l nessA ,f we are$ we have no &us ness a! !he %ommun on !a&le. 7e are on !he &roa" way !ha! lea"s !o "es!ru%! on. 7e mus! repen!. 7e mus! &e &orn a*a n. 7e mus! &e +o ne" !o Chr s! &y fa !h. Then$ an" no! un! l !hen$ we are f ! !o &e %ommun %an!s.

Mark 14:26-31 7e see n !hese verses$ how well our Lord fore!new the wea!ness and infirmity of is disciples. 1e !ells !hem pla nly wha! !hey were *o n* !o "o. '0ll of you shall "eser! me.' 1e !ells >e!er n par! %ular of !he as!oun" n* s n wh %h he was a&ou! !o %omm !--'Th s n *h!$ &efore !he roos!er %rows !w %e$ you shall "eny me !hree ! mes.' 5e! our 3or"#s fore-knowle"*e " " no! preven! 1 s %hoos n* !hese !welve " s% ples !o &e 1 s apos!les. 1e allowe" !hem !o &e 1 s n! ma!e fr en"s an" %ompan ons$ know n* perfe%!ly well wha! !hey woul" one "ay "o. 1e *ran!e" !hem !he m *h!y pr v le*e of &e n* %on! nually w !h 1 m$ an" hear n* 1 s vo %e$ w !h a %lear fores *h! of !he melan%holy weakness an" la%k of fa !h wh %h !hey woul" e)h & ! a! !he en" of 1 s m n s!ry. Th s s a remarka&le fa%! an" "eserves !o &e ha" n %on! nual remem&ran%e. 3e! us !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h! !ha! !he 3or" Jesus "oes no! %as! off h s &el ev n* people &e%ause of fa lures an" mperfe%! ons. 1e knows wha! !hey are. 1e !akes !hem$ as !he hus&an" !akes !he w fe$ w !h all !he r &lem shes an" "efe%!s$ an"$ on%e +o ne" !o 1 m &y fa !h$ w ll never leave !hem. 1e s a mer% ful an" %ompass ona!e 1 *h-pr es!. ,! s 1 s *lory !o pass over !he !rans*ress ons of 1 s people$ an" !o %over !he r many s ns. 1e knew wha! !hey were &efore %onvers on--w %ke"$ *u l!y$ an" "ef le"G ye! 1e love" !hem. 1e knows wha! !hey w ll &e af!er %onvers on--weak$ err n*$ an" fra lG ye! 1e loves !hem. 1e has un"er!aken !o save !hem$ no!w !hs!an" n* all !he r shor!%om n*s$ an" wha! 1e has un"er!aken 1e w ll perform.

3e! us learn !o pass a %har !a&le +u"*men! on !he %on"u%! of profess n* &el evers. 3e! us no! se! !hem "own n a low pla%e$ an" say !hey have no *ra%e$ &e%ause we see n !hem mu%h weakness an" %orrup! on. 3e! us remem&er !ha! our Mas!er n heaven &ears w !h !he r nf rm ! es$ an" le! us !ry !o &ear w !h !hem !oo. The Chur%h of Chr s! s l !!le &e!!er !han a *rea! hosp !al. 7e ourselves are all$ more or less$ weak$ an" all "a ly nee" !he sk llful !rea!men! of !he heavenly >hys % an. There w ll &e no %omple!e %ures un! l !he resurre%! on "ay. 7e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !hese verses$ how much comfort professing Christians may miss by carelessness and inattention . 4ur 3or" spoke pla nly of 1 s resurre%! on--'0f!er , am r sen$ , w ll *o &efore you n!o Gal lee.' 5e! 1 s wor"s appear !o have &een !hrown away$ an" spoken n va n. 2o! one of h s " s% ples seems !o have no! %e" !hem$ or !reasure" !hem up n h s hear!. 7hen 1e was &e!raye"$ !hey forsook 1 m. 7hen 1e was %ru% f e"$ !hey were almos! n "espa r. 0n" when 1e rose a*a n on !he !h r" "ay$ !hey woul" no! &el eve !ha! ! was !rue. They ha" hear" of ! fre9uen!ly w !h !he hear n* of !he ear$ &u! ! ha" never ma"e any mpress on on !he r hear!s. 7ha! an e)a%! p %!ure we have here of human na!ure@ 1ow of!en we see !he very same !h n* amon* profess n* Chr s! ans n !he presen! "ay@ 1ow many !ru!hs we rea" yearly n !he . &le$ an" ye! remem&er !hem no more !han f we ha" never rea" !hem a! all@ 1ow many wor"s of w s"om we hear n sermons hee"lessly an" !hou*h!lessly$ an" l ve on as f we ha" never hear" !hem@ The "ays of "arkness an" affl %! on %ome upon us &y an" &ye$ an" !hen we prove unarme" an" unprepare". 4n s %k-&e"s$ an" n mourn n*$ we see a mean n* n !e)!s an" passa*es wh %h we a! one ! me hear" l s!lessly an" un%on%erne". Th n*s flash a%ross our m n"s a! su%h seasons$ an" make us feel ashame" !ha! we ha" no! no! %e" !hem &efore. 7e !hen remem&er !o have rea" !hem$ an" hear" !hem$ an" seen !hem$ &u! !hey ma"e no mpress on upon us. 3 ke 1a*ar#s well n !he w l"erness$ !hey were %lose a! han"$ &u!$ l ke 1a*ar$ we never saw !hem. (Gen. D1:1;.) 3e! us pray for a 9u %k un"ers!an" n* n hear n* an" rea" n* Go"#s wor". 3e! us sear%h n!o every par! of !$ an" no! lose any pre% ous !ru!h n ! for la%k of %are. /o "o n*$ we shall lay up a *oo" foun"a! on a*a ns! !he ! me !o %ome$ an" n sorrow an" s %kness &e foun" arme". 3e! us mark how l !!le reason m n s!ers have !o &e surpr se"$ f !he wor"s !ha! !hey prea%h n sermons are of!en unno! %e" an" unhee"e". They only "r nk of !he same %up w !h !he r Mas!er. (ven 1e sa " many !h n*s wh %h were no! no! %e" when f rs! spoken. 0n" ye! we know !ha! 'never man spoke l ke !h s man.' 'The " s% ple s no! *rea!er !han h s Mas!er$ nor !he servan! !han h s 3or".' 7e have nee" of pa! en%e. Tru!hs !ha! seem ne*le%!e" a! f rs!$ of!en &ear fru ! af!er many "ays. 7e see n !he las! pla%e$ n !hese verses$ how much ignorant self.confidence may sometimes be found in the hearts of professing Christians. The apos!le >e!er %oul" no! !h nk ! poss &le !ha! he %oul" ever "eny h s 3or". ',f , have !o " e w !h you$' he says$ ', w ll never "eny you.' 0n" he " " no! s!an" alone n h s %onf "en%e. The o!her " s% ples were of !he same op n on. '0n" all !he o!hers vowe" !he same.' 5e! wha! " " all !h s %onf "en! &oas! n* %ome !oA Twelve hours " " no! pass away &efore all !he " s% ples forsook our 3or" an" fle". The r lou" profess ons were all for*o!!en. The presen! "an*er swep! all !he r prom ses of f "el !y %lean away. /o l !!le "o we know how we shall a%! n any par! %ular pos ! on un! l we are pla%e" n

!@ /o mu%h "o presen! % r%ums!an%es al!er our feel n*s@ 3e! us learn !o pray for hum l !y. '>r "e *oes &efore "es!ru%! on$ an" a hau*h!y sp r ! &efore a fall.' (>rov. 1<:18.) There s far more w %ke"ness n all our hear!s !han we know. 7e never %an !ell how far we m *h! fall$ f on%e pla%e" n !emp!a! on. There s no "e*ree of s n n!o wh %h !he *rea!es! sa n! may no! run$ f he s no! hel" up &y !he *ra%e of Go"$ an" f he "oes no! wa!%h an" pray. The see"s of every w %ke"ness l e h ""en n our hear!s. They only nee" !he %onven en! season !o spr n* for!h n!o a m s%h evous v !al !y. '3e! h m !ha! !h nks he s!an"s !ake hee" les! he fall.' '1e !ha! !rus!s h s own hear! s a fool.## (1 Cor. 1E:1D. >rov. D8:D<.) 3e! our "a ly prayer &e$ '1ol" me up an" , shall &e safe.'

Mark 14:32-42 The h s!ory of our 3or"#s a*ony n !he *ar"en of Ge!hsemane s a "eep an" mys!er ous passa*e of /%r p!ure. ,! %on!a ns !h n*s wh %h !he w ses! " v nes %anno! fully e)pla n. 5e! ! has upon !s surfa%e pla n !ru!hs of mos! momen!ous mpor!an%e. 3e! us mark$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ how !eenly our Lord felt the burden of a world's sin. ,! s wr !!en !ha! 1e &e*an !o &e f lle" w !h horror an" "eep " s!ress. 1e !ol" !hem$ 'My soul s %rushe" w !h *r ef !o !he po n! of "ea!h$' an" !ha! 'he fell on !he *roun"$ an" praye"$ !ha!$ f ! were poss &le$ !he hour m *h! pass from h m.' There s only one reasona&le e)plana! on of !hese e)press ons. ,! was no mere fear of !he phys %al suffer n* of "ea!h$ wh %h "rew !hem from our 3or"#s l ps. ,! was a sense of !he enormous loa" of human *u l!$ wh %h &e*an a! !ha! ! me !o press upon 1 m n a pe%ul ar way. ,! was a sense of !he unu!!era&le we *h! of our s ns an" !rans*ress ons wh %h were !hen spe% ally la " upon 1 m. 1e was &e n* 'ma"e a %urse for us.' 1e was &ear n* our *r efs an" %arry n* our sorrows a%%or" n* !o !he %ovenan! 1e %ame on ear!h !o fulf ll. 1e was &e n* 'ma"e s n for us who 1 mself knew no s n.' 1 s holy na!ure fel! a%u!ely !he h "eous &ur"en la " upon 1 m. These were !he reasons of 1 s e)!raor" nary sorrow. 7e ou*h! !o see n our 3or"#s a*ony n Ge!hsemane !he e)%ee" n* s nfulness of s n. ,! s a su&+e%! on wh %h !he !hou*h!s of profess n* Chr s! ans are far &elow wha! !hey shoul" &e. The %areless$ l *h! way n wh %h su%h s ns as swear n*$ /a&&a!h&reak n*$ ly n*$ an" !he l ke$ are of!en spoken of$ s a pa nful ev "en%e of !he low %on" ! on of men#s moral feel n*s. 3e! !he re%olle%! on of Ge!hsemane have a san%! fy n* effe%! upon us. 7ha!ever o!hers "o$ le! us never 'make a mo%k a! s n.' 3e! us mark$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ what an e#ample our Lord gives us of the importance of prayer in time of trouble . ,n !he hour of 1 s " s!ress we f n" 1 m employ n* !h s *rea! reme"y. Tw %e we are !ol" !ha! when 1 s soul was e)%ee" n* sorrowful$ '1e praye".' 7e shall never f n" a &e!!er formula !han !h s$ for !he pa! en! &ear n* of affl %! on. The f rs! person !o whom we shoul" !urn n our !rou&le s Go". The f rs! e)press on of *r ef we shoul" make$ shoul" &e n !he form of a prayer. The reply may no! &e * ven mme" a!ely. The rel ef we nee" may no! &e *ran!e" a! on%e. The !h n* !ha! !r es us may never &e remove" an" !aken away. .u! !he mere a%! of pour n* ou! our hear!s$ an" un&osom n* ourselves a! a !hrone of *ra%e w ll "o us *oo". The a"v %e of

James s w se an" we *h!y--',s any affl %!e"A 3e! h m pray.' (James 5:1=.) 3e! us mark$ n !he !h r" pla%e$ what a stri!ing e#ample our Lord gives us of submission of will" to the will of God . 6eeply as 1 s human na!ure fel! !he pressure of a worl"#s *u l!$ 1e s! ll prays !ha!$ ' f ! were poss &le$' !he hour m *h! pass from 1 m. 'Take away !h s %up from me--never!heless no! wha! , w ll$ &u! wha! you w ll.' 7e %an ma* ne no h *her "e*ree of perfe%! on !han !ha! wh %h s here se! &efore us. To !ake pa! en!ly wha!ever Go" sen"s--!o l ke no!h n* &u! wha! Go" l kes--!o w sh no!h n* &u! wha! Go" approves--!o prefer pa n$ f ! pleases Go" !o sen" !G !o fore*o ease$ f Go" "oes no! !h nk f ! !o &es!ow !--!o l e pass ve un"er Go"#s han"$ an" know no w ll &u! 1 s--!h s s !he h *hes! s!an"ar" a! wh %h we %an a m$ an" of !h s our 3or"#s %on"u%! n Ge!hsemane s a perfe%! pa!!ern. 3e! us s!r ve an" la&or !o have '!he m n" !ha! was n Chr s!' n !h s ma!!er. 3e! us "a ly pray an" en"eavor !o &e ena&le" !o mor! fy our self-w ll. ,! s for our happ ness !o "o so. 2o!h n* &r n*s us so mu%h m sery on ear!h as hav n* our own way. ,! s !he &es! proof of real *ra%e !o "o so. 8nowle"*e$ an" * f!s$ an" %onv %! ons$ an" feel n*s$ an" w shes$ are all very un%er!a n ev "en%es. They are of!en !o &e foun" n un%onver!e" people. .u! a %on! nually n%reas n* " spos ! on !o su&m ! our own w lls !o !he w ll of Go"$ s a far more heal!hy symp!om. ,! s a s *n !ha! we are really '*row n* n *ra%e$ an" n !he knowle"*e of Jesus Chr s!.' 3e! us mark$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ how much infirmity may be found even in the best Christians. 7e have a pa nful llus!ra! on of !h s !ru!h n !he %on"u%! of >e!er$ James$ an" John. They slep! when !hey ou*h! !o have wa!%he" an" praye". Thou*h nv !e" &y our 3or" !o wa!%h w !h 1 m$ !hey slep!. Thou*h warne" a shor! ! me &efore !ha! "an*er was a! han"$ an" !he r fa !h l kely !o fa l$ !hey slep!. Thou*h fresh from !he 3or"#s !a&le$ w !h all !s !ou%h n* solemn ! es$ !hey slep!. 2ever was !here a more s!r k n* proof !ha! the (e*t !% &en are (+t &en$ an" !ha!$ so lon* as sa n!s are n !he &o"y$ !hey are %ompasse" w !h nf rm !y. These !h n*s are wr !!en for our learn n*. 3e! us !ake hee" !ha! !hey are no! wr !!en n va n. 3e! us ever &e on our *uar" a*a ns! !he slo!hful$ n"olen!$ la?y sp r ! n rel * on$ wh %h s na!ural !o us all$ an" espe% ally n !he ma!!er of our pr va!e prayers. 7hen we feel !ha! sp r ! %reep n* over us$ le! us remem&er >e!er$ James$ an" John n !he *ar"en$ an" !ake %are. The solemn %ounsel wh %h our 3or" a""resses !o 1 s " s% ples shoul" of!en r n* n our ears--'7a!%h an" pray$ les! you en!er n!o !emp!a! on. The sp r ! !ruly s rea"y$ &u! !he flesh s weak.' ,! shoul" &e !he Chr s! an#s "a ly mo!!o from !he ! me of h s %onvers on !o !he hour of h s "ea!h. 0re we !rue Chr s! ansA an" woul" we keep our souls awakeA 3e! us no! for*e! !ha! we have w !h n us a "ou&le na!ure--a rea"y 'sp r !' an" weak 'flesh' a %arnal na!ure n%l ne" !o ev l$ an" a sp r !ual na!ure n%l ne" !o *oo". These !wo are %on!rary one !o !he o!her. (Gal. 5:17.) / n an" !he "ev l w ll always f n" helpers n our hear!s. ,f we "o no! %ru% fy an" rule over !he flesh$ ! w ll of!en rule over us an" &r n* us !o shame. 0re we !rue Chr s! ans$ an" woul" we keep our souls awakeA Then le! us never for*e! !o 'wa!%h an" pray.' 7e mus! wa!%h l ke sol" ers--we are upon enemy#s

*roun". 7e mus! always &e on our *uar". 7e mus! f *h! a "a ly f *h!$ an" war a "a ly warfare. The Chr s! an#s res! s ye! !o %ome. 7e mus! pray w !hou! %eas n*$ re*ularly$ ha& !ually$ %arefully$ an" a! s!a!e" ! mes. 7e mus! pray as well as wa!%h$ an" wa!%h as well as pray. 7a!%h n* w !hou! pray n* s self-%onf "en%e an" self%on%e !. >ray n* w !hou! wa!%h n* s en!hus asm an" fana! % sm. The man who knows h s own weakness$ an" know n* ! &o!h wa!%hes an" prays$ s !he man !ha! w ll &e hel" up an" no! allowe" !o fall.

Mark 14:43-52 3e! us no! %e n !hese verses$ how little our Lord's enemies understood the nature of is !ingdom. 7e rea" !ha! Ju"as %ame !o !ake 1 m 'w !h a *rea! mul! !u"e$ w !h swor"s an" %lu&s.' ,! was ev "en!ly e)pe%!e" !ha! our 3or" woul" &e v *orously "efen"e" &y 1 s " s% ples$ an" !ha! 1e woul" no! &e !aken pr soner w !hou! f *h! n*. The %h ef pr es!s an" s%r &es %lun* o&s! na!ely !o !he "ea$ !ha! our 3or"#s k n*"om was a worl"ly k n*"om$ an" !herefore suppose" !ha! ! woul" &e uphel" &y worl"ly means. They ha" ye! !o learn !he solemn lesson %on!a ne" n our 3or"#s wor"s !o > la!e$ 'My k n*"om s no! of !h s worl".' (John 18:=<.) 7e shall "o well !o remem&er !h s n all our en"eavors !o e)!en" !he k n*"om of !rue rel * on. ,! s no! !o &e propa*a!e" &y v olen%e$ or &y an arm of flesh. 'The weapons of our warfare are no! %arnal.' '2o! &y m *h!$ nor &y power$ &u! &y my /p r !$ says !he 3or" of hos!s.' (D Cor. 1E:C. Fe%h. C:<.) The %ause of !ru!h "oes no! nee" for%e !o ma n!a n !. Balse rel * ons$ l ke Mohamme"an sm$ have of!en &een sprea" &y !he swor". Balse Chr s! an !y$ l ke !ha! of !he Roman Chur%h$ has of!en &een enfor%e" on men &y &loo"y perse%u! ons. .u! !he real Gospel of Chr s! re9u res no su%h a "s as !hese. ,! s!an"s &y !he power of !he 1oly /p r !. ,! *rows &y !he h ""en nfluen%e of !he 1oly /p r ! on men#s hear!s an" %ons% en%es. There s no %learer s *n of a &a" %ause n rel * on !han a rea" ness !o appeal !o !he swor". 3e! us no! %e$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ how all things in our Lord's passion happened according to God's /ord. 1 s own a""ress !o !hose who !ook 1 m$ e)h & !s !h s n a s!r k n* manner--'!he /%r p!ure mus! &e fulf lle".' There was no a%% "en! or %han%e n any par! of !he %lose of our 3or"#s ear!hly m n s!ry. The s!eps n wh %h 1e walke" from Ge!hsemane !o Calvary were all marke" ou! hun"re"s of years &efore. The !wen!y-se%on" >salm$ an" !he f f!y-!h r" %hap!er of ,sa ah$ were l !erally fulf lle". The wra!h of 1 s enem es--1 s re+e%! on &y 1 s own people--1 s &e n* "eal! w !h as a malefa%!or--1 s &e n* %on"emne" &y !he assem&ly of !he w %ke"--all ha" &een foreknown$ an" all fore!ol". 0ll !ha! !ook pla%e was only !he work n* ou! of Go"#s *rea! "es *n !o prov "e an a!onemen! for a worl"#s s n. The arme" men whom Ju"as &rou*h! !o lay han"s on Jesus$ were$ l ke 2e&u%ha"ne??ar an" /enna%her &$ unconscious instruments in carrying od"s purposes into effect. 3e! us res! our souls on !he !hou*h!$ !ha! all aroun" us s or"ere" an" overrule" &y Go"#s alm *h!y w s"om. The %ourse of !h s worl" may of!en &e %on!rary !o our w shes. The pos ! on of !he Chur%h may of!en &e very unl ke wha! we "es re. The w %ke"ness of worl"ly men$ an" !he n%ons s!en% es of &el evers$ may of!en affl %!

our souls. .u! !here s a han" a&ove us$ mov n* !he vas! ma%h ne of !h s un verse$ an" mak n* all !h n*s work !o*e!her for 1 s *lory. The /%r p!ures are &e n* yearly fulf lle". 2o! one +o! or ! !!le n !hem shall ever fa l !o &e a%%ompl she". The k n*s of !he ear!h may !ake %ounsel !o*e!her$ an" !he rulers of !he na! ons may se! !hemselves a*a ns! Chr s! (>salm. D:D)$ &u! !he resurre%! on morn n* shall prove !ha!$ even a! !he "arkes! ! me$ all !h n*s were &e n* "one a%%or" n* !o !he w ll of Go". 3e! us no! %e$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ how much the faith of true believers may give way. 7e are !ol" !ha! when Ju"as an" h s %ompany la " han"s on our 3or"$ an" 1e 9u e!ly su&m !!e" !o &e !aken pr soner$ !he eleven " s% ples 'all forsook 1 m an" fle".' >erhaps up !o !ha! momen! !hey were &uoye" up &y !he hope !ha! our 3or" woul" work a m ra%le$ an" se! 1 mself free. .u! when !hey saw no m ra%le worke"$ !he r %oura*e fa le" !hem en! rely. The r former pro!es!a! ons were all for*o!!en. The r prom ses !o " e w !h !he r Mas!er$ ra!her !han "eny 1 m$ were all %as! !o !he w n"s. The fear of presen! "an*er *o! !he &e!!er of fa !h. The sense of mme" a!e per l "rove every o!her feel n* ou! of !he r m n"s. They 'all forsook 1 m an" fle".' There s some!h n* "eeply ns!ru%! ve n !h s n% "en!. ,! "eserves !he a!!en! ve s!u"y of all profess n* Chr s! ans. 1appy s he who marks !he %on"u%! of our 3or"#s " s% ples$ an" *a!hers from ! w s"om@ 3e! us learn from !he fl *h! of !hese eleven " s% ples no! !o &e over-%onf "en! n our own s!ren*!h. The fear of man "oes n"ee" &r n* a snare. 7e never know wha! we may "o$ f we are !emp!e"$ or !o wha! e)!en! our fa !h may * ve way. 3e! us &e %lo!he" w !h hum l !y. 3e! us learn !o &e %har !a&le n our +u"*men! of o!her Chr s! ans. 3e! us no! e)pe%! !oo mu%h from !hem$ or se! !hem "own as hav n* no *ra%e a! all$ f we see !hem over!aken n a faul!. 3e! us no! for*e! !ha! even our 3or"#s %hosen apos!les forsook 1 m n 1 s ! me of nee". 5e! !hey rose a*a n &y repen!an%e$ an" &e%ame p llars of !he Chur%h of Chr s!. B nally$ le! us leave !he passa*e w !h a "eep sense of our Lord's ability to sympathize with is believing people. ,f !here s one !r al *rea!er !han ano!her$ ! s !he !r al of &e n* " sappo n!e" n !hose we love. ,! s a & !!er %up$ wh %h all !rue Chr s! ans have fre9uen!ly !o "r nk. M n s!ers fa l !hem. Rela! ons fa l !hem. Br en"s fa l !hem. 4ne % s!ern af!er ano!her proves !o &e &roken$ an" !o hol" no wa!er. .u! le! !hem !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h!$ !ha! !here s one unfa l n* Br en"$ even Jesus$ who %an &e !ou%he" w !h !he feel n* of !he r nf rm ! es$ an" has !as!e" of all !he r sorrows. Jesus knows wha! ! s !o see fr en"s an" " s% ples fa l n* 1 m n !he hour of nee". 5e! 1e &ore ! pa! en!ly$ an" love" !hem no!w !hs!an" n* all. 1e s never weary of for* v n*. 3e! us s!r ve !o "o l kew se. Jesus$ a! any ra!e$ w ll never fa l us. ,! s wr !!en$ '1 s %ompass ons fa l no!' (3am. =:DD).

Mark 14:53-65 /olomon !ells us n !he &ook of (%%les as!es$ !ha! one ev l he has seen un"er !he sun$ s when 'folly s se! n *rea! " *n !y$ an" !he r %h s ! n low pla%e.' ((%%les. 1E:<.)

7e %an ma* ne no more %omple!e llus!ra! on of h s wor"s !han !he s!a!e of !h n*s we have re%or"e" n !he passa*e &efore us. 7e see !he /on of Go"$ ' n whom are h ""en all !he !reasures of w s"om an" knowle"*e$' arra *ne" as a malefa%!or &efore '!he %h ef pr es!s$ an" el"ers$ an" s%r &es.' 7e see !he hea"s of !he Jew sh na! on %om& n n* !o*e!her !o k ll !he r own Mess ah$ an" +u"* n* 1 m who w ll one "ay %ome n *lory !o +u"*e !hem an" all mank n". These !h n*s soun" marvelous$ &u! !hey are !rue. 3e! us o&serve n !hese verses$ how foolishly Christians sometimes thrust themselves into temptation. 7e are !ol" !ha! when our 3or" was le" away pr soner$ '>e!er followe" 1 m afar off$ even n!o !he pala%e of !he h *h pr es!--an" he sa! w !h !he servan!s$ an" warme" h mself a! !he f re.' There was no w s"om n !h s a%!. 1av n* on%e forsaken h s Mas!er an" fle"$ he ou*h! !o have remem&ere" h s own weakness$ an" no! !o have ven!ure" n!o "an*er a*a n. ,! was an a%! of rashness an" presump! on. ,! &rou*h! on h m fresh !r als of fa !h$ for wh %h he was u!!erly unprepare". ,! !hrew h m n!o &a" %ompany$ where he was no! l kely !o *e! *oo"$ &u! harm. ,! pave" !he way for h s las! an" *rea!es! !rans*ress on--h s !hr %erepea!e" "en al of h s Mas!er. .u! ! s an e)per men!al !ru!h !ha! ou*h! never !o &e overlooke"$ !ha! when a &el ever has on%e &e*un !o &a%k-sl "e an" leave h s f rs! fa !h$ he sel"om s!ops shor! a! h s f rs! m s!ake. 1e sel"om makes only one s!um&le. 1e sel"om %omm !s only one faul!. 0 &l n"ness seems !o %ome over h s un"ers!an" n*. 1e appears !o %as! over-&oar" h s %ommon sense an" " s%re! on. 3 ke a s!one roll n* "own-h ll$ !he fur!her he *oes on n s nn n*$ !he fas!er an" more "e% "e" s h s %ourse. 3 ke 6av "$ he may &e* n w !h "leness$ an" en" w !h %omm !! n* every poss &le %r me. 3 ke >e!er$ he may &e* n w !h %owar" %e--*o on !o fool sh !r fl n* w !h !emp!a! on$ an" !hen en" w !h "eny n* Chr s!. ,f we know any !h n* of !rue sav n* rel * on$ le! us ever &eware of !he &e* nn n*s of &a%ksl " n*. ,! s l ke !he le!! n* ou! of wa!er$ f rs! a "rop an" !hen a !orren!. 4n%e ou! of !he way of hol ness$ !here s no say n* !o wha! we may %ome. 4n%e * v n* way !o pe!!y n%ons s!en% es$ we may f n" ourselves one "ay %omm !! n* every sor! of w %ke"ness. 3e! us keep far from !he &r nk of ev l. 3e! us no! play w !h f re. 3e! us never fear &e n* !oo par! %ular$ !oo s!r %!$ an" !oo pre% se. 2o pe! ! on n !he 3or"#s prayer s more mpor!an! !han !he las! &u! one$ '3ea" us no! n!o !emp!a! on.' 3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ n !hese verses$ how much our Lord Jesus Christ had to endure from lying lips" when tried before the chief priests . 7e are !ol" !ha! 'many &ore false w !ness a*a ns! 1 mG &u! !he r w !ness a*ree" no! !o*e!her.' 7e %an eas ly %on%e ve !ha! !h s was no! !he leas! heavy par! of our &lesse" /av or#s pass on. To &e se ?e" un+us!ly as a malefa%!or$ an" pu! on !r al as a %r m nal$ when nno%en!$ s a severe affl %! on. .u! !o hear men nven! n* false %har*es a*a ns! us an" %o n n* slan"ers--!o l s!en !o all !he mal *nan! v rulen%e of uns%rupulous !on*ues le! loose a*a ns! our %hara%!er$ an" know !ha! ! s all un!rue--!h s s a %ross n"ee"@ 'The wor"s of a !ale&earer$' says /olomon$ 'are as woun"s.' (>rov. 18:8.) '6el ver my soul$' says 6av "$ 'from ly n* l ps an" a "e%e !ful !on*ue.' (>salm 1DE:D.) 0ll !h s was a par! of !he %up wh %h Jesus "rank for our sakes. Grea! n"ee" was !he pr %e a! wh %h our souls were re"eeme"@

3e! ! never surpr se !rue Chr s! ans f !hey are slan"ere" an" m srepresen!e" n !h s worl". They mus! no! e)pe%! !o fare &e!!er !han !he r 3or". 3e! !hem ra!her look forwar" !o ! as a ma!!er of %ourse$ an" see n ! a par! of !he %ross wh %h all mus! &ear af!er %onvers on. 3 es an" false repor!s are amon* /a!an#s %ho %es! weapons. 7hen he %anno! "e!er men from serv n* Chr s!$ he la&ors !o harass !hem an" make Chr s!#s serv %e un%omfor!a&le. 3e! us &ear ! pa! en!ly$ an" no! %oun! ! a s!ran*e !h n*. The wor"s of !he 3or" Jesus shoul" of!en %ome !o our m n"s--'7oe un!o you$ when all men shall speak well of you.' '.lesse" are you$ when men shall rev le you$ an" perse%u!e you$ an" say all manner of ev l a*a ns! you falsely for my sake.' (3uke <:D<. Ma!!. 5:11.) 3e! us o&serve$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ what distinct testimony our Lord bore to is own 2essiahship" and second advent in glory . The h *h pr es! asks 1 m !he solemn 9ues! on$ '0re you !he Chr s!$ !he /on of !he .lesse"A' 1e re%e ves a! on%e !he empha! % reply$ ', am--an" you shall see !he /on of Man s !! n* on !he r *h! han" of power$ an" %om n* n !he %lou"s of heaven.' These wor"s of our 3or" ou*h! always !o &e ha" n remem&ran%e. The Jews %oul" never say af!er !hese wor"s$ !ha! !hey were no! %learly !ol" !ha! Jesus of 2a?are!h was !he Chr s! of Go". .efore !he *rea! %oun% ls of !he r pr es!s an" el"ers$ 1e "e%lare"$ ', am !he Chr s!.' The Jews %oul" never say af!er !hese wor"s$ !ha! 1e was so lowly an" poor a person$ !ha! 1e was no! wor!hy !o &e &el eve". 1e warne" !hem pla nly !ha! 1 s *lory an" *rea!ness was all ye! !o %ome. They were only "eferre" an" pos!pone" un! l 1 s se%on" a"ven!. They woul" ye! see 1 m n royal power an" ma+es!y$ 's !! n* on !he r *h! han" of power$' %om n* n !he %lou"s of heaven$ a Ju"*e$ a Con9ueror$ an" a 8 n*. ,f ,srael was un&el ev n*$ ! was no! &e%ause ,srael was no! !ol" wha! !o &el eve. 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h a "eep sense of !he real !y an" %er!a n!y of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s se%on" %om n*. 4n%e more a! !he very en" of 1 s m n s!ry$ an" n !he fa%e of 1 s "ea"ly enem es$ we f n" 1 m asser! n* !he m *h!y !ru!h !ha! 1e w ll %ome a*a n !o +u"*e !he worl". 3e! ! &e one of !he lea" n* !ru!hs n our own personal Chr s! an !y. 3e! us l ve n !he "a ly re%olle%! on !ha! our /av or s one "ay %om n* &a%k !o !h s worl". 3e! !he Chr s! n whom we &el eve$ &e no! only !he Chr s! who " e" for us an" rose a*a n--!he Chr s! who l ves for us an" n!er%e"es--&u! !he Chr s! who w ll one "ay re!urn n *lory$ !o *a!her !o*e!her an" rewar" 1 s people$ an" !o pun sh fearfully all 1 s enem es.

Mark 14:66-72 0 sh pwre%k s a melan%holy s *h!$ even when no l ves are los!. ,! s sa" !o !h nk of !he "es!ru%! on of proper!y$ an" " sappo n!men! of hopes wh %h *enerally a!!en" !. ,! s pa nful !o see !he suffer n* an" har"sh p$ wh %h !he sh p#s %rew of!en have !o un"er*o n !he r s!ru**le !o es%ape from "rown n*. 5e! no sh pwre%k s half so melan%holy a s *h! as !he &a%ksl " n* an" fall of a !rue Chr s! an. Thou*h ra se" a*a n &y Go"#s mer%y$ an" f nally save" from hell$ he loses mu%h &y h s fall. /u%h a s *h! we have &rou*h! &efore our m n"s n !he verses we have now rea". 7e are !here !ol" !ha! mos! pa nful an" ns!ru%! ve s!ory$ how >e!er "en e" h s 3or". 3e! us learn$ n !he f rs! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how far and how shamefully a

great saint may fall. 7e know !ha! / mon >e!er was an em nen! apos!le of Jesus Chr s!. 1e was one who ha" re%e ve" spe% al %ommen"a! on from our 3or"#s l ps$ af!er a no&le %onfess on of 1 s Mess ahsh p--'.lesse" are you$ / mon .ar+ona$' ', w ll * ve un!o you !he keys of !he k n*"om of heaven.' 1e was one who ha" en+oye" spe% al pr v le*es$ an" ha" spe% al mer% es shown !o h m. 5e! here we see !h s same / mon >e!er so en! rely over%ome &y fear !ha! he a%!ually "en es h s 3or". 1e "e%lares !ha! he knows no! 1 m whom he ha" a%%ompan e" an" l ve" w !h for !hree years@ 1e "e%lares !ha! he knows no! 1 m who ha" heale" h s own w fe#s mo!her$ !aken h m up n!o !he moun! of !ransf *ura! on$ an" save" h m from "rown n* n !he sea of Gal lee@ 0n" he no! only "en es h s Mas!er on%e$ &u! "oes ! !hree ! mes@ 0n" he no! only "en es 1 m s mply$ &u! "oes ! '%urs n* an" swear n*@' 0n" a&ove all$ he "oes all !h s n !he fa%e of !he pla nes! warn n*s$ an" n sp !e of h s own lou" pro!es!a! on !ha! he woul" "o no!h n* of !he k n"$ &u! ra!her " e@ These !h n*s are wr !!en !o show !he Chur%h of Chr s! wha! human na!ure s$ even n !he &es! of men. They are n!en"e" !o !ea%h us !ha!$ even af!er %onvers on an" renewal of !he 1oly /p r !$ &el evers are %ompasse" w !h nf rm !y an" l a&le !o fall. They are mean! !o mpress upon us !he mmense mpor!an%e of "a ly wa!%hfulness$ prayerfulness$ an" hum l !y so lon* as we are n !he &o"y. '3e! h m !ha! !h nks he s!an"s$ !ake hee" les! he fall.' 3e! us %arefully remem&er !ha! / mon >e!er#s %ase "oes no! s!an" alone. The wor" of Go" %on!a ns many o!her e)amples of !he nf rm !y of !rue &el evers$ wh %h we shall "o well !o o&serve. The h s!or es of 2oah$ 0&raham$ 6av "$ 1e?ek ah$ w ll supply us w !h mournful proof$ !ha! '!he nfe%! on of s n rema ns even n !he re*enera!e$' an" !ha! no man s so s!ron* as !o &e &eyon" !he "an*er of fall n*. 3e! us no! for*e! !h s. 3e! us walk hum&ly w !h our Go". '1appy s !he man !ha! fears aways.' (>rov. D8:1C.) 3e! us learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how small a temptation may cause a saint to have a great fall. The &e* nn n* of >e!er#s !r al was no!h n* more !han !he s mple remark of 'a ma " of !he 1 *h >r es!.' '5ou also were w !h Jesus of 2a?are!h.' There s no!h n* !o show !ha! !hese wor"s were spoken w !h any hos! le purpose. Bor any!h n* we %an see$ !hey m *h! fa rly mean !ha! !h s ma " remem&ere" !ha! >e!er use" !o &e a %ompan on of our 3or". .u! !h s s mple remark was enou*h !o over!hrow !he fa !h of an em nen! apos!le$ an" !o make h m &e* n !o "eny h s Mas!er. The %h ef an" foremos! of our 3or"#s %hosen " s% ples s %as! "own$ no! &y !he !hrea!s of arme" men$ &u! &y !he say n* of one weak woman@ There s some!h n* "eeply ns!ru%! ve n !h s fa%!. ,! ou*h! !o !ea%h us !ha! no !emp!a! on s !oo small an" !r fl n* !o over%ome us$ e)%ep! we wa!%h an" pray !o &e hel" up. ,f Go" &e for us we may remove moun!a ns an" *e! !he v %!ory over a hos! of foes. ', %an "o all !h n*s$' says >aul$ '!hrou*h Chr s! !ha! s!ren*!hens me.' (>h l. C:1=.) ,f Go" w !h"raws 1 s *ra%e$ an" leaves us !o ourselves$ we are l ke a % !y w !hou! *a!es an" walls$ a prey !o !he f rs! enemy$ however weak an" %on!emp! &le. 3e! us &eware of mak n* l *h! of !emp!a! ons &e%ause !hey seem l !!le an" ns *n f %an!. There s no!h n* l !!le !ha! %on%erns our souls. 0 l !!le leaven leavens !he whole lump. 0 l !!le spark may k n"le a *rea! f re. 0 l !!le leak may s nk a *rea! sh p. 0 l !!le provo%a! on may &r n* ou! from our hear!s *rea! %orrup! on$ an" en" n &r n* n* our souls n!o *rea! !rou&le.

B nally$ le! us learn from !hese verses that bac!sliding brings saints into great sorrow. The %on%lus on of !he passa*e s very affe%! n*. '>e!er %alle" !o m n" !he wor"s !ha! Jesus sa " un!o h m$ .efore !he roos!er %rows$ you shall "eny me !hr %e.' 7ho %an pre!en" !o "es%r &e !he feel n*s !ha! mus! have flashe" a%ross !he apos!le#s m n"A 7ho %an %on%e ve !he shame$ an" %onfus on$ an" self-reproa%h$ an" & !!er remorse wh %h mus! have overwhelme" h s soulA To have fallen so foully@ To have fallen so repea!e"ly@ To have fallen n !he fa%e of su%h pla n warn n*s@ 0ll !hese mus! have &een %u!! n* !hou*h!s. The ron mus! n"ee" have en!ere" n!o h s soul. There s "eep an" solemn mean n* n !he one s n*le e)press on use" a&ou! h m--'Then >e!er remem&ere" !he wor" Jesus ha" spoken !o h m. 0n" he &roke "own an" wep!.' The e)per en%e of >e!er s only !he e)per en%e of all Go"#s servan!s who have y el"e" !o !emp!a! on. 3o!$ an" /amson$ an" 6av "$ an" Jehoshapha! n . &le h s!ory--Cranmer an" Jewell n !he re%or"s of our own (n*l sh Chur%h--have all lef! ev "en%e$ l ke >e!er$ !ha! '!he &a%ksl "er n hear! shall &e f lle" w !h h s own ways.' (>rov. 1C:1C.) 3 ke >e!er$ !hey erre" *r evously. 3 ke >e!er$ !hey repen!e" !ruly. .u!$ l ke >e!er$ !hey foun" !ha! !hey reape" a & !!er harves! n !h s worl". 3 ke >e!er$ !hey were freely par"one" an" for* ven. .u!$ l ke >e!er$ !hey she" many !ears. 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h !he se!!le" %onv %! on !ha! sin is sure to lead to sorrow" and that the way of most holiness is always the way of most happiness. The 3or" Jesus has mer% fully prov "e" !ha! ! shall never prof ! 1 s servan!s !o walk %arelessly an" !o * ve way !o !emp!a! on. ,f we w ll !urn our &a%ks on 1 m we shall &e sure !o smar! for !. Thou*h 1e for* ves us$ 1e w ll make us feel !he folly of our own ways. Those !ha! follow !he 3or" mos! fully$ shall always follow 1 m mos! %omfor!a&ly. 'The r sorrows shall &e mul! pl e" who has!en af!er o!her *o"s.' (>salm 1<:C.)

Mark chapter 15
Mark 15:1-15 These verses &e* n !he %hap!er n wh %h Mark "es%r &es !he slay n* of '!he 3am& of Go"$ who !akes away !he s n of !he worl".' ,! s a par! of !he Gospel h s!ory wh %h shoul" always &e rea" w !h pe%ul ar reveren%e. 7e shoul" %all !o m n"$ !ha! Chr s! was %u! off$ no! for 1 mself$ &u! for us. (6an. ;:D<.) 7e shoul" remem&er !ha! 1 s "ea!h s !he l fe of our souls$ an" !ha! unless 1 s &loo" ha" &een she"$ we mus! have per she" m sera&ly n our s ns. 3e! us mark n !hese verses$ what a stri!ing proof the Jewish rulers gave to their own nation that the times of 2essiah had come. The %hap!er opens w !h !he fa%!$ !ha! !he %h ef pr es!s &oun" Jesus an" '"el vere" 1 m !o > la!e$' !he Roman Governor. 7hy " " !hey "o soA .e%ause !hey ha" no lon*er !he power of pu!! n* any one !o "ea!h$ an" were un"er !he "om n on of !he Romans. .y !h s one a%! an" "ee" !hey "e%lare" !ha! !he prophe%y of Ja%o& was fulf lle". 'The s%ep!er ha" "epar!e" from Ju"ah$ an" !he law* ver from &e!ween h s fee!$' an" /h loh !he Mess ah$ whom Go" ha" prom se" !o sen"$ mus! have %ome. (Gen. C;:1E.) 5e! !here s no!h n* wha!ever !o show !ha! !hey remem&ere" !h s prophe%y. The r eyes were &l n"e". They e !her %oul" no!$ or woul" no!$ see wha! !hey were "o n*.

3e! us never for*e! !ha! w %ke" men are of!en fulf ll n* Go"#s pre" %! ons !o !he r own ru n$ an" ye! know ! no!. ,n !he very he *h! of !he r ma"ness$ folly$ an" un&el ef$ !hey are of!en un%ons% ously supply n* fresh ev "en%e !ha! !he . &le s !rue. The unhappy s%offers who make a +es! of all ser ous rel * on$ an" %an s%ar%ely !alk of Chr s! an !y w !hou! r " %ule an" s%orn$ woul" "o well !o remem&er !ha! !he r %on"u%! was lon* a*o foreseen an" fore!ol". 'There shall %ome n !he las! "ays s%offers$ walk n* af!er !he r own lus!s.' (D >e!er =:=) 3e! us mark$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ the mee!ness and lowliness of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7hen 1e s!oo" &efore > la!e#s &ar$ an" was 'a%%use" of many !h n*s$' 1e answere" no!h n*. Thou*h !he %har*es a*a ns! 1 m were false$ an" 1e knew no s n$ 1e was %on!en! !o en"ure !he %on!ra" %! on of s nners a*a ns! 1 mself$ no! answer n* a*a n. (1e&.1D:=.) Thou*h he was nno%en! of any !rans*ress on$ 1e su&m !!e" !o &ear *roun"less a%%usa! ons ma"e a*a ns! 1 m w !hou! a murmur. Grea! s !he %on!ras! &e!ween !he se%on" 0"am an" !he f rs!@ 4ur f rs! fa!her 0"am was *u l!y$ an" ye! !r e" !o e)%use h mself. The se%on" 0"am was *u l!less$ an" ye! ma"e no "efense a! all. '0s a sheep &efore her shearers s s len!$ so 1e "oes no! open 1 s mou!h.' (,sa. 5=:7.) 3e! us learn a pra%! %al lesson from our /av or#s e)ample. 3e! us learn !o suffer pa! en!ly$ an" no! !o %ompla n$ wha!ever Go" may !h nk f ! !o lay upon us. 3e! us !ake hee" !o our ways$ !ha! we offen" no! n our !on*ues$ n !he hour of !emp!a! on. (>salm =;:1.) 3e! us &eware of * v n* way !o rr !a! on an" ll !emper$ however provok n* an" un"eserve" our !r als may seem !o &e. 2o!h n* n !he Chr s! an %hara%!er *lor f es Go" so mu%h as pa! en! suffer n*. ',f when you "o well an" suffer for !$ you !ake ! pa! en!ly$ !h s s a%%ep!a&le w !h Go". Bor even hereun!o were you %alle"$ &e%ause Chr s! also suffere" for us$ leav n* us an e)ample !ha! you shoul" follow 1 s s!eps.' (1 >e!. D:DE$ D1.) 3e! us mark$ !h r"ly$ n !hese verses$ the wavering and undecided conduct of +ilate. ,! s %lear from !he passa*e &efore us !ha! > la!e was %onv n%e" of our 3or"#s nno%en%e. '1e knew !ha! !he %h ef pr es!s ha" "el vere" h m for (2J5.' 7e see h m fee&ly s!ru**l n* for a ! me !o o&!a n our 3or"#s a%9u !!al$ an" !o sa! sfy h s own %ons% en%e. 0! las! he y el"s !o !he mpor!un !y of !he Jews$ an" 'w ll n* !o sa! sfy !he people$' "el vers Jesus !o &e %ru% f e"--!o !he e!ernal " s*ra%e an" ru n of h s own soul. 0 man n h *h pla%e w !hou! rel * ous pr n% ples$ s one of !he mos! p ! a&le s *h!s n !he worl". 1e s l ke a lar*e sh p !osse" !o an" fro on !he sea w !hou! %ompass or ru""er. 1 s very *rea!ness surroun"s h m w !h !emp!a! ons an" snares. ,! * ves h m power for *oo" or ev l$ wh %h$ f he knows no! how !o use ! ar *h!$ s sure !o &r n* h m n!o " ff %ul! es$ an" !o make h m unhappy. 3e! us pray mu%h for *rea! men. They nee" *rea! *ra%e !o keep !hem from !he "ev l. $igh places are slippery places. 2o won"er !ha! >aul re%ommen"s n!er%ess on 'for k n*s an" for all !ha! are n au!hor !y.' (1 T m. D:1$ D.) 3e! us no! envy *rea! men. They have many an" pe%ul ar !emp!a! ons. 1ow har" ! s for a r %h man en!er !he k n*"om of Go". '6o you seek you *rea! !h n*s for yourselfA seek !hem no!.' (Jerem. C5:5.) 3e! us mark$ four!hly$ n !hese verses$ the e/ceeding guilt of the Jews in the matter of the death of Christ. 0! !he eleven!h hour !he %h ef pr es!s ha" an oppor!un !y of

repen! n* f !hey woul" have !aken !. They ha" !he %ho %e * ven !hem whe!her Jesus or .ara&&as shoul" &e le! *o free. Coolly an" "el &era!ely !hey persevere" n !he r &loo"y work. They %hose !o have a mur"erer le! *o free. They %hose !o have !he >r n%e of 3 fe pu! !o "ea!h. The power of pu!! n* our 3or" !o "ea!h was no lon*er !he rs. The responsibility of 1 s "ea!h !hey pu&l %ly !ook upon !hemselves. '7ha! shall , "o$ !hen$ w !h !he one you %all !he k n* of !he JewsA' was > la!e#s 9ues! on. 'Cru% fy h m$ %ru% fy h m$' was !he "rea"ful answer. The a*en!s n our 3or"#s "ea!h were un"ou&!e"ly Gen! les. .u! !he *u l! of our 3or"#s "ea!h mus! always res! %h efly upon !he Jews. 7e marvel a! !he w %ke"ness of !he Jews a! !h s par! of our 3or"#s h s!ory--an" no won"er. To re+e%! Chr s! an" %hoose .ara&&as was n"ee" an as!oun" n* a%!@ ,! seems as f &l n"ness$ ma"ness$ an" folly %oul" *o no fur!her. .u! le! us !ake hee" !ha! we "o no! unw !! n*ly follow !he r e)ample. 3e! us &eware !ha! we are no! foun" a! las! !o have %hosen .ara&&as an" re+e%!e" Chr s!. The serv %e of s n an" !he serv %e of Go" are %on! nually &efore us. The fr en"sh p of !he worl" an" !he fr en"sh p of Chr s! are %on! nually presse" upon our no! %e. 0re we mak n* !he r *h! %ho %eA 0re we %leav n* !o !he r *h! Br en"A These are solemn 9ues! ons. 1appy s he who %an * ve !hem a sa! sfa%!ory answer. 3e! us mark$ f nally$ n !hese verses$ what a stri!ing type the release of Barabbas affords of the Gospel plan of salvation . The *u l!y s se! free an" !he nno%en! s pu! !o "ea!h. The *rea! s nner s "el vere"$ an" !he s nless one rema ns &oun". .ara&&as s spare"$ an" Chr s! s %ru% f e". 7e have n !h s s!r k n* fa%! a v v " em&lem of !he manner n wh %h Go" par"ons an" +us! f es !he un*o"ly. 1e "oes !$ &e%ause Chr s! has suffere" n !he r s!ea"$ !he +us! for !he un+us!. They "eserve pun shmen!$ &u! a m *h!y /u&s! !u!e has suffere" for !hem. They "eserve e!ernal "ea!h$ &u! a *lor ous /ure!y has " e" for !hem. 7e are all &y na!ure n !he pos ! on of .ara&&as. 7e are *u l!y$ w %ke"$ an" wor!hy of %on"emna! on. .u! 'when we were w !hou! hope$' Chr s! !he nno%en! " e" for !he un*o"ly. 0n" now Go" for Chr s!#s sake %an &e +us!$ an" ye! '!he +us! f er of !he one who &el eves n Jesus.' 3e! us &less Go" !ha! we have su%h a *lor ous salva! on se! &efore us. 4ur plea mus! ever &e$ no! !ha! we are "eserv n* of a%9u !!al$ &u! !ha! Chr s! has " e" for us. 3e! us !ake hee"$ !ha! hav n* so *rea! a salva! on we really make use of ! for our own souls. May we never res! un! l we %an say &y fa !h$ 'Chr s! s m ne. , "eserve hell. .u! Chr s! has " e" for me$ an" &el ev n* n 1 m , have a hope of heaven.'

Mark 15:16-32 The passa*e we have now rea"$ s one of !hose wh %h show us !he nf n !e love of Chr s! !owar" s nners. The suffer n*s "es%r &e" n ! woul" f ll our m n"s w !h m n*le" horror an" %ompass on$ f !hey ha" &een nfl %!e" on one who was only a man l ke ourselves. .u! when we refle%! !ha! !he sufferer was !he e!ernal /on of Go"$ we are los! n won"er an" ama?emen!. 0n" when we refle%! fur!her !ha! !hese suffer n*s were volun!ar ly en"ure" !o "el ver s nful men an" women l ke ourselves from hell$ we may see some!h n* of >aul#s mean n* when he says$ 'The love of Chr s! passes knowle"*e.' 'Go" %ommen"s 1 s love !owar" us n !ha! wh le we were ye! s nners$

Chr s! " e" for us.' ((phes. =:1;G Rom. 5:8.) 7e shall f n" ! useful !o e)am ne separa!ely !he several par!s of our 3or"#s pass on. 3e! us follow 1 m s!ep &y s!ep from !he momen! of 1 s %on"emna! on &y > la!e !o 1 s las! hour upon !he %ross. There s a "eep mean n* n every +o! an" ! !!le of 1 s sorrows. 0ll were s!r k n* em&lems of sp r !ual !ru!hs. 0n" le! us no! for*e! as we "well on !he won"rous s!ory$ !ha! we an" our s ns were !he %ause of all !hese suffer n*s. 'Chr s! suffere" for s ns$ !he +us! for !he un+us!$ !ha! 1e m *h! &r n* us !o Go".' (1 >e!er =:18.) ,! s !he "ea!h of our own /ure!y an" /u&s! !u!e !ha! we are rea" n*. B rs! of all we see 3e*+* )e "$ere) "nt! the han)* !% the R!&an *! )"er*# a* a cr"&"na c!n)e&ne) t! )eath. 1e &efore whom !he whole worl" w ll one "ay s!an" an" &e +u"*e"$ allowe" 1 mself !o &e sen!en%e" un+us!ly$ an" * ven over n!o !he han"s of w %ke" men. 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ !he poor s nful %h l"ren of men$ &el ev n* on 1 m$ m *h! &e "el vere" from !he p ! of "es!ru%! on$ an" !he !ormen! of !he pr son of hell. ,! was !ha! we m *h! &e se! free from every %har*e n !he "ay of +u"*men!$ an" &e presen!e" faul!less &efore Go" !he Ba!her w !h e)%ee" n* +oy. /e%on"ly$ we see 3e*+* "n*+ te) an) &a)e a a+gh"ng-*t!ck (' the R!&an *! )"er*. They '%lo!he" 1 m w !h purple' n "er s on$ an" pu! 'a %rown of !horns' on 1 s hea"$ n mo%kery of h s k n*"om. 'They smo!e 1 m on !he hea" w !h a ree"$ an" sp ! upon 1 m$' as one u!!erly %on!emp! &le$ an" no &e!!er !han '!he f l!h of !he worl".' (1 Cor. C:1=.) 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ v le as we are$ m *h! have *lory$ honor$ an" e!ernal l fe !hrou*h fa !h n Chr s!#s a!onemen!. ,! was "one !ha! we m *h! &e re%e ve" n!o Go"#s k n*"om w !h !r umph a! !he las! "ay$ an" re%e ve !he %rown of *lory !ha! fa"es no! away. Th r"ly$ we see 3e*+* *tr"ppe) !% -"* gar&ent* an) cr+c"%"e) nake) (e%!re -"* ene&"e*. The sol" ers who le" 1 m away 'par!e" 1 s *armen!s$ %as! n* lo!s upon !hem.' 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ who have no r *h!eousness of our own$ m *h! &e %lo!he" n !he perfe%! r *h!eousness !ha! Chr s! has wrou*h! ou! for us$ an" no! s!an" nake" &efore Go" a! !he las! "ay. ,! was "one$ !ha! we$ who are all "ef le" w !h s n$ m *h! have a we"" n*-*armen!$ where n we may s ! "own &y !he s "e of an*els$ an" no! &e ashame". Bour!hly$ we see 3e*+* *+%%er"ng the &!*t "gn!&"n"!+* an) h+&" "at"ng !% a )eath*# e$en the )eath !% the cr!**. ,! was !he pun shmen! reserve" for !he wors! of malefa%!ors. The man on whom ! was nfl %!e" was %oun!e" a%%urse". ,! s wr !!en$ 'Curse" s everyone !ha! han*s on a !ree.' (Gal. =:1=.) 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ who are &orn n s n an" %h l"ren of wra!h$ m *h! &e %oun!e" &lesse" for Chr s!#s sake. ,! was "one !o remove !he %urse wh %h we all "eserve &e%ause of s n$ &y lay n* ! on Chr s!. 'Chr s! has re"eeme" us from !he %urse of !he law$ &e n* ma"e a %urse for us.' (Gal. =:1=.)

B f!hly$ we see 3e*+* reck!ne) a tran*gre**!r an) a *"nner. '7 !h h m !hey %ru% fy !wo !h eves.' 1e who ha" "one no s n$ an" n whom !here was no "e%e !$ 'was num&ere" w !h !he !rans*ressors.' 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ who are m sera&le !rans*ressors$ &o!h &y na!ure an" pra%! %e$ may &e re%kone" nno%en! for Chr s!#s sake. ,! was "one !ha! we$ who are wor!hy of no!h n* &u! %on"emna! on$ may &e %oun!e" wor!hy !o es%ape Go"#s +u"*men!$ an" &e pronoun%e" no! *u l!y &efore !he assem&le" worl". 3as!ly$ we see 3e*+* &!cke) ,hen )'"ng# a* !ne ,h! ,a* an "&p!*t!r# an) +na( e t! *a$e -"&*e %. 0n" why was !h sA ,! was !ha! we$ n our las! hours$ !hrou*h fa !h n Chr s! may have s!ron* %onsola! on. ,! all %ame !o pass !ha! we may en+oy a s!ron* assuran%e--may know whom we have &el eve"$ an" may *o "own !he valley of !he sha"ow of "ea!h fear n* no ev l. 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h a "eep sense of !he enormous "e&! wh %h all &el evers owe !o Chr s!. 0ll !ha! !hey have$ an" are$ an" hope for$ may &e !ra%e" up !o !he "o n* an" "y n* of !he /on of Go". Throu*h 1 s %on"emna! on$ !hey have a%9u !!al--!hrou*h 1 s suffer n*s$ pea%e--!hrou*h 1 s shame$ *lory--!hrou*h 1 s "ea!h$ l fe. The r s ns were mpu!e" !o 1 m. 1 s r *h!eousness s mpu!e" !o !hem. 2o won"er !ha! >aul says$ 'Thanks &e un!o Go" for 1 s unspeaka&le * f!.' (D Cor. ;:15.) B nally$ le! us leave !he passa*e w !h !he "eepes! sense of Chr s!#s unu!!era&le love !o our souls. 3e! us remem&er wha! we are$ %orrup!$ ev l$ an" m sera&le s nners. 3e! us remem&er who !he 3or" Jesus s$ !he e!ernal /on of Go"$ !he maker of all !h n*s. 0n" !hen le! us remem&er !ha! for our sakes Jesus volun!ar ly en"ure" !he mos! pa nful$ horr &le$ an" " s*ra%eful "ea!h. /urely !he !hou*h! of !h s love shoul" %ons!ra n us "a ly !o l ve no! un!o ourselves$ &u! un!o Chr s!. ,! shoul" make us rea"y an" w ll n* !o presen! our &o" es a l v n* sa%r f %e !o 1 m who l ve" an" " e" for us. (D Cor. 5:C. Rom 1D:1.) 3e! !he %ross of Chr s! &e of!en &efore our m n"s. R *h!ly un"ers!oo"$ no o&+e%! n all Chr s! an !y s so l kely !o have a san%! fy n* as well as a %omfor! n* effe%! on our souls.

Mark 15:33-38 7e have n !hese verses !he "ea!h of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!. 0ll "ea!hs are solemn even!s. 2o!h n* n !he whole h s!ory of a man s so mpor!an! as h s en". .u! never was !here a "ea!h of su%h solemn mpor! as !ha! wh %h s now &efore us. ,n !he ns!an! !ha! our 3or" "rew 1 s las! &rea!h$ !he work of a!onemen! for a worl"#s s n was a%%ompl she". The ransom for s nners was a! len*!h pa ". The k n*"om of heaven was !hrown fully open !o all &el evers. 0ll !he sol " hope !ha! mor!al men en+oy a&ou! !he r souls$ may &e !ra%e" !o !he * v n* up !he sp r ! on !he %ross. 3e! us o&serve$ n !hese verses$ the visible signs and wonders which accompanied our Lord's death. Mark men! ons !wo n par! %ular$ wh %h "eman" our a!!en! on. 4ne s !he "arken n* of !he sun for !he spa%e of !hree hours. The o!her s !he ren" n* of !he ve l wh %h " v "e" !he holy of hol es from !he holy pla%e n !he !emple. .o!h were m ra%ulous even!s. .o!h ha"$ no "ou&!$ a "eep mean n* a&ou!

!hem. .o!h were %al%ula!e" !o arres! !he a!!en! on of !he whole mul! !u"e assem&le" a! Jerusalem. The "arkness woul" s!r ke even !hou*h!less Gen! les$ l ke > la!e an" !he Roman sol" ers. The ren! ve l woul" s!r ke even 0nnas an" Ca aphas an" !he r un&el ev n* %ompan ons. There were pro&a&ly few houses n Jerusalem !ha! even n* n wh %h men woul" no! say$ 'we have hear" an" seen unusual !h n*s !o"ay.' 7ha! " " !he M,R0CH34H/ 60R82(// !ea%hA ,! !au*h! !he e)%ee" n* w %ke"ness of !he Jew sh na! on. They were a%!ually %ru% fy n* !he r own Mess ah$ an" slay n* !he r own 8 n*. The sun h mself h " h s fa%e a! !he s *h!. ,! !au*h! !he e)%ee" n* s nfulness of s n n !he eyes of Go". The /on of Go" h mself mus! nee"s &e lef! w !hou! !he %heer n* l *h! of "ay$ when 1e &e%ame s n for us an" %arr e" our !rans*ress ons. 7ha! " " !he m ra%ulous R(26,2G 4B T1( J(,3 meanA ,! !au*h! !he a&ol ! on an" !erm na! on of !he whole Jew sh law of %eremon es. ,! !au*h! !ha! !he way n!o !he hol es! of all was now !hrown open !o all mank n" &y Chr s!#s "ea!h. (1e&. ;:8.) ,! !au*h! !ha! Gen! les as well as Jews m *h! now "raw near !o Go" w !h &ol"ness$ !hrou*h Jesus !he one 1 *h >r es!$ an" !ha! all &arr ers &e!ween man an" Go" were for ever %as! "own. May we never for*e! !he pra%! %al lesson of !he ren! ve l@ To a!!emp! !o rev ve !he Jew sh %eremon al n !he Chur%h of Chr s!$ &y re!urn n* !o al!ars$ sa%r f %es$ an" a pr es!hoo"$ s no!h n* &e!!er !han %los n* up a*a n !he ren! ve l$ an" l *h! n* a %an"le a! noon-"ay. May we never for*e! !he pra%! %al lesson of !he m ra%ulous "arkness@ ,! shoul" lea" our m n"s on !o !ha! &la%kness of "arkness wh %h s reserve" for all o&s! na!e un&el evers. (Ju"e 1=.) The "arkness en"ure" &y our &lesse" /ure!y on !he %ross was only for !hree hours. The %ha ns of "arkness wh %h shall & n" all who re+e%! 1 s a!onemen! an" " e n s n$ shall &e for evermore. 3e! us o&serve$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ how truly and really our Lord Jesus Christ was made a curse for us" and bore our sins . 7e see ! s!r k n*ly &rou*h! ou! n !hose marvelous wor"s wh %h 1e use" a! !he n n!h hour$ 'My Go"$ my Go"$ why have you forsaken meA' ,! woul" &e useless !o pre!en" !o fa!hom all !he "ep!h of mean n* wh %h !hese wor"s %on!a n. They mply an amoun! of men!al suffer n*$ su%h as we are una&le !o %on%e ve. The a*ony of some of Go"#s hol es! servan!s has &een o%%as onally very *rea!$ un"er an mpress on of Go"#s favor &e n* w !h"rawn from !hem. 7ha! !hen may we suppose was !he a*ony of !he holy son of Go"--when all !he s n of all !he worl" was la " upon 1 s hea"--when 1e fel! 1 mself re%kone" *u l!y$ !hou*h w !hou! s n--when 1e fel! 1 s Ba!her#s %oun!enan%e !urne" away from 1 mA The a*ony of !ha! season mus! have &een some!h n* pas! un"ers!an" n*. ,! s a h *h !h n*. 7e %anno! a!!a n !o a %omprehens on of !. 7e may &el eve !$ &u! we %anno! e)pla n an" f n" ! ou! !o perfe%! on. 4ne !h n*$ however$ s very pla n$ an" !ha! s !he mposs & l !y of e)pla n n* !hese wor"s a! all$ e)%ep! we re%e ve !he "o%!r ne of Chr s!#s a!onemen! an" su&s! !u! on for s nners. To suppose$ as some "are !o "o$ !ha! Jesus was no!h n* more !han a man$ or !ha! 1 s "ea!h was only a *rea! e)ample of self-sa%r f %e$ makes !h s "y n*

%ry of 1 s$ u!!erly un n!ell * &le. ,! makes 1 m appear less pa! en! an" %alm n a "y n* hour !han many a mar!yr$ or even !han some hea!hen ph losophers. 4ne e)plana! on alone s sa! sfa%!ory. Tha! e)plana! on s !he m *h!y s%r p!ural "o%!r ne of Chr s!#s v %ar ous sa%r f %e an" su&s! !u! on for us on !he %ross. 1e u!!ere" 1 s "y n* %ry$ un"er !he heavy pressure of a worl"#s s n la " upon 1 m$ an" mpu!e" !o 1 m. 3e! us o&serve$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ !ha! it is possible to be forsa!en of God for a time" and yet to be loved by im . 7e nee" no! "ou&! !h s$ when we rea" our 3or"#s "y n* wor"s on !he %ross. 7e hear 1 m say n* !o 1 s Ba!her$ '7hy have you forsaken meA' an" ye! a""ress n* 1 m as 'my Go".' 7e know !oo$ !ha! our 3or" was only forsaken for a season$ an" !ha! even when forsaken 1e was !he &elove" son n whom$ &o!h n 1 s suffer n* an" "o n*$ !he Ba!her was 'well please".' There s "eep e)per men!al ns!ru%! on n !h s$ wh %h "eserves !he no! %e of all !rue Chr s! ans. 2o "ou&! !here s a sense n wh %h our 3or"#s feel n* of &e n* 'forsaken' was pe%ul ar !o 1 mself$ s n%e 1e was suffer n* for our s ns an" no! for 1 s own. .u! s! ll af!er mak n* !h s allowan%e$ !here rema ns !he *rea! fa%! !ha! Jesus was for a ! me 'forsaken of !he Ba!her$' an" ye! for all !ha! was !he Ba!her#s '.elove" /on.' 0s ! was w !h !he Grea! 1ea" of !he Chur%h$ so ! may &e n a mo" f e" sense w !h 1 s mem&ers. They !oo$ !hou*h %hosen an" &elove" of !he Ba!her$ may some! mes feel Go"#s fa%e !urne" away from !hem. They !oo$ some! mes from llness of &o"y$ some! mes from pe%ul ar affl %! on$ some! mes from %arelessness of walk$ some! mes from Go"#s sovere *n w ll !o "raw !hem nearer !o 1 mself$ may &e %ons!ra ne" !o %ry$ 'My Go"$ my Go"$ why have you forsaken meA' ,! &e%omes &el evers who feel 'forsaken$' !o learn from our 3or"#s e)per en%e no! !o * ve way !o "espa r. 2o "ou&! !hey ou*h! no! !o &e %on!en! w !h !he r pos ! on. They ou*h! !o sear%h !he r own hear!s$ an" see whe!her !here s no! some se%re! !h n* !here wh %h %auses !he r %onsola! ons !o &e small. (Jo& 15:11.) .u! le! !hem no! wr !e & !!er !h n*s a*a ns! !hemselves$ an" has! ly %on%lu"e !ha! !hey are %as! off forever$ or are self-"e%e vers$ an" have no *ra%e a! all. 3e! !hem s! ll wa ! on !he 3or"$ an" say w !h Jo&$ 'Thou*h he slays me$ ye! w ll , !rus! n h m.' (Jo& 1=:15.) 3e! !hem remem&er !he wor"s of ,sa ah an" 6av "$ '7ho s amon* you !ha! fears !he 3or"-!ha! walks n "arkness$ an" has no l *h!A le! h m !rus! n !he name of !he 3or"$ an" s!ay upon h s Go".' '7hy are you %as! "own$ 4 my soul$ an" why are you " s!ur&e" w !h n me@ 1ope n Go"$ for , shall ye! pra se h m.' (,sa ah 5E:1E. >salm CD:11.)

Mark 15:39-47 The "ea!h of our 3or" Jesus Chr s! s !he mos! mpor!an! fa%! n Chr s! an !y. 4n ! "epen" !he hopes of all save" s nners &o!h for ! me an" e!ern !y. 7e nee" no! !herefore !o &e surpr se" !o f n" !he real !y of 1 s "ea!h %arefully pla%e" &eyon" " spu!e. Three k n"s of w !nesses !o !he fa%! are &rou*h! &efore us n !he verses we have now rea". The Roman %en!ur on$ who s!oo" near !he %ross$--!he women$ who followe" our 3or" from Gal lee !o Jerusalem$--!he " s% ples$ who &ur e" 1 m. 0ll were all w !nesses !ha! Jesus really " e". The r un !e" ev "en%e s a&ove susp % on. They %oul" no! &e "e%e ve". 7ha! !hey saw was no swoon$ or !ran%e$ or !emporary nsens & l !y. They saw !ha! same Jesus$ who was %ru% f e"$ lay "own 1 s l fe$ an" &e%ome o&e" en! even un!o "ea!h. 3e! !h s &e es!a&l she" n our m n"s. 4ur /av or really an" !ruly " e".

3e! us no! %e$ for one !h n* n !h s passa*e$ what honorable mention is here made of women. 7e are spe% ally !ol" !ha!$ when our 3or" *ave up !he sp r !$ '!here were women look n* on afar off.' The names of some of !hem are re%or"e". 7e are also !ol" !ha! !hey were !he same who ha" followe" our 3or" n Gal lee an" m n s!ere" un!o 1 m$ an" !ha! !here were 'many o!her women who %ame up w !h h m !o Jerusalem.' 7e woul" har"ly have e)pe%!e" !o have rea" su%h !h n*s. 7e m *h! well have suppose" !ha!$ when all !he " s% ples &u! one ha" forsaken our 3or" an" fle"$ !he weaker an" more ! m " se) woul" no! have "are" !o show !hemselves 1 s fr en"s. ,! only shows us wha! *ra%e %an "o. Go" some! mes %hooses !he weak !h n*s of !he worl" !o %onfoun" !he !h n*s !ha! are m *h!y. The las! are some! mes f rs!$ an" !he f rs! las!. The fa !h of women some! mes s!an"s upr *h!$ when !he fa !h of men fa ls an" * ves way. .u! ! s n!eres! n* !o remark !hrou*hou! !he 2ew Tes!amen! how of!en we f n" !he *ra%e of Go" *lor f e" n women$ an" how mu%h &enef ! Go" has &een please" !o %onfer !hrou*h !hem on !he Chur%h$ an" on !he worl". ,n !he 4l" Tes!amen!$ we see s n an" "ea!h &rou*h! n &y !he woman#s !rans*ress on. ,n !he 2ew$ we see Jesus &orn of a woman$ an" l fe an" mmor!al !y &rou*h! !o l *h! &y !ha! m ra%ulous & r!h. ,n !he 4l" Tes!amen!$ we of!en see woman prov n* a h n"ran%e an" a snare !o man. The women &efore !he floo"$ !he h s!or es of /arah$ Re&e%%a$ Ra%hel$ 6el lah$ .a!hshe&a$ Je?e&el$ are all pa nful e)amples. ,n !he 2ew Tes!amen!$ we *enerally see women men! one" as a help an" ass s!an%e !o !he %ause of !rue rel * on. (l ?a&e!h$ Mary$ Mar!ha$ 6or%as$ 3y" a$ an" !he women name" &y >aul !o !he Romans$ are all %ases n po n!. The %on!ras! s s!r k n*$ an" we nee" no! "ou&! n!en! onal. ,! s one of !he many proofs$ !ha! *ra%e s more a&un"an! un"er !he Gospel !han un"er !he law. ,! seems mean! !o !ea%h us !ha! women have an mpor!an! pla%e n !he Chur%h of Chr s!$ one !ha! ou*h! !o &e ass *ne" !o !hem$ an" one !ha! !hey ou*h! !o f ll. There s a *rea! work !ha! women %an "o for Go"#s *lory$ w !hou! &e n* pu&l % !ea%hers. 1appy s !ha! %on*re*a! on n wh %h women know !h s$ an" a%! upon !@ 3e! us no! %e$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !h s passa*e$ !ha! Jesus has friends of whom little is !nown. 7e %anno! %on%e ve a more remarka&le proof of !h s !han !he person who s here men! one" for !he f rs! ! me$ Joseph of 0r ma!haea. 7e know no!h n* of !h s man#s former h s!ory. 7e know no! how he ha" learne" !o love Chr s!$ an" !o "es re !o "o 1 m honor. 7e know no!h n* of h s su&se9uen! h s!ory af!er our 3or" lef! !he worl". 0ll we know s !he !ou%h n* %olle%! on of fa%!s &efore us. 7e are !ol" !ha! he 'wa !e" for !he k n*"om of Go"$' an" !ha! a! a ! me when our 3or"#s " s% ples ha" all forsaken 1 m$ 1e 'wen! n &ol"ly un!o > la!e$ an" aske" for !he &o"y of Jesus$' an" &ur e" ! honora&ly n h s own !om&. 4!hers ha" honore" an" %onfesse" our 3or" when !hey saw 1 m work n* m ra%les$ &u! Joseph honore" 1 m an" %onfesse" h mself a " s% ple$ when he saw 1 m a %ol"$ &loo"-spr nkle" %orpse. 4!hers ha" shown love !o Jesus wh le 1e was speak n* an" l v n*$ &u! Joseph showe" love when 1e was s len! an" "ea". 3e! us !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h! !ha! !here are !rue Chr s! ans on ear!h$ of whom we know no!h n*$ an" n pla%es where we woul" no! e)pe%! !o f n" !hem. 2o "ou&! !he fa !hful are always few. .u! we mus! no! has! ly %on%lu"e !ha! !here s no *ra%e n a fam ly or n a par sh$ &e%ause our eyes may no! see !. 7e know n par! an" see only n par!$ ou!s "e !he % r%le n wh %h our own lo! s %as!. The 3or" has many

'h ""en ones' n !he Chur%h$ who$ unless &rou*h! forwar" &y spe% al % r%ums!an%es w ll never &e known un! l !he las! "ay. The wor"s of Go" !o (l +ah shoul" no! &e for*o!!en$ '5e! , have reserve" seven !housan" n ,srael' (1 8 n*s 1;:18.) 3e! us no! %e$ las!ly n !h s passa*e$ what honor our Lord Jesus Christ has placed on the grave" by allowing imself to be laid in it. 7e rea" !ha! he was 'la " n a sepul%her hewn ou! of a ro%k$' an" a 's!one rolle" un!o !he "oor.' Th s s a fa%! !ha! n a "y n* worl" we shoul" always remem&er. ,! s appo n!e" un!o men on%e !o " e. 7e are all *o n* !o one pla%e$ an" we na!urally shr nk from !. The %off n an" !he funeral$ !he worm an" %orrup! on$ are all pa nful su&+e%!s. They %h ll us$ sa""en us$ an" f ll our m n"s w !h heav ness. ,! s no! n flesh an" &loo" !o re*ar" !hem w !hou! solemn feel n*s. 4ne !h n*$ however$ ou*h! !o %omfor! &el evers$ an" !ha! s !he !hou*h!$ !ha! !he *rave s '!he pla%e where !hey 3or" on%e lay.' 0s surely as 1e rose a*a n v %!or ous from !he !om&$ so surely shall all who &el eve n 1 m r se *lor ously n !he "ay of 1 s appear n*. Remem&er n* !h s$ !hey may look "own w !h %almness n!o !he 'house appo n!e" for all l v n*.' They may re%olle%! !ha! Jesus h mself was on%e !here on !he r &ehalf$ an" has ro&&e" "ea!h of h s s! n*. They may say !o !hemselves$ '!he s! n* of "ea!h s s n$ an" !he s!ren*!h of s n s !he law--&u! !hanks &e !o Go" who * ves us !he v %!ory !hrou*h our 3or" Jesus Chr s!.' (1 Cor. 15:5<$ 57.) The *rea! ma!!er !ha! %on%erns us all$ s !o make sure !ha! we are sp r !ually &ur e" w !h Chr s!$ wh le we are ye! al ve. 7e mus! &e +o ne" !o 1 m &y fa !h$ an" %onforme" !o 1 s ma*e. 7 !h 1 m we mus! " e !o s n$ an" &e &ur e" &y &ap! sm n!o 1 s "ea!h. (Rom. <:C.) 7 !h 1 m we mus! r se a*a n an" &e 9u %kene" &y 1 s /p r !. ()%ep! we know !hese !h n*s$ Chr s!#s "ea!h an" &ur al w ll prof ! us no!h n* a! all.

Mark chapter 16
Mark 16:1-8 3e! us o&serve$ n !h s passa*e$ the power of strong love to Christ . 7e have a for% &le llus!ra! on of !h s ! !he %on"u%! of Mary Ma*"alene$ an" !he o!her Mary$ wh %h Mark here re%or"s. 1e !ells us !ha! !hey ha" '&ou*h! swee! sp %es' !o ano n! our 3or"$ an" !ha! 'very early n !he morn n*$ !he f rs! "ay of !he week$ !hey %ame un!o !he sepul%her$ a! !he r s n* of !he sun.' 7e may well &el eve !ha! ! re9u re" *rea! %oura*e !o "o !h s. To v s ! !he *rave n !he " m !w l *h! of an eas!ern "ay-&reak$ woul" !ry mos! women$ un"er any % r%ums!an%es. .u! !o v s ! !he *rave of one who ha" &een pu! !o "ea!h as a %ommon malefa%!or$ an" !o r se early !o show honor !o one whom !he r na! on ha" "esp se"$ !h s was a m *h!y &ol"ness n"ee". 5e! !hese are !he k n" of a%!s wh %h show !he " fferen%e &e!ween weak fa !h an" s!ron* fa !h--&e!ween weak feel n* an" s!ron* feel n* !owar"s Chr s!. These holy women ha" !as!e" of our 3or"#s par"on n* mer% es. The r hear!s were full of *ra! !u"e !o 1 m for l *h!$ an" hope$ an" %omfor!$ an" pea%e. They were w ll n* !o r sk all %onse9uen%es n !es! fy n* !he r affe%! on !o !he r /av or. /o !rue are !he wor"s of Can! %les--'3ove s s!ron* as "ea!h--many wa!ers %anno! 9uen%h love$ ne !her %an !he floo"s "rown !.' (Can!. 8:<$ 7.) 7hy s ! !ha! we see so l !!le of !h s s!ron* love !o Jesus amon* Chr s! ans of !he presen! "ayA 1ow s ! !ha! we so sel"om mee! w !h sa n!s who w ll fa%e any "an*er$

an" *o !hrou*h f re an" wa!er for Chr s!#s sakeA There s only one answer. ,! s !he weak fa !h$ an" !he low sense of o&l *a! on !o Chr s!$ wh %h so w "ely preva l. A !, an) %ee( e *en*e !% *"n ," a ,a'* pr!)+ce a !, an) %ee( e *en*e !% the $a +e !% *a $at"!n. 0 sl *h! sense of our "e&! !o Go" w ll always &e a!!en"e" &y a sl *h! sense of wha! we owe for our re"emp! on. ,! s !he man who feels mu%h for* ven who loves mu%h. 'To whom l !!le s for* ven$ !he same loves l !!le.' (3uke 7:C7.) 3e! us o&serve$ se%on"ly$ n !h s passa*e$ how the difficulties which Christians fear" will sometimes disappear as they approach them. These holy women$ as !hey walke" !o our 3or"#s *rave$ were full of fears a&ou! !he s!one a! !he "oor. 'They sa " amon* !hemselves$ 7ho shall roll away !he s!one from !he "oor of !he sepul%herA' .u! !he r fears were nee"less. The r e)pe%!e" !rou&le was foun" no! !o e) s!. '7hen !hey looke"$ !hey saw !ha! !he s!one was rolle" away.' 7ha! a s!r k n* em&lem we have n !h s s mple narra! ve$ of !he e)per en%e of many Chr s! ans@ 1ow of!en &el evers are oppresse" an" %as! "own &y an! % pa! on of ev ls$ an" ye!$ n !he ! me of nee"$ f n" !he !h n* !hey feare" remove"$ an" !he 's!one rolle" away.' 0 lar*e propor! on of a sa n!#s an) e! es ar se from !h n*s wh %h never really happen. 7e look ahea" !o all !he poss & l ! es of !he +ourney !owar"s heaven. 7e %on+ure up n our ma* na! on all k n" of %rosses an" o&s!a%les. 7e men!ally %arry !omorrow#s !rou&les$ as well as !o"ay#s. 0n" of!en$ very of!en$ we f n" a! !he en"$ !ha! our "ou&!s an" alarms were *roun"less$ an" !ha! !he !h n* we "rea"e" mos! has never %ome !o pass a! all. 3e! us pray for more pra%! %al fa !h. 3e! us &el eve !ha! n !he pa!h of "u!y$ we shall never &e en! rely forsaken. 3e! us *o forwar" &ol"ly$ an" we shall of!en f n" !ha! !he l on n !he way s %ha ne"$ an" wha! appears !o &e a he"*e of !horns$ s only a sha"ow. 3e! us o&serve$ !h r"ly$ n !h s passa*e$ that the friends of Christ have no cause to be afraid of angels. 7e are !ol"$ !ha! when Mary Ma*"alene an" her %ompan on saw an an*el s !! n* n !he sepul%her$ '!hey were fr *h!ene".' .u! !hey were a! on%e reassure" &y h s wor"s--'6on#! &e alarme"$ 5ou are look n* for Jesus !he 2a?arene$ who was %ru% f e". 1e has r sen@ 1e s no! here.' The lesson a! f rs! s *h!$ may seem of l !!le mpor!an%e. 7e see no v s ons of an*els n !he presen! "ay. 7e "o no! e)pe%! !o see !hem. .u! !he lesson s one wh %h we may f n" useful a! some fu!ure ! me. The "ay s "raw n* near when !he 3or" Jesus shall %ome a*a n !o +u"*e !he worl"$ w !h all !he an*els roun" 1 m. The an*els n !ha! "ay shall *a!her !o*e!her 1 s ele%! from !he four w n"s. The an*els shall *a!her !he !ares n!o &un"les !o &urn !hem. The an*els shall *a!her !he whea! of Go" n!o 1 s &arn. Those whom !he an*els !ake !hey shall %arry !o *lory$ honor$ an" mmor!al !y. Those whom !hey leave &eh n" shall &e lef! !o shame an" everlas! n* %on!emp!. 3e! us s!r ve so !o l ve$ !ha! when we " e we may &e %arr e" &y an*els n!o 0&raham#s &osom. 3e! us en"eavor !o &e known of an*els as !hose who seek Jesus$ an" love 1 m n !h s worl"$ an" so are he rs of salva! on. 3e! us * ve " l *en%e !o make our repen!an%e sure$ an" so !o %ause +oy n !he presen%e of !he an*els of Go". Then$ whe!her we wake or sleep$ when !he ar%han*el#s vo %e s hear"$ we shall have no %ause !o &e afra ". 7e shall r se from our *rave$ an" see n !he an*els our fr en"s an" fellow-servan!s$ n whose %ompany we shall spen" a &lesse" e!ern !y.

3e! us o&serve$ las!ly$ n !h s passa*e$ the e#ceeding !indness of God towards his bac!sliding servants. The messa*e wh %h !he an*el %onveys s a s!r k n* llus!ra! on of !h s !ru!h. Mary Ma*"alene an" !he o!her Mary were & ""en !o !ell !he " s% ples !ha! 'Jesus *oes &efore !hem n!o Gal lee$' an" !ha! '!here !hey shall see h m.' .u! !he messa*e s no! " re%!e" *enerally !o !he eleven apos!les. Th s alone$ af!er !he r la!e "eser! on of !he r mas!er$ woul" have &een a mos! *ra% ous a%! on. 5e! >e!er who ha" "en e" h s 3or" !hree ! mes$ s spe% ally men! one" &y name. >e!er$ who ha" s nne" par! %ularly$ s s n*le" ou! an" no! %e" par! %ularly. There were !o &e no e)%ep! ons n !he "ee" of *ra%e. 0ll were !o &e par"one". 0ll were !o &e res!ore" !o favor--an" >e!er as well as !he res!. 7e may well say when we rea" wor"s l ke !hese$ '!h s s no! !he manner of man.' 4n no po n! perhaps are our v ews of rel * on so narrow$ low$ an" %on!ra%!e"$ as on !he po n! of Go"#s e)%ee" n* w ll n*ness !o par"on pen !en! s nners. 7e !h nk of 1 m as su%h an one as ourselves. 7e for*e! !ha! 'he "el *h!s n mer%y.' (M %ah 7:18.) 3e! us leave !he passa*e w !h a "e!erm na! on !o open !he "oor of mer%y very w "e !o s nners$ n all our speak n* an" !ea%h n* a&ou! rel * on. 2o! leas!$ le! us leave ! w !h a resolu! on never !o &e unfor* v n* !owar"s our fellow men. ,f Chr s! s so rea"y !o for* ve us$ we ou*h! !o &e very rea"y !o for* ve o!hers.

Mark 16:9-14 3e! us mark$ n !hese verses$ what abundant proof we have that our Lord Jesus Christ really rose again from the dead. ,n !h s one passa*e Mark re%or"s no less !han !hree " s! n%! o%%as ons on wh %h 1e was seen af!er 1 s resurre%! on. B rs!$ he !ells us$ our 3or" appeare" !o one w !ness$ Mary Ma*"alene--!hen !o !wo w !nesses$ !wo " s% ples walk n* n!o !he %oun!ry--an" las!ly !o eleven w !nesses$ !he eleven apos!les all assem&le" !o*e!her. 3e! us remem&er$ n a"" ! on !o !h s$ !ha! o!her appearan%es of our 3or" are "es%r &e" &y o!her wr !ers n !he 2ew Tes!amen!$ &es "e !hose men! one" &y Mark. 0n" !hen le! us no! hes !a!e !o &el eve$ !ha! of all !he fa%!s of our 3or"#s h s!ory$ !here s none more !horou*hly es!a&l she" !han !he fa%!$ !ha! 1e rose from !he "ea". There s *rea! mer%y n !h s. The resurre%! on of Chr s! s one of !he foun"a! ons!ones of Chr s! an !y. ,! was !he seal of !he *rea! work !ha! 1e %ame on ear!h !o "o. ,! was !he %rown n* proof !ha! !he ransom 1e pa " for s nners was a%%ep!e"$ !he a!onemen! for s n a%%ompl she"$ !he hea" of h m who ha" !he power of "ea!h &ru se"$ an" !he v %!ory won. ,! s well !o remark how of!en !he resurre%! on of Chr s! s referre" !o &y !he apos!les. '1e was "el vere" for our offen%es$' says >aul$ 'an" was ra se" a*a n for our +us! f %a! on.' (Rom. C:D5.) '1e has &e*o!!en us a*a n !o a l v n* hope$' says >e!er$ '&y !he resurre%! on of Jesus Chr s! from !he "ea".' (1 >e!er 1:=.) 7e ou*h! !o !hank Go" !ha! !he fa%! of !he resurre%! on s so %learly es!a&l she". The Jew$ !he Gen! le$ !he pr es!s$ !he Roman *uar"$ !he women who wen! !o !he !om&$ !he " s% ples who were so hes !an! !o &el eve$ are all w !nesses whose !es! mony %anno! &e *a nsa ". Chr s! has no! only " e" for us$ &u! has also r sen a*a n. To "eny ! shows far *rea!er %re"ul !y !han !o &el eve !. To "eny ! a man mus! pu! %re" ! n mons!rous an" r " %ulous mpro&a& l ! es. To &el eve ! a man has only !o appeal !o

s mple un"en a&le fa%!s. 3e! us mark$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ our Lord Jesus Christ's singular !indness to 2ary 2agdalene. 7e are !ol" !ha! 'when he was r sen early !he f rs! "ay of !he week$ he appeare" f rs! !o Mary Ma*"alene$ ou! of whom he ha" %as! seven "ev ls.' To her &efore all o!hers of 0"am#s %h l"ren$ was *ran!e" !he pr v le*e of &e n* f rs! !o &ehol" a r sen /av or. Mary$ !he mo!her of our 3or"$ was ye! al ve. John$ !he &elove" " s% ple$ was ye! upon ear!h. 5e! &o!h were passe" over on !h s o%%as on n favor of Mary Ma*"alene. 0 woman who a! one ! me ha" pro&a&ly &een %h ef of s nners$ a woman who a! one ! me ha" &een possesse" &y seven "ev ls$ was !he f rs! !o whom Jesus showe" 1 mself al ve$ when 1e rose v %!or ous from !he !om&. The fa%! s remarka&le$ an" full of ns!ru%! on. 7e nee" no! "ou&!$ for one !h n*$ !ha!$ &y appear n* 'f rs! !o Mary Ma*"alene$' our 3or" mean! !o show us how mu%h 1e values love an" fa !hfulness. #ast at the cross and first at the grave $ las! !o %onfess her Mas!er wh le l v n*$ an" f rs! !o honor 1 m when "ea"$ !h s warm-hear!e" " s% ple was allowe" !o &e !he f rs! !o see 1 m$ when !he v %!ory was won. ,! was n!en"e" !o &e a perpe!ual memor al !o !he Chur%h$ !ha! !hose who honor Chr s!$ 1e w ll honor$ an" !ha! !hose who "o mu%h for 1 m upon ear!h$ shall f n" 1 m even upon ear!h "o n* mu%h for !hem. May we never for*e! !h s. May we ever remem&er !ha! for !hose who forsake all for Chr s!#s sake$ !here ' s an hun"re"-fol" now n !h s presen! ! me.' 7e nee" no! "ou&!$ for ano!her !h n*$ !ha! our 3or"#s appear n* 'f rs! !o Mary Ma*"alene' was n!en"e" !o %omfor! all who have &e%ome pen !en! &el evers$ af!er hav n* run n!o *rea! e)%esses of s n. ,! was mean! !o show us !ha!$ however far we may have fallen$ we are ra se" !o en! re pea%e w !h Go"$ f we repen! an" &el eve !he Gospel. Thou*h &efore far off$ we are ma"e near. Thou*h &efore enem es$ we are ma"e "ear %h l"ren. 4l" !h n*s are passe" away$ an" all !h n*s are &e%ome new. (D Cor. 5:17.) The &loo" of Chr s! makes us %omple!ely %lean n Go"#s s *h!. 7e may have &e*un l ke 0u*us! ne$ an" John 2ew!on$ an" &een r n*lea"ers n every k n" of n 9u !y. .u! on%e &rou*h! !o Chr s!$ we nee" no! "ou&! !ha! all s for* ven. 7e may "raw near w !h &ol"ness$ an" have a%%ess w !h %onf "en%e. 4ur s ns an" n 9u ! es$ l ke !hose of Mary Ma*"alene$ are remem&ere" no more. 3e! us mark$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ how much wea!ness there is sometimes in the faith of the best Christians . Three ! mes n !h s very passa*e we f n" Mark "es%r & n* !he un&el ef of !he eleven apos!les. 4n%e$ when Mary Ma*"alene !ol" !hose who our 3or" ha" r sen$ '!hey &el eve" no!.' 0*a n$ when our 3or" ha" appeare" !o !wo of !hem$ as !hey walke"$ we rea" of !he res "ue$ 'ne !her &el eve" !hey !hem.' B nally$ when our 3or" 1 mself appeare" !o !hem as !hey sa! a! mea!$ we are !ol" !ha! 'he up&ra "e" !hem for !he r un&el ef an" har"ness of hear!.' 2ever perhaps was !here so s!r k n* an e)ample of man#s unw ll n*ness !o &el eve !ha! wh %h runs %oun!er !o h s early pre+u" %es. 2ever was !here so remarka&le a proof of man#s for*e!fulness of pla n !ea%h n*. These eleven men ha" &een !ol" repea!e"ly &y our 3or" !ha! 1e woul" r se a*a n. 0n" ye!$ when !he ! me %ame$ all was for*o!!en$ an" !hey were foun" un&el ev n*. 3e! us however see n !he "ou&!s of !hese *oo" men !he over-rul n* han" of an all-w se Go". ,f !hey were %onv n%e" a! las!$ who were so un&el ev n* a! f rs!$ how s!ron* s !he proof suppl e" us !ha! Chr s! rose n"ee". ,! s !he *lory of Go" !o &r n* *oo" ou! of ev l. The very "ou&!s of !he eleven apos!les are !he %onf rma! on of our fa !h n !hese la!!er "ays.

3e! us learn from !he un&el ef of !he apos!les$ a useful pra%! %al lesson for ourselves. 3e! us %ease !o feel surpr se when we feel "ou&!s ar s n* n our own hear!. 3e! us %ease !o e)pe%! perfe%! on of fa !h n o!her &el evers. 7e are ye! n !he &o"y. 7e are men of l ke pass ons w !h !he apos!les. 7e mus! %oun! ! no s!ran*e !h n*$ f our e)per en%e s some! mes l ke !he rs$ an" f our fa !h$ l ke !he rs$ some! mes * ves way. 3e! us res s! un&el ef manfully. 3e! us wa!%h$ an" pray$ an" s!r ve !o &e "el vere" from !s power. .u! le! us no! %on%lu"e !ha! we have no *ra%e$ &e%ause we are some! mes harasse" w !h "ou&!s$ nor suppose !ha! we have no par! or lo! w !h !he apos!les$ &e%ause a! seasons we feel un&el ev n*. 3e! us no! fa l !o ask ourselves$ as we leave !h s passa*e$ whe!her we have r sen w !h Chr s!$ an" &een ma"e par!akers sp r !ually of 1 s resurre%! on. Th s$ af!er all$ s !he one !h n* nee"ful. To know !he fa%!s of Chr s! an !y w !h !he hea"$ an" !o &e a&le !o ar*ue for !hem w !h !he !on*ue$ w ll no! save our souls. 7e mus! y el" ourselves !o Go" as !hose al ve from !he "ea". (Rom. <:1=.) 7e mus! &e ra se" from !he "ea!h of s n$ an" walk n newness of l fe. Th s an" !h s only s sav n* Chr s! an !y.

Mark 16:15-18 7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ f rs!ly$ n !hese verses$ the parting commission which our Lord gives to is apostles. 1e s a""ress n* !hem for !he las! ! me. 1e marks ou! !he r work un! l 1e %omes a*a n$ n wor"s of w "e an" "eep s *n f %an%e$ 'Go n!o all !he worl"$ an" prea%h !he *ospel !o every %rea!ure.' The 3or" Jesus woul" have us know !ha! all !he worl" nee"s !he Gospel. ,n every 9uar!er of !he *lo&e man s !he same$ s nful$ %orrup!$ an" al ena!e" from Go". C v l ?e" or un% v l ?e"$ n Ch na$ or n 0fr %a$ he s &y na!ure everywhere !he same-w !hou! knowle"*e$ w !hou! hol ness$ w !hou! fa !h$ an" w !hou! love. 7herever we see a %h l" of 0"am$ wha!ever &e h s %olor$ we see one whose hear! s w %ke"$ an" who nee"s !he &loo" of Chr s!$ !he renew n* of !he 1oly /p r !$ an" re%on% l a! on w !h Go". The 3or" Jesus woul" have us know !ha! !he salva! on of !he Gospel s !o &e offere" freely !o all mank n". The *la" ! " n*s !ha! 'Go" so love" !he worl" !ha! he *ave h s only &e*o!!en /on$' an" !ha! 'Chr s! has " e" for !he un*o"ly$' s !o &e pro%la me" freely '!o every %rea!ure.' 7e are no! +us! f e" n mak n* any e)%ep! on n !he pro%lama! on. 7e have no warran! for l m ! n* !he offer !o !he ele%!. 7e %ome shor! of !he fullness of Chr s!#s wor"s$ an" !ake away from !he &rea"!h of 1 s say n*s$ f we shr nk from !ell n* any one$ 'Go" s full of love !o you$ Chr s! s w ll n* !o save you.' '7hoever w ll$ le! h m !ake !he wa!er of l fe freely.' (Rev. DD:17.) 3e! us see n !hese wor"s of Chr s!$ !he s!ron*es! ar*umen! n favor of m ss onary work$ &o!h a! home an" a&roa". Remem&er n* !hese wor"s$ le! us &e unwear e" n !ry n* !o "o *oo" !o !he souls of all mank n". ,f we %anno! *o !o !he hea!hen n Ch na an" ,n" a$ le! us seek !o enl *h!en !he "arkness wh %h we shall eas ly f n" w !h n rea%h of our own "oor. 3e! us la&or on$ unmove" &y !he sneers an" !aun!s of !hose who " sapprove m ss onary opera! ons$ an" hol" !hem up !o s%orn. 7e may well p !y su%h people. They only show !he r *noran%e$ &o!h of /%r p!ure an" of Chr s!#s w ll. They un"ers!an" ne !her wha! !hey say$ nor wha! !hey aff rm.

7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ se%on"ly$ n !hese verses$ the terms which our Lord tells us should be offered to all who hear the Gospel. '1e !ha! &el eves an" s &ap! ?e" shall &e save"G &u! he !ha! &el eves no! shall &e "amne".' (very wor" n !ha! sen!en%e s of "eep mpor!an%e. (very e)press on n ! "eserves !o &e %arefully we *he". 7e are !au*h! here !he mpor!an%e of &ap! sm. ,! s an or" nan%e *enerally ne%essary !o salva! on$ where ! %an &e ha". 2o! 'he !ha! &el eves' s mply$ &u! 'he !ha! &el eves an" s &ap! ?e" shall &e save".' Thousan"s no "ou&! re%e ve no! !he sl *h!es! &enef ! from !he r &ap! sm. Thousan"s are washe" n sa%ramen!al wa!er$ who are never washe" n !he &loo" of Chr s!. .u! ! "oes no! follow !herefore !ha! &ap! sm s !o &e "esp se" an" ne*le%!e". ,! s an or" nan%e appo n!e" &y Chr s! 1 mself$ an" when use" reveren!ly$ n!ell *en!ly$ an" prayerfully$ s "ou&!less a%%ompan e" &y a spe% al &less n*. The &ap! smal wa!er !self %onveys no *ra%e. 7e mus! look far &eyon" !he mere ou!war" elemen! !o 1 m who %omman"e" ! !o &e use". .u! !he pu&l % %onfess on of Chr s!$ wh %h s mpl e" n !he use of !ha! wa!er$ s a sa%ramen!al a%!$ wh %h our Mas!er 1 mself has %omman"e"G an" when !he or" nan%e s r *h!ly use"$ we may %onf "en!ly &el eve !ha! 1e seals ! &y 1 s &less n*. 7e are !au*h! here$ fur!hermore$ !he a&solu!e ne%ess !y of fa !h n Chr s! !o salva! on. Th s s !he one !h n* nee"ful. '1e !ha! &el eves no!' s !he man !ha! shall &e los! for evermore. 1e may have &een &ap! ?e"$ an" ma"e a mem&er of !he v s &le %hur%h. 1e may &e a re*ular %ommun %an! a! !he 3or"#s Ta&le. 1e may even &el eve n!elle%!ually all !he lea" n* ar! %les of !he %ree". .u! all shall prof ! h m no!h n* f he la%ks sav n* fa !h n Chr s!. 1ave we !h s fa !hA Th s s !he *rea! 9ues! on !ha! %on%erns us all. ()%ep! we feel our s ns$ an" feel n* !hem flee !o Chr s! &y fa !h$ an" lay hol" on 1 m$ we shall f n" a! len*!h we ha" &e!!er never have &een &orn. 7e are !au*h! here$ fur!hermore$ !he %er!a n!y of Go"#s +u"*men!s on !hose who " e un&el ev n*. '1e !ha! &el eves no! shall &e "amne".' 1ow "rea"ful !he wor"s soun"@ 1ow fearful !he !hou*h! !ha! !hey %ame from !he l ps of 1 m who sa "$ 'My wor"s shall no! pass away.' 3e! no man "e%e ve us w !h va n wor"s. There s an e!ernal hell for all who w ll pers s! n !he r w %ke"ness$ an" "epar! ou! of !h s worl" w !hou! fa !h n Chr s!. The *rea!er !he mer%y offere" !o us n !he Gospel$ !he *rea!er w ll &e !he *u l! of !hose who o&s! na!ely refuse !o &el eve. '4h@ !ha! men were w se. 4h@ !ha! !hey woul" %ons "er !he r la!!er en".' (6eu!. =D:D;.) 1e !ha! " e" upon !he %ross$ has * ven us pla n warn n* !ha! !here s a hell$ an" !ha! un&el evers shall &e "amne". 3e! us !ake hee" !ha! 1 s warn n* s no! * ven !o us n va n@ 7e ou*h! !o no! %e$ las!ly$ n !hese verses$ the gracious promises of special help which our Lord holds out in is parting words to is apostles . 1e knew well !he enormous " ff %ul! es of !he work wh %h 1e ha" +us! %omm ss one" !hem !o "o. 1e knew !he m *h!y &a!!le !hey woul" have !o f *h! w !h hea!hen sm$ !he worl"$ an" !he "ev l. 1e !herefore %heers !hem &y !ell n* !hose who m ra%les shall help forwar" !he r work. 'These s *ns w ll a%%ompany !hose who &el eve: They w ll %as! ou! "emons n my name$ an" !hey w ll speak new lan*ua*es. They w ll &e a&le !o han"le snakes w !h safe!y$ an" f !hey "r nk any!h n* po sonous$ ! won#! hur! !hem. They w ll &e a&le !o pla%e !he r han"s on !he s %k an" heal !hem.' The fulf llmen! of mos! of !hese prom ses s !o &e foun" n !he 0%!s of !he 0pos!les.

The a*e of m ra%les no "ou&! s lon* passe". They were never mean! !o %on! nue &eyon" !he f rs! es!a&l shmen! of !he Chur%h. ,! s only when plan!s are f rs! plan!e"$ !ha! !hey nee" "a ly wa!er n* an" suppor!. The whole analo*y of Go"#s "eal n*s w !h 1 s %hur%h$ for& "s us !o e)pe%! !ha! m ra%les woul" always %on! nue. ,n fa%!$ m ra%les woul" %ease !o &e m ra%les$ f !hey happene" re*ularly w !hou! %essa! on or n!erm ss on. ,! s well !o remem&er !h s. The remem&ran%e may save us mu%h perple) !y. .u! !hou*h !he a*e of phys %al m ra%les s pas!$ we may !ake %omfor! n !he !hou*h! !ha! !he %hur%h of Chr s! shall never wan! Chr s!#s spe% al a " n !s seasons of spe% al nee". The *rea! 1ea" n heaven w ll never forsake 1 s &el ev n* mem&ers. 1 s eye s %on! nually upon !hem. 1e w ll always ! me 1 s help w sely$ an" %ome !o !he r suppor! n !he "ay !ha! 1e s nee"e". '7hen !he enemy shall %ome n l ke a floo"$ !he /p r ! of !he 3or" shall l f! up a s!an"ar" a*a ns! h m.' (,sa ah. 5;:1;.) B nally$ le! us never for*e!$ !ha! Chr s!#s &el ev n* Chur%h n !he worl" s of !self a s!an" n* m ra%le. The %onvers on an" perseveran%e n *ra%e of every mem&er of !ha! Chur%h$ s a s *n an" won"er$ as *rea! as !he ra s n* of 3a?arus from !he "ea". The renewal of every sa n! s as *rea! a marvel as !he %as! n* ou! of a "ev l$ or !he heal n* of a s %k man$ or !he speak n* w !h a new !on*ue. 3e! us !hank Go" for !h s an" !ake %oura*e. The a*e of sp r !ual m ra%les s no! ye! pas!. 1appy are !hey who have learne" !h s &y e)per en%e$ an" %an say$ ', was "ea"$ &u! am al ve a*a n--, was &l n"$ &u! , see.'

Mark 16:19-20 These wor"s form !he %on%lus on of Mark#s Gospel. /hor! as !he passa*e s$ ! s a s n*ularly su !a&le %on%lus on !o !he h s!ory of our 3or" Jesus Chr s!#s ear!hly m n s!ry. ,! !ells us where our 3or" wen!$ when 1e lef! !h s worl"$ an" as%en"e" up on h *h. ,! !ells us wha! 1 s " s% ples e)per en%e" af!er !he r Mas!er lef! !hem$ an" wha! all !rue Chr s! ans may e)pe%! un! l 1e appears a*a n. 3e! us mark$ n !hese verses$ the place to which our Lord went when e had finished is wor! on earth" and the place where e is at this present time . 7e are !ol" !ha! '1e was re%e ve" up n!o heaven$ an" sa! on !he r *h! han" of Go".' 1e re!urne" !o !ha! *lory wh %h 1e ha" w !h !he Ba!her &efore 1e %ame n!o !he worl" 1e re%e ve"$ as our v %!or ous Me" a!or an" Re"eemer$ !he h *hes! pos ! on of " *n !y an" power n heaven wh %h our m n"s %an %on%e ve. There 1e s !s$ no! "le$ &u! %arry n* on !he same &lesse" work for wh %h 1e " e" on !he %ross. There 1e l ves$ ever mak n* n!er%ess on for all who %ome un!o Go" &y 1 m$ an" so a&le !o save !hem !o !he u!!ermos!. (1e&. 7:D5.) There s s!ron* %onsola! on here for all !rue Chr s! ans. They l ve n an (J,3 worl". They are of!en %areful an" !rou&le" a&ou! many !h n*s$ an" are severely %as! "own &y !he r own weakness an" nf rm ! es. They l ve n a 65,2G worl". They feel !he r &o" es *ra"ually fa l n* an" * v n* way. They have &efore !hem !he "rea"ful prospe%! of soon laun%h n* for!h n!o a worl" unknown. 7ha! !hen shall %omfor! !hemA They mus! lean &a%k on !he !hou*h! of !he r /av or n heaven$ never slum&er n*$ an" never sleep n*$ an" always rea"y !o help. They mus! remem&er !ha! !hou*h !hey sleep$ Jesus wakes--!hou*h !hey fa n!$ Jesus s never weary--

!hou*h !hey are weak$ Jesus s 0lm *h!y--an" !hou*h !hey " e$ Jesus l ves for evermore. .lesse" n"ee" s !h s !hou*h!@ 4ur /av or$ !hou*h unseen$ s an a%!ually l v n* person. 7e !ravel on !owar" a "well n* where our &es! Br en" s *one &efore$ !o prepare a pla%e for us. (John. 1C:D.) The Borerunner has en!ere" n an" ma"e all !h n*s rea"y. 2o won"er !ha! >aul e)%la ms$ '7ho s 1e !ha! %on"emnsA ,! s Chr s! !ha! " e"G yes$ ra!her !ha! s r sen a*a n--who s even a! !he r *h! han" of Go"--who also makes n!er%ess on for us.' (Rom. 8:=C) 3e! us mark$ for ano!her !h n*$ n !hese verses$ the blessing which our Lord Jesus Christ bestows on all who wor! faithfully for im . 7e are !ol" !ha!$ when !he " s% ples wen! for!h an" prea%he"$ !he 3or" 'worke" w !h !hem$' an" '%onf rme" 1 s wor" w !h s *ns !ha! a%%ompan e" !.' 7e know well from !he 0%!s of !he 0pos!les$ an" from !he pa*es of %hur%h h s!ory$ !he manner n wh %h !hese wor"s have &een prove" !rue. 7e know !ha! &on"s an" affl %! ons$ perse%u! on an" oppos ! on$ were !he f rs! fru !s !ha! were reape" &y !he la&orers n Chr s!#s harves!. .u! we know also !ha!$ n sp !e of every effor! of /a!an$ !he wor" of !ru!h was no! prea%he" n va n. .el evers from ! me !o ! me were *a!here" ou! of !he worl". Chur%hes of sa n!s were foun"e" n % !y af!er % !y$ an" %oun!ry af!er %oun!ry. The l !!le see" of Chr s! an !y *rew *ra"ually n!o a *rea! !ree. Chr s! 1 mself wrou*h! w !h 1 s own workmen$ an"$ n sp !e of every o&s!a%le$ 1 s work wen! on. The *oo" see" was never en! rely !hrown away. /ooner or la!er !here were 's *ns follow n*.' 3e! us no! "ou&! !ha! !hese !h n*s were wr !!en for our en%oura*emen!$ on whom !he la!!er en"s of !he worl" are %ome. 3e! us &el eve !ha! no one shall ever work fa !hfully for Chr s!$ an" f n" a! las! !ha! 1 s work has &een al!o*e!her w !hou! prof !. 3e! us la&or on pa! en!ly$ ea%h n our own pos ! on. 3e! us prea%h$ an" !ea%h$ an" speak$ an" wr !e$ an" warn$ an" !es! fy$ an" res! assure" !ha! our la&or s no! n va n. 7e may " e ourselves$ an" see no resul! from our work. .u! !he las! "ay w ll assure"ly prove !ha! !he 3or" Jesus always works w !h !hose who work for 1 m$ an" !ha! !here were 's *ns follow n*$' !hou*h ! was no! * ven !o !he workmen !o see !hem. 3e! us !hen &e 's!ea"fas!$ mmova&le$ always a&oun" n* n !he work of !he 3or".' 7e may *o on our way heav ly$ an" sow w !h many !earsG &u! f we sow Chr s!#s pre% ous see"$ we shall '%ome a*a n w !h +oy an" &r n* our sheaves w !h us.' (1 Cor. 15:58G >salm. 1D<:<.) 0n" now le! us %lose !he pa*es of Mark#s Gospel w !h self- n9u ry an" selfe)am na! on. 3e! ! no! %on!en! us !o have seen w !h our eyes$ an" hear" w !h our ears$ !he !h n*s here wr !!en for our learn n* a&ou! Jesus Chr s!. 3e! us ask ourselves whe!her we know any !h n* of Chr s! '"well n* n our hear!s &y fa !hA' 6oes !he /p r ! 'w !ness w !h our sp r !' !ha! Chr s! s ours an" we are 1 sA Can we really say !ha! we are 'l v n* !he l fe of fa !h n !he son of Go"$' an" !ha! we have foun" &y e)per en%e !ha! Chr s! s 'pre% ous' !o our own soulsA These are solemn 9ues! ons. They "eman" ser ous %ons "era! on. May we never res! un! l we %an * ve !hem sa! sfa%!ory answers@ '1e !ha! has !he /on has l fe$ an" he !ha! has no! !he /on of Go" has no! l fe.' (1 John 5:1D.)