John 11:28-30 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.… I. THE PROPRIETY OF THIS TITLE AS APPLIED TO OUR LORD. 1. He has a peculiar fitness for the office. He is the Master, i.e., the Teacher. Put the two together. A master teacher must have — (1) A masterly mind. All minds are not cast in the same mould. Some are princely by their very formation though they may belong to ploughboys. Such men as Napoleon, Cromwell, Washington, must rise to be masters among men. You cannot have a master teacher with a little soul. He may insinuate himself into the chair, but everyone will see that he is out of place. Many painters there are, but there have been few Raphaels or Michael Angelos; many philosophers, but a Socrates and an Aristotle will not be found every day, for great minds are rare. The Master of all the teachers must needs be a colossal spirit, and such Mary saw Christ to be. In Him we have Divinity with its omniscience and infallibility, and at the same time a full orbed manhood intensely manly and sweetly womanly. There is a grandeur about His whole human nature, so that He stands out above all other men, like some mighty Alpine peak which overtops the minor hills and casts its shadows all a down the vales. (2) A master knowledge; and it is best if that be acquired by experience rather than by instruction. Such was the case with Jesus. He came to teach us the science of life, and He experienced life in all its phases. (3) A masterly way of teaching. It is not every man of vast mind and knowledge who can teach. Some talk a jargon no one can understand. Jesus taught plainly and also lovingly. The way in which He taught was as sweet as His truth itself. Every one in His school felt at home. Moreover, He gave a measure of the Holy Spirit so that truths were taught to the heart as well as the ear. And that same Spirit now takes the things of Christ, and writes them on the fleshy tablets of the heart. And then Christ embodied His instruction in Himself — was at once Teacher and Lesson. (4) A master influence. His pupils not only saw, but felt; not only knew, but loved; not only prized the lesson, but worshipped the Teacher. What a Teacher this, whose very presence checked and ultimately cast out sin, gave new life and brought it to perfection! 2. He is by office the sole Master of the Church. (1) He, and not Luther, Calvin, Wesley, has the right to determine what doctrines shall be believed. (2) He, and not councils, synods, the State, etc., has the right to determine what ordinances shall be observed. II. THE PECULIAR RECOGNITION WHICH MARY GAVE TO CHRIST AS MASTER. 1. She became His pupil. She sat reverently at His feet. Let us take every word of Jesus, and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it. 2. She was a disciple of nobody else, and ours must not be a divided allegiance. 3. She was a willing scholar. She chose the good part. No one sent her to Jesus. He drew her and she loved to be there. Children at school always learn well if they want to — not if driven. 4. She perseveringly stuck to Him. Her choice was not taken from her, and she did not give it up. 5. She went humbly to Him, feeling it the highest honour to be sitting in the lowest place. They learn most of Christ who think least of themselves. III. THE SPECIAL SWEETNESS OF THE NAME TO US. 1. To teachers. (1) Their message is not their own, but His, which relieves them of responsibility, and makes them indifferent to criticism. (2) When the work does not seem to prosper, what a comfort to be able to go to Jesus! This applies to all — business men, housewives, church officers, etc. 2. To sufferers. A gardener preserved with great care a choice rose. One morning it was gone. He, scolding his fellow servants, and felt very grieved till one said, "I saw the master take it." "Oh, then," said he, "I am content." Have you lost a dear one? It was He who took it. Would you wish to keep what the Master wants? (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. |
    |