The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 424

bree.th of worldly notions, hurne.n ambition, e.nd petty pride. (3) His character had, a decided rflllisling force against evil even in its most insidious and apparently innocent forms. How insidious e.nd apparently innocent was evil in this proposal of the multi- tude I Was it not kindness and gratitude? Yes, but it was radically acrainst the ne.ture of his mission and the purpose of his life, and he shrank from it ~s from a venomous reptile. It was one thing to resist the proposal of the devil when he bare- fe.cedly offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world with their glory, on the humiliating and vile condition of worshipping him; it was another thing to resist him in the apparently innocent proposal of the multitude to make him King. It is one thing to resist the evil one in the common and glaring vices of society; it is another to resist him in the garb of kindness and in the hosannas of gratitude. Jesus did this. He had a force of character stronger than the force with which he was threatened. He became poor of his own accord, but could not be made King by force. A child could win him. A poor blind man could stop him by crying for help, but a multitude could not make him King against his will. He was taken by force once, but not before he gave a proof that it was by permission. He gave himself up to a cross, but not to an earthly crown. He se.crificed his life, but would not sacrifice his principle, his integrity, his mission, and heavenly trust. 4. The wisd-Om of his conduct. (1) He resisted the evil at its very beginning. "When he perceived," etc.; before it had gained too much strength, nipped it in the bud. (2) Resisted it at once. "Straightway," according to Mark-without any hesitation. (3) Resisted it in the best way, The disciples were sent away first, then the multitude, When the multitude saw the disciples depart, they lost hope and courage, He did not use extraordinary means when ordinary ones would suffice. The force of his character and wisdom were sufficient for this. 5. The devotion of hill spirit. "He departed again," etc. We see: (1) The manner of hia devotion. Retirement, alone. (2) The spiritual dependence of his nature. Independent of the crowd,'. but dependent on his Father. The multitudes were fillecl. He was hungry now for his Father's fellowship. (3) The habit of his life. "He departed again," etc. It was not the first time nor the last. Prayer was the habit of his life. (4) The secret of hill power. Ilis power was fed and nursed in secret fellowship with his Father. He went up the mountain to meet him, and came down with fresh inspi- ration and strength. If we want to do wonders down among men, we must retire and climb the mount to God. LESSONS. 1. When a multitude is inspired with wrong ideas and purposes, better disperse it. Thus did Jesus. 2. The best of teachers often find it diifiC'Ult to gather people and keep them together, Jesus often found it difficult to send them away; they clung to him, and he had to take himself away from them. 3. When Divine and human forces come into collision, the human ought and must give way, 4. If Christ deemed it wrong to take man and make him his su1>,ject by force, it is wrong for man, or any number of men, to attempt to make him King by force. Voluntariness is the principle of his kingdom. 5. It is better to be alone with a mountain than to be with a multitude, when it is entirely inspired with wrong and dangerous notions. 6. M'UCh honour is attempted to be forced on Jesus against his expressed 'IJ!ill. Such honour to him is dishonour, aud will not have it. He withdraws from it. 7. The highest honour we can pay Jesus and ourselves is to maka him King of our hearts and souls. " Enter in, thou blessed of the Lord."-B. T. Vers. 22-26.-False sukers and a true Saviour. We have here in relation to Jesus- I. A MANIFES'l'ATION OF AN OUTWARDLY PROPER AND HOPEFUL CONDUCT. These people sought Jesus, and in doing so: 1. They strove to find the right ObJect-Jesus. Many seek unworthy, worthless, and injurious objects-objects unworthy of them and their efforts-the very thought of which is most debasing and morally dangerous ; but these people seek the most worthy, valuable, and soul-benefiting Object it was possible for them to seek. 2. It was most importan! for them and for all to find him. So important it we.s, that Christ, at the expense of the greatest condescension and self- se.crifice, placed himself in their way so that they may know and truly find hiw. And to find him is to find "a Pearl of great price "-an eternal fortune which will m:i.ke the soul really rich for over. 3. ThetJ strOV6 to find him in the right way. They sought him. Christ, as well as oll the blessings of his redemption, is to be found by seeking,  292 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. vr. 1-71.