4 NOVEMBER
Till the Son makes them free
‘… For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17
[contd from 4/6—evidence of our Lord’s mission:]
(iv) The lame walk. There is inability for the service of God in us by nature, as much as in a cripple to run a race. So that when the conscience is a little alive, and a necessity is seen to forsake evil and practise that which is good, there is no power at all till the Son makes them free by the light of the preached gospel, and then they are free indeed.
(v) The lepers are cleansed. The leprosy was an emblem of sin as: a total pollution; such as separated a person from a communion in holy things; incurable to natural and ordinary means. In this disorder all helps and medicines were of no value. God alone could heal it. But Jesus cleansed the lepers, and by his gospel he cleanses from the leprosy of sin, and frees those who believe from its guilt and from its power.
(vi) The dead are raised. Devils are cast out and raging storms silenced by this powerful word. That is, those who were dead in trespasses and sins, habitually accustomed to evil, so led and governed and hurried on by Satan in his wicked service as to break through all restraints, like the man possessed with a legion, are made partakers of a new spiritual life, brought to their right minds and enabled to live according to the will of God, to be comfortable in themselves and useful, exemplary to those about them.
FOR MEDITATION: Faith a new and comprehensive sense
It feels the touch of heavenly power,
It smells the dear Redeemer’s name
And from that boundless source,
Like ointment poured forth;
Derives fresh vigour every hour,
Faith only knows or can proclaim,
To run its daily course.
Its favour or its worth.
The truth and goodness of the LORD,
Till saving faith possess the mind,
Are suited to its taste
In vain of sense we boast;
Mean is the worldling’s pampered board,
We are but senseless, tasteless, blind,
To faith’s perpetual feast.
And deaf, and dead, and lost.
SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 2 [5/6]
Milo 