Friday, December 22, 2017


The Gospel According to Mark
Chapter 8:11-12

11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to dispute with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, and tempting him.
12 Then he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, Why doth this generation seek a sign? Verily I say unto you, a sign shall not be given unto this generation.

Brethren:
Faith in Christ comes from within, that is to say from the Holy Spirit, there is no need for a sign. And was not the Pharisees, so blind as to not see all the works that had already been done? Were they not already deaf to the teachings of Christ in their synagogues, in the open places, in the towns and cities? Nay, their hearts were steeled and hardened against Him.

Mark informs us that it occasioned grief and bitter vexation to our Lord, when he saw those ungrateful men obstinately resist God. And certainly all who are desirous to promote the glory of God, and who feel concern about the salvation of men, ought to have such feelings that nothing would inflict on their hearts a deeper wound than to see unbelievers purposely blocking up against themselves the way of believing, and employing all their ingenuity in obscuring by their clouds the brightness of the word and works of God. The words, in his spirit, appear to me to be added emphatically, to inform us that this groan proceeded from the deepest affection of his heart, and that no sophist might allege that Christ resorted to outward attitudes to express a grief which he did not inwardly feel; for that holy soul, which was guided by the zeal of the Spirit, must have been moved by deep sadness at the sight of such wicked obstinacy.” - John Calvin

In his human soul; and which shows that he had one, and was subject to grief and sorrow, and all passions and infirmities, excepting sin. This deep sigh was on account of the hardness of their hearts, the malignity of their minds, and insincerity of their intentions; who had no view to come at truth by this inquiry, but to ensnare him. [However], many have been shown among them, and they will not believe.” - John Gill


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