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96 KiB
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1966 lines
96 KiB
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Luke IX].</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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<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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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC42008.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC42010.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>L U K E.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</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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In this chapter we have,
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I. The commission Christ gave to his twelve apostles to go out for some
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time to preach the gospel, and confirm it by miracles,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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II. Herod's terror at the growing greatness of our Lord Jesus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>.
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III. The apostles' return to Christ, his retirement with them into a
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place of solitude, the great resort of people to them notwithstanding,
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and his feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:10-17">ver. 10-17</A>.
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IV. His discourse with his disciples concerning himself and his own
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sufferings for them, and their for him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:18-27">ver. 18-27</A>.
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V. Christ's transfiguration,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:28-36">ver. 28-36</A>.
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VI. The cure of a lunatic child,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:37-42">ver. 37-42</A>.
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VII. The repeated notice Christ gave his disciples of his approaching
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sufferings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:43-45">ver. 43-45</A>.
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VIII. His check to the ambition of his disciples
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:46-48">ver. 46-48</A>),
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and to their monopolizing the power over devils to themselves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:49,50">ver. 49, 50</A>.
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IX. The rebuke he gave them for an over-due resentment of an affront
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given him by a village of the Samaritans,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:51-56">ver. 51-56</A>.
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X. The answers he gave to several that were inclined to follow him,
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but not considerately, or not zealously and heartily, so inclined,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:57-62">ver. 57-62</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Lu9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_9"> </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 Mission of the Twelve Apostles.</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 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them
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power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
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2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal
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the sick.
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3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for <I>your</I> journey,
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neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither
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have two coats apiece.
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4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence
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depart.
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5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that
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city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony
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against them.
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6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the
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gospel, and healing every where.
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7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and
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he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was
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risen from the dead;
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8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one
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of the old prophets was risen again.
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9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of
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whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here,
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I. The method Christ took to spread his gospel, to diffuse and enforce
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the light of it. He had <I>himself</I> travelled about, preaching and
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healing; but he could be only in one place at a time, and therefore now
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he <I>sent</I> his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were
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pretty well instructed in the nature of the present dispensation, and
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able to instruct others and <I>deliver to them</I> what they had
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<I>received from the Lord.</I> Let them disperse themselves, some one
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way and some another, to <I>preach the kingdom of God,</I> as it was
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now about to be set up by the Messiah, to make people acquainted with
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the spiritual nature and tendency of it, and to persuade them to come
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into the interests and measures of it. For the confirming of their
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doctrine, because it was new and surprising, and very different from
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what they had been taught by the scribes and Pharisees, and because so
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much depended upon men's receiving, or not receiving it, he empowered
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them to work miracles
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>):
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He <I>gave them authority over all devils,</I> to dispossess them, and
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cast them out, though ever so numerous, so subtle, so fierce, so
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obstinate. Christ designed a total rout and ruin to the kingdom of
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darkness, and therefore gave them power over <I>all</I> devils. He
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authorized and appointed them likewise to <I>cure disease,</I> and to
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<I>heal the sick,</I> which would make them welcome wherever they came,
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and not only convince people's judgments, but gain their affections.
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This was their commission. Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. What Christ directed them to do, in prosecution of this commission
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at this time, when they were not to <I>go far</I> or be <I>out
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long.</I>
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(1.) They must not be solicitous to recommend themselves to people's
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esteem by their outward appearance. Now that they begin to set up for
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themselves, they must have no dress, nor study to make any other figure
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than what they made while they followed him: they must <I>go as they
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were,</I> and not change their clothes, or so much as put on a pair of
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new shoes.
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(2.) They must depend upon Providence, and the kindness of their
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friends, to furnish them with what was convenient for them. They must
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not take with them <I>either bread or money,</I> and yet believe they
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should not want. Christ would not have his disciples <I>shy</I> of
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receiving the kindnesses of their friends, but rather to <I>expect</I>
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them. Yet St. Paul saw cause not to go by this rule, when he
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<I>laboured with his hands</I> rather than be burdensome.
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(3.) They must not change their lodgings, as suspecting that those who
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entertained them were <I>weary</I> of them; they have no reason to be
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so, for the ark is a guest that always pays well for its entertainment:
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"<I>Whatsoever house ye enter into there abide</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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that people may know where to find you, that your friends may know you
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are not backward to <I>serve</I> them, and your enemies may know you
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are not ashamed nor afraid to <I>face</I> them; <I>there abide</I> till
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you <I>depart</I> out of that city; stay with those you are used to."
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(4.) They must put on authority, and speak <I>warning</I> to those who
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<I>refused</I> them as well as comfort to those that <I>received</I>
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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"If there be any place that will not entertain you, if the magistrates
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deny you admission and threaten to treat you as vagrants, leave them,
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do not force yourselves upon them, nor run yourselves into danger among
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them, but at the same time bind them over to the judgment of God for
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it; <I>shake off the dust of your feet</I> for a <I>testimony against
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them.</I>" This will, as it were, be produced in evidence against them,
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that the messengers of the gospel had been among them, to make them a
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fair offer of grace and peace, for this dust they left behind there; so
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that when they perish at last in their infidelity this will lay and
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leave their blood upon their own heads. <I>Shake off the dust of your
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feet,</I> as much as to say you abandon their city, and will have no
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more to do with them.</P>
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<P>
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2. What they did, in prosecution of this commission
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>They departed</I> from their Master's presence; yet, having still
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his spiritual presence with them, his <I>eye</I> and his <I>arm</I>
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going along with them, and, thus borne up in their work, they <I>went
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through the towns,</I> some or other of them, all the towns within the
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circuit appointed them, <I>preaching the gospel, and healing every
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where.</I> Their work was the same with their Master's, doing good both
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to souls and bodies.</P>
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<P>
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II. We have here Herod's perplexity and vexation at this. The
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communicating of Christ's power to those who were sent forth in his
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name, and acted by authority from him, was an <I>amazing</I> and
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<I>convincing</I> proof of his being the Messiah, above any thing else;
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that he could not only work miracles <I>himself,</I> but empower others
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to work miracles too, this spread his fame more than any thing, and
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made the rays of this <I>Sun of righteousness</I> the stronger by the
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<I>reflection</I> of them even from <I>the earth,</I> from such mean
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illiterate men as the apostles were, who had nothing else to recommend
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them, or to raise any expectations from them, but that <I>they had been
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with Jesus,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+4:13">Acts iv. 13</A>.
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When the country sees such as these <I>healing the sick</I> in the name
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of Jesus it gives it an alarm. Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. The <I>various speculations</I> it <I>raised</I> among the
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<I>people,</I> who, though they thought not <I>rightly,</I> yet could
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not but think <I>honourably,</I> of our Lord Jesus, and that he was an
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extraordinary person, one come from the other world; that either John
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Baptist, who was lately persecuted and slain for the cause of God, or
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<I>one of the old prophets,</I> that had been persecuted and slain long
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since in that cause, was <I>risen again,</I> to be recompensed for his
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sufferings by this honour put upon him; or that Elias, who was taken
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alive to heaven in a fiery chariot, <I>had appeared</I> as an express
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from heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. The <I>great perplexity</I> it <I>created</I> in the mind of Herod:
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<I>When he had heard of all that was done</I> by Christ, his guilty
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conscience flew in his face, and he was ready to conclude with them
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that <I>John was risen from the dead.</I> He thought he had got clear
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of John, and should never be troubled with him any more, but, it seems,
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he is mistaken; either John is come to life again or here is another in
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his spirit and power, for God will never <I>leave himself without
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witness.</I> "What shall I do now?" saith Herod. "John <I>have I
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beheaded, but who is this?</I> Is he carrying on John's work, or is he
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come to avenge John's death? John baptized, but he does not; <I>John
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did no miracle,</I> but he does, and therefore appears more formidable
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than John." Note, Those who oppose God will find themselves more and
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more <I>embarrassed.</I> However, he <I>desired to see him,</I> whether
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he resembled John or no; but he might soon have been put out of this
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pain if he would but have informed himself of that which thousands
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knew, that Jesus preached, and wrought miracles, a great while before
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John was beheaded, and therefore could not be John raised from the
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dead. He <I>desired to see him;</I> and why did he not go and see him?
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Probably, because he thought it <I>below him</I> either to go to him or
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to send for him; he had enough of John Baptist, and cared not for
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having to do with any more such reprovers of sin. He desired to see
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him, but we do not find that ever he did, till he saw him at his bar,
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and then <I>he and his men of war set him at nought,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:11">Luke xxiii. 11</A>.
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Had he prosecuted his convictions now, and gone to see him, who knows
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but a happy change might have ben wrought in him? But, delaying it now,
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his heart was hardened, and when he did see him he was as much
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prejudiced against him as any other.</P>
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<A NAME="Lu9_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu9_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Multitude Miraculously Fed.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that
|
||
|
|
they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a
|
||
|
|
desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
|
||
|
|
11 And the people, when they knew <I>it,</I> followed him: and he
|
||
|
|
received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and
|
||
|
|
healed them that had need of healing.
|
||
|
|
12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve,
|
||
|
|
and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into
|
||
|
|
the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals:
|
||
|
|
for we are here in a desert place.
|
||
|
|
13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said,
|
||
|
|
We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should
|
||
|
|
go and buy meat for all this people.
|
||
|
|
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his
|
||
|
|
disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
|
||
|
|
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
|
||
|
|
16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking
|
||
|
|
up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the
|
||
|
|
disciples to set before the multitude.
|
||
|
|
17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken
|
||
|
|
up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The account which the twelve gave their Master of the success of
|
||
|
|
their ministry. They were not long out; but, <I>when they returned,
|
||
|
|
they told him all that they had done,</I> as became servants who were
|
||
|
|
sent on an errand. They told him <I> what they had done,</I> that, if
|
||
|
|
they had done any thing amiss, they might mend it next time.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Their <I>retirement,</I> for a little <I>breathing:</I> He <I>took
|
||
|
|
them, and went aside privately into a desert place,</I> that they might
|
||
|
|
have some relaxation from business and not be always upon the stretch.
|
||
|
|
Note, He that hath appointed our man-servant and maid-servant to rest
|
||
|
|
would have his servants to rest too. Those in the most public stations,
|
||
|
|
and that are most publicly useful, must sometimes go aside privately,
|
||
|
|
both for the repose of their bodies, to recruit them, and for the
|
||
|
|
furnishing of their minds by meditation for further public work.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The <I>resort</I> of the people to him, and the kind
|
||
|
|
<I>reception</I> he gave them. They <I>followed</I> him, though it was
|
||
|
|
into a <I>desert place;</I> for that is no desert where Christ is. And,
|
||
|
|
though they hereby disturbed the repose he designed here for himself
|
||
|
|
and his disciples, yet he <I>welcomed</I> them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Pious zeal may excuse a little rudeness; it did with Christ, and
|
||
|
|
should with us. Though they came unseasonably, yet Christ gave them
|
||
|
|
what they came for.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He <I>spoke unto them of the kingdom of God,</I> the laws of that
|
||
|
|
kingdom with which they must be bound, and the privileges of that
|
||
|
|
kingdom with which they might be blessed.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He <I>healed them that had need of healing,</I> and, in a sense of
|
||
|
|
their need, made their application to him. Though the disease was ever
|
||
|
|
so inveterate, and incurable by the physicians, though the patients
|
||
|
|
were ever so poor and mean, yet Christ <I>healed them.</I> There is
|
||
|
|
healing in Christ for all that <I>need</I> it, whether for soul or
|
||
|
|
body. Christ hath still a power over bodily diseases, and heals his
|
||
|
|
people that <I>need healing.</I> Sometimes he sees that we need the
|
||
|
|
<I>sickness</I> for the good of our souls, more than the <I>healing</I>
|
||
|
|
for the ease of our bodies, and then we must be willing <I>for a
|
||
|
|
season,</I> because <I>there is need,</I> to be in <I>heaviness;</I>
|
||
|
|
but, when he sees that we <I>need healing,</I> we shall have it. Death
|
||
|
|
is his servant, to heal the saints of <I>all diseases.</I> He heals
|
||
|
|
spiritual maladies by his graces, by his comforts, and has for each
|
||
|
|
what the case calls for; relief for every exigence.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The plentiful provision Christ made for the multitude that attended
|
||
|
|
him. With <I>five loaves</I> of bread, and <I>two fishes,</I> he fed
|
||
|
|
<I>five thousand men.</I> This narrative we had twice before, and shall
|
||
|
|
meet with it again; it is the only miracle of our Saviour's that is
|
||
|
|
recorded by all the four evangelists. Let us only observe out of it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Those who diligently attend upon Christ in the way of duty, and
|
||
|
|
therein deny or expose themselves, or are made to forget themselves and
|
||
|
|
their outward conveniences by their zeal for God's house, are taken
|
||
|
|
under his particular care, and may depend upon <I>Jehovah-jireh--The
|
||
|
|
Lord will provide.</I> He will not see those that fear him, and serve
|
||
|
|
him faithfully, want any good thing.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Our Lord Jesus was of a free and generous spirit. His disciples
|
||
|
|
said, <I>Send them away, that they may get victuals;</I> but Christ
|
||
|
|
said, "No, <I>give ye them to eat;</I> let what we have go as far as it
|
||
|
|
will reach, and they are welcome to it." Thus he has taught both
|
||
|
|
ministers and Christians to <I>use hospitality without grudging,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:9">1 Pet. iv. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those that have but a little, let them do what they can with that
|
||
|
|
little, and that is the way to make it more. <I>There is that
|
||
|
|
scatters, and yet increases.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Jesus Christ has not only physic, but food, for all those that by
|
||
|
|
faith apply themselves to him; he not only <I>heals them that need
|
||
|
|
healing,</I> cures the diseases of the soul, but feeds them too that
|
||
|
|
need feeding, supports the spiritual life, relieves the necessities of
|
||
|
|
it, and satisfies the desires of it. Christ has provided not only to
|
||
|
|
save the soul from perishing by its diseases, but to nourish the soul
|
||
|
|
unto life eternal, and strengthen it for all spiritual exercises.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. All the gifts of Christ are to be received by the church in a
|
||
|
|
regular orderly manner; <I>Make them sit down by fifties in a
|
||
|
|
company,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Notice is here taken of the number of each company which Christ
|
||
|
|
appointed for the better distribution of the meat and the easier
|
||
|
|
computation of the number of the guests.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. When we are receiving our creature-comforts, we must <I>look up to
|
||
|
|
heaven.</I> Christ did so, to teach us to do so. We must acknowledge
|
||
|
|
that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive
|
||
|
|
them,--that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to
|
||
|
|
the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is removed, and the covenant
|
||
|
|
of peace settled,--that we depend upon God's blessing upon them to make
|
||
|
|
them serviceable to us, and desire that blessing.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
6. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. The
|
||
|
|
<I>little that the righteous man has is better than the riches of many
|
||
|
|
wicked, a dinner of herbs better than a stalled ox.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
7. Those whom Christ <I>feeds</I> he <I>fills;</I> to whom he gives, he
|
||
|
|
gives enough; as there is in him enough for <I>all,</I> so there is
|
||
|
|
enough for <I>each.</I> He replenishes every hungry soul, abundantly
|
||
|
|
satisfies it with the <I>goodness of his house.</I> Here were
|
||
|
|
<I>fragments taken up,</I> to assure us that in our Father's house
|
||
|
|
there is <I>bread enough, and to spare.</I> We are not straitened, or
|
||
|
|
stinted, in him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Peter's Enlightened Testimony;Self-Denial Enjoined.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples
|
||
|
|
were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people
|
||
|
|
that I am?
|
||
|
|
19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some <I>say,</I>
|
||
|
|
Elias; and others <I>say,</I> that one of the old prophets is risen
|
||
|
|
again.
|
||
|
|
20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter
|
||
|
|
answering said, The Christ of God.
|
||
|
|
21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded <I>them</I> to tell
|
||
|
|
no man that thing;
|
||
|
|
22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be
|
||
|
|
rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
|
||
|
|
slain, and be raised the third day.
|
||
|
|
23 And he said to <I>them</I> all, If any <I>man</I> will come after me,
|
||
|
|
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
|
||
|
|
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but
|
||
|
|
whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
|
||
|
|
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world,
|
||
|
|
and lose himself, or be cast away?
|
||
|
|
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him
|
||
|
|
shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own
|
||
|
|
glory, and <I>in his</I> Father's, and of the holy angels.
|
||
|
|
27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here,
|
||
|
|
which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In these verses, we have Christ discoursing with his disciples about
|
||
|
|
the great things that <I>pertained to the kingdom of God;</I> and one
|
||
|
|
circumstance of this discourse is taken notice of here which we had not
|
||
|
|
in the other evangelists-that Christ was <I>alone praying,</I> and his
|
||
|
|
<I>disciples with him,</I> when he entered into this discourse,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Though Christ had much public work to do, yet he found some time to
|
||
|
|
be <I>alone</I> in private, for converse with himself, with his Father,
|
||
|
|
and with his disciples.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. When Christ was alone he was <I>praying.</I> It is good for us to
|
||
|
|
improve our solitude for devotion, that, <I>when we are alone,</I> we
|
||
|
|
may <I>not be alone,</I> but may have <I>the Father with us.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. When Christ was alone, praying, his <I>disciples were with him,</I>
|
||
|
|
to join with him in his prayer; so that this was a family-prayer.
|
||
|
|
Housekeepers ought to pray with their households, parents with their
|
||
|
|
children, masters with their servants, teachers and tutors with their
|
||
|
|
scholars and pupils.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. Christ <I>prayed</I> with them before he <I>examined</I> them, that
|
||
|
|
they might be directed and encouraged to answer him, by his prayers for
|
||
|
|
them. Those we give instructions to we should put up prayers for and
|
||
|
|
with. He discourses with them,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Concerning himself; and enquires,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What <I>the people</I> said of him: <I>Who say the people that I
|
||
|
|
am?</I> Christ knew better than they did, but would have his disciples
|
||
|
|
made sensible, by the mistakes of others concerning him, how happy they
|
||
|
|
were that were led into the knowledge of him and of the truth
|
||
|
|
concerning him. We should take notice of the ignorance and errors of
|
||
|
|
others, that we may be the more thankful to him who has <I>manifested
|
||
|
|
himself to us, and not unto the world,</I> and may <I>pity</I> them,
|
||
|
|
and do what we can to help them and to teach them better. They tell him
|
||
|
|
what conjectures concerning him they had heard in their converse with
|
||
|
|
the common people. Ministers would know better how to suit their
|
||
|
|
instructions, reproofs, and counsels, to the case of ordinary people,
|
||
|
|
if they did but converse more frequently and familiarly with them; they
|
||
|
|
would then be the better able to say what is proper to rectify their
|
||
|
|
notions, correct their irregularities, and remove their prejudices. The
|
||
|
|
more conversant the physician is with his patient, the better he knows
|
||
|
|
what to do for him. Some said that he was John Baptist, who was
|
||
|
|
beheaded but the other day; others Elias, or <I>one of the old
|
||
|
|
prophets;</I> any thing but what he was.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What <I>they</I> said of him. "Now see what an advantage you have by
|
||
|
|
your discipleship; you know better." "So we do," saith Peter, "thanks
|
||
|
|
be to our Master for it; we know that thou art <I>the Christ of
|
||
|
|
God,</I> the <I>Anointed</I> of God, the Messiah promised." It is
|
||
|
|
matter of unspeakable comfort to us that our Lord Jesus is <I>God's
|
||
|
|
anointed,</I> for then he has unquestionable authority and ability for
|
||
|
|
his undertaking; for his being <I>anointed</I> signifies his being both
|
||
|
|
appointed to it and qualified for it. Now one would have expected that
|
||
|
|
Christ should have charged his disciples, who were so fully apprized
|
||
|
|
and assured of this truth, to publish it to every one they met with;
|
||
|
|
but no, he <I>strictly charged them to tell no man that thing</I> as
|
||
|
|
yet, because there is a time for all things. After his resurrection,
|
||
|
|
which completed the proof of it, Peter made the temple ring of it, that
|
||
|
|
<I>God had made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:36">Acts ii. 36</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but as yet the evidence was not ready to be summed up, and therefore it
|
||
|
|
must be concealed; while it was so, we may conclude that the belief of
|
||
|
|
it was not necessary to salvation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Concerning his own <I>sufferings</I> and <I>death,</I> of which he
|
||
|
|
had yet said little. Now that his disciples were well established in
|
||
|
|
the belief of his being the Christ, and able to bear it, he speaks of
|
||
|
|
them expressly, and with great assurance,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It comes in as a reason why they must not yet preach that he was <I>the
|
||
|
|
Christ,</I> because the wonders that would attend his death and
|
||
|
|
resurrection would be the most convincing proof of his being<I> the
|
||
|
|
Christ of God.</I> It was by his <I>exaltation</I> to the <I>right hand
|
||
|
|
of the Father</I> that he was fully declared to be <I>the Christ,</I>
|
||
|
|
and by the sending of the Spirit thereupon
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:33">Acts ii. 33</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore wait till that is done.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. Concerning their sufferings for him. So far must they be from
|
||
|
|
thinking how to <I>prevent</I> his sufferings that they must rather
|
||
|
|
prepare for their own.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. We must <I>accustom</I> ourselves to all instances of
|
||
|
|
<I>self-denial</I> and <I>patience,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This is the best preparative for martyrdom. We must live a life of
|
||
|
|
self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world; we must not
|
||
|
|
indulge our ease and appetite, for then it will be hard to bear toil,
|
||
|
|
and weariness, and want, for Christ. We are <I>daily</I> subject to
|
||
|
|
affliction, and we must <I>accommodate</I> ourselves to it, and
|
||
|
|
<I>acquiesce</I> in the will of God in it, and must learn to endure
|
||
|
|
hardship. We frequently meet with crosses in the way of duty; and,
|
||
|
|
though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are
|
||
|
|
laid for us, we must <I>take them up,</I> carry them after Christ, and
|
||
|
|
make the best of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. We must <I>prefer the salvation and happiness of our souls</I>
|
||
|
|
before any <I>secular concern</I> whatsoever. Reckon upon it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he who to preserve his liberty or estate, his power or
|
||
|
|
preferment, nay, or to save his life, denies Christ and his truths,
|
||
|
|
wilfully wrongs his conscience, and sins against God, will be, not only
|
||
|
|
not a <I>saver,</I> but an unspeakable <I>loser,</I> in the issue, when
|
||
|
|
<I>profit</I> and <I>loss</I> come to be balanced: <I>He that will save
|
||
|
|
his life upon these terms will lose it,</I> will lose that which is of
|
||
|
|
infinitely more value, his precious soul.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We must firmly believe also that, if we lose our life for cleaving
|
||
|
|
to Christ and our religion, we shall <I>save</I> it to our unspeakable
|
||
|
|
advantage; for we shall be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection
|
||
|
|
of the just, when we shall have it again a new and an eternal life.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That the gain of all the world, if we should forsake Christ, and
|
||
|
|
fall in with the interests of the world, would be so far from
|
||
|
|
countervailing the eternal loss and ruin of the soul that it would bear
|
||
|
|
no manner of proportion to it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If we could be supposed to gain all the wealth, honour, and pleasure,
|
||
|
|
in the world, by denying Christ, yet when, by <I>so doing,</I> we
|
||
|
|
<I>lose ourselves</I> to all eternity, and are <I>cast away</I> at
|
||
|
|
last, what good will our worldly gain do us? Observe, In Matthew and
|
||
|
|
Mark the dreadful issue is a man's <I>losing his own soul,</I> here it
|
||
|
|
is <I>losing himself,</I> which plainly intimates that <I>our souls</I>
|
||
|
|
are <I>ourselves. Animus cujusque is est quisque--The soul is the
|
||
|
|
man;</I> and it is well or ill with us according as it is well or ill
|
||
|
|
with our souls. If they perish for ever, under the weight of their own
|
||
|
|
guilt and corruption, it is certain that <I>we</I> are undone. The body
|
||
|
|
cannot be happy if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the
|
||
|
|
soul may be happy though the body be greatly afflicted and oppressed in
|
||
|
|
this world. If a man be himself <I>cast away,</I> <B><I>e
|
||
|
|
zemiotheis</I></B>--<I>if he be damaged,</I>--or if he be punished,
|
||
|
|
<I>si mulctetur--if he have a mulct put upon his soul</I> by the
|
||
|
|
righteous sentence of Christ, whose cause and interest he has
|
||
|
|
treacherously deserted,--if it be adjudged a forfeiture of all his
|
||
|
|
blessedness, and the forfeiture be taken, where is his gain? What is
|
||
|
|
his hope?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. We must therefore <I>never be ashamed</I> of Christ and his gospel,
|
||
|
|
nor of any disgrace or reproach that we may undergo for our faithful
|
||
|
|
adherence to him and it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall
|
||
|
|
the Son of man be ashamed,</I> and justly. When the service and honour
|
||
|
|
of Christ called for his testimony and agency, he denied them, because
|
||
|
|
the interest <I>of Christ</I> was a <I>despised</I> interest, and
|
||
|
|
<I>every where spoken against;</I> and therefore he can expect no other
|
||
|
|
than that in the great day, when his case calls for Christ's appearance
|
||
|
|
on his behalf, Christ will be ashamed to own such a cowardly, worldly,
|
||
|
|
sneaking spirit, and will say, "He is none of mine; he belongs not to
|
||
|
|
me." As Christ had a state of <I>humiliation</I> and of
|
||
|
|
<I>exaltation,</I> so likewise has his cause. They, and they only,
|
||
|
|
that are willing to suffer with it when it suffers, shall reign with it
|
||
|
|
when it reigns; but those that cannot find in their hearts to share
|
||
|
|
with it in its <I>disgrace,</I> and to say, <I>If this be to be vile, I
|
||
|
|
will be yet more vile,</I> shall certainly have no share with it in its
|
||
|
|
<I>triumphs.</I> Observe here, How Christ, to support himself and his
|
||
|
|
followers under present disgraces, speaks <I>magnificently</I> of the
|
||
|
|
lustre of his second coming, in prospect of which he <I>endured the
|
||
|
|
cross, despising the shame.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He shall come <I>in his own glory.</I> This was not mentioned in
|
||
|
|
Matthew and Mark. He shall come in the glory of the Mediator, <I>all
|
||
|
|
the glory</I> which the Father <I>restored to him,</I> which he had
|
||
|
|
with God before the worlds were, which he had <I>deposited</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>put in pledge,</I> as it were, for the accomplishing of his
|
||
|
|
undertaking, and demanded again when he had gone through it. <I>Now, O
|
||
|
|
Father, glorify thou me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:4,5">John xvii. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He shall come in <I>all that glory</I> which the Father <I>conferred
|
||
|
|
upon him</I> when <I>he set him at his own right hand,</I> and <I>gave
|
||
|
|
him to be head over all things to the church;</I> in all the glory that
|
||
|
|
is due to him as the assertor of the glory of God, and the author of
|
||
|
|
the glory of all the saints. This is <I>his own glory.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He shall come <I>in his Father's glory.</I> The Father will judge
|
||
|
|
the world by him, having committed all judgment to him; and therefore
|
||
|
|
will publicly own him in the judgment as the <I>brightness of his
|
||
|
|
glory</I> and the <I>express image</I> of his person.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He shall come in <I>the glory of the holy angels.</I> They shall
|
||
|
|
all <I>attend</I> him, and <I>minister</I> to him, and add every thing
|
||
|
|
they can to the lustre of his appearance. What a figure will the
|
||
|
|
blessed Jesus make in that day! Did we believe it, we should never be
|
||
|
|
ashamed of him or his words now.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> To encourage them in suffering for him, he assures them
|
||
|
|
that <I>the kingdom of God</I> would now <I>shortly be set up,</I>
|
||
|
|
notwithstanding the great opposition that was made to it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Though the second coming of the Son of man is at a great distance, the
|
||
|
|
kingdom of God shall come in its power in the present age, while some
|
||
|
|
here present are alive." They <I>saw the kingdom of God</I> when the
|
||
|
|
Spirit was poured out, when the gospel was preached to all the world
|
||
|
|
and nations were brought to Christ by it; they saw the kingdom of God
|
||
|
|
triumph over the Gentile nations in their <I>conversion,</I> and over
|
||
|
|
the Jewish nation in its <I>destruction.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Transfiguration.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings,
|
||
|
|
he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to
|
||
|
|
pray.
|
||
|
|
29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was
|
||
|
|
altered, and his raiment <I>was</I> white <I>and</I> glistering.
|
||
|
|
30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses
|
||
|
|
and Elias:
|
||
|
|
31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he
|
||
|
|
should accomplish at Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep:
|
||
|
|
and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men
|
||
|
|
that stood with him.
|
||
|
|
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said
|
||
|
|
unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make
|
||
|
|
three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
|
||
|
|
Elias: not knowing what he said.
|
||
|
|
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed
|
||
|
|
them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
|
||
|
|
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my
|
||
|
|
beloved Son: hear him.
|
||
|
|
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they
|
||
|
|
kept <I>it</I> close, and told no man in those days any of those
|
||
|
|
things which they had seen.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the narrative of Christ's transfiguration, which was
|
||
|
|
designed for a specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to
|
||
|
|
judge the world, of which he had lately been speaking, and,
|
||
|
|
consequently, an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him, and
|
||
|
|
never to be ashamed of him. We had this account before in Matthew and
|
||
|
|
Mark, and it is well worthy to be repeated to us, and reconsidered by
|
||
|
|
us, for the <I>confirmation of our faith</I> in the Lord Jesus, as
|
||
|
|
<I>the brightness of his Father's glory</I> and the light of the world,
|
||
|
|
for the <I>filling</I> of our minds with <I>high</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>honourable</I> thoughts of him, notwithstanding his being clothed
|
||
|
|
with a body, and <I>giving</I> us <I>some idea</I> of the <I>glory</I>
|
||
|
|
which he entered into at his <I>ascension,</I> and in which he now
|
||
|
|
<I>appears</I> within the veil, and for the <I>raising</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>encouraging</I> of our <I>hopes</I> and <I>expectations</I>
|
||
|
|
concerning the glory reserved for all believers in the future
|
||
|
|
state.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Here is one circumstance of the narrative that seems to differ from
|
||
|
|
the other two evangelists that related it. They said that it was <I>six
|
||
|
|
days</I> after the foregoing sayings; Luke says that it was <I>about
|
||
|
|
eight days after,</I> that is, it was that day sevennight, six whole
|
||
|
|
days intervening, and it was the eighth day. Some think that it was
|
||
|
|
<I>in the night</I> that Christ was transfigured, because the disciples
|
||
|
|
were sleepy, as in his agony, and <I>in the night</I> his appearance in
|
||
|
|
splendour would be the more illustrious; if in the night, the
|
||
|
|
computation of the time would be the more doubtful and uncertain;
|
||
|
|
probably, in the night, between the seventh and eighth day, and so
|
||
|
|
about eight days.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Here are divers circumstances added and explained, which are very
|
||
|
|
material.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. We are <I>here</I> told that Christ had this honour put upon him
|
||
|
|
when he was <I>praying:</I> He <I>went up into a mountain to pray,</I>
|
||
|
|
as he frequently did
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and <I>as he prayed</I> he was <I>transfigured.</I> When Christ
|
||
|
|
<I>humbled</I> himself to pray, he was thus <I>exalted.</I> He knew
|
||
|
|
before that this was designed for him at this time, and therefore seeks
|
||
|
|
it by prayer. Christ himself must <I>sue out</I> the favours that were
|
||
|
|
purposed for him, and promised to him: <I>Ask of me, and I will give
|
||
|
|
thee,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:8">Ps. ii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And thus he intended to put an <I>honour</I> upon the duty of prayer,
|
||
|
|
and to <I>recommend</I> it to us. It is a transfiguring, transforming
|
||
|
|
duty; if our hearts be elevated and enlarged in it, so as in it to
|
||
|
|
<I>behold the glory of the Lord,</I> we shall be <I>changed into the
|
||
|
|
same image from glory to glory,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By prayer we fetch in the wisdom, grace, and joy, which <I>make the
|
||
|
|
face to shine.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Luke does not use the word
|
||
|
|
<I>transfigured</I>--<B><I>metamorphothe</I></B> (which Matthew and Mark
|
||
|
|
used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology,
|
||
|
|
but makes use of a phrase equivalent, <B><I>to eidos tou prosopou
|
||
|
|
heteron</I></B>--<I>the fashion of his countenance was another thing
|
||
|
|
from what it had been:</I> his face shone far beyond what Moses's did
|
||
|
|
when he came down from the mount; and <I>his raiment</I> was <I>white
|
||
|
|
and glistering:</I> it was <B><I>exastrapton</I></B>--<I>bright like
|
||
|
|
lightning</I> (a word used only here), so that he seemed to be arrayed
|
||
|
|
all with light, to <I>cover himself with light as with a
|
||
|
|
garment.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias <I>appeared to
|
||
|
|
them;</I> here it is said that they <I>appeared in glory,</I> to teach
|
||
|
|
us that saints departed are <I>in glory,</I> are in a <I>glorious</I>
|
||
|
|
state; they shine in glory. He being in glory, they <I>appeared with
|
||
|
|
him in glory,</I> as all the saints shall shortly do.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. We are here told what was the subject of the discourse between
|
||
|
|
Christ and the two great prophets of the Old Testament: <I>They spoke
|
||
|
|
of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.</I>
|
||
|
|
<B><I>Elegon ten exodon autou</I></B>--<I>his exodus, his departure;</I>
|
||
|
|
that is, <I>his death.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The death of Christ is here called his <I>exit,</I> his <I>going
|
||
|
|
out,</I> his <I>leaving the world.</I> Moses and Elias spoke of it to
|
||
|
|
him under that notion, to reconcile him to it, and to make the
|
||
|
|
foresight of it the more easy to his human nature. The death of the
|
||
|
|
saints is their <I>exodus,</I> their departure out of the Egypt of this
|
||
|
|
world, their release out of a <I>house of bondage.</I> Some think that
|
||
|
|
the ascension of Christ is included here in his departure; for the
|
||
|
|
departure of Israel out of Egypt was a departure in <I>triumph,</I> so
|
||
|
|
was <I>his</I> when he went from earth to heaven.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) This departure of his he <I>must accomplish;</I> for thus it was
|
||
|
|
determined, the matter was immutably fixed in the counsel of God, and
|
||
|
|
could not be altered.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He must accomplish it at Jerusalem, though his residence was
|
||
|
|
mostly in Galilee; for his most spiteful enemies were at Jerusalem, and
|
||
|
|
there the sanhedrim sat, that took upon them to judge of prophets.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) Moses and Elias spoke of this, to intimate that the
|
||
|
|
<I>sufferings</I> of Christ, and his <I>entrance into his glory,</I>
|
||
|
|
were what Moses and <I>the prophets</I> had <I>spoken of;</I> see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:26,27,1Pe+1:11">Luke xxiv. 26, 27; 1 Pet. i. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to enter
|
||
|
|
into a discourse concerning his death and sufferings, to teach us that
|
||
|
|
meditations on death, as it is our departure out of this world to
|
||
|
|
another, are never unseasonable, but in a special manner season able
|
||
|
|
when at any time we are <I>advanced,</I> lest we should be <I>lifted up
|
||
|
|
above measure.</I> In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember
|
||
|
|
that here <I>we have no continuing city.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. We are here told, which we were not before, that the disciples were
|
||
|
|
<I>heavy with sleep,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When the vision first began, Peter, and James, and John were drowsy,
|
||
|
|
and inclined to sleep. Either it was late, or they were weary, or had
|
||
|
|
been disturbed in their rest the night before; or perhaps a charming
|
||
|
|
composing air, or some sweet and melodious sounds, which disposed them
|
||
|
|
to soft and gentle slumbers, were a preface to the vision; or perhaps
|
||
|
|
it was owing to a sinful carelessness: when Christ was at prayer with
|
||
|
|
them, they did not regard his prayer as they should have done, and, to
|
||
|
|
punish them for that, they were left to <I>sleep on now,</I> when he
|
||
|
|
began to be <I>transfigured,</I> and so lost an opportunity of seeing
|
||
|
|
how that work of wonder was wrought. These three were now asleep, when
|
||
|
|
Christ was in <I>his glory,</I> as afterwards they were, when he was in
|
||
|
|
<I>his agony;</I> see the <I>weakness</I> and <I>frailty</I> of human
|
||
|
|
nature, even in the best, and what need they have of the grace of God.
|
||
|
|
Nothing could be more affecting to these disciples, one would think,
|
||
|
|
than the <I>glories</I> and the <I>agonies</I> of their Master, and
|
||
|
|
both in the highest degree; and yet neither the one nor the other would
|
||
|
|
serve to <I>keep them awake.</I> What need have we to pray to God for
|
||
|
|
quickening grace, to make us not only <I>alive,</I> but <I>lively!</I>
|
||
|
|
Yet that they might be competent witnesses of <I>this sign from
|
||
|
|
heaven,</I> to those that demanded one, after awhile they <I>recovered
|
||
|
|
themselves,</I> and became perfectly awake; and then they took an exact
|
||
|
|
view of all those glories, so that they were able to give a particular
|
||
|
|
account, as we find one of them does, of all that passed when they were
|
||
|
|
with Christ <I>in the holy mount,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:18">2 Pet. i. 18</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
6. It is here observed that it was when Moses and Elias were now about
|
||
|
|
to <I>depart</I> that Peter said, <I>Lord, it is good to be here, let
|
||
|
|
us make three tabernacles.</I> Thus we are often not sensible of the
|
||
|
|
worth of our mercies till we are about to lose them; nor do we covet
|
||
|
|
and court their continuance till they are upon the departure. Peter
|
||
|
|
said this, <I>not knowing what he said.</I> Those know not what they
|
||
|
|
say that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in
|
||
|
|
heaven, who have better mansions in the temple there, and long to
|
||
|
|
return to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
7. It is here added, concerning the <I>cloud</I> that <I>overshadowed
|
||
|
|
them,</I> that they <I>feared as they entered into the cloud.</I> This
|
||
|
|
cloud was a token of God's more peculiar presence. It was in a cloud
|
||
|
|
that God of old took possession of the tabernacle and temple, and, when
|
||
|
|
the cloud <I>covered the tabernacle, Moses was not able to enter</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+40:34,35">Exod. xl. 34, 35</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and, when it filled the temple, the <I>priests could not stand to
|
||
|
|
minister by reason of it,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:14">2 Chron. v. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Such a cloud was this, and then no wonder that the disciples were
|
||
|
|
<I>afraid to enter into it.</I> But never let any be afraid to enter
|
||
|
|
into a cloud with Jesus Christ; for he will be sure to bring them
|
||
|
|
safely through it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
8. The <I>voice</I> which came from heaven is here, and in Mark,
|
||
|
|
related not so fully as in Matthew: <I>This is my beloved Son, hear
|
||
|
|
him:</I> though those words, <I>in whom I am well pleased,</I> which we
|
||
|
|
have both in Matthew and Peter, are not expressed, they are implied in
|
||
|
|
that, <I>This is my beloved Son;</I> for whom he <I>loves,</I> and in
|
||
|
|
whom he is <I>well pleased,</I> come all to one; we are <I>accepted in
|
||
|
|
the Beloved.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The apostles are here said to have kept this vision
|
||
|
|
private. They <I>told no man in those days,</I> reserving the
|
||
|
|
discovery of it for another opportunity, when the evidences of Christ's
|
||
|
|
being the Son of God were completed in the pouring out of the Spirit,
|
||
|
|
and that doctrine was to be published to all the world. As there is a
|
||
|
|
time <I>to speak,</I> so there is a time to <I>keep silence.</I> Every
|
||
|
|
thing is beautiful and useful in its season.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>An Evil Spirit Expelled.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were
|
||
|
|
come down from the hill, much people met him.
|
||
|
|
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master,
|
||
|
|
I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
|
||
|
|
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out;
|
||
|
|
and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly
|
||
|
|
departeth from him.
|
||
|
|
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could
|
||
|
|
not.
|
||
|
|
41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse
|
||
|
|
generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring
|
||
|
|
thy son hither.
|
||
|
|
42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and
|
||
|
|
tare <I>him.</I> And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the
|
||
|
|
child, and delivered him again to his father.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This passage of story in Matthew and Mark follows immediately upon that
|
||
|
|
of Christ's transfiguration, and his discourse with his disciples after
|
||
|
|
it; but here it is said to be <I>on the next day, as they were coming
|
||
|
|
down from the hill,</I> which confirms the conjecture that Christ was
|
||
|
|
transfigured <I>in the night,</I> and, it should seem, though they did
|
||
|
|
not <I>make tabernacles</I> as Peter proposed, yet they found some
|
||
|
|
shelter to repose themselves in all night, for it was not till next day
|
||
|
|
that they <I>came down from the hill,</I> and then he found things in
|
||
|
|
some disorder among his disciples, though not so bad as Moses did when
|
||
|
|
he came down from the mount. When wise and good men are in their
|
||
|
|
beloved retirements, they would do well to consider whether they are
|
||
|
|
not wanted in their <I>public stations.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In this narrative here, observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How forward the people were to receive Christ at his return to them.
|
||
|
|
Though he had been but a little while absent, <I>much people met
|
||
|
|
him,</I> as, at other times, much people <I>followed</I> him; for so it
|
||
|
|
was foretold concerning him, that <I>to him should the gathering of the
|
||
|
|
people be.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How importunate the father of the lunatic child was with Christ for
|
||
|
|
help for him
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I beseech thee, look upon my son;</I> this is his request, and it is
|
||
|
|
a very modest one; one compassionate look from Christ is enough to set
|
||
|
|
every thing to rights. Let us bring ourselves and our children to
|
||
|
|
Christ, to be <I>looked upon.</I> His plea is, <I>He is my only
|
||
|
|
child.</I> They that have many children may balance their affliction in
|
||
|
|
one with their comfort in the rest; yet, if it be an only child that is
|
||
|
|
a grief, the affliction in that may be balanced with the love of God in
|
||
|
|
giving his only-begotten Son for us.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. How <I>deplorable</I> the case of the <I>child</I> was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He was under the power of an evil spirit, that <I>took him;</I> and
|
||
|
|
diseases of that nature are more frightful than such as arise merely
|
||
|
|
from natural causes: when the fit seized him without any warning given,
|
||
|
|
he suddenly <I>cried out,</I> and many a time his shrieks had pierced
|
||
|
|
the heart of his tender father. This malicious spirit <I>tore him,</I>
|
||
|
|
and <I>bruised</I> him, and <I>departed not from him</I> but with great
|
||
|
|
difficulty, and a deadly gripe at parting. O the afflictions of the
|
||
|
|
afflicted in this world! And what mischief doth Satan do where he gets
|
||
|
|
possession! But happy they that have access to Christ!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. How defective the disciples were in their faith. Though Christ had
|
||
|
|
given them <I>power over unclean spirits,</I> yet they <I>could not</I>
|
||
|
|
cast out this <I>evil spirit,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Either they distrusted the power they were to fetch in strength from,
|
||
|
|
or the commission given to them, or they did not exert themselves in
|
||
|
|
prayer as they ought; for this Christ reproved them. O <I>faithless and
|
||
|
|
perverse generation.</I> Dr. Clarke understands this as spoken to his
|
||
|
|
disciples: "<I>Will ye be</I> yet so faithless and full of distrust
|
||
|
|
that ye cannot execute the commission I have given you?"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. How effectual the cure was, which Christ wrought upon this child,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Christ can do that for us which his disciples cannot: <I>Jesus rebuked
|
||
|
|
the unclean spirit</I> then when he raged most. The devil <I>threw the
|
||
|
|
child down, and tore him,</I> distorted him, as if he would have pulled
|
||
|
|
him to pieces. But one word from Christ <I>healed the child,</I> and
|
||
|
|
made good the damage the devil had done him. And it is here added that
|
||
|
|
he <I>delivered him again to his father.</I> Note, When our children
|
||
|
|
are recovered from sickness, we must receive them as delivered to us
|
||
|
|
again, receive them as life from the dead, and as when we first
|
||
|
|
received them. It is comfortable to receive them from the hand of
|
||
|
|
Christ, to see him delivering them to us again: "Here, take this child,
|
||
|
|
and be thankful; take it, and bring it up for me, for thou hast it
|
||
|
|
again from me. Take it, and do not set thy heart too much upon it."
|
||
|
|
With such cautions as these, parents should receive their children
|
||
|
|
<I>from Christ's hands,</I> and then with comfort put them again
|
||
|
|
<I>into his hands.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_47"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_48"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_49"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_50"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ambition of the Disciples Reproved.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But
|
||
|
|
while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he
|
||
|
|
said unto his disciples,
|
||
|
|
44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of
|
||
|
|
man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
|
||
|
|
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from
|
||
|
|
them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of
|
||
|
|
that saying.
|
||
|
|
46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them
|
||
|
|
should be greatest.
|
||
|
|
47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a
|
||
|
|
child, and set him by him,
|
||
|
|
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my
|
||
|
|
name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him
|
||
|
|
that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall
|
||
|
|
be great.
|
||
|
|
49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out
|
||
|
|
devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not
|
||
|
|
with us.
|
||
|
|
50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid <I>him</I> not: for he that is
|
||
|
|
not against us is for us.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The impression which Christ's miracles made upon all that beheld
|
||
|
|
them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>They were all amazed at the mighty power of God,</I> which they
|
||
|
|
could not but see in all the miracles Christ wrought. Note, The works
|
||
|
|
of God's almighty power are amazing, especially those that are wrought
|
||
|
|
by the hand of the Lord Jesus; for he is <I>the power of God,</I> and
|
||
|
|
his name is <I>Wonderful.</I> Their wonder was universal: they wondered
|
||
|
|
<I>every one.</I> The causes of it were universal: they wondered at
|
||
|
|
<I>all things which Jesus did;</I> all his actions had something
|
||
|
|
uncommon and surprising in them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The notice Christ gave to his disciples of his approaching
|
||
|
|
sufferings: <I>The Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of
|
||
|
|
men,</I> wicked men, men of the worst character; they shall be
|
||
|
|
permitted to abuse him at their pleasure. That is here <I>implied</I>
|
||
|
|
which is <I>expressed</I> by the other evangelists: <I>They shall kill
|
||
|
|
him.</I> But that which is peculiar here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The connection of this with what goes next before, of the admiration
|
||
|
|
with which the people were struck at beholding Christ's miracles
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>While they all wondered at all things which Jesus did, he said this
|
||
|
|
to his disciples.</I> They had a fond conceit of his temporal kingdom,
|
||
|
|
and that he should reign, and they with him, in secular pomp and power;
|
||
|
|
and now they thought that this <I>mighty power</I> of his would easily
|
||
|
|
effect the thing, and his interest gained by his miracles in the people
|
||
|
|
would contribute to it; and therefore Christ, who knew what was in
|
||
|
|
their hearts, takes this occasion to tell them again, what he had told
|
||
|
|
them before, that he was so far from having men <I>delivered into his
|
||
|
|
hands</I> that he must be <I>delivered into the hands of men,</I> so
|
||
|
|
far from living in honour that he must die in disgrace; and all his
|
||
|
|
miracles, and the interest he has by them gained in the hearts of the
|
||
|
|
people, will not be able to prevent it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The solemn preface with which it is introduced: "<I>Let these
|
||
|
|
sayings sink down into your ears;</I> take special notice of what I
|
||
|
|
say, and mix faith with it; let not the notions you have of the
|
||
|
|
temporal kingdom of the Messiah stop your ears against it, nor make you
|
||
|
|
unwilling to believe it. Admit what I say, and submit to it." <I>Let it
|
||
|
|
sink down into your hearts;</I> so the Syriac and Arabic read it. The
|
||
|
|
word of Christ does us no good, unless we let it sink down into our
|
||
|
|
heads and hearts.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The unaccountable stupidity of the disciples, with reference to this
|
||
|
|
prediction of Christ's sufferings. It was said in Mark, <I>They
|
||
|
|
understood not that saying.</I> It was plain enough, but they <I>would
|
||
|
|
not</I> understand it in the literal sense, because it agreed not with
|
||
|
|
their notions; and they <I>could not</I> understand it in any other,
|
||
|
|
<I>and were afraid to ask him</I> lest they should be undeceived and
|
||
|
|
awaked out of their pleasing dream. But it is here added that <I>it was
|
||
|
|
hidden from them, that they perceived it not,</I> through the weakness
|
||
|
|
of faith and the power of prejudice. We cannot think that it was <I>in
|
||
|
|
mercy</I> hidden from them, lest they should be swallowed up with
|
||
|
|
overmuch sorrow at the prospect of it; but that it was a paradox,
|
||
|
|
because they <I>made it so</I> to themselves.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The rebuke Christ gave to his disciples for their disputing among
|
||
|
|
themselves which should be greatest,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:46-48"><I>v.</I> 46-48</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This passage we had before, and, the more is the pity, we shall meet
|
||
|
|
with the like again. Observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Ambition of honour, and strife for superiority and precedency, are
|
||
|
|
sins that most easily beset the disciples of our Lord Jesus, for which
|
||
|
|
they deserve to be severely rebuked; they flow from corruptions which
|
||
|
|
they are highly concerned to subdue and mortify,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They that expect to be <I>great</I> in this world commonly aim high,
|
||
|
|
and nothing will serve them short of being <I>greatest;</I> this
|
||
|
|
exposes them to a great deal of temptation and trouble, which they are
|
||
|
|
safe from that are content to be <I>little,</I> to be <I>least,</I> to
|
||
|
|
be <I>less than the least.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Jesus Christ is perfectly acquainted with the thoughts and intents
|
||
|
|
of our hearts: He <I>perceived their thoughts,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thoughts are <I>words</I> to him, and <I>whispers</I> are loud cries.
|
||
|
|
It is a good reason why we should keep up a strict government of our
|
||
|
|
thoughts because Christ takes a strict cognizance of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Christ will have his disciples to aim at that honour which is to be
|
||
|
|
obtained by a quiet and condescending humility, and not at that which
|
||
|
|
is to be obtained by a restless and aspiring ambition. Christ <I>took a
|
||
|
|
child, and set him by him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(for he always expressed a tenderness and kindness for little
|
||
|
|
children), and he proposed <I>this child</I> to them for an example.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Let them be of the <I>temper</I> of this child, <I>humble</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>quiet,</I> and <I>easy</I> to itself; let them not affect worldly
|
||
|
|
pomp, or grandeur, or high titles, but be as dead to them as this
|
||
|
|
child; let them bear no more malice to their rivals and competitors
|
||
|
|
than this child did. Let them be willing to be <I>the least,</I> if
|
||
|
|
that would contribute any thing to their usefulness, to stoop to the
|
||
|
|
meanest office whereby they might <I>do good.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Let them assure themselves that this was the way to preferment;
|
||
|
|
for this would recommend them to the esteem of their brethren: they
|
||
|
|
that loved Christ would <I>therefore receive</I> them <I>in his
|
||
|
|
name,</I> because they did most resemble him, and they would likewise
|
||
|
|
recommend themselves to his favour, for Christ would take the
|
||
|
|
kindnesses done to them as done to himself: <I>Whosoever shall receive
|
||
|
|
one such child,</I> a preacher of the gospel that is of such a
|
||
|
|
disposition as this, he placeth his respect aright, and <I>receiveth
|
||
|
|
me;</I> and <I>whosoever receiveth me,</I> in such a minister,
|
||
|
|
<I>receiveth him that sent me;</I> and what greater honour can any man
|
||
|
|
attain to in this world than to be received by men as a messenger of
|
||
|
|
God and Christ, and to have God and Christ own themselves received and
|
||
|
|
welcomed in him? This honour have all the humble disciples of Jesus
|
||
|
|
Christ, and thus they shall be truly great that are least among
|
||
|
|
them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The rebuke Christ gave to his disciples for discouraging one that
|
||
|
|
honoured him and served him, but was not of their communion, not only
|
||
|
|
not one of the twelve, nor one of the seventy, but not one of those
|
||
|
|
that ever associated with them, or attended on them, but, upon
|
||
|
|
occasional hearing of Christ, believed in him, and made use of his name
|
||
|
|
with faith and prayer in a serious manner, for the casting out of
|
||
|
|
devils. Now,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. This man they <I>rebuked and restrained;</I> they would not let him
|
||
|
|
pray and preach, though it was to the honour of Christ, though it did
|
||
|
|
good to men and weakened Satan's kingdom, because he did not <I>follow
|
||
|
|
Christ with them;</I> he separated from their church, was not ordained
|
||
|
|
as they were, paid them no respect, nor gave them the right hand of
|
||
|
|
fellowship. Now, if ever any society of Christians in this world had
|
||
|
|
reason to silence those that were not of their communion, the twelve
|
||
|
|
disciples at this time had; and yet,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Jesus Christ chid them for what they did, and warned them not to do
|
||
|
|
the like again, nor any that profess to be successors of the apostles:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Forbid him not</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but rather encourage him, for he is carrying on the same design that
|
||
|
|
you are, though, for reasons best known to himself, he does not follow
|
||
|
|
<I>with you;</I> and he will meet you in <I>the same end,</I> though he
|
||
|
|
does not accompany you in <I>the same way.</I> You <I>do well</I> to do
|
||
|
|
as you do, but it does not therefore follow that he <I>does ill</I> to
|
||
|
|
do as he does, and that you do well to put him under an interdict, for
|
||
|
|
<I>he that is not against us is for us,</I> and therefore ought to be
|
||
|
|
countenanced by us." We need not lose any of our friends, while we have
|
||
|
|
so few, and so many enemies. Those may be found faithful followers of
|
||
|
|
Christ, and, as such, may be accepted of him, though they do not follow
|
||
|
|
<I>with us.</I> See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:38,39">Mark ix. 38, 39</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
O what a great deal of mischief to the church, even from those that
|
||
|
|
boast of relation to Christ, and pretend to <I>envy for his sake,</I>
|
||
|
|
would be prevented, if this passage of story were but duly
|
||
|
|
considered!</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_51"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_52"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_53"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_54"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_55"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_56"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Christ; Mistaken Zeal of James and John.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should
|
||
|
|
be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
|
||
|
|
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and
|
||
|
|
entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
|
||
|
|
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though
|
||
|
|
he would go to Jerusalem.
|
||
|
|
54 And when his disciples James and John saw <I>this,</I> they said,
|
||
|
|
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven,
|
||
|
|
and consume them, even as Elias did?
|
||
|
|
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what
|
||
|
|
manner of spirit ye are of.
|
||
|
|
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but
|
||
|
|
to save <I>them.</I> And they went to another village.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This passage of story we have not in any other of the evangelists, and
|
||
|
|
it seems to come in here for the sake of its affinity with that next
|
||
|
|
before, for in this also Christ rebuked his disciples, because they
|
||
|
|
envied for his sake. There, under colour of zeal for Christ, they were
|
||
|
|
for silencing and restraining separatists: here, under the same colour,
|
||
|
|
they were for putting infidels to death; and, as for <I>that,</I> so
|
||
|
|
for <I>this</I> also, Christ reprimanded them, for a spirit of bigotry
|
||
|
|
and persecution is directly contrary to the spirit of Christ and
|
||
|
|
Christianity. Observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The <I>readiness</I> and <I>resolution</I> of our Lord Jesus, in
|
||
|
|
prosecuting his great undertaking for our redemption and salvation. Of
|
||
|
|
this we have an instance,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>:
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>When the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly
|
||
|
|
set his face to go to Jerusalem.</I> Observe
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. There was a time fixed for the sufferings and death of our Lord
|
||
|
|
Jesus, and he knew well enough when it was, and had a clear and certain
|
||
|
|
foresight of it, and yet was so far from keeping out of the way that
|
||
|
|
then he appeared most publicly of all, and was most busy, knowing that
|
||
|
|
his time was short.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. When he saw his death and sufferings approaching, he looked through
|
||
|
|
them and beyond them, to the glory that should follow; he looked upon
|
||
|
|
it as the time when he should be <I>received up into glory</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
received up into the highest heavens, to be enthroned there. Moses and
|
||
|
|
Elias spoke of his death as his departure out of this world, which made
|
||
|
|
it not <I>formidable;</I> but he went further, and looked upon it as
|
||
|
|
his translation to a better world, which made it very <I>desirable.</I>
|
||
|
|
All good Christians may frame to themselves the same notion of death,
|
||
|
|
and may call it their being <I>received up,</I> to be with Christ where
|
||
|
|
he is; and, when the <I>time</I> of their being <I>received up</I> is
|
||
|
|
at hand, let them lift up their heads, knowing that <I>their redemption
|
||
|
|
draws nigh.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. On this prospect of the joy set before him, he <I>stedfastly set his
|
||
|
|
face to go to Jerusalem</I> the place where he was to suffer and die.
|
||
|
|
He was fully <I>determined</I> to go, and would not be dissuaded; he
|
||
|
|
went <I>directly</I> to Jerusalem, because there now his business lay,
|
||
|
|
and he did not go about to other towns, or fetch a compass, which if he
|
||
|
|
had done, as commonly he did, he might have avoided going through
|
||
|
|
Samaria. He went cheerfully and courageously thither, though he knew
|
||
|
|
the things that should befal him there. He <I>did not fail nor was
|
||
|
|
discouraged,</I> but <I>set his face as a flint, knowing</I> that he
|
||
|
|
should be not only <I>justified,</I> but glorified
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+50:7">Isa. l. 7</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
not only not <I>run down,</I> but <I>received up.</I> How should this
|
||
|
|
shame us <I>for,</I> and shame <I>us out of,</I> our backwardness to do
|
||
|
|
and suffer for Christ! We draw back, and turn our faces another way
|
||
|
|
from his service who stedfastly set his face against all opposition, to
|
||
|
|
go through with the work of our salvation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The <I>rudeness</I> of the Samaritans in a <I>certain village</I>
|
||
|
|
(not named, nor deserving to be so) who would not <I>receive him,</I>
|
||
|
|
nor suffer him to bait in their town, though his way lay through it.
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How <I>civil</I> he was to them: <I>He sent messengers before his
|
||
|
|
face,</I> some of his disciples, that went to take up lodgings, and to
|
||
|
|
know whether he might have leave to accommodate himself and his company
|
||
|
|
among them; for he would not come to give <I>offence,</I> or if they
|
||
|
|
took any umbrage at the number of his followers. He sent some to
|
||
|
|
<I>make ready</I> for him, not for state, but convenience, and that his
|
||
|
|
coming might be no surprise.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How <I>uncivil</I> they were to him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:53"><I>v.</I> 53</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They did not <I>receive him,</I> would not suffer him to come into
|
||
|
|
their village, but ordered their watch to keep him out. He would have
|
||
|
|
<I>paid</I> for all he <I>bespoke,</I> and been a generous guest among
|
||
|
|
them, would have done them good, and preached the gospel to them, as he
|
||
|
|
had done some time ago to another city of the Samaritans,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:41">John iv. 41</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He would have been, if they pleased, the greatest blessing that ever
|
||
|
|
came to their village, and yet they forbid him entrance. Such treatment
|
||
|
|
his gospel and ministers have often met with. Now the reason was
|
||
|
|
<I>because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem;</I> they
|
||
|
|
observed, by his motions, that he was steering his course that way. The
|
||
|
|
great controversy between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the
|
||
|
|
place of worship--whether Jerusalem or mount Gerizim near Sychar; see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:20">John iv. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
And so hot was the controversy between them that the <I>Jews would have
|
||
|
|
no dealings with the Samaritans,</I> nor they with them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:9">John iv. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Yet we may suppose that they did not deny other Jews lodgings among
|
||
|
|
them, no, not when they went up to the feast; for if that had been
|
||
|
|
their constant practice Christ would not have attempted it, and it
|
||
|
|
would have been a great way about for some of the Galileans to go to
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem any other way than through Samaria. But they were
|
||
|
|
particularly incensed against Christ, who was a celebrated teacher, for
|
||
|
|
owning and adhering to the temple at Jerusalem, when the priests of
|
||
|
|
that temple were such bitter enemies to him, which, they hoped, would
|
||
|
|
have driven him to come and worship at <I>their</I> temple, and bring
|
||
|
|
that into reputation; but when they saw that he would go forward to
|
||
|
|
Jerusalem, notwithstanding this, they would not show him the common
|
||
|
|
civility which probably they used formerly to show him in his journey
|
||
|
|
thither.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The <I>resentment</I> which James and John expressed of this
|
||
|
|
affront,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When these two heard this message brought, they were all in a flame
|
||
|
|
presently, and nothing will serve them but Sodom's doom upon this
|
||
|
|
village: "Lord," say they, "give us leave to command fire to come down
|
||
|
|
from heaven, not to <I>frighten</I> them only, but to <I>consume</I>
|
||
|
|
them."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Here indeed was something commendable, for they showed,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) A great confidence in the power they had received from Jesus
|
||
|
|
Christ; though this had not been particularly mentioned in their
|
||
|
|
commission, yet they could with a word's speaking fetch <I>fire from
|
||
|
|
heaven.</I> <B><I>Theleis eipomen</I></B>--<I>Wilt thou that we speak
|
||
|
|
the word,</I> and the thing will be done.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) A great zeal for the honour of their Master. They took it very ill
|
||
|
|
that he who did good wherever he came and found a hearty welcome should
|
||
|
|
be denied the liberty of the road by a parcel of paltry Samaritans;
|
||
|
|
they could not think of it without indignation that their Master should
|
||
|
|
be thus slighted.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) A submission, notwithstanding, to their Master's good will and
|
||
|
|
pleasure. They will not offer to do such a thing, unless Christ give
|
||
|
|
leave: <I>Wilt thou</I> that we do it?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) A regard to the examples of the prophets that were before them. It
|
||
|
|
is doing <I>as Elias did?</I> they would not have thought of such a
|
||
|
|
thing if Elijah had not done it upon the soldiers that came to take
|
||
|
|
him, once and again,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+1:10,12">2 Kings i. 10, 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They thought that this <I>precedent</I> would be their <I>warrant;</I>
|
||
|
|
so apt are we to misapply the examples of good men, and to think to
|
||
|
|
justify ourselves by them in the irregular liberties we give ourselves,
|
||
|
|
when the case is not parallel.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. But though there was something right in what they said, yet there
|
||
|
|
was much more amiss, for
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) This was not the first time, by a great many, that our Lord Jesus
|
||
|
|
had been thus affronted, witness the Nazarenes thrusting him out of
|
||
|
|
their city, and the Gadarenes desiring him to depart out of their
|
||
|
|
coast; and yet he never called for any judgment upon them, but
|
||
|
|
patiently put up with the injury.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) These were Samaritans, from whom better was not to be expected,
|
||
|
|
and perhaps they had heard that Christ had forbidden his disciples to
|
||
|
|
<I>enter into any of the cities of the Samaritans</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:5">Matt. x. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore it was not so bad in them as in others who knew more of
|
||
|
|
Christ, and had received so many favours from him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) Perhaps it was only some few of the town that knew any thing of
|
||
|
|
the matter, or that sent that rude message to him, while, for aught
|
||
|
|
they knew, there were many in the town who, if they had heard of
|
||
|
|
Christ's being so near them, would have gone to meet him and welcomed
|
||
|
|
him; and must the whole town be laid in ashes for the wickedness of a
|
||
|
|
few? Will they have the righteous destroyed with the wicked?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) Their Master had never yet upon any occasion called for <I>fire
|
||
|
|
from heaven,</I> nay, he had refused to give the Pharisees any <I>sign
|
||
|
|
from heaven</I> when they demanded it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:1,2">Matt. xvi. 1, 2</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and why should they think to introduce it? James and John were the two
|
||
|
|
disciples whom Christ had called <I>Boanerges--sons of thunder</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+3:17">Mark iii. 17</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and will not that serve them, but they must be <I>sons of lightning</I>
|
||
|
|
too?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) The example of Elias did not reach the case. Elijah was sent to
|
||
|
|
display the terrors of the law, and to give proof of that, and to
|
||
|
|
witness as a bold reprover against the idolatries and wickednesses of
|
||
|
|
the court of Ahab, and it was agreeable enough to him to have his
|
||
|
|
commission thus proved; but it is a dispensation of grace that is now
|
||
|
|
to be introduced, to which such a terrible display of divine justice
|
||
|
|
will not be at all agreeable. Archbishop Tillotson suggests that their
|
||
|
|
being now near Samaria, where Elijah called for fire from heaven, might
|
||
|
|
help to put it in their heads; perhaps at the very place; but, though
|
||
|
|
the <I>place</I> was the same, the <I>times</I> were altered.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. The <I>reproof</I> he gave to James and John for their fiery,
|
||
|
|
furious zeal
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:55"><I>v.</I> 55</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He <I>turned</I> with a just displeasure, and <I>rebuked them;</I> for
|
||
|
|
<I>as many as he loves he rebukes and chastens,</I> particularly for
|
||
|
|
what they do, that is irregular and unbecoming them, under colour of
|
||
|
|
zeal for him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He shows them in particular their mistake: <I>Ye know not what
|
||
|
|
manner of spirit ye are of;</I> that is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) "You <I>are not aware</I> what an <I>evil spirit</I> and
|
||
|
|
disposition you are of; how much there is of pride, and passion, and
|
||
|
|
personal revenge, covered under this pretence of zeal for your Master."
|
||
|
|
Note, There may be much corruption lurking, nay, and stirring too, in
|
||
|
|
the hearts of good people, and they themselves not be sensible of it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) "You <I>do not consider</I> what a <I>good spirit,</I> directly
|
||
|
|
contrary to this, you <I>should be of.</I> Surely you have yet to
|
||
|
|
learn, though you have been so long learning, what the spirit of Christ
|
||
|
|
and Christianity is. Have you not been taught to <I>love your
|
||
|
|
enemies,</I> and to <I>bless them that curse you,</I> and to call for
|
||
|
|
grace from heaven, not fire from heaven, upon them? You know not how
|
||
|
|
contrary your disposition herein is to that which it was the design of
|
||
|
|
the gospel you should be <I>delivered</I> into. You are not now under
|
||
|
|
the dispensation of bondage, and terror, and death, but under the
|
||
|
|
dispensation of love, and liberty, and grace, which was ushered in with
|
||
|
|
a proclamation of <I>peace on earth</I> and <I>good will toward
|
||
|
|
men,</I> to which you ought to accommodate yourselves, and not by such
|
||
|
|
imprecations as these oppose yourselves."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He shows them the general design and tendency of his religion
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:56"><I>v.</I> 56</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The Son of man</I> is not himself come, and therefore does not send
|
||
|
|
you abroad <I>to destroy men's lives, but to save them.</I> He designed
|
||
|
|
to propagate his holy religion by love and sweetness, and every thing
|
||
|
|
that is inviting and endearing, not by fire and sword, and blood and
|
||
|
|
slaughter; by miracles of healing, not by plagues and miracles of
|
||
|
|
destruction, as Israel was brought out of Egypt. Christ came to
|
||
|
|
<I>slay</I> all <I>enmities,</I> not to foster them. Those are
|
||
|
|
certainly destitute of the spirit of the gospel that are for
|
||
|
|
anathematizing and rooting out by violence and persecution all that are
|
||
|
|
not of their mind and way, that cannot in conscience say as they say,
|
||
|
|
and do as they do. Christ came, not only to save men's <I>souls,</I>
|
||
|
|
but to save their <I>lives</I> too--witness the many miracles he
|
||
|
|
wrought for the healing of diseases that would otherwise have been
|
||
|
|
<I>mortal,</I> by which, and a thousand other instances of beneficence,
|
||
|
|
it appears that Christ would have his disciples do good to all, to the
|
||
|
|
utmost of their power, but hurt to none, to draw men into his church
|
||
|
|
with the <I>cords of a man and the bands of love,</I> but not think to
|
||
|
|
drive men into it with a <I>rod of violence</I> or the <I>scourge of
|
||
|
|
the tongue.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. His <I>retreat</I> from this village. Christ would not only not
|
||
|
|
punish them for their rudeness, but would not insist upon his right of
|
||
|
|
travelling the road (which was as free to him as to his neighbours),
|
||
|
|
would not attempt to force his way, but quietly and peaceably <I>went
|
||
|
|
to another village,</I> where they were not so stingy and bigoted, and
|
||
|
|
there refreshed himself, and went on his way. Note, When a stream of
|
||
|
|
opposition is strong, it is wisdom to get out of the way of it, rather
|
||
|
|
than to contend with it. If some be very rude, instead of revenging it,
|
||
|
|
we should try whether others will not be more civil.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_57"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_58"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_59"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_60"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_61"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Lu9_62"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Every Thing to Be Left for Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a
|
||
|
|
certain <I>man</I> said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee
|
||
|
|
whithersoever thou goest.
|
||
|
|
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the
|
||
|
|
air <I>have</I> nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay <I>his</I>
|
||
|
|
head.
|
||
|
|
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord,
|
||
|
|
suffer me first to go and bury my father.
|
||
|
|
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go
|
||
|
|
thou and preach the kingdom of God.
|
||
|
|
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me
|
||
|
|
first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
|
||
|
|
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
|
||
|
|
plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here an account of three several persons that offered
|
||
|
|
themselves to follow Christ, and the answers that Christ gave to each
|
||
|
|
of them. The two former we had an account of in
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+19:21">Matt. xix. 21</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Here is one that is extremely forward to follow Christ immediately,
|
||
|
|
but seems to have been too rash, hasty, and inconsiderate, and not to
|
||
|
|
have set down and counted the cost.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He makes Christ a very large promise
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>As they went in the way,</I> going up to Jerusalem, where it was
|
||
|
|
expected Christ would first appear in his glory, one said to him,
|
||
|
|
<I>Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.</I> This must be
|
||
|
|
the resolution of all that will be found Christ's disciples indeed;
|
||
|
|
they <I>follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:4">Rev. xiv. 4</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
though it be through fire and water, to prisons and deaths.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Christ gives him a necessary caution, not to promise himself great
|
||
|
|
things in the world, in following him, but, on the contrary, to count
|
||
|
|
upon poverty and meanness; for <I>the Son of man has not where to lay
|
||
|
|
his head.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may look upon this,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) As <I>setting forth</I> the <I>very low condition</I> that our
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus was in, in this world. He not only wanted the delights and
|
||
|
|
ornaments that great princes usually have, but even such accommodations
|
||
|
|
for mere necessity as the <I>foxes</I> have, and the <I>birds of the
|
||
|
|
air.</I> See what a <I>depth of poverty</I> our Lord Jesus submitted to
|
||
|
|
for us, to increase the worth and merit of his satisfaction, and to
|
||
|
|
purchase for us a larger <I>allowance of grace, that we through his
|
||
|
|
poverty might be rich,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He that made all did not make a dwelling-place for himself, not a house
|
||
|
|
of his own to put his head in, but what he was beholden to others for.
|
||
|
|
He here calls himself the <I>Son of man,</I> a Son of Adam, partaker of
|
||
|
|
flesh and blood. He glories in his condescension towards us, not only
|
||
|
|
to the meanness of our nature, but to the meanest condition in that
|
||
|
|
nature, to testify his love to us, and to teach us a holy contempt of
|
||
|
|
the world and of great things in it, and a continual regard to another
|
||
|
|
world. Christ was thus poor, to sanctify and sweeten poverty to his
|
||
|
|
people; the apostles had not certain dwelling-place
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:11">1 Cor. iv. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which they might the better bear when they knew their Master had not;
|
||
|
|
see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+11:11">2 Sam. xi. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may well be content to fare as Christ did.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) As proposing this to the consideration of those who intend to be
|
||
|
|
his disciples. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the
|
||
|
|
thoughts of great things in the world, and not reckon upon making any
|
||
|
|
thing <I>more than heaven</I> of our religion, as we must resolve not
|
||
|
|
to take up with any thing <I>less.</I> Let us not go about to compound
|
||
|
|
the profession of Christianity with secular advantages; Christ has
|
||
|
|
<I>put them asunder,</I> let us not think of <I>joining them
|
||
|
|
together;</I> on the contrary, we must expect to enter into the kingdom
|
||
|
|
of heaven through many tribulations, must <I>deny ourselves,</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>take up our cross.</I> Christ tells this man what he must count upon
|
||
|
|
if he followed him, to lie cold and uneasy, to fare hard, and live in
|
||
|
|
contempt; if he could not submit to this, let him not pretend to follow
|
||
|
|
Christ. This word sent him back, for aught that appears; but it will be
|
||
|
|
no discouragement to any that know what there is in Christ and heaven
|
||
|
|
to set in the scale against this.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Here is another, that seems <I>resolved</I> to follow Christ, but
|
||
|
|
he <I>begs a day,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:59"><I>v.</I> 59</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to him, <I>Follow
|
||
|
|
me.</I> He that proposed the thing of himself fled off when he heard of
|
||
|
|
the difficulties that attended it; but this man to whom Christ gave a
|
||
|
|
call, though he hesitated at first, yet, as it should seem, afterwards
|
||
|
|
yielded; so true was that of Christ, <I>You have not chosen me, but I
|
||
|
|
have chosen you,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:16">John xv. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is not of <I>him that willeth,</I> nor <I>of him that runneth</I>
|
||
|
|
(as that forward spark in the foregoing verses), but of God that
|
||
|
|
showeth mercy, that <I>gives</I> the call, and <I>makes</I> it
|
||
|
|
<I>effectual,</I> as to this man here. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The excuse he made: "<I>Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my
|
||
|
|
father.</I> I have an aged father at home, who cannot live long, and
|
||
|
|
will need me while he does live; let me go and attend on him until he
|
||
|
|
is dead, and I have performed my last office of love to him, and then I
|
||
|
|
will do any thing." We may here see three temptations, by which we are
|
||
|
|
in danger of being drawn and kept from following Christ, which
|
||
|
|
therefore we should guard against:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We are tempted to <I>rest</I> in a <I>discipleship at large,</I>
|
||
|
|
in which we may be <I>at a loose end,</I> and not to come <I>close,</I>
|
||
|
|
and give up ourselves to be <I>strict</I> and <I>constant.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We are tempted to <I>defer</I> the doing of that which we know to
|
||
|
|
be our duty, and to put if off to some other time. When we have got
|
||
|
|
clear of such a care and difficulty, when we have despatched such a
|
||
|
|
business, raised an estate to such a pitch, then we will begin to think
|
||
|
|
of being religious; and so we are cozened out of all our time, by being
|
||
|
|
cozened out of the present time.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) We are tempted to think that our duty to our relations will excuse
|
||
|
|
us from our duty to Christ. It is a plausible excuse indeed: "<I>Let me
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go and bury my father,</I>--let me take care of my family, and provide
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for my children, and then I will think of serving Christ;" whereas the
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<I>kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof</I> must be sought ad
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minded <I>in the first place.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. Christ's answer to it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:60"><I>v.</I> 60</A>):
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"<I>Let the dead bury their dead.</I> Suppose (which is not likely)
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that there are none but the dead to bury their dead, or none but those
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who are themselves aged and dying, who are <I>as good as dead,</I> and
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fit for no other service, yet thou hast other work to do; <I>go thou,
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and preach the kingdom of God.</I>" Not that Christ would have his
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followers or his ministers to be <I>unnatural;</I> our religion teaches
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us to be kind and good in every relation, to <I>show piety at home,</I>
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and to <I>requite our parents.</I> But we must not make these offices
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an excuse from our duty to God. If the nearest and dearest relation we
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have in the world stand in our way to keep us from Christ, it is
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necessary that we have a zeal that will make us forget <I>father and
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mother,</I> as Levi did,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</A>.
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This disciple was called to be a minister, and therefore must not
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<I>entangle himself</I> with the <I>affairs of this world,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:4">2 Tim. ii. 4</A>.
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And it is a rule that, whenever Christ calls to any duty, we must not
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<I>consult with flesh and blood,</I>
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||
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:15,16">Gal. i. 15, 16</A>.
|
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||
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No excuses must be admitted against a present obedience to the call of
|
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|
|
Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
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||
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|
<P>
|
||
|
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|
||
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|
III. Here is another that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have
|
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a <I>little time</I> to <I>talk with his friends</I> about it.</P>
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|
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||
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<P>
|
||
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|
Observe,
|
||
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|
||
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1. His request for a dispensation,
|
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|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:61"><I>v.</I> 61</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
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|
He said, "<I>Lord, I will follow thee;</I> I design no other, I am
|
||
|
|
determined to do it: but <I>let me first go bid them farewell that are
|
||
|
|
at home.</I>" This seemed reasonable; it was what Elisha desired when
|
||
|
|
Elijah called him,<I>Let me kiss my father and my mother;</I> and it
|
||
|
|
was allowed him: but the ministry of the gospel is <I>preferable,</I>
|
||
|
|
and the service of it more urgent than that of the prophets; and
|
||
|
|
therefore here it would not be allowed. Suffer me <B><I>apotaxasthai
|
||
|
|
tois eis ton oikon mou</I></B>--<I>Let me go and set in order my
|
||
|
|
household affairs,</I> and give direction concerning them; so some
|
||
|
|
understand it. Now that which was amiss in this is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he looked upon his following Christ as a melancholy,
|
||
|
|
troublesome, dangerous thing; it was to him as if he were <I>going to
|
||
|
|
die</I> and therefore he must take <I>leave</I> of all his friends,
|
||
|
|
never to <I>see them again,</I> or never <I>with any comfort;</I>
|
||
|
|
whereas, in following Christ, he might be more a comfort and blessing
|
||
|
|
to them than if he had continued with them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That he seemed to have his worldly concerns more upon his heart
|
||
|
|
than he ought to have, and than would consist with a close attendance
|
||
|
|
to his duty as a follower of Christ. He seemed to hanker after his
|
||
|
|
relations and family concerns, and he could not part easily and
|
||
|
|
suitably from them, but they stuck to him. It may be he had bidden them
|
||
|
|
<I>farewell</I> once, but <I>Loth to depart bids oft farewell,</I> and
|
||
|
|
therefore he must bid them <I>farewell</I> once more, for they are
|
||
|
|
<I>at home at his house.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That he was willing to enter into a temptation from his purpose of
|
||
|
|
following Christ. To go and bid them <I>farewell</I> that were <I>at
|
||
|
|
home at his house</I> would be to expose himself to the strongest
|
||
|
|
solicitations imaginable to alter his resolution; for they would all be
|
||
|
|
against it, and would <I>beg</I> and <I>pray</I> that he would not
|
||
|
|
<I>leave them.</I> Now it was presumption in him to thrust himself into
|
||
|
|
such a temptation. Those that resolve to walk with their Maker, and
|
||
|
|
follow their Redeemer, must resolve that they will not so much as
|
||
|
|
parley with their tempter.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The rebuke which Christ gave him for this request
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:62"><I>v.</I> 62</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>No man, having put his hand to the plough,</I> and designing to
|
||
|
|
make good work of his ploughing, will <I>look back,</I> or look behind
|
||
|
|
him, for then he makes balks with his plough, and the ground he ploughs
|
||
|
|
is <I>not fit</I> to be sown; so thou, if thou hast a design to follow
|
||
|
|
me and to reap the advantages of those that do so, yet if thou
|
||
|
|
<I>lookest back</I> to a worldly life again and hankerest after that,
|
||
|
|
if thou <I>lookest back</I> as Lot's wife did to Sodom, which seems to
|
||
|
|
be alluded to here, <I>thou art not fit for the kingdom of God.</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) "Thou art not <I>soil</I> fit to receive the <I>good seed</I> of
|
||
|
|
the kingdom of God if thou art thus <I>ploughed</I> by the
|
||
|
|
<I>halves,</I> and not gone through with."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) "Thou art not a <I>sower</I> fit to <I>scatter</I> the good seed
|
||
|
|
of the kingdom if thou canst <I>hold the plough</I> no better."
|
||
|
|
Ploughing is in order to sowing. As those are not fit to be <I>sown</I>
|
||
|
|
with divine comforts whose <I>fallow ground</I> is not first <I>broken
|
||
|
|
up,</I> so those are not fit to be employed in sowing who know not how
|
||
|
|
to break up the fallow ground, but, when they have <I>laid their hand
|
||
|
|
to the plough,</I> upon every occasion look back and think of quitting
|
||
|
|
it. Note, Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to <I>go
|
||
|
|
on</I> with it, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back inclines
|
||
|
|
to <I>drawing back,</I> and <I>drawing back</I> is to <I>perdition.</I>
|
||
|
|
Those are not fit for heaven who, having set their faces heavenward,
|
||
|
|
face about. But he, and he only, that <I>endures to the end, shall be
|
||
|
|
saved.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
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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="MHC42008.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC42010.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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