The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 51

MEBBIAIL Yes, truly the transil.ion; for now is the manifestation to Israel to be made and the open, authoritMive designation of him " who from the foundation of the world.~ had been in Heaven's counsels dP.signated. When so suitable a time as when fulfillina all righteousness? Then," coming up out of the water, he "-and, as we learn from St. John, the Baptist also-" saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descend- Ing upon him;" while a voice from heaven proclaims to him, and proclaims through him to all, "Thou art my beloved Son." Now is" Jesus of Nazareth anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power," officially called and set apart. Now the mystery of the Divine Name, in the historical development to the world of the triunity of the God- head, is more fully than ever before diaclosed. John, having seen, bears hie" witness that this is the Son of God." Presently his works also will bear witness of him, that. the Father hath sent him. V. But meanwhile a yet further step in tbis preparation is needed. "To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Therefore must he be TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL. The devil is man's great adversary, Satan. .All evil embodies itself in him. The Redeemer of men must taste-drink-this bitter cup; to a pure nature perhaps of all the bitterest. Full forty days he must needs fast in the wilderness. Oh, the buffetings of those days, of which three examples stand out prominently before us; when, lo I he is so bowed down that angels are sent to " minister to him." Then, "having been made perfect, he became unto all them that. obey him the Author of eternal salvation." From all may be learnt: 1. The perfectness of his human nature, with its experiences, its sympathy, and its example. 2. His perfect Divine nature. 3. His perfect fitness to be the Mediator, the Comforter, the Saviour of the world.-G. Vere. 14-20.-The fishers of men. An interval of time elapses, the incidents of which, momentous in the great history, are recorded in the other Gospels, e.g. John's testimony t.o the Lamb of God (John i. 19-34), the gathering of the first disciples (John i. 35-51), the marriage at Cana (John ii. 1-12), the cleansing of the temple (John ii. 13-25), the conversation with Nicodemus (John iii. 1-21). "Now after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the iospel." Truly a "beginning" is made. ".All things are now ready;" and the Master himself cries aloud with his own voice, "Come." Oh, wondrous grace I The Divine call to the Divine feast I God calling men to himself, to receive mercy, bless- ing, life I Ever since and to the end will both "the Spirit and the bride say, Come." O Israel," if thou hadst known in this day, even thou!" Simon and .Andrew, James and John, already called to be disciples, but etill pursuing, as should every disciple, their daily industry, are now called to be apostles, to forsake home, father, nets, avocations, and gain, to follow the young Rabbi with obedient steps and imitative carefulness, that he may "make" them "to become" (without which making of the Master none can become)" fishers of men." In this incident may be seen: 1. The greatness of this calling. 2. Its imperative demand. 3. An illustrious example of obedience. I. 'l'HE GREATNESS OF THIS CALLING is not to be exaggerated. To" catch men "-by no trick, but by the Word of the Lord and by the aid of the Lord, who brings fishes to the nets of toilers on the sea-is to bring them up out of the deep wide sea, the world, into Christ's net, the Church, that they proving good may be gathered into vessels. It is to draw men from evil, to teach them heavenly truth, soul-renewing and saving truth, to guide them into the paths of peace, to encourage and help them in the maintenance of righteousness, to bind in bonds of brotherhood, to incite to holy charity, to build them up in knowledge and doctrine, and so to fit them for useful service on earth and for the felicities of the heavenly life on high. Oh, sacred calling I How immeasurably above all callings I How honourable the work I How honoured the men I-honoured, not by the distinctions that may be gained, but by the work itself. This toil is heavenly, often most heavenly when most hard, most fruitful when most despised and apparently least successful, as was that of the great Master. II. For all time, 11nd for the instruction of all apostles and servants who must," for the kingdom of God's sake," forsake all and follow him, this simple incident, told in half a score lines, is wnple. TriE Il\lPERA'l'IVE DEMAND is heard in the deep conscience, 48 THE GOSPEL AOOORDlNG TO ST. MARK. [oe. L l-4G.