The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 230

Matter hae characterletio properties, The properties of spirit are no less charncterlstio and distinct, (2) Between the complements subsist mutual relations and interactions. The conflicts of the moral and invisibie are propagated outward into the physical and visible. So contrariwise. 2. In this system holy angel, have special relations to good men. (1) Angele have a commission of guardianship (cf. Ps. xxxiv. 7; xci. 11; Heh. i. 14). Probably they see the countenance of the Father in the countenance of the children. Note: Evil angels sustain corresponding relations to bad men. (2) The ancient notion may have countenance here, viz. that each individual hae a peculia.Y guardian angel. Corresponding to the holy guardian is the "familiar spirit" of th<c> wicked. 3. They cannot with impunity be despised whose gua,rdians are so influential. (1) Special favourites only, according to Oriental custom, came into a monarch's pre- sence (cf. 1 Kingsx. 8; xii. 6; Estb. i.14; Ps. ciii. 21; Jer. ii.15; To bit xii. 15; Luke i. 19). (2) It is perilous to be at enmity with those who are so attended, "Angel~ that excel in strength." The stronger angels have charge of the weaker saints. Those who would not offend the holy angels should imitate them in their care of little ones. !I. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ENJOY THE SPECIAL FAVOUR OF GOD. 1. Those who have the angels of God for their angels have the God of angels for thei? God. This honour is superlative. 2. Some interpret the "angels" of the "little ones" to be the disembodied spirits of the saints, which "do always behold the face of the Father which is in heaven." (1) They argue that guardian angels cannot" always" b<c> "in heaven" and yet ministering to their charge on earth. (2) What the disciples in John Mark's prayer-meeting thought to be Peter's spirit, they called "his angel,. (Acts xii. 15). (3) The reason why we should not despise the little ones, viz. that their angels see God, reminds us that the pure in heart alone can see God. (4) In this view the "angels of God," in whose presence" there is joy over one sinner that repenteth" (Lukexv.10), will be" the spirits of just men made perfect." For the context in Luke shows that this is a parallel case. 3. Those whose disembodied spirits would be honoured with the vision of God cannot be despised with impunity. (1) The little ones of Christ are despised by corrupting them, Dy failing to edify them. They are despised when innocency and simplicity are treated !IS weaknesses. (2) Those guilty of de.qpising them will encounter the resistance of the will of God. " t t is not the will," etc. ( cf. ver. 14; Ezek. xviii. 23). If there be joy in heaven for the finding of one of the little ones turned out of the way, there is wrath in heaven for the offending of them. (3) " As God will be displeased with the enemies of his Church if they wrong any of th€> members of it, so he is displeased with the great ones of the Church if they despise the little ones" (Henry). !II. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ARE THE SPECIAL SOLICITUDE OP CanIBT. In the p!Lrable of the sheep we have : 1. The flock. (1) Holy angels are included in its unity (cf. .Heh. xii. 22). These are by some accounted to be the "ninety and nine who went not astray." (2) The mini~tration of angels is founded on- the mediation of Christ. This is expressed in the words, "For the Son of man," etc., relegated, however, to the margin in the Revised Version. So in the vision of Jacob's ladder ( cf. Gen. xxviiL 12 ; John i. 61). Through Christ the holy angels are reconciled to us. (3) The ninety and nine who went not astray may be such as the scribes and Pharisees of the better sort ; not the hypocrites, but those who, like the elder brother, never left their Father's house-those whose respect for the Law kept them from com- mitting gross offences. 2. The wanderer. (1) The sheep sees better herbage at a distance, and wanders after it; then discovers more yet further off; wanders by degrees further and further ; mistakes the way back, and is lost in the wilderness. So the soul wanders from pleasure to pleasure, and gets lost. (2) Now the sheep is exposed to the dangers of lhe lion or the wolf, the ditch or the precipice, and is in wretchedness and terror. 3. The S.~epherd. (1) He cares for those in the folcl. They have his cam in the provision of food, as well as shelter and protection. We should sympathize with Christ in striving to keep his sheep (seo Rom. xiv. 15; 1 Cor. viiL 11, 12). As he is the great Shepherd, having many sheep, so is he the good Shepherd, knowing each lamb. (2) He cares especially for the wanderer. It is the shepherd's duty to- look more particularly after the stray sheep than after those abiding in the fold. Jesus, who came to save a world, makes special efforts to save even one. The whole flock 1uffers when one 1heop wanders. (3) "If so be that he find it." The finding of a,  234 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, M.A.TTIIEW, [oH, xvm, 1-85.