II. THe saNoTITY OF MARRIAGE IS FOUNDED ON NATURE.
2N ITS IDEAL, MARRIAGE IS FOR LIFE, AND INDISSOLUBLE,
IV. YET THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF HUMAN NATURE COMPELS 80ME RELAXATION.
V. Bor WHAT IS PERMITTED IS NOT, THEREFORE, TO BE APPROVED OR FOLLOWED PRAOTIOALLY. Christianity is throughout ideal. It makes appeal to our higher nature. At the same time, it admits the difficulty of carrying our ideals unexceptionably into practice.—-J.
Vers. 13—16.—The blessing of the children. I. THE CONTRAST: WHAT MEX THINK IMPORTANT, AND WHAT GoD RECOGNIZES AS OF WORTH. Children are “ only children.” They are often “in the way.” They are “out of place.” They are to be “sent out of the way.” But Divine intelligence and love shed a bright light upon the little ones, They are living parables of the Christian spirit. Ever are they to be associated with Christ. Learning, wealth, rank,—all draw away from our true attitude, nay, tend to falsify our spirit. ’Tis the sight of the children that must win us back.
II. CHRIsTIANITY THE RELIGION OF BEVERENCE FOR THOSE BELOW Us. In them God is found. “ The religion of reverence for what is above us is ethnic religion. This delivers from degrading fear. The religion of reverence for what ia around us is the
hilogophical. The philosopher stations himself in the middle, and must draw up to him that is lower, and down to him all that is higher, This is the religion of wisdom. Reverence for what is under us,—this is Christian, and is the last step man- kind was fitted and destined to attain” (Goethe). The lowly, the hated, the despised, the contradictory, are glorified by the insight and the sympathy of Christ.—J.
Vers. 17—23.—The rich man’s temptation. I. THE RICH MAN FEELS THE BREED ur BALVATION. ‘“ Money answereth all things,” but only in a limited sphere after all. Riches bind as well as set free; close certain doors to the spirit, as well as open them to others. The poor man knows “ straitness” of one kind, the wealthy man another. Could he but unite the advantages of wealth with freedom and joy of spirit!
IIL SALVATION IS POSSIBLE TO THE RICH MAN. But the practica) conditions may be different from those in other cases. It is some idea, some phautasy, a pride, or a dread, or a lust, that every man needs to expel from his mind in order to salvation. In some way the idea of his riches stood in the way of this man’s bliss. But the way to salvation was pointed out to him. It would be wrong to generalize the direction of the Saviour. All that can be said is that there doubtless are cases where entire renunciation may be indispensable to salvation. ‘The principle is: the false opinion of ourselves must be given up, and our being must be grounded on the truth, if we would “enter into life.”
IIL Iv w one oF THE HARDEST THINGS IN THE WORLD TO RENOUNOE BICHES. How very rare are the cases where this is done! For money represents our root in earth,
92 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, MARK. [on. x. 1—52, ae Cane MORNE ee ln ae Dern WSN Re EY os 8
Let us, without affectation or hypocrisy, confess that it is so. Power, service, and estimation of others, a flattering self-representation,—this is what riches mean, ‘T’o have grown into this circle of ideas, and to be asked suddenly to break them up, ’tis a wrench, like parting with life itself. But let us not exaggerate in any particular, Renunciation of any object with which the imagination in its dearest play is inter- woven, is hard. It may be as hard for some to give up the retirement of a humble home for Christ’s sake, as for others to renounce station and splendour.—J.
Vers. 24—27.—Moral impossibilities. I. “ MoRAL IMPOSSIBILITIES”” 18 A PHRASE OF HUMAM expERIENCE. Like all such phrases, saws, and proverbs, it represents the side of truth that is obvious and Raed to general view. Men being what they are, certain changes in the character and conduct are not likely, are scarcely probable or possible, So we argue, and justly. So Jesus speaks, using a very strong figure of speech.
IL “Mora IMPOssIBILITIES ” MAY NEVERTHELESS BE OveRCOME. As Napoleon, in the physical sphere, blotted the word “impossible” from his dictionary, so is the Christian taught to do in the moral sphere. i one light, it looks unlikely that any~ body can be saved, considering the power of sin, the “ weight,” and the “ besetment,” and the apparent lack of moral energy. But nothing that is conceivable is impossible, Nothing that is morally desirable may not be expected to come to pass. 1. We are prone to a scepticism about our own nature, which we ought to overcome. It is not justifiable, in the light of the facts of history, of personal experience, of the might and love of God. 2. A deep faith in the possibilities of human uature is inspired by the love of God. Love is the spring of the human mechanism, the leaven that works in its lump, the struggling force contending against immense disadvantages, but destined to final victory. ‘“ All things are possible with God!”—J,
Vers, 28—31.—Compensation. I. To uxXPECT COMPENSATION FOR WORTHY LOSs I6 NATURAL AND RIGHT. The gospel encourages this. Compensation is founded on the law of things. God hath set the one over against the other. The conservation of energy is a law that applies to the life of the soul. “It will be made good to us.” We cannot help feeling that the integrity of our being has a worth which must be preserved,
IL, Curist ENCOURAGES THIS EXPECTATION TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE, Self-abandon- ment to the good cause will bring its reward, God pays a high rate of interest.
“Fear not, then, thou child infirm ; There’s no God that will wrong a worm, Laurel crowns cleave to deserts,
And power to him who power exerts. Hast not thy share? On winged feet, Lo! it rushes thee to meet ;
And all that Nature made thy own, Floating in air, or pent in stone, Will rive the hills and swira the sea, And, like thy shadow, follow thee.”
“ Fivery stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is withholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer.” “'l'he martyr cannot be dishonoured. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode; every burned book enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side.”