GOING UP TO JERUSALEM CHRIST FORETELLS HIS PASSION. Read S. Mark x. 32-34. (S. Matt. xx. ; I. Jesus went before them, and they were amazed. They were surprised to see their Master in haste. To what was He hastening? to honour? No: to the cross. To what do I hasten most? To worldly profit, or the following of Christ, and those who follow Him? Acts xx. 16, 22. II. The Son of Man shall be delivered, &c. Ib. 33. Again He foretells His passion, loving to think and speak of it for love of us, as an encouragement to them. Do we suffer? let us suffer with a good will, remembering that Jesus is with us. Acts xx. 22-24. III. They understood none of these things. S. Luke xviii. 34. For they looked for an earthly kingdom and glory; they had not yet learned Christ. If we think but little of Him, it is because we yet cleave to earthly things. But why do I so? the disciple is not above the master. S. Matt. x. 24. Text. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. 1 Cor. ii. 14. OUR LORD'S PREPARING FOR THE SOLEMN GOING UP TO JERUSALEM. Read S. Matt. xxi. 1-7. (S. Mark xi.; S. Luke xix.) I. And Jesus, &c., took the twelve disciples apart. S. Matt. xx. 17. Our Lord knew the plot of the Jews, yet He went openly, of His own free will; giving one more opportunity to acknowledge Him as Messiah. God gives to all grace (Eph. iv. 7); all do not use it. Do I? II. Go ye into the village and ye shall find, &c., say, The Lord hath need. S. Matt. xxi. 2. He shews His Godhead by knowing things unseen: and He sees and knows thee. (Prov. xv. 3.) He is Lord. When He calls on me to subdue a passion, to restrain a desire, do I do so? Think on these words, "The Lord hath need of it;" give it up for His sake. III. The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded. Ib. 6. They asked no question, but immediately obeyed. The owner of the animals heard "The Lord hath need," and he let them go. So desirous were they to please God. Is my will ready to accomplish His inward suggestions? 1 S. John iii. 21, 22. Text. The Lord hath need of them. S. Matt. xxi. 3. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM. Read S. Matt. xxi. 7-11. (S. Mark; S. Luke.) I. They put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon. Ib. Who could have stirred up such praises for one so lowly and humble, except God, who moves the hearts of all? He only can make me rightly esteem that which is truly good, above all, Christ Himself. Ps. xxix., cx. II. They cried, saying, Hosanna, &c. Ib. 9. The three great proofs of devotion were given by these people: the love of the heart; the praises of the mouth; the works of their hands. Do, then, my own words and works come forth of a pure and loving and believing heart? Rom. x. 10. III. Behold, thy King cometh unto thee. Ib. 5. Imagine thyself bidden to meet Him. To me He comes, for atonement, redemption, sanctification, salvation; to me, miserable and vile! See that thou open to Him the gates of thy heart, that the King of glory may come in. Zech. ix. 9; xiv. 5. Text. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in. Rev. iii. 20. For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 301. THE ENVIOUS WORDS OF THE PHARISEES. Read S. John xii. 16-19. (S. Luke xix. 37-40.) I. Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Ib. 19. With all their malice, they were obliged to confess their own nothingness. If others envy thee, they can do nothing without the will of God; if others obtain praise, see thou envy them not. Ps. xlix. 16. II. The Pharisees said, Master, rebuke Thy disciples. S. Luke xix. 39. They seek their evil end through the humility of Christ, calling Him "Master," as if they revered Him. Yet now should not His real disciples praise their Lord? Envy and such evil passions see every thing amiss; Lord, put this spirit far from me. Tit. i. 15. III. If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Ib. 40. How can they be silent whose mouths God has opened? Even the hardest heart God may soften by His grace. Has He not tried to soften mine? how often have I withstood His grace! S. Matt. xii. 34; Ps. cxiv. 7, 8. Charity envieth not. Text. 1 Cor. xiii. 4. CHRIST WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM. Read S. Luke xix. 41-44 (and see the Lamentations of Jeremiah). I. And when He was come near, He beheld the city,. and wept over it. Ib. 41. In Jerusalem He saw a figure of the whole world; yes, even of thee. He knew that His grace was sufficient (S. John v. 40), if men would use it. But if not, His grace is in vain. II. If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, &c. Ib. 42. The blindness of men brought tears to the eyes of the Lord. This is thy day, even this life; then shall be the day of the Lord. Open, then, mine eyes, O Lord, that I may see. John ix. 4; Heb. ix. 27. S. III. The days shall come upon thee that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, &c. Ib. 43. Our sins pave the way for the judgments of God. In that day the enemies of the soul and the remembrance of his own sins shall hedge in the sinner who hath not known or used aright the day of grace. 1 Tim. v. 24. Receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. vi. 1. |