The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 148

(2) It is also a call to ministerial brotherhood. Here we have the disciples called in couples. So when Jesus sent them forth to preach he sent them in company-" two and two" (Luke x. 1). Twelve of them were constituted into a college of apostles. (3) The religion of Christ is eminently social. Disciples congregate in Churches. Churches congregate into a universal Church. This "Church of the First born" is associated with "an innumeraole company of angels" (Heb. xii. 22, 23). II. THE VOICE. 1. It is a voice ef authority. (1) The words are peremptory and without preamble. "Follow me;" literally, "Come behind me." It is the same voice that said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden." The same that said, "Lazarus, come forth l" (2) The words are inspiriting. ".And I will make you fishers of men." Here already the" kingdom of heaven is likened unto a net" (eh. xiii. 47). "Fishers of men" (cf. Jer. xvi. 16; Ezek. xlvii. 8-10). Memorably fulfilled (see Acts ii. 41). (3) Those who follow Christ take a difficult way. The example is high. Yet the way is made easy, viz. by his companionship, guidance, help. 2. The authority of the voice is cert(fied. (1) The claims of Jesus are the highest. He claims to be Messiah. Immanuel. But here is no presumption. (2) He has the seal of prophecy. Born at the right juncture, when the Roman power was at its zenith (Dan. ii. 44). Born in the right place, Bethlehem of Judah (Micah v. 2). Brought up out of Egypt (Hos. xi. I). .A resident of Nazareth (Judg. xiii. 5; 1 Sam. i. 11). The Prophet of Galilee (Isa. ix. 1-7). Had the testimony of Elijah (cf. Mai. iv. 5; eh. xi. 13, 14). (3) He had already wrought many miracles. He had turned the water into wine at Cana. He had read the heart-secrets of Simon, of Nathanael, of the woman of Samaria. He had wrought "signs " at the Passover in Jerusalem (John ii. 23). He had healed the nobleman's servant at Capernaum. (4) Have you duly considered the authority of that voice of Jesus which bath called you to his service? Have you duly weighed the responsibility of refusing him that speaketh from heaven (Heb. xii 25)? HL Tm!: PEBSONB CALLED. 1. They were not men of rank. (1) Social rank is much esteemed by men. "Have any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?" was the confident question of the unbelieving Pharisees (John vii. 47-49). Had Jesus followed the wisdom of this world, he would have enlisted the rabbis, (2) He makes the weak thiDgs of the world to confound the mighty. "On the humble shoemaker's 'bench Carey laid the foundation of the British Baptist Missions. John Newton found in his congregation an unfriended Scotch boy, whose soul was then aglow with new-born love to Christ. He took him to John Thornton, one of those noble merchants whose wealth, whose piety, and whose beneficence increased together, They educated him; and that boy became Claudius Buchanan, whose name India will bless when the names of Clive and Hastings are forgotten. John Bunyan was a gift of poverty to the Church. Zwingle came forth from an Alpine shepherd's cabin i :Melancthon, from an armourer's workshop; Luther, from a miner's cottage; the apostles, some of t4em, from fishermen's huts" (Dr. J. Harris). 2. But they were men if character. (1) They were religious men. (a) Disciples of the Baptist. There- fore repentant as to sin, expectant as to salvation. (b) Disciples of Jesus. Those are welcomed to the joys of faith who have been disciplined to repentance. (2) They were indwrt;rious men. Jesus found them busy at their calling~. Christ does not want louts for ministers. Some of them were letting down their nets; others were mending theirs. Ministers are best employed either in preaching or in study. (3) They were men of decision. Jesus called. "Straigbtway "-" immediately," they respoDded. They had something to lose. They did not hesitate to lose it. They lost nothiDg. They gained everything.-J. A. M. Vers. 23-25.-The ministry of Jesus. '£hough he had called out workers he did not cease himself to work. In all holy ministries Jesus is the Worker. He exercised his personal ministry chiefly in " Galilee." This was in pursuance of propheoy (Isa. ix. 1-7). L His GOSPEL OAME IN WORD. " Teaching . . . preaching." 1. He tav,ght in syna,. gogti,ta. (1) We may admire the providence that prepared the synagogue. Synagogues, as BOme think, originated about the time of the Babylonieh captivity (Ps. Ill.iv. 8). Others give them a more venerable antiquity, associating and identifying them with the pro-~. or open groves, from the earliest times used as oratorie~, or places for OH, n; 1-26.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. ma