Luke
1: 20. That is why we have so many dumb Christians nowadays; they are waiting for tokens.
26. Christ was foretold to: —
Adam — as a man. Gen. 3: 15. Abraham — as to His nation. Gen. 22: 18. Jacob — as to His tribe. Gen. 49: 10. Isaiah — as to His family. Isa. 11: 1-5. Micah — as to His town. Micah 5: 2. Daniel — as to His time. Dan. 9: 25. Mary — as to His person. Luke 1: 30. By angels — as to His date. Luke 2:11. By a star — as to His birthplace. Matt. 2: 9.
1: 33. Napoleon established a kingdom by force, and it melted away. Jesus by love, and it keeps on spreading.
42. Infidelity has no songs. V. 46.
53. Christ sends none empty away but those who are full of themselves.
2: 1. When the time came for the prophecj’ regarding Christ’s birth to be fulfilled, God put the whole world in motion to bring Mary to Bethlehem.
7. Jesus was born in a common house of entertainment where all might come to Him, and He died with His arms extended to receive all.
9. When Christ was born, midnight gloom lightened into midday brightness. When Christ died, midday darkened into midnight. See Luke 23: 44.
10. God’s covenant of works was for the Jewish people alone, but the glad tidings are for all people. Mark 16: 15.
The angel — the first evangelist.
Contrast the giving of the Law (Ex. 19) with the dawn of the day of Grace.
14. Heaven’s choir came down to sing when Heaven’s
King came down to save.
15. “Go and see” — a sure cure for doubt. 17. The first preachers of Christ.
25. “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
2 :49. “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” The first recorded utterance of Jesus. His last: “It is finished.” John 19: 30.
4: After Jesus had seen the open heavens, Satan tempted him. The more the blessing, the keener the temptation, for you are worth tempting.
3. Beware of the “if’s” of the devil.
7. The price was too low. Christ was about to pay His life-blood for the Church, which is therefore safe until a higher price is offered.
11. A little danger but a great providence. “In their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
5: 4. Trust God in the dark. Peter was an experienced
fisherman and knew the best fishing grounds: yet he obeyed Christ, and with good result.
5. The Christian Church everywhere is “toiling,” in stead of seeking jx)wer from on high.
30. More persons are ready to shrink from sinners, than are ready to shrink from sin.
6: 20. If you live by the gospel precepts, you may live on
the gospel promises. This life is all the heaven the worldling has, and
all the hell the saint ever sees. A Christian may be contented with his lot to-day,
but not satisfied.
26. Said Socrates: “What evil have I done that this bad man commends me?”
6: 31. Socialists have much to say on the golden rule, but they make two mistakes: —
(1.) They- make it apply to others more than t-> themselves, thus making it selfish.
(2.) They urge the rule without the only true motive — a Christian one.
38. Heaven’s measure — good measure — pressed down — shaken together — running over.
40. The Septuagint reads, “A scholar is not above his teacher, but everyone will be instructed as his teacher is.” Not sinlessness, but “rounded to fulness.”
45. “Would’st thou have me see thee?” said Socrates, “then speak; for speech reveals the man.”
7: 13. The widow of Nain was the saddest woman in all
the city until she met Jesus.
27. Had the Messiah meant to appear as a temporal prince, his messenger would have appeared either in the pomp of a general or in the gaiety of a herald.
8: 4. “The parable of the four kinds of soil “- — the individual reception of the truth: —
a. The wayside — Satan’s thoroughfare (Matt.
19:8; Heb. 3:13); Pharaoh, Festus. I. Rocky — shallow and impulsive (Eze. 11: 19;
Gal. 5:7); Saul.
c. Thorny — worldly (Gen. 3:18); Balaam, Judas, Ananias.
d. Good.
Showing —
«. Their deficiencies, dangers, possibilities. It. Quick response, exposure, early failure.
c. Good seed, ready response, evil surroundings.
disastrous development.
d. Proper reception, healthy growth, rich harvesting.
One seed — four kinds of soil. Three failures and one success! But the wayside
may be broken up; the rocky ground blasted:
the thorns uprooted.
10.” Unto you it is given to know the mysteries..
but to others in parables. ‘’ Just as the pillar of lire was seen by the Israelites, but to others it was a pillar of cloud.
12. Satan’s punctuality, power, and purpose.
13. If sinners take up religion in a fair day, they will
lay it down in a foul day. They are willing to go to sea, but on condition there are no storms They think too much of wearing a thorn, though it is borrowed from Christ’s crown.
9: Notice seven points of weakness: —
V. 10. The apostles told Jesus “all that they
had done.”
V. 12. They said, “Send the multitude away.” V. 32. “Peter and they that were with him were
heavy with sleep.”
V. 40. They could not cast out the evil spirit. V. 46. They reasoned among them which should
be greatest.
V. 49. They forbade another casting out devils.
V. 54. James and John asked Jesus to command fire from heaven and consume the Samaritans. Man’s thoughts are not as God’s thoughts: —
Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat.” The disciples replied that they had not enough.
Peter said,” It is good for us to be here.’’ But while he spake, a cloud overshadowed them.
The disciples reasoned which of them should be greatest. Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, rebuked them.
They forbade another casting out devils. Jesus said, “Forbid him not.”
They ask Jesus to command fire from heaven. He turned and rebuked them.
The man said, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their dead.”
10. The disciples told what they had done. Paul told what God had done. Acts 14: 27.
29. “As he prayed the fashion of his countenance was
altered.’’ It was prayer that brought out the inner man.
Growth in love tends to growth in loveliness. Many a homely face is beautified by religion.
30. The churches become one on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Jesus the King.
Moses the lawgiver.
Elijah the prophet.
9:31. “Who spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” The shadow of the cross appears on the Mount of Transfiguration. Men talk of what interests them most. The death of Christ was the theme of conversation here.
33. It was good for Peter and James and John to be there, but not good to remain there.
59. No one who does not put Christ first is one of His. Would you rather work with a sexton’s shovel or with a resurrection trumpet?
61. The greatest step to heaven is out of our own doors.
10: 21. The only time it is recorded that Jesus rejoiced — •’Because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
22.” No man knoweth who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” Wor ship which is not through Christ is of an unknown God. John 14: 6.
27. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God... and thy
neighbor as thyself.” What God has joined, let not man put asunder.
28. The lawyer lacked, not knowledge, but the willingness to do what he knew to be his duty. The priest and the Levite came “by chance;” not
so the good Samaritan. The Law never steps aside from its course.
10: 40.” Dost thou not care?” These words were used by His disciples on another occasion, in tones almost blasphemous. Mark 4: 38.
42. “One thing is needful” — the gospel. “One thing I know.” John 9: 25. “One tiling have I desired.” Ps. 27: 4. “One thing I do.” Phil. 3: 13, 14. “Not one thing hath failed.’’ Josh. 23: 14.” Be not ignorant of this one thing.” 2 Peter 3: 8. “One thing thou lackest.” Mark 10: 21.
11: 1. Pray, as a rest after service; as a preparation for
important steps; as the condition of receiving
the Spirit of God; as a preparation for sorrow.
Pray in faith — reverence — humility — fervor —
simplicity.
10. We ask for what we wish; we seek for what we miss; we knock for that from which we are shut out.
12: 13. Even under Christ there were inattentive listeners.
15. A double caution against greed. Whenever Jesus
spoke of wealth, he spoke in words of warning.
16. The anathema of the rich fool is not against riches,
but against selfishness; against the mammonworship which dethrones Jehovah. Notice in this parable, —
a. The false conception of life.
b. Forgetfulness of divine providence.
c. Denial of man’s stewardship.
d. Neglect of true self-providence, laying up, treasure in heaven.
12: 20. “Thou fool!” God’s epitaph over this man. The world would have said, — “Here lies so-and-so, n good man, kind to the poor,” etc. Why a fool? Because he thought he could fill his soul with the food his body enjoyed. The soul cannot eat and drink like the Ixxly. His soul was pining and starving in spiritual penury.
37.” Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when
he cometh shall find watching.”
“Watching’’ — conduct governed by the constant expectation of the Lord’s return. Vs. 42, 43.
43. “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
14: 11. Where humility is the corner-stone, glory shall be
the top- stone.
V. 17. “Say to them that were bidden, Come.” V. 21. “Briny in hither the poor,” etc. V. 23. “Compel them to come in.”
23. Religion a banquet.
Sometimes by theological wisdom, by church architecture, by our conduct, toe compel people to stay away from the feast!
15: First parable — one lost in one hundred;
Second parable — one lost in ten;
Third parable — one lost in two.
First parable — Christ seeking the sheep;
Second parable — the Holy Spirit seeking the lost sinner: inside “the house” (v. 8), that is, the church;
Third parable — the Father receiving the returning prodigal.
15: 2.” This man ‘’ — human, yet divine.
“Receiveth sinners” -His mission, the mark bj which His enemies distinguished Him.
11. Contrast the story of Joseph and his father with
that of the prodigal son and his father.
12. This young man had a fortune in his hand — not in
his head or heart. Any fool can squander the former kind of fortune: but not the latter.
13. The farthest a Christian can get from heaven, is
the world.
14-16. The devil has never had a famine of husks. There are always plenty of husks, and plenty of swine to eat them.
17. The prodigal might have said his father was the richest man in Judea, but no one would have believed him. The testimony of many Christians is not accepted by the world because of their spiritual poverty.
20. God was in a hurry to welcome the returning
prodigal. Eyes, heart, feet, hands, and lips — all engaged to
welcome the wanderer. The father saw him, had compassion, ran to him,
embraced him, kissed him, clothed him, feasted
him, rejoiced with him. The backslider was missed from the family circle.
15: 22. Robe of righteousness.
Ring of assurance.
Shoes of peace. Eph. 6:15.
{Under the Law, God said, “Put off thy shoes.” Ex. 3: 5. T’nder Grace, “Put on him the best robe.” V. 22-
24. A sort of revival to which the elder brother objected.
29. No enjoyment with his father; only with his friends. Six things about the prodigal son: —
His condition — “in want.” V. 14.
His conviction — “came to himself.” V. 17.
His confidence — “I will arise.” V. 18.
His confession — “I have sinned.” V. 18.
His contrition — “no more worthy.” V. 19.
His conversion — “He arose and came.” V. 20. Turning-points in his life: —
Sick of home. Vs. 12, 13.
Homesick. Vs. 17-19.
Home. Vs. 20-24.
Sequel. Vs. 25-32. Six cases of men “afar on*” from God: —
The prodigal. Chap. 15: 13.
The rich man. Chap. 16: 23.
The ten lepers. Chap. 17: 12.
The publican. Chap. 18: 13.
The beggar. Chap. 18: 40.
Peter. Chap. 22: 54.
16: 20. In only one parable did Jesus use a proper name —
Lazarus. In only four miracles do we know the names of those benefitted — Mary Magdalene, Jairus, Malchus, Bartimaeus.
When you step out of your self-contained residence, be sure you do not stumble over some Lazarus into hell.
22. You must not expect to toil for the prince of darkness all your life, and then to sup with the Prince of Light at the evening of death. You cannot go from Delilah’s lap to Abraham’s bosom.
24. It is better to beg bread on earth (as Lazarus) than water in hell (as Dives).
17: 11-19. Leprosy is inherited; so is Sin: Rom. 5: 19;
contagious, Gen. 6: 12;
loathsome, Is. 1:6;
fatal, James 1: 15;
separates its victim from his fellows,
Eph. 2: 17;
healed through faith in Jesus, Eph.
18: 12. “I give tithes of all that I possess.” Some people
pride themselves on going by the Jewish rule,
and giving one tenth. Go by the New Testament
rule — give all you have. People are supposed to contribute” according to
their means, “which often signifies “according
to their meanness.” The Christian abuses the Jew for his stinginess,
and yet is meaner than the Jew in his gifts to
God.
18: 30. I thank God I am not to have all my good things, in this life; for then I should have nothing to
anticipate in glory: and I thank God I am not to have all my good things in the life to come; for then I should have nothing to enjoy now.
19: 4. The tree of Curiosity.
Curiosity led Eve to destruction; Zacchaeus to salvation.
5. Jesus and Zacchanis met at the foot of the tree
and they have never parted since.
6. Curiosity took Zacchieus up the tree, but Lov*
brought him down.
7. If Christ had declined to associate with sinners,
He would have had a lonely time on earth.
9. Notwithstanding his bad reputation, there were streaks of good about Zacchaeus, as there are about nearly every man. Gold is found in quartz, but sometimes in very small percentage.
10. In all heathen religions, man tries to find his gods, but in the Christian religion, God tries to find man.
21: 8. Be not deceived.
9. Be not terrified.
14. Be not anxious.
34. Be not taken unawares.
22: Downward steps in Peter’s path.
•Sleeping. V. 45.
Smiting. V. 50.
Following afar off. V. 54.
Sitting among Christ’s persecutors. V. 55.
Denying Christ. Vs. 57, 58, 60.
Contraries (Gal. 5:17):-
Christ praying; Peter sleeping.
“submitting; Peter fighting.
(< suffering like a lamb; Peter cursing and
swearing. Matt. 26: 74.
Agents of Satan: — Greed. V. 5.
Jealousy. V. 24.
Strife. V. 24.
Self-confidence. V. 33.
Temptation. V. 40.
Not watching. V. 46.
Lies. V. 57.
22: 61. 62. One look from Christ undid all the devil’s work.
23: 12. There are sects and classes among the heathen, but
they unite against Christianity.
32. Three crosses. Christ died for sin; one man died in sin; the other a sinner, but he died in faith.
38. Greek — the language of literature and art. Latin — the language of power and conquest. Hebrew — the language of religion.
42. The thief wanted to be remembered in heaven: Christ wanted to be remembered on earth.
42, 43. One repentance at death that none may despair; only one that none may presume.
The dying th’u f believed on Jesus at His worst. From the side of Jesus Christ one man may go to
heaven, another to hell. Sin is either finished on Christ’s cross, or forever
confirmed upon the sinner’s head.
23: 43. Bossuet says, —
“‘To-day ’ — what promptitude!
‘With me ’ - — what company!
1 In Paradise ’ - — what repose.”
Prayer. Answer.
Lord, remember me Thou shalt be with me
when thou comest to-day
into thy kingdom in Paradise.
24: 3. As the grave of Jesus is empty, so shall all graves
one day be.
10. Women were the first evangelists of the resurrection.
29. A three-fold blessing.
The presence of Jesus. Ask for it. V. 29. The peace of Jesus. Receive it. V. 36. Power from Jesus. Wait for it. V. 49.