TIL, STEADFASTNESS AMID THE HOSTILITY oF FoRS. The first followers of Christ were forewarned that they should incur the enmity of authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical. Before councils and in synagogues, at the bar of governors and in the presence of kings, they should be arraigned upon charges true or false, but always with a temper of enmity and with purposes of malice. How were they to demean themselves in circumstances of peril? ‘They were to remember that they were but treated as their Master had been treated before them, that they were honoured by being summoned to act as his witnesses, that they were the spokesmen, so to speak, of the very Spirit of God. Amidst trials so severe, they were directed to take heed how they comported themselves—never to yield to fear, to dismiss all anxiety, and to trust
ou. xin. 1—37.)} THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. . 205
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to a heavenly inspiration for their defence. And there is no age in which servants of Christ are not exposed to some of the attacks of the foe, and in which there is not need for watchfulness, fortitude, and courage. Let the persecuted remember that the eye of the Divine Lord is upon them; and let them bear themselves as those who would honour their Leader and maintain his cause—quit them like men, and be strong.
IV. ENDURANCE AMID THE TREACHERY AND DESERTION OF FRIENDS. The great Prophet foretold that digcords should reveal themselves among families and social communities ; that one should rise up against another. In this way was fulfilled his saying, “I am not come to send peace, but a sword.” To most hearts, treason within the camp is more painful and more trying than hostility without. Yet even against this our Lord would have us proof. It is a trial to which most faithful and consistent servants of the Lord Jesus are at some time exposed; it is a trial which shakes the faith and damps the zeal of not a few. Christ calls his people, when so tried, to exercize the grace of perseverance. Whoever forsake Jesus, let their desertion only drive us closer to him we love!
V. NoTwirHsTaNDING OPPOSITION, THE GOSPEL MUST BE PREACHED. It is not enough to be steadfast ourselves; we have to think of and to care for others, The glad tidings the followers of Jesus have themselves freely received, it is for them freely to communicate to their neighbours. How devotedly and valiantly the first disciples fulfilled this trust we well know. Not only the twelve, but even more notably others who were raised up in the first age, preached the gospel to all nations whom they were able by any toil and hardship to reach. The light streamed upon many a dark, benighted land, and brought hope and peace, joy and life, to many a wretched heart. ‘The labour of the apostles and their companions was not in vain in the Lord. Far from being deterred by opposition, this seemed to act as a stimulus to new exertions and to new daring. Nor is this function of the Church peculiar to the first age. So long as there are nations unvisited by the news of salvation, so long is there a summons to engage in missionary enterprise. If this can only be done in certain cases et the risk of safety, liberty, and life, so much the more do present circumstances correspond with the predictions of our Lord. “The more danger, the more honour.” There is a crown to be gained by following Christ and his apostles in the perils of the holy war.
VI. Partexnce UNTO s4LVATION. It is well known that, whilst multitudes of Jews perished in the siege and the destruction of Jerusalem, the Christians escaped. Faithfui to the instructions of their Lord, they were delivered from the ruin and the death which were the fate of their fellow-countrymen. Enduring in constancy and obedience to the end, they were saved. And their exemption from disaster aud death was a symbol! of the salvation of all those who retain their faith and allegiance amidst the temptations and the trials of this earthly life. Endure! endure unto the end! and the unfailing promise of your Divine Lord shall be fulfilled in your experience. You shall be Pe
Vers. 14—23.— Warnings. Very clearly did our Lord foresee, and very plainly did he foretell, the consequences which the Jews were bringing upon themselves by their rejection of God’s Messiah. The language here recorded is in itself sufficient to convince a candid mind of the justice of the claims of the Lord Jesus to be the Prophet and the Son of the Most High. He sets us an example here of the propriety of uttering truthful warnings, even though they may be painful to the speaker and unwelcome to the hearer.
I. AFFLICTIONS ARE FORETOLD. The severity and variety of these afflictions render this prediction one of the most awful to be met with in the whole compass of Scripture. 1. National disaster. It was upon the whole nation, and especially upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the upper and ruling classes, that the retribution fell. 2. Temple desecration. This is probably what is designated “the abomination of desolation.” The fanatical pollution of the temple by the Zealots was doubtiess one of the most distressing accompaniments of the awful siege. 3. Religious tmposture. In times of general excitement, enthusiastic pretenders are sure to make their appearance. It was so during the uttermost calamity of Israel. And there is no age when the waruings of vers. 21, 22, are not timely and appropriate. 4. Individual sufferings. Several
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circumstances here predicted, especially the distress in which miserable mothers should be involved (ver. 17), serve to deepen and darken the tone of this picture of calamity.
Il. CounseLs ARE IMPARTED. Christ was not a mere Prophet of evil. He exhibited the approaching dangers, but he provided for the safety and deliverance of those who, amidst general unfaithfulness, should be faithful to him. 1. He directed flight from the scene of distress. As Noah had been sent into the ark, as Lot had been hurried out of Sodom, so the primitive Christians were directed, when Jerusalem should be besieged, to forsake the guilty city and to take refuge in the mountains. There are times when flight is prudence, when life may be preserved for future service. 2. He advised disregard of impostors. ‘Io hold to Christ is a sufficient motive for rejecting antichrist. It is condemnation enough of any pretender that he professes to be what we know the Son ef God alone can be. 3. He counselled general preparation and watchfulness. ‘Take ye heed!” Christians are to use their own powers of observation, to exercise vigilance, to meet all circumstances with preparation and discretion, No piety, no attachment to the Saviour, can absolve us from the duty of using our o_ faculties, of being upon the alert. ‘Watch and pray!” These are admonitions whica are never obsolete; fer the need of them is never, whilst we are upon earth, left behind.