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
280 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
for "twelve years," and that she "had spent all her living upon physicians," and that she could not be " healed of any." The state of many a sinner's heart is placed before us in fliis description as in a gla^. Per- haps it describes ourselves. There are men and women in most congregations who have felt their sins dee…
303 wordsSECTION 242LUKE, CHAP. VIIL VBE. 41 48. 281
fore us, a striking picture of the first heginnrngs of saving faith and Us effect. We are told that she '^oame behind" our Lord, and '^ touched the border of His garment, and immediately her issue of blood stanched/' The act ap- peared a most simple one, and utterly inadequate to produce any great result. But the effec…
621 wordsSECTION 243LTTKS^ CHAP. VIII. VBR. 41 — 48. 283
not plainly tell others that Christ has done eyer3rthing for US, — that we were dying of a deadly disease, and were oured, — that we were lost, and are now found,^that we were hlind, and now see ? — ^Let us do this boldly, and not be afraid. Let us not be ashamed to let all men know what Jesus has done for our souls. O…
1,488 wordsSECTION 244LUKE, JCHAP. VIII. VBU. 49 — 66. 287
immediate reference to the mirade oxir Lord was going to perform. But we need not doubt that they were also meant for the perpetual benefit of the Church of Christ. They were meant to reveal to us the grand secret of comfort in the hour of need. That secret is to exercise faith, to fall back on the thought of Christ's …
302 wordsSECTION 245288 EXPOSITOR'S THOUGHTS.
and turned the mourning into joy. He took by the hand the breathless body of the ruler's daughter, " and called saying, damsel arise." At once by that aU-powerfcd voice life was restored. ''Her spirit came again, and she arose straightway." Let us take comfort in the thought that there is a limit to death's power. The…
303 wordsSECTION 246LUKE, CHAP. VIII. VER. 49 — 56. 289
believing wives. Believing parents shall once more see believing children. Christ shall unite the whole family in the great home in heaven, and all tears shall be wiped from all eyes. Notes. Ltjkb VIII. 49—66. 49 . — \Thy daitghter is dead.] GhemDitius remarks, that, with one exception (Mark i. 30), we never read in …
782 wordsSECTION 247LUKE IX. 1—6.
1 Then he called hiB twelve disci- ples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor Bcrii|, neither bread, nei- ther money ; neither…
434 wordsSECTION 248292 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
Let us observe, secondly, that one of the principal worki which the apostles were commissioned to take up was preach- ing. We read that our Lord " sent them to preach the kingdom of God," and that "they went through the towns preaching the Gospel." The importance of preaching, as a means of grace, might easily be gath…
289 wordsSECTION 249LUKB, CHAP. IX. VER. 1 — 6. 293
nor scrip, neither bread nor money ; neither have two coats a piece. And whatsoever house ye enter into there abide, and thence depart." In part, these instructions apply only to a peculiar period. There came a day when our Lord Himself bade every one who had "no sword, to sell his garment and buy one." (Luke xxii. 36.…
294 wordsSECTION 250294 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
receive them" as a class which they must expect to see. He tells them how to behave, when not received, as if it was a state of things to which they must make up their mind. All ministers of the Gospel would do well to read carefully this portion of our Lord's instructions. All mis- sionaries, and district visitors, a…
613 wordsSECTION 251LUKE IX. 7—11.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him : and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Ellas bad ap- peared ; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded : but who is this of wh…
163 wordsSECTION 252296 BXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.
that was done by our Lord, he was perplexed." He said, "John have I beheaded, but who is this ? " Great and powerful as he was, the tidings of our Lord's min- istry called his sins to remembrance, and disturbed him even in his royal palace. Surrounded as he was by every- thing which is considered to make life enjoyable…
306 wordsSECTION 253LUKE, CHAP. IX. VBR. 7 — 11. 297
hearts. In the midst of seeming happiness and prosperity they were inwardly miserable and distressed. Happy are they who have found the only cure for a bad conscience! Nothing will ever Heal it but the blood of Christ. Let us mark, secondly, the importance to Christiam of occamnal privacy and retirement. We are told, …
957 wordsSECTION 254EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
can make so little of recollection and retirement I find the spirit of the world a strong assimilating principle. I find it hurrying away minds in its wake, and sinking men among the dregs and filth of a carnal nature. Even my ministerial em- ployment would degenerate into a mere following of my trade, and crying of my…
78 wordsSECTION 255LUKE IX. 12—17.
12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals : for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them. Give ye them to eat. And they said. We have no more but five loav…
302 wordsSECTION 256LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 12 — 17. 301
at the beginning made the world out of nothings caused food to exist, which before had not existed. The circum- stances of the whole event made deception impossible. Five thousand hungry men would not have agreed that they were " all filled," if they had not received real food. " Twelve baskets full of fragments " woul…
626 wordsSECTION 257LUKE, CHAP. IX, VER. 12 — 17. 303
What are those disciples who received the loaves and fishes from Christ's hand, and carried them to the multi- tude, till all were filled? They are a figure of all faithftd preachers and teachers of the Gospel. Their work is simple, and yet deeply important. They are appointed to set before men the provision that Chris…
311 wordsSECTION 258304 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
17. — [Of fragments,,. twelve baskets. 1 Let our Lord's disapproba- tion of waste be noted. If " the great Housekeeper of the world," Burkitt says, "is so particular about saving fragments, what account will they give in the day of judgment, who think nothing of wasting time, money, health, and strength, in the service…
246 wordsSECTION 259LUKE IX. 18—22.
18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him : and he asked thein^ saying. Whom say the people that 1 am .^ 19 They answering said, John the Baptist ; out some sav, Elias ; and others say, that one of the old pro- phets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am } …
186 wordsSECTION 260LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 18 — 22. 305
Scribes and Pharisees. All saw in Him a bold witness against the evil that was in the worid. Let it never surprise ns, to find the same variety of opinions about Christ and His Gospel in our own times. God's truth disturbs the spiritual laziness of men. It obliges them to think. It makes them begin to talk, and reason…
297 wordsSECTION 261306 BXFOSITORY THOUGHTS.
the slightest excuse for stopping short in talk, opinion, and speculation. The Jews of our Lord's time might have found out, if they had been honest inquirers, that Jesus of Nazareth was neither John the Baptist, nor Elias, nor an old prophet, but the Christ of God. The speculative Christian of our own day, might easil…
301 wordsSECTION 262LUKE^ CHAP. IX. VEB. 18 — 22. 307
with much of ignorance and imperfection. But such as it was, it was a faith that stood alone. He that had it was a remarkable man, and far in advance of the age in which he lived. We should pray frequently that God would raise up more Christians of the stamp of the apostle Peter. ^rring, and unstable, and ignorant of …
307 wordsSECTION 263310 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
to keep under our bodies, and bring them into subjection. We ougbt to be on our guard, like soldiers in an enemy's country. We ought to fight a daily battle, and war a daily warfare. The command of our Master is clear and plain : " If any man will come after Me, let him 'deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and f…
300 wordsSECTION 264LUKE, CHAP. IX. VEK. 23 — ^27. 311
able. The moment we have them we find that they are empty babbles, and cannot make us feel content. And, worst of all, when we possess this world's good things, to the utmost bound of our desire, we cannot keep them. Death comes in and separates us from all our property for ever. Naked we came upon earth, and naked we …
302 wordsSECTION 265312 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
of Man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angek." There are many ways of being ashamed of Christ. We are guilty of it whenever we are afraid of letting men know that we love His doctrines, His precepts, His people, and His ordinances. We are guilty of it when- ever we …
310 wordsSECTION 266LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 23 — 27. 313
to," or, *'is willing to." It is not a future tense, but the same Greek word that is used in John v. 40. ; " Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life ; " which means, " ye have no will, or wish to come." [Take up his cross.] Campbell remarks on this expression, " Every one condemned by the Romans to crucifixio…
523 wordsSECTION 267LUKE IX. 28—36.
28 And it came to pan about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 ^d as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31…
364 wordsSECTION 268LUKE, CHAP. IX. VBR. 28 36. 316
the self-denial and suflferings to which they must submit themselves, if they would be saved. They were now cheered by a glimpse of the " glory that should follow," and the reward which all faithful servants of their Master would one day receive. They had seen their Master's day of weakness. They now saw, for a few min…
302 wordsSECTION 269316 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
Let us take comfort in the blessed thought that there is a resurrection and a life to come. All is not over, when the last breath is drawn. There is another world beyond the grave. But, above all, let us take comfort in the thought, that until the day dawns, and the resur- rection begins, the people of God are safe wit…
299 wordsSECTION 270LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 28 — 36. 317
the world. Their light, no doubt, was far less clear than ours. They saw things afar oflf and indistinctly, which we see, as it were, close at hand. But there is not the slightest proof that any Old Testament saint ever looked to any other satisfaction for sin, but that which God promised to make by sending Messiah. Fr…
296 wordsSECTION 271318 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
has given to man. We are told that when Peter, " not knowing what he said/' proposed to make three taber- nacles on the mount, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elias, as if all three deserved equal honour, this proposal was at once rebuked in a remarkable way : ** There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, T…
316 wordsSECTION 272LUKB, CGHAP. IX. VBR. 28 — ^36. 319
was Tabor. But the opinion of well informed modem trayellers is unfavourable to the tradition. 29. — [As he prayed.] Let it be noted, that we are specially told that it was when our Lord was '*praying" at His baptism the Holy Ghost descended and the Father's voice was heard. So also prayer ushers in the great vision o…
485 wordsSECTION 273320 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
" to depart from life is the common lot : but to fulfil his decease or departure from the world, was peculiar to Christ, because His death was the grand subject of prophecy, and the event upon which the salvation of the world was suspended." 32. — [Were heavy with sleep.] Let it be noted, that the very same disciples …
476 wordsSECTION 274LUKE IX. 87—45.
37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 88 And, behold, a man of the com- Eany cried out, saying, Master, I eseech {hee, look upon my son : for he is mine only chila. 39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out ; and it teareth him th…
417 wordsSECTION 275322 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
reKef. " Master," he says, " I beseech Thee look upon my son : for he is mine only child." There are many Christian fathers and mothers at this day who are just as miserable about their children as the man of whom we are reading. The son who w%3 once the " desire of their eyes," and in whom their Kves were bound up, t…
307 wordsSECTION 276LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 37 — 45. 323
• afflicted parent was graciously granted. He said to him, "Bring thy son hither." And then "He rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father." We have many similar cases in the Gospels. The daughter of Jairus, the nobleman's son at Capernaum, the daughter of the Canaanitish w…
305 wordsSECTION 277324 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
hands of men." They had heard the same thing from His lips little more than a week b^ore. But now, as then, the words seemed lost upon them. They heard as though they heard not. They could not realize the &ot that their Master was to die. They could not realize the great truth that Christ was to be ''cut off'' before H…
308 wordsSECTION 278LUKE, CHAP. IX. VBR. 37 45. 325
Finally^ let us learn to bear with ignorance in others, and to deal patiently with beginners in religion. Let ns not make men offenders for a word. Let us not set our brother down as having no grace, because he does not exhibit clear knowledge. Has he faith in Christ ? Does he love Christ? These are the principal thing…
405 wordsSECTION 279EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
be applied to the man whose son was afflicted. He did what he could. He brought his son to the disciples. If the cure was not wrought, the fault was surely their's more than his. In fact, when the disciples, as recorded by St. Matthew, xvii. 20, asked our Lord why they could not cast out this devil, He answered them at…
143 wordsSECTION 280LUKE IX. 46—50.
46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receiye this child in my name receiveth me : and whosoever shall receive me receiyeth him that sent me : for he th…
225 wordsSECTION 281LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 46 — 50. 327
beyond the plague of a self-seeking and ambitions spirit* FiUed with the vain notion that our Lord's kingdom was to appear immediately, they were ready to wrangle about their place and precedency in it. Each thought his own claim the strongest. Each thought his own deserts and right to honour most unquestionable. Each …
307 wordsSECTION 282328 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
sinnerd/' and daily debtots to mercy and gr&ce P Are W6 the followers of Jesus, who was "meek and lowly of heart/' and "made Himself of no reputation" for our sakes P Then let that same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus. Let us lay aside all high thoughts and self- conceit. In lowliness of mind, let us esteem oth…
315 wordsSECTION 283LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 46 — 60. 329
mail can be a soldier of Christ, unless lie wears their uniform, and fights in their regiment. They have been ready to say of every Christian who does not see every- thing with their eyes, " Forbid him ! Forbid him ! for he foUoweth not with us." Hie solemn remark of our Lord Jesus Christ, on this occasion, demands ou…
289 wordsSECTION 284330 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
think fit to bring us together. Whatever we may think of our divisions, the words of our Lord must never be forgotten : "Forbid them not." The plain truth is, that we are all too ready to say, " We are the men, and wisdom shall die with us." (Job xii. 2.) We forget that no Church on earth has an absolute monopoly of a…
322 wordsSECTION 285LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 51 — 56.
331 and ignorance of the world's standard of good, are the real points in which the child is to he the Christian's pattern. 50. — [Forbid him not.] It is curious to ohserve the various prac- tical applications ot the great principle contained in this passage, which men have made at various periods of the Church's his…
340 wordsSECTION 286LUKE XIX. 61^66.
51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be re- ceived up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face : and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he…
141 wordsSECTION 287332 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
Let XLS notice in these verses, the steady determinatwn with which our Lord Jesm Christ regarded Sis oion orucifmon mid death. We read that "when the time was come that He should be received up, iffe steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem." He knew full well what was before Him. The betrayal, the unjust trial, the…
304 wordsSECTION 288LUKB, CHAP. IX. VER. 51 — 56. 333
when the path of duty is clear, and the voice of God calls. Let us set our faces steadfastly to our work, when our work is plainly marked out, and drink our bitter cups patiently, when they come from a Father's hand. Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, the extraordi- nary conduct of two of the apostles, James an…
293 wordsSECTION 289334 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
to have much zeal for Christ, and yet to exhibit it in most unholy and unchristian ways. It is possible to mean well and have good intentions, and yet to make most grievous mistakes in our actions. It is possible to fancy that we have Scripture on our side, and to support our conduct by Scriptural quotations, and yet t…
301 wordsSECTION 290LUKE, CHAP. IX. VBR. 51 — 66. 335
well doing, and by meekness and gentleness in snflfering, but never by violence and severity. No saying of our Lord's, perhaps, has been so totally overlooked by the Church of Christ as that which is now before us. Nothing can be imagined more contrary to the will of Christ than the religious wars and persecu- tions w…
301 wordsSECTION 291336 EXPOSITORY TH0UOHT8.
cepts, and texts. It is a quaint and homely sajring, but as true in the Church as it is in the army, that "one volunteer is worth ten pressed men." Notes. Lttkb IX. 51 — 66. 51. — [The time that he should be received up.] The Greek word so translated is peculiar, and is only found here in the New Testa- ment. It woul…
460 wordsSECTION 292LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 61 — 66. 337
actions. The case of Oliver Cromwell and many of his followers will naturally occur to some readers. The examples of men who were raised up to do special works in the times of the Old Testament must not be followed in all things. The man who presumes to imitate Joshua and Elijah in all their dealings with the enemies …
498 wordsSECTION 293LXTKE IX. 67—62.
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him^ Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 69 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said.…
366 wordsSECTION 294LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 67 — 62. 339
service was all pleasure and smooth sailing. Was he prepared for this ? Was he ready to " endure hardness ? ^' (2 Tim. ii. 3.) If not, he had better withdraw his appli- cation to be a disciple. Let us learn, from our Lord's words on this occasion, that He would have all who profess and call themselves Christians remin…
307 wordsSECTION 295340 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
carefully, humbly, and with much prayer for grace. If we are not ready to take part in the afflictions of Christ, we must never expect to share His glory. The second of our Lord's sayings is addressed to one whom He invited to follow Him. The answer He received was a very remarkable one. "Lord," said the man, " suflFe…
300 wordsSECTION 296LUKE, CHAP. IX. VER. 67—62. 341
their thoughts. They should not be ashamed to let men see that they have no time either to rejoice or to sorrow like others who have no hope. (1 Thess. iv. 13.) Their Master's work waits for them, and their Master's work must have the chief place in their hearts. They are God's priests in the world, and, like the pries…
324 wordsSECTION 297342 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
like Moses, to turn our backs even on those who have hrought us up, if God calls us, and the path is plain. Sudi decided conduct may entail sore trials on our aflfections. It may wring our hearts to go contrary to the opinions of those we love. — But such conduct may sometimes be positively necessary to our salvation, …
292 wordsSECTION 298LTJKB, CHAP. IX. ^TBK. 67 — 62. 343
Notes. Ltjkb IX. d7-*-62. 67.— [^ certain man said.'] St. Mattbew tells ub that this man was a scribe. This offer appears to have been made at an early period of our Lord's earthly ministry. (Matt. viii. 19.) St. Luke mentions it in this place, because it is his habit to relate events in groups, and not in strict chro…
443 wordsSECTION 299EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.
61. — [Bid..,fareweU.'] The Greek word so translated is peculiar. In Mark vi. 40, it is rendered "sent away;" in Luke xiv. 33, it is "forsaketh;" but in Acts xviii. 18, 21, and 2 Cor. ii. 13, it is " taking leave," and " bidding farewell." Heinsius thinks that it should be translated, " suffer me first to go and give …
254 wordsSECTION 300LUKE X. 1—7.
1 After these things the Lord ap- pointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, wMther he him- self would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labour- ers are few : pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth…
202 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.