The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 569

as well as a we.ste in spending, and losing by spending. Whether it la or lt is nol waste to give depends on- I. THE OBJECT TllB GIVER HAS IN VIEW, Mary had a most distinct objeot before her. It was one ~hat glorified her act. She wanted to find suitable expression for her thankfulness to h~ who had brought back her brother from the dead; and for her personal love to him who had been to her the dearest and noblest of friends. Words would not suffice her; she wanted something that bad self-surrender in it, Her trea- sured perfume was not wasted when it did so much. II. TIIE WAY IN WIDCH THE RECEIVER TAKES THE GIFT, Jesus did not think it waste. To him it seemed richer with meanings and affections than even Miuy thought it was. She had, unconsciously, fitted to his mood of feeling. It could be no waste that comforted Jesus in that sad hour. Ill. THE POINT OF VIEW FROM WHICH THE ODJECTOB CRITICIZED THE GIFT. He thought the only poor folk were thosepersonswho had no money. Christ was "poor" in a far higher sense. The gift was given to the poor. Impress: 1. Mary gave up what she prized. 2. Mary gave up without reserve, 3, Mary gave up in order to find expression for thankful love.-R. T. Yer. 15.-The crime of Judas. "Wbat will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" The sin of treachery is almost lost sight of in view of the exceeding meanness of his trying to make a little money out of the treachery. It is this that reveals the man, and shows the covetonsness which, for Judas, we.q the worm at the root. Loyalties, reverences, and friendships were nothing to him if only he could make a little money, " The history of his base and appalling lapse is perfectly intelligible. He had joined the discipleship of Jesus, as the other apostles also did, in the hope of taking part in a political revolution, and occnpying a distinguished place in an earthly kingdom. It is inconceivable that Jesus would have made him an apostle if there had not at one time been some noble enthusiasm in him, and some attachment to him.self. That he was a man of snpegor energy and administrative ability may be inferred from the fac& that he was made the purse-bearer of the apostolic company. But there was a canker at the root of his character, which gradually absorbed all that was excellent in him, and became a tyrannical piwion. It was the love of money. He fed it on the petty peculations which he practised on the small sums which Jesus received from his friends for the necessities of his company, and for distribution among the poor with whom he was da.i.ly mingling. He hoped to give it unrestrained gratification when he became chancellor of the exchequer in the new kingdom" (Stalker). IllUBtrate by the tiny mountain spring swelling into the flooding river; or by the taint in the blood producing a spot on the skin, this growing into a boil, then developing into a virulent, deadly carbuncle. L 'l'HE CBD1E OF Jun.All IN ITS FAINT BEGO."NINGS. Self was more interesting than Christ. To get gave more pleasure than to serve. This was the trickle through the reservoir-bank which would grow into a flood. Safety lies in putting Christ first, and counting serving him best. The root-wrong was interest in the mere possession of money. To have money for nse is healthy; to have money to ppssess breeds moral disease. II. Tlll!: CBIME OF JUDA.II IN ITS STAGES OF GROWTH. 1. It fashioned unreasonable expectations. 2. It was annoyed by delay in their realization. 3. It was fostered by acts of petty unfaithfulness. 4. It made personal advantage appear to be the thing of 1rnpreme value. llL THE CBlllE OF JUDAS PROVING TO BE FOLLY A.II WELL AS OBIME. For it was the ruin of Judas, and the blasting of all the schemes OD which he had set his heart. Covetous Judas ruined himself.-R. T. Ver. 22.-Alking the Lord wha,_t WI: slfOuul ask 01Jrselv~s. Phillips_ Brooks s~s in the questioning of our Lord by his disciples a state of mmd and feeling of which he can approve. "Each man's anxiety seems to be turned, not towards his brother, bu* towards hi.mail/ and you hear them asking, one after another, 'Lord, is it I?' Peter, Bartholomew, J~h.n, James, Thomas, ea.eh speaks for himself, and the quick questions come pouring in out of their simple hearts, • Lord, is it I?' Certainly there is some- OH, xxv1. 1-75.] THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 675