: CHAP. XIX. 13 THIS chapter begins with an account of Jesus leaving Galilee, to go to Jerusalem, to attend at the feast of the passover; great multitudes went with him, and, as usual, he healed those who were diseased in the 13th verse, we find that even young children were brought to Jesus-and what did those who brought them wish him to do? But the disciples seemed to think it too much to expect that Jesus should condescend to notice little children-so how did they treat those who brought them? 14 But Jesus did not think even children beneath his notice, and (as Mark tells us) he was much displeased with his disciples-and what did he say to them? 15 Then what did Jesus do? 16 Now follows an account of a young man coming to Jesus; and at first sight, we should think that to be sure he would not be sent away without a blessing-for what did he say when he came? 17 A very important question indeed! and the manner in which the young man addressed our Lord seems very respectful-yet what did Jesus say, in reply? But is not Jesus God? ANs. Yes, he is the true God and eternal life, as we are told near the end of the First Epistle of John; but as this man did not seem to be aware of that, he should not have addressed Jesus as if he was divine. The truth is, the young man had no idea that he needed a Saviour, but fancied that he had been very good; and, having heard of Jesus as a teacher sent from God, he came to him, full of selfrighteous pride, to know if there was any thing he had not doneand, finding that he was bent on saving himself by his own doings, what did Jesus tell him to do? 18, 19 And then the young man, not at all afraid of an examination, desired to know which of the commandments-which did Jesus say? 20 You may observe that Jesus did not mention those commandments which tell us our duty to God, nor was there any occasion; for if the young man had not been completely blinded by pride, he could not have helped seeing that he was a sinner, even against his neighbour, and could never have replied as he did-how did he reply? disciples had done? True, they 28 Jesus, in kindness, did not notice this boast; but assured them 21 Jesus, however, would not that they would not be losers by dispute the matter with him-him-what did he tell them? but, to be a perfect, or thorough disciple, what did he tell him to do? 22 Poor young man! now we see the end of all his boasted goodness for when he heard what Jesus required, what did he do? And why? 23 Then what did Jesus say to his disciples? 24 What did Jesus say was easier than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God? 25 As might be expected, when the disciples heard that, they were astonished-what did they say? 26 And what did Jesus say, in reply? But why is it so very difficult for rich people to be saved? ANS. Not because there is any thing sinful in being rich, but because there is great danger that rich people will love their money better than they love God, as the young man did of whom we have been reading. 27 Finding that Jesus approved of such as were willing to give up all, from love to him, what did Peter say that he and his fellow 29 But others, besides these disciples, would leave all, from love to Jesus-what reward would such have? 30 In the last verse, however, Jesus gently reminds Peter that he should not have boasted so soon, since not all who begin well end well-what did he say? CHAP. XX. 1 THIS chapter begins with a parable-what is the kingdom of heaven said to be like? 2 How much did he agree to give his servants? How much would that be of our money? 3 The man went out a second time about the third hour of the day-and then what did he see? 4 And what did he say to these people? And then what did they do? 5 At what other times did the man go out in search of workmen ? 6 And even at the eleventh hour, he found some idling about-what did he say to them? 7 And what account did they give of themselves? What did the master of the vineyard say then? 8 In the evening, what did he say to his steward? 9 How much did those receive who were hired last? 10 But what did those who were hired early in the day expect? Yet what did they receive? 11 And when they received it, what did they do? 12 And what did they say? 13 But the householder very properly answered that he did them no wrong-in proof of this, what question did he ask one of them? 14 Then what did he tell him to do? And what did he say he should do? 15 And to show the reasonableness of this, what, in the 15th verse, did he ask? 16 What is the conclusion of the whole? What may we learn from this parable? ANS. That God, (who is meant by the lord of the vineyard,) has a right to bestow his blessings just as he pleases: and that we have no right to complain if he blesses others more than he blesses us. 17 Going up to Jerusalem, probably with a large company, whom did Jesus take aside from the rest? 18 And he did this that he might mention to them the important events which would take place at Jerusalem-in what way would Christ be given up, to the power of the priests and scribes? And what judgment would they pass upon him? 19 And then they would deliver him to the Gentiles, or Romansfor what horrid purposes? But they would not prevail in the end for, notwithstanding at their malice and cruelty and power, what would Jesus do? What may we learn from Christ's telling this to his disciples beforehand? ANS. Not only that he knew every thing which would take place; but also that he willingly laid down his life for us. 20 In the 20th verse, we read of some coming to Jesus, to ask a favour of him--who were they? 21 The mother asks for them, as if they were ashamed or afraid to ask for themselves-what did she ask? 22 But Jesus, knowing that they were the principal movers in this business, directs his answer, not to the mother, but to her two sons can you tell me their names? What did Jesus tell these disciples? And what did he ask them? And what did they reply? 23 Then what did Jesus promise them? And what did he mean, by the cup, and the baptism? Ans. The bitter and overwhelming sufferings which he had to pass through, in procuring our salvation. And did these disciples suffer for Christ's sake? ANs. Yes: James was put to death as a martyr, about twelve years afterwards; and John, after various imprisonments and scourgings, was banished to an island called Patmos, in the Egean Sea. And in this island he wrote one of the Books of the New Testament-can you tell me which? Now tell me what, in the 23d verse, did Jesus say about these disciples sitting on his right hand and on his left? And what did he mean by this? ANS. That his errand into this world was not to APPOINT to places of honour; since all such appointments were already made, from the foundation of the world. What should this circumstance teach us? ANS. To be bent on doing as Christ commands us, without fixing, even in our desires, the exact reward; believing that He who knew all things from the beginning, and is perfect in wisdom and righteousness, has prepared all things well. 24 All this time, the other disciples seem to have stood by, without saying any thing, but perhaps they felt the more-how did they feel? 25 Nor did Jesus himself spare these two high-minded disciples, especially as a few words against ambition might not be altogether useless to the others, who, if they thought of themselves at all, could not help remembering that they had lately asked, which should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven; so, calling them round him, Jesus tells them something about the Gentiles, or heathens-what? 26 But what, in the 26th verse, did Jesus tell his disciples? 27 And how, in the 27th verse, did Jesus check their desire after temporal greatness? 28 Then whom did Jesus mention as an example of this commendable humility? And he is the greatest example that can be produced; for he came into the world-for what purpose' ? 29 Jesus and the disciples were at Jericho, when the conversation took place which we have just been noticing-whereabouts was Jericho? ANs. In Judea, near the north coast of the Dead Sea. 30 And when they left Jericho, great multitudes went with them: and by the road-side, there sat two blind men-when these men knew that Jesus was passing by, what did they do? 31 But the multitude told them to be quiet-what did the men do then? That was noble, and an excellent example for us when we apply for mercy-but what did these men mean, when they called Jesus the Son of David? (See on Chap. ix. 27.) 32 But Jesus was much more condescending and compassionate than the multitude: he stood still and called the poor men-and what did he say to them? 33 And what did they want? 34 And Jesus, who never refused mercy to those who prayed in earnest to him, touched their eyes, and restored their sightthen what did they do? The history of these blind men is very short, but very instructive. If you enjoy the blessing of sight, be thankful to God, for you are highly favoured: but do not think that because you can see, therefore you are not at all like these men. Like them, you stand in need of mercy: for your minds are blinded by sin, and the blindness of the mind is ten thousand times worse than the blindness of the body. Then, like these men, pray earnestly, Lord Jesus have mercy on us! And, like them, you shall not pray in vain: CHAP. XXI. 1 WE are now drawing near to the close of our Saviour's life on his way to Jerusalem, he came to Bethphage-whereabouts was Bethphage? ANS. About a mile east of Jerusalem, on the mount of Olives. On arriving near to Bethphage, what did Jesus do? 2 What did Jesus tell his disciples they would find at that village? And what were they to do with these animals? 3 But it was not likely that they would be allowed to do that, without some inquiry-suppose then that any one should speak to them about what they were doing, what were they to say ? 4 And why was all this done? 5 Yes, by the prophet Zechariah, who lived more than 500 years before-but what was the prophecy? 6 In obedience to the command of Jesus, what did the disciples do? 7 And, having returned with the ass and the colt, what did they do? 8 Then what did the multitude do? 9 And what did they say? 10 Poor ignorant people! they thought, no doubt, Jesus was about to deliver them from the Roman government, or else from the ty ranny of Herod; and so they shouted Hosanna to the Son of David! much the same as you would shout God save the king! and so they went on, till they came to Jerusalem, : and when they came to Jerusalem, so unexpected a sight threw the city in an uproar -what did the people at Jerusalem say? 11 And what did the multitude reply? 12 So much for the people: now let us mark the conduct of Jesus; that is of the most importancewhither did he go, when he came to Jerusalem? Yes; and that shows at once what kind of a king Jesus was if he had been a temporal king, he would have gone to take possession of the palace, or of the citadel: but his kingdom is not of |