The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 29

"all men sought for him." Not always from the highest motives, yet with a Co.Ith and earnestness creditable to the suppliants, men sought Christ's help. 2, Christ's labours were regarded by him as the fulfilment of Divine purpose. "Therefore to this end ea.me I forth." He did the will of the Father; this was his meat and drink. It gives dignity and happiness to our toil when we can regard it as the work which the Father has given us to do. 3. Christ's labours were prompted by a u-.iversal and untirin9 benevolence. 'l'here were" the next towns" to be visited; thcro was "all Galilee" to be evangelized. Only a large heart could take a survey so comprehensive, and cherish a compassion so vast. It was enough for him that sin and misery abounded ; he had come "to seek and to save that which was lost." 4. Christ's works were adapted to the many-sided nature and to the multiform t1eed,s of men. Men were ignorant; he must teach them. Men were hopeless; he must cheer them with good tidings. Men were sick and suffering; he must relieve and heal them. Men were subject to Satanic sway• he must !et them free. Men were sinful ; he must pardon, cleanse, renew them. ' III. THE COID-"ECTION BETWEEN PRAYER AND WORK. I. It is a divinely appointed connec~ion. There are those who would have Chi:istians confine themselves to prayer, ,,ho thmk that to attempt to work for the Lord is the same ns taking matters out of his hands, who tell us that the Lord will carry out his counsels without our help. 'l'hat God can do so we believe, but that he will do eo is contrary to all his Word. On the other hand, there are those who sneer at prayer as unreasonable and useless, and who preach the gospel of work-of prayerless work-of work without any reference to him who gives the power and who assigns the aim of labour. The Scrip- tures direct ns to conjoin the two. Christ gives us in his own person an example of the harmonious conjunction of both. 2. By prayer may be discovered the exact work which Providtnce entrusts to us. There is no better prayer for the beginning of the day than this," Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" You may not clearly see what is the way of service in which the Lord would have you walk. There may open up before you two paths, and you may be uncertain which is that selected for you. In seeking to decide such questions, it is right to make use of your reason, and to take counsel of wise friends. Yet, whilst using human means, it is necessary to seek Divine guidance. .. Commit thy way unto the Lord." A voice shall be heard saying, "This is the way; walk ye in it." Not by magic or miracle, but by clear indications of providence, the answer is given from above. 3. By prayer is gained encouragement and strength for work. The magnitude of the service may make us more conscious of the feebleness and ignorance of the servant. Our heart may sink within us as we con- template our helplessness. But prayer can make the weakest strong. By prayer the impossible becomes the practicable. Prayer makes us feel that the power of Omnipo- tence is at our back. The fainting spirit is refreshed by communion with Heaven. The feeble arm is nerved for what seemed an unequal fight. The Holy Spirit-the Comforter, the Helper-is bestowed upon the suppliant, and his strength is no more his own, but God's. Then~ he exclaims, "I can do all things through Christ that litrengtheneth me." APPLICATION. 1. Let the hearers of the gospel remember that the work, the suffer- ing, and the prayers of Christ were all for their salvation. 2. Let them imitate the spirit and conduct of those of whom we read that they sought Jesus: "All men seek for thee." If you wish to know the counsels of God, the preaching of Jesus will declare them to you. If you wish to experience the saving grace of God, you may through Christ find it for yourself. 8. Let the spirit of the Lord Jesus-his prayerfulness and his untiring zeal-serve as a model to every servant of his. Like h.im we must pray with sincerity, if like h.im we would work with diligence. Ver. 31.-Seelcing Jesus. "All are seeking thee." It is man's nature to seek. Men are seeking many things. Some things they seek and find, other things the:r seek in vain, whilst there are things they seek, first tc, find and then to lose agam. The impulses of our constitution respond to the appeals made from without. There is a mys- terious personal attraction which renders some 1Den the object of the quest of their fellows: But none has ever so been sought as was nnd is the Lord Jesus. Men, when spiritually awakened, attracted by the promises of the gospel and influenced by the Holy Spirit, seek for Christ, and, when they find him, find all things in him, OD, I, 1--45,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 25