The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 608

Lord. 2. The earthquake. "The earth did quake, and the rocks rent." It might well be expected. Prodigies such ae these are nothing in comparison with that greatest of all wonders which bad just taken place. These lesser signs attested the tremendous power of that moral earthquake which the death of Christ would cause. Old beliefs would be shattered, old superstitions rent; there would be a great heaving in men's hearts, a severing of old lines of thought, a mighty change in the spiritual order of the world. 3. The opened graves. There was a strange excitement in the realm of the dead. It might well be so. Isaiah represents the nations of the dead as stirred at the coming of the King of Babylon (xiv. 9-12). Bnt what is the death of the greatest of earthly monarchs compared with the death of him who is the Son of God? "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God." The "loud voice" of the dying Jesus was heard in Hades. The graves were opened. And when be arose, who is the Firstborn from the dead, many bodies of the saints came out, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. A wondrous miracle, but not wondrous compared with that chiefest of all wonders, the death and resurrection of the Lord. It is not strange that smaller wonders should cluster round that great central wonder. II. THE WITNESS OF MEN, 1. The centurion and soldiers. They feared greatly, the centurion especially. It seems from St. Mark's account that he was deeply moved, not only by the earthquake, but by the words and bearing of the Lord. He felt not only that the Lord was wholly innocent (Luke xxiii. 47), but that he was more than man; that that title which the mockers had ascribed to him in scorn was truly his; be was the Son of God. That centurion "glorified God;" he probably became one of that noble band of Roman soldiers, like the centurion at Capemaum and Cornelius of Ca,sarea, who believed in the Lord, The cross of Christ, and the Lord lifted up thereon, could draw all men unto him, even the Roman centurion, even the soldiers who had pierced him, who had sat dicing beneath the cross. May we, one and all, feel its con- straining power I 2. The wqm,en, The Lord's mother bad stood by the cross; probably Bt. John had led ber away before the Saviour's death. But there were still many women beholding afar off-good and holy women, who had followed Christ from Galilee, and ministered to him of their substance. Mary of Magdala was there, out of whom the Lord had cast seven devils, who loved him with the devoted love of deepest gratitude; Salome, who had asked for her sons the chief places in the Saviour's king- dom, and now saw the two crucified malefactors, one on his right hand and the other on his left. They had ministered to him in life, gladly giving their worldly means t.o supply his wants; now they were faithful even unto death. Let us imitate them in their loving almsgiving, in their holy steadfastness, in their watching round the cross. Christians should give freely, Christians should be faithful in danger and in death, Christians should ever gaze upon the cross of Jesus. LESSONS. 1. The veil is rent. Use the Christian's privilege; draw near in faith and love and reverence. 2. The cross won those Roman soldiers. Let us be ashamed of our h1ud hearts; let us pray for the strength of deep conviction. 3. Be faithful, like those Galila,an women. Vere. 67-66.-The Lord's grave. L THE BUBIAL, 1. Joseph of Arimathala. He was a rich man and a counsellor. Like Nicodemus, he believed in Christ ; but, like Nicodemus, he had not had the courage to avow his convictions. His rank, perhaps, and his riches had kept him back. It was bard for a man in his position to espouse the cause of the despised Prophet of Nazareth. He bad, perhaps, absented himself from the council at which the Lord was condemned. He would not take part in that awful crime, but probably he had not dared to oppose it openly. Yet, notwithstanding his timidity, he was a good man, and a just; he waited for the kingdom of God (Luke xxiii. 60, 51). God judges more tenderly than men. We are apt to condemn a man wholly when we see one great fault in him. God sometimes sees sincerity, a real yearning after truth and goodness, where we refuse to see anything save the one obvious defect. .A.ud now Joseph shook off his weakness, The Lord's majesty in suffering confirmed his waver- incr faith. He was ashamed of his cowardice. Ile had not done his best to save his M~ster. He would at least honour him now, cost what it might. He went in boldly uuto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. It wa~ a brave deed. Friends of martyred Christians agoiu and again brought the death of martyrdom up0n themselves by doing 614 THE GOSPEL AOCORDING TO BT. MATTHEW. [cu. uvn. 1-66.