among the people concerning him : for some said, He is a good man : others said, Nay, but he deceiveth the people " The words which old Simeon had spoken thirty years be- fore were here accomplished in a striking manner. He had said to our Lord's mother, " This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel : and for a sign which shall be spoken against ; — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke ii. 34, 35.) In the diversities of opinion about our Lord which arose among the Jews, we see the good old man's saying fulfilled.
In the face of such a passage as this, the endless differences and divisions about religion, which we see on all sides, in the present day, ought never to surprise us. The open hatred of some toward Christ, — the carping, fault- finding, prejudiced spirit of others, — the bold confession of the few faithful ones, — the timid, man-fearing temper of the many faithless ones, — the unceasing war of words and strife of tongues with which the Churches of Christ are so sadly familiar, — are only modern symptoms of an old dis- ease. Such is the corruption of human nature, that Christ is the cause of division among men, wherever He is preached. So long as the world stands, some, when they hear of Him, will love, and some will hate, — some will believe, and some will believe not. That deep, prophetical saying of His will be continually verified : " Think not that I am come to send peace on earth ; I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matt. x. 34.)
What think we of Christ ourselves? This is the one question with which we have to do. Let us never be ashamed to be of that little number who believe on Him, hear His voice, follow Him, and confess Him before men. While others waste their time in vain jangling and un- profitable controversy, let us take up the cross and give all diligence to make our calling and election sure. The children of this world may hate us, as it hated our Master,