Luke 24:36-43

1. We should observe the singularly gracious words with which our Lord introduced Himself to His disciples after His resurrection.
2. We should observe our Lord's marvelous condescension to the infirmity of His disciples.

"He is far more willing to forgive than men are to be forgiven. He is far more ready to pardon than men are to be pardoned."

"Like our Lord, we must be forbearing and patient. Like our Lord, we must condescend to the feebleness of some men's faith and treat them as tenderly as little children in order to bring them into the right way. We must not cast off men simply because they do not see everything at once. We must not despise the humblest and most childish means if we can only persuade men to believe."

Questions:

1. Brothers and sisters, Ryle points out the great willingness of Christ Jesus to forgive and pardon us from our sins. Dare we be afraid to appeal to this great God for forgiveness if He can forgive and speak graciously to those who betrayed him just days before? Does this not encourage us to be quick to forgive others who have sinned against us?
2. Ryle draws a principle from our Lord in how He speaks to his disciples, namely how gentle and patient He is with them. Ryle exhorts us that, "he who cannot condescend to deal thus with the young, the ignorant, and the uneducated has not the mind of Christ." Friends, in dealing with others, do we have this mind as well? Are we quick to write off someone who doesn't understand or is slow to believe or understand? May the Holy Spirit give us grace to be like this with those around us!