Interpret → Preach
For the service
John Wesley’s own Explanatory Notes Upon the Old and New Testament on the day’s readings — his verse-by-verse commentary, not a summary of it. Read the full edition ↗
first Isaiah 1:10-18
- v.10Of Sodom — So called for their resemblance of them in wickedness. The law - The message which I am now to deliver to you from God, your great lawgiver. 11. To me - Who am a spirit, and therefore cannot be satisfied with such carnal oblations, but expect to have your hearts and lives, as well as your bodies and sacrifices, presented unto me. Blood - He mentions the fat and blood, because these were in a peculiar manner reserved for God, to intimate that even the best of their sacrifices were rejected by him.
- v.12To appear — Upon the three solemn feasts, or upon other occasions. Who required - The thing I commanded, was not only, nor chiefly, that you should offer external sacrifices, but that you should do it with true repentance, with faith in my promises, and sincere resolutions of devoting yourselves to my service.
- v.13The solemn meeting — The most solemn day of each of the three feasts, which was the last day.
- v.15Blood — You are guilty of murder, and oppression.
- v.16Wash — Cleanse your hearts and hands.
- v.17Learn — Begin to live soberly, righteously, and godly. Judgment - Shew your religion to God, by practicing justice to men. Judge - Defend and deliver them.
psalm Psalm 32:1-7
- v.2Imputeth — Whom God doth not charge with the guilt of his sins, but graciously pardons and accepts him in Christ. No guile - Who freely confesses all his sins, and turns from sin to God with all his heart.
- v.3Silence — From a full and open confession of my sins. Old - My spirit failed, and the strength of my body decayed. Roaring - Because of the continual horrors of my conscience, and sense of God's wrath.
- v.4Hand — Thy afflicting hand. My moisture - Was dried up.
- v.5The iniquity — The guilt of my sin.
- v.6For this — Upon the encouragement of my example. Found - In an acceptable and seasonable time, while God continues to offer grace and mercy. Waters - In the time of great calamities. Not come - So as to overwhelm him.
second 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
- v.1Congratulates their constancy in the faith, and exhorts them to advance daily in grace and wisdom.
- v.2Reforms their mistake concerning the coming of our Lord And,
- v.3Recommends several Christian duties. The parts of it are five: I. The inscription, Chap. i. 1, 2 II. Thanksgiving and prayer for them, 3-12 III. The doctrine concerning the man of sin,. ii. 1-12 Whence he comforts them against this trial, 13, 14 Adding exhortation and prayer, 15-17 IV. An exhortation to prayer, with a prayer for. iii. 1-5 them, to correct the disorderly, 6-16 V. The conclusion, 17, 18 2nd THESSALONIANS
- v.4Which ye endure — "That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom."
gospel Luke 19:1-10
- v.1He passed through Jericho — So that Zacchaeus must have lived near the end of the town: the tree was in the town itself. And he was rich - These words seem to refer to the discourse in the last chapter, ver. 24, particularly to ver. 27. Zacchiaeus is a proof, that it is possible by the power of God for even a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- v.2The chief of the publicans — What we would term, commissioner of the customs. A very honourable as well as profitable place.
- v.4And running before — With great earnestness. He climbed up - Notwithstanding his quality: desire conquering honour and shame.
- v.5Jesus said, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down — What a strange mixture of passions must Zacchaeus have now felt, hearing one speak, as knowing both his name and his heart!
- v.7They all murmured — All who were near: though most of them rather out of surprise than indignation.
- v.8And Zacchaeus stood — Showing by his posture, his deliberate, purpose and ready mind, and said, Behold, Lord, I give - I determine to do it immediately.
- v.9He also is a son of Abraham — A Jew born, and as such has a right to the first offer of salvation.
- v.10Matt. xviii, 11.