The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 476

trespasses and sins." 5. It was a11 appeal to experien~. (1) To be offended in Christ, after appea.ling to us with such convincing evidence, would be a great unhappiness. How melancholy has been the history of the unbelieving Jew I That many should be offended is an actual mark of Messiah (see Isa.. Iii. 14). (2) Happy is he who is not offended wi,h the lowliness of Jesus. Whether in his Person or in his disciples. To rise a.hove such offences is to many a. difficult lesson. (3) Those who drink into the spirit of the humiliation a.nd sufferings of Jesus will also share in his future glory.- J. A. M. Vers. 7-15.-The g1·eatest of the prophets. Two of John's disciples oame to Jesus wit.h the inquiry," Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?" Having replied to this inquiry and sent the men a.way, Jesus seized the opportunity to discourse to the multitude concerning John. Note: Jesus improved every opportunity. In this, as in everything, we should endeavour to follow him. In the description of John we see- I. THE FEATURES OF A GREAT CHARACTER. 1. Deep and earnest conviction. (1) John wa.s no "reed shaken with the wind." The reed, hollow a.nd pliant, was a. .tit symbol of levity a.nd inconsistency (see Isa. xxxvi. 6). (2) In the marshes of the wilderness were many reeds; and John was among them, but not of them, Had he been a fickle character, he would not have had his immense following. For, however reedlike the multitude may be, they are led, for good or ill, by the stronger will. Many went out "for to see "-led by curiosity. So still are there many who attend the ministry of the gospel" for to see" a.nd to be seen. (3) John was not the creature of circumstances. He ma.de circumstances bend to righteousness. He would not dishonour his conscience to purchase liberty or life; he carried his integrity to the prison and to the block. (4) His testimony concerning Christ was like himself, decisive a.nd unwavering. "He confessed, and denied not; and he confessed,n and still he stuck to it (cf. John i. 20; iii. 28). Nor does he now, in prison, waver; for his object in sending his disciples to Jesus wa.s not t.o settle a.ny doubt in his mind, but to :fix their faith. t. Superiority to vulgar ambition. (1) Some derive their greatness from their clothes. They affect "soft clothing." They c a.re dependent for their dis- tinction upon the skill of their tailor or dressmaker. Such weakness wa.s not in John, whose raiment was rough a.nd strong-camel's hair and leather. A man's character may be seen in his dress. The ma.n in the rough clothes may be "great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke L 15). (2) Some derive their greatness from their surroundings. "They that wear soft raiment a.re in kings' houses." The address of the courtier, like his dre,s, is flattering. John, the son of a. chief priest, might have been a courtier had be chosen ; but his sphere wa.s in t,he wilderness. 3. Integrity. (1) As Elijah behaved before Ahab and Jezebel,so did John, who came in thespirita.nd power of Elijah, behave before Herod and Heroclias. He would not wink at the sin of Herod because he occupied a. throne; nor would be conciliate the favour of Herodia.s by silence when she should be reproved. (2) Integrity wa.s more to him the.n mee.t e.nd drink. "John ea.me neither eating nor drinking" (cf. ver, lB; Luke i. 15). He was a. self-denying ma.n. Those who live a. life of mortification a.re the less likely to be lured away from the integrity of religion. 4. The favour of God. (1) This is the surest me.rk of greatnesi;, for God cannot flatter. JesUB waited until John's disciples ha.d retired before be pronounced his eulogy upon John. (2) John when in prosperity bore testimony to Jesus. JesUB now, John being in adversity, bears testimony to John. The judgment ~f God is not influenced by the judgments of men. (3) The testimony of Jesus to John came when John ha.dfinished his testimony. Judgment comes when our work is done (John xii. 26). However consistency may suffer in the running, it will win at. the goal. IL THE TOKENS OP A GREAT PROPHET. 1. He was a prophet whose coming was predicted. (1) He was predicted by Isaiah a.nd Malachi (see Isa.. xL 3; Ma.I. iii. 1; iv. 5). He was also predicted in the same quality by his father Zecha.ria.s, who was instructed by Gabriel (see Luke i. 17, 76-78). As a. prophet predicted John stands alone. (2) John "came in the spirit and power of Elijah," not in his person. The latter he disclaimed. The abi;ence of the article in connection with the name of Elijah (ver. 14) shows this to be an autonoma.sia., or that be is the typical,, not the actual, Elijah. (3) He fulfilled tL.e character of Elijah as described !n prophecy. (a) As CJB, XL 1-30,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, 473