The Master is come and calleth for thee
The Master
I. THE PROPRIETY OF THIS TITLE AS APPLIED TO OUR LORD.
1. He has a peculiar fitness for the office. He is the Master, i.e., the Teacher. Put the two together. A master teacher must have
(1) A masterly mind. All minds are not cast in the same mould. Some are princely by their very formation though they may belong to ploughboys. Such men as Napoleon, Cromwell, Washington, must rise to be masters among men. You cannot have a master teacher with a little soul. He may insinuate himself into the chair, but everyone will see that he is out of place. Many painters there are, but there have been few Raphaels or Michael Angelos; many philosophers, but a Socrates and an Aristotle will not be found every day, for great minds are rare. The Master of all the teachers must needs be a colossal spirit, and such Mary saw Christ to be. In Him we have Divinity with its omniscience and infallibility, and at the same time a full orbed manhood intensely manly and sweetly womanly. There is a grandeur about His whole human nature, so that He stands out above all other men, like some mighty Alpine peak which overtops the minor hills and casts its shadows all a down the vales.
(2) A master knowledge; and it is best if that be acquired by experience rather than by instruction. Such was the case with Jesus. He came to teach us the science of life, and He experienced life in all its phases.
(3) A masterly way of teaching. It is not every man of vast mind and knowledge who can teach. Some talk a jargon no one can understand. Jesus taught plainly and also lovingly. The way in which He taught was as sweet as His truth itself. Every one in His school felt at home. Moreover, He gave a measure of the Holy Spirit so that truths were taught to the heart as well as the ear. And that same Spirit now takes the things of Christ, and writes them on the fleshy tablets of the heart. And then Christ embodied His instruction in Himself--was at once Teacher and Lesson.
(4) A master influence. His pupils not only saw, but felt; not only knew, but loved; not only prized the lesson, but worshipped the Teacher. What a
Teacher this, whose very presence checked and ultimately cast out sin, gave new life and brought it to perfection!
2. He is by office the sole Master of the Church.
(1) He, and not Luther, Calvin, Wesley, has the right to determine what doctrines shall be believed.
(2) He, and not councils, synods, the State, etc., has the right to determine what ordinances shall be observed.
II. THE PECULIAR RECOGNITION WHICH MARY GAVE TO CHRIST AS MASTER.
1. She became His pupil. She sat reverently at His feet. Let us take every word of Jesus, and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it.
2. She was a disciple of nobody else, and ours must not be a divided allegiance.
3. She was a willing scholar. She chose the good part. No one sent her to Jesus. He drew her and she loved to be there. Children at school always learn well if they want to--not if driven.
4. She perseveringly stuck to Him. Her choice was not taken from her, and she did not give it up.
5. She went humbly to Him, feeling it the highest honour to be sitting in the lowest place. They learn most of Christ who think least of themselves.
III. THE SPECIAL SWEETNESS OF THE NAME TO US.
1. To teachers.
(1) Their message is not their own, but His, which relieves them of responsibility, and makes them indifferent to criticism.
(2) When the work does not seem to prosper, what a comfort to be able to go to Jesus! This applies to all--business men, housewives, church officers, etc.
2. To sufferers. A gardener preserved with great care a choice rose. One morning it was gone. He, scolding his fellow servants, and felt very grieved till one said, “I saw the master take it.” “Oh, then,” said he, “I am content.” Have you lost a dear one? It was He who took it. Would you wish to keep what the Master wants? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Master calling
I. THE TITLE GIVEN TO CHRIST. “The Master,” suggesting
1. His authority.
2. His prophetic office.
II. HIS APPEARANCE--“is come.”
1. In the Incarnation.
2. In the means of grace.
3. In special providences.
4. At His saints’ deathbeds.
5. At the Judgment.
III. THE APPEAL--“and calleth for thee.”
1. In the Word read or preached.
2. In the example of others.
3. By the power of His Spirit. This is
(1) A personal call.
(2) An important call.
(3) A gracious call (Proverbs 1:24). (Preacher’s Portfolio.)
The call of the Master
I. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST, “The Master.” Martha recognized Christ as her Teacher and Lord. This relation He bears still. All authority is given Him in heaven and earth.
1. He is the true Ruler of the world. There are many forms of government, but all are knowingly or ignorantly, willingly or unwillingly the subjects of Christ. He rules them at His pleasure.
2. He is the Ruler of His Church. His people are not their own, but His purchased possession, and He will not delegate His authority to another.
(1) Secular governments have usurped this authority, and have endeavoured to rule Christ’s people according to their ideas. Such have rightful authority in the world, but not in the Church. No Christian should resist it in the right sphere, but render unto Caesar, etc. But as soon as it intrudes into the spiritual sphere it is to be opposed, and God is to be obeyed rather than man.
(2) Priests have usurped this authority. The Man of Rome has declared himself to be Christ’s vicegerent, and Protestant popes have made similar claims. It is true that Christ’s ministers have authority in the Church Hebrews 13:17), but it is in perfect subordination to Christ.
II. THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST. He came to Bethany palpably; He comes here spiritually, “Wherever two or three,” etc. You would feel excited if told that Queen Victoria were here, but a greater than Victoria has come
1. To inspect. Christ sees everything--our conduct in the world and in Church.
2. To listen to the sincere, the half-hearted, the hypocritical.
3. To bless. He has pardon for the sinful, teaching for the ignorant, strength for the weak, etc.
III. THE CALL OF CHRIST.
1. To the careless sinner.
2. To the anxious inquirer.
3. The Christian, halting, idling, sad, etc. Let all respond. (J. Morgan.)
Christ’s call to the personal heart
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.)
The visit and the invitation
I. THE MESSAGE.
1. The appellation given to our Lord. The rulers despised Jesus, but these women were not ashamed nor afraid to acknowledge Him as Master. Happy the families that acknowledge Him as such.
2. The message relating to Him: “is come.” He came to the grave of Lazarus; He comes to the graves of those dead in trespasses and sins.
II. THE PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED.
1. Those who have hitherto kept at a distance from Christ without ever seeking Him.
(1) Some have not only neglected Him, but provoked Him by open sin.
(2) Others please themselves with the idea of their comparative innocence, and satisfy themselves with a cold, negative, heartless religion.
2. Those who have sought Christ, but never found Him.
3. Those who, after having been admitted to union with Him, are deprived of His sensible presence.
III. THE SEASONS WHEN IT MORE PARTICULARLY COMES.
1. The time of affliction.
2. When the means of grace are fully enjoyed.
3. When the Spirit of God strives.
4. When opportunities for religious usefulness occur.
Conclusion:
1. How much to be admired is Christ’s condescension in His love.
2. How great are your obligations to hearken to His call.
3. How obligatory to communicate the message to others. (H. Grey, D. D.)
Christ’s message
I. THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST’S MESSAGE TO HIS FRIENDS.
1. Its benignity.
2. Authority.
3. Personality.
4. Suitability.
II. THE BEST WAY TO CONVEY CHRIST’S MESSAGES.
1. Unostentatiously.
2. Prudently.
3. Plainly.
4. Promptly.
III. THE TREATMENT OF CHRIST’S MESSAGES BY HIS FRIENDS.
1. Mary listened to it.
2. Was influenced by it.
3. Obeyed it at once. (Stems and Twigs.)
The gospel message to every man
We have it
I. CLEARLY STATED.
1. The Master is come. Come from heaven, to this earth, for every man. Of all the facts of history none is better attested, more important, or more glorious than this.
2. The Master calls individuals
(1) In the operations of nature, in the events of history, in the working of conscience, in the ministry of His servants.
(2) To heal thy diseases, to break thy chains, to enlighten thy judgment, to cleanse thy conscience, to purify thy heart, and to save thy soul.
II. RIGHTLY DELIVERED. Martha delivered her message.
1. Undoubtingly (John 11:27). “And when she had so said” she proceeds, filled with the spirit of her mission, to Mary. He who delivers the message without being assured of its truth, is no genuine preacher. That Christ has come and calls for men, must be among his most settled convictions.
2. Judiciously. He “secretly” suggests prudence in regard to
(1) Times;
(2) Circumstances;
(3) Moods.
III. PROPERLY RECEIVED. Mary received it as every hearer of the gospel should.
1. Promptly (John 11:29). She did not wait to consult her companion. The delay of a moment after the voice has come is wrong and perilous.
2. Resolutely (John 11:30). On an occasion so full of excitement, it required no little nerve to proceed to where Jesus was in sublime solitude. The Gospel call requires determination of soul: there are so many opposing forces and unfavourable considerations.
3. Fearlessly (John 11:31). Well she knew that her going forth would be contrary to the wish of the Jews; but, defiant of their prejudices, she obeys the command. Thus it must be with those who would comply with the invitations of the gospel.
4. Devoutly (John 11:32). “At His feet,” where every hearer should be.
Conclusion: Here is--
1. A fact in which humanity should rejoice. “The Master is come.” What fools those are who go not to meet Him!
2. An example that preachers should imitate--Martha’s.
3. The conduct gospel hearers should follow. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
It is said of Sister Dora that, no matter at what hour the hospital door bell rang, she used to rise instantly to admit the patient saying, “The Master is come and calleth for thee.”
As soon as she heard that she arose quickly, and came unto Him.
The believer goes to the Master
I. IN PROSPERITY hastens to Him for grace to bear it.
II. IN ADVERSITY for grace to improve it.
III. IN TEMPTATION for grace to overcome it.
IV. IN A FRIENDLESS WORLD for sympathy. (M. Henry.)