The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 50

grain of mustard. se_ed !-9 em.all; but it is a seed. It hns in it e.n unlimited power of growth Rnd mult1phce.t1on. So Jesus has in himself illimite.ble reeources. See bis pmver flashing from him in miraclea. Physical. More.I. (2) The " little leaven " also possesses wonderful potency. 'fhe word of Christ differs from every other word in that it carries in it the energy of omnipotence, During thu first year of the ministry of Jesus we read of" seventy disciples." Note: They were not seventy maits, but seventy preachers. In thn,e years "the number of the names WM one hundred and twenty." ~ft.er the outpouring of the Spirit the disciples_ mulliplfod by lhousancu (Acts ii. 41; 1v. 4). (3) The gospel has not only won its converts by millions, but it has demolished tbe idolatrous systems of the classic nations. It is now undermining the colossal systems of the East. It is in the van of all true science and civilization. 3. They describe the gospel, in its ultimate triumph. (1) These parables do not predict that the visible Church by the gospel is to convert the whole world before Christ comes again. For this -would oppose his own teaching, as when he advises us that at his coming the moral state of the world will sadly resemble that of the antediluvians in the days of Noah (see Luke xvii. 24-30). Paul also declares that" in the last days perilous times shall come;" that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse • deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim. iii. 1, 13). (2) The interval of the seed lying i~ the soil is that portion of the parable of the muste.rd seed to which may be compared the period through which we are passing, extending from the first to the second au.vent of Christ. So with the leaven. Leaven works secretly in the meal for a long time before its power is visible in a universal commotion. .As yet the kingdom of God is without observation. It comes secretly in the heart without ostentation or· display. (3) The parables cany us beyond the time of the coming of Christ. They carry us· forward to the millennium., in which season the grain of mustard seed will have become a great tree, in which the birds of the air-all nations and peoples-will find rest and shelter (cf. Ps. lxxx. 9, 11; Isa. Ix. 1, 2; Amos ix. 15). 'l'hen will tbe work of-the leaven be visible in the whole lump. "We cannot consider these words, the whole, less than a prophecy that the leaven shall yet pervade all nations and purify all life" (Trench). Note: The gospel, like leaven, works silently and insensibly in the heart (see Ps. cxix. 11). The Word, like fermenting leaven, is quick and powerful (Heb, iv. 12). lt works "until the whole is loovened," or brought into similitude to itself. Leaven does not work in corn UDgrouud. So neither does the gospel work on the unbroken heart. The similes in these parables are encouraging to those who work for Ghrist and souls. 'J.'he same gospel which now converts the individue.l believer will convert the race in the coming age.-J. A. M. Vera. 36---43.-17.e tare, in the field. (See ante, on vere. 24-30.}-J. A. M. Vere. 44-46.-.The chief good. The parable of the treasure and that of the pearl as they are here together may well be considered together, for the subject is the same. The repetition emphasizes the importance and value of the g!)spel. 'l'hese parables set before U&- L THE CHIEF GOOD. 1. What is it, (1) It is a "treasure." The allusion here may be to a pot or mone)'. or a casket of jewels '' ~id~en in a field;~• or possibly t? a mine of precious ore. It 1s the "pearl of great price -a st~ne of. mco~par_able size, purity, and beauty. But these are only fig1!res. (2) qhnst unites m himself all qualities of excellence and value. He is the King of the kingdom of heaven {cf. Luke· xvii. 20-25). The monarch ie the representative of the kingdom's wealth and glory (cf. John i. 16; Cul. i. 19; ii. 3). (3) In him ar~ the treas~res of pardons _for the guilty. He bas paid the gre~t P(ice of o_ur redempt1~n. In him also are the rUlhe~ of purity for the believer. Purity 1s the title to the riches of the ~eaven of everl~stmg glory. 2. Why iB it hi_fi:<Ien, (1) F?r t~e rousi~g of ~ur faculties and quickening of our diligtnce (see Prov. 11. 1-7). Thi~ st11;111;1lus 18 an 1mporte.nt factor .m ou! m~ral education. '!'he miner becomes skilful m rnmmg. So the merchantman- in estimating tLe quality and value of pearls. (2) The diligence thus called forth enhances the value c,f tbc treasure. We value thinas accordina to the price we will pay. Also according to tl,e price we have paid. Th; enduranc~ of our faith is intimately associated with the iboroughneBB of our repentance. (3) Tbey are hidden to conceal them from the  en. xm. 1-158.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 61