THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS ability to walk in the ways of God. Like Mephibosheth, he is incurable. This man had no expectation beyond temporal help. He had to be carried. Could not help himself. He was placed at the temple gate, for he had no right in the temple itself. Every sinner is practically a beg gar, and has an appeal to our sym pathy. The Lord puts His servants in the way of being a blessing. Beggars get only the crumbs, but the saints sit at the table. The beggar’s place in every land is beside the temple gate. (3) The Power of Prayer, vs. 4-7. Why did Peter take an interest in this man? Because he was filled with the spirit of compassion, as was his Lord. (Luke 7:13.) “ And when the Lord saw her He had compassion on her and said unto her, Weep not.” Why did He say “ Look on us?” Was it not to arrest attention and awaken expectation? (John 5:6.) “When Jesus saw him lie and knew that he had now been a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” ; ■ (Also John 11:40.) Men must be aroused. The lives of Christians must attract the attention of a needy world. Peter and John were poor-*—silver and gold they had none. Why? (Matt. 10:9; Acts 2:44). In this they were like their Lord. (2 Cor. 8:9.) “ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your'sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.” They had something better 'than silver and gold (1 Pet. 4:10). Christianity is independent of earth ly riches, human wisdom and worldly power. There is a certain value in the poverty of the church; it compels a spirit of dependence, humility and
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waiting upon God. It disciplines its members. And yet the apostles were rich. Their treasure was in Heaven and they proceeded to draw upon their bank for the needed supply. God requires no impossible thing. All believers can give to the world something, and all ought to be able to give largely of the best things. You can only give what you have. (John 1:16.) “ And of his fulness have all we re ceived, and grace for grace.” (Mark 14:8.) “ She hath done what she could; she is come aforehand to anoint my body for the burying.” In what spirit should alms be dis tributed? (Rom. 12:8.) “He that giveth let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with dili gence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” What have we to give to our scholars? They have a right to expect some thing. Do we disappoint them? The name of Jesus of Nazareth was a symbol (Psa. 106:8). “Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.” There is a great contrast in the dif ferent records we have of the use of the name of Jesus. (Acts 16:18: cp. Acts 19:13-16.) The Lord Jesus authorized the use of His Name (John 14:13-14). It was a name of reproach in Jeru- ‘ salem, and yet this miracle could not have been wrought in the name of Jerusalem, or of the Sanhedrin, or of the Temple, or even of Moses; it could only be wrought in the name of Jesus. There is everything in that Name (Phil. 2:9-11). “ Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name;
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