The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 32

confeseed intense f't'Gctical significance, the question of the di~clples was the suggestion of a depsrture to an inopportune subject ln instances of far inferior magnitude how certain it is that we should rem1nk upon the untimeliness of the interruption· that broke in upon some supr<'me crisis of one kind with matter possibly quite foreign to it I (:1) .Any way, the question looked too much in the direction of the old oft-reproved thing-of hankering for the form, the show, the handling of dignity and superiority and authority, not of the intrinsic but of the unreal kind. (4) 'l'he condescending familiaritv of the Saviour should not have hidden for so much as a moment from the apostles' reverence, or from their quickened apprehensions as to the nature of their Master, the interval that was between him and themselves. There can be no doubt that they had ka.rned this, that the seed of conviction and godly impression had not fallen on trodden, impracticable soil, and that their opportunity of intelligent apprecia- tion of Christ had been increased a thousandfold. 'l'hercfoN the time-all the time- was what courted the attitude of adoring waiting and most heedful listeninir, rather than of sug~esting the course in which such a Master's instructions, such a Lord's \"ouch&&fings, should go. The language of a prophet better suited it: "The Lord is in his holy temple : let all ... keep silence before him ! " II. THE DISTINCT DENIAL ON THE l'ART OF CHRIST OF THE KNOWLEDGE ORAVED. Christ at once replies in language tha.t we in modern times, at all events, would feel to be very emphatic: "It is not for you to know times and sea.sons, which the Father bath placed in his own power." Notice: 1. The freedom of this direct denial from asperity. If positive, it is not arbitrary; if severe in its strictness, it is not harsh ; if decisive, it i8 not uncourteous or ungracious. 2. The loftiness, on the contrary, of the reason implicitly contained in the denial The knowledge begged is not withheld as so much punishment or rebuke. It is withheld in this light, that it is not a. thing of man, but of the Father-possibly Christ might still mean of the Father alone (Mark xiii. 32). Dut we cannot affirm this with any strong conviction, as he now speaks subsequently to his resurrection. Now, not the most sensitive disciple-temperament could have need to feel wonnded at not sharing knowledge affirmed to belong either exclusively or all but exclusively to the supreme Father. III. Tm: SUBSTITUTE IMHEDU TELY PBOHIBED. How often this is the method of Divine wisdom and ki11dness ! How often the analogy of providence illustrates it, in the indi- vidual life! So rooted is it in the spirit of Christ's encouraging and bracing doctrine, "Alik, and ye shall have," that even when we ask amiss we very often do have some- thing, and have something that we might have missed of had we not asked at all. So much does heavenly care appraise a hungering nature, an open mind, a craving heart, if it be anything at all within the compass of a right outlook that our desires go forth . .And while the new gi!t is not what we asked, how sure it is to prove itself very superior in kind, and in its being the correctly adapted gift I 1. The substitute now proffered to the anticipation of the interrogators consists in an early and immense accession of power. (1) It is real power. (2) It is power guaranteeing at one and the same time holiness to self and usefulness to others. 2. The substitute both illustrated and was the out- come of very noteworthy principles. (1) The principle of diverting mere speculative thought, or sentimental thought, or brooding, disheartened thought, by the bracing activity of work-work arduous and beneficent. Wonderful is the effectiveness of this corrective. It is an alterative safe, healthful, sure of compassing the desired end, Nor a whit less so in the light of one of the axioms of Jesus, "Ho that doetl,, . . . shall know." (2) The principle that the ~rvants of Christ are witnesses, not prophets. They are "hereunto called," to witneu to the world's ends, and world without end. 'fhey are to be quite absolved, if, being faithful witnesses, they refrain from trying the wings of prophecy. In all directions, those of philosophy an~ of scie~ce, as _wel} as of Christianity human duty, human strength, human advance, he rather 1n med1tatrng and diget!tina the mat.erial of memory than in attempting the horoscope; in interpreting the pas{for the edification and helpful guidance of the present, than in forecasting and hazarding prediction. 1'hese last tendencies n?urish doi!:matism, for they bring fo~th what may not be able to be disproved, though 1t cannot be proved. And they nourish " lofty imaginations," and "high thoughts," and luxurious idleness, that consume thi: very time, when every heart should be humility and every hand should be Industry. Thanks to Jesus, still Master, Teacher, Friend-fresh thanks to him from his modern  OH, I, 1-26.j THE ACTS 01<' 'l'HE APOSTLES. 2'i