Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

1. We should mark what knowledge of people’s hearts our Lord Jesus Christ possesses.
2. We should mark secondly in this passage what Christ forbids.
3. We should mark what Christ advises.
4. We should mark what a promise Christ holds out.

"It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives and friends. A little decent outward profession will often go a long way. But it is impossible to deceive Christ: “His eyes like a flame of fire”

"Happy are those who learn the respective value of soul and body and give the first and best place in their thoughts to salvation."

"We must read our Bibles like those digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like those contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a will. We must fight daily against sin, the world and the devil, like those who fight for liberty and must conquer or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk if we would find Christ and be found by Him. This is laboring."

"He is far more willing to give than we are to receive. The more sinners apply to Him, the better He is pleased."

Questions:

1. We see, once again, that Jesus knows that thoughts and intentions of the heart. He knew why the crowd crossed the lake, and he knows why we do what we do. Nothing is hidden from his sight. What does this do to our hearts? We may have mixed motives, but can we say, "Lord, you know?"
2. Rightly the Bible calls us to work, but Jesus warns against working only for the things of this world while neglecting our immortal souls. What attention are we giving to our souls before God?
3. Jesus tells us to work for the food that endures to eternal life. Ryle exhorts us that this work is to read our Bible's like those digging for hidden treasure (see Proverbs 2:1-6), to wrestle in prayer like those contending with a deadly enemy, to take our whole heart to the house of God and listen like those listening to the reading of a will, to fight daily against sin, the world and the devil like those who fight to conquer or be conquered. Can this be said of us? Are we laboring for the things of eternal life? Which of these areas do we need to work on starting today?
4. Jesus calls us not only to labor for the food of eternal life, but also tells us that he is eager and willing to provide it! Ryle says that He is far more willing to give than we are to receive! Do we believe this of our Lord?