Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" October 16th

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" October 16th

Morning

“The Lord is risen indeed.”

John 20:1-17

John 20:1

She and her companions had inquired, “Who shall roll us away the stone?” and lo, they found it gone. God often removes our difficulties out of the way long before we come to them.

John 20:7

If any had stolen the body by night, they certainly would not have left the grave-clothes, much less have folded them up. Our Lord came forth at his leisure, not as one who breaks his prison, but as a captive lawfully delivered. Jesus has made the grave a furnished chamber for our repose, and the napkin by itself may serve to dry the mourner’s tears.

John 20:8 , John 20:9

Though repeated to them so often, they had not seen the real meaning. What need there is of the Holy Spirit’s teaching!

John 20:13

Heaven was rejoicing over the risen Lord, the glad fact was an assurance of joy to earth, why then did this holy woman weep? It was ignorance which kept her in sorrow. If we would learn more of the truth concerning Jesus, we should soon find consolation.

John 20:14 , John 20:15

Her love made her feel equal to anything; however ghastly and heavy the burden she would bear it, love would make it light.

John 20:17

There will be time enough for another interview. Do not attempt to detain me, for I am not yet ascended. Go, tell those whom I still love, that I have called them brethren, and desire to see them before I rise into my Father’s glory. Observe the tender love of Jesus, and remember that he has carried the same loving heart to heaven.

“Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day!”

Sons of men and angels say!

Raise your joys and triumphs high;

Sing, ye heavens; and earth reply.

Love’s redeeming work is done;

Fought the fight, the battle won:

Lo! the sun’s eclipse is o’er;

Lo! he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal,

Christ has burst the gates of hell;

Death in vain forbids his rise,

Christ hath open’d paradise.

Evening

“Jesus Himself drew near.”

Luke 24:13-35

While our Lord remained upon earth he showed himself often to his disciples.

Luke 24:13 , Luke 24:14

And, behold, two of them went that same day, the day on which the Lord arose

Luke 24:13 , Luke 24:14

Or about seven miles and a half.

Luke 24:15

When Christians make their Lord the subject of discourse they may hope to be favoured with his company.

Luke 24:16

And the Lord himself also appeared to them “in another form,” so that they did not recognise him. Jesus sometimes hides himself from those whom he loves best. He may be very near us and yet we may not know him.

Luke 24:25 , Luke 24:26

He called them fools, or wanting in thought and understanding. The original words do not imply contempt; our Lord gently rebuked them for not seeing what was so plainly revealed in Scripture.

Luke 24:25 , Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Is it not so predicted in the prophets? How could it be otherwise?

Luke 24:28

No doubt he would have done so if they had been indifferent to his company: Jesus never forces his society upon us.

Luke 24:29

Love can always find a plea to which her Lord will yield, for he is always most willing to commune with his people.

Luke 24:30 , Luke 24:31

The precious ordinance of “breaking of bread,” is that in which Jesus manifests himself full often to his chosen, and therefore they greatly delight in it. Let none of us forget to do this in remembrance of him.

Luke 24:32-34

This testimony of the apostles the returning travellers were able to confirm, and they did so at once.

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away:

Change and decay in all around I see;

O thou, who changest not, abide with me!

I need thy presence every passing hour.

What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

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.

    1 Corinthians 15:20: But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
    Christ risen as firstfruits guarantees believers' resurrection.
    ↳ How does Christ's firstfruits resurrection anchor your own hope today?
    Romans 6:4: Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
    Christ's resurrection empowers our walk in newness of life.
    ↳ Where in your life do you need to walk in newness?
    1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
    Resurrection births a living hope for God's people.
    ↳ What area of your heart needs this living hope revived?
    Isaiah 53:11: As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, For He will bear their wrongdoings.
    Prophecy foretold Messiah's suffering preceding glory, as Jesus explained.
    ↳ How does Christ bearing your wrongdoings change how you see suffering?
    Matthew 28:20: teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
    Risen Lord promises abiding presence, echoing 'abide with me.'
    ↳ When do you most need to remember His abiding presence?

Meet the Author

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