o, great and acknowledged reputation. In the most populous parts of Galilee he had fulfilled a ministry which had excited the deepest interest. His miracles were undeniable and undenled. He was the object of general attention and of widespread faith. 3. He came to Nazareth and taught publicly, thns giving his townsmen an opportnnity of judging for themselves of his wisdom and moral authority. They confessed with astonishment the extraordinary character of his teaching. Yet they did not believe. .And how many among us, who have even greater opportunity of forming a just judgment concerning Jesus, are found jndging falsely, and consequently rejecting the Lord of life and of salvation I 'l'hey judge against the evidence, and their conclu- sion-in no way damaging to him-is condemnation to themselves. II. THE GROUNDS OF UNBELIEF IN CHRIST. It was unreasonable, but not inexplicable or arbitrary. 1. The Nazarenes were prejudiced against Jesus, because of his origin and circumstances. The son of so lowly a mother, the brother of sisters in so obscure a position, how conld Jesus be regarded by his worldly townsmen with reverence? .A craftsman himself, and one of an humble family, he was little likely to be received at Nazareth as he had been received elsewhere, e-ven in the metropolis itself. 2. The other ground of prejudice was educational deficiency on the part of Jesus. He was the Prophet of Nazareth, and had not been trained iu the rabbinical schools of learning. Whence had he his qualifications? What had been the source of his knowled.<se, the inspiration of his wisdom, the secret of his power? It was all a mystery to them- something at variance with their beliefs, and in contradiction to their prejudices. Very similar are the objections which men still make to Christ. Had he come a king, a conqueror, a philosopher, a scholar, then men might have honoured and welcomed him. But he came from God ; and to the unspiritual there could be no more ~erious and fatal ground of offence than this. 111. THE REBUKE OF UNBELIEF. ".A prophet is not without honour," etc. There was sadness in Christ's language and tones. Yet what a reproach was hereby conveyed to the unbelieving I They might be offended; there were those who would believe, who would evince gratitude and render honour. When we think how clearly our Lord must have foreseen the stupendous o.nd eternal results of his ministry, we may appreciate the nobility and self-restraint of his attitude and language, and at the same time we may recognize the severity of his rebuke. IV. THE CONBEQUE~CES OF UNBELIEF. 1. The impression upon the Saviour's mind is briefly described : "He marvelled." .An expression this, which gives us an insight into his humanity, and which reveals to us the depths of moral obliquity into which the cavillers had fallen. 2. The results to the people of the town were lamentable. The Prophet had come with power to bless, and prepared to heal and help. But he requirecl the co-operation of faith; and, when this was withheld, "he could do no mighty work." .A few sick folk were healed, but many forfeited a blessing within their reach. 3. Yet the rejection of Jesus by his fellow-townsmen was the occasion of benefit to others. Finding no congenial soil at Nazareth, Jesus proceeded elsewhere, to labour where labour might be more appreciated. "He went round about the villages teaching." The indifference or contempt of the unspiritua~ and self-sufficient may be the occasion of enlightenment and consolation to the lowly, the receptive, the needy. APPLIOATION. 1. The coming of Christ to a soul, to a community, is a moral probation, involving the most serions responsibility. 2. It is the most fatal guilt and folly, in considering the claims of Christ, to overlook the wisdom and the grace of his character and ministry, and to regard circumstances at which the superficial and the carnal may take offence.
Vera. 7-13.-The mission of the twelve. The twelve disciples now first became apostles. 'l'his sending forth was a prelude to their life-long mission, to be fulfilled after their Lord's ascension. They had now been long enough with the Master not only to have imbibed much of his spirit, but to have learned the nature of his ministry and to have entered into its methods. Their evangelistic journey would be disciplinary to themselves and profitable to the population of Galilee, and it would increase and extend the interest of the people in the ministry of the Lord. I. THII PREPABATION P0B THE MISSION. Wisdom and simplicity are here alike apparent. I. 'l'he twelve were grouped, into pair,. This was for the sake ol .Z52 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK . [OH. VI. 1-5(},