it would be the breaking of his own head, Ge 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall
never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Verses 14–30
Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship, where they met to read,
expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon
him and on him, without measure. By Christ, sinners may be loosed from the bonds of guilt, and
by his Spirit and grace from the bondage of corruption. He came by the word of his gospel, to bring
light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were
blind. And he preached the acceptable year of the Lord. Let sinners attend to the Saviour's invitation
when liberty is thus proclaimed. Christ's name was Wonderful; in nothing was he more so than in
the word of his grace, and the power that went along with it. We may well wonder that he should
speak such words of grace to such graceless wretches as mankind. Some prejudice often furnishes
an objection against the humbling doctrine of the cross; and while it is the word of God that stirs
up men's enmity, they will blame the conduct or manner of the speaker. The doctrine of God's
sovereignty, his right to do his will, provokes proud men. They will not seek his favour in his own
way; and are angry when others have the favours they neglect. Still is Jesus rejected by multitudes
who hear the same message from his words. While they crucify him afresh by their sins, may we
honour him as the Son of God, the Saviour of men, and seek to show we do so by our obedience.
Verses 31–44
Christ's preaching much affected the people; and a working power went with it to the consciences
of men. These miracles showed Christ to be a controller and conqueror of Satan, a healer of diseases.
Where Christ gives a new life, in recovery from sickness, it should be a new life, spent more than
ever in his service, to his glory. Our business should be to spread abroad Christ's fame in every
place, to beseech him in behalf of those diseased in body or mind, and to use our influence in
bringing sinners to him, that his hands may be laid upon them for their healing. He cast the devils
out of many who were possessed. We were not sent into this world to live to ourselves only, but
to glorify God, and to do good in our generation. The people sought him, and came unto him. A
desert is no desert, if we are with Christ there. He will continue with us, by his word and Spirit,
and extend the same blessings to other nations, till, throughout the earth, the servants and worshippers
of Satan are brought to acknowledge him as the Christ, the Son of God, and to find redemption
through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The miraculous draught of fishes, Peter, (1–11)
James, and John called.