Appiioation. 1, Let faith work by love in Christian natures; and let those who love Christ prove by their spirit and their actions the sincerity of their love. 2. Let those who are near the kingdom, instead of resting in their nearness, regard this as a reason why they should, without delay, enter the gates before which they stand.
Ver. 34.—* Not far from the kingdom.” That this scribe should have shown so deep an admiration for the Divine Law, so clear a perception of the superiority of the spiritual to the ceremonial, so discerning an appreciation of the Divine Master,—all this was to his credit, and awakened the approval and elicited the commendation of our Lord. In the language Jesus addressed to him, a description is given of not a few hearers of the gospel, who present in their character much that is admirable, but who come short of true consecration to Christ, who are “ not far from the kingdom of God.” Of this class we may ask—
J. How NEAR HAVE THEY COME TO THE KINGDOM? 1. They have been, in many cases, brought near by the action of others. A Christian education and Christian influence have moulded their habits and improved a naturally well-inclined disposi- tion, 2. They are well acquainted with the truths of religion, have studied the Scrip- tures, and have mastered the doctrines as well as the facts they contain. 3. They assent to the revelation contained in the Bible, either unreflectingly or after inquiry and doubt. 4. They admire Christ’s moral character and beneficent life, his pure teaching, and his purposes of compassion towards mankind. 5. They conform to the practices of Christian worship, and even make use of the language of praise and prayer. 6. They obey many of the laws of Christ, either from habit or from a conviction of their justice and expediency. 7. They have had many desires, and may even have formed resolutions, to go further than this—to yield all to the Saviour. Of such it may indeed be said, they are “ not far from the kingdom of God.”
Ti. How Fag ARE THEY STILL FROM THE KINGDOM? Men may travel a long distance in the right direction, and yet may leave untraversed the last and most important stage of the journey. So is it with many hearers of the gospel. 1. They may yet have to receive the gospel of Christ with their whole nature. ‘The assent of the under- standing must be followed by the consent of the will. 2. They may yet have to sur- render themselves and their all to Jesus. Men may give much, but withhold more. The test which our Lord proposes is a readiness to offer the heart, and with it all
wers and possessions, unto himself. Less is not acceptable to him who claims, and
a right to, all, 3, They may need 4o overcome much self-righteousness, self-confi-
166 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [on. xm 1—44&
a
dence, self-seeking, before their state of mind is such as to enable them: to accept the terms of Heaven: “ Except ye become as little children,” ete.
III. How sHoULD THOSE 60 BITUATED Now act? 1. They should reflect how vain is past progress except it lead to future consecration. 2. They should rejoice at the thought that their approach to the kingdom makes it easier for them to enter in. All their knowledve, good feelings, and partial obedience are so many steps upon the road, leaving the fewer to be taken in order to salvation, 3. They should remind themselves how unwise and dangerous and sinful it is to pause where they are. “It is the first step which costs ;” and it is the last step which pays! Why should not that last step be taken at once? ‘T'rue repentance, sincere faith, cordial surrender, the new birth,— such are the descriptions given of the change yet to pass over those who are not far from the kingdom, in order that they may enter it. Llustrations: The builder rears the arch of a bridge; the keystone has yet to be placed ; if that be left undone a storm may rise, the river may swell, his work may be swept away, and all that has been done may count for nothing. The traveller exploring a continent may endure many hard- ships and perils, may come within a day’s march of the vast lake of which he hopes to be the discoverer: shall he turn back? ‘The manslayer, pursued by the avenger of blood, may be within sight of the city of refuge: to pause is to be slain; to summon up all his strength and to bound forward is to find himself safely within the protecting walls. he captain, the adventurous explorer, after a long voyage over unknown seas, sights the land of which he has dreamed: shall he give orders to put about the ship, and abandon the glorious discovery within its reach, and all the honour, wealth, and fame which now at length await him ?
Vers. 34, 37.— Various effects of Christ’s ministry. There was a vigour and directness, an unsparing boldness and fidelity, peculiar to the ministry of our Lord in Jerusalem during the last week of his life. This no doubt precipitated the crisis, enraging his enemies at the same time that it silenced their reasonings. Two remarks are made by the evangelist which show us what was the effect of Christ’s discourses and conversa- tions both upon his foes and upon the multitude.
I, His HNEMIES WERE SILENCED. These included most of the members of the more prominent classes, who occupied positions of influence and authority in Jerusalem. 1, Their varied efforts to entrap Christ in his speech are recorded at length. The Phari- sees, the Herodians, the Sadducees, and the scribes, all questioned Jesus and reasoned with him, largely with the hope of either weakening his influence or taking some advantage of his replies. ‘There was much craft in the way in which they sought thus to injure him aud his work. 2. Their uniform coniutation by his wisdom and moral authority. All their efforts, from whatever quarter, and however conductel, proved in vain. Noue were able to withstand him. He either put them to shame, or convinced them by the wisdom of his answers, The evangelist sums up the impression produced by our Lord’s demeanour and language in these several interviews in the words, “ And no man after that durst ask him any question.” Christ’s wisdom is flawless; Christ's authority is irresistible. Now, as then, it is true that none can dispute with him nee to be discomfited. ‘“ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thiug