John 11:28-30 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.… The line of thought will unfold itself through three principal steps, each including a doctrine, an encouragement, and a duty. The call is — I. COMPREHENSIVE. 1. In the two sisters we see two sharply contrasted types of natural character. (1) One is made for practical action. The anxious housekeeper whose concern is that the rooms shall be hospitably ready, and the table furnished for the Divine guest — fit representative of the efficient workers, without whom the regularities of life and the decencies of Christian worship would go to destruction. (2) The other dwells in a world of silent communion. Religion always has its spring in the heart; and her heart life is chief. Christ blesses her in that character as He does Martha in hers. 2. Out of this marked difference we infer the comprehensiveness of the gospel, which, like the charity it puts first among the graces, suits itself "without partiality" to every sort and grade of human constitution. 3. Forgetfulness of this grand truth exposes us to the danger of an arrogant and conceited judgment of those who manifest their faith in a way different from our own. II. SYMPATHETIC. The call is in sympathy with our individual constitutions. A common hindrance, to the young especially, is the feeling that religion is something restricted to one particular line and shape. But the Master calls not that He may make you a follower just like some other and all unlike yourself, but just such a self-forgetful Christian as He intended you to be when He made you what you are. You read the biography of some eminent Christian and say, "I can never be a Christian like that, and it is useless for me to try." Turn from the disheartening comparison to Christ. Though you find Him higher than all, there is never anything discouraging. His sinlessness is so blended with gentleness, His majesty with His understanding of your wants and sympathy with your struggles, that you feel safe under His hand. Notice especially His tenderness towards the two women's imperfect faith. He never breaks the bruised reed, etc. III. PERSONAL. He knows our whole personal history from the cradle. Most of us can understand the conviction of the woman of Samaria. At first sight where there is no trust this awful insight might affright us: but the longer we ponder it, the more we shall see its blessedness. There is one FRIEND who understands us, and it is safe to trust ourselves to Him, sins and all. The reason why our religion has so little power over us is that we keep Christ so far away, and regard His work as for the world in general, and not for us in particular. But the text is the appeal of the personal Christ to a person now as then. (Bp. Huntington.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. |
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