The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 336

the obedient son. Hie insolent words were forgiven when his subsequent conduot was penitent and obedient.. God forgives the bad past in his penitent children, If they are now in the right path, he accepts them, although they were once far from it. II. THE BON WHO OONSE1'"TED AND DIBOBEYED, 1. His rea<ly assent. This waa good in i~ way. But, being only verbal, or ~t. best an in~ention not yet_ executed, it was of slight worth. God does not value religious professions as men pnze them. 2, Bia courtesy. The second son was courteous to his father, addressing him as "sir," while his brother was rude and insolent. Now, it is our duty to be courteous to all men, and to be especially respectful to parents. Yet there is an hypocritical tone about good manners when they are not accompanied by good actions. God prefers rude obedience to polite disobedience. 3. His subsequent disobedience. We need not suppose that this second son bad lied to his father, promising in smooth words what he never intended to perform. It is more probable that our Lord would have us think of him as honest in his profession. He really intended to obey. But he did not count the cost, or the good mood of acquiescence passed away, or some other more fascinating attraction led him to forget, or at least to neglect, his promise. There is an enormous step to be taken from good resolutions to good actions. Many a hindrance, many a temptation, comes between. 4. His fus:t coo.demnation. Jesus appealed to the by- standers for their verdict. He wished to convince their conscience; he desires now to make us see and feel the truth of what he says. Conld there be a question as to the verdict? Good promises count for nothing, or rather they count against the man who disobeys in conduct. God judges by conduct alone.-W. F. A. Vers. 33--41.-The parable of the vineyard. The vineyard is a favourite image in the Bible, and the mention of it by Christ would call to mind in his bearers the Old 'l'estament illustrations of Israel. But more than Israel the nation must be intended by our Lord, because the vineyard is to go on after the destruction of the Jewish state. Our thoughts are therefore directed to the kingdom of heaven, partially realized in Israel, more fully realized in the Christian Church, but always e. spiritual vineyard. L GoD HDIBELF Fom--ns THE KINGDOM OF BEAVEN. 'l'he owner of the vineyard has it properly planted and all its arrangements completed before be sends husband- men into it. They have not to begin in the wilderness. God does not behave like the Pharaoh who ordered the Israelites to make bricks without straw. He plants. Therefore he bas a right to look for fruit. II. GoD ENTRUSTS THE WORK OF ms VINEYARD TO MEN. There is work for God to be done in bis kingdom. This is a high privilege, and it carries with it a grave responsibility. God will not have the just return for all his gifts if his husbandmen are not faithful in bis service. The Jewish leaders were God's husbe.ndmen. So are Christian workers to-day. III. GoD EXPECTS FBUITB FROM ms VINEY.ARD. God gives freely; but he looks for a return. It is not that he needs anything. But he does not desire his work to be wasted. He asks for grapes where he has J>lanted a vine. This, then, is the one question for the Church,-Is it bearing fruit? By so doing it can glorify God (John xv.8). IV. THE MEBSENGEBB OF GoD HAVE BEEN SHAMEFULLY TREATED, Evidently the servants represent the prophets of ancient Israel, ending with John the Baptist, who was beheaded, though not by the Jews. The reason for this ill-treatment is here explained. It is selfishness. The leaders of Israel governed for their own advantage, and not for the glory of God. The leaders of the Church have too often shown a self- seeking spirit, and therefore they have rejected God's true servants, such as Savonarola, Hues, Latimer, Wesley. V. THE ADVENT OF CHRIST I8 A MARK OF GoD'B LONG-StTFFEBING PATIENOE. The owner of the vineyard would try a last means. He would see if the husbe.ndmen would reject his son. It was a great risk to run; but the fruit was precious, and the vineyard was worth rescuing from those who usurped the rights of ownership. God would not cast out Israel till Christ had come. But now Christ has come to us as God's le.st Messenger. VI. Tu BF..TEOTION o-, CHRIST IB A FATAL SIN. After the husbandmen had killed the heir to the estate, no more patience oould be shown to them, They had filled up ea, :u:r. 1-46.) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 341