theWord Commentaries

Mortimer, Favell Lee – A Devotional Commentary on the Gospels

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• November 1, 2023November 7, 2023
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Mortimer, Favell Lee – A Devotional Commentary on the Gospels

Devotional from the Four Gospels for every day of the year. Mortimer’s work is a year devotional looking at individual passages of the Scripture each day.

Excerpt #1 the Word John 1:1-5

Who is the Word spoken of in these verses? He is the Son of God. He is called the WORD, because he makes God his Father known to us. How is it that our thoughts are made known to our fellow creatures? By our words. Thus the unseen Father is made known to men by his Son Jesus Christ. No man can know the Father, but by the Son. The Son and the Father are distinct persons, for it is written in the first verse, “The Word was with God;” that is, the Son was with the Father. Yet the Son and the Father are one God, for it is added, “The Word was God.”

But even if we had not found this sentence, “The Word was God,” we would have known that he was God, by the things that are said of him in the following verses.

First, it is declared that he was from the beginning with God. Now God is the First, and if the Son of God is from everlasting, then he is First, and he must be God.

Again it is declared that all things were made by him. Thus we know the Son is the Creator of the world. He cannot then be a creature; for no creature can “create.” God alone can create.

Then again it is said, He is the “Life.” He gives life. All the angels in heaven cannot give life to the smallest insect, or even to the lowest flower—but the Son can give life to the creatures he has made; not only natural life, but spiritual and eternal life.

Lastly, it is declared that he is the Light of men—a brighter light than the sun, a light which shines into the heart and enlightens the dark mind.

And what is MAN called? Observe the name that is given to him. He is called “Darkness.” In verse the fifth it is written, “The light shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not.” Ever since Satan, the prince of darkness, tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, the minds of men have been dark; they have neither known what is right, nor loved what is good. Christ came into the world to bring light to the dark minds of men. But alas! how few receive him! Most people are so much pleased with the trifles of time, or so much taken up with the cares of the world, that they turn away from the Son of God. This blessed book which we hold in our hands tells us about Him. Does not each of us wish to be happy forever? Then let us listen attentively, and let us entreat God to give us faith that we may believe and be saved.

Excerpt #2 The Song of Mary Luke 1:46-56

This beautiful song shows us what was Mary’s state of mind at this time. We must remember that there was much to try her in her present circumstances, for many people would not believe her account of the angel’s visit, and would treat her with scorn. Yet she was filled with joy, because she enjoyed the favor of the Lord. She said, “My soul magnifies the Lord—and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” How great was Mary’s faith! Faith enables us to rejoice in the midst of trials. Paul had this faith when he said, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”

Mary knew that whatever men thought of her then, that all generations would “call her blessed,” as the mother of the Savior. Do we not think her blessed? Surely we do. Let us not forget that we may be blessed also; for Jesus said that “Whoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mat 12:50.) And at another time, when a woman said how blessed his mother was, Jesus answered, “Rather blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luk 11:28.)

It is sad to think what a wrong use the Roman Catholics have made of the words of Mary. They not only call her “blessed,” (and she is blessed,) but they worship her, as if she were equal to him, “who is over all, God blessed forever.” (Rom 9:5.) No—Mary was but a creature like ourselves; though she was made, by the grace of God, a holy creature, and was honored in so remarkable a manner.

We see in her song how great a value she set upon the blessings of redemption. She would not have done so, if she had not felt her need of a Savior. How she delights in praising God! She calls him mighty—”He who is mighty.” She calls him holy—”Holy is his name.” She speaks of his mercy—”His mercy is on those who fear him.”

What does she mean in verse 51, when she says, “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts?” Pharaoh and his proud captains once desired to destroy Israel—this was “the imagination of their hearts,” but God drowned them in the Red Sea. Thus God at last will destroy all the enemies of Christ and his people.

From this song we may learn to what people the Lord is merciful; “He fills the hungry with good things.” He fed the poor Israelites, when they were hungry, with manna. But it is another sort of hunger which Jesus delights to satisfy. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Such hungry souls shall never be sent empty away. If a beggar is sent empty away from one house, he can go to another; but if God were to send us empty away, and refuse to give us everlasting life, there is no other being to whom we could go. Will he send us empty away? No—he will not, if we feel our need of pardon; but if we imagine ourselves rich in goodness, He will give us none of His goodness or righteousness. Only those who know they are poor blind miserable sinners, will obtain anything from the Savior. Let us go now to his throne of grace to ask for mercy, and to obtain help in this our time of need; let us go with lowly hearts, feeling our unworthiness and confessing our sins, and He will not send us “empty away.”

Excerpt #3 The miracle at the pool of Bethesda  John 5:1-9

Can we hear of this pool without being reminded of that fountain for sin which Jesus has provided in his Gospel? This pool was called Bethesda, which signifies “House of mercy.” And has not Jesus opened a house of mercy in his Word? The poor sick people who sat near the water’s side represent diseased souls, such as we all have by nature; only our souls are far more diseased than their bodies were—for some of them were blind, and others halt, and others withered, but our souls are diseased in all their powers. Neither had they all been afflicted many years. Even the man who had been thirty-eight years sick had not been sick from his birth—but our souls have been diseased by sin ever since we were born!

The pool of Bethesda is not an exact image of salvation—for only the first one who stepped in it was cured. But what would become of sinners, if Christ’s salvation were thus straitened? Blessed be God, the fountain of Christ’s blood is opened to all sinners unto the end of the world. How much selfishness must have been displayed at the borders of this pool! how each man must have viewed his neighbor with an evil eye, fearing lest by another stepping in before him he would himself be deprived of a cure! How differently ought we to view our fellow-sinners! Their salvation will not hinder ours.

Yet in one respect we ought to imitate the sick people around the pool—in their earnestness. As they knew the first only would be cured, how patiently they watched around the pool, how eagerly they rushed in after the troubling of the water! We ought to seek God as earnestly as IF only one could obtain salvation; then not one would fail to obtain it.

It appears that Jesus was not known by these sick people. Had they known the great Physician was so near, what a cry would have been raised from a multitude of suffering lips! Jesus approached one of these pitiable objects. It was one who had been very long afflicted, who had been anxiously seeking a cure, and who had no friend to help him into the pool. Some person indeed had brought him to the edge of the pool; but not one had watched by him to plunge him in at the critical moment.

Jesus knew his desolate condition, and the bitter disappointments he had suffered. He selected him as a fit object on whom to display his power and mercy. The poor paralytic was not accustomed to the voice of kindness. It must have refreshed his weary spirit to hear Jesus inquire, “Will you be made whole?” Immediately he began to pour out his complaints into the ear of the compassionate stranger, hoping perhaps that he would obtain his help the next time the water was troubled. But there was richer mercy in store for him, than any man or angel could bestow; for by a word, Jesus restored him—suddenly, and perfectly.

That Savior knows the circumstances of all his creatures now scattered over the world; and we know that he pities those who have no friends to teach them the way of salvation, especially when they themselves are concerned about their own souls. He may let them remain for a time in distress and perplexity; but He will not let them perish in their ignorance.

Excerpt #4 Christ forbids worldly anxiety Mat 6:24-34

Our Savior had charged his disciples not to lay up treasures upon earth. In this passage He gives them another command that appears much more difficult to obey, that is, He forbids them to be anxious about needful food and clothing. We are naturally inclined to think it impossible not to be anxious about the means of our support; but God graciously offers many arguments to prevent our indulging in such cares.

Do we doubt God’s power to provide for us? Who was it gave us life, and made our bodies? Is it not much easier to clothe, and to feed, than to create us? Do we doubt the kindness of the Lord? Does He not condescend to feed the ravens, and clothe the lilies? And are we not much better than they, that is, much more precious in his sight than birds or flowers? Therefore we see that we dishonor God by doubting whether He will provide for our needs.

It is also useless to be anxious about the future. By being anxious, we cannot add one inch to our height, nor one moment to our lives. We know from other parts of scripture, that God does not desire us to be idle or improvident—he only forbids useless tormenting fears about the future.

And why does He forbid such thoughts? Because there is a nobler object set before us, which requires all our thoughts—”The kingdom of God and his righteousness.” This kingdom we must seek earnestly, or we shall not obtain it. If our thoughts are occupied about earthly things, we shall lose this earthly inheritance. Christ said, “You cannot serve God and mammon,” (or the world.) Neither can we be intent upon what we shall eat, and drink, and wear, and at the same time be seeking God. Christ said, that the Gentiles thought of these things. The Gentiles at that time were ignorant heathens, they knew not God, therefore they were occupied with earthly cares; but we ought not to be like them.

If we wish to discover our state before God, let us examine with what subjects our thoughts are generally occupied. Of course, while we are engaged upon any business, our minds must be on that business; but after it is done, our thoughts fly to the objects we most delight in. If we are God’s children, our thoughts will often fly to heaven, our Father’s house; but if we are not born again they will grovel upon the earth. This is God’s own rule, “Those who are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but those who are after the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit.”

It may appear to us a trifling sin to be engrossed with earthly thoughts; but it is a sign that we are in the flesh, not born again of the Spirit. Now it is written, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom 8:8.) How dreadful it would be to die in this state!

How kindly God undertakes to keep us from need, while we are seeking spiritual blessings with all our hearts! “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

How happy should we be even in this world, if we would obey this command! “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” It is much pleasanter to be thinking of heaven and Christ, than to be dwelling upon the evils of life; and O! how much safer is it! For though it is useless to take thought about earthly things, it is of the greatest use to take thought about spiritual things. By thinking of hell we shall be led to flee from it; by thinking of sin, to dread it; by thinking of righteousness, to implore God to bestow it upon us, even Christ’s righteousness upon us His guilty creatures.

Excerpt #5 He refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees Mat 12:38-42

It was not with a sincere desire to be convinced of the truth that the Pharisees wished for a sign. They had already witnessed so many miracles that they could not avoid knowing that Jesus was the Son of God. This was their great sin, that when they knew the truth they would not confess it. As our Savior afterwards said, (in Joh 15:24,) “If I had not done among them the works that no other man did, they had not had sin—but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.”

The Pharisees were determined not to believe in Jesus. Whatever miracles he might perform, whatever signs he might show, they had made up their minds already; they would not believe on him themselves, nor let others believe on him. It is evident that this was their state of mind from their conversation when together. (See Joh 11:47-48.) “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” Did not these words betray a dreadful state of mind? It was worse than unbelieving; it was malicious. It is in this spirit that Satan himself opposes the kingdom of God.

And what was this sign from heaven for which the Pharisees asked? Probably it was one of those displays of glory that God once made on Mount Sinai, when He spoke from the midst of the fire, surrounded by clouds and darkness, thunderings and lightnings. Christ could easily have manifested his glory in the same manner, and he will do so when he comes again to judge the world. But he refused to grant the Pharisees’ arrogant demand, and told them that they should have no other sign than the sign of the prophet Jonas. And what was that sign? It was his own resurrection; for Jonah’s burial in the midst of the whale was a type of his burial in the heart of the earth; and Jonah’s escape through the mouth of the fish, was a type of his bursting the barriers of the tomb.

It may surprise us to know that Jesus would be three days and three nights in his grave, seeing he only lay there from Friday evening to Sunday morning. But the Jews had a peculiar way of reckoning time—they considered a day and night as one period, and they counted a part of this period, as if it were the whole. Therefore, as Jesus was part of three days in the grave, he was there three days and three nights, according to the Jewish mode of speaking.

The Savior well knew that the Pharisees would not acknowledge him to be the Son of God, even when he rose from the dead; and so it proved; for when he did rise, and when the history of his resurrection was repeated to the chief priests and elders, how did they act? They bribed the soldiers who had guarded the tomb to deny the fact, and to say that the disciples had stolen his body away while they slept.

Well, therefore, might Jesus contrast the men of Nineveh with the Pharisees. The Ninevites repented when Jonah declared that in forty days their city should be destroyed. It is remarkable that in forty years from the time of our Savior’s resurrection, Jerusalem was destroyed, because the Jews repented not. The Pharisees despised the Ninevites on account of their being Gentiles, yet these Gentiles were far better than themselves.

The Lord then brought forward an instance of another Gentile who acted in an opposite manner from the Pharisees—it was the queen of Sheba, who came from a distant country to receive instruction from Solomon. There have been heathens in later days who have resembled this ancient sovereign in her desire to obtain heavenly wisdom. Some years ago, two natives of Ceylon left their spicy isle, and came to dwell for awhile in our cold climate, that they might learn the gospel of the blessed God. When they were about to return home, a friend presented to them a magnificent mirror, but they refused to accept it. They said to their venerable teacher, Dr. Adam Clarke, “Tell our friend we cannot accept the mirror. We will take nothing home with us but the Bible you gave us and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To learn that gospel we crossed the ocean, and with it alone will we cross it again.”

How unlike these unselfish Cingalese are those who for worldly reasons forsake the preaching of the truth! Whatever may be the advantages for which they give up that joyful sound, they make a poor exchange. Happy are those who can say with David, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psa 27:4.)

Excerpt #6 Abraham’s reply to the rich man Luke 16:29-31

It is natural to suppose that the sight of a departed spirit would awaken a thoughtless soul. The rich man imagined that his brethren would turn from sin if Lazarus were to appear to them in the midst of their luxury and their gaiety, and to say, “I am the beggar that once languished at the gate—I am now an inhabitant of heaven—I partake of the immortal feast—I sit with the saints, and behold the face of God—I have seen your brother—he is not with us—I heard a doleful cry—it was his voice—he was burning in the flames of hell—he entreated that I might moisten his tongue with the tip of my finger, but the request could not be granted. He has remembered you. He once lived (as you do now) a worldly, thoughtless life—he knows how your lives will end—he dreads lest you should join him in the place of torment.”

The rich man supposed that such a warning voice would alarm his brethren, stop them in their sinful career, and turn them to God. But the Lord has not appointed this mode of dealing with men. He might have made the departed, the ministers of the living. Every dead relative might have appeared again; the happy ones to tell of their happiness; the miserable ones to tell of their misery. But God devised another method. He spoke to holy men of old, and taught them to write the words he dictated. He appointed living men to speak of those holy words to their fellow-creatures. This is God’s method. Thousands and tens of thousands have been saved by these means. They have believed the written message, and the living preacher, and have fled from the threatened wrath. God continues to pursue this plan of dealing with men. He requires us to believe what we do not see, only because HE says it. The Lord Jesus well knew that if he had appeared to his enemies when he rose again from the dead, he would not have overcome their enmity; therefore he did not appear to them. He appeared to his friends for their comfort, but not to his enemies for their conversion.

The Lord’s method must be the most excellent way. If we would save the souls of men, we must let them hear the word of God, which he spoke by Moses, by the prophets, by his own Son, and by his apostles. That word has awakened whole families, who were as thoughtless as the rich man’s brothers, and has saved them from the place of torment. Every soul that reaches the abode of bliss, will trace his coming there to his having heard the word of God. Some will speak of one part of that blessed word, and some will speak of another, and all will bless the Holy Spirit who opened their hearts to receive the truth. We shall not need the Bible in heaven, because we shall be with Him who wrote it; but surely it will not be forgotten there. Neither will it be forgotten in hell. It will add to the fierceness of the flames to remember the slighted warnings, the despised promises, the rejected invitations of the word of God.

Excerpt #7 The Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 2:1-7

It is very interesting to observe the providence of God with regard to the place of Christ’s birth.

The prophet Isaiah had said that the Savior should be born in Bethlehem, (v. 2.) Yet Mary lived in Nazareth, about seventy miles distance from Bethlehem. God could easily have commanded Mary to go to Bethlehem—but instead of doing this, he caused circumstances to happen which induced her to go there.

The great emperor of Rome, who possessed all the chief countries in the world, and among the rest, Canaan, the land of the Jews, desired at this time to number his subjects. He sent forth an order to have their names enrolled in a census. Joseph being descended from King David, went to the city of Bethlehem, (whence David came,) to have his name enrolled, and Mary his wife accompanied him.

Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of Rome, little knew that by this decree he was causing a prophecy concerning the Son of God to be fulfilled; for he knew nothing of the true God, or of his word. But we, who read the history, ought to admire the ways of God—how easily he can bring everything to pass which he has determined to do; for he is “great in counsel” (or in making plans) “and mighty in work,” Jer 32:19, (or in bringing his plans to pass.) It is therefore very unbelieving in us to trouble ourselves about the future, for there is nothing we can desire that God could not easily cause to happen; and if he does not bring it to pass, it is because the thing we desire does not agree with his own wise and gracious designs.
When Mary arrived at Bethlehem, she was obliged to lodge in a stable; for the inn was full, many people having come to have their names enrolled also. Thus it happened, that her holy baby was born in a stable, and laid in a feeding trough.

Are we surprised that the glorious Son of God should thus be received into this world? Let us remember why he came. Not to enjoy himself, but to save us. In order to save us, two things were necessary. That he should obey the law of God, which we had broken, and that he should suffer the punishment due to us for breaking it. Download “mortimer-favell-lee-a-devotional-commentary-on-the-gospels.dev.twm” mortimer-favell-lee-a-devotional-commentary-on-the-gospels.dev.twm – Downloaded 707 times – 3.41 MB

In order that he might do these things, he was always placed in suffering circumstances. Poverty and contempt nursed him in his infancy. The most splendid palace on earth would have been too humble an abode for him whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain. But instead of opening his infant eyes in a palace, he opened them in a stable. It was wonderful condescension in him who was equal with God, to dwell with men, but in the stable he was surrounded by animals. What must the angels who had worshiped him in heaven have felt when they saw him thus degraded! Yet this treatment was not to be compared to that which he afterwards endured on Calvary. As he walked through this world at each step his way became rougher; his first bed was a feeding trough, but his last was a cross. And it was men, whom he came to redeem, who treated him in this manner. And have we not all treated him in the same, casting him out of our thoughts, and crucifying him by our sins? Yes, we are all guilty before God, and Jesus alone is righteous. But he is not righteous for himself, but for us; neither did he suffer for himself, but for us. He was cast out, that we might be brought in. He was rejected of men, that we might be accepted of God.

More Works on the Gospels

• Godet Commentary on Luke John Romans and 1 Corinthians
• Gore Ephesians
• Gospels Compared The (TGC)
• Grant L.M. – Comments on the Bible (Brethren)
• Grant Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews

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More Works on Matthew

• Godet Commentary on Luke John Romans and 1 Corinthians
• Gore Ephesians
• Gospels Compared The (TGC)
• Grant L.M. – Comments on the Bible (Brethren)
• Grant Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews

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• Godet Commentary on Luke John Romans and 1 Corinthians
• Gore Ephesians
• Gospels Compared The (TGC)
• Grant L.M. – Comments on the Bible (Brethren)
• Grant Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews

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More Works on Luke

• Godet Commentary on Luke John Romans and 1 Corinthians
• Gore Ephesians
• Gospels Compared The (TGC)
• Grant L.M. – Comments on the Bible (Brethren)
• Grant Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews

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More Works on John

• Godet Commentary on Luke John Romans and 1 Corinthians
• Gore Ephesians
• Gospels Compared The (TGC)
• Grant L.M. – Comments on the Bible (Brethren)
• Grant Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews

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