Vers. 283—31.—The hundredfold, I. Is CagisTIAN SELF-SACRIFICE WORTH WHILE? 1. A question repeatedly asked, by worldlings and by Christians themselves: by the former because they do not comprehend or perceive the things of God, and by the latter from an imperfect experience and an imperfectly matured spiritual consciousness, 2. Reasonably enough. The privation to which Christianity exposes men is sometimes extreme. ‘They are called upon virtually or actually to renounce all things. Peter not to be accused of sordidness-—of a desire to “ make the best of both worlds.” Life and the things of life are precious gifts with which we should not lightly or aimlessly vart; and the neophyte in Christian life cannot be expected to have all his aims perfectly spiritual. Christianity is a means of raising men from the carnal to the spiritual, and it does so by gradually spiritualizing the desires and interests of the soul. It is an instinct of our being not to part with a real, tangible good unless in exchange for another of equal or higher value, although not necessarily estimated from a selfish or self-regarding point of view. 8. It ts only from the highest point of view and the most advanced experience that this question can be properly and adequately answered. There is, therefore, a Divine fitness in Jesus, our Example, being the Answerer and Judge. Yet out of the most imperfect experience of the Divine life, if that experience be properly interpreted, the answer would still be satisfying and justifying.
IL. ‘TH CONSIDERATIONS BY WHICH THIS QUESTION 18 DECIDED. 1. The measure of recompense, ‘‘ A hundredfold:” an estimate not to be literally construed. It is intended to express “ overwhelmingly more.” ‘ In the preceding verse the connective between the items is or; here it is and. There is great propriety in the exchange, for here the Saviour is giving, as it were, an inventory of the Divine fulness of blessing, #0 far as it is available for the most ample compensation of those who have auffarad lnaa
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ex. x. 1—52.] ‘THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 79
And there is, besides, in the spiritual sphere of things a kind of mutual involution of blessed relationships; the sum total of them all belongs to every true disciple” (Morison). 2. The manner of tt. It is to be correspondent to the things renounced, although not necessarily similar in kind. ‘ With persecutions:” an addition that seems strange, but is justified in the experience of the Christian; as that which is lost is gain (cf. Matt. v. 10; Phil. i. 29; 1 Pet. fii. 14), 80 that which is endured for Christ’s sake is a new occasion and factor of blessedness. Suited to the differing conditions of this life and that which is to come. Here there is variety, objectiveness, material embodiment ; there there is one grand reward, subjective, spiritual, viz. eternal life. And the relative position of Christians will be very much altered from that which they occupy here. The honour and blessedness conferred will depend, not upon accident of birth or fortune, but upon intrinsic worth and direct Divine appointment.—M.
Ver. 31.— The kingdom of God a revolution of the world-order. I. BEOAUsE REWARD WILL BE ACOORDING TO CHARACTER AND WORK.
IL Ir wit NOT BE OF DESERT, BUT OF GRACE.
Il. Every saINT WILL RECEIVE WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO HIS HAPPINESS, USEFUL- NESS, AND SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT.
IV. Bur THERE WILL BE DEGREES IN THE GLORY AND BLESSEDNESS OF THE REDEEMED. 1. Reflecting the manifold glory of God. 2. Correcting and compensating the ine- qualities of time. 3. Stimulating to nobler attainment.—M.
Vers. 32—34.—(Cf. ch. ix. 30—32.)—M, Vers. 85—45.—(Cf. ch. ix. 33—37.)—M.
Ver. 45.—The greatness of the Son of man. I. How rr DISPLAYED rrexLF. In a uasi-concealment: reversal of order and method of worldly greatness. The great of this world exercise authority for the most part and generally to their own advantage, and the loss and degradation of others. This precedent is only mentioned that it may be condemned. The greatness of the Son of man showed itself in: 1. Service. Typically set forth in the washing of the disciples’ feet (John xiii. 4), Realized: (1) his position. Incarnate: born into the pain and shame of sinful humanity. In humble social circumstances; accustomed to labour and obedience to authority. (2) In his work. His whole life, in its example, teaching, and miracles, was a ministry. What men needed was help, and he rendered it. And that his doing so might not be regarded as accidental, he declares it as the purpose of his coming into the world. And in relation to God, in the demands of his Law, he was obedient, “ fulfilling all righteous- ness.” 2, Sacrifice. The culmination and seal of service. ‘To give his life” “ indi- cates the climaa of the service in which he was engaged (comp. Phil. ii. 6: obedient— obedient unto death on the cross). The term ministering expresses the spirit of the life of Christ. His sufferings and death illustrated and displayed the submission of his whole course ; they shed the fullest light on the object of his life” (Lange). I. Wuat rr was To ACHIEVE. It was to be no barren spectacle, or merely personal lory, but was to exert a practical influence upon the condition of those amongst whom he came. The kind of work it had to do corresponded to the needs of man, It was for men the Son of man lived. And as they were in a state of wretchedness and danger, he undertook to save them. In respect of this purpose the death of Christ availed for: 1. Redemption. His life was given as the ransom. “It is the first distinct utterance, we may note, of the plan and method of his work. Ho» had spoken before of ‘saving’ the lost (Matt. xviii. 11); now he declares that the work of ‘salvation’ was to be also one of ‘redemption.’ It could only be accomplished by the payment of a price, and that price was his own life” (Plumptre). The natural state of men is one of bondage to sin. A “ransom” is an equivalent for a man’s life or service (cf. Exod. xxi. 30; Lev. xxv. 50; Prov. xiii.8). This price our Saviour gave “ instead of” (“for”) men, as their Representative before God—in a certain sense as their Substitute (cf. Matt. xvii. 27; Heb. xii. 16; Rom. iii. 24; 1 Cor. vi. 20; 1 Pet. i, 19). 2. The redemption of many. “The expression ‘many’ is not intended to indicate an exclusive winority, ora smaller number as compared with all, for the latter expres-
8 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. fox. x. 1—52
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