Ver. 16.-Monumental mimclea. The tableau-Christ, and the demoniac sitting at his feet. More impressive and sublime than even the rebuking of the storm. Such trophies are better than sermons, because-- I. 'l'HEY ARE AN ABIDING BE:MINDEB AND EXAMPLE, IL THEY ARE PATENT TO ALL, AND OAB BE UNDERSTOOD BY ALL. "Living epistles, known and read of all men." Ill. THEY DEFY REFUTATION, AND DEMAND TO BE EXPLAINED.-M. Vera. 21-34.-Ministries broken in upon. Seldom do we find Christ going straight through with a course of teaching or work. Interruptions constantly occurring; man_y ministries making up the one great ministry. The more intimate connection of ver. 21 iii given in Matt. ix. 18 ('' while he yet spake these things"). Not that Matthew means that Christ was still at table, nor that Mark's order is wrong. The feast of Matthew (eh. ii. 15) is not stated by Mark to have taken place in immediate succession to the conversion, but is narrated in the second instead of the fifth chapter, because of the obvious connection of the two events. Accepting, therefore, the order of the first Gospel, we see- I. CHRIST mTERRUPTED. 1. In his teaching. (Ver. 21; Matt. ix. 18.) Yet how full of interest the subjects-eating with publicans, and fasting ! How significant these breaks I How natural, in a world so full of disturbing and changing influences as this ! 2. In his intended mercy. As he goes to the ruler's house the incident of the woman in the crowd takes place (vers. 25-34),and he is delayed. Yet the prayer of Jairus was urgent, and broken with apprehensive emotion. Only this was still more pressing, for it was (1) actual, present, long-endured suffering and shame; (2) a demand of faith on behalf of its own possessor (not, as in Jairus's case, for another). II. FRAGMENTS THAT HAKE A GRANDER WHOLE. We have no time to lament the breaking off-the seeming incompleteness-ere we are astonished at the commentary which is furnished in the incidents that follow. He is the great Physician-to the ruler's daughter, the woman with the issue, and the two blind men alike ; the Bringer of joy, too, to many by his healing mercies and gracious words. All need him, if they only knew it; and, participating in the blessings of his presence, they cannot mourn or fast, but must needs rejoice. And so in the case of the ruler; the delay really rewarded his faith by an actual illustration of Christ's power, and so sustained him in the higher exercise of faith. "My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live" (Matt. ix. 18). This is a picture of many lives. We cannot escape interruptions. Yet are we not therefore to abandon unity of purpose. We may fail to finish all we seek to do, or to do it as we would ; but God holds the connecting harmony, and will reveal it at last-or even sooner. The sermon broken off, the merciful inten- tion delayed or frustrated, may prove greater blessings in the event than if suffered uninterruptedly to proceed to a visible or immediate completeness within themselves, 'l'he life or work divinely interrupted, but pursued with unity of faith and purpose to the end, will be a grande.r, more Di vine thing than otherwise it could possibly have been. LESSONS. 1. How infinite the resources of the Saviour I 2. His teaching is inseparabld from action and life.-M.
Vers. 21-43.-Jairus's daughter; or, thettsea of bereavement. I. DISCOVEBINGTHE NEED OF A SAVIOUR. II. PERFECTING THE SPIDITUAL LIFE OF TIIE DEREAVED, Ill. REVEALING THE INFINITE MER0Y, SYMPATHY, AND POWER OF CHRIST.-M. Vere. 21-43.-Jairus's daughter; or, the course of a troefaith. I. ORIGINATED BY XANY cmcu:MSTANOES EVIDENT AND OBSCURE. The general ministry of Christ. Perhaps Jairus had been a witness of the centurion's faith. II. CALLED INTO EXERCISE BY GREAT AFFLICTION AND NEED, III. TRIUMPHING OVER DIFFICULTIES, IV. REWARDED BY INEFFABLE ANSWERS AND CONFIRHATIONB.-M, 220 TRE GOSPEL ACCORDIN"G TO ST. MARK. (aa. v.1-i8.
Vers. 25--34.-The healing of the issue of blood. The magnifying power of faith. 'Twas but a touch, humanly speaking; yet was it a means of salvntion to the believing ~~ •
I. T1u.1''BFORMING LITI'LE THINGS INTO MEA:i."l! OF ORAOB. 1. Many touchea, bul only one to1u.h of faith. This alone was effectual and saving. It is not human effort that saves, but the spirit of faith that lays hold of Christ. 2. Only the hem of his garment. Yet as effectual as if she had touched the body of Christ. How so? Because she touched him spiritually. All ordinances and outward means of grace are in them- selves little-no better than the hem of the garment of Christ. It is the Saviour who is great when appealed to by a great faith. 3. Making use of what was within reach. Not perhaps the best means possible. But enough when accompanied by faith. II. IN IllrnEDIATEEARTHLY EJ,"DSSECURING ULTERIOR SPBITUAL ONES. The trembling and fearing woman not only secured the physical boon; the Saviour said, "Thy faith bath saved tliee,"--a word that had a larger meaning than could be exhausted by a merely temporal relief or physical wholencss.-M.