John 11:28 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.… The message of Martha to Mary is the message of the Church to every child of man. "The Master is here, and calleth thee." I. THE COMING AND THE PRESENCE OF JESUS. Christ came from the Father, and has come unto men. He came once in his ministry, and he comes ever in his gospel. He is here to welcome and to bless. He is here both in his Word and in his Church. II. THE CALL OF JESUS. 1. The intent of his call. (1) It is a call to salvation from sin, and from its power and consequences. (2) It is a call of sympathy addressed to those in sorrow, as in the case of Lazarus's sisters. (3) It is a call to enter upon his service. To one he says, "Follow me!" to another, "Go, work in my vineyard!" 2. The character of his call. (1) It is sincere. He always means what he says. This is not always so with the invitations men address to their fellow-men. (2) It is authoritative. The Master calls. This is not an invitation which may be either obeyed or disregarded, according to men's caprice; for our Lord's royal call is ever a command. (3) It is effective. There is power in Christ's voice. How many times has that voice awakened men from death to life? To such as have responded to its summons, no other voice has half the charm of this. III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF RECOGNIZING CHRIST'S PRESENCE AND RESPONDING TO HIS CALL. They who act thus are as prisoners who obey the summons to liberty; as the imperiled who answer the call which assures them of deliverance and safety; as guests who accept the invitation to the banquet; as friends who are welcomed to fellowship and to immortal honor. - T. 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. |
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