The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "All Sons and Daughters of God" for Tuesday, 29 August 2017

The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "All Sons and Daughters of God" for Tuesday, 29 August 2017
Today’s Reflection:
ALL OF US are like [the prodigal] son, needing more desperately than anything else the strong and gentle embrace of the hands of God. We must be those hands for each other — not someday, but today . . . .
Let us be gentle with each other. Let us touch each other. Let us touch even those who seem in some superficial way to be different. For we are all of us sons and daughters of God.
I once heard Peter Storey, preaching in Johannesburg during the reign of apartheid, suggest that we should be prepared when we sing that old child’s hymn: “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Storey imagined that Jesus’ reply would be: “Okay, here I come, but I’m bringing all these other people with me.” [James C. Howell, Yours Are the Hands of Christ]
From page 59 of Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith by James C. Howell. Copyright © 1998 by James C. Howell. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Who needs to be gently held, touched, in your life?
Today’s Scripture: God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” [Exodus 3:14, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those who are homeless.

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Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
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This week we remember: Augustine of Hippo (August 28).
Augustine of Hippo
August 28
Augustine of Hippo (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430), also known

 as St. Augustine, was bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Algeria). He was a Latin philosopher and theologian and is generally considered as one of the greatest Christian thinkers of all times.

Augustine was born in 354 in Roman Africa. His father, Patricius, was a pagan, and his mother, Monica, was Christian.
After his conversion to Christianity and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology, accommodating a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed that the grace of Christ was indispensable to human freedom, and he framed the concepts of original sin and just war.
Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider him to be one of the theological fathers of the Protestant Reformation due to his teaching on salvation and divine grace.
His memorial is celebrated 28 August, the day of his death. He is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, the alleviation of sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses.

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Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 3 September 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Scripture Texts: Exodus 3:1 (iv) Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev. 2 The angel of Adonai appeared to him in a fire blazing from the middle of a bush. He looked and saw that although the bush was flaming with fire, yet the bush was not being burned up. 3 Moshe said, “I’m going to go over and see this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t being burned up.” 4 When Adonai saw that he had gone over to see, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moshe! Moshe!” He answered, “Here I am.” 5 He said, “Don’t come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father,” he continued, “the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz’chak and the God of Ya‘akov.” Moshe covered his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 Adonai said, “I have seen how my people are being oppressed in Egypt and heard their cry for release from their slavemasters, because I know their pain. 8 I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that country to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the place of the Kena‘ani, Hitti, Emori, P’rizi, Hivi and Y’vusi. 9 Yes, the cry of the people of Isra’el has come to me, and I have seen how terribly the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Therefore, now, come; and I will send you to Pharaoh; so that you can lead my people, the descendants of Isra’el, out of Egypt.”

11 Moshe said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the people of Isra’el out of Egypt?” 12 He replied, “I will surely be with you. Your sign that I have sent you will be that when you have led the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

13 Moshe said to God, “Look, when I appear before the people of Isra’el and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you’; and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” 14 God said to Moshe, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be],” and added, “Here is what to say to the people of Isra’el: ‘Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.’” 15 God said further to Moshe, “Say this to the people of Isra’el: ‘Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [Adonai], the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz’chak and the God of Ya‘akov, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered generation after generation.

Psalm 105:1 Give thanks to Adonai! Call on his name!

Make his deeds known among the peoples.

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him,

talk about all his wonders.

3 Glory in his holy name;

let those seeking Adonai have joyful hearts.

4 Seek Adonai and his strength;

always seek his presence.

5 Remember the wonders he has done,

his signs and his spoken rulings.

6 You descendants of Avraham his servant,

you offspring of Ya‘akov, his chosen ones,

23 Then Isra’el too came into Egypt,

Ya‘akov lived as an alien in the land of Ham.

24 There God made his people very fruitful,

made them too numerous for their foes,

25 whose hearts he turned to hate his people,

and treat his servants unfairly.

26 He sent his servant Moshe

and Aharon, whom he had chosen.

45 in order to obey his laws

and follow his teachings.

Halleluyah!

Romans 12:9 Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good. 10 Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect. 11 Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer. 13 Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other’s needs — don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good. 18 If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. 19 Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the Tanakh it is written,

“Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’”[Romans 12:19 Deuteronomy 32:41]

20 On the contrary,

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For by doing this, you will heap

fiery coals [of shame] on his head.”[Romans 12:20 Proverbs 25:21–22]

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Matthew 16:21 From that time on, Yeshua began making it clear to his talmidim that he had to go to Yerushalayim and endure much suffering at the hands of the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that on the third day, he had to be raised to life. 22 Kefa took him aside and began rebuking him, “Heaven be merciful, Lord! By no means will this happen to you!” 23 But Yeshua turned his back on Kefa, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because your thinking is from a human perspective, not from God’s perspective!”

24 Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 25 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory, with his angels; and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Yes! I tell you that there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom!”

John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Exodus 3:1-15

Verse 1

[1] Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Now Moses - The years of Moses's life are remarkably divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second a shepherd in Midian, the third a king in Jeshurun. He had now finished his second forty when he received his commission to bring Israel out of Egypt. Sometimes it is long before God calls his servants out to that work which of old he designed them for. Moses was born to be Israel's deliverer, and yet not a word is said of it to him till he is eighty years of age.

Even to Horeb — Horeb and Sinai were two tops of the same mountain.

Verse 2

[2] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him — It was an extraordinary manifestation of the divine glory; what was visible was produced by the ministry of an angel, but he heard God in it speaking to him.

In a flame of fire — To shew that God was about to bring terror and destruction to his enemies, light and heat to his people, and to display his glory before all.

And the bush burned, and yet was not consumed — An emblem of the church now in bondage in Egypt, burning in the brick-kilns, yet not consumed; cast down, but not destroyed.

Verse 3

[3] And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

I will turn aside and see — He speaks as one inquisitive, and bold in his inquiry; whatever it was, he would if possible know the meaning of it.

Verse 4

[4] And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see it, God called to him — If he had carelessly neglected it, it is likely God had departed and said nothing to him.

God called and said, Moses, Moses — This which he heard could not but surprise him much more than what he saw. Divine calls are then effectual, when the spirit of God makes them particular, and calls us as by name. The Word calls, Ho, every one; the Spirit, by the application of that, calls, Ho, such a one; I know thee by name.

Here am I — Not only to hear what is said, but to do what I am bidden.

Verse 5

[5] And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Put off thy shoes from off thy feet — The putting off the shoe was then what the putting off the hat is now, a token of respect and submission. The ground is holy ground, made so by this special manifestation of the divine presence. We ought to approach to God with a solemn pause and preparation; and to express our inward reverence, by a grave and reverent behaviour in the worship of God, carefully avoiding every thing that looks light, or rude.

Verse 6

[6] Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

I am the God of thy father — He lets him know it is God that speaks to him, to engage his reverence, faith and obedience. Thy father, thy pious father Amram, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thy ancestors. Engaged to them by solemn covenant, which I am now come to perform.

And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God — The more we see of God, the more cause we shall see to worship him with reverence and godly fear. And even the manifestations of God's grace should increase our humble reverence of him.

Verse 8

[8] And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

I am come down to deliver them — When God doth something very extraordinary, he is said to come down to do it, as Isaiah 64:1. This deliverance was typical of our redemption by Christ, and in that the eternal Word did indeed come down from heaven to deliver us.

A large land — So it was, according to its true and ancient bounds, as they are described, Genesis 15:18, and not according to those narrow limits, to which they were afterwards confined for their unbelief and impiety.

A land flowing with milk and honey — A proverbial expression, abounding with the choicest fruits, both for necessity and delight.

Verse 10

[10] Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

I will send thee — And the same hand that now fetched a shepherd out of a desert to be the planter of the Jewish church, afterwards fetched fishermen from their ships to be the planters of the Christian church, that the excellency of the power might be of God.

Verse 11

[11] And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Who am I? — He thinks himself unworthy of the honour and unable for the work. He thinks he wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh: he thinks he wants conduct, and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are unarmed, undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly unable to help themselves, Moses was incomparably the fittest of any man living for this work, eminent for learning, wisdom, experience, valour, faith, holiness, and yet Who am I? The more fit any person is for service, commonly the less opinion he has of himself.

Verse 12

[12] And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Certainly I will be with thee — Those that are weak in themselves, yet may do wonders being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. God's presence puts wisdom and strength into the weak and foolish, and is enough to answer all objections.

Verse 13

[13] And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

When they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? — What name shall I use, whereby thou mayest be distinguished from false gods, and thy people may be encouraged to expect deliverance from thee?

Verse 14

[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And God said — Two names God would now be known by. 1. A name that speaks what he is in himself, I am that I am - This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies, 1st, That he is self-existent; he has his being of himself, and has no dependence upon any other. And being self-existent he cannot but be self-sufficient, and therefore all-sufficient, and the inexhaustible fountain of being and bliss. 2dly, That he is eternal and unchangeable, always the same, yesterday to-day, and for ever: he will be what he will be, and what he is. 3dly. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature, and not a man that he should lie. Let Israel know this, I am hath sent me unto you. 2. A name that speaks what he is to his people. Lest that name I am should puzzle them, he is farther directed to make use of another name of God, more familiar.

Verse 15

[15] And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

The Lord God of our fathers hath sent me unto you — Thus God made himself known, that he might revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was much decayed, and almost lost. And that he might raise their expectations of the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are particularly named, because with Abraham the covenant was first made, and with Isaac and Jacob oft expressly renewed, and these three were distinguished from their brethren, and chosen to be the trustees of the covenant. This God will have to be his name for ever, and it has been, is, and will be his name, by which his worshippers know him, and distinguish him from all false gods.

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b

Verse 3

[3] Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Glory — Glory in the God whom you serve, as the only true God.

Verse 4

[4] Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Seek — The Lord in his strength, in his sanctuary, or before the ark, which is called God's strength.

Face — His gracious presence.

Verse 5

[5] Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Judgments — The punishments which he brought upon Egypt by his mere word.

Verse 6

[6] O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

Of Jacob — The only branch of Abraham's seed to whom the following blessings belong.

Verse 7

[7] He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

Judgments — God executes his judgments upon all nations and people.

Verse 8

[8] He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Remembered — So as to perform it.

The word — The promise.

Commanded — Established.

Thousand generations — To all generations.

Verse 9

[9] Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

Oath — Wherewith he ratified the covenant with Isaac, Genesis 26:3.

Verse 10

[10] And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

A law — That it might be as firm and irrevocable as a law.

Verse 11

[11] Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

Lot — The portion assigned to you by lot.

Verse 13

[13] When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

They went — Both in Canaan, where there were seven nations, and in Egypt.

Verse 15

[15] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Anointed — My prophets, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; who are called God's anointed, because they were consecrated to be his peculiar people, and to be kings and princes in their families. And they are called prophets, because God familiarly conversed with them and revealed his will to them, and by them to others.

Verse 16

[16] Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

Staff of bread — Bread, which is the staff or support of our lives.

Verse 19

[19] Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

His word — That word or revelation which came first to Pharaoh in a dream, and then to Joseph concerning the interpretation of it.

Purged — From those calamities which were cast upon him, and so prepared the way for his release.

Verse 23

[23] Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

Ham — Ham was the father of Mizraim, or the Egyptians, Genesis 10:6.

Verse 25

[25] He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

Turned — That is, suffered them, to be turned.

Verse 28

[28] He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.

They — Moses and Aaron, who inflicted that plague after Pharaoh had threatened them.

Verse 30

[30] Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

Land — Their country.

In chambers — Which entered into the chambers. Kings - Of Pharaoh and his sons, and his chief nobles and governors.

Verse 31

[31] He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

Coasts — In all their land, even to the utmost borders of it.

Verse 37

[37] He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

Feeble — Diseased or unable for his journey: which in so vast a body, and in a people who had been so dreadfully oppressed, was wonderful.

Verse 39

[39] He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

Covering — To protect them from the heat of the sun.

Verse 40

[40] The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Quails — He speaks of the first giving of quails, Exodus 16:13, which God gave them as a refreshment, notwithstanding their sin in desiring them, which he graciously pardoned.

Bread — With manna which came out of the air, commonly called heaven.

Verse 41

[41] He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

River — They flowed in channels which God provided for them, and followed the Israelites in their march.

Verse 44

[44] And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

Labour — The fruits of their labour; their cities, vineyards, olive-yards.

Romans 12:9-21

Verse 9

[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Having spoken of faith and its fruit, Romans 12:3, etc., he comes now to love. The ninth, tenth, and eleventh verses refer to chapter the seventh; the twelfth verse to chapter the eighth; the thirteenth verse, of communicating to the saints, whether Jews or gentiles, to chapter the ninth, etc. Part of the sixteenth verse is repeated from Romans 11:25.

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good — Both inwardly and outwardly, whatever ill-will or danger may follow.

Verse 10

[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

In honour preferring one another — Which you will do, if you habitually consider what is good in others, and what is evil in yourselves.

Verse 11

[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Whatsoever ye do, do it with your might. In every business diligently and fervently serving the Lord - Doing all to God, not to man.

Verse 12

[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Rejoicing in hope — Of perfect holiness and everlasting happiness. Hitherto of faith and love; now of hope also, see the fifth and eighth chapters; afterwards of duties toward others; saints, Romans 12:13 persecutors, Romans 12:14 friends, strangers, enemies, Romans 12:15, etc.

Verse 13

[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Communicate to the necessities of the saints — Relieve all Christians that are in want. It is remarkable, that the apostle, treating expressly of the duties flowing from the communion of saints, yet never says one word about the dead.

Pursue hospitality — Not only embracing those that offer, but seeking opportunities to exercise it.

Verse 14

[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Curse not — No, not in your heart.

Verse 15

[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Rejoice — The direct opposite to weeping is laughter; but this does not so well suit a Christian.

Verse 16

[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Mind not high things — Desire not riches, honour, or the company of the great.

Verse 17

[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Provide — Think beforehand; contrive to give as little offence as may be to any.

Verse 19

[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Dearly beloved — So he softens the rugged spirit. Revenge not yourselves, but leave that to God. Perhaps it might more properly be rendered, leave room for wrath; that is, the wrath of God, to whom vengeance properly belongs. Deuteronomy 32:35

Verse 20

[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Feed him — With your own hand: if it be needful, even put bread into his mouth.

Heap coals of fire upon his head — That part which is most sensible. "So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head; In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below." Proverbs 25:21, etc.

Verse 21

[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

And if you see no present fruit, yet persevere.

Be not overcome with evil — As all are who avenge themselves. But overcome evil with good. Conquer your enemies by kindness and patience.

Matthew 16:21-28

Verse 21

[21] From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

From that time Jesus began to tell his disciples, that he must suffer many things — Perhaps this expression, began, always implied his entering on a set and solemn discourse. Hitherto he had mainly taught them only one point, That he was the Christ. From this time he taught them another, That Christ must through sufferings and death enter into his glory.

From the elders — The most honourable and experienced men; the chief priests - Accounted the most religious; and the scribes - The most learned body of men in the nation. Would not one have expected, that these should have been the very first to receive him? But not many wise, not many noble were called.

Favour thyself — The advice of the world, the flesh, and the devil, to every one of our Lord's followers. Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22.

Verse 23

[23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Get thee behind me — Out of my sight. It is not improbable, Peter might step before him, to stop him.

Satan — Our Lord is not recorded to have given so sharp a reproof to any other of his apostles on any occasion. He saw it was needful for the pride of Peter's heart, puffed up with the commendation lately given him. Perhaps the term Satan may not barely mean, Thou art my enemy, while thou fanciest thyself most my friend; but also, Thou art acting the very part of Satan, both by endeavouring to hinder the redemption of mankind, and by giving me the most deadly advice that can ever spring from the pit of hell.

Thou savourest not — Dost not relish or desire. We may learn from hence, 1. That whosoever says to us in such a case, Favour thyself, is acting the part of the devil: 2. That the proper answer to such an adviser is, Get thee behind me: 3. That otherwise he will be an offence to us, an occasion of our stumbling, if not falling: 4. That this advice always proceeds from the not relishing the things of God, but the things of men. Yea, so far is this advice, favour thyself, from being fit for a Christian either to give or take, that if any man will come after Christ, his very first step is to deny, or renounce himself: in the room of his own will, to substitute the will of God, as his one principle of action.

Verse 24

[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

If any man be willing to come after me — None is forced; but if any will be a Christian, it must be on these terms, Let him deny himself, and take up his cross - A rule that can never be too much observed: let him in all things deny his own will, however pleasing, and do the will of God, however painful. Should we not consider all crosses, all things grievous to flesh and blood, as what they really are, as opportunities of embracing God's will at the expense of our own? And consequently as so many steps by which we may advance toward perfection? We should make a swift progress in the spiritual life, if we were faithful in this practice. Crosses are so frequent, that whoever makes advantage of them, will soon be a great gainer. Great crosses are occasions of great improvement: and the little ones, which come daily, and even hourly, make up in number what they want in weight. We may in these daily and hourly crosses make effectual oblations of our will to God; which oblations, so frequently repeated, will soon amount to a great sum. Let us remember then (what can never be sufficiently inculcated) that God is the author of all events: that none is so small or inconsiderable, as to escape his notice and direction. Every event therefore declares to us the will of God, to which thus declared we should heartily submit. We should renounce our own to embrace it; we should approve and choose what his choice warrants as best for us. Herein should we exercise ourselves continually; this should be our practice all the day long. We should in humility accept the little crosses that are dispensed to us, as those that best suit our weakness. Let us bear these little things, at least for God's sake, and prefer his will to our own in matters of so small importance. And his goodness will accept these mean oblations; for he despiseth not the day of small things. Matthew 10:38.

Verse 25

[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Whosoever will save his life — At the expense of his conscience: whosoever, in the very highest instance, that of life itself, will not renounce himself, shall be lost eternally. But can any man hope he should be able thus to renounce himself, if he cannot do it in the smallest instances? And whosoever will lose his life shall find it - What he loses on earth he shall find in heaven. Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33; John 12:25.

Verse 27

[27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

For the Son of man shall come — For there is no way to escape the righteous judgment of God.

Verse 28

[28] Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

And as an emblem of this, there are some here who shall live to see tho Messiah coming to set up his mediatorial kingdom, with great power and glory, by the increase of his Church, and the destruction of the temple, city, and polity of the Jews.

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