PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. Luke — Volume 1
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 · 151,572 words · 360 reading sections
LUKE, CHAP. V. VEB. 12 — 16. 137
Who shall deliver ns from this body of death P Let ns thank God that Jesus Christ can. He is that divine Physician, who can make old things pass away and all things become new. In Him is life. He can wash us thoroughly from all the defilement of sin in His own blood. He can quicken us, and revive us by His own Spirit. …
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ilatfaiessisptst^andtbetraelightnowsliiDetk. (IJohnii. 8.) We hwe nothing to do now m<ih aUtrs, sacrifices, or priests. Those who wish to rovive <them are like inen who light a candle at noon day. But true as this is, we must never fbi^t that tiie ceremonial law is still full of instruo- tion. It contains that same Gos…
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Why is it that there is so much apparent religious working, and yet so little result in positive conversions to God, — so many sermons, and so few souls saved, — so much machinery, and so little effect produced, — so much running hither and thither, and yet so few brought to Christ P Why is all this? The reply is short…
382 wordsSECTION 124LUKE, CHAP. V. VER. 17 — ^26.
141 is seen in his narratiTe of our Lord's baptism, and of the trans- figuration. (Luke iii. 2L and ix. 28, 20.) The Gentiles, for whom St. Luke*s Gospel was especially designed, needed instruction in the duty and benefits of .prayer. Accordingly this subject occupies a prominent place in his Gospel. It is eminently t…
72 wordsSECTION 125LUKE Y. 17.— 26.
17 And it came to pM on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judeea, and J erusalem : and the power of the Lord "waB present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a nalsj…
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was surrounded. What, then, did they doP "They went upon the house-top, and let him down through the tiling, with his couch, into the midst before Jesus." At once thek object was gained. Our Lord's attention was drawn to their sick friend, and he was healed. By pains, and labour, and perseverance, his friends succeeded…
284 wordsSECTION 127LUKE, CHAP. ▼. TKE. 17 — ^26. 143
be the mother of invention. If we caimot find means of keeping up Qiese habits in one way, we must in another. But we must settle it in our minds, that the thing shall be done* The health of our souls is at stake. Let the crowd of difficulties be what it may, we must get through it. If the children of this world take s…
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the blessing of forgiveness, "Arise/* He says, "and take up thy couch, and go unto thine house/' First He assures him that his soul is healed. Then He tells him that his body is cured, and sends him away rejoicing. Let us never forget this part of our Lord's character. Christ's loving kindness to His people never chan…
1,000 wordsSECTION 129LUKE V. 27—32.
27 And after these things he went fortii, and saw a Publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom : and he said unto him, follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house : and there was a great company of Publicans and of others that sat down with…
139 wordsSECTION 130LUKE, CHAP. V. VER, 27 — 32. 147
immortal soul, and desires salvation. They describe the conversion and experience of one of Christ's earliest disciples. We too are all by nature bom in sin, and need conversion. Let us see what we know of the mighty change. Let us compare our own experience with that of the man whose case is here described, and by com…
620 wordsSECTION 131LUKB, CHAP. V. VBR. 27 — 32. 149
It is adoption into the noblest and richest of all families, the family of God ! Let ns not heed the opinion of the world in this matter. They speak evil of things which they know not. Let us, with Levi, consider every fresh conversion as a cause .for great rejoicing. Never ought there to be such joy, gladness, and con…
605 wordsSECTION 132LUKE, CHAP. V. VBB. 27 — 32. 151
that those only can receive benefit firom Him who will confess that they are ruined, bankrupt, hopeless, misera- ble anners. Let us use this mighty truth, if we never used it before. Are we sensible of our own wickedness and sinfulness ? Do we feel that we are unworthy of any- thing but wrath and condemnation P Then l…
634 wordsSECTION 133LUKE Y. 88—39.
83 And they said unto him, Why do the diBciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise tlie disciples of'^the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink ? 84 And he said nnto fhem, Can ye make the children of the brideoham- ber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 85 But the days will come, when the bridegroo…
177 wordsSECTION 134LUKB, CHAP. V. VBK. 33 — 39. 153
m Wb should observe in these verses, that men may disagree an the leaser paints af religion, while they agree an its weightier matters. We have this brought out in the alleged difference between the disciples of John the Bap- tist, and the disciples of Christ. The question was put to our Lord, "Why do the disciples of…
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Christians. It teaches the deep and tender love with which Jesus regards all sinners of mankind, who believe in. Him. Weak, and unworthy, and short-coming as they are in themselves, He feels towards them a tender affec- tion, even as a husband does towards his wife. — ^li teaches the dose and intimate union, which exis…
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gion. But if we have faith, we are precious in the sight of Christ. The Bridegroom of our soul will one day plead our cause before the whole worid. We should obsenre, lastly, in these verses, how gently and tenderly Christ would have His people deal foith young and inexperienced Christians. He teaches us this lesson b…
309 wordsSECTION 137LUKE, CHAP. V. VBE. 33 — 39. 167
But at first we must give him time. There is great need of wisdom in dealing with young people about religion, and; generally speaking, with all young disciples. Kind- ness, and patienoe, and gentleness, are of the first importance. We must not try to pour in the new wine too quickly, or it will run over. We must take …
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may find the practice useful and helpful to their souls at the present day are right in fa^sting, if they do it without ostenta- tion, is also plain. But the utter ahsene^ of any direct injunc- tion, or command to keep fasts in the Church of Christ, either in the Acts or Epistles, and specially in the Epistles to Timot…
475 wordsSECTION 139LUKE YI. 1—6.
1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the com fields ; and his dis- ciples plucked the ears of com, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 Ajid certain of the Pharisees said unto them. Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days } 3 And Jesus answering…
664 wordsSECTION 140LUKE, CHAP. VI. VEK. 1 — 5. 163
meaning, ought never to be regarded as the enemy of the fourth commandment. On the contrary, He has " mag- nified it, and made it honourable." Let us cling to our Sabbath, as the best safeguard of our Coimtry's religion. Let us defend it against the assaults of ignorant and mistaken men, who would fain turn the day of…
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. the second seems most likely to be correct. The question, hap- pily, is one which afiPects no point of doctrine, and may safely be left alone. 3. — [ What David did."] Here, as in other places, let ns not fail to observe how our Lord refers to things recorded in Old Testament Scriptures, as well-attested and acknowl…
411 wordsSECTION 142LUKE VI. 6—11.
6 And it came to pass also on an- other sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught : and there was A man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day ; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and …
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not meant to forbid showing kindness on the Sabbath to the afflicted, or attending to the wants of the sick. We may drive in a carriage to minister comfort to the dying. We may stay away from pubKc worship, in order to fetch a doctgr, or be useful in a sick room. We may visit the fatherless and widow in trouble. We may…
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the history of the cure ^whioh is here described. We read that our Lord said to the man whose hand was withered, '' Stretch forth ihj hand." The commandy at first sight, seems unreasonable, because the man's obedi- ence was apparently impossible. But the poor sufferer was not stopped by any doubts or reasonings of this…
554 wordsSECTION 145LUKE VI. 12—19.
12 And it came to patH in thoie days, that he went out into a moun- tain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples : and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles ; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John…
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the beginning of the Christian ministry. It was the first ordination, and an ordination conducted by the Great Head of the Church Himself. Since the day when the events here recorded took place, there have been many thousand ordinations. Myriads of bishops, elders, and deacons have been called to the office of the mini…
288 wordsSECTION 147LUKE, CHAP. VI. VBK. 12 — 19. 171
Ghost. — ^Happy are those ordinations, in which all con- cerned have the mind that was in Christ, and come together in a prayerful spirit ! Do we desire to help forward the cause of pure and undefiled religion in the world P Then let us never forget to pray for ministers, and especially for young men about to enter th…
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Scribe, or Priest, or Buler, or Elder among the people. All were, apparently, '^nnleamed and ignorant men/' (Acts iv. 13.) All were poor. There is something deeply instructiye in the fact which is now before us. It shows ns that our Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom was entirely independent of help from this world. His Chur…
288 wordsSECTION 149LUKE, CHAP. VI. VER. 12—19. 173
Let us obsenre, lastly, in these verses, that one whom our Lord chose to be an apostky was a fcUse discipk and a traitor. That man was Judas Iscariot. We cannot for a moment doubt, that in choosing Judas Iscariot, our Lord Jesus knew well what He was doing. He who could read hearts, certainly saw from the beginning th…
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the whole Church, that it must not expect to see a perfectly pure communion in the present state of things. The wheat and the tares, — ^the good fish and the bad, — will always be found side by side, till the Lord comes again. It is vain to look for perfection in visible churches. We^ shall never find it. A Judas was f…
79 wordsSECTION 151NOTBS. LVKB VI. 12—19.
12. — [In prayer to God.] The peculiarity of the Greek words here has made some think that the meaning should have been ren- dered, He continued all night " in a house of prayer/' a place set apart for prayer to. God. That the Jews had such praying- houses, is undeniable. But whether such a house is referred to here, i…
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faith of the Holy Trinity throughout the foiir quarters of the world. The number is prefigured in the Old Testament by many examples, — by the twelve sons of Jaoob, — ^the twelve princes of the children of Israel, — the twelve fountains in Elim, — the twelve stones in Aaron's breast-plate, — the twelve loaves of shew-b…
482 wordsSECTION 153EXPOSITORY THOUOHTB.
Let it be noted, among other reasons for onr Lord's choice of a traitor to he an apo^e, that the choice finally suppUed a powerful indirect evidence of the purity, hlamelessness, and laultlessness of our Lord's conduct and ministiy. When our Lord was accused before the Hi^ Priest and Pontius Pilate, if anything could h…
236 wordsSECTION 154LTTKE YT. 20—26.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his diBciples, and said, BieMed o4ue poor : for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ve that hunger now : for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now : for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall sepa- rate you from their company^ …
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are reporting one and tHe same discourse, and that St. Luke is giving us, in an abridged form, what St. Matthew reports at length. There seems no sufGlcient ground for this conclusion. The occasions on which the two dis- courses were deKvered, were entirely different. Our Lord's repetition of the same great lesson, in …
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this world, because of their religion. It was their case which Jesus had specially in view in this passage. He desired to supply them, and all who suffer like them for the Gospel's sake, with special comfort and consolation. Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, who are those to whom our Lord addresses the solemn …
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Vho love the praise of man more than the praise of God, and will turn their backs on Christ, rather than not keep in with the world. — ^These are the kind of men whom our Lord had in view when He prononnced the solemn words, *'Woe, woe nnto you." He knew well that there were thousands of such persons among the Jews, — …
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1 regard the two discourses as distinct and different, and con- eider them as delivered at different times. For one thing, the occasion of the discourse recorded hy St. Luke, is not the same as the occasion of that recorded hy St. Matthew. The discourse reported hy St. Matthew, was one deliyered on " a mountain," and …
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many of Ood's saints are nerer fulfilled in this world. In l&e manner, " ye shall hunger/' and " ye shall mourn and weep/' are words of which the wicked, in many cases, will not know the full hittemess till hereafter. 22. — ISeparats you from their company.] The Greek word so ren- dered, according to Suicer, is specia…
225 wordsSECTION 160LUKE VI. 27—38.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despiteiully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other ; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to ev…
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is confined to one great subject. That subject is Chris- tian love and charity. Charity, which is the grand diaracteristic of the Gospel,— charity, which is the .bond of perfectness, — charity, without which a man is no- thing in God's sight, — charity is here fully expounded and strongly enforced. Well would it have b…
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how mucli self-interest and private feelings will sometimes dim OUT peroeptions of right and wrong. He supplies us with a precept for our guidance in all such cases, of infi- nite wisdom ; a precept which even infidels have been compelled to admire. — "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.…
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In the fourth place, our Lord shows His disciples that in discharging their duty to their neighboursy they should look to the example of Ood, If they called liiemselves '^ children of the Highest/' tiiey should consider that their Father is "kind to the unthankful and the evil," and they should learn from Him to he mer…
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injury. His kindness may sometimes tempt men to impose on him. His patience and forbearance may be abused. But at the last he will always be found a gainer^^-often, yery often, a gainer in this life : certainly, most certainly, a gainer in the life to come. Such is the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ about charity. …
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Christ by faith, and to be taught and sanctified by His Spirit. We do not gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. We cannot have flowers without roots, or fruit without trees. We cannot have the fruit of the Spirit without vital union with Christ, and a new creation within. Such as are not bom again can never rea…
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pat up with much, rather than cause strife. He would have us endure much inconvenience and loss, and even sacrifice some of our just rights, rather than have any contention. It is the same lesson that St. Paul enforces in other words : " K it he possihle, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." — "Avenge…
591 wordsSECTION 167LUKE YI. 39-45.
39 And he gpake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind ? ■hall they not both fall into the ditch ? 40 The disciple is not above his mas- ter : but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but per- ceivest not the beam that is in thin…
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brought on the Church in every age is incalculable. The loss of souls which it has occasioned is fear&l to contem- plate. A teacher who does not know the way to heayen himself, is not likely to lead his hearers to heaven. The man who hears such a teacher runs a fearful risk himself of beii^ lost eternally. "If the blin…
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''a mote/' or trifling thing in a brother's eye, while he himself hafl ''a beam/' or some large and formidable object sticking in his own eye. The leasoa must doubtless be received with suitable and Scriptural qualifications. If no man is to teach or preach to others, until he himself is faultless, there could be no t…
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♦ carnal, worldly, irreligious, godless, or profane P Then let us understand that this is the state of his heart. When a man's tongue is generally wrong, it is ahsurd, no less than unscriptural, to say that his heart is right. Let us close this passage with solemn self-inquiry, and use it for the trial of our own sta…
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get beyond them, and if you sbore in their final ruin." The marginal reading in the English version appears to bring out this sense more clearly than the text: "Every one shall be per fected as his master." How strikingly true this saying of our Lord is, has been painfully proved in England during the last thirty year…
352 wordsSECTION 172LUKE VI. 46-49.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say ? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like : 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock : and when the flood arose, the stream beat veheme…
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It has been said, with much truth, that no sermon should conclude without some personal application to the consciences of those who hear it. The passage before us is an example of this rule, and a confirmation of its correctness. It is a solemn and heart-searching conclusion of a most solenm discourse. Let us mark, m …
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Christian practice, and the certain ruin to which such profession must lead if persisted in. That Christ is the true rock on which we must huiid our hopes, and that there is no other rock on which we can stand, is abundantly taught elsewhere. But it is not the lesson of the passage before us. The passage is a warning a…
430 wordsSECTION 175LUKE VII. 1—10.
1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, ana ready to die.…
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3 And when he heard of Jesns, he ■ent onto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his serrant. 4 And when the^ came to Jesus, they besonght him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this : 6 For he loyeth our nation, and he hath built us a synsgogue. 6 Then Jesus…
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"in word and tongue only, but in deed." The messengers he sent to our Lord supported their petition by saying, " He hath built us a sjmagogue." Now where did the centurion learn this kindness? How can we account for one who was a heathen by birth, and a soldier by profession, showing such a spirit as this P Habits of …
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love. — ^This is one way to be happy in the world, and see good days. Kindness always brings its own reward. The kind person will seldom be without Mends. We should notice, secondly, in this passage, the humility of the centurion. It appears in his remarkable message to our Lord when He was not far from his house : " …
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regards our Lord as one possessing authority over diseases, as complete as his own authority over his soldiers, or a Boman Emperor's authority over himself. He believes that a word of command from Jesus is sufficient to send sickness away. He asks to see no sign or wonder. He declares his confidence that Jesus is an al…
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We should notice, finally, in these verses, the advantage of being connected with godly families. We need no clearer proof of this than the case of the centurion's servant. We see him cared for in sickness. We see him restored to health through his master's intercession. We see him brought under Christ's notice through…
1,290 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1858). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.