The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 484

I. MEN's WAY OF GETTING THB KINGDOM. Because the only kingdom they could realize was an outward one, some good they could possess, some liberty, some position, some rights and privileges, some wealth which they could gain and hold, therefore they thought they must grasp, and push, and strive, and fight. These are men's waya of getting 111l kinds of outside good. Illustrate by the crowding and pushing to get the benefits of our Lord's healings. To get something men can be violent ; each striving to be first, and the "violent taking by force." II. CHRIST'S WAY OF GETTING MEN INTO THE KINGDOM. He evidently trusted to first getting the kingdom intc them; for to him the kingdom was inwarcl, a state of mind and heart, a gracious relation with God, charRcter moulded to the Divine image and then conduct ruled by the Divine will. From our Lord's point of view there wa; no room for physical force, though plenty of room for moral energy. Violence was altogether unsuitable; indeed, as he taught in the sermon on the mount, the gentle and submissive elements of character, rather than the strong and forceful, made ways into his kingdom. The best comment on our Lord's words here-a comment which brings out clearly enough that he is rebuking the violence of those who use force, and in no way praising it-is found in the familiar but most gentle and gracious words of vers. 28--30.-R. T. Ver.16.-..tn 'IIITl,favoura'hle estimate of a gMUJration. Generations have their marked characteristics. Geuerations of humanity; generations ofraces; generations of nations; if we would be subtile we might even say, generations of classes. Thus we apeak of ages of faith, sceptical ages, scientific ages, dark ages, ages of conflict, msthetic ages, and so on. But it is necessary to distinguish between the abstract philosophical estimate of a!l age made by the' historians, and the rough-and-ready estimate of a particular period, or a particular people, made by the prophet or the preacher, who brings a testing mes~age. Our Lord was not attempting what we should mean by a critical examination of the characteristics of the people of Palestine in the first century. He is rather, in the fashion of the quickly observant preacher, noticing what conditions of aociety make his work difficult. Neither the austere John nor the friendly Jesus pleased the fickle multitude. I. A GENERATIOl!I THAT WOULD NOT BE DRIVEN TO GOODNESS. The element of fear was prominent in John Baptist's work. He demanded, he threatened, be prophe- sied of judgment to come. But that fickle generation responded in moments of excite- ment, and then tired, and fell back on their old self-indulgences. 'l'hey were like children, who were induced to play at funerals, but soon tired of the mock solemnity, and wanted a change. And the generation did but illustrate an abiding characteristia of humanity. Force soon wearies men; fear soon becomes familiar; threats cease to alarm; the terror of the gospel may open hearts; but if something does not follow the terror that can satisfy hearts, they will soon shut again, and closer than ever. II. A GENEBATlON THAT WOULD NOT BE DRAWN TO GOODNESS, John drove; Jesus drew. Jesus entered into all the common spheres of men, bringing cheer of sympathy and help. He was everywhere a Joy-bringer. And yet the generation soon tired of him; even as children tire of playing at weddings. They tire because they cannot have altogether their own way. That was the secret of the fickleness of the generation. They wanted John to be what they wished. They wanted Jesus to be and d@ and say just what they wished; and they were like sulky children who could not get their own way. John and Jesus both had to be what God would have them be.-B. T. Ver. 19.-77ie justification of wisdom. John's peculiarity was no oddity; it wu the power arranged for him in the Divine wisdom. The peculiarity of Jesus was no eccentricity; it was the expression of that Divine Spirit of wisdom which dwelt in him. Men may criticize the methods of John and Jesus; the story of the ages fully justifies the wisdom of those methods. I. WISDOM USES VABIOUB AOENOIEB. "The spiritual nnfoldinga of wisdom in the religions world are manifold." John moves you by bis fear and terror; Jesus move1 you by his quiet goodness. John's wisdom thunders; the wisdom of Jesus flows oni in mild words. Men "wonder at the gracious words which proceed from his mouth." ce. :n. 1-30.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 481