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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON MARK - MARK 11:27-33
  by J.C. Ryle
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Let us observe in these verses how much spiritual blindness may be in
the hearts of those who hold high ecclesiastical office. We see "the
chief priests and scribes and elders" coming to our Lord Jesus, and
raising difficulties and objections in the way of His work.

These men, we know, were the accredited teachers and rulers of the
Jewish Church. They were regarded by the Jews as the fountain and
spring-head of religious knowledge. They were, most of them, regularly
ordained to the position they held, and could trace their orders by
regular descent from Aaron. And yet we find these very men, at the time
when they ought to have been instructors of others, full of prejudice
against the truth, and bitter enemies of the Messiah!

These things are written to show Christians that they must beware of
depending too much on ordained men. They must not look up to ministers
as Popes, or regard them as infallible. The orders of no church confer
infallibility, whether they be Episcopal, Presbyterian, or Independent.
Bishops, priests, and deacons, at their best, are only flesh and blood,
and may err, both in doctrine and practice, as well as the chief priests
and elders of the Jews. Their acts and teaching must always be tested by
the word of God. They must be followed so far as they follow Scripture,
and no further. There is only one Priest and Bishops of souls, who makes
no mistakes. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him alone is no
weakness, no failure, no shadow of infirmity. Let us learn to lean more
entirely on Him. Let us "call no man father on earth," (Matt. 23:9.) So
doing, we shall never be disappointed.

Let us observe, in the second place, how envy and unbelief make men
throw discredit on the commission of those who work for God. These chief
priests and elders could not deny the reality of our Lord\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-mark-mark-1127-33/
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