The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 348

of ox11mple ; and they were written for our aclmonition, upon whom the ends or the oges are come" (1 Cor. x. 11). "These are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" <John xx. 81). 2. From personal experience. In the- case of the disciples, the teachrng, example, and miracles of Christ were intended to reveal the merciful and loving purpose of God to redeem the world. This was to be (1) the basis of a personal faith; (2) a principle for interpreting the circumstances of life; (3) an influence for delivering and elevating the human spirit. The consistent lesson of Christ's works-especially of his crowning miracle of the loaves-was that lilen were to seek first the kingdom of God and bis righteousness, and all needful things of the earthly life would be added. Instead of being lost in anxious delibera- tions and "reasonings" about ways and means, the true disciple was to look stead- fastly to the great end. II. THE LACK OF IT IN HIS DISOIPLES DISAPPOINTED CHRIST. He was astonished and pained at their hardness of heart. 'l'he works specially intended to produce faith and understanding had hitherto failed of their legitimate result. We seem to detect in his tone: 1. Wounded feeling. He had yearned for spiritual companionship and co-opera- tion, It was ever his desire to draw his disciples into a closer fellowship; but they were discovered to be unfit and unworthy of the privilege. It is as if, too, he was indignant that the honour and love of his Father should be suspected. 2. .Apprehen- sion. They were in a dangerous spiritual condition, ready to be the prey of every passing temptation. It was as if the foreboding, "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke xviii. 8), had already flitted across his spirit, III. IT IS AN ACQUIREMENT ro BE DILIGENTLY CULTIVATED. 1. How 1 By remem- brance. The dealings of God with others are plainly set forth in Scripture; but every Christian has a special history of his own in which God has revealed himself. None of the incidents of that personal history should be forgotten. Let him remember all the way by which the Father has led him, the gracious interpositions and revelations that have marked it, etc. By meditation. These circumstances are to be pondered and studied, that their inward meaning may be discovered. .Above all, we ought to con- sider "what manner oflove the Father bath bestowed on us" (I John iii. 1). 2. Why?- Because (1) it is essential to the usefulness and happiness of the Christian; (2) it may be increased. In some it can hardly be said to exist at all. Yet if there be faith as a grain of mustard seed it will grow, where diligence and prayerfulness are exercised. Of even those very men Christ at last declared, "No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you" (John xv. 15}. "He that doeth the will shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."-M. Vers. 22-26.-Restoring the blind to siglit. Illustration of Christ's- I. WISDOM, He rebuked a vulgar curiosity, and perhaps baffled a Phalisaic intrigue. His privacy, so needful for bodily rest and spiritual preparation for the great conflict he felt to be impending, was thus preserved; and the course of teaching and working upon which he had entered was not seriously disturbed. The subject of the miracle was himself preserved from undue excitement with its attendant dangers. And shall we not suppose that a deeper and more spiritual understanding may have arisen between the Saviour and the recipient of his mercy during those solemn and deeply moving expe- riences which preceded his recovery? His deep, unbroken attention was secured as he felt the Saviour's touch and listened to his voice. By leading him away he tested and exercised his faith. By emphasizing the stages of recovery he made it clear to the man himself that it was no accidental occurrence, but a deliberate cure. .And in the means used-so evidently inadequate to produce such a result-he showed how supernatural the power that was being exercised. 'l'he questions asked encouraged the man to put forth his own power as he received it, and thus to co-operate in the curative process. 'l'he final injunction to silence and home-going present the incident as a deep personal experience in the mind of the man, and as an evangelic mesSllge to those who were most likely to receive it in simplicity and gratitude. II. MERCY. Although the shadow of death was falling upon the soul of Jesus, he was fall of the instinct and will to save. There is scarcely any oppreciablo pause in his work i and retirement is not inactivity, but quieter, deeper, and more continuous-,  346 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [ou. vw. 1-38.