The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 437

(2) "Brother shall deliver up brother," etc. (ver. 21). U nn.tt:1rnl was the treachery of Judas. Yet was he the type of the nation whose name he bure. And men, disguising the venom of the serpent and the rapacity of the wolf under the blessed name of Christ, have been the treacherous foes of his true sheep. (3) This treachery has used the synagogue-the pretext of religion. It has used the civil court-the pretext of justice. "The secular arm" was the weapon of the wolf disguised in fleece ( cf. Eccles. iii. 16). II. THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE SHEEP-LIKE, BUT NOT SHEEPISH. 1. The sheep is the Ohriatian's type. (1) The sheep is an emblem of innocence. The Christian is innocent, being justified in the blood of Christ. He is, moreover, sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. (2) The sheep is also an emblem of patience. The Christian has his perfect Example in Christ. The "Lamb without spot or blemish;" the" Lamb of God." Drought "as a Iamb to the slaughter," and "as a sheep before her shearers." 2. To the innocence of the sheep he must add the wisdom of the serpent. (1) The serpent is a symbol of wisdom. Not because the animal is pre-eminently sagacious. It is not so. But because the devil enshrined his subtlety in. a serpent (see Gen. iii. 1). The devil was that (111mo1) certain serpent which was "more subtle than any beast of the field "-the animal serpents not excepted. (2) We need the sagacity of devils to cope with their subtlety. Paul displayed this (see Acts xxiii. 6, 7). (3) Christ is our grand Exemplar here also (see eh. xxi. 24, 25; :xxii. 15-22). 3. To the wisdom of the serpent we must still add the simplicity of the dove. (1) The dove is an emblem of the Holy Spirit of grace and truth. Noah's dove resting on the ark was a figure of the Holy Spirit resting upon Christ. So likewise upon the believer taking refuge in Christ, viz. from the floods of judgment. (2) The harmlessness of the dove saves the Christian from that cunning of the serpent by which he is wise to destroy. The dove must influence when the serpeut directs. The" wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable" (Jas, iii. 17). Ill. THAT THE SHEEP OF CHRIST ENJOY THEIR S1mPIIEBD1S PROTECT[ON. 1. They go forth under his commission. (1) To preach the gospel of the kingdom (ver. 7). A glorious mission. A mission in some form entrusted to every true disciple. "Ye are my witnesses." (2) 'l'o gain valuable experience. Experience in patieuce, stability, endurance (vers. 21, 22). 'l'he active graces may be cultivated in sunshine. Passive graces are developed in clouds e.nd storms. In the passive graces Christian character is perfected (cf. Heb. ii. 10; Jas. i 4). 2. They go forth with hill Holy Spirit. (1) 'l'hat Spirit was their Counsellor in the streets. As the wisdom of the serpent leads him adroitly to shun danger by quickly retiring into his hiding-place, so were the diHciples counselled to avoid the persecutor by passing on to another city. Note: (a) The vain spirit which courts cheap martyrdom is discouraged here. It is prudence and humility to avoid persecution when charity and righteousness oblige not the con- trary. (b) '!'here is no countenance here given to the spirit of the hireling who for love of life or property would abandoJ.1 the flock of Christ to the wolf. Christ's soldiers may quit their ground, but not theil colours. (2) The Spirit of Christ is also their Counsellor in the civil courts (vers. 19, 20). If the twelve had plennry inspiration giving them words for their personal defence before judges, how much more so when writing the Scriptures I (3) The Spirit of Christ is with his serv1nts working miracles M4'l"l'UW. 2 t'  484 TliE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MA'l'THEW. [ou. x. 1-42.