The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 40

when we reflect that what has raised our indignation h11.11 been observed by God, and will assuredly be dealt_ with by him, this not only stifles our indignation, but impels ua to seek to save the sinner from the punishment he is earning, 'l'he bearing of this parable, t~en, on ourselves cannot be mistaken. Wheat and darnel, it says, are almosi 1<lent.1e11l in appearance, but the root of the principle of the one is different from the other; the one is good food, the other is poison and they will eventually be treated accordingly. From this similarity it arises: (1) That the darnel is apt to think itself a.s good as the wheat. But the question is not whether you are not at present to all appearance as useful and pkasant a member of society as they, but whether there is not that. in them which will grow to good and that in you which will grow to evil. What is it that is producing your actual life and character? What is the motive power? Is it mere desire to get on, or respect for your own good name? Or is your character being more and more formed by the belief that God calls you to live for him and for eternity? Are you rooted in Christ? Do you grow out of him? (2) The wheat is apt to think itself no better than darnel. You are troubled because others seem to be as regular, as zealous, as successful, in duty R.S you; they have even the advantao-e of you in some respects. Some natural infirmity of temper bas fixed its stamp on yo~, or you are choked by uncongenial surroundings. Dut look to the end here predicted, " when all that offends shall be taken out of the way," and" the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Be sure only that there is that in you which will shine forth if the hindrances and blinds be taken out of the way.-D. Ver. 33.-Parable ef the leaven. This parable directs our attention to two points connected with the extension of Christianity. It illustrates (1) first, the kind of change which Christianity works in the world; (2) second, the method by which this change is wrought. L TRE CHANGE 0UB LORD MEANT TO EFFECT IN THE WORLD was to be a change not so much of outward forms as of the spirit and character of all things. The propagation of his influence is set forth and illustrated, not by a woman taking a mass of dough and making it into new shapes, but by a woman putting that into the dough which alters the character of the whole mass. There are two ways in which you may revolutionize a country or society. You may pull down the old forms of government. or yon may fill them with men of a different spirit, revise the constitution, or, leaving ii untouched, fill official positions with the right men. A machine refuses to work, and people tell you the construction is wrong; but the skilled mechanic pushes aside the ignorant crowd, and puts all to rights with a few drops of oil. Few distinctions are of wider application. What is pointed at is rather the regenerative than the creative power of Christ's Spirit ; not so much the new facts and habits to which Christian leeling gives birth, as the new feelings and views it has about existing customs, institutions, relationships, occupations. His Spirit, he says, does not require new channels; a man does not require new arteries, but to have them filled with health- giving blood. In establishing the kingdom of heaven our Lord did not intend to erec, a vast organization over against the world, but be meant to introduce into the world itself a leaven which should subdue all things to his own Spirit. It was to be withoui observation, bidden as leaven among meal. II. THE METHOD BY WfilCH THE KINGDOM IS TO GROW. Kingdoms have been extended in various ways, but chiefly by force, by the strong hand. .And the idea thai men can be compelled to accept the truth seems never to be wholly eradicated from the human mind. But our Lord teaches that the extension of his Spirit throughout the world is to be by the secret unnoticed influence of man upon man. No doubt there i11 a direct agency of God in each case, but God works through natural means, and the natural means here pointed to is personal influence. Than this there is no mightiet power. Take even the influence of those who least intend to influence you, and seem least capable of it. 'l'hink of the influence in many ways of the little child who cannot stand alone; or of those who seem wholly pushed aside from the busy world by ill health or misfortune. How we ha\'e been brought to a chastened, sober habit by 1,heir eufferir.g; and to the recognition of what is essential and what accidental, what guod and what evil in tLe world! For the operation of this influence there must be: L A mi:J:ing ; that ie to say. there must be contact of the closest kind between the  ou. :un. 1-68.J THE GOSPEL ACCOilDING TO ST. MATTliEW. 41