The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 292

He takes no e.coount of it, except in so far as it brings with it obligations, etc. We see men in honour bece.UBe of their riches or their success. Such things mean nothing to God. He only looks at the naked characters of the men themselves. The~e are all that he puts in his scales. li these are found wanting, they are condemned, aud no riches or honours can be thrown in as "make-weights." On the other hand, poor, obscure, oppressed, misunderstood, or persecuted people suffer nothing whatever in God's judg- ment on account of those circumstances which bring on them the contempt of the world. li they have real worth they are understood and appreciated in heaven. II. WORLDLY PRE-EMINENOE DOES NOT USUALLY SPRING FROM THOSE GRAOES OF OHARAOTER WHICH GoD VALUES. Sometimes, indeed, it is the reward of real merit. But too often it comes from most inferior qualities. The accident of birth confers the highest honours and the greatest wealth by the artificial law of primogeniture. Successful scheming and good fortune bring a man money and influence. A Napoleon forces his way to the head of Europe by the exercise of enormous mind and will powers at the expense of every moral consideration. Ill. THERE IS A TENDENCY IN WORLDLY PRE-EMINENCE TO INJURE THE BETTER QUALITIES OF THE SOUL. Christ spoke of the difficulty of rich men in entering the kingdom of heaven (eh. xix. 23). Other forms of pre-eminence besides that of wealth also have their difficulties. One great hindrance to spiritual progress is pride, and high rank fosters pride. Self-will is incompatible with spiritual excellence, and the great and exalted are tempted to indulge self-will. Lowliness and obedience, unselfishness and a spirit of serving, are the qualities which Christ honours. It is very difficult to cultivate these graces in high places-difficult, but possible to those who seek the help of God-as we see in a Margaret of Navarre and a Cardinal Contarini IV. ULTIMATELY GOD WILL TREAT ALL ACCORDING TO TBEIB TRUE CHABACTERS. The irony of judgment will be terrible, just because it will be just. At the great reve- lation the :fictitious glory of worldly pre-eminence will fade and all its tawdry tinsel will be shown in hideous distinctness. Then true worth will shine e.s the sun bursting forth from the clouds. That day is coming. Therefore let not the favoured boast of their temporary exaltation ; and let not the lowly and oppressed despair. There will be a great reverse.1.-W. F. A. Vere. 20-23.-.A mother's ammtion. In St. Mark we are only told that the two sons of Zebedee came, asking for the first places in the kingdom. St. Matthew's account shows that thu request originated with their mother. It is natnral that a mother should dream of a great future for her children. The mother's ambition is an inspira- tion for her training of them. In the present instance it seemed to overstep the bounds of modesty. Yet when we consider all the circumstances, we shall see that there was something really grand about it. I. THE DARING REQUEST. 1. Its 11£lfishnetJB. This is the first thing that strikes any reader of the narrative. On a mother's part it is not so selfish, however, e.s if the two brothers had come alone. Yet there is a family selfishness. Moreover, the brothers shared in their mother's request. 2. Its 'naturalness. These two disciples belonged to the most intimate group of the friends of Jesus. Possibly the request was only that there might be a continua.nee in heaven of the privilege already accorded on earth. We know tba.t one of the brothers, St. John, sat on the right hand of Jesas on earth (John xiii. 25); it is not at all unlikely that St. James sat on the other side of the Master. lf so, the request is for the continuance of a present privilege. Will Jesus, when in glory, abandon his old frieuds? or will he own the :fishermen and honour them in proportion to their present privileges? 3. Its faith. This daring request was made just after Obrist had spoken of his approaching death. The gloomy prospect might have checked the hopes of the most ardent. Nevertheless, Zebedee's wife is sure that Christ will triumph aad reign in his glorious kingdom. In full view of the greatest approaching disaster, she speaks of the division of the spoil after the ultimate victory. Here is a marvel of faith I II. 'I'm,: SEAROHING QUESTION. Jesus answers the request with a question. Only they can receive the heavenly privileges who att:lin to them in the right way. Are the two brothers prepared for this? 1. Prayer is often o.Qered in ignoranc~ of whut it ,nvolves. These simple peoph1 had little conception of the road to !!,reatness In the 290 THE GOSPEL AOCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [on:. xx. 1-34.