PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Great Texts of the Bible — Volume 8
James Hastings · 167,062 words · 172 reading sections
Section 121
TJ As the doctor takes the key of his drug-store and selects from the specifics that are arranged around him, he kills or makes alive. His key means a power of absolution. When it is first put into his hand he is instructed with as solemn a responsibility as the Judge who pronounces death-sentences. When he selects thi…
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Tf Whatever may have been the influences which concurred in effecting this fundamental transformation in Dr. Martineau's philosophical system, there can be little doubt that when he preached the striking sermon on " The Christian View of Moral Evil " the process was virtually completed. That discourse gives expression …
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^f When Bernard of Quintavalle, convinced of the rare grace granted by God to Francis, and longing to come under its power, determined to join him, the saint, notwithstanding his joy, ;j;;ive proof of that sound judgment upon which the commune had learned to draw, by proposing that since the life of renuncia- tion was …
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2. We have often to deny ourselves in matters that may be in themselves allowable. If they tend in our case to withdraw our hearts from Christ, we must be willing to give them up. Being innocent in themselves, we might be at liberty to choose them or not as we liked, but we have to think of the discipline and maturity …
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TJ You remember that wonderful parable in the Peer Gynt of Ibsen. The worn-out wanderer, grown hoary in selfishness, a past-master in self-seeking, in a rare moment of reflection takes an onion in his hand, and begins to strip it, scale by scale, and the fancy takes him that each scale or flake or lobe or fold repre- s…
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2. Each has his particular cross to bear. This we have each to discover for ourselves, and bear as we follow Him. Never are we 1 Canon Newbolt. ' E. F. Sampson, Clirist Church Sermons, 265. ST. MATTHEW xvi. 24 327 to invent crosses for ourselves, and most anxiously are we to take heed that we do not make them for ot…
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1 J. R. Miller, Glimpses Through Life's Windows, 31. 7 C. N. Moody. Love's Long Campaign, 255. ST. MATTHEW xvi. 24 329 refer to an incident of that dolorous procession in which the Master — Himself for a little while mastered by His foes — was struggling towards the appointed place of tragedy with the huge, rough cro…
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Tj Phillips Brooks reminds us that the sacrifice of old was offered to the sound of the trumpets with joy, and there ought to be a sort of joy — a real joy — about self-sacrifice in bearing the cross. The pictures of our Lord on the cross, the earliest repre- sentations, were not like later ones ; they were of a victor…
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ST. MATTHEW xvi. 24 333 of an ancient chronicler, has commemorated the names of this little band, " who thus, in the face of difficulties unexampled in history, with death rather than riches for their reward, preferred it all to abandoning their honour, and stood firm by their leader as an example of loyalty to future…
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1 W. M. Clow, The Secret of the Lord, 167. ST. MATTHEW xvn. i, 2 339 For all we know, they may have had this work of Mnses and Elijah fully in their minds during that week. On the other hand, it may have been a week of absolute silence between our Lord and His disciples, when our Lord was, so to say, alienated from H…
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TJ A strong Christian tradition dating from the fourth century makes Tabor the scene of our Lord's Transfiguration. It was probably natural that this event should become connected with the most conspicuous mountain of Galilee, and as early as the sixth century three churches had been built to commemorate the three tabe…
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Tf " And while he was praying, the appearance of his face underwent a change," says Luke ; he alone preserving for us this vital fact of "prayer," of profound and deliberate absorption in the Divine Life, as the immediate cause of the transfigured bodily state. This change, this radiance, seemed to the astonished on- l…
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TJ The Transfiguration had a purpose also in relation to the disciples. It was designed to reconcile them to the incredible and repulsive idea of Messiah's sufferings by revealing to them the glories that should follow. What did they hear as they listened to the converse betwixt those two glorified saints who bore the …
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1. If we imagine that the sun-like splendour of our Lord's countenance and the snow-like whiteness of His raiment were but a reflection of the glory of heaven, we shall miss the significance of the Transfiguration. There was a manifestation of heavenly glory — the bright cloud overshadowed them — but that was not till …
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3. The Transfiguration marked Christ's triumph over tempta- tion. On the mount He was again tempted to refuse the cross, to escape His death and His shame, and to pass with Moses and Elijah into that glory which He had with the Father before the world was. But in that high hour He renounced the glory ; He accepted the …
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ST. MATTHEW xvn. i, 2 355 and Elijah who, themselves covered with glory, adorn the cross. Instead of the darkness and the cry of desertion, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? " there is the bright cloud and the approving voice of the Heavenly Father, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It …
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ST. MATTHEW xvn. i, 2 355 it which is the active, busy, forceful thing ; that the world with all its noisy cities, its movements and its bustle, is not a burning point hung in darkness and silence, but that it is just a little fretful affair with infinitely larger, louder, fiercer, stronger powers, working, moving, pr…
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ST. MATTHEW xvn. i, 2 357 furnishing of his home and all the habits of his life, become beautiful. jf Astronomers tell us that dead, cold matter falls from all corners of the system into the sun, drawn by its magic magnetism from farthest space, and, plunging into that great reservoir of fire, the deadest and coldest…
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loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. 36i 362 ETERNAL LIFE 2. Never before had such an one come to Jesus. That he should come at all was much ; that he should come at such a time was very much ; that he should come at such a time aud in such a way was a splendid proof of independence, of…
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2. Where had the ruler got hold of the thought of eternal life ? It was far above the dusty speculations and casuistries of the Rabbis. Probably from Christ Himself. He was right in recognizing that the conditions of possessing it were moral, but his conception of " good " was superficial, and he thought more of doing …
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TI We should mark and know of a very truth that all manner of virtue and goodness, and even that Eternal Good which is God Himself, can never make a man virtuous, good, or happy, so long as it is outside the soul. Therefore although it be good and profitable that we should ask and learn and know what good and holy men …
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But alas, The soul now climbs it just to perish there ! And then he pictures the visions from that tower of capacity for joy, spread round it, meant for it, mocking it, and the agony of the soul finding itself less capable of enjoyment even than before. The very fatigue consequent on the realization has brought de- st…
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3. But the demand of Jesus was not simply to sacrifice his wealth. Jesus makes no such merely negative claim on men. He desires to put Himself in the place of that which the heart has worshipped. He adds, " And come, follow me." That is, He must have the first place in the heart and life of those who seek eternal life.…
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III. The Choice. (1. "He went away sorrowful." The completeness and im- mediateness of the collapse are noticeable. The young man seems to speak no word, and to take no time for reflection. He stands for a moment, as if stunned. The eager look passes from his face and the shadow of a great disappointment darkens his …
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ST. MATTHEW xix. 16 375 Not the relinquishment of outward wealth The chief thing Christ required ; but that the man, Set free from earthly things, should then begin A loftier career, beside Himself. Think what this offer meant. Christ saw in him High capabilities : His heart went out To that young man. But it wa…
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1 W. F. Anderson. ST. MATTHEW xx. 28 381 Kingdom must go near to Him at the bottom, to uphold and minister to all that they may or can uphold and minister unto.1 2. Now in order to appreciate the significance of that life of service, we must take into account the introductory words, " The Son of man came." They decl…
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1 L. A. Banks. ST. MATTHEW xx. 28 383 with it the process of ransoming was common, when, for a price paid, slaves received their liberty. The Jews had, besides, numerous forms of ransoming peculiar to their own laws and customs. For example, the firstborn male of every household was, in theory, liable to be a priest,…
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Tj The word " ransom," though not rare in the Old Testament, 1 J. Ker, Thought* for Heart and Life, 148. ST. MATTHEW xx. 28 385 is used in the New Testament, only in this context ; and the English phrase, " a ransom for many," is not likely to be misunder- stood. It means a ransom by means of which many are set free…
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1 W. S. Hackett, The Land of Your Sojourning*, 126. ST. MATTHEW xx. 28 387 beautiful save in its own tastes and nothing great or good save in its own ideals, or pursuing any thoughts which circle round and round the little centre of self, becomes the sure abode of weakness and discontent. Its egotism can end only in …
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ST. MATTHEW xx. 28 389 of safety it seems to him that he sees a form walking on the surface of the water like unto the Divine form of the Son of God. Thus he finds the way to a fellowship with his Lord that is deep and rich, sweet and glorious and divine. The spirit or the teaching of the little poem is thus beautifu…
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(1) " Good " and " goodness " are used in different senses. We say that fruit is good, when it is agreeable to the sense of taste. An article of husbandry is good, when it is happily adapted to the purposes for which it was constructed. Goodness, as existing in the Deity, embraces that principle which leads the Divine …
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Tj With special clearness Dr. Martineau shows that, as the Greek proverb, which Emerson so aptly quotes, well put it, " The Dice of God are always loaded," and goodness must ever in the long run win the victory. It would be difficult to find in English literature a more perfect combination of depth of thought with beau…
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1 iMiircus Dods, The Farable$ of Our Lord, i. 263. ' G. H. Morrison. ST. MATTHEW xxv. 21 399 and as England arose to pay her tribute of honour to the heroic man who had given his life to close the open sore of the world, all eyes were turned to the faithful servant who stood at the head of his grave.1 II. The Rewar…
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1 J. I. Vance, Tendenq/, Ti'i. ST. MATTHEW xxv. 21 401 He gives gold, for iron He gives silver, for stones He gives iron, for a few things He gives many things ! Tf The bounty of the Lord gives enlarged opportunity for energy and usefulness. The " few things " of earth are ito be replaced by " many things " which Di…
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Just to recollect His love, Always true, Always shining from above, Always new ; 1 J. H. Jowctt, Meditations for Quiet Moments, 99. ST. MATTHEW xxv. 21 403 Just to recognize its light All -en folding, Just to claim its present might, All-upholding ; Just to know it as thine own, That no power can take away — Is…
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2. The two earlier parables of judgment refer to those who are in confessed relationship with God. The parable of the Ten Virgins represents the relationship of friendship, — that of people who would share in the joys of God's home, as friends at a wedding feast; the parable of the Talents represents a less intimate re…
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1 J. 0. Dykes, Plain Worth on Grenl Themes, 1G5. 8 J. II. BollowelL 4io UNTO ME eighteen centuries ago. Yea, it is of far greater value, for the gospel of Christ's sympathy has undergone developments of which the recipients of benefit in Capernaum little dreamed. Christ's compassion signified to them that He was a ma…
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There came from out the cloudless sky A hand, the dagger's hilt That caught, and then fell presently Five drops, for mortal guilt Christ's dear wounds once freely spilt: And then a little leaf there fell To that youth's foot through miracle — A leaf whereon was plain These words, these only words enwrit, Enwritten …
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This means that the face of every man and woman and little child we pass in the street — sin-scarred or careworn or tear- stained — must be to us as the very face of Christ. Behind that marred countenance, under that brutalized, besotted husk, lies hidden a beautiful brother, waiting for the manifestation of the sons o…
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1 Tlv>. Life, and Work of the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, 175. 1 W. C. Bennett. ST. MATTHEW xxv. 40 417 learned to practise it an inner peace and glory which nothing else can produce. It is this that determines the value and quality of every action — is it done for Christ and for His glory alone ? Our debt to Him is…
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^[ It is said that old Dr. Alexander, of Princeton College, when a young student used to start out to preach, always gave him a piece of advice. The old man would stand with his grey locks and his venerable face and say, " Young man, make much of the 491 422 THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT blood in your ministry." Now I h…
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3. This new covenant was to be, so the tremendous promise runs on, a spiritual one, an experimental and universal knowledge of God, a covenant of pardon, complete and sure. Jeremiah was allowed to see the covenant only as Moses saw the promised land from Pisgah. He never saw it realized, but he knew that every promise …
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Now it is impossible to suppose that Christ had no reference to the promises made through Jeremiah, and, through them, to the scene at Sinai. His Apostles, at least, so understood His words, " the new covenant in my blood." The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews calls Him the new Moses, mediating a better covenant, f…
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1 D. Smith, The Feast of the Covenant, 52. ST. MATTHEW xxvi. 28 429 you write on a slate and rub it out, some marks are often left. The ancients used a wax tablet. Take one of our common slates and fill it with wax even with the frame, and you will have an ancient wax tablet. A sharp-pointed instrument made the marks…
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ST. MATTHEW xxvi. 28 431 3. Theology has long laboured to explain the death of Christ on the theory that God, not man, was the problem : God's anger rather than man's cleaving to his sin. God was thought of as caring supremely for His outraged law, as indeed being bound by His law, as though law were a Divine Being wi…
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1 J. M. Gibbon. ST. MATTHEW xxvi. 28 433 life is excluded from its scope ; and as is the measure, grade, and perfection of life, such is the measure, grade, and perfection of talvation.1 5. "Shed for many." The terms of the covenant are com- prehensive. The cup commemorates the supreme moment when the barrier betwee…
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When the Eleven saw Him, they, assured now of His resurrec- tion, " worshipped him." But " the others " — the greater part, it may be, of the waiting multitude, who as yet had not themselves seen — "the others doubted." They had expected, we may con- 438 CHRIST'S PARTING CHARGE jecture, to behold clear tokens of unea…
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2. The words "hath been given" point to a definite time when this all-embracing authority was conferred. When was it given ? Let another portion of Scripture answer the ques- tion— "Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead." Then to the Man Jesus wa…
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^[ No system thinks so condemnatorily of human nature as it is, none thinks so glowingly of human nature as it may become, as does the religion of the cross. There are bass notes far down beyond the limits of the scale to which ears dulled by the world and sin and sorrow are sensitive ; and there are clear, high tones,…
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1 H. P. Liddon, Easter in St. Paul's, 398. ST. MATTHEW xxvm. 18-20 445 1| I was hearing the other day the testimony of a Coptic judge in Egypt as to how the very idea of justice had for the first time dawned upon the fellah in Egypt when he saw that he, poor man, was going to get his Nile water, a thing hitherto inco…
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ST. MATTHEW xxvm. 18-20 447 lightness in the whole range of what we call conduct ; in three- fourths, therefore, at the very lowest computation, of human life. The only doubt is whether we ought not to make the range of conduct wider still, and to say it is four-fifths of human life, or five-sixths. But it is better t…
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TJ Charles Lamb said that he sat at his desk in the East India House till the wood had entered his soul, so wooden were his duties. When I think of this I think there is nothing that cannot become monotonous, and again I think of one of the greatest souls that God ever made, pacing the fringe of the Sinaitic desert for…
793 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1910); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.