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to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent

me, and to finish his work.

35

say

unto

35 As the harvest time is the season wherein men reap, so this is my season for gathering in the souls of men. Ye see them white for har

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vest-ready to receive the Messiah.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I 38 The prophets, and specially John sent you to reap that where- the Baptist, had already laboured in on ye bestowed no labour: this work. other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; 42 and said 42 If the Samaritans believed, much unto the woman, Now we more should we believe ! believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast for they also went unto the feast. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy

49 How natural is impatience, where affection is strong!

50 His firmness of faith was more

noble even than his high station.

* The Samaritans had opposed the rebuilding of the temple under Ezra. (Ez. iv. 1-4.) They had also erected a temple on Mount Gerizim, in opposition to that at Jerusalem. Hence the enmity between the Samaritans and the Jews.

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JULY 17, Nov. 13. way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth : and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus

53 Saith not the same voice the same words to thee, O thou mourning parent "thy son liveth!"-liveth in peace with the spirits of the just made perfect.

Reader, wouldest thou as a parent have this hope for the departed ?-take heed, not to thyself only, but to thy household.

did, when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee.

CHAPTER V.

MARCH 18, JULY 17, Nov. 13.

AFTER this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up
to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market
a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda *, having
five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk,
of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
*For an angel went down at
a certain season into the pool,
and troubled the water: who-
soever then first after the
troubling of the water stepped
in was made whole of what-
soever disease he had. And
a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and
eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had
been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt
thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir,
I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the
pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before
me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his
bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The
Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath
day it is not lawful for thee
11 A wise reply. He believed the
to carry thy bed. "He an- healing power to have been from

heal us.
4 Jesus is now always at hand to

The time of healing was when the waters were troubled ; thus we learn, as by a figure, that the season of worldly trouble is the season for heavenly comforts.

* Bethesda means the house of mercy-or bounty.

God! and the command of God, even these cavilets end na gabonaj, Then asked they him, What

14 Where should the thankful b

found, but in the house of God!

swered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk! And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on 17 The distinction was sufficiently the sabbath day. 17 But Je- plain between works to God's giery sus answered them, My Fa- and works to his dishonour. But ther worketh hitherto, and I the Jews would not understand Him*. work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth; and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from 25 “The dead”—those spiritually death unto life. Verily, dead in trespasses and sin-shall

21

25

21 Our Lord asserts both his divi

and human nature. As man, He
"can do nothing of Himself," (ver.
19.) As God, "He quickeneth"-
maketh alive-" whom He will;"
spiritually and eternally.
He too
will judge the world. Justly there-
fore may He claim equal honour
with the Father.

God, as the Lord of nature, is continually working-reproducing by his providence what time consumes-else the world would perish. As the God of grace, He "daily renews us by his Holy Spirit." Soul and body, on Him we day by day depend.

verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the they that hear shall live.

even now, by my word and spirit, "live" unto righteousness.

voice of the Son of God: and For as the Father hath life in

himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in him

27

self; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

27 As the Son of man, He will remember mercy; when, as the Son of God, He executeth judgment *. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

32

29 This plain truth all can understand. God grant, that each man may regulate his life accordingly.

29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing as I hear, I judge and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not 32 John the Baptist was that wittrue. There is another that ness; and to him they sent. (i. 19.) beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; 39 Read and hear the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have with all the patient attention of one eternal life: and they are they who searcheth for great treasure. which testify of me. And ye There you will find things" profitable will not come to me, that ye rection, for instruction in righteousfor doctrine, for reproof, for cormight have life. I receive not ness." (1 Tim. iii. 16.) 42 Men we may deceive: God, who knoweth the heart, we cannot deceive.

honour from men. I know that you,

ye

42 But

have not

the love of God in you.

I

* When it is remembered that he did bear our nature, and was touched with all the feeling of our infirmities, the faithful look without dread to meeting Him as their Judge. At his coming, terror shall yield to trust, and fear to hope, and awe to love.

am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

me.

to our best hopes comes the "search those Scriptures!"

47 Thus the Scriptures will be our condemnation or our salvation, as we reject or receive their testirony, With what a powerful appeal then command already given by our Lord, to

CHAPTER VI.

MARCH 19, JULY 18, Nov. 14.

AFTER these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed hin. because they saw his miracles which he did on them that wee diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these 6 The question was asked that the result might be the more impressive.

9

6

:

may eat? And this he said to prove him for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they amongst so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.

9 Such in every difficulty be our language-"Lord, our means of removing the difficulties which beset us are of themselves vain; but at thy bidding even they shall be suf

ficient."

Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 12 When they were filled, he said unto his

them that were set down; and 12 We are here very forcibly instructed, that wastefulness is sin. No abundance can excuse it *.

* No abundance can justify a waste of God's bounty to us. Even the Lord of all things, at the very time He was miraculously feeding thousands gave directions that the fragments of his bounty should be gathered up;

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