The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 547

atonement. Not only is that doctrine foreshadowed in Isa. liii.; in the institution o{ his Su1 1por our Lord distinctly sets it forth. Before this he spoke of his life being givl'n a.s a ransom for rnnny (eh. xx. 28), and he ca.lled himself the good Shepherd who lays- down bis life for the sheep (John x. 15), I. JESUS SPEAKS WITH STRANGE EMPHABIB OF HIS BLOOD. In the present day some people shrink from all reference to the blood of Christ. They are disgusted with the coarse and unmeaning language of a certain class of preachers to whom the mere physical image seems to be more than the truth typified. But our Lord himself directs us to the subject in the wiue of the Communion. We must interpret his meaning in the light of Jewish ideas. The Jew taught that the blood was the life (Lev. uiL 11). Then Christ gives us bis essential life. 'l'he blood was shed h1 the sacrifice of the victim at the altar. Christ is the great Sacrifice.for our sins, and as such he sheds his blood; i.e. the blood signifies Christ dying for us ; and then, beyond the mere act of dying, it signifies the preciousness of his life given to UL II. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SEALS HIS !<"EW COVENANT. He was instituting a new (lr<ler, a fresh relationship betweeu man and God, The old covenant of the Jewish Law w~ obsolete. Men bad outgrown i~, and were ready to receive something larger and more spiritual. Jesus himself teaches that he institutes the fresh relation. As a covenant signifies certain terms and arrangements, this new covenant of Christ's has its new conditions. His whole teaching about the kingdom of heaven is expository of his covenant. Preparations in prophecy (e.g. Jer. :uxi 31) and explanation» in apostolic writings help us further to understand it. 1. It is for all nations, nol OT1.ly for Jews. 2. It is of grace, not of law. 3. It ill spiritual, not of " carnal ordinances." III. THIS :KEW COVEN.U.""T BRINGS REMISSION OF BINS. 1. Ohristforgives sins. By exercising his right to do so our Lord roused early antagonism among the defenders of the old,religion. But the world has since seen that here lay the very root and core of his work. Here is the essence of the gospel for us to-<la.y-it promises forgiveness of sins. 2. Thisforgiveness springsfrom the death of <Jhri!.t. We may find it difficult to trace the connection; but it is not an invention of human speculation, for we find our Lord himself speakiug of it. It is C,'hrist's own teaching that our sins are forgiven through the shedding of his blood. IV. THE REHISSlON OF BL'\S IS 01" WIDE .APPLICATION, Jesus says it is" for many." He did not die merely to save an elect fo\V. lie bad large aims, and he will not" see of the travail of l,iJ; soul and be satisfied" nntil he has brought many souls out of darkness into light. Therefore the very institution of the Lord's Supper is an encour~ agement for the penitent to seek the pardon which Christ is so bountiful in bestowing. -W. F. A. Yer. 38.-17-.e Man of &errows. Although this name is found in Messianic prophecy (l;;a. li:i. 3), it would be wrong to suppose that there was no gladness in the life of Christ. He spoke of his joy (John xv. 11), and he delighted to <lo the will of God (Ps.. xL 8). So pure a life 6pent in doing good to men must have had a gladness which :no earthly pleasure could bestow. Yet J esu.s had sorrows which no man can measure-. lt is easier to understand the glory of the Transfiguration than the agony of the garden. I. THE GREATNE6B OF THE sonnows. Many bitter ingredients entered into the cup of an 6ui~h which it was the Father's will that Jesus should drink. 1. The horrO'I' ff death. Jesu~ was young aud in health; it was natural for him to shrink from a pre- mature and violent death. 2. The dread of shame. Jesus was of the most refined and sensitive nature; ia his Passion he was to face insult and ignominy. 3• .Apparenl fail11,re. He came to set up bis kingdom, to redeem Israel, to save the world i, and his mission was rejected. fostead of the throne, he was to have the cross. All his efforts aeerned to be ending in darka.ess. This was the earthly aspect of them. During hi11 humiliation he must have felt it. 4. The faithlessness of friends. Ouo ha1l betrayed him ; auother was about to deny him ; nearly all would flee in selfish cowardice. 6. 1,pirittv.il depreBSion. At last Jesus seemed to be deserted by God. ll. THE souacE OF THE so&11ows. We must look deeper than these immediate occaa;ion.s of the grief of Christ. 'l'he fundamental BOurce is beneath and behind al! of them. 1. Th,e worW, ,in. '!'hey all result from sin. The world's sin. rose U¥ mi. xxv1. 1-75.] 'rIIE GOSPEL ACCOil.DIXG TO ST. MATTllEW, 551