Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XI (Messiah's entrance into Jerusalem).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on ' 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. 10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.' (Zec 9:9-10)
Newton discusses:
(i) the prophet's address, 'To the daughter of Zion and Jerusalem';
(ii) the exhortation to joy, 'Rejoice and shout';
(iii) the cause assigned for this joy, 'Thy King cometh';
(iv) the characters of the King, 'A righteous Saviour';
(v) his great design, 'To speak peace to the heathen'.
What grabbed me
I liked Newton's appeal to unbelievers: 'And if any of you should be convinced, that hitherto you have been a Christian only in name and in form, but destitute of that which constitutes the life and power of real godliness, this will be a good beginning. For though it be high time that you should in good earnest, attend to these things, blessed be God, it is not yet too late. He is a righteous and a gracious Saviour ; seek him as such, and he will speak peace to you also. His sure promise is recorded for your encouragement, 'Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out.''
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XII (Effects of Messiah's appearance).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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