The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 95

should bring together thoHe who need and those who are prepared to impart some spiritual blessing, and should thus instrumentally bring together the sinner and the Saviour I II. But we have here also lessons derivable from THE CONDUCT OP CHRIST, 1. Christ's disregard and defiance of public opinion, This is evident (1) in his selection of disciples and apolftles. He not only chose the lowly and the obscure; he, in this instance especially, chose the despised. The collectors of the Roman revenue were, among the Jews, the mark of general obloquy and contempt. The Son of man, who him- self came from the despised Nazareth, selected his friends from the mean and unlettered; and in the case of Matthew he took a roan from a sordid and repulsive calling to be an apostle of the greatest religion of the world. It is the wont of Divine wisdom to use "things which are not to bring to nought things which are." (2) In his companionship and social intercourse. That Jesus should eat and drink with publicans and sinners excited the surprise and the hatred of the" scribes of the Pharisees,'' who accounted the common people as accursed. But the rule of Jesus was to go where he could do the Father's will, and pluck men as brands from the burning. It is not well to be a " companion of fools," yet there are occasions upon which the mature and established Christian will do well to seek the society of the ignorant and debased, with the view of instructing and elevating them by the gospel of salvation. 2. Christ's vindication of this disregard and defiance. Be had a reason for acting as he did. (1) Jesus recognized men's spiritual need, To the scribes, the guests at Levi's house were simply contemptible sinners, but to the holy Lord they were the spiritually sick; he saw upon them the marks of a dire disorder, the promise of approaching death. This is the just and Divine light in which to look at the misled and erring children of men. When we regard them thus, not contempt, but pity, will fill our hearts. (2) Jesus asserted his own power to heal and save and bless. He was the Divine Physician, in whom alone is help and hope for man. Bad as was the case of the "sinners," it was not beyond the power of his skill and kindness. He had purposes of mercy and power to save. .And from the ranks of the sinners Jesus won over many to be soldiers of righteousness; from the pest-houses of the plague-stricken he drew forth many who, restored to spiritual health, became in turn amongst their sinful fellow-men, " ministers to minds diseased." APPLICATION. 1. Let preachers and teachers of the gospel regard none es so base in condition, or so depraved in character, as to be beyond the power of Christ to save. 2. Let those who are humbled beneath a sense of sin and ill desert be encouraged to come to Jesus, who will both welcome them into his presence, and confer upon them all the priceless blessings of salvation and of eternal life. Vere. 18-22.-Christianity and asceticism. Strange as it seems, it is unquestion- able that the very humanity of Jesus, his truly broad and human sympathies, were an offence to the religious leaders of his time. 'l'he Pharisees fasted oft; John came neither eating nor drinking; Jesus, who came that he might live among men and who associated with them in all their innocent occupations and enjoyments, excited the displeasure and malice of those who were too superficial and ceremonial to understand his large-heartedness and spirituality. Accordingly, when our Lord joined the festive party at Levi's house, there arose questionings which issued in the explanations given in this passage of the rolation between the old religion and its asceticism, and the new religion and its cheerfulness and Divine breadth. I. A PERSONAL AND TEMPORARY REASON why the disciples of Jesus should not be ascetic. Like a true Leader and Master, Jesus defends his followers, whereinsoever their conduct admits of defence. 'l'he figure which he employs is one which John had already used, designating his Divine successor the Bridegroom who should posses:i the bride. The true ground of Christian joy is, in this passage, :figuratively but beautifully explained. The Jewish wedding was an occasion for festivity, rejoicing, music, and society, The companions of the bridegroom-" children of the bride- chamber ''-were his choicest and most trusted and beloved friends. '!'hey were happy in their friend's society, and rejoiced with him in his joy, and took a prominent part in the fostivities appropriate to the occasion. The Lord Jesus honours his disciples by describing th.,,u as sustaining such a relationship to hilll, the Diviue Bridegroom. 92 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [OH. IL 1-28.