Matthew 26:57-58 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.… I. THE SYMPTOMS OF FOLLOWING CHRIST AFAR OFF. 1. A gradual departure from Him. The first step was self-confidence; the second step was an ignorant zeal for Christ and the use of carnal weapons in His cause. The next step was an abandonment of the cause he had espoused — "Then all the disciples forsook Him." 2. A disinclination to commune with Him. 3. Indifference to meet Him at public ordinances. 4. An attempt to stretch Christian liberty to the utmost. II. THE SAD CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLOWING CHRIST AFAR OFF. 1. Such a course grows worse and worse. 2. Such a state brings its own punishment. 3. Such a course is unspeakably offensive to Jesus Christ. III. SOME OF THE REMEDIES FOR THIS STATE OF MIND. Consider — 1. Whom you follow. 2. The obligations you are under to follow the Lord closely. 3. What advantages you derive from following Him closely. 4. Who has promised to help you to follow Him. 5. If the consequences of following Christ afar off be so dreadful, what must be the consequence of not following Him at all. (J. Sherman.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. |
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