The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 105

not the coming of the kingdom in visible glory. (2) The spiritual kingnom is enterecl by faith. Believers do not pass out of it at death. In that "article" Jesus, however, comes in Person, though invisibly, to receive them to himself (John xiv. 1-3). 3. IIe therefore preached repentance. (1) "The voice," etc. The imagery here is borrowed from the practice of Eastern monarchs, who on taking a journey or going on a military expedition, used to send persons to" form the road." So repentance must: (a) Bring down the eminences of pride, presumption, ingratitude. (b) Fill up the hollows of inat- tention, apathy, despoudency. (c) Straighten tbe crooked places of prejudice, censori- ousness, covetousness. (d) SmooLh the rough places of sabbath-breaking, druukenness, profanity, immorality, instability, (2) John's garb and mode of living preached. His habits were in keeping with his doct.rine. Sweet is the harmony between the lip and life. (3) 'l'he time of hid preaching was opportune, Jewish writers admit that their nation was then fearfully degenerated. They soon filled Ull the measure of their iniquity. No preaching was more needed than that of the Baptist. (4) The place also was opportune. The mind of every man, whether Jew or Gentile, is like the wilderness in which John preached, and needs his stirring words.-J. A. M. Vers. 5-12.-Religious revival. When the Baptist opened his commission the Jewish nation was in a woeful state of degeneracy. In coanection with Lis ministry there was a remarkable revival of religion. This may be viewed as a specimen of revivals of religion in general. L IT WAS A SEASON OF FAITHFUL PREAOBING. 1. Christ was prominent in the sermon. (1) "Make ye ready t.he way of the Lord I" was the" cry " of the "voice" in the wilderness. "He that cometh" was the grand theme-the Promise of prophecy, the Hope and Expectation of the world. (2) The sermon set forth Christ in his dignity. "The Lord," equivalent to "Jehovah" in the Hebrew of Isaiah. If amongst men there had not arisen a greater than the Baptist, then who must that Person be whose shoes John was not worthy to bear? Maimonides says, "All services which a servant docs for his master a disciple does for his teacher, _excepting unloosing his shoes" ( cf. John viii. 58). (3) It set forth Christ in his power, "Mightier than I." "God is able of these stones," etc., viz. as he raised up Adam from the dust. "These stones," "John was now baptizing in Jordan at Bethabara (John i. 28), the House of passage, where the children of Israel passed over; and there were the twelve stones, one for each tribe, which Joshua set up for a memorial (Josh. iv. 20). It is not unlikely that he pointed to those stones, which God could make to be, more than in representation, the twelve tribes of Israel" (Henry). (4) It set forth Christ also in his official distinc- tion. "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." John, though a priest, did not presume to wield the fire of the sanctuary. That was a Divine preroga- tive (cf. Luke x.xiv. 49; John xv. 26). .Apostles presumed not to claim it. Sacrn- ments have no efficacy from those who minister them (cf. 2 Kings iv. 31; 1 Cor. iii. 6). 2. It insisted upon essential things. (1) John preached repentance in order to remission of sins. He inHisted that true repentance wiU have meet fruit. Shakespeare well describes it as "Heart's sorrow, And a olear life ensuing." Those are not true penitents who say they are sorry for sin, and persist in sinning. (2) John also preached faith in Jesus as the Christ. In the text he spoke of him as coming. Afterwards he pointed him out in Person (John i. 29). That is grand preach- ing which brings the sinner into personal relationship to his Saviour. (3) John also 11reached holiness. His baptism was a ceremonial purification, of which the baptism conferred by Jesus is the spiritual complement, John's baptism was "with water," viz. which washes the surface; Christ's," with fire," viz. which purges the substance. 'fhe regenerati1,n of water iJl outward and ceremonial, that of the Holy Ghost is inward and spiritual. 3. Its lesscms were closely apz,lied. (1) With encot1,ragement. 'l'his was in the forefront. John's ministry was "the beginning of the gospel [or,• good news'] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God'' (Mark i. 1). (2) With entreaty. He besought the people to repent of their sins. (3) With admonition. (a) 'l'he lineage of goodness is no substitute for re1>entance. 'l'he T~lmud say~ that " Abraham sits next the gates of  94 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MAT'l'HEW. [oH. m.1-17.