Chapter 31—The Sermon on the Mount This chapter is based on Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7. Christ seldom gathered His disciples alone to receive His words. He did not choose for His audience those only who knew the way of life. It was His work to reach the multitudes who were in ignorance and…

Chapter 30—“He Ordained Twelve” This chapter is based on Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16. “And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” It was beneath the…

Chapter 29—The Sabbath The Sabbath was hallowed at the creation. As ordained for man, it had its origin when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7. Peace brooded over the world; for earth was in harmony with heaven. “God saw everything that He had made, and,…

Chapter 28—Levi-Matthew This chapter is based on Matthew 9:9-17; Mark 2:14-22; Luke 5:27-39. Of the Roman officials in Palestine, none were more hated than the publicans. The fact that the taxes were imposed by a foreign power was a continual irritation to the Jews, being a reminder that their independence had departed. And the taxgatherers…

Chapter 27—“Thou Canst Make Me Clean” This chapter is based on Matthew 8:2-4; Matthew 9:1-8; Matthew 9:32-34; Mark 1:40-45; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:12-28. Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims, filled the bravest with fear. Among the Jews…

Chapter 26—At Capernaum At Capernaum Jesus dwelt in the intervals of His journeys to and fro, and it came to be known as “His own city.” It was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and near the borders of the beautiful plain of Gennesaret, if not actually upon it. The deep depression of…

Chapter 25—The Call by the Sea This chapter is based on Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11. Day was breaking over the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, weary with a night of fruitless toil, were still in their fishing boats on the lake. Jesus had come to spend a quiet hour by the waterside. In…

Chapter 24—“Is Not This the Carpenter’s Son?” This chapter is based on Luke 4:16-30. Across the bright days of Christ’s ministry in Galilee, one shadow lay. The people of Nazareth rejected Him. “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” they said. During His childhood and youth, Jesus had worshiped among His brethren in the synagogue at…

Chapter 23—“The Kingdom of God Is at Hand” “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14, 15. The Messiah’s coming had been first announced in Judea. In the temple…

Chapter 22—Imprisonment and Death of John This chapter is based on Matthew 11:1-11; Matthew 14:1-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 7:19-28. John the Baptist had been first in heralding Christ’s kingdom, and he was first also in suffering. From the free air of the wilderness and the vast throngs that had hung upon his words, he was…