"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden." Jesus having given assurance that U power is given to Hini ¿S,- in heaven an dearth (Mat. 28:18) says, "Come rest on Me." (2) That "all things are delivered unto Him" (v. 27) says, "Come share with Me." (3) "Come a l l ;" yet not all, but such as are worn out with doing, "ye that l a bo r ;" and such as are borne down with bear- ing, "ye heavy laden." As Adam sub- jiected us to bearing and toiling (Gen. 3:16-19). Jesus will reverse the curse to all who come to Him. Sinners who will to bear the guilt of sin, and love to wear the yoke of Satan, are not in- vited, since they do not wish to come. What if God gives them up to wrath. 4 Who is to blame? They can come if they long for rest and freedom. Whether God did as much for Sodom as for Si- don, He did enough for both to leave them without excuse (Rom. 1:18-25.) 2. The gracious rest. (1) to con- science -(Rom. 5 : 1 ); (2) from the law (Rom. 6 : 1 2 ); (3) from care (2 Pet. 5 5:7)'; (4) from fear of death (Hb. 2:4) (5) rest to the soul. This word means to the whole man and life. —.3. The easy yoke. Jesus' yok eihrdt ' 3. The easy yoke. Jesus' yoke is easy. (1) Because padded with love (1 Cor. 5:14, 15), and our labors are labors of love (1 Thes. 1:3. (2) Be- cause it is a delight to do His will (Psa. 40 : 8 ), since His will is now what we wish for His sake and, also, our own. (3) Because it works out our own sal- vation (Phil. 2:12). Alexander saw a soldier struggling along in the sun with a heavy bag of gold. "Whither, my man," he said, "are you dragging that . load." "To the treasury, Sire," he an- ^ swered. "Well carry it clear through to your tent, for it is all your own," said the King. The hope in Christ makes light the yoke of Christ. 4. The lowly Teacher. "Learn of Me?" See (1) His teaching (Eph. 4:20-24); (2) His example (Eph. 5: t, 2 ); (3) Our posture (Lk. 10:39). 5. The great find. "Ye shall find rest." (1) He gives rest. We take it by faith. To believe with all the heart should give great rest to the soul, even though we toil as hard, and bear as much as ever. Our confident expecta- tion and cheerful hope should sustain us on the weary road "clear through to our tent." (2) We shall find rest. It will • be a growing experience, and a final crown. Take it now. ^ ,, V*
BREAD ENOUGH AND TO SPARE Lesson XII. Mark 6:30-44. September 22. Note. This miracle is recorded in all the gospels. It was of signal import not as more wonderful than others, but as marking an epoch. For it they would by force have made Him King. He refused. They forsook him (Jno. 6 : 66 ). 1. "Gathered together to Jesus." They that gather to Jesus shall be gath- ered by Jesus at "our gathering together unto Him" (II Thes. 2:10; I Thes. 4:13-18.) 2. "Told Him all.". (1) "That they had done;" in His name on their mission (Mat. 10:1-15). Christ, God-sent, re- turned saying, "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do" (Jno. 17:4). Men, Christ-sent, must give like account to Him. (2) "Wh at they taught." Christ said, "The words Thou gavest Me, I have given them" (Jno. 17:8). Men must account not alone how they wrought, but what they taught. Many are quite sound in practice who are mere sound in doctrine. Can we say, " The words that Thou gavest Me I have given them?" It is not enough to do the works He bade, we must teach the words He said. "By thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned" (Mat. 12 : 37 ) .. .Words not works save men (Rom. 4:2, 3). II. Resting. 1. "Come rest awhile." (1) The workman worthy of his meat is worthy of his rest (Mat. 10:10). "There re- inaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (Hb. 4:9.). "Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last." Their's was sweet fellowship in His company as their prow skimmed "blue Galilee," seeking the calm of the vales on "the otherside." (2) But last- ing rest is beyond another Jordan. III. Working. 1. A needy crowd. (1) While the little ship leisurely made head across the sea, the multitude hasted by land and met her company as they emerged. This restless multitude weary, -sick, hungry are still with us. "This is not our rest" (Mic. 2:10). (2) Jesus "wel- comed" (R. V.) them. They are all and always welcome, and well come, who come to Jesus. He is never weary while He can rest others. 2. Busy days. He healed and taught all that day and the next, and the next (Mat. 15:32) till "day began to wear Read John VI. I . Accounting.
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