789. ACT 10:38. THE BENEVOLENCE OF JESUS
Act_10:38. The Benevolence of Jesus
"Who went about doing good."’97Act_10:38.
In whatever light we contemplate the Saviour, we are constrained to exclaim, "Thou art the fairest," &c. If we witness his spotless life, we feel that we contemplate a holy being, one who was "harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." If we listen to his teaching, with the officers who were sent to arrest him, we exclaim, with admiration, "Never man spake," &c. If we behold his wondrous miracles, with astonishment we ask, "What manner of man is this," &c. "We know that thou art a teacher sent from God," &c. If we are called to read the evangelical history of his blessed life, what is the conclusive impression with which we sum up the whole? Let our text be the reply, "Who went about doing good." Observe,
I. The mission of Christ to our world was expressly one of mercy and beneficence.
Our world was benighted, and he came to illumine it; miserable, and he came to bless it; enslaved, and he came to emancipate it; accursed, and he came to redeem it; lost, and he came to save it. "Ye know the grace," &c. "I am come that ye might have life," &c. "This is a faithful saying," &c.
II. Mercy and beneficence distinguished his whole life.
His first great work after he entered on his public ministry. Read Mat_4:23, &c. From this period to his death, he labored incessantly in doing good. When arrested in the garden, he healed the ear of Malchus, which had been smitten by the sword of Peter.
III. The mercy and beneficence of Christ respected both the bodies and souls of men.
It is said of him that he healed all manner of diseases. Let us look at a few. He restored the lame to soundness; he unstopped the ears of the deaf; he loosed the tongues of the dumb; he gave eyesight to the blind; he cured those diseased with dropsies and fevers; he gave vigor to the paralyzed; and loathsome lepers were cleansed. He also removed lunacy, and expelled demons from the possessed. But he regarded the souls of mankind. He taught them the doctrines of the gospel. He forgave sins and healed their spiritual diseases. He transformed men from darkness to light, &c. He gave them peace, and joy, and hope, through believing. He had respect also to the circumstances of mankind. Several thousands had so listened to his discourses, that they had neglected due attention to their bodily necessities: they were ready to faint. For these he multiplied the loaves, &c. His disciples were exposed to the terrific tempest on the lake of Galilee. He rises from his slumber, and rebukes the sea, &c. A beloved family, where he had often been a welcome guest, were bereaved of an only brother. He repairs to Bethany, and weeps with the afflicted sisters. Then groaning in. spirit, he commands Lazarus to come forth, and he came forth from the dead.
IV. The mercy and beneficence of Jesus had respect to all classes and grades of suffering humanity.
A military officer seeks his aid; and he freely restores the centurion’s servant. A ruler applies on behalf of his daughter, and he raises her to life. A nobleman pleads in behalf of his son, and he replies,’97"Go thy way, thy son liveth." These were persons of distinction. But behold, a poor Syrophenician woman seeks his merciful help for her daughter; and having tried her faith, exclaims, "Be it unto thee," &c. Two blind beggars moan their piteous cry, "Jesus, thou Son of David," &c. Jesus at once had compassion and touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight.
V. Jesus went forth from place to place in the exercise of his mercy and beneficence.
He sought out the wretched. His journeys were designed to scatter blessings on the miserable and perishing. At Capernaum and throughout all Galilee. Just look at one day’s labor of the blessed Jesus, Matt. viii. He delivers his sermon on the mount. He descends and heals a leper; restores the centurion’s servant, Mat_4:14. Heals Peter’s wife’s mother. In the evening, see Mat_4:17, &c. Then he enters on a voyage of mercy, and seeks repose amid the howlings of the storm.
VI. In performing acts of mercy and beneficence Jesus displayed the most tender sympathy and affection.
He ever displayed the good and tender shepherd. He did not reproach or upbraid the guilty. He had merciful respect even to the woman taken in adultery. "Neither do I condemn thee," &c. He did not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Contrast with the beneficent life of Jesus,
1. The work of the prince of darkness. He is the poisonous serpent. The destroying lion. "He goeth about seeking whom he may devour."
2. Contrast it with the conduct of some of the distinguished heroes of our world. Men who sought glory and distinction by the desolations of war, and by the edge of the sword. Look at depopulated districts,’97burned cities,’97streams of blood. Hear the groans of the dying,’97the sighs of the widow and the fatherless.
3. Contrast it with the excellences of the best of men. How narrow and limited is human kindness and generosity. How seldom extended to the worst of men, or to enemies. But the arms of Jesus embraced the vilest of the vile, and provided eternal life for those who shed his blood.
4. Christians present, contrast it with your own course of beneficence and goodness. Alas! how feeble, worthless, &c. Yet is it not our model? Shall we not seek to imitate it, &c. We have numerous objects around us both temporal and spiritual. We have certain talents. We have opportunities. Have we not then the responsibility? Then whatever our hand findeth, &c. Let us not be weary, &c. Finally, we recommend this merciful Saviour to every miserable sinner. He still lives to do good. Do you not remember the beautiful hymn?’97
"Where high the heavenly temple stands,
The house of God not made with hands,
A great high-priest our nature wears,
The guardian of mankind appears.
He who for men their surety stood,
And poured on earth his precious blood,
Pursues in heaven his mighty plan,
The Saviour and the friend of man," &c., &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS