The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 30

I. WHAT m MEN LEADB THEM TO BEEK CHRIST? There are many motives inducinc, to this inquiry and endeavour, just ae when Jesus was on earth. 1. Curiosity lea& men to seek him. During our Lord's ministry, especially the earlier ministry in Galilee, there occurred, now and again, a '1"11,/lh to Jesns. Crowds followed him evea into the deserts and the mountains. They came from far and near. And not only the populace, but the leaders of the people, were curious to see I he Prophet of Nazareth ; and Pharisees invited him to dine with them, and asked their friends to meet him. The novelty of Christianity no longer acts amongst our population; but in regions where the gospel is for the first time preached, this motive operates, and many" inquirers" are drawn, simply by their desire for some new thing, to seek a knowledge of the Saviom:. 2 . .Admiration leads men to seek him. Even sinful men confess the beauty of holiness, and the young and ardent and aspiring feel the marvellous attraction of a character with which no other can be compared. There is so much of meanness and 11elfishness in humanity, that the presence upon earth of one morally noble and perfectly benevolent charms some choice and fervent souls, and draws them to our Lord. 3. Reed and suffering lead men to seek him. When Jesus was on earth there came to him the hungry to be fed, the sick to be healed, the suffering to be relieved, thia ignorant to be taught, the anxious to secure his interposition on behalf of their friends and comrades. Human want is perennial; and there are wants which the world call never supply, hearts the world can never fill. Where Jesus is known as the Dispenser of Divine compassion and bounty to the souls of men, men will be drawn to him. "Far and wide, though all unknowing, Pants for thee each mortal breast ; Hnma.n tears for thee a.re flowing, Human hearts in thee wonld rest." 4. Bin and a sense of ill desert and need of pardon lead men to seek him. Sinners, who were repelled from the formal and self-righteous, were attracted to the gracious and compassionate Redeemer. Often from bis lips issued the merciful and authori- tative words, " Thy sins be forgiven thee I" Sin has not ceased ; its burden and ita curse are still felt. And there is none but Christ who has power upoo earth to forgive sins. No wonder that men come to him. In him the sinner meets with the pity of a. tender heart and the authority of a Divine power. II. WHAT IN CHRIST LEADS MEN TO BEEK Hil:I? 1. Foremost must be placed the fact that he seeks them. He came to seek and to save the lost. Had he not first come forth upon this quest, never would the needy and sinful chiluren of men have gone forth to meet him. If" we love him because he first loved us,'' we have sought him because he first sought us. 2. His invitations and promises. He has both bidden men seek his help, and has assured them that they shall not seek in vain. "Come unto me" is his invi- tation; and the assurance is added," Ye shall find rest unto your souls." 3. His power to respond to their appeals, and to satisfy their wants. They who seek and find not are discouraged from further quest. It is never thus with those who apply to Jesus. Here the words hold good, "Seek, and ye shall find." 4. His benevolent disposition renders it easy and congenial for those who seek good gifts to seek them here at the hands of Jesus; for in seeking him, the suppliant is seeking the gifts of his hands as well as the love of his heart. And our need and urgency are exceeded by his readi- ness to confer all real blessings. APPLIOATION, How should men seek Christ 1 1. Sincerely and seriously. The sincere soul will seek, not his merely, but himself. 2. In faith, not as doubting whether he may now be found, but as assured of bis spiritual nearness. 3. Seasonably, which is as much as to say, at once. "Now is the accepted time." We need him now, therefore we should seek him now. 4. Perseveringly, "watching daily at his gates." It is a life-long quest, and, though he be found to-day, none the less must he be sought to-morrow. 'l'he "seeking" must be continued, until we see him as he is, Vers. 40-45.-The leper healed. Among the many miracles wrought by the Divine Physician upon the bodies and minds of suffering mankind, the evangelists have selected certain as types of the Saviour's spiritual work, as well as illustrations of his beneficent ministry. Every class of sufferers seems to represent some special aspect ol.  26 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [08, L 1-46,