Isaiah 55:1-13 Ho, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, and he that has no money; come you, buy, and eat… I. THE SURPRISING NATURE OF THIS FACT, for it is very surprising to mankind to hear that salvation is "without money and without price." It is so surprising to them that the plainest terms cannot make them understand it; and, though you tell them a thousand times a day, yet they persist in thinking that you mean some. thing else. Why is it when man does see it he is surprised at it? 1. Because of man's relation to God, and his wrong judgment of Him. Man thinks that God is a hard master. 2. No doubt, also, the condition of man under the fall makes it more difficult for him to comprehend that the gifts of God are "without money and without price," for he finds that he is doomed to toil for almost everything he needs. 3. Again man recollects the general rule of men towards each other, for in this world what is to be had for nothing except that which is worth nothing? 4. Another matter helps man into this difficulty, namely, his natural pride. He does not like to be a pauper before God. 5. Once more, all religions that ever have been in the world of man's making teach that the gifts of God are to be purchased or merited. Though I have thus shown grounds for our surprise, yet if men would think a little they might not be quite so unbelievingly amazed as they are; for, after all, the best blessings we have come to us freely. What price have you paid for your lives? and yet they are very precious. What price do you pay for the air you breathe? What price does a man pay for the sunlight? Life and air and light come to us "without money and without price." And our faculties, too — who pays for eyesight? The ear which hears the song of the bird at dawn, what price is given for it? The senses are freely bestowed on us by God, and so is the sleep which rests them. It is clear then that some of the best blessings we possess come to us by the way of free gift; and come to the undeserving, too, for the dew shall sparkle to-morrow upon the grass in the miser's field, and the rain shall fall in due season upon the rising corn of the wretch who blasphemes his God. II. THE NECESSITY OF THE FACT mentioned in our text. 1. From the character of the Donor. It is God that gives. Would you have Him sell His pardons? 2. Because of the value of the boon. As one has well said, "it is without price because it is priceless." 3. From the extremity of human destitution. The blessings of grace must be given "without money and without price," for we have no money or price to bring. III. THE SALUTARY INFLUENCE. OF THIS FACT. If it be "without money and without price," what then? 1. That enables us to preach the gospel to every creature. 2. This fact has the salutary effect of excluding all pride. If it be "without money and without price," you rich people have not a halfpennyworth of advantage above the poorest of the poor in this matter. 3. It forbids despair. 4. It inspires with gratitude, and that gratitude becomes the basis of holiness. 5. It engenders in the soul the generous virtues. The man who is saved for nothing feels first with regard to his fellow-men that he must deal lovingly with them. Has God forgiven me? Then I can freely forgive those who have trespassed against me. He longs to see others saved, and therefore he lays himself out to bring them to Jesus Christ. If he had bought his salvation I dare say he might be proud of it, and wish to keep it to himself Then the free gifts of grace, working by the power and energy of the Holy Spirit, create in us the generous virtues towards God. 6. I cannot think of anything that will make more devout worshippers in heaven than this. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. |
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