Old Treasures Made New

Matthew 3:1-12John the Baptist spoke plainly about sin.John the Baptist spoke plainly about our Lord Jesus Christ.John the Baptist spoke plainly about the Holy Spirit.John the Baptist spoke plainly about the dreadful danger of the unrepentant and unbelieving.John the Baptist spoke plainly about the safety of true believers."We ought to be told the absolute necessity of union with Christ Himself by faith. He is the appointed fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace. We must each have personal dealings with Him about our souls.""There must not only be the work of Christ FOR us, but the work of the Holy Spirit IN us. There must not only be a title to heaven by the blood of Christ, but a preparedness for heaven wrought in us by the Spirit of Christ.""We talk of the love and mercy of God, and we do not remember sufficiently His justness and holiness. Let us be very careful on this point. It is no real kindness to keep back the terrors of the Lord. It is good for us all to be taught that it is possible to be lost forever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit.""He taught, that there was "a barn" for all who are Christ's wheat, and that they would be gathered together there in the day of his appearing. This again is a teaching which human nature greatly requires. The best of believers need much encouragement."Questions:Ryle highlights the marks of John that Baptist's ministry, who spoke clearly about sin, the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the coming judgement and the safety of true believers. A few questions will be helpful for us to consider.Amongst other things, Ryle says "It is no real kindness to keep back the terrors of the Lord. It is good for us all to be taught that it is possible to be lost forever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit." In the church you call home, when was the last time sin, repentance or hell was talked about or mentioned? I don't mean every sermon has this as its primary focus, but does the preacher avoid such topics? In light of these verses, would you agree or disagree? Why?In speaking clearly about the Lord Jesus, Ryle warns that many in his day are happy to talk about being united to the church, being baptized, taking the supper, and going to church events, but fall short of being united to Christ by faith alone. Jesus is the appointed fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace, and we must have personal dealings with him about our souls. Could this falling short of union with Christ but being part of the visible church be said of us?Ryle says something that may have caused you pause: "We need to be told that forgiveness of sin is not the only thing necessary to salvation. There is another thing yet; and that is the baptizing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit." He is not advocating a second blessing, but the necessity of the Holy Spirit in conversion. In truth, the Christian life is not a 'get out of hell free' card, but a call to walk in holiness. If in Christ, are we growing in godliness? Do we know something of the Spirit working in us? (see Philippians 2:12-13 and Hebrews 12:14).

Matthew 2:13-23Observe in this passage, how true it is that the rulers of this world are rarely friendly to the cause of God.Observe how the Lord Jesus was "a man of sorrows" even from His infancy.Observe how death can remove the kings of this world like other men.Observe, in the last place, what a lesson of humility is taught us by the dwelling place of the Son of God, when He was on earth."Do you envy the rich and great? Does your heart say, "Oh that I had their place, and rank, and substance?" Beware of giving way to the feeling. The very wealth which you admire may be gradually sinking its possessor down into hell. A little more money might be your ruin.""The Lord Jesus is just the Savior that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean, when we tell Him in prayer of our troubles. He can sympathize with us, when we cry to Him under cruel persecution. Let us keep nothing back from Him.""True Christians should never be greatly moved by the persecution of man. Their enemies may be strong, and they may be weak; but still they ought not to be afraid. They should remember that "the triumphing of the wicked is but short." "Pride is the oldest and commonest of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces. For humility let us labor. For humility let us pray."Questions:Of all the kings of earth, Herod should have been the one who should have known about and welcomed this new-born king, and yet he is the most eager to destroy him. Ryle draws from this that the rulers of the earth are rarely friendly to the cause of God and warns us against the desire to find help for God's kingdom amongst the rulers of earth. Do we envy the rich and powerful? Do we have thoughts that if only the governing authorities would be Christian then all things would be well? How does that compare with the exhortation, "Put not your trust in princes?" (Psalm 146:3)We read that Jesus, the man of sorrows, experienced sorrow even from his infancy. Hardly born, Joseph and Mary have to flee to Egypt. From this Ryle encourages us that Jesus is just the Savior that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean when we tell him in prayer of our troubles. To whom or what do we run to in times of trouble, and how quickly? Do our lives show that we believe that Jesus can sympathize with our troubles?We read of Jesus being born in Bethlehem and growing up in Nazareth. This might not mean much to our 21st century ears, but as Ryle highlights, of all the places mentioned in the OT, Nazareth isn't even mentioned once. We are meant to see in this just another layer of the humility of our Savior. In this we are exhorted to daily stive to copy our Savior's humility. Pride is the oldest and commonest of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces. Do we, as Ryle says, strive and labor for humility? Talk about what that could look like. Also, if you are interested, one good and very practical book you might consider taking up and reading is called Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund.

Matthew 2:1-12These verses show us, that there may be true servants of God in places where we should not expect to find them.These verses teach us, that it is not always those who have most religious privileges, who give Christ most honor.These verses teach us, that there may be knowledge of Scripture in the head, while there is no grace in the heart.The conduct of the wise men described in this chapter is a splendid example of spiritual diligence.Last, but not least, the conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith."The Lord Jesus has many "hidden ones" like these wise men. Their history on earth may be as little known as that of Melchizedek, and Jethro, and Job. But their names are in the book of life, and they will be found with Christ in the day of His appearing.""Familiarity with sacred things has a dreadful tendency to make men despise them.""Let us all beware of resting satisfied with head-knowledge. It is an excellent thing, when rightly used. But a man may have much of it, and yet perish everlastingly.""They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him--but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving--but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary's knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith."Questions:We see in these verses that wise men from afar come to worship while those who live only miles away do not. Ryle points out that, sadly, familiarity with sacred things - growing up in the church, owning a Bible, singing the songs of the faith -has a dreadful tendency to make people despise them. We would expect those most familiar to be the first to come, and yet experience says otherwise. Why do you think this might be? Is this true of your own experience?We read that Herod asks the chief priests and scribes about the wise men's searching, and they know the answer: In Bethlehem of Judea! They knew this precious truth that the rest of the world did not know, even these wise men who might have only known that this King was to be born of the Jews, and yet it did not profit them. Ryle says that head-knowledge is an excellent thing - in truth we cannot be saved without it - and yet, we can still die in our sin if we do not truly believe those truths. Ryle, throughout his writings, will call this grace in the heart. Do we treat the knowledge of the Bible that we have as a precious gift? Is it changing our hearts and actions?The journey of these wise men is not told, but there is no doubt the journey was long and costly, and yet, no cost and distance was too great to stop them. Ryle challenges us the same when it comes to our Christian lives. He asks: where is our self-denial? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are important questions to consider.

Matthew 1:18-25Let us observe the conduct of Joseph.Let us observe the two names given to our Lord: Jesus and Emmanuel"Jesus is a very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners. He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But He does not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conquerors, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call Himself Savior.""We should settle it firmly in our minds, that our Savior is perfect man as well as perfect God, and perfect God as well as perfect man. If we once lose sight of this great foundational truth, we may run into fearful heresies.""Would you have a strong foundation for your faith and hope? Then keep in constant view your Savior's divinity...Would you have sweet comfort in suffering and trial? Then keep in constant view your Savior's humanity."Questions:Ryle briefly points out the example of godly wisdom we have in Joseph who saw the appearance of evil and yet did not act rashly and likely brought it to the Lord in prayer. How do we respond in difficult situations? Are we quick to react or quick to pray? What has been the fruit of our responses?Ryle points out that Jesus is an encouraging name to sinners. Though he is King and Lord, those titles are hard to approach (think of Esther going to the king fearing death) but the Savior is approachable as the very reason he came was to save the lost. Have you found it true, that happy is the person who trusts not in mere notions of God's mercy and goodness, but in Jesus?Ryle not only points out that Jesus is both God and man, but shows why this is good news and practical. Are you going through trials and hardships? Then you can find comfort in the humanity of Jesus who was no stranger to sorrow and suffering and temptation! Are you in need of a sure foundation for your faith and hope? Then you can find a solid rock on which to stand in the divinity of Jesus as he is the mighty God who will do all he has said and can bring you home. Which of these two aspects do you need right now in your life?

Matthew 1:1-17We learn that God always keeps His word.We learn of the sinfulness and corruption of human nature.We learn how great is the mercy and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ."Let no one think that these verses are useless. Nothing is useless in creation. The least mosses, and the smallest insects, serve some good end. Nothing is useless in the Bible.""True Christians should remember this lesson, and take comfort. Their Father in heaven will be true to all His engagements. He has said that He will save all believers in Christ.""Praying parents should pray night and day, that their children may be born of the Spirit.""Our sins may have been as black and great as those of anyone who Matthew names. But they cannot shut us out of heaven, if we repent and believe the gospel."Questions:1. Ryle gives some rapid fire thoughts about the Bible as he begins Matthew. He encourages us to remember that these are God’s words and that we should read them as such and with thankfulness. One of the phrases he will use often is that we need to live up to our light, that is, to practice what we understand in the Scriptures. This should be our aim and heart as we open God’s book. And most importantly, we need to pray for the help of the Holy Spirit as we read. Which one of these points will you seek to apply and how?2. Ryle points out the numerous examples of godly parents who had wicked sons. He reminds us that grace does not run in families, and more than good examples is needed. If you have children or grandchildren, do you pray day and night for their salvation?3. Ryle has us consider God's mercy in the condescension of Jesus who took on flesh and dwelt among us. This should fill us with thankfulness as there is no one who is out of the reach of Christ's sympathy and compassion. Our sins, Ryle says, may be as black and great as any on this list, but none can shut us out of heaven if we repent and believe the gospel. Have you found this to be true?

Starting May 4, an episode will drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A few things to know about Old Treasures Made New:It is Scriptural - I believe the Scriptures are the authoritative, sufficient, breathed-out words of God. So every episode will include the reading of a portion of Scripture.It is devotional - This is not just a Bible reading plan being read aloud. Devotional comments that come from the text will follow, as well as reflective questions which you will be able to find in the show notes. There are plenty of options for listening to the Bible, but a good podcast I recommend is called The Commuter Bible by John Ross.It is historical - I am depending on those who have gone before us to bring said devotional comments. We live in a society that is very interested in looking to the future, but I think we are helped when we remember that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.There are three ways I hope this podcast will be used:Personal - make this part of your personal main Scripture intake, in which I would encourage you to take time reading the passage beforehand and reflecting on the devotional thoughts after. Essentially, this will take you through a deep dive of the gospels as you follow the Scripture divisions. You can also use it as a supplement to your regular reading plan as you go on walks or for your commute.Family Worship - use Old Treasures for a season as part of your family worship. The devotional thoughts and following questions will give you lots of material in generating discussion with your children. And if you are not a fan of listening to something as you sit at the table or living room, it can be useful for the days you need to be flexible and find yourself in the car late at night coming home. I would suggest that this material would be suited for those 7 and up, but you know your child and you will have to find out for yourself!Discipleship - Old Treasures could be a valuable discipleship tool if you are seeking to meet with someone to discuss the Bible and encourage one another in the faith. It may also be useful as an evangelistic tool with someone interested in Christianity.

"Reader, I have now set before you your Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, who was begotten by the Father by an eternal and ineffable generation, consubstantial and co-equal with the Father in all things. In these last times, according to prophetic word, He was incarnate for us, suffered, died, rose again from the dead and was made King and Lord of all things. This is He who is appointed and given to us by God the Father as the fulness of all grace and truth, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, as the ladder and door of heaven, as the serpent lifted up to render the poison of sin harmless, as the water which refreshes the thirsty, as the bread of life, as the light of the world, as the redeemer of God’s children, as the shepherd and door of the sheep, as the resurrection and the life, as the corn of wheat which springs up into much fruit, as the conqueror of the prince of this world, as the way, the truth and the life, as the true vine, and finally, as the redemption, salvation, satisfaction and righteousness of all the faithful in all the world, throughout all ages. Let us therefore pray God the Father that being taught by His gospel, we may know Him who is true and believe in Him in whom alone is salvation, and that believing, we may feel God living in us in this world and in the world to come may enjoy His eternal and most blessed fellowship.Amen and Amen."

John 21:18-25We learn that the future history of Christians, both in life and death, is foreknown by Christ. We learn that a believer’s death is intended to glorify God. We learn that whatever we may think about the condition of other people, we should think first about our own.We learn the number and greatness of Christ’s works during His earthly ministry. "There is no such thing as luck, chance or accident in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen, arranged by One who is too wise to err and too loving to do us harm.""We are so apt to regard life as the only season for honouring Christ and action as the only mode of showing our faith that we overlook death, except as a painful termination of usefulness. Yet surely this ought not so to be. We may die to the Lord as well as live to the Lord, we may be patient sufferers as well as active workers.""Such is the weakness of human nature that even true Christians are continually liable to run into extremes. Some are so entirely absorbed in their own inward experience and their own heart’s conflict that they forget the world outside. Others are so busy about doing good to the world that they neglect to cultivate their own souls. Both are wrong and both need to see a more excellent way...""As much of Christ’s sayings and doings are recorded as the human mind can take in. It would not be good for the world to have more. The human mind, like the body, can only digest a certain quantity. The world could not contain more because it would not."Questions:We hear Jesus tell of Peter's death. Ryle points out that Jesus not only knows and has arranged how Peter will die, but each of his children, which, though knowledge that would make us miserable, is of unspeakable comfort to us. That is because our lives, from beginning to end, have been ordained by a God who is too wise to err and to loving to do us harm. When trials come, do we call such truths as this to mind? Have we known the resting and soothing reflection in times of trouble that "every step of my journey was foreknown by Christ?"We hear Jesus, as he speaks of Peter's death, that how he will die will glorify God. Ryle points out that we are apt to think that life is the only time to glorify God and that death is the painful termination of useful glory to the Lord. Yet, Ryle exhorts a number of ways we can glorify God in death: by being ready for it, by patiently enduring pains, and by testifying to others of the comfort we have in Christ. Would we not take up Bunyan's advice and keep our last hour continually in mind and make it our company-keeper? How will you seek to do this?We hear Jesus respond to Peter, as he inquired about the apostle John, that he should not be concerned so much about him as about following Jesus. Ryle warns us that many today fall into the extremes of either taking too much interest in ourselves, or too much in others. Christians, like Jesus, will seek to do good to others, but never at the expense of our own souls. Which side do we tend to err on? How can we seek to bring balance to this?The book of John ends by saying that much more could have been written about Jesus. Ryle points out that this is saying is spiritual and figurative instead of literal. He says that if more were written we would throw it away because we simply could not handle the quantity. What we have been given is enough to make every believer without excuse, enough to show every inquirer the way to heaven, enough to satisfy the heart of every honest believer, enough to condemn a person if they do not repent and believe, and enough to glorify God. May we, like newborn infants, hunger for the pure spiritual milk of the word, and may it make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ! May the grace of Christ be with you!

John 21:15-17We should notice Christ’s question to Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”We should notice Peter’s answer to Christ’s question. Three times we find the apostle saying, “You know that I love You.”We should notice Christ’s command to Peter. Three times we find Him urging Peter to care for His flock: once, “Feed My lambs” and twice My sheep. "Let us take heed that there is some feeling in our Christianity. Knowledge, orthodoxy, correct views, regular use of forms, a respectable moral life: all these do not make up a true Christian. There must be some personal feeling towards Christ. Feeling on its own, no doubt, is a poor useless thing and may be here today and gone tomorrow. But the entire absence of feeling is a very bad symptom and speaks ill for the state of a person’s soul.""Ask them whether they are converted, whether they are a believer, whether they have grace, whether they are justified, whether they are sanctified, whether they are elect, whether they are a child of God: ask them any one of these questions and they may perhaps reply that they really do not know! But ask them whether they love Christ and they will reply, “I do.” They may add that they do not love Him as much as they ought to do, but they will not say that they do not love Him at all.""It is not loud talk and high profession, it is not even impetuous, occasional zeal and readiness to draw the sword and fight—it is steady, patient, laborious effort to do good to Christ’s sheep scattered throughout this sinful world which is the best evidence of being a true-hearted disciple. This is the real secret of Christian greatness."Questions:We see in these verses the question of Jesus to Peter: "Do you love me? and Peter's reply, "You know that I love you." Ryle declares that knowledge, orthodoxy, correct views, regular use of forms, and a respectful moral life, though important, do not make up a true Christian. This question to Peter is an important question for us: do we love the correct views about Jesus that we hold? Do we walk morally out of love for Jesus? Ryle carefully declares that our feelings can be a poor useless thing and can be here today and gone tomorrow, but can it be said the feeling of love for Christ is totally absent from our lives? What does this do to encourage or humble you?We hear Jesus command Peter to feed his sheep and lambs. This, Ryle declares, is the real secret to Christian greatness, namely that usefulness to others is the great test of love, and working for Christ the great proof of really loving Christ. If this is true, how true is it in our lives? Are we aiming daily to think of others, care for others, do good to others, lessen the sorrow of others and increase the joy of others? Can we say that it is more blessed to give than to receive?

John 21:1-14We should observe the poverty of the first disciples of Christ.We should observe the different characters of different disciples of Christ.We should observe the abundant evidence which Scripture supplies of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection."These very men who toiled all night in a boat, dragging about a cold wet net and eating nothing, found it necessary to work hard in order that they could eat—these very men were some of the first founders of the mighty church of Christ which has now spread so far. They went from an obscure corner of the earth and turned the world upside down.""The one thing needed is to have the grace of the Spirit and to love Christ. Let us love all of whom this can be said, though they may not see with our eyes in everything. The church of Christ needs servants of all kinds and instruments of every sort; penknives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns.""The resurrection of Christ is the crowning glory of the work of redemption. It proved that He finished the work He came to do and as our Substitute, had overcome the grave. The resurrection of Christ is a miracle that no unbeliever can explain away. Above all, the resurrection of Christ is the pledge of our own. As the grave could not keep the Head, so it shall not keep the members."Questions:We see the disciples of Jesus hard at work fishing. Ryle points out that these poor, uneducated men are one of the many pieces of evidence that Christianity has come from God, for there is no other explanation for how the name of Christ has reached the far edges of the earth and turned it upside down. Take a moment to praise God for his working in history. What book on church history or biography has helped you appreciate this point?We again see, of all the disciples, John and Peter highlighted once again. Ryle again highlights the differences between these two disciples who loved Jesus Christ as one sees and the other acts. Jesus Christ, the head of the church, is the one who places his people in His body and then gives them gifts for the common good. Ryle says that the church needs servants of all kinds and instruments of every sort; penknives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns. Yet, the one thing that matters is that all have the Spirit and love Christ. Can we say that we love all who love Christ? Can we say with Sinclair Furguson, "if Christ is not ashamed to indwell them, I will not be slow to embrace them?" We see Jesus spending time with his disciples on the shore of Galilee. Ryle again draws from this irrefutable proof that Jesus rose from the dead as these men, who lived with him for 3 years, and one of whom saw him die on the cross, now see him eating fish and talking with them. The truth is: what greater evidence could be provided to prove Jesus rose from the dead? This is the great truth that no unbeliever can explain away, though some try. When is the last time we thanked God that our faith is not blind, but is based on those who saw and testified and staked their lives on this fact?

John 20:24-31We should mark how much Christians may lose by not regularly attending the assemblies of God’s people.We should mark how kind and merciful Christ is to believers who are slow and weak. We should mark how Christ was addressed by a disciple as “God,” without prohibition or rebuke on His part. "We little know how dependent our spiritual health is on ordinary and regular habitual helps and how much we suffer if we miss our medicine.""Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many slow pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army, many lame sheep in His flock. Yet He bears with them all and casts none away. Happy is the Christian who has learned to deal likewise with their brothers and sisters. There are many in the church who, like Thomas, are doubting and slow, but for all that, like Thomas, are real and true believers.""Let us settle it firmly in our minds that the divinity of Christ is one of the great foundation truths of Christianity and let us be willing to go to the stake rather than let it go. Unless our Lord Jesus is truly God there is an end of His mediation, His atonement, His advocacy, His priesthood, His whole work of redemption. These glorious doctrines are useless blasphemies unless Christ is divine."Questions:We see that Thomas was missing when Jesus first appeared to his disciples, leaving him for a week in unbelief. Ryle exhorts, as far as is possible with us, to not forsake the assembly and miss what may be the word needful for us in the season we are in. He says that we know little of our spiritual health's dependence on the ordinary means of grace of gathering for worship, Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship. How easy is it for us to skip a worship service? Are the things that draw us away such things as we could see the face of our Savior and know his smile? We see the Lord Jesus showing great grace and mercy toward Thomas in his doubting. Ryle encourages us to see the kindness of Jesus toward us, and then to have grace to show such kindness to others. He says that there are many slow pupils, raw soldiers, and lame sheep that belong to Jesus Christ, and that happy is the one who can show kindness to ones like this. Have we learned this lesson in our own lives? Are we inclined to be patient or impatient toward those who are weak?We see Thomas declare that Jesus is His Lord and His God. Here, Ryle says, amongst other places, is irrefutable proof of Jesus' divinity. He states that if it is not true, then also go His mediation ministry, atonement, advocacy, priesthood, and whole work of redemption. Our salvation rests on the fact that Jesus was both God and man. Does this truth seem unimportant because it is not immediately practical, or is it the bedrock of your salvation?

John 20:19-23We should observe the remarkable language with which our Lord greeted the apostles, when He first met them after His resurrection.We should observe the remarkable evidence which our Lord supplied of His own resurrection.We should observe the remarkable commission which our Lord conferred upon His eleven apostles."Peace, we may safely conclude, was intended by our Lord to be the keynote to the Christian ministry. That same peace which was so continually on the lips of the Master was to be the great subject of the teaching of His disciples. Peace between God and humanity through the precious blood of atonement, peace between men and women through the infusion of grace and charity, to spread such peace as this was to be the work of the church.""That principle is that our Master requires us to believe nothing that is contrary to our senses. Things above our reason we must expect to find in a faith that comes from God, but not things contrary to reason.""To treat ministers as being in any sense mediators between us and God is to rob Christ of His prerogative, to hide saving truth from sinners and to exalt ordained ministers to a position which they are totally unqualified to fill."Questions:Jesus' first words to his disciples is peace. Ryle points out that this should be no surprise as this was the song sung by angels at Christ's birth, and was the general subject of what he preached for 3 years. Peace with God through the blood of Christ is what the church must proclaim and promote in the world. Is that what we promote and what our churches promote?Jesus condescends to his disciples by having them see that he had a real body. Ryle, in light of this, lays down a helpful principle, namely that although we can expect to find things above our reason when it comes to knowing God (like the Trinity), we should not expect anything contrary to reason (like Roman Catholicism telling us that the bread and wine are actually and really the body and blood of Jesus). How does this principle help you?We see Jesus commissioning his disciples. Ryle warns that this passage has been the subject of controversy for hundreds of years, and gives a more probably understanding, namely that the apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel, which was also means by which sins would be forgiven upon hearing and believing. He warns against the silence of such arguments that would give them authority to absolve people of sins, evidence of which we would expect to see in Acts and the Pastoral Epistles but find nothing of the sort. He exhorts us to respect the high office of the minister in his gospel ministry, but warns against investing more power and authority than Christ has given. If a pastor, how do you see your role? If not, what role and authority do you see in your pastor?

John 20:11-18We see that those who love Christ most diligently and perseveringly are those who receive most privileges from Christ’s hand.We see that the fears and sorrows of believers are often quite needless.We see what earthly thoughts of Christ may creep into the mind of a true believer. "All believers have not the same degree of faith, hope, knowledge, courage or wisdom and it is foolish to expect it. But it is a certain fact that those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to Him most closely will always enjoy most communion with Him and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts.""Two-thirds of the things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. Let us pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God’s purposes.""In every age there has been a tendency in the minds of many, to make too much of Christ’s bodily presence and to forget that He is not a mere earthly Friend, but one who is God over all, blessed forever, as well as human. Let us pray for a right judgment in this matter, as in all other things concerning our Lord’s person. Let us be content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, and present when two or three are met in His name, and to wait for the real presence of Christ’s body till He comes again.""As He dealt with His erring disciples on the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him until He comes again. When we wander out of the way He will bring us back. When we fall He will raise us again."Questions:We see Mary Magdalene remain at the tomb of Jesus and become the first to see and hold conversation with the Lord Jesus. Ryle points out that while there are various degrees of faith, hope, knowledge, courage, and wisdom among believers, the simple rule applies: those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to him most closely will, like Mary experienced that Resurrection morning, enjoy most communion with Him. Do we read the Bible just to check off a reading plan list, or to know and enjoy Christ more? We see Mary weep for Jesus even while Jesus is right at hand. Ryle draws from this the reality of what many Christians regularly face, namely anxiety when there is no just cause for anxiety. He states that two-thirds of things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. If we look back on the situations that draw anxiety out of us, even this past month, how many of them come to pass? Would we not pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God's purposes?We see Mary receive a gentle rebuke from Jesus when he tells her not to cling to him. Ryle draws from this a mistake of many in every age, namely a tendency to make too much of Christ's bodily presence when what we really need is his Spirit. Are we content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, present when two or three are gathered, and waiting for his physical presence when he returns?We see Jesus speak tenderly and compassionately to his disciples in the message he gives Mary to deliver to them. Remember, they had fled from and denied him only three days earlier, and now Jesus speaks as if all is forgiven and forgotten. He brings them back and heals their wounds. Ryle declares from Hebrews that this compassionate Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How does this comfort us as we consider our failings and backslidings?

John 20:1-10We are taught that those who love Christ most are those who have received most benefit from Him.We are taught that there are widely different temperaments in different believers.We are taught that there may be much ignorance even in true believers."How is it that many, whose faith and grace it would be uncharitable to deny, work so little, give so little, say so little, make so little effort to promote Christ’s cause and bring glory to Christ in the world? These questions have only one answer. It is a low sense of debt and obligation to Christ which is the account of the whole matter.""Let us love all who love Christ in sincerity and thank God that they love Him at all. The great thing is to love Jesus.""After all we must remember that true grace, and not head knowledge, is the one thing needed. We are in the hands of a merciful and compassionate Saviour who passes by and pardons much ignorance when He sees a heart right in the sight of God."Questions:We see that the first person to Jesus' tomb was Mary. Ryle draws from this evidence that Mary had a deep love for Jesus because she felt her need and indebtedness to Him. He asks why many who have faith and grace work so little, give so little say so little, and make so little effort to promote Christianity in the world? The answer is that we, unlike Mary, do not feel our indebtedness to Christ. If this is us, would we make it our daily prayer that we may see the sinfulness of our sin and the amazing grace of Christ more clearly and distinctly?We see two men, John and Peter, who loved Jesus and yet respond differently when arriving at the tomb of Jesus. Ryle draws out from this that although all Christians are planted by one Spirit and love the same Lord yet have different temperaments and characteristics. Are we guilty of judging others because they are different than us, or don't respond the same way we do or feel the way we feel, or vice versa? Would we be charitable toward those who are different from us and cherish the fact that we love Jesus Christ?John humbly testifies that Peter and himself did not yet understand that Jesus had to rise again from the dead. Ryle draws from this that a believer may be ignorant of many things, but it is grace in the heart that matters most. Far from discouraging knowledge, Ryle exhorts us to seek knowledge and be ashamed of ignorance, but most importantly to make sure we have grace and right hearts. As Paul tells us, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. May this be true of us for God's glory and our joy.

John 19:38-42 We learn that there are some true Christians in the world of whom very little is known.We learn that there are some servants of Christ whose end is better than their beginning.We learn that the burial of the dead is an act which God sanctions and approves. "He does not hesitate to confess himself one of Christ’s friends, at a time when Jews and Romans alike had condemned Him as a criminal and put Him to death. Surely the man who could do such things must have had strong faith! Can we wonder that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this pious action of Joseph is told of as a memorial of him?""We must not condemn others as graceless and godless because they do not see the whole truth at once and only reach definite Christianity by slow degrees. The Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway to heaven. In these there is invariable uniformity. But the Holy Spirit does not always lead believers through the same experience or at the same rate of speed.""The true Christian need never be ashamed of regarding a funeral with particular reverence and solemnity."Questions:We learn of a man not previously known, showing love to Christ when even those who were closest to him had fled. Ryle points out that Joseph of Arimathea was a man of strong faith, and that, like the 7,000 unknown believers in Elijah's day, there are likely numerous Joseph's today we know nothing about. Do we find the greatest value in those who do great things, or do we value all who love Christ despite the flashiness of their works?We see a man who once came to Jesus by night only 3 years later boldly come forward to serve Christ. Ryle highlights that the Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway of heaven, yet he doesn't always lead believers through the same experience, or at the same rate of speed. Are we guilty of condemning young believers for not grasping full maturity or despising the day of small things? Do we deal gently with those who have grace but struggle? What does this truth do to help how we deal with others?We see that Jesus' body is buried. Ryle draws out from this evidence that sanctions the burial of the dead and that we should never be ashamed to regard a funeral with particular reverence. In the West, we live in a day in which many want to call a service for a loved one who has passed away a 'celebration of life' instead of a funeral. It seems to me that this is a subtle shift from highlighting the sorrow of such a loss to just focus on the 'good' stuff, and I wonder if we do it because we are ashamed as Ryle says. As of recording this, my family, just this morning, buried our 15-month-old child, Tobias. As Christians, we need to recover the funeral in which we mourn and allow others to mourn with us, or take time to mourn with those who have lost loved ones. We need to bury the dead and give respect to the body God knit together for our loved ones, believing that God will raise that body again when Jesus returns. I have two questions. First, do we give dignity to the body or have we said things like, "that person isn't here?" when standing before the dead? We are embodied souls, and we must treat the dead body with the understanding that God will raise it in glory. Second, Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting." The Preacher then gives the reason: "for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart." Do we run from and find excuses to not attend a funeral or are we wise and go to learn wisdom even while we mourn with those who mourn?

John 19:28-37Let us mark the frequent fulfilments of prophetic Scripture in every part of Christ’s crucifixion.We should mark the particularly solemn saying which came from our Lord’s lips just before He died. We should mark the reality and truth of Christ’s death. "It really requires more unreasoning faith to be an unbeliever than to be a Christian. The one who regards the repeated fulfilments of minute prophecies about Christ’s death, such as the prophecies about His dress, His thirst, His pierced side and His bones, as the result of chance and not of design must indeed be willing to believe anything.""We need not fear that either sin, Satan or law shall condemn us at the last day. We may lean on the thought that we have a Saviour who has done all, paid all, accomplished all, performed all that is necessary for our salvation.""Whatever view we take of the blood and water, let us make sure that we are among those who “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). It will matter nothing at the last day that we held during life the most exalted view of the sacraments if we never came to Christ by faith and never had personal dealings with Him."Questions:We see numerous Scriptures fulfilled in Christ's death. Ryle points out that the only rational explanation of so many prophecies being fulfilled so many years later can only point us to God. How well verses are we with these prophecies, and do they have the effect of strengthening our faith?Jesus's last words on the cross were, "it is finished." Ryle says that we cannot fully comprehend all that this statement contains, though it obviously points to no less than Christ as our substitute, the fulfilling of many prophecies and so forth. One great truth we certainly pull from this is that we need not fear that sin, Satan, or law shall condemn us on the final day, because we lean on a Savior who has done all, paid all, and accomplished all. Stop and praise God for his glorious grace and the firm foundation you stand on in him. We see the reality of Christ's death as the soldier pierces his side and blood and water come out. Ryle says that there are many interpretations of this, but what matters most is that we have washed our robes white in the blood of the Lamb by faith and had dealings with him. Have we done so? Have we seen that our robes are indeed dirty and that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash them clean? May it be so, and may it increase thanksgiving to Him as we consider it!

John 19:17-27We should observe how our Lord had to bear His cross when He went forth from the city to Golgotha.We should observe how our Lord was crucified as a King.We should observe how tenderly our Lord took thought for Mary, His mother."To wear crosses as an ornament, to place crosses on churches and tombs, is cheap and easy work and entails no trouble. But to have Christ’s cross in our hearts, to carry Christ’s cross in our daily walk, to know the fellowship of His sufferings, to be conformed to His death, to have crucified affections, and live crucified lives—all this needs self-denial and Christians of this kind are few and far between.""They only will find Him their Saviour at the last day who have obeyed Him as King in this world. Let us cheerfully pay Him that tribute of faith, love and obedience which He prizes far above gold. Above all, let us never be afraid to declare ourselves His faithful subjects, soldiers, servants and followers however much He may be despised by the world.""It is not too much to say, however painful the assertion, that of all the inventions of the Church of Rome there never was one more without foundation in Scripture and reason, than the doctrine of Mary-worship."Questions:We see Jesus carry the cross like a criminal for our sake. Ryle draws the practical application that just as Jesus bore his cross, so we are called to carry our cross and follow Him. He says that to wear crosses is cheap, but to have Christ's cross in our hearts and to carry Christ's cross in our daily walk and to know the fellowship of his sufferings requires self-denial and is the only cross-bearing and cross-carrying that does any good in the world. Where are we when it comes to denying ourselves and taking up the cross in our lives?We see that the sign declaring Jesus as the King of the Jews, though mocking, declared what was right and true. As a king he was born, lived, was crucified, and will come again. Ryle exhorts us that only those who know Jesus as King in their hearts will know him as Savior. Are we those who cheerfully pay him the tribute of faith, love and obedience that he prizes far above gold? We see Jesus, in great pain and agony, caring for his mother. Ryle points out in this how unfounded the Roman Catholic Church is to venerate Mary, but for our purposes, we also see the matchless tenderness, sympathy, and consideration of Jesus for his people. And what a helpful thing to consider in the context of carrying the cross! Do we see in Jesus our Lord the one who also cares for us? May this truth carry us through whatever trials and cross-bearing may bring!

John 19:1-16The first portrait in the picture is that of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The second portrait in the picture before us, is that of the unbelieving Jews who favoured our Lord’s death. The third and last portrait in the picture before us is that of Pontius Pilate."Never let us forget when we ponder this tale of suffering that Jesus suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust, that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and that with His stripes we are healed.""There is no worse judgment from God than to be left to ourselves and given over to our own wicked hearts and the devil. There is no surer way to bring that judgment upon us than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light.""The poorest labourer who has grace and fears God is a nobler being in the eyes of his Creator than the King, ruler or statesman whose first aim it is to please the people."Questions:We see a picture of Jesus who willingly went to the cross in our place. Ryle draws from 1 Peter, that not only was this for our sins, but it is also an example for us to follow. Have we armed ourselves with the same way of thinking of Jesus? When suffering comes, do we count it a strange thing or do we expect it?We see a picture of the Jews exhibiting a hard heart as they press Pilate for the death of Jesus. Ryle warns that the worst judgement God can bring on men and women is to leave them to their own wicked hearts and the devil, and there is no surer way to bring that judgement upon them than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light. What effect do the warnings of the Bible have upon us? How do we respond to God's Word when we read it?We see a picture of Pontius Pilate who, ultimately out of fear of man, declared a wicked sentence upon an innocent man. Ryle declares that rulers who do not fear God and seek to please people are the worst of rulers. He rightly encourages us to pray for our rulers to fear God. When is the last time you prayed for the rulers of your country?

John 18:28-40The first point that we should notice is the false conscientiousness of our Lord’s wicked enemies. The second point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord Jesus Christ gives of His kingdom. The third point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord gives of His own mission.The last point that we should notice in these verses is the question that Pontius Pilate addressed to our Lord. "Christianity is worthless if it makes us try to make up for the neglect of heartfelt faith and practical holiness by an extravagant zeal for human ceremonies or outward forms.""No doubt the kings of this world cannot make people Christians by laws and statutes, but they can encourage and support Christianity and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness and honesty will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms.""Like [Jesus] we are to be witnesses to God’s truth, salt in the midst of corruption, light in the midst of darkness, men and women who are not afraid to stand alone and to testify for God against the ways of sin and the world. To do so may involve us in much trouble and even persecution, but the duty is clear and plain."God never left any honest, diligent inquirer without light and guidance."Questions:We see that the Pharisees, though committing the most grievous act of sin in killing the Messiah, were concerned about being ceremonially clean and did not enter the Praetorium. Ryle points out that the conscious of unbelievers can either become hard or simply put the emphasis on another lesser point. It might be easy to point to the Pharisees but what about us? Can we say, with Psalm 119:128, "Therefore all your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way?"Jesus declares before Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. Ryle points out that while Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that will not have taxes and armies, that doesn't mean the rulers in this world should neglect the teachings of this Kingdom. Wise rulers will do all that lies in their power to help Christianity and to discourage unbelief. When is the last time we prayed for our governing authorities to let Christians live a quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way?Jesus declares that his mission is to bear witness to the truth. Ryle points out that this is an example of us to follow in this dark and sinful world. Whatever culture we find ourselves in, there are plenty of ways to speak the truth where it is distorted. Is this a mission we are fulfilling? When was the last time we spoke the truth in love to a false idea or action? When was the last time we failed to do so because of the cost?We see Pilate ask Jesus, 'what is truth?' Ryle points out that this question was likely a sarcastic one rather than an honest question. The truth is that many do the same today and hide behind such statements. The verses in Proverbs quoted offer a good closing question for us, namely, do we seek truth as Solomon told us? He promises, "if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will find the knowledge of God."

John 18:12-27We should mark the amazing hardness of the unconverted. We should mark the amazing condescension of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should mark the amazing degree of weakness that may be found in a real Christian."Twenty or thirty years of total unbelief, without the influence of Sunday, Bible or Christian teaching, will make a person’s heart hard as stone. Their conscience at last will seem dead, buried and gone.""To suffer for those whom we love and who are in some sense worthy of our affections is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly when we have no power to resist is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily when we have the power to prevent it and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked—this is a line of conduct which passes understanding.""Few are aware, perhaps, how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of God whom they cannot see."Questions:We see, in the example of those who arrested Jesus, and saw the miracles of the soldiers falling back, and the ear of Malchus being healed, a hardness of heart. Ryle points out that such an example with Christ should not surprise us when we see it today. And so, we need to ask ourselves: are we surprised at the hardness of heart we see in those around us who do not believe?We see the condescension of Christ as He, the King of kings, willingly submits himself to be judged by wicked men all the while knowing all things and able to escape in a moment. This is a doctrine, Ryle says, that must be understood and not forgotten. Jesus Christ not only gave himself for us but did so willingly. Would we not take up one of these passages - 2 Corinthians 5:21 or 1 Peter 3:18 - and memorize and meditate upon it?We see in the example of Peter how far one can fall who is a true Christian. Peter had just heard the most touching teaching and the most personal prayer and yet denied Christ only hours later. Ryle exhorts us to watch out for the dangers of pride and self-reliance and the fear of others. He warns that few are aware how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of whom they cannot see. Would we pray for a distrust in ourselves, and would we ask God that His name would be holy in our lives?

John 18:1-11We should notice the exceeding hardness of heart to which a backslider may attain.We should notice the entire voluntariness of Christ’s sufferings.We should notice our Lord’s tender care for His disciples’ safety. "Let us beware of resting our hopes of salvation on knowledge however great or Christian advantages however many. We may know all doctrinal truth and be able to teach others and yet prove rotten at heart and go down to the pit with Judas." "Let us carefully remember that our blessed Lord suffered and died of His own free will. He did not die because He could not help it. He did not suffer because He could not escape. All the soldiers of Pilate’s army could not have taken Him if He had not been willing to be taken. They could not have hurt a hair of His head if He had not given them permission.""He watches tenderly over every one of His children and like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill: “They shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).""Determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. The habit of laying all our matters before God in prayer and asking Him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace."Questions:We see an account of Judas, a disciple of Christ, standing with the enemies of Christ. Ryle uses this account to highlight the danger of having many spiritual privileges and yet bearing no fruit and proving to be more like Judas than we ever could have imagined. He warns against any secret sin that harbors in our souls, knowing that such a one can be the downfall of anyone. Are there any known secret sins we are harboring that we need to confess and bring to the light?We see that when Jesus speaks, these armed soldiers fall back, a miracle for eyes to see it. Ryle points out that Jesus could not have been touched by these soldiers, and not even a hair of his head could be touched, without his permission. Jesus willingly suffered and died out of love for His Father and to accomplish the redemption of His people. It was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross! What does this glorious truth do to encourage you today? We see even at the moment Jesus is to be taken away that he shows concern for and protects his disciples. Ryle draws from this a precious truth that Jesus still watches tenderly over his people and "like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill." Do we believe that? Have we found comfort in this truth in times of trial? If not, how will we cling to this truth for tomorrow?We hear Jesus declare his desire to do the will of the Father as he prepares to take the cup of suffering. Ryle draws out the point that determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. On the contrary, laying our matters before God in prayer and asking him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace. We naturally want to go our own way, and yet Jesus, in love, gave his life so we could be saved. How many times today have we demanded our own way? this week? Would we start laying ourselves down for the good of our King and his Kingdom and say 'your will be done?'

John 17:17-26We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may be sanctified.We should mark how Jesus prays for the unity and oneness of His people.We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may at last be with Him and behold His glory."Our entrance into heaven will be entirely by grace, not works, but heaven itself would be no heaven to us if we entered it with an unsanctified character. Our hearts must be in tune with heaven if we are to enjoy it. There must be a moral fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light, as well as a title. Christ’s blood alone can give us a title to enter the inheritance. Sanctification must give us a capacity to enjoy it.""How often Christians have wasted their strength in contending against fellow Christians, instead of contending against sin and the devil!""We do not see Christ now. We read of Him, hear of Him, believe in Him and rest our souls in His finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not by sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. There will be an end of all this state of things one day. We will at length see Christ as He is and know as we have been known."Questions:Jesus prays that His Father would sanctify his people in truth and that his word is truth. Ryle draws out that this is a call for the Christian to grow in holiness, and that while the blood of Christ alone can give us a title to enter heaven, sanctification is what gives us the capacity to enjoy heaven. Does this strike you as it strikes me? We tend to think that when we die and rise that our minds will be wiped, but this hints that our enjoying of heaven begins now in sanctification. Are we growing in desiring the things of God now or do we expect that to happen suddenly in heaven?The Lord Jesus prays that Christians should be one. Ryle points out that schisms and sect-making have been sadly prevalent in Church history and given the world much opportunity to not believe. Now, there are times and places when divisions should happen, yet do we treat such things lightly or as occasions for sadness? Jesus prays for his people to be with him where He is. Ryle says that we do not now see Christ. We read of Him, believe in him and rest our souls in his finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not be sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. Yet, he encourages us to not let the vision of being with Christ be long out of our thoughts or distant from our minds. How often do we think of heaven? How will we seek to keep such hope from being long from our thoughts?

John 17:9-16We learn that the Lord Jesus does things for His believing people which He does not do for the wicked and unbelieving.We learn that Christ does not wish His believing people to be taken out of the world, but to be kept from the evil of it."This special intercession of the Lord Jesus is one great secret of the safety of all believers. They are daily watched, thought of and provided for with unfailing care, by One who never slumbers and never sleeps.""To abide here in this vale of tears, tried, tempted, assaulted and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and to glorify Christ. To go to heaven at once in the day of conversion would doubtless be an easy course and would save us much trouble. But the easiest course is not always the path of duty. The one who would win the crown must carry the cross and show themselves light in the midst of darkness and salt in the midst of corruption."Questions:Jesus declares that he prays for his disciples and not for the world. Ryle points out that this is a particularly hated doctrine by the world, but one that should be of particular comfort for believers. And so, we need to ask ourselves: am I leaning on this truth that Jesus is praying for me? Is this a great comfort to me?Jesus prays that his people be kept from evil, but not taken out of the world of evil. Ryle points out that to abide here in this vale, tried, tempted, assaulted, and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and glorify Christ. Whatever trial we are going through, are we able to trust that God knows better than us? Do we pray to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil?

John 17:1-8We should notice what a glorious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s role and dignity. We should notice what a gracious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples. "Forever let us thank God that the hope of a Christian rests on such a solid foundation as a divine Saviour. He to whom we are commanded to flee for pardon and in whom we are bid to rest for peace, is God as well as Man. To all who really think about their souls and are not careless and worldly, the thought is full of comfort.""Wherever the gracious Saviour of sinners sees true faith in Himself, however feeble, He looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects."Questions:These verses contain great truths about Jesus. As I read what Ryle lists once again, would you let your heart praise our great Savior for his mercy and grace? "We read that the Father has “given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life.” The keys of heaven are in Christ’s hands. The salvation of every soul is at His disposal. We read, furthermore, that “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The mere knowledge of God is not sufficient and saves no one. We must know the Son as well as the Father. God known without Christ is a Being whom we can only fear and dare not approach. It is “God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” who alone can give to the soul life and peace. We read, furthermore, that Christ has finished the work which the Father gave Him to do. He has finished the work of redemption and made out a perfect righteousness for His people. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to do God’s will and brought sin into the world, the second Adam has done all and left nothing undone that He came to do. Finally, we read that Christ had glory with the Father before the world was. Unlike Moses and David, He existed from all eternity, long before He came into the world and He shared glory with the Father, before He was made flesh and born of the Virgin Mary." Which of these great truths stands out to you and increases thanksgiving to His name, and why?Ryle points out a number of the gracious sayings about the disciples. Jesus declares that they have kept his word, they believe Jesus has come from the Father, they have received the Father's words, and they believe that the Father sent Jesus. And all this from men who were quite weak and feeble! Ryle points out the life-giving truth that even the least degree of faith is very precious in God's sight, and that he looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects. What does this truth do to your heart today?

John 16:25-33We learn that clear knowledge of God the Father is one of the foundations of the Christian religionWe learn that our Lord Jesus Christ makes much of a little grace and speaks kindly of those who have it.We learn that the best Christians know only a little of their own hearts. We learn that Christ is the true source of peace. "Let us beware of the mistake which some make, who speak of God as if there was no Christ, and the mistake which others make, who speak of Christ as if there was no God. Let us seek to know all three Persons in the blessed Trinity and give to each One the honour due to Him.""The Saviour of sinners will not cast off those who believe in Him because they are babes in faith and knowledge.""None of us, perhaps, have the least idea how much we might fall if placed suddenly under the influence of strong temptation. Happy are those who never forget that the one who thinks they are standing must beware of falling and, remembering our Lord’s disciples, prays daily: “Hold me up and I shall be safe.”"Let us lean back our souls on these comforting words and take courage. The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us, but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, losses, crosses and disappointments of our life may often make us feel badly cast down, but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ."Questions:1.Jesus declares that he will speak plainly about the Father. Ryle highlights that Christians must beware of the mistake of speaking of God without the Son, and the Son without the Father. We must seek to know all three Persons of the blessed Trinity and to give to each One the honor due his name. Is this a new concept for you? It was to me a number of years ago, but I was encouraged by a prayer by John Stott that highlights this well. It goes like this: Father, give me grace to live before you and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, give me grace to deny myself, take up the cross, and follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.2.Jesus, knowing the weakness and soon abandonment of his disciples, speaks gracious words of the Father's love for them. Ryle points out that Jesus does not despise one of his children, no matter how weak and feeble, as long as their faith is true. What does this do to encourage your heart?3.We learn that the disciples, though making genuine statements about their love for Christ, had yet to learn of the weakness of their own flesh, the power of the devil, the feebleness of their own resolutions, and the shallowness of their faith. Ryle points out that the true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humility. How do we see ourselves? Do we know how weak we truly are? Are we quick to trust ourselves or do we know that we are weak and seek to be strong in the Lord?4.Jesus promises tribulation and yet comfort that he has overcome the world. When faced with sorrows, losses, crosses, and disappointments, do we tighten our grip on Christ or are we tempted to doubt his goodness?

John 16:16-24 We learn that Christ’s absence from the earth will be a time of sorrow to believers, but of joy to the world. We learn that Christ’s personal return will be a source of boundless joy to His believing people. We learn that while Christ is absent believers must ask much in prayer. "Christ’s personal absence must necessarily be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers. Faith is not sight. Hope is not certainty. Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking face to face. There is something, even in the hearts of the most eminent believers that will never be fully satisfied as long as they are on earth and Christ is in heaven.""It is not enough that we look backward to the cross and rejoice in Christ dying for our sins, or upwards to the right hand of God and rejoice in Christ’s interceding for every believer. We must do more—we must look forward to Christ’s return from heaven to bless His people and to finish the work of redemption.""Let prayer in the name of Jesus be a daily habit with us every morning and evening of our lives. Keeping up that habit, we shall find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness and support in death. He is faithful who promised that your joy would be full and He will keep His word if we ask in prayer."Questions:We hear Christ declare that His leaving will not only cause the disciples sorrow, but will bring joy to the unbelieving world. The truth is, as Ryle says, that faith is not sight, and hope is not certainty, and reading and hearing are not the same as beholding, and praying is not speaking face-to-face. Do we resonate with this? Jesus declares that when he does return that the heart of believers will be full. Ryle points out that all Christians, while looking back at his death, and looking up at his current intercession ought to include having our eyes fixed on this second coming. When is the last time we longed or asked for this? If too long, how will we seek to place this calling more front and center in our lives? Jesus declares to his disciples, then and now, that if we ask in his name, we will receive that our joy may be full. Ryle encourages us that out of all Christian duties, none receives such promises as prayer. He exhorts us to keep up that habit and find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness, and support in death. Do our lives declare that we are dependent upon God or dependent upon ourselves? What would it do to our trust in God to memorize this promise and take it to heart?

John 16:8-15Our Lord probably meant to show us what the Holy Spirit would do to the world of unbelieving Jews. He would convince them “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”Our Lord probably meant to foretell what the Holy Spirit would do for the whole of humanity, both Gentiles as well as Jews."The difficulty of rightly explaining the sayings of our Lord in this place is undeniably very great. It may well be doubted whether the full meaning of His words has ever been entirely grasped by the human mind and whether there is not something at the bottom which has not been completely unfolded.""Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must not wonder if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In this, as in many other things, we do not have because we do not ask."Questions:Jesus declares that the Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Ryle, admitting this to be a deep passage in which much is not fully understood, suggests that it speaks first about the Jews and then about the whole world. It is a deeply comforting thought that the Father and Son have sent the Spirit to remind us of all truth. Can we testify of this reality in our own lives? Has the Spirit brought light when reading Scripture and brought remembrance of truth when in conversation? Do we regularly pray for the Spirit to work in our lives?

John 16:1-7We find our Lord delivering a remarkable prophecy.We find our Lord explaining His special reason for delivering the prophecy just referred to, as well as all His discourse. We find our Lord giving a special reason why it was expedient for Him to go away from His disciples: “if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”"Let it never surprise us to hear of true Christians being persecuted in one way or another, even in our own day. Human nature never changes. Grace is never really popular. The quantity of persecution which God’s children have to suffer in every rank of life, even now, if they confess their Master, is far greater than the thoughtless world supposes.""We never can tell what is before us in life. But of one thing we may be very sure: we must carry the cross if we would wear the crown.""He tells them that His departure, however painful it might seem, was not an evil, but a good. They would actually find it was not a loss, but a gain. His bodily absence would be more useful than His presence."Questions:Jesus promises his disciples persecution. Ryle points out that this prophecy, like all true prophecy, has been fulfilled to the very letter, and is still true today. Now, we may think that persecution means death threats and prison, but it can, as Jesus declares, include reviling and being spoken evil about on account of his name. Are we surprised when persecution comes? How may we gird ourselves even today for this truth?The entire discourse Jesus is giving is done so that we would not stumble as we walk the narrow road that is the Christian life. Ryle points out that this is a great kindness from our Master, a kindness we must pass down to all new believers. Were we given such kind warnings to count the cost of following Jesus in our lives? Do we give such exhortations to others?Jesus tells His disciples that it is good for him to go for then he will send the Holy Spirit to them. Ryle gives a number of reasons to consider this strange truth, the foremost being that the religion of the disciples had become an entirely new thing altogether after Pentecost. Do we believe that it is better that Jesus is in heaven so that the Spirit could dwell amongst and in us?

John 15:22-27We should observe how our Lord speaks of the misuse of Christian privileges: it intensifies guilt and will increase condemnation.We should observe how our Lord speaks of the Holy Spirit: He speaks of Him as a Person.We should observe how our Lord speaks of the special role of the apostles: they were to be His witnesses in the world."Let us settle it down as a first principle of Christianity, that Christian privileges are in a certain sense very dangerous things. If they do not help us toward heaven they will only sink us deeper into hell.""Let us take care that the work of the Spirit is not so buried under high views of the church, the ministry and the Sacraments that the real Holy Spirit of Scripture is completely put out of sight.""We must not be ashamed to stand up for Christ’s cause, to speak out for Christ and to persist in maintaining the truth of Christ’s gospel. Wherever we live, in town or in country, in public or in private, abroad or at home, we must boldly confess our Master at every opportunity, So doing, we shall walk in the steps of the apostles. So doing, we shall please our Master and may hope at last that we will receive the apostles’ reward."Questions:Jesus declares that the Pharisees are guilty of sin because they heard him speak. Ryle points out that greater privileges will either help us on the road to heaven, or sink us deeper into the depths of hell. What are we doing with the knowledge we have been given in preaching and Bible studies and Bible reading?Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as a Person, as the Helper, and as the One He and the Father will send. Ryle declares that we must take care that we have sound and Scriptural views of his nature, person, and work. He also warns that the work of the Spirit is not buried under high views of the church, the ministry, and the Sacraments. Are we guilty of not having Scriptural views of the Spirit or burying his work under other things? Jesus calls his disciples witnesses. Ryle points out that this is not only the calling of the 11 apostles, but every Christian in every age whether in town or in country, in public or private, abroad or at home. In what ways are we bearing witness for Christ where we are currently placed?

John 15:17-21We are shown what true Christians must expect to meet in this world: hatred and persecution.We are shown two reasons for patience under the persecution of this world."Mere church attendance and outward profession are a cheap religion, of course, and cost nothing. But true living Christianity will always bring with it a cross.""Let us consider that we are only walking in our Master’s footsteps and sharing our Master’s portion. Do we deserve to be better treated? Are we better than He?"Questions:Jesus declares that all who follow him will be persecuted. Ryle points out that this has been proven throughout church history and is still true today. Have we ever been ridiculed, mocked, slandered, or misrepresented for following Jesus? Are we currently at a place where such responses are a surprise to us?Jesus gives two reasons to be patient under persecution: first, because Jesus suffered, and second, it is evidence that we are children of God. For those who haven't suffered, the consideration might bring a kind of bravado, but may those who think so guard against the thought. Only the grace of the Holy Spirit can sustain and keep us faithful in such times. Would we pray for that grace, first to live faithfully and secondly, to bear persecution with endurance and pity for those who persecute?

John 15:12-16We should observe how our Lord speaks of the grace of brotherly love.We should observe how our Lord speaks of the relation between Himself and true believers.We should observe how our Lord speaks of the doctrine of election."Where there is no Christ-like love, there is no grace, no work of the Spirit and no reality in our faith.""None so rich, so strong, so independent, so well off, so thoroughly provided for, as the one of whom Christ says, “This is my friend!”""Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification we may be sure there is no election."Questions:Jesus commands us to love as He has loved. We are called to love one another with an active, self-denying, self-sacrificing love, and to not do this or try to do this is to disobey Jesus Christ. Can it be said of us that we love others?Jesus calls his disciples his friends. Ryle points out that this is a privilege of highest standing. How does this change how we go to the Father in prayer, knowing that Jesus who is our righteousness and Great High Priest is also our Friend? Jesus speaks of choosing his disciples. Ryle points out that this is a passage that speaks to the doctrine of election, which he rightly declares must be received humbly and believed implicitly. What is helpful is seeing this doctrine tied to bearing fruit and Ryle's helpful comment, " Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification we may be sure there is no election." So, first, is the doctrine of election sweet, pleasant, and give you unspeakable comfort?" And second, how does it being tied to bearing fruit help you understanding of this doctrine?

John 15:7-11Our Lord declares, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” This is a distinct promise of power and success in prayer. Our Lord declares, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” The meaning of this promise seems to be that fruitfulness in Christian practice will not only bring glory to God, but will supply the best evidence to our own hearts that we are real disciples of Christ.Our Lord declares, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” The one who makes conscience of diligently observing Christ’s commands is the one who will continually enjoy a sense of Christ’s love in their soul."Why is there so little power of prayer like this in our own time? Simply because there is so little close communion with Christ and so little strict conformity to His will.""People are content with a little Christianity, and a little fruit of the Spirit, and do not labour to be holy in all kinds of conversation. They must not wonder if they enjoy little peace, feel little hope and leave behind them little evidence. The fault lies with themselves. God has linked together holiness and happiness and what God has joined together we must not think to put asunder.""By the grace of God we may make Christ’s laws our rule of life and show daily that we desire to please Him. So doing, our gracious Master will give us a constant sense of His favour and make us feel His face smiling on us like the sun shining on a fine day."Questions:Jesus declares that if we abide in him, and his words abide in us, we will ask and he will answer. Ryle points out that answers to prayer hinge on close communion with Christ which he describes as to always lean on him, resting on him, pouring out our hearts to him, and using him as our Fountain of life and strength, our chief Companion and best Friend. How close do we commune with the Lord Jesus Christ? How can we grow in this today?Jesus declares that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and prove to be disciples. Ryle highlights the misery of always doubting and fearing, and shows that this saying of Jesus gives us the path forward. If we would know we are on the road to heaven, we must strive to bear much fruit in life, habits, temper, words, and works. He warns that little peace and little hope, and thus little evidence flow from being content with only a little Christianity, little fruit and no labors to be holy in all kinds of conversation. If we struggle with this doubting and fearing, could it be tied to contentment with little Christianity and little striving after Christ?Jesus declares that if we keep his commandments, we will abide in his love. Ryle warns of many who will hear this statement and think it is tantamount to legalism. Yet, if that was true, then Jesus would be a legalist when he declares that he obeys the Father's commands and abides in His love! Would we desire to sense more of Christ's love in our lives? Then we must aim to have Christ's commands before us and, by the Holy Spirit, strive to walk in them with a desire to please Him. Will we not strive to put the commands of our Lord before us because He has so graciously saved us? What is the first step we will take in doing this?

John 15:1-6We are meant to learn that the union between Christ and believers is very close.We are meant to learn that there are false Christians as well as true ones.We are meant to learn that the fruit of the Spirit is the only satisfactory evidence of someone being a true Christian.We are meant to learn that God will often increase the holiness of true Christians by His providential dealings with them."In themselves believers have no life, strength or spiritual power. All that they have of vital faith comes from Christ. They are what they are, feel what they feel and do what they do because they draw out of Jesus a continual supply of grace, help and ability.""There are many professing Christians in every church whose union with Christ is only outward and formal. Some of them are joined to Christ by baptism and church membership. Some of them go even further than this, and are regular communicants and loud talkers about Christianity. But they all lack the one thing needed: notwithstanding services, sermons and sacrament, they have no grace in their hearts, no faith, no inward work of the Holy Spirit.""Where there is no fruit of the Spirit to be seen there is no living faith in the heart. The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus will always make Himself known in the daily conduct of those in whom He dwells.""Trial, to speak plainly, is the instrument by which our Father in heaven makes Christians more holy. By trial He calls out their passive graces and proves whether they can suffer His will as well as do it. By trial He weans them from the world, draws them to Christ, drives them to the Bible and prayer, shows them their own hearts and makes them humble. This is the process by which He prunes them and makes them more fruitful."Questions:Jesus declares that He is the vine and believers are the branches. Ryle points out that there is no closer relationship conceivable than the union believers have with Jesus, just like a branch has with the vine. The believer has no life, strength, or spiritual power to do anything and all comes from Christ. How does this change how you think of time in the Word and prayer?Jesus declares that there are branches that do not bear fruit. Ryle points out that there are those whose union with Christ is only outward and formal...by baptism and church membership but not in Spirit and truth. Are we content with people seeing us as Christians without the substance? How do the warnings of being cast into the fire affect our hearts?Jesus declares that whoever abides in him will bear much fruit. Ryle points out that fruit is shown in repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and holiness of life and conduct. Fruit is the truest evidence of belonging to Christ. Now, while it is good for us to ask ourselves what kind of fruit God is producing in our lives, it is equally helpful to ask what fruit others who know us well see in our lives too.Jesus declares that His Father prunes the branches that bear fruit. Ryle points out that this pruning is God's providential working of trials into our lives which, when seen rightly, make us holy. Hebrews 12 tells us to endure suffering as discipline from our heavenly Father, without which we are not true children. How do we respond to the trials God brings into our lives? Does it produce in us grumbling and complaining, or, by God's grace, does it produce a spirit of endurance and trust?

John 14:27-31We should observe Christ’s last legacy to His people.We should observe Christ’s perfect holiness. "Half our doubts and fears arise from dim perceptions of the real nature of Christ’s gospel.""In ourselves and our doings we shall find everything imperfect, and if we had no other hope than our own goodness we might well despair. But in Christ we have a perfect, sinless Representative and Substitute."Questions:Jesus declares that he gives His own peace, a peace the world cannot give. Ryle declares that Christ's peace is not given unwillingly, sparingly, nor for a little time. He also says that he is more willing to give us his peace than we are to receive it. He closes this section by saying that half our doubts and fears arise from dim perceptions of the real nature of Christ's gospel. Consider your doubts and fears...have you applied the gospel of Grace and peace to those situations?We hear Jesus declare that Satan has nothing in Him. Ryle points out that this speaks of Christ's perfections and compares this with everyone else. Satan came to Adam and Eve and found weakness. He came to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and all of us, and found imperfection. Yet, he came to Christ and found nothing at all. In ourselves we may well despair, but in Christ we have a perfect, sinless, blameless, spotless righteousness in whom God is well pleased. Take some time to worship King Jesus for these great truths!

John 14:21-26We learn that keeping Christ’s commandments is the best test of love to Christ. We learn that there are special comforts laid up for those who love Christ and prove it by keeping His words.We learn that part of the Holy Spirit’s work is to teach and to bring things to remembrance."Good feelings and desires are useless if they are not accompanied by action. They may even become mischievous to the soul, induce hardness of conscience and do positive harm. Passive impressions which do not lead to action, gradually deaden and paralyze the heart. Living and doing are the only real evidence of grace.""If we want to be eminently happy, we must strive to be eminently holy.""Do we complain that though we read and hear, we seem to lose as fast as we gain? Let us pray daily for the help of the Holy Spirit. He can bring things to our remembrance. He can make us remember old and new things. He can keep in our minds the whole system of truth and duty and make us ready for every good word and work."Questions:Jesus declares that if we love him, we will obey his commandments. Ryle warns that good feelings and desires are useless if they are not accompanied by action, and that they may even become mischievous to the soul by inducing hardness of conscience and thus do positive harm. We need to ask ourselves: does our love for Christ evidence itself in how we live, or does it remain primarily in the realm of our feelings? Could it be said of us, like the Paul to the Colossians, that others have heard of our faith and love?Jesus gives the deep promise that those who obey his commandments will be loved by him, and that the Father and Son will come and make their home in that person. Ryle points out that the reason so many Christians are unhappy as they walk the narrow road to heaven is that they do not attend as strictly to Christ's practical sayings and words; that there is too much loose and careless obedience to Christ's commandments. Are we those in this 'unhappy' category? If so, does Ryle's diagnosis prove correct in that we are loose with obeying Christ? Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to help bring remembrance of all He has said. Ryle declares that this promise is not just for the 11 apostles but for all believers at all times. He asks us if we are aware of spiritual ignorance or if we find our memory of spiritual things defective? If so, is it also true that we have not been asking the Holy Spirit for His help in being taught and remembering what we have been taught? May it not be said that we have not because we ask not!

John 14:18-20We learn that Christ’s second coming is meant to be the special comfort of believers.We learn that Christ’s life secures the life of His believing people.We learn that full and perfect knowledge of divine things will never be attained by believers until the second advent."Let us settle it in our minds that all believers are comparatively orphans and children in their minority, until the second advent. Our best things are yet to come. Faith has yet to be exchanged for sight and hope for certain.""Each child of God is invisibly linked to the throne of the Rock of Ages. When that throne can be shaken and not till then, we may despair. But Christ lives and we will live also.""Raised from the dead, freed from the darkness of this world, no longer tempted by the devil and tried by the flesh, believers will see as they have been seen and know as they have been known. We will have light enough one day. What we do not know now, we will know then."Questions:Jesus promises that he will come for His people. Ryle argues this is referring not just to the 12 apostles but for all believers at all times. The question before us today, as we hear this afresh, is: are we looking forward to the return of Christ? Have we put this hope before us, right next to the atoning death and intercession of Christ?Jesus declares that because He lives, we also, who are united to Him, live. This, Ryle tells us, should bring great comfort to the Christian! Christ Jesus has been raised and all Christians are united to Him are raised to newness of life and will be finally raised to be with Him forever. And this cannot change because Christ cannot change! Does this not give you hope today? Can we say this is the source of our strength for today and hope for tomorrow?Jesus declares that at His second coming we will know the that He is in the Father, us in Him, and Him in us. This, as Ryle says, are mysterious truths now and there is much ignorance about them. He also ties this to the sad divisions within the church because as we see in part, we also misunderstand one another. Does that not excite you that all will be clear one day? Does that not produce in us a humility as we disagree with brothers and sisters on issues that have divided true Christians over the years?

John 14:12-17We have a striking promise about the works that Christians may do.We have a striking promise about things that Christians may get by prayer.We have a striking promise about the Holy Spirit. "He can help forward His cause on earth quite as much by sitting at the right hand of the Father and sending forth the Holy Spirit, as by being in the world.""Weak and imperfect as their supplications may be, so long as they are put in Christ’s hands and offered in Christ’s name they shall not be in vain. We have a Friend at Court, an Advocate with the Father and if we honour Him by sending all our petitions through Him, He pledges His word that they shall succeed.""Any doctrine about the church, the ministry or the sacraments which obscures the Spirit’s inward work or turns it into mere form, is to be avoided as deadly error."Questions:We hear Jesus say that his followers will do greater things than Himself. Ryle understands this to be referring not to miracles, but to conversions. No disciple raises a dead person after 4 days being dead or walks on water, but one sermon by Peter sees 3000 souls saved! Do we see the conversion of souls, of men and women being born again, as the greatest miracle?Jesus gives a striking promise, namely that whatever we ask in His name He will do. Ryle warns against those who apply this to material wealth or worldly prosperity as if God is in the business of giving us idols that would take our hearts away from Him. Yet, if we would make a mark in this world, we must bring our requests to the Father through Jesus Christ. If Jesus only did the things that we asked for in the past 24 hours, what could we expect to happen? Is it significant or minute?Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to his people. Ryle points out a number of truths about the Holy Spirit that he says we should grasp firmly and never let go of. As I list them again, can we say we are holding fast to these truths? First, the Spirit is a Person. Second, he is the Spirit of truth that leads us in all truth. Third, the world cannot receive Him and simply cannot understand how He works. Fourth, the Spirit dwells in believers and fifth, the Spirit is given to supply all their true needs while Christ's physical presence is removed. Do we know the work of the Spirit in our lives?

John 14:4-11We should mark how much better Jesus speaks of believers than they speak of themselves.We should mark what glorious names the Lord Jesus gives Himself.We should mark how expressly the Lord Jesus shuts out all ways of salvation except Himself. "The plain truth is that all believers tend to undervalue the work of the Spirit in their own souls, and to imagine they know nothing because they do not know everything.""To use Christ daily as the way, to believe Christ daily as the truth, to live on Christ daily as the life—this is to be a well-informed, a thoroughly equipped and an established Christian.""It counts for nothing that a person is clever, learned, highly gifted, amiable, charitable, kind-hearted and zealous about some sort of faith. All this will not save their soul if they do not draw near to God by Christ’s atonement and make use of God’s own Son as their Mediator and Saviour.""We must be content to believe when we cannot explain and to admire and revere when we cannot interpret."Questions:We hear Jesus speak of his disciples knowing much while Thomas objects. Ryle points out that while the disciples were children in many ways, their knowledge was far greater than the majority of the Jewish nation. Yet, what matters most is that the disciples, and by implication, all disciples, have a heart knowledge that God sees and finds precious in His sight. Is this a new idea to you, namely that God takes more account of a heart knowledge than a head knowledge? We hear the famous words of Jesus telling his disciples that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Ryle declares that the Christian who uses Christ daily as the way, believes Christ daily as the truth, and lives on Christ daily as the life is to be a well-informed, thoroughly equipped and an established Christian. What does that truth do in simplifying your life and walk?Jesus declares that He is the only way to God. Ryle warns of a common error then as it is still today, namely that salvation will come to any who have sincere faith in any god. Sincerity counts for nothing if it is in the wrong thing. Is this teaching a hill to die on for us or have we bought into the world's message and are afraid to offend?We learn from Jesus that He is one with the Father. Ryle points out that this is a deep well and that our minds simply cannot take it all in. Instead, in such cases, we must be content to believe when we cannot explain, and admire and revere when we cannot interpret. If you are like me, we like to be able to wrap our heads around a thing before we have peace, but does this statement not help you? When it comes to the deep things about God, does it lead us to worship and contentment?

John 14:1-3We have a precious remedy against an old disease.We have a very comforting account of heaven, the future home of God’s people.We have a solid ground for expecting good things to come."Faith in the Lord Jesus is the only sure medicine for troubled hearts. To believe more thoroughly, trust more entirely, rest more unreservedly, lay hold more firmly, lean back more completely—this is the prescription which our Master urges on the attention of all His disciples.""What we shall see and whom we shall see in heaven we cannot fully understand yet, while we are in the body. But one thing is certain: we will see Christ.""Great is the blessedness of looking back to Christ coming the first time to suffer for us, but no less great is the comfort of looking forward to Christ coming the second time, to raise and reward His people."Questions:Jesus tells his disciples, who already showed much evidence in believing, to believe once again! Ryle points out that even weak faith in Jesus saves, but strong faith brings inward comfort, and so faith is the medicine for troubled hearts. What are things that trouble our hearts? What promises do we need to believe and apply to those troubles?Jesus tells us some rich truths about heaven: that it is home to the Father and all who belong to Him, that it is the place of mansions, and many of them, and that it is the place where Christ dwells. Ryle encourages us that though we may not know much of what is there or who will be there in the end, we will certainly see Jesus. Do these truths excite our hearts and give us comfort? Why or why not?Jesus declares that He is going to prepare a place for His people. Ryle encourages us with these good words, namely to firmly plant in our hearts that heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and that Christ will come to get us Himself. How often do we think about heaven? What can we do to think about it more?

John 13:31-38These verses show us what glory the crucifixion brought both to God the Father and to God the Son.Secondly, these verses show us what great importance our Lord Jesus attaches to the grace of brotherly love.Lastly, these verses show us how much self-ignorance there may be in the heart of a true believer. "Let us remember that painting and sculpture can never tell a tenth part of what took place on the cross. Crucifixes and pictures at best can only show us a human being agonizing in a painful death. But of the length and breadth and depth and height of the work transacted on the cross, of God’s law honored, our sins borne, sin punished in a Substitute, free salvation bought for us—of all this they can tell nothing. Yet all this lies hid under the crucifixion.""It is called a new commandment, not because it had never been given before, but because it was to be more honored, to occupy a higher position, to be backed by a higher example than it ever had been before. Above all, it was to be the test of Christianity before the world.""Let it be a settled principle in our faith that there is weakness in all our hearts of which we have no adequate conception, and that we never know how far we might fall if we were tempted."Questions:Jesus talks of both His Father and Himself being glorified by the cross. Ryle points out that crucifixes and pictures can only tell us a fraction of what is really going on at the cross, yet the Scriptures reveal to us the transaction, the law of God honored, our sins being nailed to the tree, our sin punished in our place, and free salvation purchased for all God's people. Does this not produce in us a boasting in the cross?Jesus declares that the litmus test for Christians in the world is love. Ryle warns that of all the Christian graces love is far too often an idea we like to talk about rather than a command to be obeyed. Can our love be seen in our tempers and words? In our bearing and our doing? in our behavior at home and abroad? Do we especially aim to do good to fellow Christians? Do we abhor the idea of envy, malice, and jealousy as downright sin? We see Peter make a bold claim, and Jesus declare that Peter will deny him 3 times before the day is done. Ryle points out that even the greatest believer can have great self-ignorance. He warns that the seeds of every sin lay latent in our hearts even when renewed and they only need occasion or carelessness and the withdrawal of God's grace for a time to put forward an abundant crop. Are we aware of our own weaknesses? Do we regularly cry out to God to be upheld by His power and kept from temptation and the evil one? Or does the lack of these things declare that we believe ourselves to be strong in ourselves?

John 13:21-30Let us mark what trouble our Lord Jesus went through for the sake of our souls.Let us mark the power and malignity of our great enemy the devil. Let us mark the extreme hardness which comes over the heart of a backsliding professor of faith. "How many cups of sorrow He drained to the dregs in working out our salvation, beside the mighty cup of bearing our sins! They show us how little reason we have for complaining when friends fail us and people disappoint us.""Trifling with the first thoughts of sin, making light of evil ideas when first offered to our hearts, allowing Satan to talk to us, flatter us and put bad notions into our hearts—all this may seem a small matter to many. It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins.""Let us watch jealously over our hearts and beware of giving way to the beginnings of sin. Happy is the one who fears always and walks humbly with their God."QuestionsWe see the heart of Jesus burdened when Judas Iscariot betrays Him. Ryle encourages us to consider how many cups of sorrow he drank besides the mighty cup of bearing out sins. He points out that we should have very little reason for complaining when others fail and disappoint us. Can we say this is true?We see the evil of Satan who puts a thought into Judas's head, and then enters him when he acts on it. The Bible tells us not to be ignorant of Satan's devices and Ryle encourages that our only safety is to resist him and to not listen to his first advances. Are we aware of Satan's schemes? Do we daily pray to be kept from temptation?We see the hardness of the heart of Judas as Jesus speaks his last words to him. Ryle warns against resisting the light and knowledge we have, and that such work is most common amongst those who deliberately turn their backs on such light and knowledge. He closes with this helpful word, namely that the strongest Christian is the one who feels their weakness most and cries for help most frequently. In light of this standard, how strong are we?

John 13:16-20We are taught that Christians must never be ashamed of doing anything that Christ has done. We are taught the uselessness of Christian knowledge if not accompanied by practice. We are taught the perfect knowledge which Christ has of all His people.We are taught the true dignity of Christ’s disciples."We are all too likely to dislike any work which seems to require trouble, self-denial and going down to our inferiors...When feelings of this kind arise within us we shall find it good to remember our Lord’s words in this passage, no less than our Lord’s example. "[Knowledge] is perfectly valueless unless it produces results in our conduct, and influences our lives, and moves our wills. In fact knowledge without practice does not raise us above the level of the devil.""A church may be deceived and rank people as apostles who are no better than Judas Iscariot. But Jesus is never deceived for He can read hearts.""To spend and be spent in trying to do good makes a person far more honorable in the eyes of Jesus than to command armies or amass a fortune."Questions:Jesus declares that no servant is greater than his master. And yet, what the Master just did was stoop low to wash his disciple's feet! This is the example we are to follow, and again, we must ask ourselves: do I possess true love and humility in serving others? Do I believe myself to be greater than Jesus Christ?Jesus declares to his disciples that if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Ryle gives us a helpful balance. On the one hand, knowledge is the beginning of Christianity in the soul, on the other hand, that knowledge is useless if not accompanied by practice and change of heart and life. He warns that it is common for people to say, "I know, I know" while not actually doing what they say they apparently "know." To which side are we more guilty: of not knowing or not doing? What is one thing you know that you are doing?Jesus declares that He knows whom he has chosen. Ryle points out that this statement declares a truth clearly revealed in Scripture, namely that Jesus knows the hearts of all. He shows that this should cause the hypocrite to repent and cause the believer to find comfort. What does this truth do to our hearts?Jesus declares that whoever receives whomever he sends received him personally. Ryle points out that this is encouraging for the believer who gives themselves to seeking the good of others. Are we eager and ready to do good to others when opportunities arise or do we tend to grumble and complain?

John 13:6-15We should notice the hasty ignorance of the apostle Peter.We should notice the plain practical lesson which lies upon its surface. We should notice the deep spiritual lessons which lie beneath its surface. "We must make allowances for the corruption of the understanding as well as of the will. We must not be surprised to find that the brains as well as the affections of Adam’s children have been hurt by the fall.""Then if we want to do good to the world and make our calling and election sure, let no one forget our Lord’s example in this passage. Like Him, let us be humble and loving towards all.""Even the one that is washed needs to wash their feet and to wash them in the same fountain where they found peace of conscience when they first believed. Then let us daily use that fountain without fear. With the blood of Christ we must begin and with the blood of Christ we must go on."Questions:We read of Peter lacking understanding as to the actions of His Lord. Ryle points out that the fall has not only affected our emotions but our understanding, and in truth, every part of us! Like Peter, we can look at the happenings of our lives that God has orchestrated and wonder what God is doing. Yet, like Peter, there is a day coming when God will make all things plain. Does this bring us comfort in the midst of trail? We hear Jesus declare that we should wash the feet of others like He has done. Ryle points out two examples we should follow, namely humility and love. Humility means we die to ourselves and, like our Lord, are willing to serve anyone, no matter how low. Love means we delight to do anything, even little things, to promote the happiness and lessen the sorrows of others. Are these things true of us? Are their people too low for us to serve? Do we find delight and joy in increasing the happiness of others?We read that those who have been washed still need to wash their feet. Ryle points out that being washed is turning to Christ and His precious blood by faith, and yet, nobody can pass through this evil world without defilement and the need for fresh supplies of mercy. So, take heart! If you are washed, you cannot wash again! Yet, as long as we live in this world, we need to go back to that fountain to wash our feet again and again. What does this truth do to encourage your heart?

John 13:1-5We learn what patient and continuing love there is in Christ’s heart towards His people.We learn what deep corruption may sometimes be found in the heart of a great professor of religion."The love of Christ to sinners is the very essence and marrow of the gospel. That He should love us at all and care for our souls, that He should love us before we love Him, or even know anything about Him, that He should love us so much as to come into the world to save us, take our nature on Him, bear our sins and die for us on the cross—all this is wonderful indeed!""There can be no greater warning of danger to Christians than Judas Iscariot. He shows us what length someone may go in Christian profession and yet turn out a rotten hypocrite at last and prove never to have been converted. He shows us the uselessness of the highest privileges unless we have a heart to value them and turn them to good account. Privileges alone without grace save nobody and will only make hell deeper."Questions:We read of the love of Christ for believers and sinners in this passage. Ryle, speaking of the less often considered love toward sinners says, "That He should bear with all their countless infirmities from grace to glory, that He should never be tired of their endless inconsistencies and petty provocations, that He should go on forgiving and forgetting incessantly, and never be provoked to cast them off and give them up: all this is marvelous indeed!" Will you not give God glory as you consider this love in your life?We see the sober warning of Judas, who, having been with Jesus for 3 years, proves to belong to Satan in the end. Ryle warns that it is useless to have the highest privileges if they have no value in our hearts and turn them to good account. Do we pray daily that our Christianity may be genuine, sincere, real, and true?

John 12:44-50One thing shown in these verses is the dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ.Another thing shown in these verses is the certainty of a judgment to come."Forever let us make much of Christ in all our faith. We can never trust Him too much, follow Him too closely or commune with Him too unreservedly.""Yet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have no cause to be afraid. For them there is no condemnation and the last court need have no terrors. The bias of their lives will witness for them, while the shortcomings of their lives will not condemn them. It is those who reject Christ and will not hear His call to repentance—they are the ones who, on the judgment day, will have reason to be cast down and afraid."Questions:These words of Jesus declare that He is our hope and our light. Ryle declares that we can never trust him too much, follow him too closely, or commune with him to unreservedly, and that looking to him we will find light in our understanding. Are we looking to Christ in such a way that it strips the darkness of half its gloom when it comes into our lives?We see, in the words of Jesus, that the words he spoke will judge on the last day. Ryle exhorts us to consider the judgment day in our everyday lives and let it have a practical effect of walking in holiness. And so, let us ask ourselves, how often do we think of the judgement day? Does this doctrine have the effect of making us flee sin and strive for holiness? If not, how will we put this before us going forward from this day onwards?

John 12:34-43We may learn the duty of using present opportunities.We may learn the desperate hardness of the human heart. We may learn the amazing power which the love of the world has over men and women. "Light is about us and around us and near us on every side. Let us each resolve to walk in the light while we have it, lest we find ourselves at length cast out into outer darkness forever. It is a true saying of an old divine, that the recollection of lost and misspent opportunities will be the very essence of hell.""The prevalence of unbelief and indifference in the present day ought not to surprise us. It is just one of the evidences of that mighty foundation doctrine, the total corruption and fall of humanity.""And so they go on from year to year secretly ill at ease and dissatisfied with themselves, knowing too much of truth to be happy in the world and clinging too much to the world to enjoy any faith."Questions:Jesus talks about walking in the light while we still have the light. Ryle applies this to walking in the truths we find in the Scriptures and seeking to further God's kingdom on earth while the door of grace is still open. How are we using our time, talent, and treasures? In what ways are we walking in the light today?Many heard Jesus preach and never believed, and Ryle exhorts us that we should not be surprised when people hear us speak and preach and don't believe. Even so, is our confidence in being faithful to what God has said, or are we tempted to find a 'miracle' that will convince others to believe?We see that many rulers believed but refused to confess that Jesus was the Christ for fear of man. Ryle says that such people go year after year secretly ill at ease and dissatisfied with themselves because they know too much truth to be happy in the world and cling too much to the world to enjoy any faith. Where are we on this spectrum? Are we miserable knowing too much truth to enjoy the world or are we clinging too much to the world to enjoy any faith? Either way, would we pray that God would increase our faith?

John 12:27-33We have in these verses a great doctrine indirectly proved: that doctrine is the imputation of our sin to Christ.We have in these verses a great mystery unfolded: that mystery is the possibility of much inward conflict of soul without sin.We have in these verses, a great miracle exhibited: that miracle is the heavenly Voice described in this passage—a Voice which was heard so plainly that people said it thundered—proclaiming, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”We have in these verses a great prophecy delivered. The Lord Jesus declared, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”"Forever let us cling to that doctrine as the only ground of solid comfort for the heart of a Christian. That our sins have been really laid on our divine Substitute and borne by Him and that His righteousness is really imputed to us and accounted ours: this is the real warrant for Christian peace.""The believer may be known by their inward warfare as well as by their inward peace.""It is enough for us to believe that this miracle was meant to show the intimate relation and unbroken union between God the Father and God the Son throughout the period of the Son’s earthly ministry.""Friends and foes, each in their own order, will be drawn from their graves to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us take heed in that day that we are found on His right hand!"Questions:Ryle shows us that this text, namely that Christ Jesus declares that his soul is troubled, is one important text that shows us that Christ takes our sin upon Himself. This is the resting place for peace in the heart of a believer, that Jesus has borne, carried, groaned, been troubled by, and really taken away our sins. Doesn't this fill your heart with wonder and awe? Do you believe this was necessary for your salvation?Jesus, who is sinless, according to this passage, also had inward warfare and strife. Ryle points out that this is evidence that inward conflict is not a sign of lacking grace but should encourage the one who struggles in such ways, even while knowing there may be a need to repent of unbelief and doubt. How will you take this to heart if such trouble is what afflicts you?Ryle points out the final judgement and reminds us that the day is yet coming when every person will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. How often do we think about this great day? Does it not drive us to be found at Christ's right hand?

John 12:20-26We learn from our Lord’s words in this passage, that death is the way to spiritual life and glory: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”We learn from our Lord’s words that if we profess to serve Christ, we must follow Him: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me.”"It is as true of Christians as it is of Christ that there can be no life without death, there can be no sweet without bitter, there can be no crown without a cross.""As the soldier follows the general, the servant follows the master, the pupil follows the teacher, the sheep follows the shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience are the leading marks of real followers and will always be seen in true believing Christians."Questions:Jesus, in responding to some Greeks coming to him, declares that unless a seed of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it cannot bear fruit. This, obviously applying to Jesus' death, also has implications for all who follow Him as we cannot bear fruit unless we die to ourselves. Does it sound too strong - maybe even like legalism - for Jesus to say that you cannot be saved without being ready to even give up our lives and deny ourselves anything that hinders our souls for the sake of the gospel? What are areas we need to deny ourselves today? What are ways we need to sow to the Spirit?Jesus gives a great promise, namely that the one who serves him belong to him. Ryle warns that it is easy to serve Christ in name and form and this satisfies many, but to follow him in faith and life is demanding and will earn us ridicule and opposition from the world. Do we only believe what is convenient and obey when it is easy? May we put before ourselves that great day of standing before Christ and aim to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant!"

John 12:12-19We learn how entirely voluntary the sufferings of Christ were.We learn how minutely the prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were fulfilled."He did not bleed and suffer and die because He was defeated by superior force and could not help Himself, but because He loved us and rejoiced to give Himself for us as our Substitute. He did not die because He could not avoid death, but because He was willing with all His heart to make His soul an offering for sin.""We must settle it in our minds that the plain, literal meaning of the Bible is generally the true and correct meaning."Questions:We see that Jesus is able to draw crowds to him even though the religious leaders, who had great power over the people, were against it. Ryle draws from this the incredible truth that Jesus, who could have resisted his enemies who came to arrest him, willingly went to the cross in love and rejoiced to give Himself as our substitute. What does this do to your heart as you consider the love of God for you in Christ?We see that a simple but exact prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Ryle would have us see that if the prophecies of the first coming were so exactly fulfilled that we have even greater confidence that the second will also be fulfilled. He also encourages us to settle it in our minds that the plain, literal meaning of the Bible is generally the true and correct meaning. Are we happy readers who believe the Bible to mean exactly what it seems to mean?

John 12:1-11We see what abounding proofs exist of the truth of our Lord’s greatest miracles.We see what unkindness and discouragement Christ’s friends sometimes meet with from other people.We see what desperate hardness and unbelief there is in the human heart."In an age of abounding unbelief and scepticism, we shall find that the resurrection of Christ will bear any weight that we can lay on it.""A day is soon coming when a wondering world will see that every cup of cold water given for Christ’s sake, as well as every gift of precious oil was recorded in heaven and has its rewards. In that great day those who thought that anyone could give too much to Christ will find they had better never have been born.""Let us pray that our faith may be real, true, genuine and sincere, and not a mere temporary impression like the morning cloud and the early dew. Not least, let us watch and pray against the love of the world."Questions:We see a supper in which many see Lazarus eating and drinking, leaving no doubt that he is alive and that Jesus was Messiah. This proof, of which there is no refuting, points forward to Jesus rising from the dead as well as he did many of the same things Lazarus did. Does this reality, of Jesus rising from the dead, cause our hearts to rejoice even now?We see both a love for Jesus expressed, and one of whom more would have been expected, criticizing such expressions of love. Ryle exhorts us that those indebted to Christ will be those who give much to Christ and that, sadly, there are many who will not understand such giving. How do we respond when we hear of others giving extravagant gifts for Christ? What are we willing to give for the sake of Christ?Judas Iscariot had the benefit of seeing all Christ's miracles, heard on his teaching, received repeated kindnesses and yet proved rotten in the end. This, as Ryle points out, is evidence of the depth of corruption of the fall of humanity. Do we look at Judas and think we could never be like him or do we need to be careful if we think we stand lest we fall? Do we pray that our faith may be real, true, genuine, and sincere? May it be so for our joy and His glory!