John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Jesus had them save all the fragments left over (John 6:12). There was no waste. Waste would be a sin. The home that wished Jesus to provide should save the leftovers and carefully use them out of love and gratitude to Christ. Jesus who made food for thousands by a thought commands it not be wasted. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 213]

There were twelve baskets of fish and bread left, indicating the infinite supply. Jesus could have fed a million as well as five thousand. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 213]

After a feast of bread and fish, Jesus constrained the disciples to get in the ship and go before Him back across the little Sea of Galilee "while he sent the multitudes away." It seems that Jesus wished His disciples to have rest. We suppose He had brought them into the desert place, to rest and pray, but the crowds had thronged them. Other people do not realize the terrible strain on the nerves of Christian workers. Every church should insist that its pastor and other paid workers have vacation time, time to rest, play, pray, and read. If Jesus needed it, and His twelve disciples needed it, so do others. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 214]

Our regard for God should be greater even than for our parents, but duties never conflict. God is best honored by those who properly honor their father and mother. Those who properly take care of mother and father from the proper motives will be the ones also who support the Lord's work properly, and God will enable them to do so. [Matt. 15:1-9] To do one good thing is never a proper excuse for failing to do the good thing which the Lord commands in His Word. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 220]

When any other writing is put equal with the Bible, the Bible is discredited. This is the sin of Catholics with their teaching about the church and its authority, of Mormons or Latter-day Saints in heeding the Book of Mormon, of Seventh-Day Adventists who believe the writings of Mrs. White inspired, of Christian Science, falsely so-called, in relying on the writings of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, etc. In every case where one accepts any other authority as equal with the Bible, the Bible is discredited. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 223]

Modernists say they do not believe in Christ's deity because of lack of scientific evidence. They lie. There is overwhelming evidence for every humble and contrite heart that Jesus is all He claimed to be - God, Creator in human form; evidence that the Bible is all Jesus said it is - the infallible Word of God. It is not lack of evidence that makes unbelief, but willfully sinful, biased hearts that are resolutely closed against Christ. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 236]

Pride and others sins often make it so God turns them over to a reprobate mind that they may believe a lie and be damned (Rom. 1:28; II Thess. 2:10-12). Notice that God gives such delusion, such a blindness and reprobate mind only to such people "because they received not the love of the truth" (II Thess. 2:10), and because "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1:28). People's heads get wrong because their hearts are wrong. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 241]

Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration [Matthew 17:1-8]

Moses and Elijah were present. Why? They were talking with Jesus (vs. 3). Their conversation was about Christ's "decease" (or death) which He should accomplish at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). the heavenly world knew about the death of Christ for sinners which was coming. It was the absorbing topic of their thoughts and conversation there, and Moses and Elijah were allowed to come and meet Jesus and the apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration there to discuss with Jesus His death! Calvary and the love shown there and the blood spilled there are the themes of Christians' songs, the topic of Christians' praises, the foundation of a Christian's assurance. How grand that in Heaven the saints and angels marveled and longed to discuss that all-surpassing event! - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 255-256]