The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 53

vast universe awaken thought and stimulate research, but every truth, pursued as far os linan can reach, results in mystery. The wider, the more accurate, our knowled"e the deeper will be our consciousness of our own ignorance. That sense of ignoran~: thoso insoluble mysteries, should lift up the heart to God. Reverence, humility, are the tempers which true learning should produce. 'l'hey who in such a spirit" follow Truth along her star-paved way " will find that that way leads to God. The learned need a Saviour as much as the ignorant ; the Magians must come to Christ as well as the shepherds. The best and holiest need him as much as the most sinful, the blessed virgin as much as the publican and the sinner. 3. They were rich. They brought rich gifts-gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The rich must come as well as the poor. They must bring their free-will offerings, giving largely, gladly, with a willing mind. Almsgiving is an important part of Christian duty, an element in Christian worship. The true disciple will learn of the Lord" who, though he was rich, yet for our sake became poor," the deep and holy lesson that "it is more blesged to give than to receive." We must give, not the mere shreds and parings of our worldly substance, but in due proportion to our means. "Of all that thou shalt give me," Jacob said, when he bad seen the vision of God in Bethel, the house of God, " I will surely give the tenth unto thee." 4. They came a long journey. From the far East, from Chaldaia or from Persia. They shrank not from the toil, the danger, of the way. They believed the heavenly warning, they sought the Saviour. We must seek Christ in faith. God has called us; we must obey the calling. The way that leads to eternal life seems often long; it is always strait, nnrrow, steep. There is need of perseverance and self-denial; we must forget those things which are behind, pressing ever onwards to those things which are before. 5. Their question. "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" They had not. the Scriptures, the Word of God, which is "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." But they had seen the wondrous star; the voice of God speaking in their hearts told them its meaning. Then they arose, and went their way, seeking the King. We shall find the Christ if, like them, we are earnest seekers. Scripture, study, the promptings of our own heart, will lead us to him. For he is seeking us. He called the Wise Men from the East by the leading of a star ; be calls us now by his Word, by his works, by bis Spirit. We could not find him were it not that he. first loved ue, and sought us in his love. He was hidden from the eyes of sinful men in the unapproachable light which no man bath seen or can see. But he loved us; he draws us to himself by the attractive power of his constraining love. Yet we must seek him. It is he who seeketh that findeth; we must not sit still in spiritual idleness and take it for granted that all will be well. We must seek him as the Wise Men sought him, coming a long journey, offering our gifts, our hearts, our- selves, our earthly goods. We must come osking, "Where is he?" Every one that seeketh findeth. "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" It is a great ques- tion-a ques.tion of deep meaning and very solemn interest. He is born Kiug of the Jews-King by birth, by Divine right; King not only of Israel after the flesh, but of the Israel of God, the Church of the Firstborn. We all owe him our allegiance, for he is our King, the King of the nations, King of kings and Lord of lords. Where is he? We must find him; for he is our Life, the Life of our souls. To know him is eternal life; we must seek until we find, seeking earnestly, like the Wise Men from the East, grudging no pains, no cost. 6. What led them to the Christ P The mysterious star. The brightest light that shone in the Gentile firmament was but as a star compared with the Sun of Righteousness. There were goocl men among the heathen-men who in the darkness.felt after the truth, if ha.ply they might find it; who showed the work of the law written in their hearts; men like Socrates, Plato, Epictetus, earnest seekers after God. ':l'hcir knowledge was as a star, beautiful, but pole; very limited in range and power, glimmering in the darkness. Stil~ it was enough, we cannot doubt, for their salvation. Their conscience bore witness; if they followed its guidance it would bring them safe to their journey's end. That guiding star, conscience, the candle of the Lord within us, tells us of 11in, of judgment, of snlvation. It is set in our hearts to lead us to the Saviour. God grant that we may find him! 7. The object of their coming. To worship him. The great blessedness promised to God's saints is the beatific vision, the unveiled vision of God. "I will," the S,wiour said, "that they may behold my g!ury which thcu hast ::;lvcn mo." That vbion implies worship. Vforship is the  40 TUE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [cH, n.1-23.