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4196 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Matthew XXVI].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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</h3>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC40025.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC40027.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The narrative of the death and sufferings of Christ is more
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particularly and fully recorded by all the four evangelists than any
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part of his history; for what should be determine, and desire to know,
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but Christ, and him crucified? And this chapter begins that memorable
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narrative. The year of the redeemed was now come, the seventy weeks
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determined were now accomplished, when transgression must be finished,
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reconciliation made, and an everlasting righteousness brought in, by
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the cutting off of Messiah the Prince,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:24,26">Dan. ix. 24, 26</A>.
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That awful scene is here introduced, to be read with reverence and holy
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fear. In this chapter, we have,
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I. The preliminaries, or prefaces, to Christ's sufferings.
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1. The previous notice given by him to his disciples,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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2. The rulers' conspiracy against him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:3-5">ver. 3-5</A>.
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3. The anointing of his head at a supper in Bethany,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:6-13">ver. 6-13</A>.
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4. Judas's bargain with the priests to betray him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:14-16">ver. 14-16</A>.
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5. Christ eating the passover with his disciples,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:17-25">ver. 17-25</A>.
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6. His instituting the Lord's supper, and his discourse with his
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disciples after it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:26-35">ver. 26-35</A>.
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II. His entrance upon them, and some of the particulars of them.
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1. His agony in the garden,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:36-46">ver. 36-46</A>.
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2. The seizing of him by the officers, with Judas's help,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:47-56">ver. 47-56</A>.
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3. His arraignment before the chief priest, and his condemnation in his
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court,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:57-68">ver. 57-68</A>.
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4. Peter's denying him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:69-75">ver. 69-75</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Mt26_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Plot of the Chief Priests.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these
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sayings, he said unto his disciples,
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2 Ye know that after two days is <I>the feast of</I> the passover,
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and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
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3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes,
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and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest,
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who was called Caiaphas,
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4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and
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kill <I>him.</I>
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5 But they said, Not on the feast <I>day,</I> lest there be an
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uproar among the people.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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1. The notice Christ gave his disciples of the near approach of his
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sufferings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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While his enemies were preparing trouble for him, he was preparing
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himself and his followers for it. He had often told them of his
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sufferings at a distance, now he speaks of them as at the door;
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<I>after two days,</I> Note, After many former notices of trouble we
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still have need of fresh ones. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The <I>time</I> when he gave this alarm; <I>when he had finished
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all these sayings.</I>
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[1.] Not till he had finished all he had to say. Note, Christ's
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witnesses die not till they have finished their testimony. When Christ
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had gone through his undertaking as a prophet, he entered upon the
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execution of his office as a priest.
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[2.] After he had finished these sayings, which go immediately before;
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he had bid his disciples to expect sad times, bonds and afflictions,
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and then tells them, <I>The Son of man is betrayed;</I> to intimate
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that they should fare no worse than he should, and that his sufferings
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should take the sting out of theirs. Note, Thoughts of a suffering
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Christ are great supports to a suffering Christian, suffering with him
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and for him.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The thing itself he gave them notice of; <I>The Son of man is
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betrayed.</I> The thing was not only so sure, but so near, that it was
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as good as done. Note, It is good to make sufferings that are yet to
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come, as present to us. He <I>is</I> betrayed, for Judas was then
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contriving and designing to betray him.</P>
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<P>
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2. The plot of the chief priests, and scribes, and elders of the
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people, against the life of our Lord Jesus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:3-5">v. 3-5</A>.
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Many consultations had been held against the life of Christ but this
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plot was laid deeper than any yet, for the grandees were all engaged in
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it. The chief priests, who presided in ecclesiastical affairs; the
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elders, who were judges in civil matters, and the scribes, who, as
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doctors of the law, were directors to both--these composed the
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sanhedrim, or great council that governed the nation, and these were
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confederate against Christ. Observe
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(1.) The <I>place</I> where they met; <I>in the palace of the high
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priest,</I> who was the centre of their unity in this wicked project.
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(2.) The plot itself; to <I>take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him;</I>
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nothing less than his blood, his life-blood, would serve their turn. So
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cruel and bloody have been the designs of Christ's and his church's
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enemies.
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(3.) The policy of the plotters; <I>Not on the feast-day.</I> Why not?
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Was it in regard to the holiness of the time, or because they would not
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be disturbed in the religious services of the day? No, but <I>lest
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there should be an uproar among the people.</I> They knew Christ had a
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great interest in the common people, of whom there was a great
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concourse on the feast-day, and they would be in danger of taking up
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arms against their rulers, if they should offer to lay violent hands on
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Christ, whom all held for a prophet. They were awed, not by the fear of
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God, but by the fear of the people; all their concern was for their own
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safety, not God's honour. They would have it done at the feast; for it
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was a tradition of the Jews, that malefactors should be put to death at
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one of the three feasts, especially rebels and impostors, that <I>all
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Israel might see and fear;</I> but <I>not on the feast-day.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Mt26_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Mt26_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Anointed at Bethany.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the
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leper,
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7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very
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precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat <I>at
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meat.</I>
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8 But when his disciples saw <I>it,</I> they had indignation,
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saying, To what purpose <I>is</I> this waste?
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9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to
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the poor.
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10 When Jesus understood <I>it,</I> he said unto them, Why trouble
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ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
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11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not
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always.
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12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she
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did <I>it</I> for my burial.
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13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be
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preached in the whole world, <I>there</I> shall also this, that this
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woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In this passage of story, we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The singular kindness of a good woman to our Lord Jesus in anointing
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his head,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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It was <I>in Bethany,</I> a village hard by Jerusalem, and <I>in the
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house of Simon the leper.</I> Probably, he was one who had been
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miraculously cleansed from his leprosy by our Lord Jesus, and he would
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express his gratitude to Christ by entertaining him; nor did Christ
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disdain to converse with him, to come in to him, and sup with him.
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Though he was cleansed, yet he was called <I>Simon the leper.</I> Those
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who are guilty of scandalous sins, will find that, though the sin be
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pardoned, the reproach will cleave to them, and will hardly be wiped
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away. The woman that did this, is supposed to have been Mary, the
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sister of Martha and Lazarus. And Dr. Lightfoot thinks it was the same
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that was called <I>Mary Magdalene.</I> She had a <I>box of ointment
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very precious,</I> which she <I>poured upon the head</I> of Christ as
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he sat at meat. This, among us, would be a strange sort of compliment.
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But it was then accounted the highest piece of respect; for the smell
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was very grateful, and the ointment itself refreshing to the head.
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David had his <I>head anointed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+23:5,Lu+7:46">Ps. xxiii. 5; Luke vii. 46</A>.
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Now this may be looked upon,</P>
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<P>
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1. As an act of faith in our Lord Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the
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anointed. To signify that she believed in him as God's anointed, whom
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he had set king, she anointed him, and made him her king. They shall
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<I>appoint themselves one head,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:11">Hos. i. 11</A>.
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This is <I>kissing the Son.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. As an act of love and respect to him. Some think that this was he
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who <I>loved much</I> at first, and <I>washed Christ's feet with her
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tears</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+7:38,47">Luke vii. 38, 47</A>);
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and that she had not left her first love, but was now as affectionate
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in the devotions of a grown Christian as she was in those of a young
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beginner. Note, Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ,
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nothing will be thought too good, no, nor good enough, to bestow upon
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him.</P>
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<P>
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II. The offence which the disciples took at this. They <I>had
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indignation</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>),
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were vexed to see this ointment thus spent, which they thought might
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have been better bestowed.</P>
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<P>
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1. See how they expressed their offence at it. They said, <I>To what
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purpose is this waste?</I> Now this bespeaks,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Want of tenderness toward this good woman, in interpreting her
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over-kindness (suppose it was so) to be wastefulness. Charity teaches
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us to put the best construction upon every thing that it will bear,
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especially upon the words and actions of those that are <I>zealously
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affected in doing a good thing,</I> though we may think them not
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altogether so discreet in it as they might be. It is true, there may be
|
||
|
|
over-doing in well-doing; but thence we must learn to be cautious
|
||
|
|
ourselves, lest we run into extremes, but not to be censorious of
|
||
|
|
others; because that which we may impute to the want of prudence, God
|
||
|
|
may accept as an instance of abundant love. We must not say, Those do
|
||
|
|
too much in religion, that do more than we do, but rather aim to do as
|
||
|
|
much as they.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Want of respect to their Master. The best we can make of it, is,
|
||
|
|
that they knew their Master was perfectly dead to all the delights of
|
||
|
|
sense; he that was so much <I>grieved for the affliction of Joseph,</I>
|
||
|
|
cared not for being <I>anointed with the chief ointments,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+6:6">Amos vi. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And therefore they thought such pleasures ill bestowed upon one who
|
||
|
|
took so little pleasure in them. But supposing that, it did not become
|
||
|
|
them to call it <I>waste,</I> when they perceived that he admitted and
|
||
|
|
accepted it as a token of his friend's love. Note, We must take heed of
|
||
|
|
thinking any thing waste, which is bestowed upon the Lord Jesus, either
|
||
|
|
by others or by ourselves. We must not think that time waste, that is
|
||
|
|
spent in the service of Christ, or that money waste, which is laid out
|
||
|
|
in any work of piety; for, though it seem to be cast upon the waters,
|
||
|
|
to be thrown down the river, we shall <I>find it again,</I> to
|
||
|
|
advantage, <I>after many days,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+11:1">Eccl. xi. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. See how they excused their offence at it, and what pretence they
|
||
|
|
made for it; <I>This ointment might have been sold for much, and given
|
||
|
|
to the poor.</I> Note, It is no new thing for bad affections to shelter
|
||
|
|
themselves under specious covers; for people to shift off works of
|
||
|
|
piety under colour of works of charity.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The reproof Christ gave to his disciples for the offence at this
|
||
|
|
good woman
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Why trouble ye the woman?</I> Note, It is a great trouble to good
|
||
|
|
people to have their good works censured and misconstrued; and it is a
|
||
|
|
thing that Jesus Christ takes very ill. He here took part with a good,
|
||
|
|
honest, zealous, well-meaning woman, against all his disciples, though
|
||
|
|
they seemed to have so much reason on their side; so heartily does he
|
||
|
|
espouse the cause of the <I>offended little ones,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:10"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe his reason; <I>You have the poor always with you.</I> Note,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. There are some opportunities of doing and getting good which are
|
||
|
|
constant, and which we must give constant attendance to the improvement
|
||
|
|
of. Bibles we have always with us, sabbaths always with us, and so
|
||
|
|
<I>the poor, we have always with us.</I> Note, Those who have a heart
|
||
|
|
to do good, never need complain for want of opportunity. The poor never
|
||
|
|
ceased even out of the land of Israel,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+15:11">Deut. xv. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We cannot but see some in this world, who call for our charitable
|
||
|
|
assistance, who are as God's receivers, some poor members of Christ, to
|
||
|
|
whom he will have kindness shown as to himself.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. There are other opportunities of doing and getting good, which come
|
||
|
|
but seldom, which are short and uncertain, and require more peculiar
|
||
|
|
diligence in the improvement of them, and which ought to be preferred
|
||
|
|
before the other; "<I>Me ye have not always,</I> therefore use me while
|
||
|
|
ye have me." Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Christ's constant <I>bodily</I> presence was not to be expected
|
||
|
|
here in this world; it was expedient that he should go away; his
|
||
|
|
<I>real</I> presence in the eucharist is a fond and groundless conceit,
|
||
|
|
and contradicts what he here said, <I>Me ye have not always.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Sometimes special works of piety and devotion should take place of
|
||
|
|
common works of charity. The poor must not rob Christ; we must do good
|
||
|
|
to all, but <I>especially to the household of faith.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. Christ's approbation and commendation of the kindness of this good
|
||
|
|
woman. The more his servants and their services are cavilled at by men,
|
||
|
|
the more he manifests his acceptance of them. He calls it a <I>good
|
||
|
|
work</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and says more in praise of it than could have been imagined;
|
||
|
|
particularly,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That the meaning of it was mystical
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>She did it for my burial.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Some think that she <I>intended</I> it so, and that the woman
|
||
|
|
better understood Christ's frequent predictions of his death and
|
||
|
|
sufferings than the apostles did; for which they were recompensed with
|
||
|
|
the honour of being the first witnesses of his resurrection.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) However, Christ interpreted it so; and he is always willing to
|
||
|
|
make the best, to make the most of his people's well-meant words and
|
||
|
|
actions. This was as it were the embalming of his body; because the
|
||
|
|
doing of that after his death would be prevented by his resurrection,
|
||
|
|
it was therefore done before; for it was fit that it should be done
|
||
|
|
some time, to show that he was still the Messiah, even when he seemed
|
||
|
|
to be triumphed over by death. The disciples thought the ointment
|
||
|
|
wasted, which was poured upon his head. "But," saith he, "If so much
|
||
|
|
ointment were poured upon a dead body, according to the custom of your
|
||
|
|
country, you would not grudge it, or think it waste. Now this is, in
|
||
|
|
effect, so; the body she anoints is as good as dead, and her kindness
|
||
|
|
is very seasonable for that purpose; therefore rather than call it
|
||
|
|
waste, put it upon that score."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That the memorial of it should be honourable
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>This shall be told for a memorial.</I> This act of faith and love
|
||
|
|
was so remarkable, that the preachers of Christ crucified, and the
|
||
|
|
inspired writers of the history of his passion, could not choose but
|
||
|
|
take notice of this passage, proclaim the notice of it, and perpetuate
|
||
|
|
the memorial of it. And being once enrolled in these records, it was
|
||
|
|
<I>graven as with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever,</I> and
|
||
|
|
could not possibly be forgotten. None of all the trumpets of fame
|
||
|
|
sound so loud and so long as the everlasting gospel. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The story of the death of Christ, though a tragical one, is
|
||
|
|
gospel, glad-tidings, because he died for us.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The gospel was to be preached in the whole world; not in Judea
|
||
|
|
only, but in every nation, to every creature. Let the disciples take
|
||
|
|
notice of this, for their encouragement, that their sound should go to
|
||
|
|
the ends of the earth.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Though the honour of Christ is principally designed in the gospel,
|
||
|
|
yet the honour of his saints and servants is not altogether overlooked.
|
||
|
|
The memorial of this woman was to be preserved, not by dedicating a
|
||
|
|
church to her, or keeping an annual feast in honour of her, or
|
||
|
|
preserving a piece of her broken box for a sacred relic; but by
|
||
|
|
mentioning her faith and piety in the preaching of the gospel, for
|
||
|
|
example to others,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:12">Heb. vi. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Hereby honour redounds to Christ himself, who in this world, as well as
|
||
|
|
in that to come, will be <I>glorified in his saints, and admired in all
|
||
|
|
them that believe.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Anointed at Bethany.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the
|
||
|
|
chief priests,
|
||
|
|
15 And said <I>unto them,</I> What will ye give me, and I will
|
||
|
|
deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty
|
||
|
|
pieces of silver.
|
||
|
|
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Immediately after an instance of the greatness kindness done to Christ,
|
||
|
|
follows an instance of the greatest unkindness; such mixture is there
|
||
|
|
of good and bad among the followers of Christ; he hath some faithful
|
||
|
|
friends, and some false and feigned ones. What could be more base than
|
||
|
|
this agreement which Judas here made with the chief priests, to betray
|
||
|
|
Christ to them?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The traitor was Judas Iscariot; he is said to be <I>one of the
|
||
|
|
twelve,</I> as an aggravation of his villany. When the <I>number of the
|
||
|
|
disciples was multiplied</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:1">Acts vi. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
no marvel if there were some among them that were a shame and trouble
|
||
|
|
to them; but when there were but twelve, and one of them was <I>a
|
||
|
|
devil,</I> surely we must never expect any society perfectly pure on
|
||
|
|
this side heaven. The twelve were Christ's chosen friends, that had the
|
||
|
|
privilege of his special favour; they were his constant followers, that
|
||
|
|
had the benefit of his most intimate converse, that upon all accounts
|
||
|
|
had reason to love him and be true to him; and yet one of them betrayed
|
||
|
|
him. Note, No bonds of duty or gratitude will hold those that have a
|
||
|
|
devil,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+5:3,4">Mark v. 3, 4</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Here is the proffer which he made to the chief priests; he <I>went
|
||
|
|
to them, and said, What will ye give me?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They did not send for him, nor make the proposal to him; they could not
|
||
|
|
have thought that one of Christ's own disciples should be false to him.
|
||
|
|
Note, There are those, even among Christ's followers, that are worse
|
||
|
|
than any one can imagine them to be, and want nothing but opportunity
|
||
|
|
to show it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What Judas promised; "<I>I will deliver him unto you;</I> I will let
|
||
|
|
you know where he is, and undertake to bring you to him, at such a
|
||
|
|
convenient time and place that you may seize him without noise, or
|
||
|
|
danger of an uproar." In their conspiracy against Christ, this was it
|
||
|
|
they were at a loss about,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They durst not meddle with him in public, and knew not where to find
|
||
|
|
him in private. Here the matter rested, and the difficulty was
|
||
|
|
insuperable; till Judas came, and offered them his service. Note, Those
|
||
|
|
that give up themselves to be led by the devil, find him readier than
|
||
|
|
they imagine to help them at a dead lift, as Judas did the chief
|
||
|
|
priests. Though the rulers, by their power and interest, could kill him
|
||
|
|
when they had him in their hands, yet none but a disciple could betray
|
||
|
|
him. Note, The greater profession men make of religion, and the more
|
||
|
|
they are employed in the study and service of it, the greater
|
||
|
|
opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right
|
||
|
|
with God. If Judas had not been an apostle, he could not have been a
|
||
|
|
traitor; if men had known the way of righteousness, they could not have
|
||
|
|
abused it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I will deliver him unto you.</I> He did not offer himself, nor did
|
||
|
|
they tamper with him, to be a witness against Christ, though they
|
||
|
|
wanted evidence,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:59"><I>v.</I> 59</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And if there had been any thing to be alleged against him, which had
|
||
|
|
but the colour of proof that he was an impostor, Judas was the
|
||
|
|
likeliest person to have attested it; but this is an evidence of the
|
||
|
|
innocency of our Lord Jesus, that his own disciple, who knew so well
|
||
|
|
his doctrine and manner of life, and was false to him, could not charge
|
||
|
|
him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his
|
||
|
|
treachery.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What he asked in consideration of this undertaking; <I>What will ye
|
||
|
|
give me?</I> This was the only thing that made Judas betray his Master;
|
||
|
|
he hoped to get money by it: his Master had not given him any
|
||
|
|
provocation, though he knew from the first that he <I>had a devil;</I>
|
||
|
|
yet, for aught that appears, he showed the same kindness to him that he
|
||
|
|
did to the rest, and put no mark of disgrace upon him that might
|
||
|
|
disoblige him; he had placed him in a post that pleased him, had made
|
||
|
|
him purse-bearer, and though he had embezzled the common stock (for he
|
||
|
|
is called <I>a thief,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:6">John xii. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet we do not find he was in any danger of being called to account for
|
||
|
|
it; nor does it appear that he had any suspicion that the gospel was a
|
||
|
|
cheat: no, it was not the hatred of his Master, nor any quarrel with
|
||
|
|
him, but purely the love of money; that, and nothing else, made Judas a
|
||
|
|
traitor.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>What will ye give me?</I> Why, what did he want? Neither bread to
|
||
|
|
eat, nor raiment to put on; neither necessaries nor conveniences. Was
|
||
|
|
not he welcome, wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as he fared?
|
||
|
|
Had he not been but just now nobly entertained at a supper in Bethany,
|
||
|
|
in the house of Simon the leper, and a little before at another, where
|
||
|
|
no less a person than Martha herself waited at table? And yet this
|
||
|
|
covetous wretch could not be content, but comes basely cringing to the
|
||
|
|
priests with, <I>What will ye give me?</I> Note, It is not the
|
||
|
|
<I>lack</I> of money, but the <I>love</I> of money, that is the root of
|
||
|
|
all evil, and particularly of apostasy from Christ; witness Demas,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:10">2 Tim. iv. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Satan tempted our Saviour with this bait, <I>All these things will I
|
||
|
|
give thee</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:9"><I>ch.</I> iv. 9</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but Judas offered himself to be tempted with it; he asks, <I>What will
|
||
|
|
ye give me?</I> as if his Master was a commodity that stuck on his
|
||
|
|
hands.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. Here is the bargain which the chief priests made with him; <I>they
|
||
|
|
covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver;</I> thirty shekels,
|
||
|
|
which in our money is about three pounds eight shillings, so some;
|
||
|
|
three pounds fifteen shillings, so others. It should seem, Judas
|
||
|
|
referred himself to them, and was willing to take what they were
|
||
|
|
willing to give; he catches at the first offer, lest the next should be
|
||
|
|
worse. Judas had not been wont to trade high, and therefore a little
|
||
|
|
money went a great way with him. By the law
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+21:32">Exod. xxi. 32</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave--a goodly price, at
|
||
|
|
which Christ was valued!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+11:13">Zech. xi. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
No wonder that Zion's sons, though comparable to fine gold, are
|
||
|
|
esteemed as earthen pitchers, when Zion's King himself was thus
|
||
|
|
undervalued. They <I>covenanted with him;</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>estesan</I></B>--<I>appenderunt--they paid it down,</I> so some;
|
||
|
|
gave him his wages in hand, to secure him and to encourage him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. Here is the industry of Judas, in pursuance of his bargain
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>he sought opportunity to betray him,</I> his head was still working
|
||
|
|
to find out how he might do it effectually. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It is a very wicked thing to seek opportunity to sin, and to devise
|
||
|
|
mischief; for it argues the heart fully set in men to do evil, and a
|
||
|
|
malice prepense.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Those that are <I>in,</I> think they must <I>on,</I> though the
|
||
|
|
matter be ever so bad. After he had made that wicked bargain, he had
|
||
|
|
time to repent, and to revoke it; but now by his covenant the devil has
|
||
|
|
one hank more upon him than he had, and tells him that he must be true
|
||
|
|
to his word, though ever so false to his Master, as Herod must behead
|
||
|
|
John <I>for his oath's sake.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Treachery of Judas Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>17 Now the first <I>day</I> of the <I>feast of</I> unleavened bread the
|
||
|
|
disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we
|
||
|
|
prepare for thee to eat the passover?
|
||
|
|
18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto
|
||
|
|
him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the
|
||
|
|
passover at thy house with my disciples.
|
||
|
|
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they
|
||
|
|
made ready the passover.
|
||
|
|
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
|
||
|
|
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that
|
||
|
|
one of you shall betray me.
|
||
|
|
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of
|
||
|
|
them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
|
||
|
|
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth <I>his</I> hand with me
|
||
|
|
in the dish, the same shall betray me.
|
||
|
|
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto
|
||
|
|
that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for
|
||
|
|
that man if he had not been born.
|
||
|
|
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master,
|
||
|
|
is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here an account of Christ's keeping the passover. Being made
|
||
|
|
under the law, he submitted to all the ordinances of it, and to this
|
||
|
|
among the rest; it was kept in remembrance of Israel's deliverance out
|
||
|
|
of Egypt, the birth-day of that people; it was a tradition of the Jews,
|
||
|
|
that in the days of the Messiah they should be redeemed on the very day
|
||
|
|
of their coming out of Egypt; and it was exactly fulfilled, for Christ
|
||
|
|
died the day after the passover, in which day they began their
|
||
|
|
march.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The time when Christ ate the passover, was the usual time appointed
|
||
|
|
by God, and observed by the Jews
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>the first day of the feast of unleavened bread,</I> which that year
|
||
|
|
happened on the fifth day of the week, which is our Thursday. Some have
|
||
|
|
advanced a suggestion, that our Lord Jesus celebrated the passover at
|
||
|
|
this time of day sooner than other people did; but the learned Dr.
|
||
|
|
Whitby has largely disproved it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The place where, was particularly appointed by himself to the
|
||
|
|
disciples, upon their enquiry
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they asked, <I>Where wilt thou that we prepare the passover?</I>
|
||
|
|
Perhaps Judas was one of those that asked this question (where he would
|
||
|
|
eat the passover,) that he might know the better how to lay his train;
|
||
|
|
but the rest of the disciples asked it as usual, that they might do
|
||
|
|
their duty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They took it for granted that their Master would eat the passover,
|
||
|
|
though he was at this time persecuted by the chief priests, and his
|
||
|
|
life sought; they knew that he would not be put by his duty, either by
|
||
|
|
frightenings without or fears within. Those do not follow Christ's
|
||
|
|
example who make it an excuse for their not attending on the Lord's
|
||
|
|
supper, our gospel passover, that they have many troubles and many
|
||
|
|
enemies, are full of care and fear; for, if so, they have the more need
|
||
|
|
of that ordinance, to help to silence their fears, and comfort them
|
||
|
|
under their troubles, to help them in forgiving their enemies, and
|
||
|
|
casting all their cares on God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They knew very well that there must be preparation made for it, and
|
||
|
|
that it was their business, as his servants, to make preparation;
|
||
|
|
<I>Where wilt thou that we prepare?</I> Note, Before solemn ordinances
|
||
|
|
there must be solemn preparation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They knew that he had no house of his own wherein to eat the
|
||
|
|
passover; in this, as in other things, <I>for our sakes he became
|
||
|
|
poor.</I> Among all Zion's palaces there was none for Zion's King; but
|
||
|
|
his kingdom was not of this world. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:11">John i. 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. They would not pitch upon a place without direction from him, and
|
||
|
|
from him they had direction; he sent them to <I>such a man</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
who probably was a friend and follower of his, and to his house he
|
||
|
|
invited himself and his disciples.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Tell him, <I>My time is at hand;</I> he means the time of his
|
||
|
|
death, elsewhere called <I>his hour</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:20,13:1">John viii. 20; xiii. 1</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
the time, the hour, fixed in the counsel of God, which his heart was
|
||
|
|
upon, and which he had so often spoken of. He knew when it was at hand,
|
||
|
|
and was busy accordingly; we <I>know not our time</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:12">Eccl. ix. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore must never be off our watch; <I>our time is always
|
||
|
|
ready</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:6">John vii. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore we must be always ready. Observe, Because his <I>time was
|
||
|
|
at hand,</I> he would <I>keep the passover</I> Note, The consideration
|
||
|
|
of the near approach of death should quicken us to a diligent
|
||
|
|
improvement of all our opportunities for our souls. Is our time at
|
||
|
|
hand, and an eternity just before us? <I>Let us then keep the feast
|
||
|
|
with the unleavened bread of sincerity.</I> Observe, When our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus invited himself to this good man's house, he sent him this
|
||
|
|
intelligence, that his time was at hand. Note, Christ's secret is with
|
||
|
|
them that entertain him in their hearts. Compare
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:21,Re+3:20">John xiv. 21 with Rev. iii. 20</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Tell him, <I>I will keep the passover at thy house.</I> This was
|
||
|
|
an instance of his authority, as <I>the Master,</I> which it is likely
|
||
|
|
this man acknowledged; he did not beg, but command, the use of his
|
||
|
|
house for this purpose. Thus, when Christ by his Spirit comes into the
|
||
|
|
heart, he demands admission, as one whose own the heart is and cannot
|
||
|
|
be denied, and he gains admission as one who has all power in the heart
|
||
|
|
and cannot be resisted; if he saith, "I will keep a feast in such a
|
||
|
|
soul," he will do it; for he works, and none can hinder; his people
|
||
|
|
shall be willing, for he makes them so. <I>I will keep the passover
|
||
|
|
with my disciples.</I> Note, Wherever Christ is welcome, he expects
|
||
|
|
that his disciples should be welcome too. When we take God for our God,
|
||
|
|
we take his people for our people.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The preparation was made by the disciples
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They did as Jesus had appointed.</I> Note, Those who would have
|
||
|
|
Christ's presence with them in the gospel passover, must strictly
|
||
|
|
observe his instructions, and do as he directs; <I>They made ready the
|
||
|
|
passover;</I> they got the lamb killed in the court of the temple, got
|
||
|
|
it roasted, the bitter herbs provided, bread and wine, the cloth laid,
|
||
|
|
and every thing set in readiness for such a sacred solemn feast.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. They ate the passover according to the law
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He sat down,</I> in the usual table-gesture, not lying on one side,
|
||
|
|
for it was not easy to eat, nor possible to drink, in that posture, but
|
||
|
|
sitting upright, though perhaps sitting low. It is the same word that
|
||
|
|
is used for his posture at other meals,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:10,Lu+7:37,Mt+26:7"><I>ch.</I> ix. 10;
|
||
|
|
Luke vii. 37; <I>ch.</I> xxvi. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It was only the first passover in Egypt, as most think, that was eaten
|
||
|
|
with <I>their loins girded, shoes on their feet, and staff in their
|
||
|
|
hand,</I> though all that might be in a sitting posture. His sitting
|
||
|
|
down, denotes the composedness of his mind, when he addressed himself
|
||
|
|
to this solemnity; <I>He sat down with the twelve,</I> Judas not
|
||
|
|
excepted. By the law, they were to <I>take a lamb for a household</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:3,4">Exod. xii. 3, 4</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which were to be not less than ten, nor more than twenty; Christ's
|
||
|
|
disciples were his household. Note, They whom God has charged with
|
||
|
|
families, must have their houses with them in serving the Lord.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. We have here Christ's discourse with his disciples at the
|
||
|
|
passover-supper. The usual subject of discourse at that ordinance, was
|
||
|
|
the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:26,27">Exod. xii. 26, 27</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but the great Passover is now ready to be offered, and the discourse of
|
||
|
|
that swallows up all talk of the other,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+16:14,15">Jer. xvi. 14, 15</A>).
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The general notice Christ gives his disciples of the treachery that
|
||
|
|
should be among them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>One of you shall betray me.</I> Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Christ knew it. We know not what troubles will befal us, nor
|
||
|
|
whence they will arise: but Christ knew all his, which, as it proves
|
||
|
|
his omniscience, so it magnifies his love, that he knew all things that
|
||
|
|
should befal him, and yet did not draw back. He foresaw the treachery
|
||
|
|
and baseness of a disciple of his own, and yet went on; took care of
|
||
|
|
those that were given him, though he knew there was a Judas among them;
|
||
|
|
would pay the price of our redemption, though he foresaw some would
|
||
|
|
<I>deny the Lord that bought them;</I> and shed his blood, though he
|
||
|
|
knew it would be <I>trodden under foot as an unholy thing.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) When there was occasion, he let those about him know it. He had
|
||
|
|
often told them that the Son of man should be betrayed; now he tells
|
||
|
|
them that one of them should do it, that when they saw it, they might
|
||
|
|
not only be the less surprised, but have their faith in him confirmed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:19,14:29">John xiii. 19; xiv. 29</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The disciples' feelings on this occasion,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
How did they take it?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>They were exceeding sorrowful.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] It troubled them much to hear that their Master should be
|
||
|
|
betrayed. When Peter was first told of it, he said, <I>Be it far from
|
||
|
|
thee;</I> and therefore it must needs be a great trouble to him and the
|
||
|
|
rest of them, to hear that it was very <I>near</I> to him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It troubled them more to hear that one of them should do it. It
|
||
|
|
would be a reproach to the fraternity, for an apostle to prove a
|
||
|
|
traitor, and this grieved them; gracious souls grieve for the sins of
|
||
|
|
others, especially of those that have made a more than ordinary
|
||
|
|
profession of religion.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:29">2 Cor. xi. 29</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] It troubled them most of all, that they were left at uncertainty
|
||
|
|
which of them it was, and each of them was afraid for himself, lest, as
|
||
|
|
Hazael speaks
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+8:13">2 Kings viii. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he was the <I>dog</I> that should <I>do this great thing.</I> Those
|
||
|
|
that know the strength and subtlety of the tempter, and their own
|
||
|
|
weakness and folly, cannot but be in pain for themselves, when they
|
||
|
|
hear that <I>the love of many will wax cold.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>They began every one of them to say, Lord, is it I?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] They were not apt to suspect Judas. Though he was <I>a thief,</I>
|
||
|
|
yet, it seems, he had carried it so plausibly, that those who were
|
||
|
|
intimate with him, were not jealous of him: none of them so much as
|
||
|
|
looked upon him, much less said, <I>Lord, is it Judas?</I> Note, It is
|
||
|
|
possible for a hypocrite to go through the world, not only
|
||
|
|
undiscovered, but unsuspected; like bad money so ingeniously
|
||
|
|
counterfeited that nobody questions it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] They were apt to suspect themselves; <I>Lord, is it I?</I> Though
|
||
|
|
they were not conscious to themselves of any inclination that way (no
|
||
|
|
such thought had ever entered into their mind), yet they feared the
|
||
|
|
worst, and asked Him who knows us better than we know ourselves,
|
||
|
|
<I>Lord, is it I?</I> Note, It well becomes the disciples of Christ
|
||
|
|
always to be jealous over themselves with a godly jealousy, especially
|
||
|
|
in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how
|
||
|
|
far God may leave us to ourselves, and therefore have reason, <I>not to
|
||
|
|
be high-minded, but fear.</I> It is observable that our Lord Jesus,
|
||
|
|
just before he instituted the Lord's supper, put his disciples upon
|
||
|
|
this trial and suspicion of themselves, to teach us to examine and
|
||
|
|
<I>judge ourselves, and so to eat of that bread, and drink of that
|
||
|
|
cup.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Further information given them concerning this matter
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:23,24"><I>v.</I> 23, 24</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
where Christ tells them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That the traitor was a familiar friend; <I>He that dippeth his
|
||
|
|
hand with me in the dish,</I> that is, One of you that are now with me
|
||
|
|
at the table. He mentions this, to make the treachery appear the more
|
||
|
|
exceeding sinful. Note, External communion with Christ in holy
|
||
|
|
ordinances is a great aggravation of our falseness to him. It is base
|
||
|
|
ingratitude to dip with Christ in the dish, and yet betray him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That this was according to the scripture, which would take off the
|
||
|
|
offence at it. Was Christ betrayed by a disciple? So it was written
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+61:9">Ps. lxi. 9</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He that did eat bread with me, hath lifted up his heel against
|
||
|
|
me.</I> The more we see of the fulfilling of the scripture in our
|
||
|
|
troubles, the better we may bear them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That it would prove a very dear bargain to the traitor; <I>Woe to
|
||
|
|
that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed.</I> This he said, not only
|
||
|
|
to awaken the conscience of Judas, and bring him to repent, and revoke
|
||
|
|
his bargain, but for warning to all others to take heed of sinning like
|
||
|
|
Judas; though God can serve his own purposes by the sins of men, that
|
||
|
|
doth not make the sinner's condition the less woeful; <I>It had been
|
||
|
|
good for that man, if he had not been born.</I> Note, The ruin that
|
||
|
|
attends those who betray Christ, is so great, that it were more
|
||
|
|
eligible by far not be at all than to be thus miserable.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The conviction of Judas,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He asked, <I>Is it I?</I> to avoid coming under the suspicion of
|
||
|
|
guilt by his silence. He knew very well that it was he, and yet wished
|
||
|
|
to appear a stranger to such a plot. Note, Many whose consciences
|
||
|
|
condemn them are very industrious to justify themselves before men, and
|
||
|
|
put a good face on it, with, <I>Lord, is it I?</I> He could not but
|
||
|
|
know that Christ knew, and yet trusted so much to his courtesy, because
|
||
|
|
he had hitherto concealed it, that he had the impudence to challenge
|
||
|
|
him to tell: or, perhaps, he was so much under the power of infidelity,
|
||
|
|
that he imagined Christ did not know it, as those who said, <I>The Lord
|
||
|
|
shall not see</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+94:7">Ps. xciv. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and asked, <I>Can he judge through the dark clouds?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Christ soon answered this question; <I>Thou hast said,</I> that
|
||
|
|
is, It is as thou hast said. This is not spoken out so plainly as
|
||
|
|
Nathan's <I>Thou art the man;</I> but it was enough to convict him,
|
||
|
|
and, if his heart had not been wretchedly hardened, to have broken the
|
||
|
|
neck of his plot, when he saw it discovered to his Master, and
|
||
|
|
discovered by him. Note, They who are contriving to betray Christ,
|
||
|
|
will, some time or other, betray themselves, and <I>their own tongues
|
||
|
|
will fall upon them.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Institution of the Lord's Supper.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed <I>it,</I>
|
||
|
|
and brake <I>it,</I> and gave <I>it</I> to the disciples, and said, Take,
|
||
|
|
eat; this is my body.
|
||
|
|
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave <I>it</I> to them,
|
||
|
|
saying, Drink ye all of it;
|
||
|
|
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
|
||
|
|
many for the remission of sins.
|
||
|
|
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this
|
||
|
|
fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in
|
||
|
|
my Father's kingdom.
|
||
|
|
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount
|
||
|
|
of Olives.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the institution of the great gospel ordinance of the
|
||
|
|
Lord's supper, which was received of the Lord. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The time when it was instituted--<I>as they were eating.</I> At the
|
||
|
|
latter end of the passover-supper, before the table was drawn, because,
|
||
|
|
as a feast upon a sacrifice, it was to come in the room of that
|
||
|
|
ordinance. Christ is to us the Passover-sacrifice by which atonement is
|
||
|
|
made
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:7">1 Cor. v. 7</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.</I> This ordinance is to
|
||
|
|
us the passover-supper, by which application is made, and commemoration
|
||
|
|
celebrated, of a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of
|
||
|
|
Egypt. All the legal sacrifices of propitiation being summed up in the
|
||
|
|
death of Christ, and so abolished, all the legal feasts of rejoicing
|
||
|
|
were summed up in this sacrament, and so abolished.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The institution itself. A sacrament must be instituted; it is no
|
||
|
|
part of moral worship, nor is it dictated by natural light, but has
|
||
|
|
both its being and significancy from the institution, from a divine
|
||
|
|
institution; it is his prerogative who established the covenant, to
|
||
|
|
appoint the seals of it. Hence the apostle
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+11:23">1 Cor. xi. 23</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
&c.), in that discourse of his concerning this ordinance, all along
|
||
|
|
calls Jesus Christ <I>the Lord,</I> because, as <I>Lord,</I> as Lord of
|
||
|
|
the covenant, Lord of the church, he appointed this ordinance. In
|
||
|
|
which,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The body of Christ is signified and represented by bread; he had
|
||
|
|
said formerly
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:35">John vi. 35</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I am the bread of life,</I> upon which metaphor this sacrament is
|
||
|
|
built; as the life of the body is supported by bread, which is
|
||
|
|
therefore put for all bodily nourishment
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+4:4,6:11"><I>ch.</I> iv. 4; vi. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so the life of the soul is supported and maintained by Christ's
|
||
|
|
mediation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>He took bread,</I> <B><I>ton apton</I></B>--<I>the loaf;</I>
|
||
|
|
some loaf that lay ready to hand, fit for the purpose; it was,
|
||
|
|
probably, unleavened bread; but, that circumstance not being taken
|
||
|
|
notice of, we are not to bind ourselves to that, as some of the Greek
|
||
|
|
churches do. His taking the bread was a solemn action, and was,
|
||
|
|
probably, done in such a manner as to be observed by them that sat with
|
||
|
|
him, that they might expect something more than ordinary to be done
|
||
|
|
with it. Thus was the Lord Jesus set apart in the counsels of divine
|
||
|
|
love for the working out of our redemption.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>He blessed it;</I> set it apart for this use by prayer and
|
||
|
|
thanksgiving. We do not find any set form of words used by him upon
|
||
|
|
this occasion; but what he said, no doubt, was accommodated to the
|
||
|
|
business in hand, that new testament which by this ordinance was to be
|
||
|
|
sealed and ratified. This was like God's <I>blessing the seventh
|
||
|
|
day</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+2:3">Gen. ii. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
by which it was separated to God's honour, and made to all that duly
|
||
|
|
observe it, a blessed day: Christ could command the blessing, and we,
|
||
|
|
in his name, are emboldened to beg the blessing.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) <I>He brake it;</I> which denotes,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The breaking of Christ's body for us, that it might be fitted for
|
||
|
|
our use; <I>He was bruised for our iniquities,</I> as <I>bread-corn is
|
||
|
|
bruised</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:28">Isa. xxviii. 28</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
though <I>a bone of him was not broken</I> (for all his breaking did
|
||
|
|
not weaken him), yet his flesh was <I>broken with breach upon
|
||
|
|
breach,</I> and his wounds were multiplied
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:17,16:14">Job ix. 17; xvi. 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and that pained him. God complains that he is broken with the
|
||
|
|
<I>whorish heart</I> of sinners
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+6:9">Ezek. vi. 9</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
his law broken, our covenants with him broken; now justice requires
|
||
|
|
<I>breach for breach</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+24:20">Lev. xxiv. 20</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and Christ was broken, to satisfy that demand.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The breaking of Christ's body to us, as the father of the family
|
||
|
|
breaks the bread to the children. The breaking of Christ to us, is to
|
||
|
|
facilitate the application; every thing is made ready for us by the
|
||
|
|
grants of God's word and the operations of his grace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) <I>He gave it to his disciples,</I> as the Master of the family,
|
||
|
|
and the Master of this feast; it is not said, He gave it <I>to the
|
||
|
|
apostles,</I> though they were so, and had been often called so before
|
||
|
|
this, but <I>to the disciples,</I> because all the disciples of Christ
|
||
|
|
have a right to this ordinance; and those shall have the benefit of it
|
||
|
|
who are his disciples indeed; yet he gave it to them as he did the
|
||
|
|
multiplied loaves, by them to be handed to all his other followers.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) <I>He said, Take, eat; this is my body,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He here tells them,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] What they should do with it; "<I>Take, eat;</I> accept of Christ
|
||
|
|
as he is offered to you, receive the atonement, approve of it, consent
|
||
|
|
to it, come up to the terms on which the benefit of it is proposed to
|
||
|
|
you; submit to his grace and to his government." Believing on Christ is
|
||
|
|
expressed by <I>receiving him</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:12">John i. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and <I>feeding upon him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:57,58">John vi. 57, 58</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Meat looked upon, or the dish ever so well garnished, will not nourish
|
||
|
|
us; it must be fed upon: so must the doctrine of Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] What they should have with it; <I>This is my body,</I> not
|
||
|
|
<B><I>outos</I></B>--<I>this bread,</I> but <B><I>touto</I></B>--<I>this
|
||
|
|
eating and drinking.</I> Believing carries all the efficacy of Christ's
|
||
|
|
death to our souls. <I>This is my body,</I> spiritually and
|
||
|
|
sacramentally; this signifies and represents my body. He employs
|
||
|
|
sacramental language, like that,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:11">Exod. xii. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>It is the Lord's passover.</I> Upon a carnal and much--mistaken
|
||
|
|
sense of these words, the church of Rome builds the monstrous doctrine
|
||
|
|
of Transubstantiation, which makes the bread to be changed into the
|
||
|
|
substance of Christ's body, only the accidents of bread remaining;
|
||
|
|
which affronts Christ, destroys the nature of a sacrament, and gives
|
||
|
|
the lie to our senses. We partake of the sun, not by having the bulk
|
||
|
|
and body of the sun put into our hands, but the beams of it darted down
|
||
|
|
upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking of his grace, and the
|
||
|
|
blessed fruits of the breaking of his body.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the wine; to
|
||
|
|
make it a complete feast, here is not only bread to strengthen, but
|
||
|
|
wine to <I>make glad the heart</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He took the cup,</I> the grace-cup, which was set ready to be drank,
|
||
|
|
after thanks returned, according to the custom of the Jews at the
|
||
|
|
passover; this Christ took, and made the sacramental-cup, and so
|
||
|
|
altered the property. It was intended for a <I>cup of blessing</I> (so
|
||
|
|
the Jews called it), and therefore St. Paul studiously distinguished
|
||
|
|
between the cup of blessing which <I>we</I> bless, and that which
|
||
|
|
<I>they</I> bless. <I>He gave thanks,</I> to teach us, not only in
|
||
|
|
every ordinance, but in every part of the ordinance, to have our eyes
|
||
|
|
up to God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This cup he gave to the disciples,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) With a command; <I>Drink ye all of it.</I> Thus he welcomes his
|
||
|
|
guests to his table, obliges them all to drink of his cup. Why should
|
||
|
|
he so expressly command them all to drink, and to see that none let it
|
||
|
|
pass them, and press that more expressly in this than in the other part
|
||
|
|
of the ordinance? Surely it was because he foresaw how in after-ages
|
||
|
|
this ordinance would be dismembered by the prohibition of the cup to
|
||
|
|
the laity, with an express <I>non obstante--notwithstanding</I> to the
|
||
|
|
command.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) With an explication; <I>For this is my blood of the New
|
||
|
|
Testament.</I> Therefore drink it with appetite, delight, because it is
|
||
|
|
so rich a cordial. Hitherto the blood of Christ had been represented by
|
||
|
|
the blood of beasts, real blood: but, after it was actually shed, it
|
||
|
|
was represented by the blood of grapes, metaphorical blood; so wine is
|
||
|
|
called in an Old-Testament prophecy of Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:10,11">Gen. xlix. 10, 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now observe what Christ saith of his blood represented in the
|
||
|
|
sacrament.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] <I>It is my blood of the New Testament.</I> The Old Testament was
|
||
|
|
confirmed by the <I>blood of bulls and goats</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:19,20,Ex+24:8">Heb. ix. 19, 20; Exod. xxiv. 8</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but the New Testament with the blood of Christ, which is here
|
||
|
|
distinguished from that; <I>It is my blood of the New Testament.</I>
|
||
|
|
The covenant God is pleased to make with us, and all the benefits and
|
||
|
|
privileges of it, are owing to the merits of Christ's death.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] <I>It is shed;</I> it was not shed till next day, but it was now
|
||
|
|
upon the point of being shed, it is as good as done. "Before you come
|
||
|
|
to repeat this ordinance yourselves, it will be shed." He was <I>now
|
||
|
|
ready to be offered,</I> and his blood to be poured out, as the blood
|
||
|
|
of the sacrifices which made atonement.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] <I>It is shed for many.</I> Christ came to confirm <I>a covenant
|
||
|
|
with many</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:27">Dan. ix. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the intent of his death agreed. The blood of the Old Testament was
|
||
|
|
shed for a few: it confirmed a covenant, which (saith Moses) the Lord
|
||
|
|
has <I>made with you,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:8">Exod. xxiv. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The atonement was made only <I>for the children of Israel</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+16:34">Lev. xvi. 34</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but Jesus Christ is a propitiation <I>for the sins of the whole
|
||
|
|
world,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:2">1 John ii. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] It <I>is shed for the remission of sins,</I> that is, to purchase
|
||
|
|
remission of sins for us. The redemption which we have through his
|
||
|
|
blood, is <I>the remission of sins,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:7">Eph. i. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The new covenant which is procured and ratified by the blood of Christ,
|
||
|
|
is a charter of pardon, an act of indemnity, in order to a
|
||
|
|
reconciliation between God and man; for sin was the only thing that
|
||
|
|
made the quarrel, and <I>without shedding of blood is no remission,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:22">Heb. ix. 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord's
|
||
|
|
supper, conferred upon all true believers; it is the foundation of all
|
||
|
|
other blessings, and the spring of everlasting comfort,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:2,3"><I>ch.</I> ix. 2, 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
A farewell is now bidden to the fruit of the vine,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ and his disciples had now feasted together with a deal of
|
||
|
|
comfort, in both an Old Testament and a New Testament festival,
|
||
|
|
<I>fibula utriusque Testamenti--the connecting tie of both
|
||
|
|
Testaments.</I> How amiable were these tabernacles! How good to be
|
||
|
|
here! Never such a heaven upon earth as was at this table; but it was
|
||
|
|
not intended for a perpetuity; he now told them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:16">John xvi. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that <I>yet a little while and they should not see him: and again a
|
||
|
|
little while and they should see him,</I> which explains this here.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> He takes leave of such communion; <I>I will not drink
|
||
|
|
henceforth of this fruit of the vine,</I> that is, now that I am no
|
||
|
|
more in the world
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:11">John xvii. 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I have had enough of it, and am glad to think of leaving it, glad to
|
||
|
|
think that this is the last meal. <I>Farewell this fruit of the
|
||
|
|
vine,</I> this passover-cup, this sacramental wine. Dying saints take
|
||
|
|
their leave of sacraments, and the other ordinances of communion which
|
||
|
|
they enjoy in this world, with comfort, for the joy and glory they
|
||
|
|
enter into supersede them all; when the sun rises, farewell the
|
||
|
|
candles.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> He assures them of a happy meeting again at last. It
|
||
|
|
is a long, but not an everlasting, farewell; <I>until that day when I
|
||
|
|
drink it new with you.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Some understand it of the interviews he had with them after his
|
||
|
|
resurrection, which was the first step of his exaltation <I>into the
|
||
|
|
kingdom of his Father;</I> and though during those forty days he did
|
||
|
|
not converse with them so constantly as he had done, yet he <I>did eat
|
||
|
|
and drink with them</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:41">Acts x. 41</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which, as it confirmed their faith, so doubtless it greatly comforted
|
||
|
|
their hearts, for they were overjoyed at it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:41">Luke xxiv. 41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Others understand it of the joys and glories of the future state,
|
||
|
|
which the saints shall partake of in everlasting communion with the
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus, represented here by the pleasures of <I>a banquet of
|
||
|
|
wine.</I> That will be the kingdom of his Father, for unto him shall
|
||
|
|
the kingdom be then delivered up; <I>the wine of consolation</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+16:7">Jer. xvi. 7</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
will there be always new, never flat or sour, as wine with long
|
||
|
|
keeping; never nauseous or unpleasant, as wine to those that have drank
|
||
|
|
much; but ever fresh. Christ will himself partake of those pleasures;
|
||
|
|
it was <I>the joy set before him,</I> which he had in his eye, and all
|
||
|
|
his faithful friends and followers shall partake with him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Here is the close of the solemnity with a hymn
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They sang a hymn</I> or psalm; whether the psalms which the Jews
|
||
|
|
usually sang at the close of the passover-supper, which they called
|
||
|
|
<I>the great hallel,</I> that is, Ps. 113 and the five that follow it,
|
||
|
|
or whether some new hymn more closely adapted to the occasion, is
|
||
|
|
uncertain; I rather think the former; had it been new, John would not
|
||
|
|
have omitted to record it. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Singing of psalms is a gospel-ordinance. Christ's removing the hymn
|
||
|
|
from the close of the passover to the close of the Lord's supper,
|
||
|
|
plainly intimates that he intended that ordinance should continue in
|
||
|
|
his church, that, as it had not its birth with the ceremonial law, so
|
||
|
|
it should not die with it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It is very proper after the Lord's supper, as an expression of our
|
||
|
|
joy in God through Jesus Christ, and a thankful acknowledgment of that
|
||
|
|
great love wherewith God has loved us in him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. It is not unseasonable, no, not in times of sorrow and suffering;
|
||
|
|
the disciples were in sorrow, and Christ was entering upon his
|
||
|
|
sufferings, and yet they could sing a hymn together. Our spiritual joy
|
||
|
|
should not be interrupted by outward afflictions.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When this was done, they <I>went out into the mount of Olives.</I> He
|
||
|
|
would not stay in the house to be apprehended, lest he should bring the
|
||
|
|
master of the house into trouble; nor would he stay in the city, lest
|
||
|
|
it should occasion an uproar; but he retired into the adjacent country,
|
||
|
|
the mount of Olives, the same mount that David in his distress went
|
||
|
|
<I>up the ascent of, weeping,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+15:30">2 Sam. xv. 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They had the benefit of moon-light for this walk, for the passover was
|
||
|
|
always at the full moon. Note, After we have received the Lord's
|
||
|
|
supper, it is good for us to retire for prayer and meditation, and to
|
||
|
|
be alone with God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostles' Cowardice Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because
|
||
|
|
of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd,
|
||
|
|
and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
|
||
|
|
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into
|
||
|
|
Galilee.
|
||
|
|
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all <I>men</I> shall be
|
||
|
|
offended because of thee, <I>yet</I> will I never be offended.
|
||
|
|
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this
|
||
|
|
night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
|
||
|
|
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will
|
||
|
|
I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here Christ's discourse with his disciples upon the way, as
|
||
|
|
they were going to the mount of Olives. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. A prediction of the trial which both he and his disciples were now
|
||
|
|
to go through. He here foretels,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A dismal scattering storm just arising,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That they should <I>all be offended because of Christ that very
|
||
|
|
night;</I> that is, they would all be so frightened with the
|
||
|
|
sufferings, that they would not have the courage to cleave to him in
|
||
|
|
them, but would all basely desert him; <I>Because of me this night,</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>en emoi en te nykti taute</I></B>--<I>because of me, even because
|
||
|
|
of this night;</I> so it might be read; that is, because of what
|
||
|
|
happens to me this night. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Offences will come among the disciples of Christ in an hour of
|
||
|
|
trial and temptation; it cannot be but they should, for they are weak;
|
||
|
|
Satan is busy; God permits offences; even they whose hearts are upright
|
||
|
|
may sometimes be overtaken with an offence.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] There are some temptations and offences, the effects of which are
|
||
|
|
general and universal among Christ's disciples; <I>All you shall be
|
||
|
|
offended.</I> Christ had lately discovered to them the treachery of
|
||
|
|
Judas; but let not the rest be secure; though there will be but one
|
||
|
|
traitor, they will be all deserters. This he saith, to alarm them all,
|
||
|
|
that they might all watch.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] We have need to prepare for sudden trials, which may come to
|
||
|
|
extremity in a very little time. Christ and his disciples had eaten
|
||
|
|
their supper well together in peace and quietness; yet that very night
|
||
|
|
proved such a night of offence. How soon may a storm arise! We know not
|
||
|
|
what a day, or a night, may bring forth, nor what great event may be in
|
||
|
|
the teeming womb of a little time,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:1">Prov. xxvii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] The cross of Christ is the great stumbling-block to many that pass
|
||
|
|
for his disciples; both the cross he bore for us
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:23">1 Cor. i. 23</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and that which we are called out to bear for him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:24"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 24</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That herein the scripture would be fulfilled; <I>I will smite the
|
||
|
|
Shepherd.</I> It is quoted from
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+13:7">Zech. xiii. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Here is the smiting of the Shepherd in the sufferings of Christ.
|
||
|
|
God awakens the sword of his wrath against the Son of his love, and he
|
||
|
|
is smitten.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The scattering of the sheep, thereupon, in the flight of the
|
||
|
|
disciples. When Christ fell into the hands of his enemies, his
|
||
|
|
disciples ran, one one way and another another; it was each one's care
|
||
|
|
to shift for himself, and happy he that could get furthest from the
|
||
|
|
cross.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He gives them the prospect of a comfortable gathering together again
|
||
|
|
after this storm
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>After I am risen again, I will go before you.</I> Though you will
|
||
|
|
forsake me, I will not forsake you; though you fall, I will take care
|
||
|
|
you shall not fall finally: we shall have a meeting again in Galilee,
|
||
|
|
<I>I will go before you,</I> as the shepherd before the sheep." Some
|
||
|
|
make the last words of that prophecy
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+13:7">Zech. xiii. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
a promise equivalent to this here; <I>and I will bring my hand again to
|
||
|
|
the little ones.</I> There is no bringing them back but by bringing his
|
||
|
|
hand to them. Note, The captain of our salvation knows how to rally his
|
||
|
|
troops, when, through their cowardice, they have been put into
|
||
|
|
disorder.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The presumption of Peter, that he should keep his integrity,
|
||
|
|
whatever happened
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Though all men be offended, yet will I never be offended.</I> Peter
|
||
|
|
had a great stock of confidence, and was upon all occasions forward to
|
||
|
|
speak, especially to speak for himself; sometimes it did him a
|
||
|
|
kindness, but at other times it betrayed him, as it did here. Where
|
||
|
|
observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How he bound himself with a promise, that he would never be offended
|
||
|
|
in Christ; not only not this night, but at no time. If this promise had
|
||
|
|
been made in a humble dependence upon the grace of Christ, it had been
|
||
|
|
an excellent word. Before the Lord's supper, Christ's discourse led his
|
||
|
|
disciples to <I>examine</I> themselves with, <I>Lord, is it I?</I> For
|
||
|
|
that is our preparatory duty; after the ordinance, his discourse leads
|
||
|
|
them to an <I>engaging</I> of themselves to close walking, for that is
|
||
|
|
the subsequent duty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he fancied himself better armed against temptation than any one
|
||
|
|
else, and this was his weakness and folly; <I>Though all men shall be
|
||
|
|
offended yet will not I.</I> This was worse than Hazael's, <I>What! is
|
||
|
|
thy servant a dog?</I> For he supposed the thing to be so bad, that no
|
||
|
|
man would do it. But Peter supposes it possible that <I>some,</I> nay
|
||
|
|
that <I>all,</I> might be offended, and yet he escape better than any.
|
||
|
|
Note, It argues a great degree of self-conceit and self-confidence, to
|
||
|
|
think ourselves either safe from the temptations, or free from the
|
||
|
|
corruptions, that are common to men. We should rather say, If it be
|
||
|
|
possible that others may be offended, there is danger that I may be so.
|
||
|
|
But it is common for those who think too well of themselves, easily to
|
||
|
|
admit suspicions of others. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:1">Gal. vi. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The particular warning Christ gave Peter of what he would do,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He imagined that in the hour of temptation he should come off better
|
||
|
|
than any of them, and Christ tells him that he should come off worse.
|
||
|
|
The warning is introduced with a solemn asseveration; "<I>Verily, I say
|
||
|
|
unto thee;</I> take my word for it, who know thee better than thou
|
||
|
|
knowest thyself." He tells him,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That he should deny him. Peter promised that he would not be so much
|
||
|
|
as offended in him, not desert him; but Christ tells him that he will
|
||
|
|
go further, he will disown him. He said, "Though all men, yet not I;"
|
||
|
|
and he did it sooner than any.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How quickly he should do it; <I>this night,</I> before to-morrow,
|
||
|
|
nay, <I>before cock-crowing.</I> Satan's temptations are compared to
|
||
|
|
<I>darts</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:16">Eph. vi. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which wound ere we are aware; <I>suddenly doth he shoot.</I> As we know
|
||
|
|
not how near we may be to trouble, so we know not how near we may be to
|
||
|
|
sin; if God leave us to ourselves, we are always in danger.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. How often he should do it; <I>thrice.</I> He thought that he should
|
||
|
|
never once do such a thing; but Christ tells him that he would do it
|
||
|
|
again and again; for, when once our feet begin to slip, it is hard to
|
||
|
|
recover our standing again. <I>The beginnings of sin are as the letting
|
||
|
|
forth of water.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. Peter's repeated assurances of his fidelity
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Though I should die with thee.</I> He supposed the temptation
|
||
|
|
strong, when he said, <I>Though all men do it, yet will not I.</I> But
|
||
|
|
here he supposeth it stronger, when he puts it to the peril of life;
|
||
|
|
<I>Though I should die with thee.</I> He knew what he <I>should</I>
|
||
|
|
do--rather die with Christ than deny him, it was the condition of
|
||
|
|
discipleship
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:26">Luke xiv. 26</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and he thought what he <I>would</I> do--never be false to his Master
|
||
|
|
whatever it cost him; yet, it proved, he was. It is easy to talk boldly
|
||
|
|
and carelessly of death at a distance; "I will rather die than do such
|
||
|
|
a thing:" but it is not so soon done as said, when it comes to the
|
||
|
|
setting-to, and death shows itself in its own colours.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
What Peter said the rest subscribed to; <I>likewise also said all the
|
||
|
|
disciples.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. There is a proneness in good men to be over-confident of their own
|
||
|
|
strength and stability. We are ready to think ourselves able to grapple
|
||
|
|
with the strongest temptations, to go through the hardest and most
|
||
|
|
hazardous services, and to bear the greatest afflictions for Christ;
|
||
|
|
but it is because we do not know ourselves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Those often fall soonest and foulest that are most confident of
|
||
|
|
themselves. Those are least safe that are most secure. Satan is most
|
||
|
|
active to seduce such; they are most off their guard, and God leaves
|
||
|
|
them to themselves, to humble them. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:12">1 Cor. x. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Agony in the Garden.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,
|
||
|
|
and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray
|
||
|
|
yonder.
|
||
|
|
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and
|
||
|
|
began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
|
||
|
|
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful,
|
||
|
|
even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
|
||
|
|
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and
|
||
|
|
prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
|
||
|
|
from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou <I>wilt.</I>
|
||
|
|
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep,
|
||
|
|
and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
|
||
|
|
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the
|
||
|
|
spirit indeed <I>is</I> willing, but the flesh <I>is</I> weak.
|
||
|
|
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my
|
||
|
|
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
|
||
|
|
thy will be done.
|
||
|
|
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were
|
||
|
|
heavy.
|
||
|
|
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third
|
||
|
|
time, saying the same words.
|
||
|
|
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep
|
||
|
|
on now, and take <I>your</I> rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and
|
||
|
|
the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
|
||
|
|
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth
|
||
|
|
betray me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Hitherto, we have seen the preparatives for Christ's sufferings; now,
|
||
|
|
we enter upon the bloody scene. In these verses we have the story of
|
||
|
|
his agony in the garden. This was the beginning of sorrows to our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus. Now the <I>sword of the Lord</I> began to awake against <I>the
|
||
|
|
man that was his Fellow; and how should it be quiet when the Lord had
|
||
|
|
given it a charge?</I> The clouds had been gathering a good while, and
|
||
|
|
looked black. He had said, some days before, <I>Now is my soul
|
||
|
|
troubled,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:27">John xii. 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But now the storm began in good earnest. He put himself into this
|
||
|
|
agony, before his enemies gave him any trouble, to show that he was a
|
||
|
|
Freewill offering; that his life was not forced from him, but he
|
||
|
|
<I>laid it down of himself.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:18">John x. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The place where he underwent this mighty agony; it was <I>in a place
|
||
|
|
called Gethsemane.</I> The name signifies, <I>torculus olei--an
|
||
|
|
olive-mill,</I> a press for olives, like a wine-press, where they
|
||
|
|
<I>trod the olives,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+6:15">Mic. vi. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And this was the proper place for such a thing, at the foot of the
|
||
|
|
mount of Olives. There our Lord Jesus began his passion; there it
|
||
|
|
pleased the Lord to bruise him, and crush him, that fresh oil might
|
||
|
|
flow to all believers from him, that we might partake of the root and
|
||
|
|
fatness of that <I>good Olive.</I> There he trod the wine-press of his
|
||
|
|
Father's wrath, and trod it alone.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The company he had with him, when he was in this agony.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He took all the twelve disciples with him to the garden, except
|
||
|
|
Judas, who was at this time otherwise employed. Though it was late in
|
||
|
|
the night, near bed-time, yet they kept with him, and took this walk by
|
||
|
|
moonlight with him, as Elisha, who, when he was told that his master
|
||
|
|
should shortly be taken from his head, declared that he <I>would not
|
||
|
|
leave him,</I> though he <I>led him about;</I> so these follow the
|
||
|
|
Lamb, wheresoever he goes.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He took only Peter, and James, and John, with him into that corner
|
||
|
|
of the garden where he suffered his agony. He left the rest at some
|
||
|
|
distance, perhaps at the garden door, with this charge, <I>Sit ye here,
|
||
|
|
while I go and pray yonder;</I> like that of Abraham to his <I>young
|
||
|
|
men</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+22:5">Gen. xxii. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Abide ye here, and I will go yonder and worship.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Christ went to pray alone, though he had lately prayed with his
|
||
|
|
disciples,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:1">John xvii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Our prayers with our families must not excuse us from our secret
|
||
|
|
devotions.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He ordered them to sit here. Note, We must take heed
|
||
|
|
of giving any disturbance or interruption to those who retire for
|
||
|
|
secret communion with God. He took these three with him, because they
|
||
|
|
had been the witnesses of his glory in his transfiguration
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:1,2"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 1, 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and that would prepare them to be the witnesses of his agony. Note,
|
||
|
|
Those are best prepared to suffer with Christ, that have by faith
|
||
|
|
beheld his glory, and have conversed with the glorified saints upon the
|
||
|
|
holy mount. <I>If we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him;</I>
|
||
|
|
and if we hope to reign with him, why should we not expect to suffer
|
||
|
|
with him?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The agony itself that he was in; <I>He began to be sorrowful, and
|
||
|
|
very heavy.</I> It is called an agony
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:44">Luke xxii. 44</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
a conflict. It was not any bodily pain or torment that he was in,
|
||
|
|
nothing occurred to hurt him; but, whatever it was, it was from within;
|
||
|
|
he troubled himself,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+11:33">John xi. 33</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The words here used are very emphatical; he began <B><I>lupeisthai kai
|
||
|
|
ademunein</I></B>--<I>to be sorrowful, and in a consternation.</I> The
|
||
|
|
latter word signifies such a sorrow as makes a man neither fit for
|
||
|
|
company nor desirous of it. He had like a weight of lead upon his
|
||
|
|
spirits. Physicians use a word near akin to it, to signify the disorder
|
||
|
|
a man is in in a fit of an ague, or beginning of a fever. Now was
|
||
|
|
fulfilled,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:14">Ps. xxii. 14</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I am poured out like water, my heart is like wax, it is melted;</I>
|
||
|
|
and all those passages in the Psalms where David complains of the
|
||
|
|
sorrows of his soul,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:4,5,42:7,55:4,5,69:1-3.88:3,116:3">Ps. xviii. 4, 5;
|
||
|
|
xlii. 7; lv. 4, 5; lxix. 1-3; lxxxviii. 3; cxvi. 3</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and Jonah's complaint,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jon+2:4,5"><I>ch.</I> ii. 4, 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But what was the cause of all this? What was it that put him into his
|
||
|
|
agony? <I>Why art thou cast down,</I> blessed Jesus, and <I>why
|
||
|
|
disquieted?</I> Certainly, it was nothing of despair or distrust of his
|
||
|
|
Father, much less any conflict or struggle with him. As the Father
|
||
|
|
loved him because he laid down his life for the sheep, so he was
|
||
|
|
entirely subject to his Father's will in it. But,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He engaged in an encounter with the powers of darkness; so he
|
||
|
|
intimates
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:53">Luke xxii. 53</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>This is your hour, and the power of darkness:</I> and he spoke of it
|
||
|
|
just before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:30,31">John xiv. 30, 31</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>The prince of this world cometh.</I> I see him rallying his forces,
|
||
|
|
and preparing for a general assault; but <I>he has nothing in me,</I>
|
||
|
|
no garrisons in his interest, none that secretly hold correspondence
|
||
|
|
with him; and therefore his attempts, though fierce, will be fruitless:
|
||
|
|
but <I>as the Father gave me commandment, so I do;</I> however it be, I
|
||
|
|
must have a struggle with him, the field must be fairly fought; and
|
||
|
|
therefore <I>arise, let us go hence,</I> let us hasten to the field of
|
||
|
|
battle, and meet the enemy." Now is the close engagement in single
|
||
|
|
combat between Michael and the dragon, hand to hand; <I>now is the
|
||
|
|
judgment of this world;</I> the great cause is now to be determined,
|
||
|
|
and the decisive battle fought, in which the <I>prince of this
|
||
|
|
world,</I> will certainly be beaten and <I>cast out,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:31">John xii. 31</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ, when he works salvation, is described like a champion taking
|
||
|
|
the field,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:16-18">Isa. lix. 16-18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now the serpent makes his fiercest onset on the seed of the woman, and
|
||
|
|
directs his sting, the sting of death, to his very heart; <I>animamque
|
||
|
|
in vulnere ponit--and the wound is mortal.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He was now <I>bearing the iniquities</I> which the Father laid upon
|
||
|
|
him, and, by his sorrow and amazement, he accommodated himself to his
|
||
|
|
undertaking. The sufferings he was entering upon were for our sins;
|
||
|
|
they were all made to meet upon him, and he knew it. As we are obliged
|
||
|
|
to be sorry for our particular sins, so was he grieved for the sins of
|
||
|
|
us all. So Bishop Pearson, p. 191. Now, <I>in the valley of
|
||
|
|
Jehoshaphat,</I> where Christ now was, God <I>gathered all nations,</I>
|
||
|
|
and <I>pleaded with them in his</I> Son,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joe+3:2,12">Joel iii. 2, 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He knew the malignity of the sins that were laid upon him, how
|
||
|
|
provoking to God, how ruining to man; and these being all set in order
|
||
|
|
before him, and charged upon him, he was <I>sorrowful and very
|
||
|
|
heavy.</I> Now it was that <I>iniquities took hold on him;</I> so that
|
||
|
|
he was <I>not able to look up,</I> as was foretold concerning him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+40:7,12">Ps. xl. 7, 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He had a full and clear prospect of all the sufferings that were
|
||
|
|
before him. He foresaw the treachery of Judas, the unkindness of Peter,
|
||
|
|
the malice of the Jews, and their base ingratitude. He knew that he
|
||
|
|
should now in a few hours be scourged, spit upon, crowned with thorns,
|
||
|
|
nailed to the cross; death in its most dreadful appearances, death in
|
||
|
|
pomp, attended with all its terrors, looked him in the face; and this
|
||
|
|
made him sorrowful, especially because it was the wages of our sin,
|
||
|
|
which he had undertaken to satisfy for. It is true, the martyrs that
|
||
|
|
have suffered for Christ, have entertained the greatest torments, and
|
||
|
|
the most terrible deaths, without any such sorrow and consternation;
|
||
|
|
have called their prisons their delectable orchards, and a bed of
|
||
|
|
flames a bed of roses: but then,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Christ was now denied the supports and comforts which they had;
|
||
|
|
that is, he denied them to himself, and <I>his soul refused to be
|
||
|
|
comforted,</I> not in passion, but in justice to his undertaking. Their
|
||
|
|
cheerfulness under the cross was owing to the divine favour, which, for
|
||
|
|
the present, was suspended from the Lord Jesus.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) His sufferings were of another nature from theirs. St. Paul, when
|
||
|
|
he is to be offered upon the sacrifice and service of the saints'
|
||
|
|
faith, can <I>joy and rejoice with them all;</I> but to be offered a
|
||
|
|
sacrifice, to make atonement for sin, is quite a different case. On the
|
||
|
|
saints' cross there is a blessing pronounced, which enables them to
|
||
|
|
rejoice under it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:10,12"><I>ch.</I> v. 10, 12</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but to Christ's cross there was a curse annexed, which made him
|
||
|
|
sorrowful and very heavy under it. And his sorrow under the cross was
|
||
|
|
the foundation of their joy under it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. His complaint of this agony. Finding himself under the arrest of
|
||
|
|
his passion, he goes to his disciples
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He acquaints them with his condition; <I>My soul is exceedingly
|
||
|
|
sorrowful, even unto death.</I> It gives some little ease to a troubled
|
||
|
|
spirit, to have a friend ready to unbosom itself to, and give vent to
|
||
|
|
its sorrows. Christ here tells them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What was the seat of his sorrow; it was his soul that was now in
|
||
|
|
an agony. This proves that Christ had a true human soul; for he
|
||
|
|
suffered, not only in his body, but in his soul. We had sinned both
|
||
|
|
against our own bodies, and against our souls; both had been used in
|
||
|
|
sin, and both had been wronged by it; and therefore Christ suffered in
|
||
|
|
soul as well as in body.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) What was the degree of his sorrow. He was <I>exceedingly
|
||
|
|
sorrowful,</I> <B><I>perilypos</I></B>--<I>compassed about with sorrow
|
||
|
|
on all hands.</I> It was sorrow in the highest degree, even unto death;
|
||
|
|
it was a killing sorrow, such sorrow as no mortal man could bear and
|
||
|
|
live. He was ready to die for grief; they were sorrows of death.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The duration of it; it will continue even unto death. "My soul
|
||
|
|
will be sorrowful as long as it is in this body; I see no outlet but
|
||
|
|
death." He now <I>began</I> to be sorrowful, and never ceased to be so
|
||
|
|
till he said, <I>It is finished;</I> that grief is now finished, which
|
||
|
|
began in the garden. It was prophesied of Christ, that he should be
|
||
|
|
<I>a Man of sorrows</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:3">Isa. liii. 3</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he was so all along, we never read that he laughed; but all his sorrows
|
||
|
|
hitherto were nothing to this.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He bespeaks their company and attendance; <I>Tarry ye here, and
|
||
|
|
watch with me.</I> Surely he was destitute indeed of help, when he
|
||
|
|
entreated theirs, who, he knew, would be but miserable comforters; but
|
||
|
|
he would hereby teach us the benefit of the communion of saints. It is
|
||
|
|
good to have, and therefore good to seek, the assistance of our
|
||
|
|
brethren, when at any time we are in an agony; <I>for two are better
|
||
|
|
than one.</I> What he said to them, he saith to all, <I>Watch,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:37">Mark xiii. 37</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Not only watch for him, in expectation of his future coming, but watch
|
||
|
|
with him, in application to our present work.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. What passed between him and his Father when he was in this agony;
|
||
|
|
<I>Being in an agony, he prayed.</I> Prayer is never out of season, but
|
||
|
|
it is especially seasonable in an agony.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The place where he prayed; <I>He went a little further,</I> withdrew
|
||
|
|
from them, that the scripture might be fulfilled, <I>I have trod the
|
||
|
|
wine-press alone;</I> he retired for prayer; a troubled soul finds most
|
||
|
|
ease when it is alone with God, who understands the broken language of
|
||
|
|
sighs and groans. Calvin's devout remark upon this is worth
|
||
|
|
transcribing, <I>Utile est seorsim orare, tunc enim magis familiariter
|
||
|
|
sese denudat fidelis animus, et simplicius sua vota, gemitus, curas,
|
||
|
|
pavores, spes, et gaudia in Dei sinum exonerat--It is useful to pray
|
||
|
|
apart; for then the faithful soul develops itself more familiarly, and
|
||
|
|
with greater simplicity pours forth its petitions, groans, cares,
|
||
|
|
fears, hopes and joys, into the bosom of God.</I> Christ has hereby
|
||
|
|
taught us that secret prayer must be made secretly. Yet some think that
|
||
|
|
even the disciples whom he left at the garden door, overheard him; for
|
||
|
|
it is said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:7">Heb. v. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they were <I>strong cries.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His posture in prayer; <I>He fell on his face;</I> his lying
|
||
|
|
prostrate denotes,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The agony he was in, and the extremity of his sorrow. Job, in
|
||
|
|
great grief, <I>fell on the ground;</I> and great anguish is expressed
|
||
|
|
by <I>rolling in the dust,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+1:10">Mic. i. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) His humility in prayer. This posture was an expression of his,
|
||
|
|
<B><I>eulabeia</I></B>--<I>his reverential fear</I> (spoken of
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:7">Heb. v. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
with which he offered up these prayers: and it was <I>in the days of
|
||
|
|
his flesh,</I> in his estate of humiliation, to which hereby he
|
||
|
|
accommodated himself.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The prayer itself; wherein we may observe three things.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The title he gives to God; <I>O my Father.</I> Thick as the cloud
|
||
|
|
was, he could see God as a Father through it. Note, In all our
|
||
|
|
addresses to God we should eye him as a Father, as our Father; and it
|
||
|
|
is in a special manner comfortable to do so, when we are in an agony.
|
||
|
|
It is a pleasing string to harp upon at such a time, <I>My Father;</I>
|
||
|
|
whither should the child go, when any thing grieves him, but to his
|
||
|
|
father?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The favour he begs; <I>If it be possible, let this cup pass from
|
||
|
|
me.</I> He calls his sufferings a <I>cup;</I> not a river, not a sea,
|
||
|
|
but a cup, which we shall soon see the bottom of. When we are under
|
||
|
|
troubles, we should make the best, the least, of them, and not
|
||
|
|
aggravate them. His sufferings might be called a <I>cup,</I> because
|
||
|
|
allotted him, as at feasts a cup was set to every mess. He begs that
|
||
|
|
this cup might <I>pass from him,</I> that is, that he might avoid the
|
||
|
|
sufferings now at hand; or, at least, that they might be shortened.
|
||
|
|
This intimates no more than that he was really and truly Man, and as a
|
||
|
|
Man he could not but be averse to pain and suffering. This is the first
|
||
|
|
and simple act of man's will--to start back from that which is sensibly
|
||
|
|
grievous to us, and to desire the prevention and removal of it. The law
|
||
|
|
of self-preservation is impressed upon the innocent nature of man, and
|
||
|
|
rules there till overruled by some other law; therefore Christ admitted
|
||
|
|
and expressed a reluctance to suffer, to show that he was <I>taken from
|
||
|
|
among men</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:1">Heb. v. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
was touched with <I>the feeling of our infirmities</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:15">Heb. iv. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and <I>tempted as we are; yet without sin.</I> Note, A prayer of faith
|
||
|
|
against an affliction, may very well consist with the patience of hope
|
||
|
|
under affliction. When David had said, <I>I was dumb, I opened not my
|
||
|
|
mouth, because thou didst it;</I> his very next words were, <I>Remove
|
||
|
|
thy stroke away from me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+39:9,10">Ps. xxxix. 9, 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But observe the proviso; <I>If it be possible.</I> If God may be
|
||
|
|
glorified, man saved, and the ends of his undertaking answered, without
|
||
|
|
his drinking of this bitter cup, he desires to be excused; otherwise
|
||
|
|
not. What we cannot do with the securing of our great end, we must
|
||
|
|
reckon to be in effect impossible; Christ did so. <I>Id possumus quod
|
||
|
|
jure possumus--We can do that which we can do lawfully.</I> We
|
||
|
|
<I>can</I> do nothing, not only we <I>may</I> do nothing, against the
|
||
|
|
truth.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) His entire submission to, and acquiescence in, the will of God;
|
||
|
|
<I>Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.</I> Not that the
|
||
|
|
human will of Christ was adverse or averse to the divine will; it was
|
||
|
|
only, in its first act, diverse from it; to which, in the second act of
|
||
|
|
the will, which compares and chooses, he freely submits himself. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Our Lord Jesus, though he had a quick sense of the extreme
|
||
|
|
bitterness of the sufferings he was to undergo, yet was freely willing
|
||
|
|
to submit to them for our redemption and salvation, and <I>offered
|
||
|
|
himself, and gave himself, for us.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The reason of Christ's submission to his sufferings, was, his
|
||
|
|
Father's will; <I>as thou wilt,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He grounds his own willingness upon the Father's will, and resolves the
|
||
|
|
matter wholly into that; <I>therefore</I> he did what he did, and did
|
||
|
|
it with delight, because it was the will of God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+40:8">Ps. xl. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This he had often referred to, as that which put him upon, and carried
|
||
|
|
him through, his whole undertaking; <I>This is the Father's will,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:39,40">John vi. 39, 40</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This he sought
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:30">John v. 30</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
it was his <I>meat and drink</I> to do it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:34">John iv. 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] In conformity to this example of Christ, we must drink
|
||
|
|
of the bitter cup which God puts into our hands, be it ever so bitter;
|
||
|
|
though nature struggle, grace must submit. We then are disposed as
|
||
|
|
Christ was, when our wills are in every thing melted into the will of
|
||
|
|
God, though ever so displeasing to flesh and blood; <I>The will of the
|
||
|
|
Lord be done,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:14">Acts xxi. 14</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The repetition of the prayer; <I>He went away again the second time,
|
||
|
|
and prayed</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and again the third time
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and all to the same purport; only, as it is related here, he did not,
|
||
|
|
in the second and third prayer, expressly ask that the cup might pass
|
||
|
|
from him, as he had done in the first. Note, Though we may pray to God
|
||
|
|
to prevent and remove an affliction, yet our chief errand, and that
|
||
|
|
which we should most insist upon, must be, that he will give us grace
|
||
|
|
to bear it well. It should be more our care to get our troubles
|
||
|
|
sanctified, and our hearts satisfied under them, than to get them taken
|
||
|
|
away. <I>He prayed, saying, Thy will be done.</I> Note, Prayer is the
|
||
|
|
offering up, not only of our desires, but of our resignations, to God.
|
||
|
|
It amounts to an acceptable prayer, when at any time we are in
|
||
|
|
distress, to refer ourselves to God, and to commit our way and work to
|
||
|
|
him; <I>Thy will be done.</I> The third time he <I>said the same
|
||
|
|
words,</I> <B><I>ton auton logon</I></B>--<I>the same word,</I> that is
|
||
|
|
the same matter or argument; he spoke to the same purport. We have
|
||
|
|
reason to think that this was not all he said, for it should seem by
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that he continued <I>an hour</I> in his agony and prayer; but, whatever
|
||
|
|
more he said, it was to this effect, deprecating his approaching
|
||
|
|
sufferings, and yet resigning himself to God's will in them, in the
|
||
|
|
expressions of which we may be sure he was not straitened.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But what answer had he to this prayer? Certainly it was not made in
|
||
|
|
vain; he that heard him <I>always,</I> did not deny him <I>now.</I> It
|
||
|
|
is true, the cup did not pass from him, for he withdrew that petition,
|
||
|
|
and did not insist upon it (if he had, for aught I know, the cup had
|
||
|
|
passed away); but he had an answer to his prayer; for,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>He was strengthened with strength in his soul,</I> in the day
|
||
|
|
when he cried
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+138:3">Ps. cxxxviii. 3</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and that was a real answer,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:43">Luke xxii. 43</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He was delivered from that which he feared, which was, lest by
|
||
|
|
impatience and distrust he should offend his Father, and so disable
|
||
|
|
himself to go on with his undertaking,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:7">Heb. v. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In answer to his prayer, God provided that he should not fail or be
|
||
|
|
discouraged.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VI. What passed between him and his three disciples at this time; and
|
||
|
|
here we may observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The fault they were guilty of; that when he was in his agony,
|
||
|
|
sorrowful and heavy, sweating and wrestling and praying, they were so
|
||
|
|
little concerned, that they could not keep awake; he comes, and
|
||
|
|
<I>finds them asleep,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The strangeness of the thing should have roused their spirits to
|
||
|
|
<I>turn aside now, and see this great sight--the bush burning, and yet
|
||
|
|
not consumed;</I> much more should their love to their Master, and
|
||
|
|
their care concerning him, have obliged them to a more close and
|
||
|
|
vigilant attendance on him; yet they were so dull, that they could not
|
||
|
|
keep their eyes open. What had become of us, if Christ had been now as
|
||
|
|
sleepy as his disciples were? It is well for us that our salvation is
|
||
|
|
in the hand of one who <I>neither slumbers nor sleeps.</I> Christ
|
||
|
|
engaged them to watch with him, as if he expected some succour from
|
||
|
|
them, and yet they slept; surely it was the unkindest thing that could
|
||
|
|
be. When David wept at this mount of Olives, all his followers wept
|
||
|
|
with him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+15:30">2 Sam. xv. 30</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but when the Son of David was here in tears, his followers were asleep.
|
||
|
|
His enemies, who watched for him, were wakeful enough
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+14:43">Mark xiv. 43</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but his disciples, who should have watched with him, were asleep. Lord,
|
||
|
|
what is man! What are the best of men, when God leaves them to
|
||
|
|
themselves! Note, Carelessness and carnal security, especially when
|
||
|
|
Christ is in his agony, are great faults in any, but especially in
|
||
|
|
those who profess to be nearest in relation to him. The church of
|
||
|
|
Christ, which is his body, is often in an agony, fightings without and
|
||
|
|
fears within; and shall we be asleep then, like Gallio, that <I>cared
|
||
|
|
for none of these things;</I> or those
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+6:6">Amos vi. 6</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that <I>lay at ease, and were not grieved for the affliction of
|
||
|
|
Joseph?</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Christ's favour to them, notwithstanding. Persons in sorrow are too
|
||
|
|
apt to be cross and peevish with those about them, and to lay it
|
||
|
|
grievously to heart, if they but seem to neglect them; but Christ in
|
||
|
|
his agony is as meek as ever, and carries it as patiently toward his
|
||
|
|
followers as toward his Father, and is not apt to take things ill.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When Christ's disciples put this slight upon him,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) <I>He came to them,</I> as if he expected to receive some comfort
|
||
|
|
from them; and if they had put him in mind of what they had heard from
|
||
|
|
him concerning his resurrection and glory perhaps it might have been
|
||
|
|
some help to him; but, instead of that, they added grief to his sorrow;
|
||
|
|
and yet he came to them, more careful for them than they were for
|
||
|
|
themselves; when he was most engaged, yet he came to look after them;
|
||
|
|
for those that were given him, were upon his heart, living and
|
||
|
|
dying.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He gave them a gentle reproof, for as many as he loves he rebukes;
|
||
|
|
he directed it to Peter, who used to <I>speak</I> for them; let him now
|
||
|
|
<I>hear</I> for them. The reproof was very melting; <I>What! could ye
|
||
|
|
not watch with me one hour?</I> He speaks as one amazed to see them so
|
||
|
|
stupid; every word, when closely considered, shows the aggravated
|
||
|
|
nature of the case. Consider,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Who <I>they</I> were; "Could not <I>ye</I> watch--ye, my disciples
|
||
|
|
and followers? No wonder if others neglect me, if <I>the earth sit
|
||
|
|
still, and be at rest</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:11">Zech. i. 11</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but from you I expected better things."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Who <I>he</I> was; "Watch with <I>me.</I> If one of yourselves
|
||
|
|
were ill and in an agony, it would be very unkind not to watch with
|
||
|
|
him; but it is undutiful not to watch with your Master, who has long
|
||
|
|
watched over you for good, has led you, and fed you, and taught you,
|
||
|
|
borne you, and borne with you; do ye thus requite him?" He awoke out of
|
||
|
|
his sleep, to help them when they were in distress
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:26"><I>ch.</I> viii. 26</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and could not they keep awake, at least to show their good-will to him,
|
||
|
|
especially considering that he was now suffering <I>for them,</I> in an
|
||
|
|
agony <I>for them? Jam tua res agiture--I am suffering in your
|
||
|
|
cause.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] How small a thing it was that he expected from them--only to
|
||
|
|
<I>watch with him.</I> If he had bid them do some great thing, had bid
|
||
|
|
them be in an agony with him, or die with him, they thought they could
|
||
|
|
have done it; and yet they could not do it, when he only desired them
|
||
|
|
to <I>watch with him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+5:13">2 Kings v. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] How short a time it was that he expected it--but <I>one hour;</I>
|
||
|
|
they were not set upon the guard whole nights, as the prophet was
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+21:8">Isa. xxi. 8</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
only <I>one hour.</I> Sometimes he <I>continued all night in prayer to
|
||
|
|
God,</I> but did not then expect that his disciples should watch with
|
||
|
|
him; only now, when he had but one hour to spend in prayer.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He gave them good counsel; <I>Watch and pray, that ye enter not
|
||
|
|
into temptation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] There was an hour of temptation drawing on, and very near; the
|
||
|
|
troubles of Christ were temptations to his followers to disbelieve and
|
||
|
|
distrust him, to deny and desert him, and renounce all relation to him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] There was danger of their entering into the temptation, as into a
|
||
|
|
snare or trap; of their entering into a parley with it, or a good
|
||
|
|
opinion of it, of their being influenced by it, and inclining to comply
|
||
|
|
with it; which is the first step toward being overcome by it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] He therefore exhorts them to watch and pray; <I>Watch with me, and
|
||
|
|
pray with me.</I> While they were sleeping, they lost the benefit of
|
||
|
|
joining in Christ's prayer. "Watch <I>yourselves,</I> and pray
|
||
|
|
<I>yourselves.</I> Watch and pray against this present temptation to
|
||
|
|
drowsiness and security; <I>pray</I> that you may <I>watch;</I> beg of
|
||
|
|
God by his grace to keep you awake, now that there is occasion." When
|
||
|
|
we are drowsy in the worship of God, we should pray, as a good
|
||
|
|
Christian once did, "The Lord deliver me from this sleepy devil!"
|
||
|
|
<I>Lord, quicken thou me in thy way,</I> Or, "Watch and pray against
|
||
|
|
the further temptation you may be assaulted with; <I>watch and pray</I>
|
||
|
|
lest this sin prove the inlet of many more." Note, When we find
|
||
|
|
ourselves entering into temptation, we have need to watch and pray.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) He kindly excused for them; <I>The spirit indeed is willing, but
|
||
|
|
the flesh is weak.</I> We do not read of one word they had to say for
|
||
|
|
themselves (the sense of their own weakness stopped their mouth); but
|
||
|
|
then he had a tender word to say on their behalf, for it is his office
|
||
|
|
to be an Advocate; in this he sets us an example of the love <I>which
|
||
|
|
covers a multitude of sins.</I> He considered their frame, and did not
|
||
|
|
chide them, for he remembered that they were but flesh; <I>and the
|
||
|
|
flesh is weak, though the spirit be willing,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:38,39">Ps. lxxviii. 38, 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Christ's disciples, as long as they are here in this world, have
|
||
|
|
bodies as well as souls, and a principle of remaining corruption as
|
||
|
|
well as of reigning grace, like Jacob and Esau in the same womb,
|
||
|
|
<I>Canaanites</I> and <I>Israelites</I> in the same land,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+5:17,24">Gal. v. 17, 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is the unhappiness and burthen of Christ's disciples, that
|
||
|
|
their bodies cannot keep pace with their souls in works of piety and
|
||
|
|
devotion, but are many a time a cloud and clog to them; that, when the
|
||
|
|
spirit is free and disposed to that which is good, the flesh is averse
|
||
|
|
and indisposed. This St. Paul laments
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:25">Rom. vii. 25</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>With my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of
|
||
|
|
sin.</I> Our impotency in the service of God is the great iniquity and
|
||
|
|
infidelity of our nature, and it arises from these sad remainders of
|
||
|
|
corruption, which are the constant grief and burthen of God's people.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Yet it is our comfort, that our Master graciously considers this,
|
||
|
|
and accepts the willingness of the spirit, and pities and pardons the
|
||
|
|
weakness and infirmity of the flesh; for <I>we are under grace, and not
|
||
|
|
under the law.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) Though they continued dull and sleepy, he did not any further
|
||
|
|
rebuke them for it; for, though we daily offend, yet he will not always
|
||
|
|
chide.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] When he came to them the second time, we do not find that he said
|
||
|
|
any thing to them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>he findeth them asleep again.</I> One would have thought that he had
|
||
|
|
said enough to them to keep them awake; but it is hard to recover from
|
||
|
|
a spirit of slumber. Carnal security, when once it prevails, is not
|
||
|
|
easily shaken off. <I>Their eyes were heavy,</I> which intimates that
|
||
|
|
they strove against it as much as they could, but were overcome by it,
|
||
|
|
like the spouse; <I>I sleep, but my heart waketh</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+5:2">Cant. v. 2</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore their Master looked upon them with compassion.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] When he came the third time, he left them to be alarmed with the
|
||
|
|
approaching danger
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:45,46"><I>v.</I> 45, 46</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Sleep on now, and take your rest.</I> This is spoken ironically;
|
||
|
|
"Now sleep if you can, sleep if you dare; I would not disturb you if
|
||
|
|
Judas and his band of men would not." See here how Christ deals with
|
||
|
|
those that suffer themselves to be overcome by security, and will not
|
||
|
|
be awakened out of it. <I>First,</I> Sometimes he gives them up to the
|
||
|
|
power of it; <I>Sleep on now.</I> He that will sleep, let him sleep
|
||
|
|
still. The curse of spiritual slumber is the just punishment of the sin
|
||
|
|
of it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:8,Ho+4:17">Rom. xi. 8; Hos. iv. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> Many times he sends some startling judgment, to awaken
|
||
|
|
those that would not be wrought upon by the word; and those who will
|
||
|
|
not be alarmed by reasons and arguments, had better be alarmed by
|
||
|
|
swords and spears than left to perish in their security. Let those that
|
||
|
|
would not believe, be made to feel.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As to the disciples here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Their Master gave them notice of the near approach of his enemies,
|
||
|
|
who, it is likely, were now within sight or hearing, for they came with
|
||
|
|
candles and torches, and, it is likely, made a great noise; <I>The Son
|
||
|
|
of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.</I> And again, <I>He is
|
||
|
|
at hand that doth betray me.</I> Note, Christ's sufferings were no
|
||
|
|
surprise to him; he knew what, and when, he was to suffer. By this time
|
||
|
|
the extremity of his agony was pretty well over, or, at least,
|
||
|
|
diverted; while with an undaunted courage he addresses himself to the
|
||
|
|
next encounter, as a champion to the combat.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He called them to rise, and be going: not, "Rise, and let us flee
|
||
|
|
from the danger;" but, "Rise, and let us go meet it;" before he had
|
||
|
|
prayed, he feared his sufferings, but now he had got over his fears.
|
||
|
|
But,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He intimates to them their folly, in sleeping away the time which
|
||
|
|
they should have spent in preparation; now the event found them
|
||
|
|
unready, and was a terror to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_47"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_48"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_49"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_50"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_51"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_52"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_53"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_54"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_55"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_56"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Betrayed by Judas; The Priest's Servant Smitten by Peter; Christ Deserted by His Disciples.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came,
|
||
|
|
and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the
|
||
|
|
chief priests and elders of the people.
|
||
|
|
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying,
|
||
|
|
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
|
||
|
|
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and
|
||
|
|
kissed him.
|
||
|
|
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?
|
||
|
|
Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
|
||
|
|
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out
|
||
|
|
<I>his</I> hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high
|
||
|
|
priest's, and smote off his ear.
|
||
|
|
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his
|
||
|
|
place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the
|
||
|
|
sword.
|
||
|
|
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he
|
||
|
|
shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
|
||
|
|
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it
|
||
|
|
must be?
|
||
|
|
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come
|
||
|
|
out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I
|
||
|
|
sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on
|
||
|
|
me.
|
||
|
|
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets
|
||
|
|
might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We are here told how the blessed Jesus was seized, and taken into
|
||
|
|
custody; this followed immediately upon his agony, <I>while he yet
|
||
|
|
spake;</I> for from the beginning to the close of his passion he had
|
||
|
|
not the least intermission or breathing-time, but <I>deep called unto
|
||
|
|
deep.</I> His trouble hitherto was raised within himself; but now the
|
||
|
|
scene is changed, now the Philistines are upon thee, thou blessed
|
||
|
|
Samson; <I>the Breath of our nostrils, the Anointed of the Lord is
|
||
|
|
taken in their pits,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:20">Lam. iv. 20</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now concerning the apprehension of the Lord Jesus, observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Who the persons were, that were employed in it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Here was <I>Judas, one of the twelve,</I> at the head of this
|
||
|
|
infamous guard: <I>he was guide to them that took Jesus</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:16">Acts i. 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
without his help they could not have found him in this retirement.
|
||
|
|
Behold, and wonder; the first that appears with his enemies, is one of
|
||
|
|
his own disciples, who an hour or two ago was eating bread with him!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Here was <I>with him a great multitude;</I> that the scripture
|
||
|
|
might be fulfilled, <I>Lord, how are they increased that trouble
|
||
|
|
me!</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+3:1">Ps. iii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This multitude was made up partly of a detachment out of the guards,
|
||
|
|
that were posted in the tower of Antonia by the Roman governor; these
|
||
|
|
were Gentiles, <I>sinners,</I> as Christ calls them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The rest were the servants and officers of the High Priest, and they
|
||
|
|
were Jews; they that were at variance with each other, agreed against
|
||
|
|
Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. How they were armed for this enterprise.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What weapons they were armed with; They came <I>with swords and
|
||
|
|
staves.</I> The Roman soldiers, no doubt, had swords; the servants of
|
||
|
|
the priests, those of them that had not swords, brought staves or
|
||
|
|
clubs. <I>Furor arma ministrat--Their rage supplied their arms.</I> They
|
||
|
|
were not regular troops, but a tumultuous rabble. But wherefore is this
|
||
|
|
ado? If they had been ten times as many, they could not have taken him
|
||
|
|
had he not yielded; and, his hour being come for him to give up
|
||
|
|
himself, all this force was needless. When a butcher goes into the
|
||
|
|
field to take out a lamb for the slaughter, does he raise the militia,
|
||
|
|
and come armed? No, he needs not; yet is there all this force used to
|
||
|
|
seize the Lamb of God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What warrant they were armed with; <I>They came from the chief
|
||
|
|
priests, and elders of the people;</I> this armed multitude was sent by
|
||
|
|
them upon this errand. He was taken up by a warrant from the great
|
||
|
|
sanhedrim, as a person obnoxious to them. Pilate, the Roman governor,
|
||
|
|
gave them no warrant to search for him, he had no jealousy of him; but
|
||
|
|
they were men who pretended to religion, and presided in the affairs of
|
||
|
|
the church, that were active in this prosecution, and were the most
|
||
|
|
spiteful enemies Christ had. It was a sign that he was supported by a
|
||
|
|
divine power, for by all earthly powers he was not only deserted, but
|
||
|
|
opposed; Pilate upbraided him with it; <I>Thine own nation and the
|
||
|
|
chief priests delivered thee to me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:35">John xviii. 35</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The manner how it was done, and what passed at that time.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How Judas betrayed him; he did his business effectually, and his
|
||
|
|
resolution in this wickedness may shame us who fail in that which is
|
||
|
|
good. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The instructions he gave to the soldiers
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He gave them a sign;</I> as commander of the party in this action,
|
||
|
|
he gives the word or signal. He <I>gave them a sign,</I> lest by
|
||
|
|
mistake they should seize one of the disciples instead of him, the
|
||
|
|
disciples having so lately said, in Judas's hearing, that they would be
|
||
|
|
willing to die for him. What abundance of caution was here, not to miss
|
||
|
|
him--<I>That same is he;</I> and when they had him in their hands, not
|
||
|
|
to lose him--<I>Hold him fast;</I> for he had sometimes escaped from
|
||
|
|
those who thought to secure him; as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+6:30">Luke vi. 30</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though the Jews, who frequented the temple, could not but know him, yet
|
||
|
|
the Roman soldiers perhaps had never seen him, and the sign was to
|
||
|
|
direct them; and Judas by his kiss intended not only to distinguish
|
||
|
|
him, but to detain him, while they came behind him, and laid hands on
|
||
|
|
him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The dissembling compliment he gave his Master. He came close up to
|
||
|
|
Jesus; surely now, if ever, his wicked heart will relent; surely when
|
||
|
|
he comes to look him in the face, he will either be awed by its
|
||
|
|
majesty, or charmed by its beauty. Dares he to come into his very sight
|
||
|
|
and presence, to betray him? Peter denied Christ, but when <I>the Lord
|
||
|
|
turned and looked</I> upon him, he relented presently; but Judas comes
|
||
|
|
up to his Master's face, and betrays him. <I>Me mihi (perfide) prodis?
|
||
|
|
me mihi prodis?--Perfidious man, betrayest thou me to thyself?</I> He
|
||
|
|
said, <I>Hail, Master; and kissed him.</I> It should seem, our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus had been wont to admit his disciples to such a degree of
|
||
|
|
familiarity with him, as to give them his cheek to kiss after they had
|
||
|
|
been any while absent, which Judas villainously used to facilitate this
|
||
|
|
treason. A kiss is a token of allegiance and friendship,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:12">Ps. ii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But Judas, when he broke all the laws of love and duty, profaned this
|
||
|
|
sacred sign to serve his purpose. Note, There are many that betray
|
||
|
|
Christ with <I>a kiss,</I> and <I>Hail, Master;</I> who, under pretence
|
||
|
|
of doing him honour, betray and undermine the interests of his kingdom.
|
||
|
|
<I>Mel in ore, fel in corde--Honey in the mouth, gall in the heart.</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>Kataphilein ouk esti philein.</I></B> <I>To embrace is one thing,
|
||
|
|
to love is another. Philo Judæus.</I> Joab's kiss and Judas's
|
||
|
|
were much alike.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) The entertainment his Master gave him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He calls him <I>friend.</I> If he had called him <I>villain,</I>
|
||
|
|
and <I>traitor, raca, thou fool,</I> and <I>child of the devil,</I> he
|
||
|
|
had not <I>mis--</I>called him; but he would teach us under the greatest
|
||
|
|
provocation to forbear bitterness and evil-speaking, and to show all
|
||
|
|
meekness. <I>Friend,</I> for a friend he had been, and should have
|
||
|
|
been, and seemed to be. Thus he upbraids him, as Abraham, when he
|
||
|
|
called the rich man in hell, <I>son.</I> He calls him <I>friend,</I>
|
||
|
|
because he furthered his sufferings, and so <I>befriended</I> him;
|
||
|
|
whereas, he called Peter <I>Satan</I> for attempting to hinder
|
||
|
|
them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He asks him, "<I>Wherefore art thou come?</I> Is it peace, Judas?
|
||
|
|
Explain thyself; if thou come as an enemy, what means this kiss? If as
|
||
|
|
a friend, what mean these swords and staves? <I>Wherefore art thou
|
||
|
|
come?</I> What harm have I done thee? Wherein have I wearied thee?
|
||
|
|
<B><I>eph ho parei</I></B>--<I>Wherefore art thou present?</I> Why hadst
|
||
|
|
thou not so much shame left thee, as to keep out of sight, which thou
|
||
|
|
mightest have done, and yet have given the officer notice where I was?"
|
||
|
|
This was an instance of great impudence, for him to be so forward and
|
||
|
|
barefaced in this wicked transaction. But it is usual for apostates
|
||
|
|
from religion to be the most bitter enemies to it; witness Julian. Thus
|
||
|
|
Judas did his part.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How the officers and soldiers secured him; <I>Then came they, and
|
||
|
|
laid hands on Jesus, and took him;</I> they made him their prisoner.
|
||
|
|
<I>How were they not afraid to stretch forth their hands against the
|
||
|
|
Lord's Anointed?</I> We may well imagine what rude and cruel hands they
|
||
|
|
were, which this barbarous multitude laid on Christ; and how, it is
|
||
|
|
probable, they handled him the more roughly for their being so often
|
||
|
|
disappointed when they sought to lay hands on him. They could not have
|
||
|
|
taken him, if he had not surrendered himself, and been <I>delivered by
|
||
|
|
the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:23">Acts ii. 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He who said concerning his anointed servants, <I>Touch them not,</I>
|
||
|
|
and <I>do them no harm</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+105:14,15">Ps. cv. 14, 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>spared not his anointed Son, but delivered him up for us all;</I>
|
||
|
|
and again, <I>gave his strength into captivity, his glory into the
|
||
|
|
enemies' hands,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:61">Ps. lxxviii. 61</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See what was the complaint of Job
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:11"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>God hath delivered me to the ungodly,</I> and apply that and other
|
||
|
|
passages in that book of Job as a type of Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus was made a prisoner, because he would in all things be
|
||
|
|
treated as a malefactor, punished for our crime, and as a surety under
|
||
|
|
arrest for our debt. The yoke of our transgressions was bound by the
|
||
|
|
Father's hand upon the neck of the Lord Jesus,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+1:14">Lam. i. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He became a prisoner, that he might set us at liberty; for he said,
|
||
|
|
<I>If ye seek me, let these go their way</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:8">John xviii. 8</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and those are free indeed, whom he makes so.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. How Peter fought for Christ, and was checked for his pains. It is
|
||
|
|
here only said to be <I>one of them that were with Jesus in the
|
||
|
|
garden;</I> but
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:10">John xviii. 10</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
we are told that it was Peter who signalized himself upon this
|
||
|
|
occasion. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Peter's rashness
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He <I>drew his sword.</I> They had but two swords among them all
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:38">Luke xxii. 38</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and one of them, it seems, fell to Peter's share; and now he thought it
|
||
|
|
was time to draw it, and he laid about him as if he would have done
|
||
|
|
some great matter; but all the execution he did was the cutting off an
|
||
|
|
ear from a servant of the High Priest; designing, it is likely, to
|
||
|
|
cleave him down the head, because he saw him more forward than the rest
|
||
|
|
in laying hands on Christ, he missed his blow. But if he would be
|
||
|
|
striking, in my mind he should rather have aimed at Judas, and have
|
||
|
|
marked him for a rogue. Peter had talked much of what he would do for
|
||
|
|
his Master, he would <I>lay down his life for him;</I> yea, that he
|
||
|
|
would; and now he would be as good as his word, and venture his life to
|
||
|
|
rescue his Master: and thus far was commendable, that he had a great
|
||
|
|
<I>zeal</I> for Christ, and his honour and safety; but it was not
|
||
|
|
<I>according to knowledge,</I> nor guided by discretion; for
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He did it without warrant; some of the disciples asked indeed,
|
||
|
|
<I>Shall we smite with the sword?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:49">Luke xxii. 49</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But Peter struck before they had an answer. We must see not only our
|
||
|
|
cause good, but our call clear, before we draw the sword; we must show
|
||
|
|
by what authority we do it, and who gave us that authority.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He indiscreetly exposed himself and his fellow-disciples to the
|
||
|
|
rage of the multitude; for what could they with two swords do against a
|
||
|
|
band of men?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The rebuke which our Lord Jesus gave him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:52"><I>v.</I> 52</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Put up again thy sword into its place.</I> He does not command the
|
||
|
|
officers and soldiers to put up their swords that were drawn against
|
||
|
|
him, he left them to the judgment of God, who judges them that are
|
||
|
|
without; but he commands Peter to put up his sword, does not chide him
|
||
|
|
indeed for what he had done, because done out of good will, but stops
|
||
|
|
the progress of his arms, and provides that it should not be drawn into
|
||
|
|
a precedent. Christ's errand into the world was to make peace. Note,
|
||
|
|
<I>The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual;</I> and
|
||
|
|
Christ's ministers, though they are his soldiers, do not <I>war after
|
||
|
|
the flesh,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+10:3,4">2 Cor. x. 3, 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Not that the law of Christ overthrows either the law of nature of the
|
||
|
|
law of nations, as far as those warrant subjects to stand up in defence
|
||
|
|
of their civil rights and liberties, and their religion, when it is
|
||
|
|
incorporated with them; but it provides for the preservation of public
|
||
|
|
peace and order, by forbidding private persons, <I>qua tales--as
|
||
|
|
such,</I> to resist the powers that are; nay, we have a general precept
|
||
|
|
that we <I>resist not evil</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:39"><I>ch.</I> v. 39</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
nor will Christ have his ministers propagate his religion by force of
|
||
|
|
arms, <I>Religio cogi non potest; et defendenda non occidendo, sed
|
||
|
|
moriendo--Religion cannot be forced; and it should be defended, not by
|
||
|
|
killing, but by dying.</I> Lactantii Institut. As Christ forbade his
|
||
|
|
disciples the sword of justice
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:25,26"><I>ch.</I> xx. 25, 26</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so here the sword of war. Christ bade Peter put up his sword, and
|
||
|
|
never bade him draw it again; yet that which Peter is here blamed for
|
||
|
|
is his doing it unseasonably; the hour was come for Christ to suffer
|
||
|
|
and die, he knew Peter knew it, the <I>sword of the Lord was drawn
|
||
|
|
against him</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+13:7">Zech. xiii. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and for Peter to draw his sword for him, was like, <I>Master, spare
|
||
|
|
thyself.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three reasons Christ give to Peter for this rebuke:</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] His drawing the sword would be dangerous to himself and to his
|
||
|
|
fellow-disciples; <I>They that take the sword, shall perish with the
|
||
|
|
sword;</I> they that use violence, fall by violence; and men hasten and
|
||
|
|
increase their own troubles by blustering bloody methods of
|
||
|
|
self-defence. They that take the sword before it is given them, that
|
||
|
|
use it without warrant or call, expose themselves to the sword of war,
|
||
|
|
or public justice. Had it not been for the special care and providence
|
||
|
|
of the Lord Jesus, Peter and the rest of them had, for aught I know,
|
||
|
|
been cut in pieces immediately. Grotius gives another, and a probable
|
||
|
|
sense of this blow, making those that take the sword to be, not Peter,
|
||
|
|
but the officers and soldiers that come with swords <I>to take
|
||
|
|
Christ;</I> They shall <I>perish with the sword.</I> "Peter, thou
|
||
|
|
needest not draw they sword to punish them. God will certainly,
|
||
|
|
shortly, and severely, reckon with them." They took the Roman sword to
|
||
|
|
seize Christ with, and by the Roman sword, not long after, they and
|
||
|
|
their place and nation were destroyed. <I>Therefore</I> we must not
|
||
|
|
<I>avenge ourselves,</I> because <I>God will repay</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:19">Rom. xii. 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore we must suffer with faith and patience, because
|
||
|
|
persecutors will be paid in their own coin. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:10">Rev. xiii. 10</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It was needless for him to draw his sword in defence of his
|
||
|
|
Master, how, if he pleased, could summon into his service all the hosts
|
||
|
|
of heaven
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:53"><I>v.</I> 53</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall
|
||
|
|
send</I> from heaven effectual succours? Peter, if I would put by these
|
||
|
|
sufferings, I could easily do it without thy hand or thy sword." Note,
|
||
|
|
God has no need of us, of our services, much less of our sins, to bring
|
||
|
|
about his purposes; and it argues our distrust and disbelief of the
|
||
|
|
power of Christ, when we go out of the way of our duty to serve his
|
||
|
|
interests. God can do his work without us; if we look into the heavens,
|
||
|
|
and see how he is attended there, we may easily infer, that, <I>though
|
||
|
|
we be righteous,</I> he is not beholden to us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+35:5,7">Job xxxv. 5, 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was a voluntary
|
||
|
|
weakness; he submitted to death, not because he could not, but because
|
||
|
|
he would not contend with it. This takes off the offence of the cross,
|
||
|
|
and proves Christ crucified the power of God; even now in the depth of
|
||
|
|
his sufferings he could call in the aid of legions of angels.
|
||
|
|
<I>Now,</I> <B><I>arti</I></B>--<I>yet;</I> "Though the business is so
|
||
|
|
far gone, I could yet with a word speaking turn the scale." Christ here
|
||
|
|
lets us know,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> What a great interest he had in his Father; <I>I can pray
|
||
|
|
to my Father, and he will send me help from the sanctuary.</I> I can
|
||
|
|
<B><I>parakalesai</I></B>--<I>demand of my Father these succours.</I>
|
||
|
|
Christ prayer <I>as one having authority.</I> Note, It is a great
|
||
|
|
comfort to God's people, when they are surrounded with enemies on all
|
||
|
|
hands, that they have a way open heavenward; if they can do nothing
|
||
|
|
else, they can pray to him that can do every thing. And they who are
|
||
|
|
much in prayer at other times, have most comfort in praying when
|
||
|
|
troublesome times come. Observe, Christ saith, not only that God could
|
||
|
|
send him such a number of angels, but that, if he insisted upon it, he
|
||
|
|
would do it. Though he had undertaken the work of our redemption, yet,
|
||
|
|
if he had desired to be released, it should seem by this that the
|
||
|
|
Father would not have held him to it. He might yet have gone out free
|
||
|
|
from the service, but he loved it, and would not; so that it was only
|
||
|
|
with the cords of his own love that he was bound to the altar.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> What a great interest he had in the heavenly hosts;
|
||
|
|
<I>He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels,</I>
|
||
|
|
amounting to above seventy-two thousand. Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. There is an <I>innumerable company of angels,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:2">Heb. xii. 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
A detachment of more than twelve legions might be spared for our
|
||
|
|
service, and yet there would be no miss of them about the throne. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+7:10">Dan. vii. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They are marshalled in exact order, like the well-disciplined legions;
|
||
|
|
not a confused multitude, but regular troops; all know their post, and
|
||
|
|
observe the word of command.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. This innumerable company of angels are all at the disposal of our
|
||
|
|
heavenly Father, and do his pleasure,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:20,21">Ps. ciii. 20, 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. These angelic hosts were ready to come in to the assistance of our
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus in his sufferings, if he had needed or desired it. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:6,14">Heb. i. 6, 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They would have been to him as they were to Elisha, <I>chariots of
|
||
|
|
fire, and horses of fire,</I> not only to secure him, but to consume
|
||
|
|
those that set upon him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. Our heavenly Father is to be eyed and acknowledged in all the
|
||
|
|
services of the heavenly hosts; <I>He shall give them me:</I> therefore
|
||
|
|
angels are not to be prayed to, but the Lord of the angels,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:11">Ps. xci. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. It is matter of comfort to all that wish well to the kingdom of
|
||
|
|
Christ, that there is a world of angels always at the service of the
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus, that can do wonders. He that has the armies of heaven at
|
||
|
|
his beck, can do what he pleases among the <I>inhabitants of the
|
||
|
|
earth;</I> He shall <I>presently</I> give them me. See how ready his
|
||
|
|
Father was to hear his prayer, and how ready the angels were to observe
|
||
|
|
his orders; they are willing servants, winged messengers, they <I>fly
|
||
|
|
swiftly.</I> This is very encouraging to those that have the honour of
|
||
|
|
Christ, and the welfare of his church, much at heart. Think they that
|
||
|
|
they have more care and concern for Christ and his church, than God and
|
||
|
|
the holy angels have?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] It was no time to make any defence at all, or to offer to put by
|
||
|
|
the stroke; <I>For how then shall the scripture be fulfilled, that thus
|
||
|
|
it must be?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It was written, that Christ should be <I>led as a lamb to the
|
||
|
|
slaughter,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:7">Isa. liii. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Should he summon the angels to his assistance, he would not be led to
|
||
|
|
the slaughter at all; should he permit his disciples to fight, he would
|
||
|
|
not be led as a lamb quietly and without resistance; therefore he and
|
||
|
|
his disciples must yield to the accomplishment of the predictions.
|
||
|
|
Note, In all difficult cases, the word of God must be conclusive
|
||
|
|
against our own counsels, and nothing must be done, nothing attempted,
|
||
|
|
against the fulfilling of the scripture. If the easing of our pains,
|
||
|
|
the breaking of our bonds, the saving of our lives, will not consist
|
||
|
|
with the fulfilling of the scripture, we ought to say, "Let God's word
|
||
|
|
and will take place, let his law be magnified and made honourable,
|
||
|
|
whatever becomes of us." Thus Christ checked Peter, when he set up for
|
||
|
|
his champion, and captain of his life-guard.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. We are next told how Christ argued the case with them that came to
|
||
|
|
take him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:55"><I>v.</I> 55</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
though he did not resist them, yet he did reason with them. Note, It
|
||
|
|
will consist with Christian patience under our sufferings, calmly to
|
||
|
|
expostulate with our enemies and persecutors, as David with Saul,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+24:14,26:18">1 Sam. xxiv. 14; xxvi. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Are ye come out,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) With rage and enmity, <I>as against a thief,</I> as if I were an
|
||
|
|
enemy to the public safety, and deservedly suffered this? Thieves draw
|
||
|
|
upon themselves the common odium; every one will lend a hand to stop a
|
||
|
|
thief: and thus they fell upon Christ as the offscouring of all things.
|
||
|
|
If he had been the plague of his country, he could not have been
|
||
|
|
prosecuted with more heat and violence.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) With all this power and force, as against the worst of thieves,
|
||
|
|
that dare the law, bid defiance to public justice, and add rebellion to
|
||
|
|
their sin? You are come out as against a thief, with swords and staves,
|
||
|
|
as if there were danger of resistance; whereas ye have <I>killed the
|
||
|
|
just One, and he doth not resist you,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:6">Jam. v. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If he had not been willing to suffer, it was folly to <I>come with
|
||
|
|
swords and staves, for they could not conquer him;</I> had he been
|
||
|
|
minded to resist, he would have esteemed their iron as straw, and their
|
||
|
|
swords and staves would have been as briars before a consuming fire;
|
||
|
|
but, being willing to suffer, it was folly to come thus armed, for he
|
||
|
|
would not contend with them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He further expostulates with them, by reminding them how he had behaved
|
||
|
|
himself hitherto toward them, and they toward him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Of his public appearance; <I>I sat daily with you in the temple
|
||
|
|
teaching.</I> And,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Of their public connivance; <I>Ye laid no hold on me.</I> How
|
||
|
|
comes then this change? They were very unreasonable, in treating him as
|
||
|
|
they did. <I>First,</I> He had given them no occasion to look upon him
|
||
|
|
as a thief, for he had taught in the temple. And such were the matter,
|
||
|
|
and such the manner of his teaching, that he was manifested in the
|
||
|
|
consciences of all that heard him, not to be a bad man. Such gracious
|
||
|
|
words as came from his mouth, were not the words of a thief, nor of one
|
||
|
|
that had a devil. <I>Secondly,</I> Nor had he given them occasion to
|
||
|
|
look upon him as one that absconded, or fled from justice, that they
|
||
|
|
should come in the night to seize him; if they had any thing to say to
|
||
|
|
him, they might find him every day in the temple, ready to answer all
|
||
|
|
challenges, all charges, and there they might do as they pleased with
|
||
|
|
him; for the chief priests had the custody of the temple, and the
|
||
|
|
command of the guards about it; but to come upon him thus
|
||
|
|
clandestinely, in the place of his retirement, was base and cowardly.
|
||
|
|
Thus the greatest hero may be villainously assassinated in a corner, by
|
||
|
|
one that in open field would tremble to look him in the face.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>But all this was done</I> (so it follows,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:56"><I>v.</I> 56</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.</I> It is
|
||
|
|
hard to say, whether these are the words of the sacred historian, as a
|
||
|
|
comment upon this story, and a direction to the Christian reader to
|
||
|
|
compare it with the scriptures of the Old Testament, which pointed at
|
||
|
|
it; or, whether they are the words of Christ himself, as a reason why,
|
||
|
|
though he could not but resent this base treatment, he yet submitted to
|
||
|
|
it, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled, to which he
|
||
|
|
had just now referred himself,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, The scripture are in the fulfilling every day; and all those
|
||
|
|
scriptures which speak of the Messiah, had their full accomplishment in
|
||
|
|
our Lord Jesus.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. How he was, in the midst of this distress, shamefully deserted by
|
||
|
|
his disciples; <I>They all forsook him, and fled,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:56"><I>v.</I> 56</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) This was their sin; and it was a great sin for them who had left
|
||
|
|
all to follow him, now to leave him for they knew not what. There was
|
||
|
|
unkindness in it, considering the relation they stood in to him, the
|
||
|
|
favours they had received from him, and the melancholy circumstances he
|
||
|
|
was now in. There was unfaithfulness in it, for they had solemnly
|
||
|
|
promised to adhere to him, and never to forsake him. He had indented
|
||
|
|
for their safe conduct
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:8">John xviii. 8</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
yet they could not rely upon that, but shifted for themselves by an
|
||
|
|
inglorious flight. What folly was this, for fear of death to flee from
|
||
|
|
him whom they themselves knew and had acknowledged to be the
|
||
|
|
<I>Fountain of life?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:67,68">John vi. 67, 68</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lord, what is man!</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was a part of Christ's suffering, it added affliction to his
|
||
|
|
bonds, to be thus deserted, as it did to Job
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:13"><I>ch.</I> xix. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He hath put my brethren far from me;</I> and to David
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+38:11">Ps. xxxviii. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lovers and friends stand aloof from my sore.</I> They should have
|
||
|
|
staid with him, to minister to him, to countenance him, and, if need
|
||
|
|
were, to be witnesses for him at his trial; but they treacherously
|
||
|
|
deserted him, as, at St. Paul's <I>first answer, no man stood with
|
||
|
|
him.</I> But there was a mystery in this.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Christ, as a sacrifice for sins, stood thus abandoned. The deer
|
||
|
|
that by the keeper's arrow is marked out to be hunted and run down, is
|
||
|
|
immediately deserted by the whole herd. In this he was made a curse for
|
||
|
|
us, being left as one separated to evil.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] Christ, as the Saviour of souls, stood thus alone; as he needed
|
||
|
|
not, so he had not the assistance of any other in working out our
|
||
|
|
salvation; he bore all, and did all himself. He <I>trod the wine-press
|
||
|
|
alone,</I> and when there was <I>none to uphold,</I> then <I>his own
|
||
|
|
arm wrought salvation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+63:3,5">Isa. lxiii. 3, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
So <I>the Lord alone did lead his Israel,</I> and they <I>stand still,
|
||
|
|
and only see this great salvation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:12">Deut. xxxii. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_57"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_58"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_59"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_60"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_61"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_62"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_63"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_64"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_65"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_66"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_67"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_68"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ in the High Priest's Palace.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led <I>him</I> away to
|
||
|
|
Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were
|
||
|
|
assembled.
|
||
|
|
58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's
|
||
|
|
palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
|
||
|
|
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council,
|
||
|
|
sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
|
||
|
|
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, <I>yet</I>
|
||
|
|
found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
|
||
|
|
61 And said, This <I>fellow</I> said, I am able to destroy the
|
||
|
|
temple of God, and to build it in three days.
|
||
|
|
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou
|
||
|
|
nothing? what <I>is it which</I> these witness against thee?
|
||
|
|
63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and
|
||
|
|
said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us
|
||
|
|
whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
|
||
|
|
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say
|
||
|
|
unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the
|
||
|
|
right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
|
||
|
|
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath
|
||
|
|
spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold,
|
||
|
|
now ye have heard his blasphemy.
|
||
|
|
66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of
|
||
|
|
death.
|
||
|
|
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others
|
||
|
|
smote <I>him</I> with the palms of their hands,
|
||
|
|
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote
|
||
|
|
thee?
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the arraignment of our Lord Jesus in the ecclesiastical
|
||
|
|
court, before the great sanhedrim. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The sitting of the court; the scribes and the elders were assembled,
|
||
|
|
though it was in the dead time of the night, when other people were
|
||
|
|
fast asleep in their beds; yet, to gratify their malice against Christ,
|
||
|
|
they denied themselves that natural rest, and sat up all night, to be
|
||
|
|
ready to fall upon the prey which Judas and his men, they hoped, would
|
||
|
|
<I>seize.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Who they were, that were assembled; the <I>scribes,</I> the
|
||
|
|
principal teachers, and <I>elders,</I> the principal rulers, of the
|
||
|
|
Jewish church: these were the most bitter enemies to Christ our great
|
||
|
|
teacher and ruler, on whom therefore they had a jealous eye, as one
|
||
|
|
that eclipsed them; perhaps some of these scribes and elders were not
|
||
|
|
so malicious at Christ as some others of them were; yet, in concurrence
|
||
|
|
with the rest, they made themselves guilty. Now the scripture was
|
||
|
|
fulfilled
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:16">Ps. xxii. 16</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me.</I> Jeremiah complains
|
||
|
|
of an assembly of treacherous men; and David of his enemies
|
||
|
|
<I>gathering themselves together against him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+35:15">Ps. xxxv. 15</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Where they were assembled; <I>in the palace of Caiaphas the High
|
||
|
|
Priest;</I> there they assembled two days before, to lay the plot
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and there they now convened again, to prosecute it. The <I>High
|
||
|
|
Priest</I> was <I>Ab-beth-din--the father of the house of judgment,</I>
|
||
|
|
but he is now the patron of wickedness; his house should have been the
|
||
|
|
sanctuary of oppressed innocency, but it is become the throne of
|
||
|
|
iniquity; and no wonder, when even God's house of prayer was made a den
|
||
|
|
of thieves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The setting of the prisoner to the bar; they that had <I>laid hold
|
||
|
|
on Jesus, led him away,</I> hurried him, no doubt, with violence, led
|
||
|
|
him as a trophy of their victory, led him as a victim to the altar; he
|
||
|
|
was brought into Jerusalem through that which was called the
|
||
|
|
<I>sheep-gate,</I> for that was the way into town from the mount of
|
||
|
|
Olives; and it was so called because the sheep appointed for sacrifice
|
||
|
|
were brought that way to the temple; very fitly therefore is Christ led
|
||
|
|
that way, who is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.
|
||
|
|
Christ was led first to the High Priest, for by the law all sacrifices
|
||
|
|
were to be first <I>presented to the priest, and delivered into his
|
||
|
|
hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+17:5">Lev. xvii. 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The cowardice and faint-heartedness of Peter
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:58"><I>v.</I> 58</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>But Peter followed afar off.</I> This comes in here, with an eye to
|
||
|
|
the following story of his denying him. He forsook him as the rest did,
|
||
|
|
when he was seized, and what is here said of his following him is
|
||
|
|
easily reconcilable with his forsaking him; such following was no
|
||
|
|
better than forsaking him; for,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He followed him, but it was <I>afar off.</I> Some sparks of love and
|
||
|
|
concern for his Master there were in his breast, and therefore he
|
||
|
|
followed him; but fear and concern for his own safety prevailed, and
|
||
|
|
therefore he followed afar off. Note, It looks ill, and bodes worse,
|
||
|
|
when those that are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing
|
||
|
|
to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him; for to follow him
|
||
|
|
afar off, is by little and little to go back from him. There is danger
|
||
|
|
in drawing back, nay, in looking back.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He followed him, but he <I>went in, and sat with the servants.</I>
|
||
|
|
He should have gone up to the court, and attended on his Master, and
|
||
|
|
appeared for him; but he went in where there was a good fire, and sat
|
||
|
|
with the servants, not to silence their reproaches, but to screen
|
||
|
|
himself. It was presumption in Peter thus to thrust himself into
|
||
|
|
temptation; he that does so, throws himself out of God's protection.
|
||
|
|
Christ had told Peter that he could not follow him now, and had
|
||
|
|
particularly warned him of his danger <I>this night;</I> and yet he
|
||
|
|
would venture into the midst of this wicked crew. It helped David to
|
||
|
|
walk in his integrity, that he <I>hated the congregation of evil doers,
|
||
|
|
and would not sit with the wicked.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He followed him, but it was only <I>to see the end,</I> led more by
|
||
|
|
his curiosity than by his conscience; he attended as an idle spectator
|
||
|
|
rather than as a disciple, a person concerned. He should have gone in,
|
||
|
|
to do Christ some service, or to get some wisdom and grace to himself,
|
||
|
|
by observing Christ's behaviour under his sufferings: but he went in,
|
||
|
|
only to look about him; it is not unlikely that Peter went in,
|
||
|
|
expecting that Christ would have made his escape miraculously out of
|
||
|
|
the hands of his persecutors; that, having so lately struck them down,
|
||
|
|
who came to seize him, he would now have struck them dead, who sat to
|
||
|
|
judge him; and this he had a mind to see: if so, it was folly for him
|
||
|
|
to think of seeing any other end than what Christ had foretold, that he
|
||
|
|
should be put to death. Note, It is more our concern to prepare for the
|
||
|
|
end, whatever it may be, than curiously to enquire what the end will
|
||
|
|
be. The event is God's, but the duty is ours.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The trial of our Lord Jesus in this court.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They examined witnesses against him, though they were resolved,
|
||
|
|
right or wrong, to condemn him; yet, to put the better colour upon it,
|
||
|
|
they would produce evidence against him. The crimes properly cognizable
|
||
|
|
in their court, were, false doctrine and blasphemy; these they
|
||
|
|
endeavoured to prove upon him. And observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Their search for proof; <I>They sought false witness against
|
||
|
|
him;</I> they had seized him, bound him, abused him, and after all have
|
||
|
|
to seek for something to lay to his charge, and can show no cause for
|
||
|
|
his commitment. They tried if any of them could allege seemingly from
|
||
|
|
their own knowledge any thing against him; and suggested one calumny
|
||
|
|
and then another, which, if true, might touch his life. Thus <I>evil
|
||
|
|
men dig up mischief,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+16:27">Prov. xvi. 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here they trod in the steps of their predecessors, who <I>devised
|
||
|
|
devices against Jeremiah,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+18:18,20:10">Jer. xviii. 18; xx. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They made proclamation, that, if any one could give information against
|
||
|
|
the prisoner at the bar, they were ready to receive it, and presently
|
||
|
|
many bore false witness against him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:60"><I>v.</I> 60</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
for is <I>a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked,</I> and
|
||
|
|
will carry false stories to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+29:12">Prov. xxix. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This is an evil often seen under the sun,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:5">Eccl. x. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If Naboth must be taken off, there are sons of Belial to swear against
|
||
|
|
him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Their success in this search; in several attempts they were
|
||
|
|
baffled, they sought false testimonies among themselves, others came in
|
||
|
|
to help them, and yet they found none; they could make nothing of it,
|
||
|
|
could not take the evidence together, or give it any colour of truth or
|
||
|
|
consistency with itself, no, not they themselves being judges. The
|
||
|
|
matters alleged were such palpable lies, as carried their own
|
||
|
|
confutation along with them. This redounded much to the honour of
|
||
|
|
Christ now, when they were loading him with disgrace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But at last they met with <I>two</I> witnesses, who, it seems, agreed
|
||
|
|
in their evidence, and therefore were hearkened to, in hopes that now
|
||
|
|
the point was gained. The words they swore against him, were, that he
|
||
|
|
should say, <I>I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it
|
||
|
|
in three days,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:61"><I>v.</I> 61</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now by this they designed to accuse him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] As an enemy to the temple, and one that sought for the destruction
|
||
|
|
of it, which they could not bear to hear of; for they valued themselves
|
||
|
|
by <I>the temple of the Lord</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:4">Jer. vii. 4</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and, when they abandoned other idols, made a perfect idol of that.
|
||
|
|
Stephen was accused for <I>speaking against this holy place,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:13,14">Acts vi. 13, 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] As one that dealt in witchcraft, or some such unlawful arts, by
|
||
|
|
the help of which he could rear such a building in three days: they had
|
||
|
|
often suggested that he was in league with Beelzebub. Now, as to this,
|
||
|
|
<I>First,</I> The words were mis-recited; he said, <I>Destroy ye this
|
||
|
|
temple</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:19">John ii. 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
plainly intimating that he spoke of a temple which his enemies would
|
||
|
|
seek to destroy; they come, and swear that he said, <I>I am able to
|
||
|
|
destroy</I> this temple, as if the design against it were his. He said,
|
||
|
|
<I>In Three days I will raise it up</I>--<B> <I>egero auton</I></B>, a
|
||
|
|
word properly used of a living temple; <I>I will raise it to life.</I>
|
||
|
|
They come, and swear that he said, <I>I am able,</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>oikodomesai</I></B>--<I>to build it;</I> which is properly used
|
||
|
|
of a house temple. <I>Secondly,</I> The words were misunderstood; <I>he
|
||
|
|
spoke of the temple of his body</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:21">John ii. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and perhaps when he said, <I>this temple,</I> pointed to, or laid his
|
||
|
|
hand upon, his own body; but they swore that he said the <I>temple of
|
||
|
|
God,</I> meaning this holy place. Note, There have been, and still are,
|
||
|
|
such as <I>wrest</I> the sayings of Christ <I>to their own
|
||
|
|
destruction,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:16">2 Pet. iii. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> Make the worst they could of it, it was no capital
|
||
|
|
crime, even by their own law; if it had been, no question but he had
|
||
|
|
been prosecuted for it, when he spoke the words in a public discourse
|
||
|
|
some years ago; nay, the words were capable of a laudable construction,
|
||
|
|
and such as bespoke a kindness for the temple; if it were destroyed, he
|
||
|
|
would exert himself to the utmost to rebuild it. But any thing that
|
||
|
|
looked criminal, would serve to give colour to their malicious
|
||
|
|
prosecution. Now the scriptures were fulfilled, which said, <I>False
|
||
|
|
witnesses are risen up against me</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:12">Ps. xxvii. 12</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+35:11">Ps. xxxv. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against
|
||
|
|
me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+7:13">Hos. vii. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We stand justly accused, the law <I>accuseth us,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+27:26,Joh+5:45">Deut. xxvii. 26; John v. 45</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Satan and our own consciences accuse us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:20">1 John iii. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The creatures cry out against us. Now, to discharge us from all these
|
||
|
|
just accusations, our Lord Jesus submitted to this, to be unjustly and
|
||
|
|
falsely accused, that in the virtue of his sufferings we may be enabled
|
||
|
|
to triumph over all challenges; <I>Who shall lay any thing to the
|
||
|
|
charge of God's elect?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:33,34">Rom. viii. 33, 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He was accused, that he might not be condemned; and if at any time we
|
||
|
|
suffer thus, have all manner of evil, not only said, but <I>sworn,
|
||
|
|
against us falsely,</I> let us remember that we cannot expect to fare
|
||
|
|
better than our Master.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Christ's silence under all these accusations, to the amazement of
|
||
|
|
the court,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:62"><I>v.</I> 62</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The High Priest, the judge of the court, arose in some heat, and said,
|
||
|
|
"<I>Answerest thou nothing?</I> Come, you the prisoner at the bar; you
|
||
|
|
hear what is sworn against you, what have you now to say for yourself?
|
||
|
|
What defence can you make? Or what please have you to offer in answer
|
||
|
|
to this charge?" <I>But Jesus held his peace</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:63"><I>v.</I> 63</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not as one sullen, or as one self-condemned, or as one astonished and
|
||
|
|
in confusion; not because he wanted something to say, or knew not how
|
||
|
|
to say it, but that the scripture might be fulfilled
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:7">Isa. liii. 7</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>As the sheep is dumb before the shearer,</I> and before the butcher,
|
||
|
|
<I>so he opened not his mouth;</I> and that he might be the Son of
|
||
|
|
David, who, when his enemies spoke mischievous things against him, was
|
||
|
|
<I>as a deaf man that heard not,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+38:12-14">Ps. xxxviii. 12-14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He was silent, because <I>his hour was come;</I> he would not deny the
|
||
|
|
charge, because he was willing to submit to the sentence; otherwise, he
|
||
|
|
could as easily have put them to silence and shame now, as he had done
|
||
|
|
many a time before. If God had entered into judgment with us, we had
|
||
|
|
been <I>speechless</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:12"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not able to <I>answer for one of a thousand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:3">Job ix. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Therefore, when Christ was <I>made sin for us,</I> he was silent, and
|
||
|
|
left it to his blood to speak,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:24">Heb. xii. 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He stood mute at this bar, that we might have something to say at God's
|
||
|
|
bar.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Well, this way will not do; <I>aliâ aggrediendum est
|
||
|
|
viâ--recourse must be had to some other expedient.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They examined our Lord Jesus himself upon an oath like that <I>ex
|
||
|
|
officio;</I> and, since they could not accuse him, they will try,
|
||
|
|
contrary to the law of equity, to make him accuse himself.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Here is the interrogatory put to him by the High Priest.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The question itself; <I>Whether thou be the Christ, the Son of
|
||
|
|
God?</I> That is, Whether thou pretend to be so? For they will by no
|
||
|
|
means admit it into consideration, whether he be really so or no;
|
||
|
|
though the Messiah was to <I>be the Consolation of Israel,</I> and
|
||
|
|
glorious things were spoken concerning him in the Old Testament, yet so
|
||
|
|
strangely besotted were they with a jealousy of any thing that
|
||
|
|
threatened their exorbitant power and grandeur, that they would never
|
||
|
|
enter into the examination of the matter, whether Jesus was the Messiah
|
||
|
|
or no; never once put the case, suppose he should be so; they only
|
||
|
|
wished him to confess that he called himself so, that they might on
|
||
|
|
that indict him as a deceiver. What will not pride and malice carry men
|
||
|
|
to?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] The solemnity of the proposal of it; <I>I adjure thee by the
|
||
|
|
living God, that thou tell us.</I> Not that he had any regard to the
|
||
|
|
living God, but took his name in vain; only thus he hoped to gain his
|
||
|
|
point with our Lord Jesus; "If thou hast any value for the blessed name
|
||
|
|
of God, and reverence for his Majesty, tell us this." If he should
|
||
|
|
refuse to answer when he was thus adjured, they would charge him with
|
||
|
|
contempt of the blessed name of God. Thus the persecutors of good men
|
||
|
|
often take advantage against them by their consciences, as Daniel's
|
||
|
|
enemies did against him in the matter of his God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Christ's answer to this interrogatory
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:64"><I>v.</I> 64</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
in which,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] He owns himself to be <I>The Christ the Son of God. Thou hast
|
||
|
|
said;</I> that is, "It is as thou hast said;" for in St. Mark it is,
|
||
|
|
<I>I am.</I> Hitherto, he seldom professed himself expressly to be the
|
||
|
|
Christ, the Son of God; the tenour of his doctrine bespoke it, and his
|
||
|
|
miracles proved it: but now he would not omit to make a confession of
|
||
|
|
it, <I>First,</I> Because that would have looked like a disowning of
|
||
|
|
that truth which he came into the world to bear witness to.
|
||
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It would have looked like declining his sufferings,
|
||
|
|
when he knew the acknowledgment of this would give his enemies all the
|
||
|
|
advantage they desired against him. He thus confessed himself, for
|
||
|
|
example and encouragement to his followers, when they are called to it,
|
||
|
|
to <I>confess him before men,</I> whatever hazards they run by it. And
|
||
|
|
according to this pattern the martyrs readily confessed themselves
|
||
|
|
Christians, though they knew they must die for it, as the martyrs at
|
||
|
|
Thebais, <I>Euseb. Hist.</I> 50.8, 100.9. That Christ answered out of a
|
||
|
|
regard to the adjuration which Caiaphas had profanely used by the
|
||
|
|
<I>living God,</I> I cannot think, any more than that he had any regard
|
||
|
|
to the like adjuration in the devil's mouth,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+5:7">Mark v. 7</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He refers himself, for the proof of this, to his second coming,
|
||
|
|
and indeed to his whole estate of exaltation. It is probable that they
|
||
|
|
looked upon him with a scornful disdainful smile, when he said, "<I>I
|
||
|
|
am;</I>" "A likely fellow," thought they, "to be the Messiah, who is
|
||
|
|
expected to come in so much pomp and power;" and to that this
|
||
|
|
<I>nevertheless</I> refers. "Though now you see me in this low and
|
||
|
|
abject state, and think it a ridiculous thing for me to call myself the
|
||
|
|
Messiah, <I>nevertheless</I> the day is coming when I shall appear
|
||
|
|
otherwise." <I>Hereafter,</I> <B><I>ap arti</I></B>--<I>à
|
||
|
|
modo--shortly;</I> for his exaltation began in a few days; now shortly
|
||
|
|
his kingdom began to be set up; and <I>hereafter ye shall see the Son
|
||
|
|
of man sitting on the right hand of power, to judge the world;</I> of
|
||
|
|
which his coming shortly to judge and destroy the Jewish nation would
|
||
|
|
be a type and earnest. Note, The terrors of the judgment-day will be a
|
||
|
|
sensible conviction to the most obstinate infidelity, not in order to
|
||
|
|
conversion (that will be then too late), but in order to an eternal
|
||
|
|
confusion. Observe, <I>First,</I> Whom they should see; <I>the Son of
|
||
|
|
man.</I> Having owned himself the Son of God, even now in his estate of
|
||
|
|
humiliation, he speaks of himself as the Son of man, even in his estate
|
||
|
|
of exaltation; for he had these two distinct natures in one person. The
|
||
|
|
incarnation of Christ has made him Son of God and Son of man; for he is
|
||
|
|
<I>Immanuel,</I> God with us. <I>Secondly,</I> In what posture they
|
||
|
|
should see him;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. <I>Sitting on the right hand of power,</I> according to the prophecy
|
||
|
|
of the Messiah
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:1">Ps. cx. 1</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Sit thou at my right hand;</I> which denotes both the dignity and
|
||
|
|
the dominion he is exalted to. Though now he stood at the bar, they
|
||
|
|
should shortly see him sit on the throne.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>Coming in the clouds of heaven;</I> this refers to another
|
||
|
|
prophecy concerning the <I>Son of man</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+7:13,14">Dan. vii. 13, 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which is applied to Christ
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:33">Luke i. 33</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
when he came to destroy Jerusalem; so terrible was the judgment, and so
|
||
|
|
sensible the indications of the wrath of the Lamb in it, that it might
|
||
|
|
be called <I>a visible appearance of Christ;</I> but doubtless it has
|
||
|
|
reference to the general judgment; to this day he appeals, and summons
|
||
|
|
them to an appearance, then and there to answer for what they are now
|
||
|
|
doing. He had spoken of this day to his disciples, awhile ago, for
|
||
|
|
their comfort, and had bid them <I>lift up their heads</I> for joy in
|
||
|
|
the prospect of it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:27,28">Luke xxi. 27, 28</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Now he speaks of it to his enemies, for their terror; for nothing is
|
||
|
|
more comfortable to the righteous, nor more terrible to the wicked,
|
||
|
|
than Christ's judging the world at the last day.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. His conviction upon this trial; <I>The High Priest rent his
|
||
|
|
clothes,</I> according to the custom of the Jews, when they heard or
|
||
|
|
saw any thing done or said, which they looked upon to be a reproach to
|
||
|
|
God; as
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+36:22,37:1,Ac+14:14">Isa. xxxvi. 22; xxxvii. 1;
|
||
|
|
Acts xiv. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Caiaphas would be thought extremely tender of the glory of God
|
||
|
|
(<I>Come, see his zeal for the Lord of hosts</I>); but, while he
|
||
|
|
pretended an abhorrence of blasphemy, he was himself the greatest
|
||
|
|
blasphemer; he now forgot the law which forbade the High Priest in any
|
||
|
|
case to rend his clothes, unless we will suppose this an excepted
|
||
|
|
case.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The crime he was found guilty of; <I>blasphemy. He hath spoken
|
||
|
|
blasphemy;</I> that is, he hath spoken reproachfully of the living God;
|
||
|
|
that is the notion we have of blasphemy; because we by sin had
|
||
|
|
reproached the Lord, therefore Christ, when <I>he was made Sin for
|
||
|
|
us,</I> was condemned as a blasphemer for the truth he told them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The evidence upon which they found him guilty; <I>Ye have heard the
|
||
|
|
blasphemy;</I> why should we trouble ourselves to examine
|
||
|
|
<I>witnesses</I> any further? He owned the fact, that he did profess
|
||
|
|
himself the <I>Son of God;</I> and then they made blasphemy of it, and
|
||
|
|
convicted him upon his confession. The High Priest triumphs in the
|
||
|
|
success of the snare he had laid; "Now I think I have done his business
|
||
|
|
for him." <I>Aha, so would we have it.</I> Thus was he <I>judged out of
|
||
|
|
his own mouth</I> at their bar, because we were liable to be so judged
|
||
|
|
at God's bar. There is no need of witnesses against us; our own
|
||
|
|
consciences are against us instead of a thousand witnesses.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VI. His sentence passed, upon this conviction,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:66"><I>v.</I> 66</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Caiaphas's appeal to the bench; <I>What think ye?</I> See his base
|
||
|
|
hypocrisy and partiality; when he had already prejudged the cause, and
|
||
|
|
pronounced him a blasphemer, then, as if he were willing to be advised,
|
||
|
|
he asks the judgment of his brethren; but hide malice ever so cunningly
|
||
|
|
under the robe of justice, some way or other it will break out. If he
|
||
|
|
would have dealt fairly, he should have collected the votes of the
|
||
|
|
bench <I>seriatim--in order,</I> and begun with the junior, and
|
||
|
|
delivered his own opinion last; but he knew that by the authority of
|
||
|
|
his place he could sway the rest, and therefore declares his judgment,
|
||
|
|
and presumes they are all of his mind; he takes the crime, with regard
|
||
|
|
to Christ, <I>pro confesso--as a crime confessed;</I> and the judgment,
|
||
|
|
with regard to the court, <I>pro concesso--as a judgment agreed
|
||
|
|
to.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Their concurrence with him; they said, <I>He is guilty of death;</I>
|
||
|
|
perhaps they did not all concur: it is certain that Joseph of
|
||
|
|
Arimathea, if he was present, dissented
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:51">Luke xxiii. 51</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so did Nicodemus, and, it is likely, others with them; however, the
|
||
|
|
majority carried it that way; but, perhaps, this being an extraordinary
|
||
|
|
council, or cabal rather, none had notice to be present but such as
|
||
|
|
they knew would concur, and so it might be voted <I>nemine
|
||
|
|
contradicente--unanimously.</I> The judgment was, "<I>He is guilty of
|
||
|
|
death;</I> by the law he deserves to die." Though they had not power
|
||
|
|
now to put any man to death, yet by such a judgment as this they made a
|
||
|
|
man an <I>outlaw</I> among his people (<I>qui caput gerit lupinum--he
|
||
|
|
carries a wolf's head;</I> so our old law describes an outlaw), and so
|
||
|
|
exposed him to the fury either of a popular tumult, as Stephen was, or
|
||
|
|
to be clamoured against before the governor, as Christ was. Thus was
|
||
|
|
the Lord of life condemned to die, that through him there may be <I>no
|
||
|
|
condemnation to us.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VII. The abuses and indignities done to him after sentence passed
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:67,68"><I>v.</I> 67, 68</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Then,</I> when he was found guilty, they <I>spat in his face.</I>
|
||
|
|
Because they had not power to put him to death, and could not be sure
|
||
|
|
that they should prevail with the governor to be their executioner,
|
||
|
|
they would do him all the mischief they could, now that they had him in
|
||
|
|
their hands. Condemned prisoners are taken under the special protection
|
||
|
|
of the law, which they are to make satisfaction to, and by all
|
||
|
|
civilized nations have been treated with tenderness; sufficient is this
|
||
|
|
punishment. But when they had passed sentence upon our Lord Jesus, he
|
||
|
|
was treated as if hell had broken loose upon him, as if he were not
|
||
|
|
only <I>worthy of death,</I> but as if that were too good for him, and
|
||
|
|
he were unworthy of the compassion shown to the worst malefactors. Thus
|
||
|
|
<I>he was made a curse for us.</I> But who were they that were thus
|
||
|
|
barbarous? It should seem, the very same that had passed sentence upon
|
||
|
|
him. <I>They said, He is guilty of death, and then did they spit in his
|
||
|
|
face.</I> The priests began, and then no wonder if the servants, who
|
||
|
|
would do any thing to make sport to themselves, and curry favour with
|
||
|
|
their wicked masters, carried on the humour. See how they abused
|
||
|
|
him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. <I>They spat in his face.</I> Thus the scripture was fulfilled
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:6">Isa. l. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He hid not his face from shame and spitting.</I> Job complained of
|
||
|
|
this indignity done to him, and herein was a type of Christ
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:10">Job xxxi. 10</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They spare not to spit in my face.</I> It is an expression of the
|
||
|
|
greatest contempt and indignation possible; looking upon him as more
|
||
|
|
despicable than the very ground they spit upon. When Miriam was under
|
||
|
|
the leprosy, it was looked upon as a disgrace to her, like that of
|
||
|
|
<I>her father spitting in her face,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+12:14">Num. xii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He that refused to raise up seed to his brother, was to undergo this
|
||
|
|
dishonour,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+25:9">Deut. xxv. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Yet Christ, when he was repairing the decays of the great family of
|
||
|
|
mankind, submitted to it. That face which was <I>fairer than the
|
||
|
|
children of men,</I> which was <I>white and ruddy,</I> and which angels
|
||
|
|
reverence, was thus filthily abused by the basest and vilest of the
|
||
|
|
children of men. Thus was confusion poured upon his face, that ours
|
||
|
|
might not be filled with everlasting shame and contempt. They who now
|
||
|
|
profane his blessed name, abuse his word, and hate his image in his
|
||
|
|
sanctified ones; what do they better than spit in his face? They would
|
||
|
|
do that, if it were in their reach.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>They buffeted him, and smote him with the palms of their
|
||
|
|
hands.</I> This added pain to the shame, for both came in with sin. Now
|
||
|
|
the scripture was fulfilled
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:6">Isa. l. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I gave my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; and</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+3:30">Lam. iii. 30</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him; he is filled with
|
||
|
|
reproach,</I> and yet <I>keepeth silence</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:1">Mic. v. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek;</I>
|
||
|
|
here the margin reads it, <I>They smote him with rods;</I> for so
|
||
|
|
<B><I>errapisan</I></B> signifies, and this he submitted to.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They challenged him to tell who struck him, having first blindfolded
|
||
|
|
him; <I>Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) They made sport of him, as the Philistines did with Samson; it is
|
||
|
|
grievous to those that are in misery, for people to make merry
|
||
|
|
<I>about</I> them, but much more to make merry <I>with</I> them and
|
||
|
|
their misery. Here was an instance of the greatest depravity and
|
||
|
|
degeneracy of the human nature that could be, to show that there was
|
||
|
|
need of a religion that should recover men to humanity.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They made sport with his prophetical office. They had heard him
|
||
|
|
called a <I>prophet,</I> and that he was famed for wonderful
|
||
|
|
discoveries; this they upbraided him with, and pretended to make a
|
||
|
|
trial of; as if the divine omniscience must stoop to a piece of
|
||
|
|
children's play. <I>They</I> put a like affront upon Christ, who
|
||
|
|
profanely jest with the scripture, and make themselves merry with holy
|
||
|
|
things; like Belshazzar's revels in the temple bowls.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_69"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_70"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_71"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_72"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_73"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_74"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Mt26_75"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Denied by Peter.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto
|
||
|
|
him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
|
||
|
|
70 But he denied before <I>them</I> all, saying, I know not what
|
||
|
|
thou sayest.
|
||
|
|
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another <I>maid</I> saw
|
||
|
|
him, and said unto them that were there, This <I>fellow</I> was also
|
||
|
|
with Jesus of Nazareth.
|
||
|
|
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
|
||
|
|
73 And after a while came unto <I>him</I> they that stood by, and
|
||
|
|
said to Peter, Surely thou also art <I>one</I> of them; for thy speech
|
||
|
|
bewrayeth thee.
|
||
|
|
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, <I>saying,</I> I know not
|
||
|
|
the man. And immediately the cock crew.
|
||
|
|
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,
|
||
|
|
Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out,
|
||
|
|
and wept bitterly.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the story of Peter's denying his Master, and it comes in
|
||
|
|
as a part of Christ's sufferings. Our Lord Jesus was now in the High
|
||
|
|
Priest's hall, not to be tried, but baited rather; and then it would
|
||
|
|
have been some comfort to him to see his friends near him. But we do
|
||
|
|
not find any friend he had about the court, save Peter only, and it
|
||
|
|
would have been better if he had been at a distance. Observe how he
|
||
|
|
fell, and how he got up again by repentance.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. His sin, which is here impartially related, to the honour of the
|
||
|
|
penmen of scripture, who dealt faithfully. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The immediate occasion of Peter's sin. He sat without in the palace,
|
||
|
|
among the servants of the High Priest. Note, Bad company is to many an
|
||
|
|
occasion of sin; and those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, go
|
||
|
|
upon the devil's ground, venture into his crowds, and may expect either
|
||
|
|
to be tempted and ensnared, as Peter was, or to be ridiculed and
|
||
|
|
abused, as his Master was; they scarcely can come out of such company,
|
||
|
|
without guilt or grief, or both. He that would keep God's commandments
|
||
|
|
and his own covenant, must say to evil-doers, <I>Depart from me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:115">Ps. cxix. 115</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Peter spoke from his own experience, when he warned his new converts to
|
||
|
|
<I>save themselves from that untoward generation;</I> for he had like
|
||
|
|
to have ruined himself by but going once among them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The temptation to it. He was challenged as a retainer to Jesus of
|
||
|
|
Galilee. First one maid, and then another, and then the rest of the
|
||
|
|
servants, charged it upon him; <I>Thou also wert with Jesus of
|
||
|
|
Galilee,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:69"><I>v.</I> 69</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And again, <I>This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:71"><I>v.</I> 71</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And again
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:73"><I>v.</I> 73</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Thou also art one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee</I> to be a
|
||
|
|
Galilean; whose dialect and pronunciation differed from that of the
|
||
|
|
other Jews. Happy he whose speech betrays him to be a disciple of
|
||
|
|
Christ, by the holiness and seriousness of whose discourse it appears
|
||
|
|
that he has been with Jesus! Observe how scornfully they speak of
|
||
|
|
Christ-Jesus <I>of Galilee,</I> and <I>of Nazareth,</I> upbraiding him
|
||
|
|
with the country he was of: and how disdainfully they speak of
|
||
|
|
Peter--<I>This fellow;</I> as if they thought it a reproach to them to
|
||
|
|
have such a man in their company, and he was well enough served for
|
||
|
|
coming among them; yet they had nothing to accuse him of, but that he
|
||
|
|
was with Jesus, which, they thought, was enough to render him both a
|
||
|
|
scandalous and a suspected person.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The sin itself. When he was charged as one of Christ's disciples, he
|
||
|
|
denied it, was ashamed and afraid to own himself so, and would have all
|
||
|
|
about him to believe that he had no knowledge of him, nor any kindness
|
||
|
|
or concern for him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Upon the first mention of it, he said, <I>I know not what thou
|
||
|
|
sayest.</I> This was a shuffling answer; he pretended that he did not
|
||
|
|
understand the charge, that he knew not whom she meant by <I>Jesus of
|
||
|
|
Galilee,</I> or what she meant by being <I>with</I> him; so making
|
||
|
|
strange of that which his heart was now as full of as it could be.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] It is a fault thus to misrepresent our own apprehensions,
|
||
|
|
thoughts, and affections, to serve a turn; to pretend that we do not
|
||
|
|
understand, or did not think of, or remember, that which yet we do
|
||
|
|
apprehend, and did think of, and remember; this is a species of lying
|
||
|
|
which we are more prone to than any other, because in this a man is not
|
||
|
|
easily disproved; for <I>who knows the spirit of a man, save
|
||
|
|
himself?</I> But God knows it, and we must be restrained from this
|
||
|
|
wickedness by a fear of him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+24:12">Prov. xxiv. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is yet a greater fault to be shy of Christ, to dissemble our
|
||
|
|
knowledge of him, and to shift off a confession of him, when we are
|
||
|
|
called to it; it is, in effect, to <I>deny</I> him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Upon the next attack, he said, flat and plain, <I>I know not the
|
||
|
|
man,</I> and backed it with an oath,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:72"><I>v.</I> 72</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This was, in effect, to say, I will not own him, I am no Christian; for
|
||
|
|
Christianity is the knowledge of Christ. Why, Peter? Canst thou look
|
||
|
|
upon yonder Prisoner at the bar, and say thou dost not know him? Didst
|
||
|
|
not thou quit all to follow him? And hast thou not been the man of his
|
||
|
|
counsel? Hast thou not known him better than any one else? Didst thou
|
||
|
|
not confess him to be the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Hast thou
|
||
|
|
forgotten all the kind and tender looks thou hast had from him, and all
|
||
|
|
the intimate fellowship thou hast had with him? Canst thou look him in
|
||
|
|
the face, and say that thou dost not know him?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Upon the third assault, <I>he began to curse and to swear, saying,
|
||
|
|
I know not the man,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:74"><I>v.</I> 74</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This was worst of all, for the way of sin is down-hill. He cursed and
|
||
|
|
swore,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] To back what he said, and to gain credit to it, that they might
|
||
|
|
not any more call it in question; he did not only <I>say</I> it, but
|
||
|
|
<I>swear</I> it; and yet what he said, was false. Note, We have reason
|
||
|
|
to suspect the truth of that which is backed with rash oaths and
|
||
|
|
imprecations. None but the devil's sayings need the devil's proofs. He
|
||
|
|
that will not be restrained by the third commandment from mocking his
|
||
|
|
God, will not be kept by the ninth from deceiving his brother.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] He designed it to be an evidence for him, that he was none of
|
||
|
|
Christ's disciples, for this was none of their language. Cursing and
|
||
|
|
swearing suffice to prove a man no disciple of Christ; for it is the
|
||
|
|
language of his enemies thus to <I>take his name in vain.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This is written for warning to us, that we sin not after the similitude
|
||
|
|
of Peter's transgression; that we never, either directly or indirectly,
|
||
|
|
deny Christ the Lord that bought us, by rejecting his offers, resisting
|
||
|
|
his Spirit, dissembling our knowledge of him, and being ashamed of him
|
||
|
|
and his words, or afraid of suffering for him and with his suffering
|
||
|
|
people.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. The aggravations of this sin, which it may be of use to take notice
|
||
|
|
of, that we may observe the like transgressions in our own sins.
|
||
|
|
Consider,
|
||
|
|
|
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(1.) Who he was: an apostle, one of the first three, that had been upon
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all occasions the most forward to speak to the honour of Christ. The
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greater profession we make of religion, the greater is our sin if in
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any thing we walk unworthily.
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(2.) What fair warning his Master had given him of his danger; if he
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had regarded this as he ought to have done, he would not have run
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himself into the temptation.
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(3.) How solemnly he had promised to adhere to Christ in this night of
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trial; he had said again and again, "<I>I will never deny thee;</I> no,
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I will die with thee first;" yet he broke these bonds in sunder, and
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his word was yea and nay.
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(4.) How soon he fell into this sin after the Lord's supper. There to
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receive such an inestimable pledge of redeeming love, and yet the same
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night, before morning, to disown his Redeemer, was indeed <I>turning
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aside quickly.</I>
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(5.) How weak comparatively the temptation was; it was not the judge,
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nor any of the officers of the court, that charged him with being a
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disciple of Jesus, but a silly maid or two, that probably designed him
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no hurt, nor would have done him any if he had owned it. This was but
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<I>running with the footmen,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+12:5">Jer. xii. 5</A>.
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(6.) How often he repeated it; even after the cock had crowed once he
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continued in the temptation, and a second and third time relapsed into
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the sin. Is this Peter? <I>How art thou fallen!</I></P>
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<P>
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Thus was his sin aggravated; but on the other hand there is this to
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extenuate it, that, what he said he said <I>in his haste,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+116:11">Ps. cxvi. 11</A>.
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He fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas, with design; his heart
|
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was against it; he spoke very ill, but it was unadvisedly, and before
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he was aware.</P>
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<P>
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II. Peter's repentance for this sin,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:75"><I>v.</I> 75</A>.
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The former is written for our admonition, that we may not sin; but, if
|
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at any time we be overtaken, this is written for our imitation, that we
|
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|
may make haste to repent. Now observe,</P>
|
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<P>
|
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1. What it was, that brought Peter to repentance.</P>
|
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<P>
|
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(1.) <I>The cock crew</I>
|
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|
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|
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|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:74"><I>v.</I> 74</A>);
|
||
|
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|
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a common contingency; but, Christ having mentioned the crowing of
|
||
|
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<I>the cock</I> in the warning he gave him, that made it a means of
|
||
|
|
bringing him to himself. The word of Christ can put a significancy upon
|
||
|
|
whatever sign he shall please to choose, and by virtue of that word he
|
||
|
|
can make it very beneficial to the souls of his people. The crowing of
|
||
|
|
a cock is to Peter instead of a John Baptist, the voice of one calling
|
||
|
|
to repentance. Conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock,
|
||
|
|
to put us in mind of what we had forgotten. When <I>David's heart smote
|
||
|
|
him</I> the cock crew. Where there is a living principle of grace in
|
||
|
|
the soul, though for the present overpowered by temptation, a little
|
||
|
|
hint will serve, only for a memorandum, when God sets in with it, to
|
||
|
|
recover it from a by-path. Here was the crowing of a cock made a happy
|
||
|
|
occasion of the conversion of a soul. Christ comes sometimes in mercy
|
||
|
|
<I>at cock-crowing.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) <I>He remembered the words of the Lord;</I> this was it that
|
||
|
|
brought him to himself, and melted him into tears of godly sorrow; a
|
||
|
|
sense of his ingratitude to Christ, and the slight regard he had had to
|
||
|
|
the gracious warning Christ had given him. Note, A serious reflection
|
||
|
|
upon the words of the Lord Jesus will be a powerful inducement to
|
||
|
|
repentance, and will help to break the heart for sin. Nothing grieves a
|
||
|
|
penitent more than that he has sinned against the grace of the Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus and the tokens of his love.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How his repentance was expressed; <I>He went out, and wept
|
||
|
|
bitterly.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) His sorrow was secret; he went out, out of the High Priest's hall,
|
||
|
|
vexed at himself that ever he came into it, now that he found what a
|
||
|
|
snare he was in, and got out of it as fast as he could. He went out
|
||
|
|
into the porch before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:71"><I>v.</I> 71</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and if he had gone quite off then, his second and third denial had been
|
||
|
|
prevented; but then he came in again, now he went out and came in no
|
||
|
|
more. He went out to some place of solitude and retirement, where he
|
||
|
|
might <I>bemoan</I> himself, <I>like the doves of the valleys,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+7:16,Jer+9:1,2">Ezek. vii. 16; Jer. ix. 1, 2</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He went out, that he might not be disturbed in his devotions on this
|
||
|
|
sad occasion. We may <I>then</I> be most free in our communion with
|
||
|
|
God, when we are most free from the converse and business of this
|
||
|
|
world. In mourning for sin, we find <I>the families apart, and their
|
||
|
|
wives apart,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:11,12">Zech. xii. 11, 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) His sorrow was serious; <I>He wept bitterly.</I> Sorrow for sin
|
||
|
|
must not be slight, but great and deep, like that for an only son.
|
||
|
|
Those that have sinned sweetly, must weep bitterly; for, sooner or
|
||
|
|
later, sin will be bitterness. This deep sorrow is requisite, not to
|
||
|
|
satisfy divine justice (a sea of tears would not do that), but to
|
||
|
|
evidence that there is a real change of mind, which is the essence of
|
||
|
|
repentance, to make the pardon the more welcome, and sin for the future
|
||
|
|
the more loathsome. Peter, who wept so bitterly for denying Christ,
|
||
|
|
never denied him again, but <I>confessed</I> him often and openly, and
|
||
|
|
in the mouth of danger; so far from ever saying, <I>I know not the
|
||
|
|
man,</I> that he made all the house of <I>Israel know assuredly that
|
||
|
|
this same Jesus was Lord and Christ.</I> True repentance for any sin
|
||
|
|
will be best evidenced by our abounding in the contrary grace and duty;
|
||
|
|
that is a sign of our weeping, not only bitterly, but sincerely. Some
|
||
|
|
of the ancients say, that as long as Peter lived, he never heard a cock
|
||
|
|
crow but it set him a weeping. Those that have truly sorrowed for sin,
|
||
|
|
will sorrow upon every remembrance of it; yet not so as to hinder, but
|
||
|
|
rather to increase, their joy in God and in his mercy and grace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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