The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 356

III. THE ONE 0ARER FOR WHAT 18 OUTWARD, THE OTHER FOR WHAT 18 L."IWARD. Many desire to "gain the world," and in the attempt use selfish and sinful means, such e,s the Lord spurned when they were offered to him (Matt. iv. 9). But what seems to us to be "gain" we must learn to "count loss for Christ" (Phil. iii. 7, 8). His disciples aannot be content with the outward show of happiness. Character to them is far more important than circumstances. If the world be gained, nothing is gained; if the soui be lost, everything is lost. IV. THE ONE BEEKS EASE, THE OTHEB BISKS THE LOSS OJI' IT. We want a test of the different courses which are sometimes presented for our choice. Speaking broadly, two are possible to us, and our use of the one as of the other proclaims what manner of men we are. The worldling asks, "Which is the pleasantest and easiest thing to do?" the Christian asks, "Which is the right thing?" and will choose that, whatever its issues. v. 'l'HE ONE FINDS DEATH A LOSS, THE 0THEB A GAIN. Our life reaches fu beyond things seen. Death is the grave of earthly pleasures, but it is the gateway of heavenly joys. VI. THE ONE wn.L BE ASHAMED, AND THE OTHEB EXALTED, IN THE DAY OF JUD0- 14ENT, Christ speaks here of his coming again, "in the glory of his Father," as his Representative in judgment and as the Founder of a new heaven and earth, in which righteousness will dwell. Around him will be "the holy angels "-those servants of God who rejoice over the penitent (Luke xv. 10), who minister to the saints (Heb. i. 14), and who will finally execute the judgments of the Lord (Matt. xiii. 41). Then he who knows us altogether will separate us, according to his unerring judgment of our characters. All will awake, "some to everlasting life, and some to shame and ever- lasting contempt." (See also ver. 38.)-A. R. Vers. 1-21.-.d signfrom heaven. "There was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat." Again Jesus had" compassion." Again are the disciples per- plexed. "Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?" Speedily, of "seven loaves" and "a few small fishes" "about four thousand men, beside women and children, did eat and were filled," and" broken pieces remained over" to the extent of" seven baskets." Jesus left the miracle to give its own teachings -the great work to sink down into their hearts, while that he sought relief and rest, entering into the boat and coming "into the borders of Magadan." Perversely, the Pharisees, now joined by the Sadducees, came tempting him, putting him to the proof, "seeking of him a sign from heaven." 'l'hey knew not that he had already put them to the proof by the signs already wrought, which, had they had eyes to see, would have led them to believe. He had, without words, proved that the veil was on their hearts. Had they been children of truth, how soon would they have acknowledged the truth! But now, with words, he would carry home to their hearts a conviction of their blind- ness in presence of spiritual things. "A sign from heaven," would ye? Quick are ye to discern the signs in the reddened sky of the morning or evening. See ye no red "signs of the times"? Do the passing clouds of heaven foretoken storm or calm? and do not the passing incidents of earth in the political or the social sphere, or the sphere of the individual life? Look around. Was it ever so seen in Israel as it is now seen? Your fathers did eat manna in the desert-is it not so now? Are not the words of the prophets finding their exact fulfilment in these hours? Are not "signs" abundant in the healed ones and in the wonderful words? Would ye have "blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke"? Would ye have the sun "turned into darkness ... the moon into blood"? Verily the sun shall be darkened ; verily the sign of blood shall be in the heavens and upon you. Alas I having eyes they saw not, and having ears they heard not. Then "deeply" from the heart of compassion and sorrow a sigh arose mingling with his words of astonishment and inquiry, "Why doth this ieneration seek a sign?" followed by the stern condemnation, "There shall no sign' such as they desire "be given;" though God's own sign-" the sign "-will not be wanting, nor be unseen by the watchers. Why will men" seek a sign"? Why" cannot" men" discern the signs "-ven those which are always the peculiar and appropriate "signs of the times"? The questions atlinit of one reply, for that age and this, and for every age. The answer is fuund- I. In the pre·ralent spirit of unbelief. The strange closing of the eyes and shutting BT. MARI:. 2 A  364 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. ~ARK. [oH. vw. l-38.