The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 391

Vers. 1-17.-.At Capernawm. The choice of Capemaum as suitable centre justified l1y results. Rapid spread of our Lord's fame. Eager crowds gathering from far and near. Picture scene: Here, father carrying drooping child; there, little girl with blind father; camel bearing woman bowed with infirmity; sick of all kinds brought by friends; crowd ever increasing; silence broken only by occasional yell of a. possessed one or moans of sufferers. CrowdB waiting before daylight, but Jesus not there-gone to a. desert place to pray. His approach suddenly a.onounced by one on the edge of the crowd; wonder and a.we as he passes to the house, stretching out bands of effectual blessing. Two results of this crowding of multitudes: 1. Jesus obliged to seek a more retired place. 2. Incident of text. Four friends, believing that be whom they have carried far will be able to walk back if they can lay him before Jesus. Overcome obstacles, removing a. few large, uncemented tiles of roof-a. liberty plea.sing to our Lord as a tribute to him and proof of their faith. Common experience to ask one thing and receive another. Perhaps this man had a.n inward conviction that spiritual gifts were the greater. Scribes cavil at "'l'hy sine be," etc.; begin to suspect evasion; therefore Jesus does work that can be tested by their senses. Two points '.1DUBUal: Our Lord accepted test tacitly proposed, and the miracle conr.nced OH. 1x, 1-38.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 387 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------ the witnesses. Miracles evidences of revelation because themselves parts of it, not mere signs. God could not reveal himself except by miracle. Historical fact that nature has never done so. Revelation not so much acc<mvpanied. by as consisting of miracles. Such e. revelation authenticates itself, proves itself such because giving higher and worthier idea of God. I. CALLING OF MATTHEW. His office oilious to Jews, both as representing foreign government and from oppressive system of farming taxes. Evil effects of such system seen now in Egypt and elsewhere. No loss to government by Matthew thus suddenly throwing up office, he having already paid the sum. Possible, but rare, for good man to be in such a calling. Our Lord does not defend his calling of Matthew on that gronnd. He chose his followers among the unsophisticated, or those who had not yet found their good. Probably some previous acquaintance with Matthew. Matthew perhaps gradually dissatisfied with himself. Among such the Lord is found. His unanswerable reply to Pharisees, "They that be whole," etc. To those sick in body, in heart, in spirit, he offers himself; to the heavy-laden, disappointed, broken, sinful, one unfailing Friend, bent on bringing them into hie own peace and holiness and joy. Axe there none here who will at length listen to his call, "Follow me"? Follow by keeping him always in view, thinking of him, doing his will. II. MATTHEW's FEAST. In the joy of his heart inclined to be lavish. From being despised, hated, suddenly chosen as friend and companion by greatest and worthiest. Cherished money-bags contemptible in presence of Christ and his love. Pharisees not in sympathy. It might be a fast-day; much might be involved. It was thin end of wedge-a party forming, not fettered by mechanical rules, but allowing the spirit naturally to express itself. Suitable, therefore, that this, our Lord's first rerorded teaching to a mixed multitude, should deal with this new thing. He l~s down the principle that underlies all outward observance, viz. that the state of mind gives it appropriateness and virtue. Further explained in two parables. In every generation can be seen this Pharisaic spirit-deep-seated hatred and fear of change. Men who have never gone deep enough to distinguish between essential and accidental, saying, "If there is new life, let it be kept in the old forms." To do so were to destroy both. These parables fit a most important principle. Had Matthew fasted at this time, his new love and energy would have been wasted insteo.d of utilized, and fa.sting (the old bottle) become for ever distasteful to him. As it wo.s, he would fast again when he felt it suitable, New ways sometimes preferred by new converts. If love to Christ and sound moral conduct go with the changes, no need to fear them. But our Lord had also a word of apology for conservatism of Pharisees: "No man, having drunk old wino," etc. Natural to prefer the old. So with many of the best of men. For few attain to the complete magnanimity and truth of the Lord. "Oh that patrons of old ways understood Uhrist's wisdom, and that patrons of new ways sympathized with his charity I , .. When will young men and old men, liberals and conservatives, broad Christians nnd narrow, learn to bear with one another; yea, to recognize each in the other the necessary complement of his own one-sidedness?" (Bruce).-D. Ver. 36--ch. L 42.-Mission sermon. The spring of all missionary effort and of all healthy propago.ndism of one's religion is compassion for men. To the eye or our Lord the multitudes of that teeming Eastern population seemed as sheep torn by wild beasts o.nd scattered;with none to defend them. The crowds were greater than he could alone overtake. The instructions given to the twelve were of permanent significance. I. •THE SPHERE IN WillCH THEY WERE TO LABOUR. Not among Gentiles, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 'l'he Jews were the medium appointed by God for diffusing the knowledge of salvation through the world; and the success of the gospel among other nations would much depend on its acceptance by the Jews. Also the apostles were not yet sufficiently disentangled from Jewish prejudices to move freely or without danger among Samaritans and Gentiles. The principles here indicated are that if one race is more likely than another to prove helpful in diffusing the gospel, to that race should it first be carried. A man must sow in the best soil be can. And, second, the missionary must consider the kind of work and the sphere for which he is best adapted, . II. THE NATURE OF THEIR WORK was indicated by the communication of the iii\,  388 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [orr. tx. 1-88.