MH 4
March 4
Luke 6:17-19. A multitude of people healed by touching Christ.
We have just read how Jesus spent a whole night in prayer, and in the morning chose his twelve apostles. After choosing them he came down from the mountain, and found a vast multitude collected together in a plain beneath.
What a scene of suffering must have been witnessed upon this occasion, and what a scene of joy must have succeeded when the tongue of the mute sang, and the lame man leaped as the deer, when mothers again beheld their drooping infants restored to all the freshness of health, when fathers rejoiced over children once tormented with devils, suddenly become gentle, reasonable, and happy? Yet these changes are but faint emblems of the glorious works which are now wrought where the gospel is preached in power—for virtue (that is, a divine power ) still goes out of Jesus, and where his name is proclaimed, tongues which were mute in his praise are loosed; feet that could not walk in his ways are strengthened; parents behold their wandering children returning to their forsaken God; and even angels in heaven survey the scene and look forward with joy to the time when redeemed sinners shall be their companions in heaven. O blessed gospel, which can effect such wonders! May it be preached all over the world, and rescue every sinner from the power of Satan!
There were probably some spiritual cures wrought by Jesus on that plain; for the multitude came not only to be healed, but also to hear him. This seemed a favorable opportunity for preaching a public discourse. This sermon is recorded by Luke. It is doubtful whether that recorded by Matthew is the same as this, or whether it was delivered on a different occasion. But the two sermons are so much alike, that it will be best to select one only, and as Matthew gives the fullest account, we will consider the sermon recorded in his gospel.
Never could a congregation have had such motives to listen to a preacher as the audience that surrounded our Lord at this time. With what feelings of grateful love the newly-restored sufferers must have regarded their compassionate Savior! And with what emotions of reverence and awe those who had witnessed the miracles must have gazed upon the Almighty Lord!
But much as we must admire the power displayed in his miracles, we must be chiefly touched by that love which induced him to welcome and relieve the suffering throng. The selfish heart of a fallen man would soon be wearied and disgusted with such a crowd of miserable objects. But the Son of God shrunk not from the leper's touch, nor the maniac's shriek.
The love of Jesus flowed out to meet the misery of man. It is thus even now. His love is still shown in listening to the cries of the most degraded outcasts. Those whom proud men would trample under foot, need only cry to the condescending Savior, and they shall be heard, received, and welcomed. The beggar in his hovel is visited, even the felon in his cell, when, in the hour of trouble, he calls upon the name of Jesus. Could we track the steps of the Savior through the world, we would find that while he passed by many a stately mansion and many a grand palace, he often cheered by his presence the hut of the African slave, and softened by his love the hard bed of the dying pauper. How blessed are they who tread in the steps of the Savior, and who delight more in relieving the sufferer than in shining in elegant society, and partaking of splendid entertainments! </p>
Everyone has heard of Howard, the prisoner's friend; and of Wilberforce, the negro's friend; and of Ashley, the friend of the factory child—but there are many whose names the world has never heard, who have imitated Christ as nearly as they in labors of love. An aged outcast one night wandered to the door of a poor Christian. The wanderer was a beggar, and almost an idiot, but for Christ's sake she was received. Her new-found friend never grew weary of her care, but year after year sustained her by the labor of her hands, dressing her wounds with a sister's tenderness, and praying with many tears for the salvation of her soul. When asked why she did so much for a stranger, she replied, "The love of Christ constrains me. Has He not said, Bring the poor that are cast out to your house?" (Is. 58:7.)