The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 115

lives who have served thoir generation best; and while we should not do less for the reclamation of the abandoned, we should rectify the balance by doing more to preserve the young from the misery of a wasted life. For every one our Lord healed, he fed ten. He presents himself not only and always as Medicine, but also as Food-as the Bread that nourishes true and eternal life. Bread a fit symbol, as showing- I. 'fHE UNIVERSAL NEED OF CHRIST AND HIS APPLICABILITY TO ALL. From the first God saw that so surely as we should all hunger and need bread, so surely should we need Ohrist if our souls were to live. In all that Christ calls us to, he is not putting a strain on our natures, but simply recalling us to that condition in which alone we can live with the ease and comfort of health, and in which alone we can finally and perma- nently delight. II. CHRIST GIVES LIFE TO THE WORLD THROUGH HIS DISCIPLES. He distributed to the ilisciples, and the disciples to them that were set down. It is a very grave truth that every one of us who baa himself received spiritual life from Christ has thereby in possession what may give life to many human souls. We may give or withhold, but it is given not only to be consumed, but to be distributed. It is not the privilege ofany one class of disciples, but of all. Ill. FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE IS REQUISITE BOTH FOR BEOEIVING AND IMPARTING SPIBITUAL LIFE. That bread was offered was nothing; each man must use it for himself. Had any scoffed at the idea of our Lord's feeding the multitude with the few loaves he had before him, or refused to believe that bread so produced could have any nourishment in it, they must have remained unfed and faint. And it must have been trying to the disciples to do as they were bid, and advance each man to his separate hundred with his morsel of bread. But if they gave cautiously and sparingly to the first, they must soon have felt rebuked and their hearts enlarged. How- ever slender our attainments or our power of infl.uencing others, let us not be afraid of attempting to nourish some other soul; it is not what.we have, but what Christ makes of it, that is to do good. IV. CoNSIDER THE ABUNDANCE AND THE ECONOMY OF CHRIST'S PROVIDING. Many might have despised to gather up the broken bread and bits of fish; have thought they must be hungry indeed who would use such food. Yes, and it is only the hungry soul God promises to satisfy. His food is plain, but it is nutritious, and they who must have fresh food or will take none will be disappointed. V, THE CHARACTER IN WHICH CHRIST HEBE APPEARS IS ONE WHICH WE MAY BEKElll:BER ALWAYS. Now, as then, he is considerate of our wants, mindful of our infir- mities, quick to calculate our worldly prospects, and provide for us; simple, practical, earnest in his love. In his presence none need lack any good thing. "Hearken dili- gently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."-D. Vere. 1-20.-Oasuistry reproved.. The fame of the miracles and ministry of Jesus passed from Galilee to Jerusalem, whence came certain Pharisees and scribes, who were probably sent to watch him, and find matter of accusation against him (cf. eh. x.xii. 15, 16). "Jerusalem-the high-school of hypocrisy. Rabbi Nathan says, 'If the hypocrites wore divided into ten parts, nine would be found in Jerusalem, and one in the world beside'" (Stier). 'rhese zealots set up the traditions of the elders against the character and claims of Jesus. Their accusation is contained in the question, "·why do thy disciples," etc.? (ver. 2). The reply takes the form of a retort, an admonition, and an exposition ; the former being hurled at the accusers, and the latter given for the edification of disciples and the people. I. THE RETORT, " Why do ye transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" 1. The appeal was followed '11.p by an example. (1) The instance cited is their vi\uation of the fifth commandment. This enjoined, under the term "honour," a dutiful respect to parents in taking care of and supporting them (cf. Prov. iii. 9; Numb. xxiii.17; 1 Tim. v. 3, 17). The neglect of parents is iucludcd under the expression cursing them, and was, according to the Law, a crime so heiuous as to be J;>UDiehable with death (cf. ver. 4; Exod. xxi. 17). Let our youth remember this. (2) Under pretext of zeal for God the casuists managed to release themselves from this obligation. The device was to make n vow to devote to the tempi~ treasury that 118 THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO S'1'. M.AT'IHEW. [oH. xv. l-89,