II. REPUTATION WAS RECEIVED FROM CHRIST BY ms SERVANTS, NOT CONFERRED BY THEM, 'l'ho no.mes e.ree.11 of men in humble life, with no previous distinction of any kind. They were names common enough in Palestine, But their connection with Christ has i=ortalized them. How many have come to the Saviour in similar circumstances, and have received the reflected renown of his ne.me I He makes the best out of the poor materials of human nature, e.nd bestows what human nature in its greatest circumstances and moods could never of itself have produced. Men are honoured in being made the servants of Christ. III. '.rBE APOSTLES WERE TO BE REPRESENTATIVE IN OFFICE AND CHARACTER FOR ALL TIME. As his first disciples, and because of the marked variet_y and force of their individual natures as influenced by the gospel and developed in Christ's service; their names have wrought themselves into the very texture of the gospel, and we have received it with the impress of their varied natures and habits of thought. "He sent them forth to preach, and to have authority to cast out devils "-a fundamental work. Therefore are they called" the foundation of the apostles and prophets," of whom Jesus is the Corner-stone. In serving Christ they laid the world and the ages under inestimable obligation.-M. Vers. 20, 21.-0hrist hindered by his friends. I. THROUGH IGNORANCE, Owb~ (1) to want of sympathy with him in his higher aims; and (2) consequent failure of spiritual perception. II. BY CHARGING HIM WITH MADNESS. They had so little of the spirit of self-denial in themselves that they could not understand enthusiasm which would not admit of his attending to his own wants, " so much as to eat bread." I. They feared also the consequences which might arise from the presence of his enemies. The scribes -re there "from Jerusalem," on the alert to find accusation against him; and they must have been observed. 2. But by this charge they discredited the character of his ministry. Who should be supposed to know whether he was sane or not, if not his own family ·t In attributing to maniacy the Divine works and words of Christ, they did him and all who might through him have life and peace, a cruel, irreparable wrong. So Paul was charged with being beside himself; and all who for Christ's sake try to live above the maxims and aims of the world will meet with similar judgment. The blow thus struck is not at an individual, but at the spiritual prospects and hopes of a whole race. III. BY UNAUTHORIZED AND UNTIMELY INTERFERENCE, I. A sin of presumption. The judgment was hasty and mistaken ; the action was unjustifiable, both foolish and wicked. 2. Enmity to God.-M,
Vers. 20-22.-The Saviour judged by the world. There were various opinions amongst the multitude. They cannot be indifferent to the work and teaching of Chri~t. "Some believed, and some believed not." Of those who did not believe all were in opposition to him. This circumstance was- I. A TRIBUTE TO THE INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF TIIE GOSPEL. II. IT ILLUSTRATED THE IMPOTENCY OF THE CARNAL MIND IN SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS. III. IT SUGGESTS THE PERILS TO WHICH THE CARNAL MIND 18 EXPOSED, "Lest ha ply ye be found to fight against God" (Acts v. 39), IV, IT SUGGESTS THE DUTY UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES OF CHRISTIAN TESTI- IIIONY,-llf,
Vers. 23-27.-" How can Satan cast out Satan P" or, tlie logic of spiritual forces. The spirit of Christ's answer to this malicious attack is calm, fearless, and full of light. He meets the charge with convincing and irrefutable logic. I. THE DEFENCE. There are two elements in his argument; 1. A demonstration, It is the familiar reductio ad absurdum, such as one might u,;e with a schoolboy. It is so simple and trenchant that it straightway becomes an attack of the most powerful kind. He treats them as children in knowledge, and convicts them at the so.me time of diabolical malice. 2. An inference. Here the advantage 1s pushed beyond the.,P9,!llt expected. He is not satisfied with a mere disclaimer ; he comes to a further and BigR'er deduction. If it was true that be did not cast out Satan by Satan, then it must al~o be true that he cast out Satan in spite of the latter, and that could only mean one thing. Satan, BT MAl\K, It 130 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [cu. m. 1-36.
" the sthlng man," must have been bound by the Sen of m,m, else he would not suffer himself to be BO " spoiled." This is at once an assurance full of comfort to his friends and a warning to his enemies. II. PosITI0?.."1! AIISUlOl:D IN IT. 1. The solidarity of evil. 2. The ,rreconcileableness of tl,e kingdoms of light and darkness.-M.