The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 203

Ver. 21.-Self-d~cipline_ then secret of _moral power. "Howbeit this kind goeth not out bot by prnyer _and f&S~mg. There 1s some uncertainty about the word "fasting." The Revised Version om1ts the verse altogether. It is found however in Mark's Gospel, and introduces a valuable topio, which finds other expression i~ our Lord's teaching. A man can only be ready for a time of strain by constant and careful training. A man, to be always ready, must be always disciplining himself. And if hia work is to take speci~ll! aei:ious forms, his trainings and preparations must be specially adapted. Carefully d111trnguish between the moral character of self-discipline, which aims at gaining acceptance, and of self-discipline, which aims at faithfulness, and power to serve, I. SELF-DISCIPLINE, ITS CHARAOTERIBTI0 FEATURES. Character is the product of self-discipline. Our natural dispositions are not our character; it needs to be more clearly seen that character is something that a man wins by effort, or fails to win by wilfully making no effort. The measure ofa man's self-discipline is the-measure of his nobility; it is the sign of his manhood. This is true in the lower sphere,.but it is much more true in the higher sphere. Self-discipline provides an infallible test of the Christian man, whose moderation, whose self-restraint, should be known in all things. The terms, "prayer,"" fasting," classify the characteristic features of Chris- tian self-discipline. 1. Prayer heads and represents all the positive forms. 2. Fasting heads and represents all the 'lllJ!lative forms. Self-discipline is often misconceived, because it is represented only by fasting. It is thought of as only self-restraints, personal deprivations, bodily austerities, stern dealings even with our pleasant things. Fasting represents bodily subduings and humiliations. The Christian self-discipline is more vigorous on the positive side. Prayer represents putting life into good shape; ordering our habits; making and using all pions opportunities; laying hold of the strength of God. There is so much to do as well as so much to undo. IL SELF-DISCIPLINE, ITS CHABACTERISTI0 EFFECTS. The weak me.n is the undis- ciplined man, who is mastered by himself. A man gains moral power as he gains control over himself. A man never finds a harder foe to conquer, when he has mastered his own habits e.nd passions. .And our Lord here shows that no man ce.n possibly have power to influence others unto noble attainments until he has won power over himself. The parent does no good with his children while he keeps his own character undisciplined.-R. T. Ver. 23.-Hints concerning the coming Resurrectim. "The third <lay he shall be raised again." Our Lord tried to prepare his disciples for his resurrection by frequent allusions to it, and yet they never seemed to be able to take it into their souls. Perhaps they thought he was only speaking in his usual figurative and paradoxical way, though what he really meant they were unable to guess. The disciples would not allow themselves to contemplate their Lord's violent death; and they could not rise to conceive of his abiding spiritual presence as altogether more important than his temporary bodily presence. Our Lord made much of his coming resurrection. Can we understand whst it was to him? L THz REsUBll.EOTION INTUIATES THE OLOBE 01' A IUBD Llll'E. Our Lord's human life was a hard life. That is the best word for it, because human life is hard that involves constant humiliation and self-restraint. We should avoid exaggeration in speaking of Jesns as "a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Life is hard for the man who is "cribb'd, cabined, and confined," and has always to be forcing his will into subjection to a superior wilL Our Lord's trouble was the power of the bod7 to affect the will; but that would be done away with in the Resurrection. IL THE RESURRECTION LIF"l'B Hl8 THOUGHT OVER THE LAST STBUGGLE. Illustrate by the patient anticipating a serious operation. The best thing you can do to cheer him is to lift his thoughts over that time, away beyond that time, to the time of con• valcscence, and what is to be done then. So Jesus had Gethsemane, judgment-halls, and Calvary to go through, and hie best cheer was to slip over them, and think of the glorious resurrection-life beyond. Ill. THE RESUBBECTI0N WAS 'lJIE BIGN OF THE .ACOEPT.ANCB OF BIB WORK, His release from the grave was the intimation of Divine apJ>roval, and the occasion for giving him his trust -0f the work of saving humanity. To think of that acceptance assured Christ that the Father's smile was on him while he was working and suffcrinit, OH. J:vm. 1-35.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 2<Y1