The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 381

the house. Blind though they were, they found the way; they would not teke on epparent refusal; they came t-0 him into the house. It is an encouragement to persevering piayer. How often he seems not to heed us when we pray for light I We pray agai11 and again, but the darkness is still upon our souls; we cannot see him. But we mus& pray on. He came t-0 preach recovery of sight to the blind. He listens, though we thiuk he heedeth not; in his own good time he will pour the light of his most gracioll8 presence into the soul that once was dark. He heareth prayer. 3. Their /aitl1. He asked them-Did they believe in his power? "Yea, Lord," they answered. 'l'he like question is ofren borne in upon our souls in times of darkness and distress. Oh that we could ar.swer always with the unhesitating assent of those poor blind men I The Lord proved their faith ; he touched their eyes ; the touch was to heal them only u their faith was real; "according to your faith be it unto you." Their eyes were opened; they saw the holy Saviour; it proved his power; it proved the truth of their faith. Still he heals all who come to him in faithful prayer. He opens their eyes• they see him. "The world seeth me no more, hut ye see me." 4. The Lord's com: mand. He bade them tell no man. Sometimes he enjoined secrecy, sometimes he bade men tell what great things the Lord had done for them. His directions varied, doubtless, with the circumstances of the case, and with the spiritual condition of the individual. Perhaps it was premature to announce in that neighbourhood that he was the expected Son of David; perhaps he saw something of self-importance in the men; they would talk too loudly of the privilege bestowed upon them; they would glorify them- selves rather tban Gad. There are spiritual mercies, visions of Divine grace, of which it is best to be silent; there are sometimes temptations to vain-glory even in God's blessings. 5. Their disobeduma. It was not right. They may perhaps have excused their conduct by attributing Christ's words to excessive modesty-modesty which migh, prompt him to conceal his good deeds, but ought not to prevent the recipients of his grace from making k.nown their gratitude. But the Lord had" straitly charged them, saying, See that no ruan know it." .Nothing could excuse disobedience to a command- ment expressed so pbinly, even sternly. The Lord knew better than they what was best for themselves .and for others. Their duty was simply to obey him. Obedience is better than sacrifice. The surest proof of true gratitude is unquestioning obedience. " If a man love me, he will keep my words." IL THE DUMB DEMOh'l.AC. 1. He was brought to (Jhrist. The blind men came; the demoniac was brought. He was helpless under the power of the evil one. He could not speak. It may be that in his hrnrt he cried for mercy; it may be that the Lord accepted the faith of those who brought Iii.In, as he raised the daughter of Jairus, moved by her father's prayer. It is a blessed work of love to bring the helpless to Christ, to pray for those who cannot pray for themselves. Every soul is exceeding precious, even those who may seem the most degraded. 2. T!te cure. The Lord saw the cause of his. dumbness, and at once cast out the evil spirit. The dumb spake. The people wondered; never had such deeds been done in Israel. They are still done in the Israel of God, blessed be his holy Name I The evil spilit checks the voice of prayer; he makes men dum h, so that they cannot speak to Jesus confessing their sins. But the Lord Htill opens the lips of the dumb, and their month showeth forth his praise. 3. Tlie blasphemy of the Pharisees. Their opposition was increasing. They had blamed him for eating with pn blicans aud sinners; they had accused h!m of blasphemy in their hearts;. now they fall into deeper guilt. He came that he might destroy the works of the devil; he was doiug so now. 'Jhcy said among themselves that his power over the devils was exer- cisvd through complicity with the prince of the devils. ~t was a~ awful sin.. Sm~ll 8ins a"ainst the law of love lead on to greater. People JDdulge in fault-findmg, in critici:cina the conduct of others. They may go on to attribute the highest aots of Christian°lovc to unholy motives-a deep and deadly sin in the sight of God. LESSONS. 1. Persevere in prayer. Christ hath saved others; doubt not, earnestly belie,,e; he will save all who come to him in faith. 2. Follow him in the crowd, in the house; pray everywhere. 3. Be watchfu~ against vain-glory; the _Christian life is hid with Christ in God. 4. Honour goodness ID all men. To speak agamst the work of God the lloly Ghost is grievous sin. Velll. 35-38.-The missiona711 u;wk of Chrut. I. HIS JOUBNEYB TBnouan GALILE.B:. cm. II. 1-38.) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 377