The immediate effect was the scattering of our Lord's disciples —
[One would have thought that our Lord's more intimate disciples, who for above three years had heard all his discourses, and seen all his miracles, would have firmly adhered to him, even to the end ; more especially as they had promised, in the most solemn manner, to follow him, even unto death : but God, who knew what was in man, foretold that they would shamefully desert him in the hour of trial : yea, our Lord himself forewarned his disciples that they would forsake him, and thereby fulfil the prophecy in our textp: and the event, alas! corresponded with these predictions: the "Shepherd being smitten, the sheep were immediately scattered abroad ;" " they all forsook him and fledq." What a poignancy must this circumstance have given to all the other wounds inflicted on our Lord ! Where were all the myriads whom he had mira- culously healed? Where were those whom he had raised from the dead? Were they all afraid to own him? Was not so much as one found to stand forth in his defence, or even to speak a word in his behalf? No: all were panic-struck and mute. Hear how our blessed Lord himself complains of this, as a bitter aggravation of his sorrows1 But utter dere- liction, unmitigated sorrows, were our desert ; and he, as our substitute, endured it all in our behalf.]
The ultimate effect was their restoration and re- covery—
[This is intimated in the last clause of our text. By "turning his hand upon his little ones," is meant, that he would accomplish upon them all his merciful designs, recover- ing them from their fears, and restoring them to the Divine favour s. This he did as soon as ever he was risen from the dead : he did not even except Peter, who had so shamefully denied him with oaths and curses*. On the day of Pentecost he so " strengthened his little ones," that they were henceforth no more intimidated, but boldly confessed him before all the rulers of their nation, and braved death in all its most tre- mendous forms, for the honour of his name. Similar effects were instantly produced on thousands of his followers : and to this hour is the same divine energy communicated to the feeblest of his people : though but " a little flock," they fear not the threats of any adversaries, because they know that it " is the Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom ;" and, that they shall be " more than conquerors through Him that loved them."
P Matt. xxvi. 31. i Matt. xxvi. 56. r Ps. lxix. 20. and cxlii. 4. s Compare Isai. i. 25. { Mark xvi. 7. John xx. 17.