The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 397

that experience Jesus personated the condition of his Church during his absence from her in heaven. She was destined to monm in the wilderneBB, suffering from Satan fierce assaults of persecution and temptation. First from the Jews; then from the Romans; then from the apostasy; perhaps finally from the rising spirit of infidelity. (3) Individual Christians also have their seasons of temptation (cf. 1 Cor. iv. 11; 2 Cor. vi. 6; xi. 27). In such seasons they have their voluntary fasts (cf. Acts x. 30; xiii. 2, 3; xiv. 23; 1 Cor. vii. 6). 3. When the Bridegroom retwrns m(>Urning will end. (1) Then will come the festivities of the Church's wedding (see eh. xxv. 10; Rev. xix. 7). The joys of the millennium will run into those of the new heavens and earth. (2) Individual saints have their interludes of joy as well as of sorrow. Darkness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (3) After the night of trial which ends in the sleep of death, comes the joy of the bright morning of the resurrection. III. TH.AT OONBISTENOY MUST BE BOUGHT IN DIVERSITY. 1. It is unnatural to seek ,t in uniformity. (1) Uniformity is too often mistaken for unity. Things may be turned out of the same mould in infinite number, but neither is the conformity nor the number unity. (2) There is in nature a unity which certainly consists not in uniformity. For no two blades of grass are exactly alike. (3) 'l'he unity of nature rather lies in its diversity, for it is in the diversity of things that they become mutually UBeful. So it is in morals. (4) Acts of uniformity can never give unity. 2. The 'U,11,iey of truth is in the spirit of love. (1) The unity of nature is a spirit of harmony. (2) So truth must be maintained amongst Christians in loving concession. The old piece must be sought for the old garmen'° Fresh skins must be sought for new wine. (3) The duties of religion should not be marle a subject of strife and con- tention amongst religious persons. The spirit must not be sacrificed to the letter. (4) Note: "The quarrel with Christ was brought to the disciples (ver. 11); the quarrel with the disciples was brought to Christ (ver. 14). This is the way of sowing discord and killing love, to set people against ministers, ministers against people, and ono friend against another" (Henry).-J. A. M. Vere. 18-26.-Concessions to faith. While Jesus discoursed upon consistency in diversity, and the concessions of love, an occasion arose for the exenq.,lification of his teaching. "While he yet spake," etc. Note here the gracious concessions of Jesus to the weakness of the ruler's faith, and learn- I. THAT JESUS RESPECTS THE FAITH WHICH, THOUGH WEAK, IB YET TBUE, l, The ruler's faith was halting. (1) His was not at the first a faith for the raising of the dead. Had it bee~ so, it would have been remarkable; for, up to this time, Jesus hnci. nut raised the dead. The words, "even now dead," conveyed the sense of "at the point of death" (cf. Mark v. 23; Luke viii. 42; see also Bloomfield, in Zoe.), (2) His faith had respect simply to the recovery of the sick. Jesus had abundantly established the fame of his power to work miracles of healing. To have doubted here would have been unreasonable and criminal unbelief. How far is our unbelief unreasonable and criminal? (3) The ruler's faith cannot be compared with that of the centurion (see eh. viii. 6-13). The centurion did not consider himself worthy that Jesus should come under his roof. Discerning the Divinity of the Miracle-worker, he saw no need for his corporeal presence, The ruler's weaker faith required that Jesus should enter his dwelling and lny his hand upon his little daughter (cf. 2 Kings v. 11). (4) When the centurion believed, there were no examples of miracles of healing wrought at a distance. The ruler had the centurion's example. 2. Yet the ruler'sfaitli was true. (1) His coming to Jesus evinced this. Trouble, it may have been, drove him to Jeans; but he csme. Many there were who, notwithstanding the fame of Jesus, yet came not to him. Still there are many who remain in their moral maladies rather than come to Jesus for salvation. (2) His appeal also evinced it. His worship wns more than the customary Eastern manifestation of respect. He knelt to him, and pleaded impor- tunately for his dying child. 'l'hose who would receive mercy from the Lord must, give him honour. 3. Jesus respected this sincerity. (1) Jesus could have healed tlrn damsel at a distance (cf. John iv. 46-53). The ruler had not faith for this. So, in concession to his weakness, Jesus went with him to his house. In like manner Jesus honours the sincerity of the penitent sinner, meeting him on his way. (2) Note here the principle that grnce is through faith. "According to your faith, so be it unto you." 394 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [ oH. 1x, 1-38.