The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 531

tho suppliant. "Stretch forth thine hand." The poor man had often tried to no this in his own strength, and failed. The effort to believe is often that/a,th by which the soul is healed. 3. He shows compassim to the Gentiles. (1) His question is not, "How much is the Jew better than a sheep?" He took hold of the "seed of Abraham," but in doing so he was "made in the likeness of men," without limitation. (2) His action in withdrawing from tho unbelieving Pharisees was parabolic as well as prudential; for it is noteworthy that in his following now we find many of the Gentiles (see Mark iii. 6-8). The portent was that when the nation of the Jews should reject the gospel, then the gospel would leave them and offer its blessings to the Gentiles (cf. Acts xiii. 46; xvili. 6; xxviii. 28). (3) The justness of this remark appears in the citation from Isaiah in which Messiah is predicted as coming to declare judgment to the Gentiles, and to give them "hope" in his Name (vers. 18, 22). For this prediction is here mentioned as now fulfilled. "He charged" those he healed " that they should not make him known," viz. as their Healer, to the unbelievers, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah." (4) Considering the Gentiles is in other prophecies likewise made a mark of Messiah (see Gen. xlix. 10; Ps. ii. 8; Zech. ix. 10; Isa. ii. 3). 4. He is gentle with the frail. (1) Gentleness is natural to him. His voice is not heard in clamour. The Jews looked for a Messiah wielding the sword. Matthew shows how Jesus fulfils the prophecies in his non-resistance to evil and injury. (2) The timid may hope in his mercy. "A bruised reed" is a remarkable emblem of extreme frailty and weakness (see Ezek. xxix. 6, 7). One bruised by the weight of sin "he will not break." He will not terrify the penitent by a frown. •• A smoking flax shall he not quench." Rather will he cherish the feeblest fire of holy desire. (3) "Till he send forth judgment unto victory," For "mercy rejoices upon judgment." -J.A.M; Vers. 22-32.-The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Many persons have been tempted to believe that they had co=itted this dreadful sin, and thereby put them- selves beyond the reach of mercy. Correct judgment upon this very important subject may best be attained by considering the more fearfully emphatic words of our Lord in their connection. ' I. THE NATURE OF THE BLASPHEMY MAY BE GATHERED FROM THE BTOBY. 1. Our LOf'd had wrought a notable miracle. (1) The subject was both blind and dumb. The case of Laura Bridgman, and another, seem to be the only examples of this double affliction which have occurred in modem times. But this wretched man was, moreover, a demoniac. (2) What a type of the sinner is here I Blind to spiritual truth. Having no voice for God's praise. "Carried captive by the devil at his will." (3) But Jesus "healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw." The devil also owned the presence of a Superior. So can Jesus open the blind eye of the soul. He also can put a new song into the praiseless mouth. And he can deliver our hearts from infernal domination. 2. The people were C()'Tl,vinced of his Messiahship. (1) They cried out, "Is not this the Son of David?" The prophecies authorized the expectation of Messiah in the lineage of David. That Jesus was in that lineage could not be denied. (2) "Is not this" Miracle-worker the Messiah? The prophecies authorized the expectation of Messiah as a Worker of miracles (see Isa. x.x.xv. 6). (3) Is not this Vanquisher of demons the illustrious Personage destined to appear as the Seed of the woman and crush the serpent's head (Gen. iii. 16)? (4) Who can now dispute that with Jesus is the Spirit of God, that he is the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ of God? 3. But the Pharisees blasphemed. (1) Against the clearest evidence, through pride, envy, and malignity, they refused to recognize the Messiah. None are so blind as those who will not see (cf. John ix. 39-41). (2) To defend their unbelief and to retain their credit with the people they invented the libel that Jesus had cast out devils through the prince of the devils. Thus the work of the Spirit of God was blasphemously attributed to diabolical agency. Thus the blessed Spirit of God was blasphemously confounded with the very devil (3) This horrible libel was whispered. They did not speak it openly in the hearing of Jesus. 'l'hey feared to encounter his convincing words. But Jesus "knew their thoughts." '£here is no evadiug the 1crutiny of that eye. (4) "This [fellow]," viz. a sabbath-breaker and blasphemer I What venom can be condensed into a siugle word I 4. The Heart-searcher exposed  528 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S'l'. MATTHEW. [ou. xn. 1-50.