The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 38

Seif-sacrifice, This was begun by "leaving all and following" Christ, as Pete,r phrased it. The will of the flesh, "the will to live," the whole self-life,-had to h., renounced. 3. But their life would be a fellowship with the Master. 'l'his wnuM compensate for every toil and trial. But it would also necessitate continual exercise ot' sympathy, spiritual insight, and resolute fidelity.-M, Vere. 21-28.-The autl1ority of Jes'IIIJ, A note of Christ's work as a whole, which occasioned remark amongst his contemporaries, Not so much what he did, as how. A grandeur of nature and manner. Nothing is eo difficult to define as authority, espe- cially when it is a personal attribute. I. How IT SHOWED ITSELF. 1, From the outset of his wreer. The Capernanm synagogue, where his boyhood had been passed, rlid not daunt him. The ordinary cir- cumstances, which tend to dwarf even great men, did not detract from his greatness. 2.''.It showed itself especially in two directions, viz. teaching and spiritual healing. (1) Teaching. "He taught-spake-as one having authority." .An indefinable ye~ absolute difference existed in this respect between him and the customary teachers of the people. 'l'bey went back upon prescription and tradition, the sentences of the rabbis, the legal interpretations received in the schools, They would refer back to some great name, or some generally acknowledged opinion, as a lawyer collects his instances; but their own opinion was seldom or never forthcoming; if it was, it was tentative, unoriginal, and uninfluential. Now, Christ had quite a different tone. He referred to the sentences of the Jewish schools only to condemn them, and he did not hesitate to range himself alone against all the weight of tradition. "Ye have beard that it bath been said, ... but I say unto you ; " " Verily, verily, I say unto you ; " "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (2) .Action. Look at this special case, the man with the unclean spirit. He shows mastery from the very first. His word is a command, and there is no flinching or compromise. Nor is the order despised; he said, and it was done. 3. It gave a character to his entire work. "What is this? a new teaching I with authority he comrnandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him;" or, " .A new teaching with authority (or power) I He commandeth," etc. In the whole round of duties, and undertakings connected with his mission, it is observable, and its effect is to draw attention and tc. impress. II. To WHAT IT WAS DUE, This was the problem which presented itself, which was meant to present itself, to the men of his day. That it was no accident of manner or any mere assumption of superiority is shown by its results. And the general bearing of Christ was meekness itself. It was due to nature rather than office, to personal relation with God, 1. To absolute spiritwJ, insight. He saw and knew what he was speaking about in its ground and essence. It was therefore unnecessary for him to sit at any man's feet, or to borrow wisdom of any teacher, 2. To absolute trust in moral power. This arose from his identifying himself with it. He did not only speak about truth; he was" the Way, the Truth, and the Life." "I and my Father are one." The display of superior physical strength did not appal! him, nor was he discouraged by suffering or death. III. WHAT IT ARGUED, 1. His divinity. This "unknown quantity" in Christ was as unmistakable as it was immeasurable. Out of the depth and fulness of his own spiritual life he must have spoken. The Divine element is therefore an inevitable inference, "Never man spake like this man." 2, His power to save. "Even the unclean spirits" obeyed him. It is the moral or subjective side of temptation on which the real weakness of man exists; and just there Christ is omnipotent. He can cure the sick soul and restore moral tone and energy. .And his words are an unerring guidance and discipline for the soul: "Lord, to whom can we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."-M. Vers. 40-45.-The leper's pet-iti<m. I. THE GENERAL WORK OF CHRIST, WHEN IT 19 11:NOWN, ENCOURAGES THE MOST FOIIL0IIN AND DESPERATE, (Cf. ver. 39.) The nature of leprosy and the law concerning it. 11, SINCERE FAITH, EVEN WHEN IMPERFECT, EVER MEETS WlTH THE SYMPATHY AND BELP OF CHRIST, " If thou wilt, thou canst.'' He believed in his power, but wa■ 8T, MARK. l.l  34 TllE GOSPEL A.O()()RDING TO ST. MA.UK. [OB. I, 1-46,