Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: August 20th

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: August 20th

Morning

“Henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

When driven from one city Jesus displayed his healing power in another. Ingratitude could not make him cease to bless mankind.

John 4:46-54

John 4:46 , John 4:47

It is a rare sight to see the great ones of the earth coming to Jesus; but they must come as well as the poorest, if they would be blest.

John 4:48 , John 4:49

In his vehement desire he took the rebuke in silence, and then cried out again for mercy.

John 4:50 , John 4:51

Faith and the cure were wrought at the same moment. From Cana to Capernaum, like a flash of lightning, the power to heal travelled the moment that the father believed.

John 4:54

The first dealt with marriage, and the second with children. Jesus is the true “Family Friend.” Parents, believingly go to him for your children! He waits to answer you.

Luke 5:1-11

We now turn to another event which happened about this time.

John 5:5

Whatever may have happened, it is ours to obey, and in obeying we shall meet with a reward.

John 5:8

He felt that he was not fit for such holy company, and expressed the feeling in all simplicity. He was always outspoken.

John 5:9-11

And wonderful man-catchers they became, taking whole nations in their gospel nets. The Lord help all his spiritual fishermen to cast the net on the right side of the ship.

O Lord our God, thy servants bless,

And crown their labours with success;

For they will cast the net in vain

If thou the Spirit dost restrain.

But if thou guide their willing hand,

Obedient to thy wise command,

Then will they bring the sons of men

Back to their Lord and God again.

Evening

“He went about doing good.”

Mark 1:21-39

Mark 1:23-25

Christ would not have praise from the devil, it has an ill savour about it.

Mark 1:26-30

Luke says it was “a great fever,” so that she was too ill to speak for herself. We must tell Jesus of those who do not plead for themselves.

Mark 1:31

Usually a person healed of fever is long in recovering strength, but our Lord’s cures are perfect as well as immediate. Those whom the Lord heals spiritually are sure to be grateful, they minister both to him and to his people. If he serves us, it is but meet that we should serve him.

Mark 1:35

He had much work before him, and therefore desired much communion with God. Press of business should not excuse us from prayer, but rather urge us to have more of it.

Mark 1:36 , Mark 1:37

Simon was always too forward. We shall often meet with interruptions in prayer, even from well-meaning men; therefore let us, like Jesus, get alone and choose early hours.

Mark 1:38 , Mark 1:39

He did not stay to receive honour for his wonderful miracles, but posted on to other fields of labour. Let us also press forward, for we have much to do, and but one short life to do it in.

Matthew 4:23-25

Matthew 4:23

What a blessed mixture, “preaching and healing”! Now-a-days we have them both spiritually in the gospel. He who preaches Jesus is a healer, for that sacred name is medicine.

Matthew 4:24

What a list of maladies, and how sweet the footnote, “and he healed them”!

Matthew 4:25

Well might they do so, since he scattered such priceless boons. Let us follow him in a higher sense, for none are sick in soul who abide in fellowship with him. Walk with “the beloved physician,” and thou shalt no more say “I am sick.”

Study Further

Related passages, insights, and questions for personal reflection.

Take today’s devotional further. Explore related Scriptures and open any verse in the Study Desk for deeper study.

Acts 10:38: "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Summarizes Jesus going about doing good and healing all.

↳ Where could you bring healing and good today, empowered by God's presence?

Matthew 9:35: Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.

Parallel summary of Jesus preaching and healing every disease.

↳ How might you carry the gospel into ordinary places you visit today?

Ezekiel 34:16: "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will eliminate. I will feed them with judgment.

God seeks lost and heals sick, foreshadowing Christ's ministry.

↳ Who around you needs to be sought out and strengthened by you?

Mark 6:46: And after saying goodbye to them, He left for the mountain to pray.

Jesus withdrawing to pray amid busy ministry, like morning solitude.

↳ What would it cost you to withdraw and pray amid busyness?

Matthew 8:14: When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever.

Parallel healing of Peter's mother-in-law who then served.

↳ After Jesus meets your need, how will you rise and serve others?

 

Copyright Statement

This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".