NT-GOSPEL.filter - mhcc 24-30:

mhcc@Matthew:13 @ ****** Matthew 13 ****** *** Outline of Matthew 13 *** The parable of the sower. (_1-23.) The parable of the tares. (_24-30.) The parables of the mustard-seed and the leaven. (_31-35.) The parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the net cast into the sea, and the householder. (_44-52.) Jesus is again rejected at Nazareth. (_53-58.) *** Commentary ***

mhcc@Matthew:13:24-30 @ Verse 24-30 - 36-43 This parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church; Christ's care of it, the devil's enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in this world, and the separation between them in the other world. So prone is fallen man to sin, that if the enemy sow the tares, he may go his way, they will spring up, and do hurt; whereas, when good seed is sown, it must be tended, watered, and fenced. The servants complained to their master; Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? No doubt he did; whatever is amiss in the church, we are sure it is not from Christ. Though gross transgressors, and such as openly oppose the gospel, ought to be separated from the society of the faithful, yet no human skill can make an exact separation. Those who oppose must not be cut off, but instructed, and that with meekness. And though good and bad are together in this world, yet at the great day they shall be parted; then the righteous and the wicked shall be plainly known; here sometimes it is hard to distinguish between them. Let us, knowing the terrors of the Lord, not do iniquity. At death, believers shall shine forth to themselves; at the great day they shall shine forth before all the world. They shall shine by reflection, with light borrowed from the Fountain of light. Their sanctification will be made perfect, and their justification published. May we be found of that happy number.

mhcc@Mark:7 @ ****** Mark 7 ****** *** Outline of Mark 7 *** The traditions of the elders. (_1-13.) What defiles the man. (_14-23.) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured. (_24-30.) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech. (_31-37.) *** Commentary ***

mhcc@Mark:7:24-30 @ Verse 24-30 - Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in comparison with which a single cure was but as a crumb. Thus, while proud Pharisees are left by the blessed Saviour, he manifests his compassion to poor humbled sinners, who look to him for children's bread. He still goes about to seek and save the lost.