The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 467

Christ mther referred to tboso who accounted themselves wisE or who.had a reputation for wisdom, such as the scribes. II. How THE REVELATION IS REVEALED TO BABES. 1. We nustremember that it" ci revelation. The truth of Christ is not a product of human thinking, nor is it a dis- ,covery that men have to make for themselves. It could never be got by the pursuit of science or learning. It is a gift of God, and he can give it as readily to a babe as to a wise man. 2. This revelati= only comes to those who are receptive. A feeling of wisdom is rather one of fulness and satisfaction. It is necessary, however, to feel ~mpty and needing light and guidance. Now, the childlike soul is just in this con- dition. 3. The knowledge of truth is conditioned by faith. Some despise religious faith as lacking in foundation, and treat knowledge or even doubt as superior to it. But this is to misapprehend; religious faith, which is not the acceptance of a creed, but trust in a Person; We want grounds for this confidence, but when we trust God we are-prepared to receive his revelation, and the most childlike are the most ready to trust him.-W. F. A. Vera. 28-30.-The yoke of rest. It is a common mistake to divide these verses and to quote the first of them-the invitation to the weary-without the others, which are really essential to the practical comprehension of Christ's method of giving rest'.; because it is in the conclusion of the whole passage that we discover how we may obtain rest from Christ. We must, therefore, look both at the blessing offered and at the means by which this blessing may be obtained. I. THE BLESSING IS REST. 1. In what it consists. The soul of man in weariness and unrest craves for peace and repose. This is more than the outward ea.Im of quiet circumstances. Many have that who are victims to a storm of unrest within-ship- wrecked sailors tossing on the waves of their own passions. The true rest is not idle- ness. While the heart is at rest the hand may be at work. We can never work so well as with a restful mind. Neither iB this rest a state of mental torpor. The mind may be wide awake, but calm and at peace-like the sea when its waves are still, and yet its deep waters teem with life, and great fleets sweep over its surface. 2. FO'I' whom it ia designed. Those who labour and are heavy laden. Some people are naturally restful, constitutionally placid. But Christ desires to bring rest to troubled souls. He has sympathy for the toiling multitude; he brings peace to those whose lives are burdened. 'l.'his may apply especially to those whose toil iB inward-in the effort to overcome temptation, and who are heavily laden with the weight of sin. II. THE BLESSING OF REST IS TO BE OBTAINED BY WE.HING THE YOKE OF CHRIST. Let us see what this involves. 1. A personal approach to Ohrist. Jesus begins his wor<ls to the weary with the gracious invitation, "Come unto me." Let not any heart- broken, despondent person hold back in fear, for the invitation is just for him. "A.rise; the Master calleth thee I " But he cannot receive the blessing until he goes to Christ. Rest begins in personal contact with Christ. 2. Submitting to the rule of Ohrist. Some have thought that by his reference to the yoke our Lord meant to indicate that the weary might yoke themselves to him, and that he and his tired disciple might walk. under the same yoke-the greater part cf the weight of which he would bear. Cer- tainly there is some yoke to be borne by Christ's disciple. We do not escape from restlessness by plunging into lawlessness and self-will. On the contrary, our self-will is the source of our deepest unrest. When this is conquered we shall be at peace. Therefore the service of Christ, which involves the suppression of self, is the way of inward restfulness. 'l'o bear his yoke, nay, even to carry his cross, is to find rest. While we look for personal comfort and escape from duty, we are miserable and restless; when we cease to think of our own ease and givo ourselves up to Christ's service, to bear his yoke, we find peace. 3, Following in the way of Ohrist. They who would have rest must learn of Christ. Then the rest does not come in a moment. It will be obtained just in the degree in which the great lesson is learnt. Further, this is a lessor. in meekness and lowliness. Then rest will come in proportion as we become meek and lowly like Christ.-W. F. A. Vers. 2-30 (see also Luke vii. 18-35).-Theforearming against a.fOTeseen unbelief. Note ill introdur.tion that St. Luke's placing of_ this narrative is the preferable one, It 461 TIIE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [cJI. xx. 1-30.