Matthew 15:21-28 Then Jesus went there, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.… Amongst the causes which keep souls at a distance from Jesus, we must count the attitude of the disciples of Jesus as one of the most powerful. To the Master we must go; not to the disciples. Let us first dispel all misunderstandings. When I declare that we must look to the Master, not to the disciples, I do not forget that the apostles were enlightened by special revelations and were called to found the Church. I do not oppose their teaching to that of the Master; there is no contradiction between them. But when we leave the apostolic age the situation changes. The Church is placed before Christ. But now let us descend to the sphere of the individual conscience. To lead to Jesus! What a privilege and glory. Fidelity of testimony is necessary to this mission. Some are brought to Christ by words, some by indirect influences, others by a love that nothing wearies. But it is possible to put souls away from Jesus Christ. Between them and Christ there have been our sins, pride, etc. 1. Let us remove the hypocrites; to make of their duplicity an arm against the gospel is an unworthy proceeding. You see their inconsistencies; are you sure you do not exaggerate them? Have you weighed all that Christian faith produces of excellent works? Granting that your complaints are well founded: in what way can they justify your unbelief? They could only do so if you had the fairness to seek their cause in the gospel itself. But van contrast the two. Is it not rather the fidelity that offends you, rather than the faults of Christians? 2. A word to you who believe: 1. Judge yourself as you are seeking what is lacking in others. Saved by grace, shall we not exercise mercy? 2. Let us learn to see in our brethren along with the evil that distresses us, the Rood that we have misunderstood until now. 3. Raise your look to the Master, there van will find peace and certainty. (E. Bersier, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.WEB: Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. |
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