What Do You Think About the Christ?1
Matthew 22:15-46
15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle [Jesus] in his words. 16And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.”
People who wish to catch us in their traps begin with flattery. Let us beware of sweet compliments.
17“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (By using a Roman coin, they confessed they were subject to Caesar’s authority, and obligated to keep Roman law. Civil rulers are to be obeyed in civil things, but they must not interfere with religion, that is under God’s authority alone. If governments understood this, it would be a great blessing to both Church and State.) 22When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
23The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, 24“saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27After them all, the woman died. 28In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”
29But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”
This decisive answer shut the mouths of the Sadducees and showed the Savior’s infinite superiority over their imagined wisdom.
33And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’”?
45If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” (This was a puzzling question for the Pharisees. They had no answer for Jesus and so he left the field victorious over all his foes.) 46And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
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1 Matthew 22:42
Year Two, July 2
Lord, Who Has Believed What He Heard From Us?1
Mark 12:38-44
38And in his teaching [Jesus] said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (Notice the honesty of Jesus. He never shied away from declaring the truth about the most distinguished people in the land. No fear of people ever stopped him from speaking out. The reason he rebuked the scribes was their pride; their pride in what they wore, their pride in their position in society, and their pride in their outward display of religion. Let us avoid these things, because the Lord despises them. Will pardoned sinners be proud? May it never be!)
41And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (How often do we hear people talk of “giving their mite,”2 when they know that they are doing no such thing. This poor woman gave everything she had, where do we find givers like that today? We must measure our generosity not by what we give, but by what remains. Jesus “sat down opposite the treasury” and he is still sitting there. He sees what we bring to him and knows whether it is a fair portion of what he blesses us with. He does not measure our offerings by their amount, but by the will of the giver.)
John 12:37-50
37Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn
and I would heal them.”
Their continued sin and pride brought on the righteous judgment of spiritual blindness. They could not understand even the plainest truth. Have we believed in Jesus? If not, is there not a great danger that we will also be blinded?
41Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. (John is referring to the sixth chapter of Isaiah. It is worth noting that the prophet says, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne,” and that he heard the seraphim adore him.3 John quotes this passage, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as referring to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is Lord and God.4) 42Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (It is sad when people are such shameful cowards that they are ashamed to acknowledge God as the Lord of glory, because they fear the retaliation of others.)
44And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
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1 John 12:38 quoting Isaiah 53:1
2 The King James Version has “two mites” where the English Standard Version has “two small copper coins.” Spurgeon’s comment is a reference to the misuse of this KJV verse even today.
3 From Isaiah 6:1-3
4 Isaiah 6:3, “And one of the [seraphim] called to another and said, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’”
Year Two, July 3
Beware Of Practicing Your Righteousness Before Other People In Order To Be Seen By Them1
Matthew 23:1-12; 23-31
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (“Do as he says and not as he does.” What a sad commentary. A teacher who deserves to have this said about them is in an unfortunate and dangerous situation. May the Lord deliver us from such teachers.) 4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries2 broad and their fringes long, 6and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi (or teacher or master) by others. (The love of praise and approval is a very common sin and one into which we may easily fall. Let us pray to be kept from seeking honor from people in our religious or charitable acts. The effect of such a motive will be most harmful. Self-serving makes even goodness a sin.)
8“But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9And call no man your father on earth for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. (All titles and honors in the church that elevate people and open the door for pride are forbidden here. In the Christian church we should seek to achieve a truer “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity,” than that which the world hopelessly demands.3) 11The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! (Strong words to illustrate the fact that the scribes and Pharisees emphasized unimportant details while neglecting the truly important things. They strained out gnats from their wine, but cared nothing about huge sins.)
25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. (We have here much the same teaching as we have read before. The faults condemned are hard to get rid of, so the Savior exposes them repeatedly. He was not ashamed to preach on the same topic many times when there was need to do so. Let us learn from this passage to avoid all self-seeking and hypocrisy in religion. May the Lord make us true and humble.)
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1 Matthew 6:1
2 phylactery - a small leather box containing Hebrew scripture. It was worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law. The Pharisees made their boxes larger to make them more conspicuous to show how much more religious they supposedly were.
3 “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity [or brotherhood],” became the national motto of France in 1789 during the so-called “Age of Enlightenment.”
1 Matthew 6:1
2 phylactery - a small leather box containing Hebrew scripture. It was worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law. The Pharisees made their boxes larger to make them more conspicuous to show how much more religious they supposedly were.
3 “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity [or brotherhood],” became the national motto of France in 1789 during the so-called “Age of Enlightenment.”
Year Two, July 4
The One Who Endures To the End Will Be Saved1
Mark 13:1-12
1And as [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (They thought he would be as impressed with the magnificent architecture as they were, but he looked on the temple with very different eyes. To Jesus, nothing was beautiful that was polluted with sin.) 2And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Our Lord looked ahead to the complete overthrow of the rebellious city with great sorrow. He warned his disciples, so that when the evil day came, they would be prepared for it. When they later looked back on his prophecy, their faith in him was confirmed.)
3And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. (It was only the beginning of troubles, compared with the overwhelming destruction that would sweep over the city of Jerusalem and the nation of the Jews.)
9“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. (However much they fought against each other, the various groups among the Jews would come together against the followers of Jesus and seek to crush them with all of their combined power.) 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. (They would be persecuted, but they would conquer. The gospel would be proclaimed over the entire world. Neither humans nor devils could stop its progress.) 11And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Those whom Jesus calls to be his spokespersons will have complete instructions from him as well as divine help in proclaiming his cause. All the books of the martyrs of the faith clearly show how this promise has been most faithfully fulfilled. Poor and illiterate people have baffled the learned intellectuals in debate, as the Holy Spirit helped them to fearlessly proclaim the truth.)
12“And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.” (Saddest of all is the betrayal of good people by their own relatives, but they have had to endure this for Jesus’ sake. Ought we not to be able to put up with those insignificant persecutions that, in these times, are all that the enemy can do against us? Sneers, teasing, and slanders are light crosses compared with those that the martyrs carried.)
Matthew 24:11-13
11“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (Evils never come alone. While the church will be persecuted by those on the outside, it will be disturbed within by heretics, and weakened by a lack of love and zeal.) 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (This sums it all up. Come what may, if we hold on we will conquer evil. Lord, give us continuing grace.)
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1 Matthew 24:13
Year Two, July 5
My Words Will Not Pass Away1
Our Lord warned his disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem, so that they could escape from the slaughter.
Matthew 24:15-35
15“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (The disciples followed his advice when the armies began to surround Jerusalem. They escaped to the little mountain town known as Pella that is located between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem were slain by the Romans.) 17Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. (They were not to stay even long enough to save their personal property, but flee for their lives at once.) 19And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!
20“Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you beforehand. 26So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. (Up to this point our Lord was speaking about the siege of Jerusalem. After this he was referring to the last great day.)
29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
This is the glorious appearing of our Lord at the end of this age. No sun or moon will be needed when he shines forth. His glory will be brighter than the sun in the heavens. He will find the nations still unsaved and their judgment will be horrible. If Jesus were to return right now, would we have reason to mourn, or could we meet him with peace in our hearts?
31“And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (The elect will be saved from the terrible destruction, but as soon as they are removed, wrath will begin on the ungodly.
Our Lord then resumed talking about the overthrow of Jerusalem. He warned his disciples to watch for the signs of the times.)
32“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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1 Matthew 24:35
Year Two, July 6
Behold, I Am Coming Soon1
The apostles had asked the Lord about the day of his coming, “Tell us, when will these things be?” His answer is contained in today’s reading.
Matthew 24:36-51
36“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Here is the reason we should not let the pointless prophecies about the end of the world trouble us. They may claim to be interpretations of Scripture, but rest assured, if the angels of heaven do not know, then it certainly has not been revealed to these hare-brained fanatics. “The veil that covers the face of the future is woven by the hand of mercy.”2 Let us not tolerate those who try to tear the curtain away and look into the future. Augustine said it well, “God will not allow man to have knowledge of things to come, because if he could foresee his successes he would be careless. And if he could foresee his difficulties he would be hopeless.”3 The day of the Lord will find many unprepared and will make a final division in the human race.)
37“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. (Therefore coworkers will not necessarily be companions in eternity. The worker who loved the Lord will live in glory while his fellow worker who lived and died an unbeliever will perish forever.) 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.”
Friends and even family members must be separated as far apart as heaven is from hell, unless their hearts have been renewed by grace.
42“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
John Wesley was once asked by a lady, “Suppose that you knew that you were to die at twelve o’clock tomorrow night, how would you spend the intervening time?” “How, madam?” he replied, “why just as I intend to spend it now. I should preach this night at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning. After that I should ride to Tewkebury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I should then go to friend Martin’s house, who expects to entertain me, converse and pray with the family, as usual, retire to my room at ten o’clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory.”4 To be prepared for the coming of Jesus does not mean leaving our daily occupations and standing around gazing upward to heaven. We would do better to continue in faithful service to our Lord with grace in our hearts.
45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (When those who only profess to be Christians neglect their own work, they often become judgmental of true Christians, and cruelly criticize them. They would not do this if they remembered that the Lord is close at hand and will visit such evils with the severest punishment.)
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1 Revelation 22:12
2 “The veil which covers the face of futurity is woven by the hand of mercy.” Or, In His mercy, God has kept the future hidden from us. Author unknown, but it was quoted by others as early as 1852.
3 Augustine was a theologian and bishop in Africa during the late fourth and early fifth centuries.
4 John Wesley (1703-1791) was ordained in the Anglican Church. He is credited, along with his brother Charles, with founding the Methodist Church.
Year Two, July 7
Here Is the Bridegroom!1
As our Savior continued to instruct his disciples about the fearful judgment of the last great day, he included this instructive parable.
Matthew 25:1-13
1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.”
These are the bridesmaids who went out to meet the Bridegroom. They represent all who profess to belong to the church and are waiting for the coming of the Lord.
2“Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. (“The oil that the wise virgins carried in their flasks, as different from the oil that burned in their lamps, points to the Holy Spirit, and to a spirit of grace and prayer that lives in a believer’s heart. The lighted lamps that all ten virgins took with them indicate that all had experienced conviction for their sins and had made a profession of faith. But some had nothing more than conviction and profession, while others had passed from death to life, and had received that life which is hid with Christ in God.”2)
5“As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. (They fell asleep either because they had grown tired or because they were simply lazy.) 6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. (When the Lord is announced to be close at hand all types of professors begin to examine themselves to see if they are really ready for his presence.) 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9“But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ (As an old friend says, “They turn themselves to the wise, whom, perhaps, they had lately laughed at, with the request ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ If they are Catholics, they pray to the dead saints. If they are Protestants, they go to living persons who they reverence as saintly, wise, and filled with grace, and they plead, ‘Help us, comfort us, pray for us, so that we may be brought into a state of grace.’ But it is to no avail. The wise answer, ‘No. There is not enough for us and you. What you desire is impossible. None of us has any surplus merit that we can spare you.’”3)
10“And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ (Their fate was heartbreaking indeed! They were so close to heaven and yet lost, so much associated with saints and yet shut out of their happiness. It is useless to be a hearer of the word, a reader of the Bible, a member of a church, or a teacher of others, unless the oil of grace is in our hearts.) 13Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (“Life is short, time is fleeting, death comes quickly, judgment is certain, and eternity is long. Therefore, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’”4)
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1 Matthew 25:
2The Parables of Our Lord by William Arnot, published in 1865. Spurgeon and Arnot were friends.
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
Year Two, July 8
The Master of Those Servants Came and Settled Accounts With Them1
Continuing to warn us of his coming, our Lord gave us the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25:14-30
14“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (We all have some talent. It may be only one, but we are responsible for it. Are we using it to the measure of our ability? Many wish they had more talents, but this is wrong. The Lord has entrusted us with just the number of gifts we can handle properly. Our great concern should be to be found faithful managers of that which has been placed in our care.)
16“He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
He probably thought that because he could not do much he would not do anything. There are thousands who think the same way. They believe that their little is not needed and will never be missed, and therefore they make no attempt to serve their Lord. Are we like that?
19“Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ (Deep down in all unregenerate hearts there lurks the idea that God is too severe on poor erring mortals, and that he expects more of them than is reasonable. If that is what they think, then it should motivate them to greater carefulness in obeying the Lord. Their knowledge of what the Lord demands will make their disobedience all the more criminal.) 26But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I had not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28“So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (He was not rebellious, just lazy, but that condemned him. How does this dreadful truth apply to us? Let us examine ourselves and see.)
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1 Matthew 25:19
Year Two, July 9
Let Your Steadfast Love, O LORD, Be Upon Us1
May our hearts pay serious attention while we read our Lord’s own account of the Day of Judgment.
Matthew 25:31-46
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. (We are mixed together here, but the sharp eye of the Great Shepherd will detect our real characters and place us in one or other of the two flocks into which all humanity will be divided. There will be no middle group. We will be placed with either saints or sinners in that day. To which do we now belong?)
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (These are all acts of love; not one of them consists of words or official rituals. The truest worship of God is charity to the needy. Does not the apostle James tell us, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”2)
37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ (They did these acts of love without trying to draw attention to themselves. They did not consider them important enough for others to congratulate them over. But the Judge of heaven and earth saw them as excellent and will declare them publicly before men and angels. They had only been kind to poor and afflicted people and women and were surprised to hear the Lord regarded their actions as done to him.) 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (The Lord honors true charity! “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD.”3 Who would not show kindness to their Redeemer?)
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’”
They were not condemned for what they had done wrong, but for what they had not done at all. Sins of omission are unmistakable proof of lack of grace, especially neglecting those responsibilities that common humanity requires of all of us.
44“Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ (They were self-righteous and could not see their faults. They were more than happy to justify themselves. Those who deny their sins may be sure that they are of the goats.) 45Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
There is no temporary punishment any more than there is temporary reward. As sure as heaven is everlasting, so is hell. Flee, oh flee from the wrath to come.
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1 Psalm 33:22
2 James 1:27
3 Proverbs 19:17
Year Two, July 10
If Anyone Hears My Voice and Opens the Door, I Will Come in to Him1
Matthew 26:1-5; 14-16
1When Jesus had finished all these saying, he said to his disciples, 2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. (“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered, against the Lord and against his Anointed.”2 Oh, that the friends of Jesus were half as dedicated to agreeing on efforts to glorify him as these men were when they decided to put him to death.) 5But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
The enemies of Christ’s cause have never stopped using unfairness and treachery to oppose him. The truth is not afraid of the light of day, but evil is dishonest and works by secret plots. The opponents of the gospel continue to use deceitfulness in their attempts to harm Jesus. Let us, like our Lord, oppose their cunning with nothing except holy courage and the clear truth.
14Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. (The price of a slave. This showed the contempt the rulers had for Jesus and the greediness of Judas, who sold out his Master for so small an amount. How amazingly this agrees with the voice of prophecy in Zechariah, “And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver.” “The lordly price at which I was priced by them.”3 It is to be feared that thousands are selling Jesus for a price less than Judas received. A smile from the world has been enough of a bribe to persuade many to turn their back on the Lord.) 16And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Mark 14:12-16
12And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (They knew that their Lord observed all the commands of the law. It was usual for the residents of Jerusalem to lend their rooms to strangers, so because he had no house of his own, the disciples asked Jesus where he would celebrate the feast.) 13And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” (Jesus had a secret enemy among his friends, but he also had a secret friend in the city of his enemies. The time had now come for both to be identified. How people view the death of Jesus reveals what is really in their hearts. Luke tells us the two disciples Jesus sent were Peter and John.4 This experience must have convinced them that Jesus knew all things, as well as strengthened their belief that his prophecy about his death would be fulfilled. They would look back on this and understand that Jesus had voluntarily submitted himself to the death that awaited him.) 16And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The room in which Jesus was entertained represents a heart where the Lord comes in to dine.5 Such a heart grows by grace with love, joy, and gratitude. It is an upper room lifted above the world and sin. It is prepared and furnished by the Holy Spirit. And it freely welcomes the great Teacher who comes to feast with his beloved. Lord, make our hearts like this upper room and we will welcome both you and your disciples into our truest love.
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1 Revelation 3:20
2 Acts 4:26 quoting Psalm 2:2
3 Zechariah 11:12, 13
4 Luke 22:8
5 Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Year Two, July 11
He Loved Them to the End1
Luke 22:14-18; 24-30
14And when the hour came, [Jesus] reclined at table, and the apostles with him. (The custom of that day was to recline on a couch during meals rather than sitting upright at a table.) 15And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (He had a strong desire to fellowship with those he loved and to finish his great work by becoming the lamb of God’s Passover.) 16For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (The reason for celebrating the Passover was now coming to an end. Our Lord observed the outward sign the night before it was supposed to be observed, because the true Passover would be fulfilled the next day. This change was a sign that the Passover had grown old and was ready to vanish away.)
17And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
While the thoughts of the Master were about his nearing sufferings, it is painful to find that the apostles were arguing about who would be the greatest among them. Regrettably, that is human nature!
24A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
How sweetly did he end their envious debate with his words. But he went further and dealt it a final death blow by his humble acts recorded in:
John 13:1-19
1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
No comment is needed and we have given none. Let us practice what is so clearly taught here.
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1 John 13:1
Year Two, July 12
Is It I, Lord?1
John 13:21-30
21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (It must have troubled him as he quoted the words of David, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”2 Someone who has been deserted by his friend and betrayed by a dearly loved companion will best be able to sympathize with the Lord. How different he was from us when he was betrayed. He did not turn on the traitor in anger and take him to task to his face. He simply made a general reference about one of them who was there. It was as if he was gently hinting to Judas that he knew about his agreement with the Jewish leaders and was giving him an opportunity to repent of his evil plan against his innocent victim. It was a hard heart that could be hardened in the face of that tender and compassionate warning.) 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. (We read that they each one said, “Is it I, Lord?” No one suspected anyone else. No one thought of Judas. It is good when we take warnings personally:
“If a traitor was found amidst the privileged few,
If in Jesus’ own presence a Judas was nigh;
Let my poor startled conscience this moment renew,
The anxious enquiry of ‘Lord, is it I?’”)
23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, (With true humility John does not identify himself. But fondly remembering how his Master favored him, he uses a name dearer to him than the name his father gave him. To be called the disciple “whom Jesus loved” was a greater honor than to be an emperor.) 24so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. (If any person may expect to know the secret of the Lord, it is the disciple who lives in fellowship with his Lord. That person may ask questions when others would not dare to.) 25So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. (And yet the hardened sinner was not moved to repentance. He was indeed, “the son of destruction.”3 Yet Jesus gave him a morsel of bread from his own dish. Outward gifts from the Lord’s hand are not always proofs of love. There was only one traitor at the table and he was the only one given a morsel of bread from Christ’s own hand. Do not envy those ungodly people who receive the most delicious portions. They are only eating to their own judgment.)
27Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. (Judas was greatly irritated about being discovered. He was already a devil in his greediness, so Satan came to him and filled him with vengefulness.) Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (He did not tell him to do it, but since he was determined to do it anyway, he told him to waste no time.)
(Oh, the praiseworthy meekness of the Lamb of God! Not one angry word fell from his lips. Why are we so full of wrath when people mistreat us?) 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. (This shows that the Redeemer showed no resentment. He spoke so calmly that the disciples thought he was talking about some ordinary business.) 30So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Leave you? No, my dearest Savior,
You whose blood my pardon bought;
Slight your mercy, scorn your favor?
Perish such an impious thought:
Leave you--never!
Where for peace could I apply?
But, O Lord, you know my weakness,
Know how prone I am to stray;
God of love, of truth, of meekness,
Guide and keep me in your way;
Blessed Redeemer!
Let me never from you stray.4
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1 Matthew 26:22
2 Psalm 41:9
3 John 17:12
4 Found in 19th century hymnbooks. Author unknown.
Year Two, July 13
Love One Another1
John 13:31-37
31When [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. (In spirit Jesus had already won. He had suffered unimaginable pain at the sight of Judas, but his soul had prevailed over the situation, and he was provided with confidence that there would be complete victory in the battle that lay before him. The traitor was also driven out of his church. This was a picture of the prophecy about the defeat of Antichrist.) 32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. (His eye is on the glory as he enters into his suffering and death. “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.”2)
33“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ (Now that Judas is gone, he opens his heart, and speaks to the eleven using the tender term “little children.” He tells them that they are not to die with him just now. For the time being, they cannot follow him into heaven. They must wait below. As one of his last words to them, he teaches them how to behave toward one another in his absence by giving them the law of love.) 34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” (Peter would die a martyr’s death one day, but not just then. This should have satisfied and silenced him, but his loving heart outran his judgment.) 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Luke 22:31-38
31“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (This solemn warning and these gracious words were intended to put the bold disciple on his guard. But he was self-confident and again strongly declared how willing he was to follow his Master.) 33Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (Never was anyone more wholehearted and sincere, but the Lord knew he would change his mind. Let none of us talk of what we will do, but pray for grace to do it.)
35And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. (Everything had changed. No one would entertain them now, but everyone would harm them. They would be like people who needed to defend themselves against deadly enemies. However, as we will see immediately, he did not mean that they were to fight with actual weapons. It was only an indication that they would be attacked by force.) 37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
38And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (If they were literally to fight, two swords would not be enough. However, two swords were enough to get the Savior’s point across. They represented their aggressive stance. From this point on, the disciples were to go out as warriors to conquer the world. Peter used one sword without thinking and his Lord told him to put it away. Armed force was not to be used. There was another sword to brandish. It was the Word of God by which nations are overcome.)
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1 John 13:34
2 Hebrews 12:2
Year Two, July 14
Do This In Remembrance of Me1
On the night when he was betrayed our divine Lord established what we call the Lord’s Supper. It continually serves to remind his people of his death and is to be celebrated until he comes again.
Matthew 26:26-30
26Now as they were eating, (That is to say, while the Passover feast was still going on. He was showing his disciples that the old Passover was to fade away and be replaced with the new Passover, that is, the Lord’s supper that remembers the true Lamb of God.) Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (He could not have meant that the bread was actually his body, because he was reclining at the table in his own body, and he could not have two bodies. Nobody could misunderstand these words of Jesus unless they wanted to, or were so lacking in reason that they could not understand anything. Jesus obviously meant the bread represented his body and that it was a constant reminder that the Son of God had come in a human body.) 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you.”
As if he anticipated that the Roman Catholic Church would take the cup away from the people, Jesus expressly told each of them to drink from it. A command given in the plainest language is no guarantee that it will be kept by those who want to follow the path of error.
28“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (The cup was the informative symbol of his blood, because it was filled with the blood of the grape. Jesus is food and drink to his people. He is their necessary food and their delicious dessert; their basic need of life and their delight and joy. How sweet to think that the memorial of our dying Lord is not a sad funeral, but a celebration of our rest in Jesus. It is not a superstitious ritual, but a simple and joyful time of remembering. It is a pity that some Christians kneel during these services and miss the instruction that an easy reclining or sitting position would have given them. In Jesus, believers have entered into rest.) 29I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Jesus had no need for symbols, but they are useful for us. We will be with him before long and enjoy the reality that the bread and wine can only weakly represent.)
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Brave was the heart that could sing with death before him. Surely the hymn they sang was a battle psalm that defied death and hell. In the same way let us sing in all times of trial and temptation and in that way glorify our God.
The apostle Paul gives us a full description of this Supper, which he received by direct revelation. He writes in
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner (without faith, great respect, and an open heart before God), will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment (or condemnation) on himself. (If we only see the bread and cup without understanding they represent the body and blood of the Lord, then we are insulting his Supper. The Supper is intended to involve our heart as well as our mouth. Otherwise it is not accomplishing what the Lord intended. Let us pay great attention to this and be concerned about how we behave at the Lord’s table.)
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1 1 Corinthians 11:24
Year Two, July 15
Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled1
After the Supper was over our Lord spoke to his disciples in words full of loving concern for them. He knew that his absence would cause them great distress and therefore he poured out a stream of comfort. How many thousands of troubled believers have been comforted by these gracious words? All Scripture is like a garden of sweet flowers, but this passage may be compared to the rose, because of its marvelous beauty and sweetness.
John 14:1-14
1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (Though I die do not doubt me. Trust in your Savior as you trust in your God.) 2In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (His absence would not cause them grief if they thought about the mission on which he had gone. We can manage without the bodily presence of Jesus on this planet, because we know he has gone to prepare our eternal resting place.) 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4And you know the way to where I am going.”
5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (Thomas probably thought our Lord was going to Nazareth or Galilee or some distant place to be anointed king and prepare places for his followers. Therefore, in his calm, thoughtful, practical way, he was asking for more information. He did not know that the Lord was talking about his return to glory.) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
Another good disciple showed his ignorance. He still did not understand the idea of the total oneness of the Father and the Son.
9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (Until the Spirit of God illuminates the mind even the best teachers cannot teach us much. God was clearly in Christ, but Philip could not grasp such an idea.) 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. (What can these words possibly mean if Jesus is not God and one with the Father? No clearer statement of his Godhead could be given.)
12“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
As God, the Lord Jesus not only had infinite power in himself, but he was able to delegate it to others. His apostles performed great miracles and his believing disciples worked mighty spiritual works. As a result, more converts were brought to the faith by their testimony than were converted during the personal ministry of the Lord himself. This was because the Lord ascended into glory and the Spirit of God was given more fully.
13“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (“Good prayers,” says Bishop Hall, “never come crying home. I am sure that I will either receive what I ask for or what I should have asked for.”2 If the best of blessings are to be had for the asking, then the person who will not ask deserves not to have them.)
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1 John 14:1
2 Bishop Joseph Hall (1574-1656).
Year Two, July 16
If You Love Me, You Will Keep My Commandments1
We needed to pause in the middle of that delightful fourteenth chapter of John. Let us now read the last half of it.
John 14:15-31
15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
We should pay close attention to this short verse. True love to Jesus always shows itself by obedience. All other love is just talk and betrays a hypocritical heart. Are we giving proof of our love to Jesus every day by doing as he has commanded us?
16“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (The Holy Spirit is careful to keep the name of the gracious Judas, or Jude as he is sometimes called, from being confused with that of the traitor. Our characters are safe in his keeping. Judas asked a very proper question. How is it that the Lord shows himself to us and not to others? Often, when overwhelmed with a sense of the Lord’s love to us, we have been ready to ask the same question, and say, “Why me, Lord? Why me?”) 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Here is the reason for the Lord’s special closeness to us. It is a special and shared love. The Father and the Son love to remain where they are welcomed by humble and loving hearts. These hearts are rooms that they, themselves, have prepared for their own use.
24“Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (Therefore, value the Holy Spirit and listen to his teaching at all times.) 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (He was closing in on the time of his own sufferings. Yet his main concern was to cheer the hearts of the dear ones he was about to leave. He did not have one selfish thought.) 28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” (With determined footsteps he advanced to his agony. He did not wait to be captured. He was a willing victim and went forward to take up his cross.)
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1 John 14:15
Year Two, July 17
He Will Give You Another Helper1
Our reading is taken from our Lord’s parting words in the upper room. They are full of very precious things. They are a mine of wealth and a treasure house of gems.
John 16:1-15
1“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. (This warning has been proven completely accurate. The blood of martyrs has flowed in rivers. Yet the Church has not resented her Lord. He is so glorious that she follows him even to prison and to death.) 4But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.”
And because he was with them they were safe. But now that he was about to leave them, they would need to be on their guard even more.
5“But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. (They were too overcome with grief at what he had told them to be able to ask any more questions. We see here an evil that is often connected with excessive sorrow; the eyes cannot see realities that are full of comfort.) 7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
If Jesus were here in one place, not all of us could reach him. This is one reason the presence of the Holy Spirit is more valuable than if the Redeemer were on earth bodily. The Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit can be in all of the assemblies of the saints at the same time. He can teach all the disciples of the Lord at the same time. He can assist us to pray and inspire tens of thousands of praises at the same time. He can apply the word of God with power to millions of hearts at the same instant. The glory of the church is the unchanging power of the Holy Spirit that comforts the church and influences the world.
8“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.”
Not believing in Jesus is the most monstrous of all sins. It reveals the heart’s deep hatred to God. Without question, people are enemies to God because they would rather die than be saved God’s way.
10“Concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer.”
By raising Jesus from the dead and receiving him into glory, God proved that Jesus was perfect and that he accepted him as righteous.
11“Concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
The life, death, and teachings of Jesus pronounce the clearest judgment on the powers of evil and their unfruitful works.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”
You are not yet baptized with the Spirit and are therefore not able to understand the higher mysteries.
13“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
May the Holy Spirit reveal to us the person, work, and love of Jesus. He can teach the slowest student. His teachings all tend to glorify Jesus. They are not new, but the doctrines2 of Jesus sent home to the heart. Most blessed Spirit, teach each one of us!
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1 John 14:16
2 doctrine - the belief or teaching of a church or group.
Year Two, July 18
Your Sorrow Will Turn Into Joy1
Our Lord continued to cheer and warn the little group around him. He told them about the sorrows they might expect and of the comfort that would be given them.
John 16:16-33
16“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” (Because the Holy Spirit would open their eyes, they would see Jesus in the truest sense, and would be prepared to see him in glory forever.) 17So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18So they were saying, “What does he mean by a ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. (When the Lord was gone his disciples were full of grief, but as soon as his great representative, the Comforter, had come to them, they were filled with holy joy. A great victory was won when the Lord ascended and “gave gifts to men.”2)
21“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (The saints no longer sorrow over the departure of their Lord, because they see the joyful result of his death, resurrection and ascension. They are filled with a holy delight that cannot be discouraged by persecution.)
23“In that day you will ask nothing of me. (They would be so well instructed that they would no longer ask him childish questions. The Holy Spirit would lead them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom.) Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (Blessed assurance. This promise is sealed with a double “Truly, truly!” Who will dare to doubt the power of prayer?) 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (They had not yet learned the power of the name of Jesus. But when taught by the Spirit they would plead the name of Jesus with great success.)
25“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?”
By asking them this question, Jesus reminded them that their faith was not as strong as they thought it was. When we are not under immediate trial or temptation, we imagine our faith is much stronger than it really is.
32“Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (We have found our Lord’s words to be true. We have had tribulation in this world. Therefore, we should be confident that the rest of his words are also true. He has overcome the world!)
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1 John 16:20
2 Ephesians 4:7-8, “Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’”
Year Two, July 19
I Glorified You on Earth1
We have listened to our Lord’s farewell sermon; we will now hear his farewell prayer. Melanchthon2 says of it, “There is no voice which has ever been heard either in heaven or on earth, more exalted, more holy, more fruitful, more majestic than this prayer offered by the Son of God himself.” Beyond all other forms of prayer it deserves to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Our time will only permit us to read one half of it on this occasion, but we will meditate on the remainder the next time we gather at the family altar.
John 17:1-12
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, (Our Lord, with holy calmness, looked into the face of the Father. John, who rarely records the gestures of his beloved Lord, saw his eye glancing upward and never forgot that impressive look. As Jesus looked up he prayed), and said, “Father, the hour has come; (The Father knew this, but Jesus loved to have fellowship with his Father in that knowledge. Prayer is not only the asking for favors, it is the uniting of the soul with God, the drawing of the heart close to the Lord. Our Lord went on to cry), glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. (All people are in the hands of the Mediator--this is the universal application of his redemption. However, he will save only his own people--this is the special application of it.)
3“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Do we know by experience what this eternal life is? Do we know the only true God and Jesus Christ “whom he has sent”? Let your conscience answer. It is worth noticing that this is the only time that Jesus refers to himself as Jesus Christ, which means, the Anointed Savior.) 4I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
6“I have manifested your name to the people, whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. (The special blessings that our Lord prayed for would not be appreciated by the ungodly world even if they could have them. Therefore our Lord does not ask his Father to give these favors to anyone except his own disciples. He especially asks that his beloved ones may be kept from the evil of the world. A prayer like this could not be offered for those who are themselves the cause of the evil and who are living in sin.)
10“All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. (This prayer is made as if Jesus was in the Most Holy Place in the temple. The Savior pleads as if he had already ascended into the heavens.) Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” (The Redeemer’s request is that his people may be kept from sin. We should be careful to behave ourselves to avoid going astray and do something that would grieve the heart of our Lord. If he pleaded with God that we might be kept from sin, God forbid that we should take pleasure in it.)
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1 John 17:4
2 Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) A professor at Wittenberg in Germany who Martin Luther influenced. He joined the Protestant Reformation and was one of the movement’s first theologians.
Year Two, July 20
You…Have Loved Them Even as You Loved Me1
At this time we will read the rest of our Lord’s departing prayer. May the Holy Spirit guide each one of us to understand what it means.
John 17:13-26
Our Lord had already said to his Father, “I am coming to you,” but his desire to be with the Father was so great, he repeats himself.
13“But now I am coming to you, (Our Lord clearly expected victory as he approached his death. His joy over that victory was great and he wanted those he loved to share in that joy.) and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (Jesus taught the words of the Father. It is through his truth that believers become, “Holy to the Lord.”2) 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
He has given us the job of glorifying the Father through the salvation of people who have had the gospel proclaimed to them. The pierced hands of Jesus have authorized each one of us to look after the eternal good of those around us. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”3
19“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (“Christ set himself apart as a sacrifice for his people.”4 He did this for the sake of his own elect whom the Father chose “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”5)
20“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (Where there is real grace in the heart, the unity of Christ’s church is obvious to everyone. Those who are truly spiritual are one. No denomination or label can divide them. One touch of grace has made all the saints more than family members, they are one body in Christ.) 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
These two verses make one wonderful sentence. The Father loves his chosen just like he loves Jesus. Wonder of wonders! Unspeakable grace!
24“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. (It is the Son of God who pleads, “Father, I desire.” Therefore we may be sure that his request will be granted. All who are resting in Jesus will soon be with him in glory.) 25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Our dear Redeemer approached the awful agony that preceded his death by thinking about his oneness with his church. Was ever such a prayer heard before or since, either in heaven or on earth?)
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1 From John 17:23
2 Zechariah 14:20
3 2 Corinthians 5:20
4 Matthew Poole
5 Ephesians 1:4
Year Two, July 21
His Sweat Became Like Great Drops of Blood1
Mark 14:32-42
32And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” (Company gives comfort to a heavy heart. The disciples could not take part in any of our Lord’s sufferings, but they could have supported him while he prayed.) 33And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” (He wanted them close by, but not too close. His sorrow was not to be seen by mortals. The Man of Sorrows now began to enter the great depths of trial.) 35And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Blessed prayer! His sweet acceptance of the Father’s will should be an example to every child of God when they are tempted or tried.) 37And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Luke tells us, Jesus “found them sleeping for sorrow.”2 Their kind Master, knowing this, was ready with an excuse for them, and did not scold them when they appeared to not care about him.)
39And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. (In the book of Luke we read, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”3 Oh, the amazing griefs that were laid on Jesus when he became sin for us.4 We bless him with all our hearts for the excruciating pain he endured for us.) 41And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Matthew 26:47-56
47While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” (The traitor continued to mix a hypocritical respect with his disloyalty. Those who betray Jesus today tend to act the same way. Our reaction to such a kiss of betrayal would probably be anger. Yet our gentle Lord spoke not one harsh word. His gentleness endured to the end.) Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Where was brave Peter now? Where was John, the disciple “whom Jesus loved”? Alas, poor human nature! Let none of us imagine that we would have done any better. These fleeing disciples warn us to pray that we may be kept faithful in the hour of trial.
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1 Luke 22:44
2 Luke 22:45
3 Luke 22:44
4 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in [Christ] we might become the righteousness of God.”
Year Two, July 22
Peter Was Following Him at a Distance1
Matthew 26:57-75
57Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. (Jesus’ enemies were out for blood. They spent the night waiting for the news that he had been taken prisoner.) 58And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” (They misrepresented his meaning and twisted his words. He had spoken about his own body and said, “Destroy this temple.” It is no strange thing if the wicked intentionally misquote us. They did the same to our Master and Lord.)
62And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63But Jesus remained silent. (“Like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”2) And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (How could God’s own Son blaspheme? His works had proven that he was God and yet they called him a blasphemer.)
67Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Having rejected his Deity, they now mock his prophecies. Those who deny that Jesus is God will not accept his teaching for long. See the shame our Lord experienced! It was our sins that caused it.)
69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” (Brave Peter trembles before a servant girl.) 71And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” (He swore so they would not suspect him, because the followers of Jesus hate swearing. Poor Peter, your fall was great!)
73After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” (Peter could not hide his Galilean accent. If a believer sins they will not be able to do it like others do. They are sure to be noticed.) 74Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. (Providence3 controls what people call coincidences. The rooster could crow whenever it liked and yet the will of the Lord was done.) 75And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (There was grace in Peter’s heart and therefore the crow of a rooster affected him. Luke tells us, “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord.”4 That look broke his heart. May the Lord, by one means or another, also bring us to repentance if at any time we are so wicked as to deny him.)
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1 Matthew 26:58
2 Isaiah 53:7
3 providence - refers to God’s will, his divine intervention, and his predetermination (predestination).
4 Luke 22:61
Year Two, July 23
They Persecute Him Whom You Have Struck Down1
With great sorrow we now see our Lord being accused by the Jewish council. He stands alone before his cruel enemies. After the council had condemned Jesus in a preliminary examination, they seem to have separated, to meet again in a more formal gathering in the morning.
Luke 22:66-71
66When day came (about five in the morning), the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priest and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67“If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68and if I ask you, you will not answer. (They would neither hear his arguments nor be fair in answering any questions he asked them. If they did, they knew his claims would be proven to be true. In the past, he had proven to them that he was the Christ and that the Christ was the Son of God. But they had refused to believe him. Therefore, he gave his testimony and left the matter to the last great day, by saying,) 69But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70So they said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” (He had called himself “the Son of Man,” but they immediately understood that his claim to be seated at God’s right hand involved his Deity. Therefore, they pushed the question even further, so they could accuse him.) And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” (Let us follow the bold example of our Lord. Never hide the truth because you fear those who oppose you.)
Matthew 27:1-10
1When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
The sun had risen further, but it was still early when the Sanhedrim held a third meeting. This one was not to place the Lord Jesus on trial, but to discuss how to make sure he was put to death. The Romans had taken the power of life and death away from the Jews. Therefore, they were forced to take their prisoner to the Roman governor and persuade him to have Jesus executed.
2And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
3Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. (From the place where he hung himself he fell headlong and was dashed in pieces.2 Horrible things accompanied Judas’ self-murder. His profit from betraying Jesus was short-lived! His loss was eternal! Will we sell out Jesus for money or pleasure? Oh Lord, forbid it.) 6But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
What hypocrites! The harmless pieces of money bothered their consciences, but the murder they carried out did not bother them at all! They remind us of those who are devoted to their church and yet continue in sin.
7So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. 8Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
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1 Psalm 69:26
2 Luke describes this in Acts 1:18
Year Two, July 24
My Kingdom Is Not From the World1
We will now accompany our dear Redeemer to the judgment seat of the Roman ruler.
John 18:28-40
28Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. (The Passover had not yet been celebrated. Our Lord observed a kind of Passover feast one day before the usual time, but he kept the real Passover in a higher way. It is now that he was made the Lamb of God, whose blood purchases the salvation of the chosen. These Jewish leaders could not see that they were already far too wicked to have any real fellowship with God’s Passover. They were not aware that they were slaughtering the true Lamb, whose flesh they were unfit to eat.2)
29So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” (They wanted to rush Pilate into pronouncing the sentence without a trial, as if the mere fact of their bringing a charge against Jesus was enough reason to condemn him. What a hurry people are in to criticize God!) 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
33So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”
A good question. Indeed, what have you done, oh blessed Master, that people should so stubbornly demand your blood?
36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (“Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,”3 showed Pilate that his claims to a kingdom were spiritual, and that he was not a rival of Caesar.) 37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. (Poor Pilate! He was interested in what Jesus had to say and was favorably impressed by him. He had mixed feelings of wonder, pity and awe toward his prisoner and went out to try to clear him of all charges.) 39But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” (He said this hoping to free Jesus, but his attempt was useless. His enemies were determined to put Jesus to death and they would not stop their attack.) 40They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. (First, they value the Lord Jesus at the price of a slave and now they are so eager to see him die a criminal’s death, they would rather have a robber released than him. George Herbert4 puts it well:
“Pilate, a stranger, holds off; but they,
Mine own dear people, cry ‘away, away,’
With noise confused frightening the day.
Was ever grief like mine?”)
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1 John 18:36
2 John 6:53, “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.’” See Spurgeon’s comments in Year Two, May 12.
3 1 Timothy 6:13
4 George Herbert (1593-1633). Welsh-born English poet and Anglican priest.
Year Two, July 25
I Find No Guilt In This Man1
It was useless for Pilate to try to win the Jews over. They were determined to have Jesus killed. Nothing less would satisfy them.
Luke 23:4-16
4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. (He hoped he could turn the problem over to Herod and rid himself of the troublesome responsibility. He knew the Lord was innocent and he should have set him free, but he did not have the courage to do the right thing. Therefore, he welcomed the chance to transfer the case to someone else. The person who is afraid to do what is right is a disgrace.) 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.
It was not part of our Lord’s ministry to satisfy idle curiosity and it would not have helped to explain his teaching to a person of Herod’s character. So, his wisdom was seen in his silence.
10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. (As they saw that Herod was not bitter against him, they grew more violent in their charges, hoping that our Lord’s silence would enrage Herod, and so obtain the death sentence they were after.) 11And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.
Herod saw that Jesus could not be guilty of the charges he was accused of. But the Lord’s silence made him angry and disrespectful; he made fun of his claims that he was the Messiah.
12And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16I will therefore punish and release him.” (This was a compromise, but a very wicked one. If the prisoner was guilty, then he should not be released. If he was innocent he should not be punished. Attempts to compromise between right and wrong are always failures. Honest people should avoid making the effort.)
Matthew 27:19-20, 24-25
19Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” (This was a warning to him. The Romans of that day were very superstitious about dreams. His wife’s words must have had a great influence on him, yet he did not dare oppose the priests.) 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
24So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” (Washing his hands changed nothing. The blood of Jesus lay at his door. If he really wanted to do the right thing, he would have released the innocent.) 25And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
They brought a terrible curse upon themselves. It doomed Israel to her long running sorrows. The blood of Jesus will either cleanse us or condemn us. Which will it be for you?
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1 Luke 23: 4
Year Two, July 26
Behold the Man!1
John 19:1-15
1Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.
Even as Isaiah had prophesied: “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.”2 An old writer says, “Lord, what could you have found on earth that is more nasty and repulsive; what could be more humiliating than having people spit on you? They abused you and insulted you as though you were the pest of mankind, a blasphemer and an outcast who was not worthy of even common human respect. Lord, what was there in you to be hated? Why do they have such contempt for you and spit on you? Oh, my God, it is what I deserve, not you! Truly I do, Lord, deserve to be spat on by every creature, as they might a bad and harmful thing. I am a despicable sinner, not worthy to live. But you, Infinite Mercy, lift me to a place of honor. You spared me this humiliation, and, for my sake, you gave up the majesty of your person and your divine appearance to be humbled by such outrageous insults and hatred.”3
4Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”
Here was a sight that should have broken their hearts and melted them to pity. If we cannot look on our suffering Lord and love him, then we are as bad as they are.
6When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.”
At first, they charged him with a civil crime and now with a religious offense. They did not care how they achieved his death, just as long as they could get rid of him.
8When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. (First his wife’s dream, and now the grand claim of being the Son of God, were enough to trigger Pilate’s fears.) 9He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
12From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” (Now they come back to the old charge. When people hate Jesus and his religion they will say anything. A wicked tongue is never short of arguments.) 13So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
Pilate was being sarcastic when he said, “Shall I crucify your King?” It was as clear as the noonday sun that Jesus was not a dangerous rival of Caesar. How could he be the earthly king of the Jews when it was the Jews who were demanding his execution?
Are any of us, like these Jews, rejecting the kingship of Jesus? If we reject him in our day-to-day lives, then it will be just as fatal as if we rejected him in words. Lord Jesus, you are our King. Reign over us and in us, so that we may one day reign with you.
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1 John 19:5
2 Isaiah 50:6
3 Author unknown.
Year Two, July 27
Father, Forgive Them, for They Know Not What They Do1
Luke 23:24-34
24So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Pilate did not have the courage to swim against the stream of the bloodthirsty Jews. He sold himself to do evil. He was afraid that if he allowed Jesus to go free, they might go to Caesar and accuse him of being a traitor. We need to be firm in our principles or we will soon be driven into great sin.)
26And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
This Simon was highly privileged, but all true saints have the same honor.
Shall Simon bear the cross alone,
And all the rest go free?
No, there’s a cross for every one,
And there’s a cross for me.2
27And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. (There is no record of any woman speaking against Jesus during his earthly ministry or taking part in his death. He was born of a woman, he was anointed for his burial by a woman, a woman {Pilate’s wife} pleaded for him, and here women mourned and wept over him. Women ministered to him in life, laid him in the grave, and were the first to meet him when he rose from the dead.)
28But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Our Lord prophesied about the terrors of the siege of Jerusalem and warned the women to prepare for overwhelming sorrows. If the innocent suffered like this, what would become of the guilty?
32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34aAnd Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
John 19:19-27
19Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (He could be firm when he wanted to. This only made his sin all the greater.)
23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things.
Gambling hardens the heart. No one except gamblers could have been brutish enough to rattle dice where the blood of Jesus was falling. The very sound of dice and sight of cards should be hated by a follower of the Crucified One.
25But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (To whose care should he commit his mother, but to the beloved John? He has handed over the widow and the orphan to the care of his people; let us not forget them.3)
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1 Luke 23:34
2 Source not certain. The editor found one source attributing this poem to a Thomas Shepherd (1665-1739) in a hymnal titled, “Penitential Cries.”
3 James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Year Two, July 28
Jesus, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom1
Luke 23:39-43
39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Dr. Hanna2 has beautifully said: “While his enemies were celebrating and the faith of his friends was failing, there is one who recognizes the glory of the Redeemer, even though the dark cover of Christ’s crucifixion hides it from others. He openly calls out to him as his Lord and King. This is marvelous indeed, that faith in our Lord’s divinity appeared so suddenly in such an unlikely place! Are we wrong in saying that, at that particular moment, when this thief, dying on the cross, understood that he was speaking to God himself, that there was not another full believer in that divinity except him? What a tender conscience we see here; what deep reverence for God; what devoted submission to the divine will; what an entire giving up of all hope in good works to be right before God; what a clear realization of the spiritual world, what a humble trust in Jesus; what a zeal for the Savior’s honor; what indignation at the unworthy treatment the Lord was receiving! May we not take the list of the fruits of genuine repentance that the apostle Paul has given us and apply them to this man’s repentance? Behold, what carefulness it worked in him; yes, what openness he showed; yes what indignation; yes what fear; yes, what strong desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what self-retribution! In all things he demonstrated that he was a changed person, in all of his desires and viewpoints, and the motives of his heart.”
43And [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (The dying Savior reigns on the cross and assigns a place in paradise to his companion in death. There is no hint of purgatory here. The pardoned thief is with Jesus that very day. And all believers will be with Jesus the moment they leave the body.)
Matthew 27:45-49
45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (A cry in which every word is powerful. Read it over as many times as there are words and see a new force of meaning each time. Jesus cried out in this way so that none of his saints will ever need to.) 47And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” (They mocked at his prayer. Oh, horrible cruelty!) 48And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”
John 19:28-30
28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
What a grand statement! We are safe now, because salvation is complete.
Matthew 27:51-54
51And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (These were early proofs of his resurrection power. These first-fruits prove that the harvest is certain.) 54When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
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1 Luke 23:42
2 This may be the Doctor Hanna mentioned in the October, 1880 Sword and the Trowel magazine. He was a bishop in the Free Church of Scotland and an acquaintance of Mr. Spurgeon.
Year Two, July 29
They Will Look on Him Whom They Have Pierced1
John 19:31-42
31Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. (These men could commit this murder without shame. At the same time, however, they were great sticklers about keeping every one of their religious details. This proves that rites and ceremonies leave people as bad and cruel as they find them. The Roman church, with a thousand grand rituals, still rejoiced in the burning of godly men and women. They even invented The Rack and other ways to torture them. Let this teach us to give most of our attention to the spiritual requirements of the gospel, and remember that religion that does not change the heart and teach us to be merciful is good for nothing.)
32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. (This was done to speed up dying. Truly, even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.) 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35He who saw it has borne witness-- (that is to say, John himself), his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe. (He was sure of what he saw. He was under no delusion and he declares it with the greatest confidence.) 36For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled; “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
38After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. (The two secret but true followers of our Lord now came out in their true colors. The cross is the powerful light that reveals the hidden thoughts of people’s hearts. Blessed are they who are not ashamed of Christ Crucified.2) 40So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Matthew 27:62-66
62Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”
Their jealous hatred led them to violate their own Sabbath and Passover rules by meeting with an idolatrous ruler. They knew little, if anything, about keeping the Sabbath spiritually. It is a holy day of rest, when we lay aside our cares and even our own thoughts, and worship God in spirit and in truth.
65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
By having soldiers guard the tomb, they unwittingly gave additional proof for the resurrection over which no one could argue. It was now impossible for anyone to steal his body. If he came out of the tomb, then it must be by supernatural power. Oh, blind Jews, you guarantee your own lack of understanding! Yet, as blind as they are, they are not as blind as those who believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and still do not put their trust in him.
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1 John 19:37
2 Romans 1:16a, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
Year Two, July 30
Reproaches Have Broken My Heart1
Let us read a selection from the sixty-ninth Psalm, where David was led to describe the Redeemer’s sufferings before and on the cross.
Psalm 69:1-4; 6-21
1 Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
Many deep and deadly sorrows pierced his inner nature. His first complaint was not his bodily pain. He begins with the sadness that broke his heart.
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
His sufferings were unlike any that anyone else has ever felt. His soul was immersed in the waters. The mire was the filthy mud of hell itself. The floods were deep and overflowing.
3 I am weary with my crying out;
my throat is parched.
He prayed in the garden with such terrible intensity that his throat was like it had been scorched with fiery flames.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.
4 More in number than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
must I now restore?
It may be truly said that he restores what he did not take away. He pays back God for his injured honor. He restores to his people the happiness they lost. He did this even though the insulting of God and the falling of humanity were not his fault in any way.
6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord GOD of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
Our blessed Lord always had a tender concern for his people. He would not allow the cruel and unjust treatment of his spirit to become a source of discouragement to them.
7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,
that dishonor has covered my face.
First, they piled insulting accusations on our Lord and then they hurried him away to be crucified. They dragged him through the cruel mockery of a trial that was not a trial. They smeared his face with their spit and covered it with bruises. The misery and shame of the crown of thorns marked the final humiliation of Jesus by the Roman soldiers. Ah, blessed Lord, it was our shame that you were forced to endure! Nothing deserves to be hated and despised more than sin. Oh Lord, when you were made sin for us, you were called on to endure abuse and scorn. Blessed be your name. It is over now, but we owe you more than any heart can imagine for your amazing act of love.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my mother’s sons.
9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
and the drunkards make songs about me.
What a staggering sin! He whom angels worship with covered faces has become a derisive proverb among the most rejected of people.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
14 Deliver me
from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters.
15 Let not the flood sweep over,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not your face from your servant;
for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
ransom me because of my enemies!
19 You know my reproach,
and my shame and my dishonor;
my foes are all known to you.
20 Reproaches have broken my heart,
Our Lord died of a broken heart. The ultimate in character assassination did the deed.
so that I am in despair.
Our Lord’s heavy heart in the garden is expressed by many and powerful words in the four gospels. Each term shows that his agony was great beyond measure.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.
A criminal’s drink was offered to our innocent Lord, a bitter portion to our dying Master. The earth provided shameful hospitality for her King.
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1 Psalm 69:20
Year Two, July 31
My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?1
Psalm 22:1-3; 11-24; 27-28; 30-31
A vivid description of our Lord’s sufferings on the cross is contained in the twenty-second psalm. We have selected the following portions from it for this reading.
The psalm begins with our Lord’s cry from the cross. The entire psalm may be looked at as his thoughts while bleeding on the tree.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
He prayed until he almost lost the ability to speak clearly.
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
11 Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
No one could help him or would help him. He trod the winepress alone. Still, it was a painful trial to find that all of his disciples had forsaken him.2 His friends and those who loved him were placed far from him.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
The tearful eye of the Lord saw the mighty ones surrounding their victim.
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
They opened their blasphemous mouths like they were hungry cannibals about to swallow the man they hated.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
It is as if his arms and legs had been dislocated by a torture machine. The bones of the Crucified One most likely became dislocated by the force of the cross being dropped into place. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross and would have been helpless to brace for the impact. If this is not what is meant, then we are left to assume his weakened condition caused his body weight to pull his body apart.
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
Dr. Gill wisely observes: “If the heart of Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, melted like wax in the heat of God’s wrath, what heart can endure or what hands can remain strong, when God deals with people in his anger?”3
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
Here he mentions the more unpleasant people in the crowd. They may not have been as strong as their brutal leaders, but they were not less ferocious. They howled and barked like dirty, hungry dogs.
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
The soul (or life itself) is held most dear by everyone. In the original, the meaning is “My only one.” Our soul is most precious because it is our only soul. Would that all people valued their souls this much. Many treat them as if they were not worth as much as the mud on the roads.
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
Darkness passed out of the Redeemer’s soul and light broke in. The change is very noticeable. The zeal for his beloved people, that was so strong in death, now moves him to rejoice.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
Jesus rejoiced in the glorious reign of the Lord over all the nations of the earth.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
“It is finished.” Salvation’s glorious work is done.
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1 Matthew 27:46
2 Isaiah 63:3, “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the people no one was with me.”
3 Dr. John Gill (1697-1771). Bible commentator and former pastor of Spurgeon’s church.
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