The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 24

o.pnrt from righteousness, enkindles resentment and arouses resistance. Bnt goodness and benevolence, with the resources of Omnipotence at their command, summon our hearts to a willing surrender and our lives to a glad obedience. Our will, our whole nature, acknowledge the authority of the Saviou!r's law. When he was upon earth his disciples obeyed unqui,stioningly the mandates they could not always understand, and undertook with alacrity service for which they felt themselves utterly unqualified. And each awakened and enlightened hearer of the gospel gives utterance to his fore- most and earnest desire in the words of tho trembling rabbi of Tarsus, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" When once we know ourselves aud him, we feel that none other has the right to our loyalty, our love, our devotion. "When we hear his voice, it carries with it its own authority to our heart. III. OVER WHOM CHRIBT's AUTHORITY EXTENDS. The answer to this question is suggested by what has been already said regarding the instruments, so to speak, of the dominion of Jesus Christ. If truth and righteousness, love and sacrifice-spiritual influence, in a word-be the source of his authority, we feel at once that his reign is not primarily and chiefly one over actions and observances. It is far more deep-seated and efficient, far more adapted to the moral nature of man and the moral authority of God. Christ's authority is over the spiritual nature of man, and it is supported by spiritual sanctions. Not so much what men do, as what they are, and why they act, and how they feel, is of interest to the Lord of hearts. His appeal is to what is intel- lectual, to what is moral, in man. It is not his aim to induce men to wear one uniform, to utter one cry, but rather to share one spirit-his own, to live one life-that of God. He designs to bring every thought into captivity unto obedience to Jesus Christ. Yet it is important to remember that, constituted as man is, it is impossible that he should acknowledge an authority over his conscience and heart which will have no sway over the actions and habits of his life. The individual life will be cast into the mould of Christ's mind and will. Society will own practically the rightful and controlling sway of Jesus. "All power is given unto him." IV. THE ADVANTAGES WRICH CHRIST'S AUTIIORITY SECURES, Is it to be desired that the authority of the Saviour should be generally and indeed universally acknowledged? What are the fruits of obedience ? what the influences of his reign? Are they such that we may look forward with hope and prayer to the submission and subjection of mankind to him whom we " call Master and Lord " ? When the authority of the Saviour has been acknowledged by the soul, and when he is habitually exercising this authority over the whole nature, the results are most blessed. Happiness is not in wilfulness and unbridled licence, but in subjection to a Law, holy, approved, and willingly accepted. This is true liberty, when the soul finds an authority it can bow before and obey with the harmony of all its faculties. Christ's is the perfect law of liberty, and where this prevails and reigns there is peace and joy; for there freedom and obedience are one, yoked together by spiritual and most welcome bonds. The widespread and universal a.cknowledgment of the Redeemer's authority is the one hope for the world's future. No thoughtful man can look forward to a universal empire of force, to the prevalence of a supreme military authority. What, then, is to put an end to wars and fightings amongst men? They are not for ever to afflict and curse the world. It is only in the reign of righteousness and benevolence that the dreams of poets shall be realized, the forecastings of prophets fulfilled, and the prayers of saints shall be answered. "In the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." v. How THIS AUTHORITY OF CHRIST AFFECTS THOSE WHO HEAB THE GOSPEL. To some the authority of the Redeemer may be an unwelcome theme. They would rather hear of his grace than of his dominion. Yet it is well to see and feel that ea.eh is essential to the other in a perfect and Divine Saviour. Instruction, to be satisfactory, must be authoritative. Consolation comes most effectually from him who wields the sceptre of dominion, and who is able to rebuke and to master all our foos and to sanctify all our trials. Many hearers of the gospel in these days think little of the rightful and supreme authority of the Lord Christ. Preachers and writers of religious books a.re accustomed to lay great stress upon the love of tbe Redeemer, and to spend their energies in inducin/; sinful, weak, needy hearts to respond to Christ's love, and to accept his salvation. And this is quite right. But it is not right to overlook the just  20 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [OB. I. 1 ~