Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" September 30th

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" September 30th

Morning

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus.”

Matthew 22:1-14

Matthew 22:2 , Matthew 22:3

It was their sovereign who invited them, and to refuse his invitation was an act of rebellion. Their presence was intended to render honour to the marriage of their prince, and their resolution to be absent was a studied insult both to the king and his son. God in infinite condescension has decreed to glorify his Son by bestowing his rich grace upon undeserving man, and when man wilfully rejects the favour, he is guilty of insulting the Lord of love. Will any of us live and die in this sin?

Matthew 22:4

He was very patient, and condescended to reason with his erring subjects, hoping that perhaps their second thoughts might correct their hasty words. He even pleaded with them, though he might have sent forth his armies at once to destroy them. How true a representation is this of the great Father of mercy!

Matthew 22:5 , Matthew 22:6

Only a few were persecutors, the many were despisers only, but they perished in the general doom, for they had despised their prince.

Matthew 22:7 , Matthew 22:10

Those who hear the gospel regularly are often found rejecting it, yet the Lord’s purposes of grace will not fail, Jesus shall see of the travail of his soul, and heaven shall be tenanted by rejoicing millions. Out of the poorest and meanest of mankind sovereign grace will select its favoured ones, and make them partakers of its bounty.

Matthew 22:11 , Matthew 22:12

His conduct was as gross an insult as that of those who refused to come. A dress was provided for each guest, but he would not put it on, he despised the royal livery, and defied the regal law in the palace itself. Thus do those act who unite themselves with the church, and yet are not holy, nor obedient to Jesus. They insult the Redeemer to his face and defy him in his own house. Are any of us guilty of this? Do we profess to be Christians, and go to the communion table, though we do not wear the garments of sanctification! If so, let us tremble at the doom which awaits us.

Matthew 22:13 , Matthew 22:14

Even in the visible church all are not the

Lord’s elect. What need of careful self-examination! Lord, make us to be truly thine own.

Oh! why do mortals yet despise

This Bridegroom from above?

And for their farms and merchandise

Neglect the feast of love?

Send forth thy messengers, O Lord,

Through all the haunts of sin;

And, hailing sinners by thy word,

Compel them to come in.

For they, who once this supper taste,

Shall thirst for sin no more;

And they, who see The Bridegroom’s face,

Eternally adore.

Evening

“What think ye of Christ?”

Matthew 22:15-46

Matthew 22:15 , Matthew 22:16

Men who wish to ensnare us begin with flattery. Let us beware of smooth speeches.

Matthew 22:21

By using Cæsar’s coinage they confessed their subjection to his authority, and they were bound to act accordingly. Civil rulers are to be obeyed in civil things, but they must not touch religion, that is the sphere of God alone. Attention to this rule would be a great blessing both to Church and State.

Matthew 22:22-32

A most conclusive reply, which shut the mouths of the Sadducees, and showed the Saviour’s infinite superiority to their fancied wisdom.

Matthew 22:43-45

This was a puzzle for them, out of which they could not see their way, and thus Jesus left the field victorious over all his foes.

If ask’d what of Jesus I think,

Though still my best thoughts are but poor,

I say, he’s my meat and my drink,

My life, and my strength, and my store,

My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,

My Saviour from sin and from thrall,

My Hope from beginning to end,

My Portion, my Lord, and my All.

Study FurtherRelated 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.

    Romans 13:14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
    Directly echoes 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ' theme.
    ↳ What worldly desire must you stop feeding to truly clothe yourself in Christ?
    Isaiah 61:10: I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a groom puts on a turban, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
    Garments of salvation picture the required wedding robe.
    ↳ How does trusting Christ's righteousness, not your own, bring you joy today?
    Revelation 19:9: Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
    Blessed are those called to the marriage supper.
    ↳ Are you living now in a way that prepares you for this feast?
    Philippians 3:8: More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,
    Counting all loss to gain Christ, our all.
    ↳ What are you still clinging to that Christ is asking you to release?
    2 Corinthians 13:5: Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
    Urges self-examination whether we are truly in the faith.
    ↳ When you honestly examine your heart, what evidence shows Christ living in you?

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher, born in Kelvedon, England. From 1854 until his death he was pastor in London of the New Park Street Chapel, later renamed the Metropolitan Tabernacle. In 1856 he founded the Pastors' College, later Spurgeon's College, and he also founded the Stockwell Orphanage. His many books include the devotionals "Morning and Evening" and "The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith" (presented here as Faith's Checkbook), and "The Treasury of David."

Sources: Wikipedia
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