I. HISTORICALLY, THE ADVE:NT OF OBRIST PROVOKES OPPOSITION. We know that swords were drawn against the disciples of Christ. James the son or Zebedee heard a warning in these words of Christ that was subsequently verified in his own person- though as yet be knew it not-when Herod slew him with the sword, and he became the first martyr-apostle. Our Lord foresaw persecution and predicted it. But this was not contrary to his peace principles. His disciples did not fight; and neither he nor they provoked antagonism by showing a quarrelsome spirit. The sword was wholly in the hands of the enemies of the new faith. It was not a sword of equal warfare, but a sword of cruelty, tyranny, persecution. Yet Christ did not draw back from the prospect of it, nor did he permit any compromise on the part of his disciples. Truth must be spoken, errors must be exposed, sin must be denounced, at any cost. Let the Christian be prepared for opposition. If all men speak well of him, let him search his conduct to see whether he has been faithful, or whether rerchance he may have been speaking smooth things for the sake of ease and comfort. • II. SOCIALLY, TIIE COMING OF CHRIST STIRS UP DISCORD. This is a sad picture of the sword cutting into the home and separating child and parent (ver. 35). We know that no family is so united as a truly Christian family. Christ consecrates and strengthens home-life. He does not require us to renounce home-ties in order to folio~ him. How, then, does he come to describe the hideous picture of family quarrels brought about by his coming? We know that his words came true in many a Jewish home where a son or a daughter confessed Christ. They are applicable to-day in Hindoo families that have been reached by missionary influences. Even in England a true, brave confession of Christ may brin!( great trouble in a worldly home, the habits of which are distinctly unchristian. The explanation is that Christ must be first, and that no domestic claim can excuse us for disloyalty to him. In order that the home may be ultimately glorified as the dwelling of Christ, it may have to be first of all saddened e.s the scene of discord. The larger society is broken e.nd disturbed by Christian inflnences, and the trouble must go on till society is Christian. III. SPIRITUALLY, THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST BRINGS A SWORD. 'l'he Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb. iv. 12). The gospel of peace first brings warfare into the soul. It cuts through old habits; it opposes darling sins; it sets up a new standard at variance with what was loved in the past. The old Adam will not die without a struggle; he fights against the new man. Thus the bee.rt of the Christian becomes e. battle-field. To refuse to resist temptation for the sake of peace and quiet is to be unfaithful to Christ, who only gives peace through a faithful endure.nee of conflict.-W F. L Vers, 40--42.-Beceiving Christ. Jesus concludes his charge to the twelve on the eve of their mission with words that have more reference to others, with e. promise of blessing to those who shall give a good reception to the apostles, Earlier he said that if any rejected the messengers of Christ they were to shake off the very dust of their feet as a testimony against the inhospitable people; e.nd now he concludes his address by cheering words on the other side, generously recognizing e. friendly reception of his disciples. Local and temporal as was the immediate occasion of our Lord's remarks, they are evidently of lasting application, I. THE BROTHERHOOD OF CHRIST LEADS BDI'. TO REGARD KINDNESS TO BIB DISOIPLEB EXACTLY AS THOUGH IT WERE OFFERED TO HIMSELF. He is not the Oriental monarch treating his subjects as a race of slaves. He is completely one with his people. What- ever hurts them hurts him; whatever cheers them pleases him. There is e. Christian solida1ity. The benefit or injury of one member affects the whole body (1 Cor, xii. 26). But if other members of the body are thus affected, much more will the Head, which is in direct communication with the whole, be affected. 1. This is meant as a great encouragement/or the servanta of Chriat. They are not deserted by Christ; he is in all their work and he feels keenly every kindness or unkindness offered to them, 2. Thie sugge;te how we may all have the unspeakable privilege of receiving Christ. Not only a prophet or an apostle, but e. little child, may bring_ Christ to our home. Receiving the least of Christ's disciples for hie sake, we receive him. II. THE CONDITION OF RECEIVING CHRIST IB RECEIVING BIS DISCIPLES IN BIB NAME, 1. Reuiving Ohriat', disciple,. He does not speak here of indiscriminate hospitality~ ou. x. 1-42.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 429
nor of the neighbourly love which he elsewhere commends. Here is a specially Ohristian aotion, Much is made in the New Testament of brotherly lov6--love to fellow-Christians. It is a great privilege to be able to help one of Christ's own little ones. 2, Receiving them in Chrisfs Name. Thrice does our Lord refer to the con- ditions of "the name"-" the name of a prophet," "the name of a righteous man," "the name of a disciple," This points to a set purpose in the hospitality. The prophet is received as a prophet because we wish to honour prophets; the righteous man as a righteous man because we desire to help the righteous; the Christian' disciple as a disciple, for Christ's sake. This is more than mere kindness; it is a distinct recognition of the claim of Christ. We are encouraged to show kindness for Christ's sake, that we may please him-receiving the envoy for the sake of the King. III. THEY WHO THUS RECEIVE CHBIBT's DL';CIPLES ABE DOUBLY REWARDED. 1. In receiving Christ. They are treated just as though they had shown hospitality to the Lord Jesus Christ himself. But the reward of such hospitality is in the very coming of Christ. When he entered the house of Zaccbreus salvation came there. To bave Christ within us is to have a better blessing than could be got out of all the wealth of the Indies or all the joy of a Christless paradise. 2. In receiving God. This thought is nearly akin to the teaching of the Fourth Gospel (see John xiv. 9, 10). We do not merely receive Christ as a brother-man. Beneath the veil of the humanity of Jesus the very glory of God enters the soul. Thus he who receives a child for Christ's sake is blessed by having God in bis heart, and then his heart becomes a heaven.-W. F. A.