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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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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. II.</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 an account of the birth and infancy of our
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Lord Jesus: having had notice of his conception, and of the birth and
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infancy of his forerunner, in the former chapter. The First-begotten is
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here brought into the world; let us go meet him with our hosannas,
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blessed is he that cometh. Here is,
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I. The place and other circumstances of his birth, which proved him to
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be the true Messiah, and such a one as we needed, but not such a one as
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the Jews expected,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. The notifying of his birth to the shepherds in that neighbourhood
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by an angel, the song of praise which the angels sung upon that
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occasion, and the spreading of the report of it by the shepherds,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:8-20">ver. 8-20</A>.
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III. The circumcision of Christ, and the naming of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:21">ver. 21</A>.
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IV. The presenting of him in the temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:22-24">ver. 22-24</A>.
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V. The testimonies of Simeon, and Anna the prophetess, concerning him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:25-39">ver. 25-39</A>.
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VI. Christ's growth and capacity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:40-52">ver. 40-52</A>.
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VIII. His observing the passover at twelve years old, and his disputing
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with the doctors in the temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:41-51">ver. 41-51</A>.
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And this, with what we have met with
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+1:1-2:23">Matt. i. and ii.</A>),
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is all we have concerning our Lord Jesus, till he entered upon his
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public work in the thirtieth year of his age.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Lu2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_7"> </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 Birth of Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
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decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
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2 (<I>And</I> this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor
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of Syria.)
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3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
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4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
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Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called
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Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
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5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
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child.
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6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
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accomplished that she should be delivered.
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7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
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swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no
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room for them in the inn.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The <I>fulness of time</I> was now come, when God would send forth his
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Son, <I>made of a woman,</I> and <I>made under the law;</I> and it was
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foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an
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account of the time, place, and manner of it.</P>
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<P>
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I. The time when our Lord Jesus was born. Several things may be
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gathered out of these verses which intimate to us that it was the
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<I>proper time.</I></P>
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<P>
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1. He was born at the time when the <I>fourth monarchy</I> was in its
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height, just when it was become, more than any of the three before it,
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a <I>universal monarchy.</I> He was born <I>in the days</I> of Augustus
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Cæsar, when the Roman empire extended itself further than ever
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before or since, including Parthia one way, and Britain another way; so
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that it was then called <I>Terraram orbis imperium--The empire of the
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whole earth;</I> and here that empire is called <I>all the world</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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for there was scarcely any part of the civilized world, but what was
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dependent on it. Now this was the time when the Messiah was to be born,
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according to Daniel's prophecy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+2:44">Dan. ii. 44</A>):
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<I>In the days of these kings,</I> the kings of the fourth monarchy,
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<I>shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be
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destroyed.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. He was born when Judea was become a province of the empire, and
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tributary to it; as appears evidently by this, that when all the Roman
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empire was taxed, the Jews were taxed among the rest. Jerusalem was
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taken by Pompey the Roman general, about sixty years before this, who
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granted the government of the church to Hyrcanus, but not the
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government of the state; by degrees it was more and more reduced, till
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now at length it was quite subdued; for Judea was ruled by Cyrenius the
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Roman governor of Syria
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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the Roman writers call him <I>Sulpitius Quirinus.</I> Now just at this
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juncture, the Messiah was to be born, for so was dying Jacob's
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prophecy, that Shiloh should come when the <I>sceptre was departed from
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Judah,</I> and the <I>lawgiver from between his feet,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+49:10">Gen. xlix. 10</A>.
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This was the <I>first taxing</I> that was made in Judea, the first
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badge of their servitude; therefore now Shiloh must come, to set up his
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kingdom.</P>
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<P>
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3. There is another circumstance, as to the time, implied in this
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general enrolment of all the subjects of the empire, which is, that
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there was now universal peace in the empire. The temple of Janus was
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now shut, which it never used to be if any wars were on foot; and now
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it was fit for the Prince of peace to be born, in whose days <I>swords
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should be beaten into plough-shares.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. The place where our Lord Jesus was born is very observable. He was
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born at <I>Bethlehem;</I> so it was foretold
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:2">Mic. v. 2</A>),
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the scribes so understood it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+2:5,6">Matt. ii. 5, 6</A>),
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so did the common people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:42">John vii. 42</A>.
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The name of the place was significant. Bethlehem signifies <I>the
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house of bread;</I> a proper place for him to be born in who is the
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Bread of life, the Bread that <I>came down from heaven.</I> But that
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was not all; Bethlehem was the city of David, where he was born, and
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therefore there <I>he</I> must be born who was the <I>Son of David.</I>
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Zion was also called <I>the city of David</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+5:7">2 Sam. v. 7</A>),
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yet Christ was not born there; for Bethlehem was that city of David
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where he was born in meanness, to be a <I>shepherd;</I> and this our
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Saviour, when he humbled himself, chose for the place of his birth; not
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Zion, where he ruled in power and prosperity, that was to be a type of
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the church of Christ, <I>that mount Zion.</I> Now when the virgin Mary
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was with child, and near her time, Providence so ordered it that, by
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order from the emperor, all the subjects of the <I>Roman empire</I>
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were to be <I>taxed;</I> that is, they were to <I>give in their
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names</I> to the proper officers, and they were to be <I>registered</I>
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and <I>enrolled,</I> according to their families, which is the proper
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signification of the word here used; their being <I>taxed</I> was but
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secondary. It is supposed that they made profession of subjection to
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the Roman empire, either by some set form of words, or at least by
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payment of some small tribute, a penny suppose, in token of their
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allegiance, like a man's <I>atturning</I> tenant. Thus are they vassals
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upon record, and may thank themselves.</P>
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<P>
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According to this <I>decree,</I> the Jews (who were now nice in
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distinguishing their tribes and families) provided that in their
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enrolments particular care should be had to preserve the memory of
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them. Thus foolishly are they solicitous to save the <I>shadow,</I>
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when they had lost the <I>substance.</I></P>
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<P>
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That which Augustus designed was either to gratify his <I>pride</I> in
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knowing the numbers of his people, and proclaiming it to the world, or
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he did it in <I>policy,</I> to strengthen his interest, and make his
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government appear the more formidable; but Providence had another reach
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in it. All the world shall be at the trouble of being <I>enrolled,</I>
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only that Joseph and Mary may. This brought them up from Nazareth in
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Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, because they were <I>of the stock and
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lineage of David</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>);
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and perhaps, being poor and low, they thought the royalty of their
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extraction rather than a burden and expense to them than a matter of
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pride. Because it is difficult to suppose that every Jew (women as well
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as men) was obliged to repair to the city of which their ancestors
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were, and there be enrolled, now, at a time when they kept not to the
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bounds of their tribes, as formerly, it may be offered as a conjecture
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that this great exactness was used only with the <I>family of
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David,</I> concerning which, it is probable, the emperor gave
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particular orders, it having been the royal family, and still talked of
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as designed to be so, that he might know its number and strength.
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Divers ends of Providence were served by this.</P>
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<P>
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1. Hereby the virgin Mary was brought, <I>great with child,</I> to
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Bethlehem, to be <I>delivered</I> there, according to the prediction;
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whereas she had designed to lie in at Nazareth. See how <I>man purposes
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and God disposes;</I> and how Providence orders all things for the
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fulfilling of the scripture, and makes use of the projects men have for
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serving their own purposes, quite beyond their intention, to serve
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his.</P>
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<P>
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2. Hereby it appeared that Jesus Christ was of the <I>seed</I> of
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David; for what brings his mother to Bethlehem now, but because she
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<I>was of the stock and lineage of David?</I> This was a material thing
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to be proved, and required such an authentic proof as this. Justin
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Martyr and Tertullian, two of the earliest advocates for the Christian
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religion, appeal to these <I>rolls</I> or <I>records</I> of the
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<I>Roman empire,</I> for the proof of Christ's being born of the house
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of David.</P>
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<P>
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3. Hereby it appeared that he was <I>made under the law;</I> for he
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became a subject of the Roman empire as soon as he was born, a
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<I>servant of rulers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:7">Isa. xlix. 7</A>.
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Many suppose that, being born during the time of the taxing, he was
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enrolled as well as his father and mother, that it might appear how
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<I>he made himself of no reputation,</I> and <I>took upon him the form
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of a servant.</I> Instead of having kings tributaries to him, when he
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came into the world he was himself a tributary.</P>
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<P>
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III. The circumstances of his birth, which were very mean, and under
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all possible marks of contempt. He was indeed a <I>first-born son;</I>
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but it was a poor honour to be the first-born of such a poor woman as
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Mary was, who had no inheritance to which he might be entitled as
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first-born, but what was <I>in nativity.</I></P>
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<P>
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1. He was under some abasements in common with other children; he was
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<I>wrapped in swaddling clothes,</I> as other children are when they
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are new-born, as if he could be bound, or needed to be kept straight.
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He that makes darkness a <I>swaddling band for the sea</I> was himself
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wrapped in <I>swaddling bands,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:9">Job xxxviii. 9</A>.
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The everlasting Father became a child of time, and men said to him
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whose out-goings were of old from everlasting, <I>We know this man,
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whence he is,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:27">John vii. 27</A>.
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The Ancient of days became an infant of a span long.</P>
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<P>
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2. He was under some abasements peculiar to himself.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) He was born <I>at an inn.</I> That son of David that was the glory
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of his father's house had no inheritance that he could command, no not
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in the city of David, no nor a friend that would accommodate his mother
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in distress with lodgings to be brought to bed in. Christ was born
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<I>in an inn,</I> to intimate that he came into the world but to
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sojourn here for awhile, as in an inn, and to teach us to do likewise.
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An inn receives all comers, and so does Christ. He hangs out the banner
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of love for his sign, and whoever comes to him, he will in no wise cast
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out; only, unlike other inns, he welcomes those that come <I>without
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money and without price.</I> All is on free cost.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) He was born <I>in a stable;</I> so some think the word signifies
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which we translate <I>a manger,</I> a place for cattle to stand to be
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fed in. Because there was <I>no room in the inn,</I> and for want of
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conveniences, nay for want of necessaries, he was laid <I>in a
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manger,</I> instead of a cradle. The word which we render <I>swaddling
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clothes</I> some derive from a word that signifies to <I>rend,</I> or
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<I>tear,</I> and these infer that he was so far from having a good suit
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of child-bed linen, that his very swaddles were ragged and torn. His
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being born in a stable and laid in a manger was an instance,
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[1.] Of the poverty of his parents. Had they been rich, room would have
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been made for them; but, being poor, they must <I>shift</I> as they
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<I>could.</I>
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[2.] Of the corruption and degeneracy of manners in that age; that a
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woman in reputation for virtue and honour should be used so
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barbarously. If there had been any common humanity among them, they
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would not have turned a woman in travail into a stable.
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[3.] It was an instance of the humiliation of our Lord Jesus. We were
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become by sin like an out-cast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a
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one Christ was. Thus he would answer the type of Moses, the great
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prophet and lawgiver of the Old Testament, who was in his infancy cast
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out in an ark of bulrushes, as Christ <I>in a manger.</I> Christ would
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hereby put a contempt upon all worldly glory, and teach us to slight
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it. Since <I>his own received him not,</I> let us not think it strange
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if they <I>receive us not.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Lu2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Lu2_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Angels Appear to the Shepherds; Visit of the Shepherds to Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
|
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<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the
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field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory
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of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
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10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring
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you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
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11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
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Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
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12 And this <I>shall be</I> a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
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wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
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13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
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heavenly host praising God, and saying,
|
|
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
|
|
toward men.
|
|
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them
|
|
into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go
|
|
even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,
|
|
which the Lord hath made known unto us.
|
|
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and
|
|
the babe lying in a manger.
|
|
17 And when they had seen <I>it,</I> they made known abroad the
|
|
saying which was told them concerning this child.
|
|
18 And all they that heard <I>it</I> wondered at those things which
|
|
were told them by the shepherds.
|
|
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered <I>them</I> in her
|
|
heart.
|
|
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
|
|
all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto
|
|
them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The meanest circumstances of Christ's humiliation were all along
|
|
attended with some discoveries of his glory, to balance them, and take
|
|
off the offence of them; for even when he humbled himself God did in
|
|
some measure exalt him and give him earnests of his future exaltation.
|
|
When we saw him <I>wrapped in swaddling clothes</I> and <I>laid in a
|
|
manger,</I> we were tempted to say, "Surely this cannot be the <I>Son
|
|
of God.</I>" But see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of
|
|
angels, and we shall say, "Surely this cannot be the <I>Son of
|
|
God.</I>" But see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of
|
|
angels, and we shall say, "Surely it can be no other than the <I>Son of
|
|
God,</I> concerning whom it was said, when he was <I>brought into the
|
|
world, Let all the angels of God worship him,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:6">Heb. i. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We had in Matthew an account of the notice given of the arrival of this
|
|
ambassador, this prince from heaven, to the wise men, who were
|
|
Gentiles, by a star; here we are told of the notice given of it to the
|
|
shepherds, who were Jews, by an angel: to each God chose to speak in
|
|
the language they were most conversant with.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. See here how the shepherds were employed; they were <I>abiding in
|
|
the fields</I> adjoining to Bethlehem, and <I>keeping watch over their
|
|
flocks by night,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
The angel was not sent to the chief priests or the elders (they were
|
|
not prepared to receive these tidings), but to a company of poor
|
|
shepherds, who were like Jacob, <I>plain men dwelling in tents,</I> not
|
|
like Esau, <I>cunning hunters.</I> The patriarchs were shepherds. Moses
|
|
and David particularly were called from keeping sheep to rule God's
|
|
people; and by this instance God would show that he had still a favour
|
|
for those of that innocent employment. Tidings were brought to Moses of
|
|
the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, when he was keeping sheep, and
|
|
to these shepherds, who, it is probable, were devout pious men, the
|
|
tidings were brought of a <I>greater salvation.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. They were not <I>sleeping</I> in their beds, when this news was
|
|
brought them (though many had very acceptable intelligence from heaven
|
|
in <I>slumbering upon the bed</I>), but <I>abiding in the fields,</I>
|
|
and <I>watching.</I> Those that would hear from God must <I>stir up
|
|
themselves.</I> They were broad awake, and therefore could not be
|
|
deceived in what they saw and heard, so as those may be who are half
|
|
asleep.
|
|
|
|
2. They were employed now, not in acts of devotion, but in the business
|
|
of their calling; they were <I>keeping watch over their flock,</I> to
|
|
secure them from thieves and beasts of prey, it being probably in the
|
|
summer time, when they kept their cattle out all night, as we do now,
|
|
and did not house them. Note, We are not out of the way of divine
|
|
visits when we are sensibly employed in an honest calling, and abide
|
|
with God in it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. How they were surprised with the appearance of the angel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them,</I> of a sudden,
|
|
<B><I>epeste</I></B>--<I>stood over them;</I> most probably, in the air
|
|
over their heads, as coming immediately from heaven. We read it, <I>the
|
|
angel,</I> as if it were the same that appeared once and again in the
|
|
chapter before, <I>the angel Gabriel,</I> that was caused to fly
|
|
swiftly; but that is not certain. The angel's <I>coming upon them</I>
|
|
intimates that they little thought of such a thing, or expected it; for
|
|
it is in a <I>preventing</I> way that gracious visits are made us from
|
|
heaven, <I>or ever we are aware.</I> That they might be sure it was an
|
|
angel from heaven, they saw and heard the <I>glory of the Lord round
|
|
about them;</I> such as made the night as bright as day, such a glory
|
|
as used to attend God's appearance, a <I>heavenly</I> glory, or an
|
|
<I>exceedingly great glory,</I> such as they could not bear the
|
|
dazzling lustre of. This made them <I>sore afraid,</I> put them into
|
|
great consternation, as fearing some evil tidings. While we are
|
|
conscious to ourselves of so much guilt, we have reason to fear lest
|
|
every express from heaven should be a messenger of wrath.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. What the message was which the angel had to deliver to the
|
|
shepherds,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:10-12"><I>v.</I> 10-12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. He gives a <I>supersedeas</I> to their <I>fears:</I> "<I>Fear
|
|
not,</I> for we have nothing to say to you that needs be a terror to
|
|
you; you <I>need not</I> fear your enemies, and <I>should not</I> fear
|
|
your friends."
|
|
|
|
2. He furnishes them with abundant matter for joy: "Behold, I
|
|
<I>evangelize to you great joy;</I> I solemnly declare it, and you have
|
|
reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring <I>joy to all people,</I>
|
|
and not to the people of the Jews only; that <I>unto you is born this
|
|
day,</I> at this time, <I>a Saviour,</I> the Saviour that has been so
|
|
long expected, <I>which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed; he is <I>the Lord,</I>
|
|
Lord of all; he is a sovereign prince; nay, he is God, for <I>the
|
|
Lord,</I> in the Old Testament, answers to <I>Jehovah.</I> He is a
|
|
Saviour, and he will be a Saviour to those only that accept him for
|
|
their Lord. "The Saviour <I>is born,</I> he is born <I>this day;</I>
|
|
and, since it is matter of <I>great joy to all people,</I> it is not to
|
|
be kept secret, you may proclaim it, may tell it to whom you please. He
|
|
is born in the place where it was foretold he should be born, in the
|
|
<I>city of David;</I> and he is born <I>to you;</I> to you Jews he is
|
|
sent in the first place, to <I>bless you,</I> to you <I>shepherds,</I>
|
|
though poor and mean in the world." This refers to
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:6">Isa. ix. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.</I> To <I>you</I>
|
|
men, not to <I>us</I> angels; he took not on him the nature of angels.
|
|
This is matter of <I>joy</I> indeed to all people, great joy.
|
|
Long-looked for is come at last. Let heaven and earth rejoice before
|
|
this Lord, <I>for he cometh.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. He gives them a sign for the confirming of their faith in this
|
|
matter. "How shall we find out this child in Bethlehem, which is now
|
|
full of the descendants from David?" "You will find him by this token:
|
|
he is lying in a <I>manger,</I> where surely never any new-born infant
|
|
was laid before." They expected to be told, "You shall find him, though
|
|
a babe, dressed up in robes, and lying in the best house in the town,
|
|
lying in state, with a numerous train of attendants in rich liveries."
|
|
"No, you will find him wrapped in <I>swaddling clothes,</I> and <I>laid
|
|
in a manger.</I>" When Christ was here upon earth, he
|
|
<I>distinguished</I> himself, and made himself remarkable, by nothing
|
|
so much as the instances of his <I>humiliation.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The angels' <I>doxology</I> to God, and <I>congratulations</I> of
|
|
men, upon this solemn occasion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The message was no sooner delivered by one angel (that was sufficient
|
|
to go express) than suddenly there was with that angel <I>a multitude
|
|
of the heavenly hosts;</I> sufficient, we may be sure, to make a
|
|
<I>chorus,</I> that were heard by the shepherds, <I>praising God;</I>
|
|
and certainly their song was not like that
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+14:3">Rev. xiv. 3</A>)
|
|
|
|
which <I>no man could learn,</I> for it was designed that we should all
|
|
learn it.
|
|
|
|
1. Let God have the honour of this work: <I>Glory to God in the
|
|
highest.</I> God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah,
|
|
redounds very much to his praise; and angels in the highest heavens,
|
|
though not immediately interested in it themselves, will celebrate it
|
|
to his honour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:11,12">Rev. v. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Glory to God,</I> whose kindness and love designed this favour, and
|
|
whose wisdom contrived it in such a way as that one divine attribute
|
|
should not be glorified at the expense of another, but the honour of
|
|
all effectually secured and advanced. Other works of God are for his
|
|
glory, but the redemption of the world is for his <I>glory in the
|
|
highest.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Let men have the joy of it: <I>On earth peace, good-will toward
|
|
men.</I> God's <I>good-will</I> in sending the Messiah introduced peace
|
|
in this lower world, slew the enmity that sin had raised between God
|
|
and man, and resettled a peaceable correspondence. If God be at peace
|
|
with us, all peace results from it: peace of conscience, peace with
|
|
angels, peace between Jew and Gentile. Peace is here put for <I>all
|
|
good,</I> all that good which flows to us from the incarnation of
|
|
Christ. All the <I>good</I> we have, or hope, is owing to God's
|
|
<I>good-will;</I> and, if we have the comfort of it, he must have the
|
|
glory of it. Nor must any <I>peace,</I> and <I>good,</I> be expected in
|
|
a way inconsistent with the glory of God; therefore not in any way of
|
|
sin, nor in any way but by <I>a Mediator.</I> Here was the <I>peace
|
|
proclaimed</I> with great solemnity; whoever will, let them come and
|
|
take the benefit of it. It is on earth peace, to <I>men of
|
|
good-will</I> (so some copies read it), <B><I>en anthropois
|
|
eudokias</I></B>; to men who have a <I>good-will to God,</I> and are
|
|
willing to be reconciled; or to men whom God has a <I>good-will to,</I>
|
|
though vessels of his mercy. See how well affected the angels are to
|
|
man, and to his welfare and happiness; how well pleased they were in
|
|
the incarnation of the Son of God, though he passed by their nature;
|
|
and ought not we much more to be affected with it? This is a
|
|
<I>faithful saying,</I> attested by an innumerable company of angels,
|
|
and well <I>worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward
|
|
men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The visit which the shepherds made to the new-born Saviour.
|
|
|
|
1. They consulted about it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
While the angels were singing their hymn, they could attend to that
|
|
only; but, <I>when they were gone away from them into heaven</I> (for
|
|
angels, when they appeared, never made any long stay, but returned as
|
|
soon as they had despatched their business), <I>the shepherds said one
|
|
to another, Let us go to Bethlehem.</I> Note, When extraordinary
|
|
messages from the upper world are no more to be expected, we must set
|
|
ourselves to improve the advantages we have for the confirming of our
|
|
faith, and the keeping up of our communion with God in this lower
|
|
world. And it is no reflection upon the testimony of angels, no nor
|
|
upon a divine testimony itself, to get it corroborated by observation
|
|
and experience. But observe, These shepherds do not speak doubtfully,
|
|
"Let us go see whether it be so or no;" but with assurance, <I>Let us
|
|
go see this thing which is come to pass;</I> for what room was left to
|
|
doubt of it, when <I>the Lord had</I> thus <I>made it known to
|
|
them?</I> The <I>word spoken by angels was stedfast</I> and
|
|
unquestionably true.
|
|
|
|
2. They immediately made the visit,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
They lost no time, but <I>came with haste</I> to the place, which,
|
|
probably, the angel directed them to more particularly than is recorded
|
|
("Go to the stable of such an inn"); and there <I>they found Mary and
|
|
Joseph,</I> and <I>the babe lying in the manger.</I> The poverty and
|
|
meanness in which they found <I>Christ the Lord</I> were no shock to
|
|
their faith, who themselves knew what it was to live a life of
|
|
comfortable communion with God in very poor and mean circumstances. We
|
|
have reason to think that the shepherds told Joseph and Mary of the
|
|
vision of the angels they had seen, and the song of the angels they had
|
|
heard, which was a great encouragement to them, more than if a visit
|
|
had been made them by the best ladies in the town. And it is probable
|
|
that Joseph and Mary told the shepherds what visions they had had
|
|
concerning the child; and so, by communicating their experiences to
|
|
each other, they greatly strengthened one another's faith.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The care which the shepherds took to spread the report of this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When they had seen it,</I> though they saw nothing in the child that
|
|
should induce them to believe that he was <I>Christ the Lord,</I> yet
|
|
the circumstances, how mean soever they were, agreeing with the sign
|
|
that the angel had given them, they were abundantly satisfied; and as
|
|
the lepers argued
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+12:9">2 Kings xii. 9</A>,
|
|
|
|
This being <I>a day of good tidings,</I> we dare not <I>hold our
|
|
peace</I>), so they made <I>known abroad</I> the whole story of what
|
|
was <I>told them,</I> both by the <I>angels,</I> and by Joseph and
|
|
Mary, <I>concerning this child,</I> that he was the Saviour, even
|
|
<I>Christ the Lord,</I> that in him there is <I>peace on earth,</I> and
|
|
that he was <I>conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost,</I> and
|
|
<I>born of a virgin.</I> This they told every body, and agreed in their
|
|
testimony concerning it. And now if, when he <I>is in the world,</I>
|
|
the world knows him not, it is <I>their own fault,</I> for they have
|
|
sufficient notice given them. What impression did it make upon people?
|
|
Why truly, <I>All they that heard it wondered at those things which
|
|
were told them by the shepherds,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
The shepherds were plain, downright, <I>honest men,</I> and they could
|
|
not suspect them guilty of any design to impose upon them; what they
|
|
had said therefore was likely to be true, and, if true, they could not
|
|
but wonder at it, that the Messiah should be born <I>in a stable</I>
|
|
and not in a palace, that angels should bring news of it to <I>poor
|
|
shepherds</I> and not to the chief priests. They wondered, but never
|
|
<I>enquired any further</I> about the Saviour, their duty to him, or
|
|
advantages by him, but let the thing drop as a <I>nine days'
|
|
wonder.</I> O the amazing stupidity of the men of that generation!
|
|
Justly were the things which belonged to their peace <I>hid from their
|
|
eyes,</I> when they thus wilfully <I>shut their eyes</I> against
|
|
them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VII. The use which those made of these things, who did believe them.
|
|
|
|
1. The virgin Mary made them the matter of her <I>private
|
|
meditation.</I> She said little, but <I>kept all these things,</I> and
|
|
<I>pondered them in her heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
She laid the evidences together, and kept them in reserve, to be
|
|
compared with the discoveries that should afterwards be made her. As
|
|
she had silently left it to God to clear up her virtue, when that was
|
|
suspected, so she silently leaves it to him to publish her honour, now
|
|
when it was veiled; and it is satisfaction enough to find that, if no
|
|
one else takes notice of the birth of her child, angels do. Note, The
|
|
truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the way to keep them safe is to
|
|
<I>ponder them.</I> Meditation is the best help to memory.
|
|
|
|
2. The shepherds made them the matter of their more <I>public
|
|
praises.</I> If others were not affected with those things, yet they
|
|
themselves were
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
They <I>returned, glorifying and praising God,</I> in concurrence with
|
|
the holy angels. If others would not regard the report they made to
|
|
them, God would accept the thanksgivings they offered to him. They
|
|
praised God for what <I>they had heard</I> from the angel, and for what
|
|
<I>they had seen,</I> the babe <I>in the manger,</I> and just then
|
|
<I>in the swaddling,</I> when they came in, as it had been spoken to
|
|
them. They thanked God that they had seen Christ, though in the depth
|
|
of his humiliation. As afterwards the cross of Christ, so now his
|
|
<I>manger,</I> was to some <I>foolishness</I> and a
|
|
<I>stumbling-block,</I> but others saw in it, and admired, and praised,
|
|
the wisdom <I>of God</I> and the <I>power of God.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_24"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Presented in the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising
|
|
of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of
|
|
the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
|
|
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law
|
|
of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to
|
|
present <I>him</I> to the Lord;
|
|
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that
|
|
openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
|
|
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in
|
|
the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Our Lord Jesus, being <I>made of a woman,</I> was <I>made under the
|
|
law,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:4">Gal. iv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was not only, as the son of a daughter of Adam, made under the law
|
|
of <I>nature,</I> but as the son of a daughter of Abraham was made
|
|
under the law of <I>Moses;</I> he put his neck under that yoke, though
|
|
it was a heavy yoke, and a <I>shadow of good things to come.</I> Though
|
|
its institutions were <I>beggarly elements,</I> and <I>rudiments of
|
|
this world,</I> as the apostle calls them, Christ submitted to it, that
|
|
he might with the better grace cancel it, and set it aside for us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now here we have two instances of his being <I>made under</I> that
|
|
<I>law,</I> and submitting to it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He was <I>circumcised</I> on the very day that the law appointed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When eight days were accomplished,</I> that day seven-night that he
|
|
was born, they <I>circumcised</I> him.
|
|
|
|
1. Though it was a <I>painful</I> operation (<I>Surely a bloody husband
|
|
thou has been,</I> said Zipporah to Moses, <I>because of the
|
|
circumcision,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+4:25">Exod. iv. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet Christ would undergo it for us; nay, <I>therefore</I> he submitted
|
|
to it, to give an instance of his early obedience, his obedience unto
|
|
blood. Then he shed his blood by drops, which afterwards he poured out
|
|
in purple streams.
|
|
|
|
2. Though it supposed him a <I>stranger,</I> that was by that ceremony
|
|
to be admitted into covenant with God, whereas he had always been his
|
|
<I>beloved Son;</I> nay, though it supposed him a <I>sinner,</I> that
|
|
needed to have his filthiness taken away, whereas he had no impurity or
|
|
superfluity of naughtiness to be cut off, <I>yet</I> he submitted to
|
|
it; nay, <I>therefore</I> he submitted to it, because he would be made
|
|
in the likeness, not only of <I>flesh,</I> but of <I>sinful flesh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:3">Rom. viii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. Though thereby he made himself a <I>debtor to the whole law</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+5:3">Gal. v. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he submitted to it; nay, <I>therefore</I> he submitted to it,
|
|
because he would take upon him the form of a servant, though he was
|
|
free-born. Christ was circumcised,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he might own himself of the seed of Abraham, and of that
|
|
nation <I>of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came,</I> and who
|
|
was to <I>take on him the seed of Abraham,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:16">Heb. ii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he might own himself a surety for our sins, and an undertaker
|
|
for our safety. Circumcision (saith Dr. Goodwin) was our <I>bond,</I>
|
|
whereby we acknowledged ourselves <I>debtors to the law;</I> and
|
|
Christ, by being circumcised, did as it were set his hand to it, being
|
|
<I>made sin for us.</I> The ceremonial law consisted much in
|
|
sacrifices; Christ hereby obliged himself to offer, not the blood of
|
|
bulls or goats, but his own blood, which none that ever were
|
|
circumcised before could oblige themselves to.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he might justify, and put an honour upon, the dedication of
|
|
the infant seed of the church to God, by that ordinance which is the
|
|
instituted seal of the covenant, and of the righteousness which is by
|
|
faith, as circumcision was
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:11">Rom. iv. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and baptism is. And certainly his being circumcised at eight days old
|
|
doth make much more for the dedicating of the seed of the faithful by
|
|
baptism in their infancy than his being baptized at thirty years old
|
|
doth for the deferring of it till they are grown up. The change of the
|
|
ceremony alters not the substance.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
At his circumcision, according to the custom, he had his name given
|
|
him; he was called <I>Jesus</I> or <I>Joshua,</I> for he was <I>so
|
|
named of the angel</I> to his mother Mary <I>before he was conceived in
|
|
the womb</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:31">Luke i. 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to his supposed father Joseph after,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+1:21">Matt. i. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] It was a <I>common name</I> among the Jews, as John was
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+4:11">Col. iv. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and in this he would be made <I>like unto his brethren.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It was the name of two eminent types of him in the Old Testament,
|
|
Joshua, the success or of Moses, who was commander of Israel, and
|
|
conqueror of Canaan; and Joshua, the high priest, who was therefore
|
|
purposely crowned, that he might prefigure Christ as a <I>priest upon
|
|
his throne,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+6:11,13">Zech. vi. 11, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It was very significant of his undertaking. Jesus signifies a
|
|
<I>Saviour.</I> He would be denominated, not from the glories of his
|
|
divine nature, but from his gracious designs as Mediator; he <I>brings
|
|
salvation.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He was <I>presented</I> in the temple. This was done with an eye to
|
|
the law, and at the time appointed by the law, when he was forty days
|
|
old, <I>when the days of her purification were accomplished,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many copies, and authentic ones, read <B><I>auton</I></B> for
|
|
<B><I>autes</I></B>, <I>the days of their purification,</I> the
|
|
purification both of the mother and of the child, for so it was
|
|
intended to be by the law; and our Lord Jesus, though he had no
|
|
impurity to be cleansed from, yet submitted to it, as he did to
|
|
circumcision, because he was made <I>sin for us;</I> and that, as by
|
|
the <I>circumcision of Christ</I> we might be <I>circumcised,</I> in
|
|
the virtue of our union and communion with him, with a spiritual
|
|
circumcision <I>made without hands</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:11">Col. ii. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
so in the <I>purification</I> of Christ we might be <I>spiritually
|
|
purified</I> from the filthiness and corruption which we brought into
|
|
the world with us. Now, according to the law,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The child Jesus, being a first-born son, was <I>presented to the
|
|
Lord,</I> in one of the courts of the temple. The law is here recited
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,</I>
|
|
because by a special writ of protection the first-born of the Egyptians
|
|
were slain by the destroying angel; so that Christ, as first-born, was
|
|
a priest by a title surer than that of Aaron's house. Christ was the
|
|
<I>first-born</I> among many brethren, and was <I>called holy to the
|
|
Lord,</I> so as never any other was; yet he was <I>presented to the
|
|
Lord</I> as other first-born were, and no otherwise. Though he was
|
|
newly come out of the bosom of the Father, yet he was <I>presented</I>
|
|
to him by the hands of a priest, as if he had been a stranger, that
|
|
needed one to introduce him. His being <I>presented to the Lord</I> now
|
|
signified his <I>presenting himself</I> to the Lord as Mediator, when
|
|
he was caused to <I>draw near</I> and <I>approach unto him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+30:21">Jer. xxx. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, according to the law, he was <I>redeemed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+18:15">Num. xviii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The first-born of many shalt thou redeem,</I> and <I>five
|
|
shekels</I> was the value,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+27:6,Nu+18:16">Lev. xxvii. 6; Num. xviii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
But probably in case of poverty the priest was allowed to take less, or
|
|
perhaps nothing; for no mention is made of it here. Christ was
|
|
<I>presented to the Lord,</I> not to be <I>brought back,</I> for his
|
|
<I>ear was bored</I> to God's <I>door-post</I> to serve him for ever;
|
|
and though he is not left in the temple as Samuel was, to minister
|
|
there, yet like him he is given to the Lord <I>as long as he lives,</I>
|
|
and ministers to him in the true temple <I>not made with hands.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The mother brought her offering,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
When she had presented that son of hers unto the Lord who was to be the
|
|
great sacrifice, she might have been excused from offering any other;
|
|
but so <I>it is said in the law of the Lord,</I> that law which was yet
|
|
in force, and therefore so it must be done, she must offer <I>a pair of
|
|
turtle-doves, or two young pigeons;</I> had she been of ability, she
|
|
must have brought a <I>lamb for a burnt-offering,</I> and a <I>dove for
|
|
a sin-offering;</I> but, being poor, and not able to reach the price of
|
|
a lamb, she brings <I>two doves,</I> one for <I>a burnt-offering and
|
|
the other for a sin-offering</I> (see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+12:6,8">Lev. xii. 6, 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
to teach us in every address to God, and particularly in those upon
|
|
special occasions, both to give thanks to God for his mercies to us and
|
|
to acknowledge with sorrow and shame our sins against him; in both we
|
|
must give glory to him, nor do we ever want matter for both. Christ was
|
|
not <I>conceived</I> and <I>born</I> in sin, as others are, so that
|
|
there was not that occasion in his case which there is in others; yet,
|
|
because he was made under the law, he complied with it. <I>Thus it
|
|
became him to fulfil all righteousness.</I> Much more doth it become
|
|
the best of men to join in confessions of sin; for <I>who can say, I
|
|
have made my heart clean?</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_40"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ and Simeon in the Temple; Anna in the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name <I>was</I>
|
|
Simeon; and the same man <I>was</I> just and devout, waiting for the
|
|
consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
|
|
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he
|
|
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
|
|
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the
|
|
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the
|
|
custom of the law,
|
|
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
|
|
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
|
|
according to thy word:
|
|
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
|
|
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
|
|
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
|
|
Israel.
|
|
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which
|
|
were spoken of him.
|
|
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother,
|
|
Behold, this <I>child</I> is set for the fall and rising again of many
|
|
in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
|
|
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that
|
|
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
|
|
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
|
|
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had
|
|
lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
|
|
37 And she <I>was</I> a widow of about fourscore and four years,
|
|
which departed not from the temple, but served <I>God</I> with
|
|
fastings and prayers night and day.
|
|
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the
|
|
Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in
|
|
Jerusalem.
|
|
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law
|
|
of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city
|
|
Nazareth.
|
|
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with
|
|
wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Even when he humbles himself, still Christ has honour done him to
|
|
balance the offence of it. That we might not be stumbled at the
|
|
<I>meanness of his birth, angels</I> then did him honour; and now, that
|
|
we may not be offended at his being presented in the temple, like other
|
|
children born in sin, and without any manner of solemnity peculiar to
|
|
him, but silently, and in the crowd of other children, Simeon and Anna
|
|
now do him honour, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A very honourable testimony is borne to him by Simeon, which was
|
|
both a reputation to the child and an encouragement to the parents, and
|
|
might have been a happy introduction of the priests into an
|
|
acquaintance with the Saviour, if those <I>watchmen</I> had not been
|
|
<I>blind.</I> Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The account that is given us concerning this Simeon, or Simon. He
|
|
dwelt now in Jerusalem, and was eminent for his piety and communion
|
|
with God. Some learned men, who have been conversant with the Jewish
|
|
writers, find that there was at this time one Simeon, a man of great
|
|
note in Jerusalem, the son of Hillel, and the first to whom they gave
|
|
the title of <I>Rabban,</I> the highest title that they gave to their
|
|
doctors, and which was never given but to seven of them. He succeeded
|
|
his father Hillel, as president of the college which his father
|
|
founded, and of the great Sanhedrim. The Jews say that he was endued
|
|
with a <I>prophetical</I> spirit, and that he was turned out of his
|
|
place because he witnessed against the common opinion of the Jews
|
|
concerning the temporal kingdom of the Messiah; and they likewise
|
|
observe that there is no mention of him in their Mishna, or book of
|
|
traditions, which intimates that he was no patron of those fooleries.
|
|
One thing objected against this conjecture is that at this time his
|
|
father Hillel was living, and that he himself lived many years after
|
|
this, as appears by the Jewish histories; but, as to that, he is not
|
|
here said to be old; and his saying,<I> Now let thy servant depart</I>
|
|
intimates that he was willing to die <I>now,</I> but does not conclude
|
|
that therefore he did die quickly. St. Paul lived many years after he
|
|
had spoken of his death as <I>near,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:25">Acts xx. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Another thing objected is that the son of Simeon was Gamaliel, a
|
|
Pharisee, and an enemy to Christianity; but, as to that, it is no new
|
|
thing for a faithful lover of Christ to have a son a bigoted
|
|
Pharisee.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The account given of him here is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he was <I>just</I> and <I>devout, just</I> towards men and
|
|
<I>devout</I> towards God; these two must always go together, and each
|
|
will befriend the other, but neither will atone for the defect of the
|
|
other.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he <I>waited for the consolation of Israel,</I> that is, for
|
|
the coming of the Messiah, in whom alone the nation of Israel, that was
|
|
now miserably harassed and oppressed, would find <I>consolation.</I>
|
|
Christ is not only the author of his people's comfort, but the matter
|
|
and ground of it, the <I>consolation of Israel.</I> He was long a
|
|
coming, and they who believed he would come continued <I>waiting,
|
|
desiring</I> his coming, and <I>hoping</I> for it with <I>patience;</I>
|
|
I had almost said, with some degree of <I>impatience</I> waiting till
|
|
it came. He <I>understood by books,</I> as Daniel, that the time was at
|
|
hand, and therefore was now more than ever big with expectation of it.
|
|
The unbelieving Jews, who still expect that which is already come, use
|
|
it as an oath, or solemn protestation, <I>As ever I hope to see the
|
|
consolation of Israel,</I> so and so it is. Note, The consolation of
|
|
Israel is to be waited for, and it is worth waiting for, and it will be
|
|
very welcome to those who have <I>waited</I> for it, and continue
|
|
waiting.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The <I>Holy Ghost</I> was upon him, not only as a Spirit of
|
|
holiness, but as a Spirit of prophecy; he was <I>filled with the Holy
|
|
Ghost,</I> and enabled to speak things above himself.
|
|
|
|
(4.) He had a gracious promise made him, that before he died he should
|
|
have a sight of the Messiah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was searching <I>what manner of time</I> the Spirit of Christ in the
|
|
Old-Testament prophets did signify, and whether it were not now at
|
|
hand; and he received <I>this oracle</I> (for so the word signifies),
|
|
<I>that he should not see death before he had seen</I> the Messiah,
|
|
<I>the Lord's Anointed.</I> Note, Those, and those only, can with
|
|
courage <I>see death,</I> and look it in the face without terror, that
|
|
have had by faith a sight of Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The seasonable coming of Simeon into the temple, at the time when
|
|
Christ was presented there,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Just then, when Joseph and Mary brought in the child, to be registered
|
|
as it were in the church-book, among the first-born, Simeon came, by
|
|
direction of <I>the Spirit,</I> into the temple. The same Spirit that
|
|
had provided for the support of his hope now provided for the transport
|
|
of his joy. It was whispered in his ear, "Go to the temple now, and you
|
|
shall see what you have longed to see." Note, Those that would see
|
|
Christ must go to his temple; for there <I>The Lord, whom ye seek,</I>
|
|
shall suddenly come to <I>meet you,</I> and there you must be ready to
|
|
<I>meet him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The abundant satisfaction wherewith he welcomed this sight: <I>He
|
|
took him up in his arms</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
he <I>embraced</I> him with the greatest affection imaginable, laid him
|
|
in his bosom, as near his heart as he could, which was as full of joy
|
|
as it could hold. He <I>took him up in his arms,</I> to present him to
|
|
the Lord (so some think), to do either the parent's part or the
|
|
priest's part; for divers of the ancients say that he was himself a
|
|
priest. When we receive the record which the gospel gives us of Christ
|
|
with a lively faith, and the offer it makes us of Christ with love and
|
|
resignation, then we <I>take Christ in our arms.</I> It was promised
|
|
him that he should have a sight of Christ; but more is <I>performed</I>
|
|
than was <I>promised:</I> he has him in his arms.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The solemn declaration he made hereupon: <I>He blessed God,</I> and
|
|
said, <I>Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:29-32"><I>v.</I> 29-32</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He has a pleasant prospect <I>concerning himself,</I> and (which
|
|
is a great attainment) is got quite above the love of life and fear of
|
|
death; nay, he is arrived at a holy contempt of life, and desire of
|
|
death: "<I>Lord, now let thou thy servant depart,</I> for mine eyes
|
|
have seen the salvation I was promised a sight of before I died." Here
|
|
is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] An acknowledgment that God had been <I>as good as his word;</I>
|
|
there has not failed one tittle of his good promises, as Solomon owns,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:56">1 Kings viii. 56</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Never any that hoped in God's word were made ashamed of their
|
|
hope.
|
|
|
|
[2.] A thanksgiving for it. He <I>blessed God</I> that he saw that
|
|
salvation in his arms which many prophets and kings desired to see, and
|
|
might not.
|
|
|
|
[3.] A confession of his faith, that the child in his arms was the
|
|
<I>saviour,</I> the <I>Salvation</I> itself; <I>thy salvation,</I> the
|
|
salvation of thine appointing, the salvation <I>which thou has
|
|
prepared</I> with a great deal of contrivance. And, while it has been
|
|
thus long <I>in the coming,</I> it hath still been <I>in the
|
|
preparing.</I>
|
|
|
|
[4.] It is a farewell to this world: "<I>Now let thy servant
|
|
depart;</I> now mine eyes have been blessed with this sight, let them
|
|
be closed, and see no more in this world." The eye is not satisfied
|
|
with seeing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+1:8">Eccl. i. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
till it hath <I>seen Christ,</I> and then it is. What a poor thing doth
|
|
this world look to one that hath Christ in his arms and salvation in
|
|
his eye! Now adieu to all my friends and relations, all my enjoyments
|
|
and employments here, even the temple itself.
|
|
|
|
[5.] It is a welcome to death: <I>Now let thy servant depart.</I> Note,
|
|
Death is a departure, the soul's departure out of the body, from the
|
|
world of sense to the world of spirits. We must not depart till God
|
|
give us our discharge, for we are his <I>servants</I> and must not quit
|
|
his service till we have accomplished our time. Moses was promised that
|
|
he should see Canaan, and then <I>die;</I> but he prayed that this word
|
|
might be altered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+3:24,25">Deut. iii. 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Simeon is promised that he should not <I>see death</I> till he had
|
|
<I>seen Christ;</I> and he is willing to construe that beyond what was
|
|
expressed, as an intimation that, when he had seen Christ, he should
|
|
die: <I>Lord, be it so,</I> saith he, <I>now let me depart.</I> See
|
|
here, <I>First,</I> How <I>comfortable</I> the death of a good man is;
|
|
he departs <I>as God's servant</I> from the place of his toil to that
|
|
of his rest. He departs <I>in peace,</I> peace with God, peace with his
|
|
own conscience; in <I>peace</I> with death, well-reconciled to it,
|
|
well-acquainted with it. He departs <I>according to God's word,</I> as
|
|
Moses at the <I>word of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+34:5">Deut. xxxiv. 5</A>):
|
|
|
|
the word of precept, <I>Go up and die;</I> the word of promise, <I>I
|
|
will come again and receive you to myself. Secondly,</I> What is the
|
|
ground of this comfort? <I>For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.</I>
|
|
This bespeaks more than a great complacency in the sight, like that of
|
|
Jacob
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+46:30">Gen. xlvi. 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Now let me die, since I have seen thy face.</I> It bespeaks a
|
|
believing expectation of a happy state on the other side death, through
|
|
this salvation he now had a sight of, which not only takes off the
|
|
terror of death, but makes it <I>gain,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:21">Phil. i. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Those that have welcomed Christ may welcome death.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He has a pleasant prospect concerning the world, and concerning
|
|
the church. This salvation shall be,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] A blessing to the world. It is <I>prepared before the face of all
|
|
people,</I> not to be hid in a corner, but to be made known; to be a
|
|
<I>light to lighten the Gentiles</I> that now sit in darkness: they
|
|
shall have the knowledge of him, and of God, and another world through
|
|
him. This has reference to
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:6">Isa. xlix. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles;</I> for Christ came to
|
|
be the light of the world, not a candle in the Jewish candlestick, but
|
|
the <I>Sun of righteousness.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] A blessing to the church: <I>the glory of thy people Israel.</I>
|
|
It was an honour to the Jewish nation that the Messiah sprang out of
|
|
one of their tribes, and was born, and lived, and died, among them. And
|
|
of those who were Israelites indeed of the spiritual Israel, he was
|
|
indeed <I>the glory,</I> and will be so to eternity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:19">Isa. lx. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
They shall <I>glory</I> in him. <I>In the Lord shall all the seed of
|
|
Israel be justified and shall glory,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:25">Isa. xlv. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
When Christ ordered his apostles to preach the gospel to all nations,
|
|
therein he made himself a <I>light to lighten the Gentiles;</I> and
|
|
when he added, <I>beginning at Jerusalem,</I> he made himself <I>the
|
|
glory of his</I> people Israel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. The prediction concerning this child, which he delivered, with his
|
|
blessing, to Joseph and Mary. They <I>marvelled at those things</I>
|
|
which were still more and more fully and plainly spoken concerning this
|
|
child,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
And because they were affected with, and had their faith strengthened
|
|
by, that which was said to them, here is more said to them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Simeon shows them what reason they had to <I>rejoice;</I> for he
|
|
<I>blessed them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
he pronounced them blessed who had the honour to be related to this
|
|
child, and were entrusted with the bringing him up. He <I>prayed</I>
|
|
for them, that God would <I>bless</I> them, and would have others do so
|
|
too. They had reason to rejoice, for this child should be, not only a
|
|
comfort and honour to them, but a public blessing. He is set <I>for the
|
|
rising again of many in Israel,</I> that is, for the conversion of many
|
|
to God that are dead and buried in sin, and for the consolation of many
|
|
in God that are sunk and lost in sorrow and despair. Those whom he is
|
|
set <I>for the fall of</I> may be the same with those whom he is set
|
|
for the <I>rising again of.</I> He is set <B><I>eis ptosin kai
|
|
anastasin</I></B>--<I>for their fall, in order to their rising
|
|
again;</I> to humble and abase them, and bring them off from all
|
|
confidence in themselves, that they may be exalted by relying on
|
|
Christ; he wounds and then heals, Paul <I>falls,</I> and rises
|
|
again.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He shows them likewise what reason they had to <I>rejoice with
|
|
trembling,</I> according to the advice given of old, with reference to
|
|
the Messiah's kingdom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:11">Ps. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Lest Joseph, and Mary especially, should be <I>lifted up</I> with the
|
|
abundance of the revelations, here is a <I>thorn in the flesh</I> for
|
|
them, an allay to their joy; and it is what we sometimes need.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is true, Christ shall be a blessing to Israel; but there are
|
|
those in Israel whom he is <I>set for the fall of,</I> whose
|
|
corruptions will be provoked, who will be prejudiced and enraged
|
|
against him, and offended, and whose sin and ruin will be aggravated by
|
|
the revelation of Jesus Christ; many who will extract poison to
|
|
themselves out of the balm of Gilead, and split their souls on the Rock
|
|
of salvation, to whom this precious Foundation-stone will be a <I>stone
|
|
of stumbling.</I> This refers to that prophecy
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:14,15">Isa. viii. 14, 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
He shall be <I>for a sanctuary</I> to some, and yet for a <I>snare</I>
|
|
to others,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:7,8">1 Pet. ii. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, As it is pleasant to think how many there are to whom Christ and
|
|
his gospel are a savour of life unto life, so it is sad to think how
|
|
many there are to whom it is a savour of death unto death. He is set
|
|
for <I>a sign,</I> to be admired by some, but by others, by many,
|
|
spoken against. He had many <I>eyes upon him,</I> during the time of
|
|
his public ministry, he was a <I>sign,</I> but he had many <I>tongues
|
|
against</I> him, the contradiction and reproach of sinners, he was
|
|
continually cavilled at and abused; and the effects of this will be
|
|
that the <I>thoughts of many hearts will be revealed</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, upon this occasion, men will <I>show themselves,</I> will
|
|
discover, and so distinguish, themselves. The secret good affections
|
|
and dispositions in the minds of some will be revealed by their
|
|
embracing Christ, and closing with him; the secret corruptions and
|
|
vicious dispositions of others, that otherwise would never have
|
|
appeared so bad, will be revealed by their enmity to Christ and their
|
|
rage against him. Men will be judged of by the thoughts of their
|
|
hearts, their thoughts concerning Christ; are they for <I>him,</I> or
|
|
are they for his <I>adversaries?</I> The <I>word of God</I> is a
|
|
discerner of the <I>thoughts</I> and <I>intents of the heart,</I> and
|
|
by it we are discovered to ourselves, and shall be judged
|
|
hereafter.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is true, Christ shall be a comfort to his mother; but be not
|
|
thou too proud of it, for <I>a sword shall pass through thine own soul
|
|
also.</I> He shall be a suffering Jesus; and, <I>First,</I> "Thou
|
|
<I>shalt suffer with him,</I> by sympathy, more than any other of his
|
|
friends, because of the nearness of thy relation, and strength of
|
|
affection, to him." When he was abused, it was <I>a sword in her
|
|
bones.</I> When she stood by his cross, and saw him dying, we may well
|
|
think her inward grief was such that it might truly be said, <I>A sword
|
|
pierced through her soul,</I> it cut her to the heart. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
|
Thou shalt <I>suffer for him.</I> Many understand it as a prediction of
|
|
her martyrdom; and some of the ancients say that it had its
|
|
accomplishment in that. Note, In the midst of our greatest delights and
|
|
advancements in this world, it is good for us to know that bonds and
|
|
afflictions abide us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He is taken notice of by one <I>Anna,</I> or <I>Ann, a
|
|
prophetess,</I> that one of each sex might bear witness to him in whom
|
|
both <I>men</I> and <I>women</I> are invited to believe, that they may
|
|
be saved. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The account here given of this Anna, who she was. She was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>A prophetess;</I> the Spirit of prophecy now began to revive,
|
|
which had ceased in Israel above three hundred years. Perhaps no more
|
|
is meant than that she was one who had understanding in the scriptures
|
|
above other women, and made it her business to instruct the <I>younger
|
|
women</I> in the things of God. Though it was a very degenerate age of
|
|
the church, yet God <I>left not himself without witness.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) She was <I>the daughter of Phanuel;</I> her father's name (says
|
|
Grotius) is mentioned, to put us in mind of Jacob's <I>Phanuel,</I> or
|
|
<I>Penuel</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:30">Gen. xxxii. 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
that now the mystery of that should be unfolded, when in Christ we
|
|
should as it were see God face to face, and our lives be preserved; and
|
|
her name signifies <I>gracious.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) She was of <I>the tribe of Asher,</I> which was in Galilee; this,
|
|
some think, is taken notice of to refute those who said, <I>Out of
|
|
Galilee ariseth no prophet,</I> when no sooner did prophecy revive but
|
|
it appeared from Galilee.
|
|
|
|
(4.) She was of <I>a great age,</I> a widow of about eighty-four years;
|
|
some think she had now been eighty-four years a widow, and then she
|
|
must be considerably above a hundred years old; others, rather than
|
|
suppose that a woman so very old should be capable of fasting and
|
|
praying as she did, suppose that she was only eighty-four years of age,
|
|
and had been long a widow. Though she was a young widow, and had lived
|
|
with her husband but seven years, yet she never married again, but
|
|
continued a widow to her dying day, which is mentioned to her praise.
|
|
|
|
(5.) She was a constant resident <I>in</I> or at least attendant
|
|
<I>on</I> the temple. Some think she had lodgings in the courts of the
|
|
temple, either in an alms-house, being maintained by the temple
|
|
charities; or, as a prophetess, she was lodged there, as in a proper
|
|
place to be consulted and advised with by those that desired to know
|
|
the mind of God; others think her not <I>departing from the temple</I>
|
|
means no more, than that she was constantly there at the time of divine
|
|
service: when any good work was to be done, she was ready to join in
|
|
it. It is most probable she had an apartment of her own among the
|
|
out-buildings of the temple; and, besides her constant attendance on
|
|
the public worship, abounded in private devotions, for she <I>served
|
|
God with fastings and prayers night and day:</I> having no secular
|
|
business to employ herself in, or being past it, she gave up herself
|
|
wholly to her devotions, and not only <I>fasted twice in the week,</I>
|
|
but always lived a mortified life, and spent that time in religious
|
|
exercises which others spent in eating and drinking and sleeping; she
|
|
not only observed the <I>hours of prayer,</I> but prayed <I>night and
|
|
day;</I> was always in a praying frame, lived a life of prayer, gave
|
|
herself to prayer, was frequent in ejaculations, large in solemn
|
|
prayers, and very particular in her intercessions. And in these she
|
|
<I>served</I> God; that was it that put a value upon them and an
|
|
excellency in to them. The Pharisees <I>fasted often,</I> and made
|
|
<I>long prayers,</I> but they served themselves, and their own pride
|
|
and covetousness, in their fastings and prayers; but this good woman
|
|
not only did that which was good, but did it from a good principle, and
|
|
with a good end; she <I>served God,</I> and aimed at his honour, in
|
|
<I>fasting and praying.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Devotion is a thing we ought to be constant in; other duties are
|
|
in season now and then, but we must <I>pray always.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is a pleasant sight to see aged Christians abounding in acts of
|
|
devotion, as those that are not <I>weary of well-doing,</I> that do not
|
|
think themselves <I>above</I> these exercises, or <I>past</I> them, but
|
|
that take more and more pleasure in them, and see more and more need of
|
|
them, till they come to heaven.
|
|
|
|
[3.] Those that are diligent and faithful in improving the light and
|
|
means they have shall have further discoveries made them. Anna is now
|
|
at length abundantly recompensed for her attendance so many years in
|
|
the temple.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The testimony she bore to our Lord Jesus
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>She came in at that instant</I> when the child was presented, and
|
|
Simeon discoursed concerning him; she, who was so <I>constant</I> to
|
|
the temple, could not miss the opportunity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) She <I>gave thanks likewise to the Lord,</I> just as Simeon,
|
|
perhaps like him, wishing now to depart in peace. Note, Those to whom
|
|
Christ is <I>made known</I> have reason enough to <I>give thanks to the
|
|
Lord</I> for so great a favour; and we should be excited to that duty
|
|
by the praises and thanksgivings of others; why should not we <I>give
|
|
thanks likewise,</I> as well as they? Anna concurred with Simeon, and
|
|
helped to make up the harmony. <I>She confessed unto the Lord</I> (so
|
|
it may be read); she made an open profession of her faith concerning
|
|
this child.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) She, as a prophetess, instructed others concerning him: She
|
|
<I>spoke of him to all them</I> that believed the Messiah would come,
|
|
and with him <I>looked for redemption in Jerusalem.</I> Redemption was
|
|
the thing wanted, waited for, and wished for; redemption <I>in
|
|
Jerusalem,</I> for thence the <I>word of the Lord was to go forth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:3">Isa. ii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some there were in Jerusalem that <I>looked for redemption;</I> yet but
|
|
a few, for Anna, it should seem, had acquaintance with all them that
|
|
were joint-expectants with her of the Messiah; she knew where to find
|
|
them, or they where to find her, and she told them all the good news,
|
|
that she had seen the Lord; and it was great news, this of his birth
|
|
now, as afterwards that of his resurrection. Note, Those that have an
|
|
acquaintance with Christ <I>themselves</I> should do all they can to
|
|
bring <I>others</I> acquainted with him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Here is a short account of the infancy and childhood of
|
|
our Lord Jesus.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>Where</I> he spent it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
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When the ceremony of presenting the child, and purifying the mother,
|
|
was all over, they <I>returned into Galilee.</I> Luke relates no more
|
|
concerning them, till they were returned into Galilee; but it appears
|
|
by St. Matthew's gospel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+2:1-23"><I>ch.</I> ii.</A>)
|
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|
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that from Jerusalem they returned to Bethlehem, where the wise men of
|
|
the east found them, and there they continued till they were directed
|
|
to flee into Egypt, to escape the malice and rage of Herod; and,
|
|
returning thence when Herod was dead, they were directed to go to their
|
|
old quarters in Nazareth, whence they had been perhaps some years
|
|
absent. It is here called <I>their own city,</I> because there they had
|
|
lived a great while, and their relations were there. He was ordered
|
|
further from Jerusalem, because his kingdom and priesthood were to have
|
|
no affinity with the present government of the Jewish church or state.
|
|
He is sent into a place of obscurity and reproach; for in this, as in
|
|
other things, he must humble himself and <I>make himself of no
|
|
reputation.</I></P>
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|
|
|
<P>
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|
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|
2. <I>How</I> he spent it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
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|
In all things <I>it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,</I>
|
|
and therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other children
|
|
did, yet without sin; nay, with manifest indications of a divine nature
|
|
in him. As other children, he <I>grew</I> in stature of body, and the
|
|
improvement of understanding in his human soul, that his <I>natural</I>
|
|
body might be a figure of his <I>mystical</I> body, which, though
|
|
animated by a perfect spirit, yet <I>maketh increase of itself</I> till
|
|
it comes to the <I>perfect man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:13,16">Eph. iv. 13, 16</A>.
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|
But,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Whereas other children are weak in understanding and resolution,
|
|
he was <I>strong in spirit.</I> By the Spirit of God his human soul was
|
|
endued with extraordinary vigour, and all his faculties performed their
|
|
offices in an extraordinary manner. He reasoned strongly, and his
|
|
judgment was penetrating.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Whereas other children have <I>foolishness bound in their
|
|
hearts,</I> which appears in what they say or do, he was <I>filled with
|
|
wisdom,</I> not by any advantages of instruction and education, but by
|
|
the operation of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did was wisely
|
|
said, and wisely done, above his years.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Whereas other children show that the corruption of nature is in
|
|
them, and <I>the tares of sin</I> grow up with the <I>wheat of
|
|
reason,</I> he made it appear that nothing but <I>the grace of God was
|
|
upon him</I> (the wheat sprang up without tares), and that, whereas
|
|
other children are by nature children of wrath, he was <I>greatly
|
|
beloved,</I> and high in the favour of God; that God loved him, and
|
|
cherished him, and took a particular care of him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_41"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Lu2_42"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Lu2_43"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Lu2_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_51"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Lu2_52"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ Sitting with the Doctors.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of
|
|
the passover.
|
|
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem
|
|
after the custom of the feast.
|
|
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the
|
|
child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his
|
|
mother knew not <I>of it.</I>
|
|
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a
|
|
day's journey; and they sought him among <I>their</I> kinsfolk and
|
|
acquaintance.
|
|
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to
|
|
Jerusalem, seeking him.
|
|
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in
|
|
the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
|
|
them, and asking them questions.
|
|
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding
|
|
and answers.
|
|
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said
|
|
unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy
|
|
father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
|
|
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye
|
|
not that I must be about my Father's business?
|
|
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
|
|
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
|
|
subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her
|
|
heart.
|
|
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour
|
|
with God and man.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the only passage of story recorded concerning our blessed
|
|
Saviour, from his infancy to the day of his showing to Israel at
|
|
twenty-nine years old, and therefore we are concerned to make much of
|
|
this, for it is in vain to wish we had more. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Christ's <I>going up with his parents</I> to Jerusalem, at the feast
|
|
of the passover,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:41,42"><I>v.</I> 41, 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. It was their constant practice to attend there, according to the
|
|
law, though it was a long journey, and they were poor, and perhaps not
|
|
well able, without straitening themselves, to bear the expenses of it.
|
|
Note, Public ordinances must be frequented, and we must <I>not forsake
|
|
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.</I>
|
|
Worldly business must give way to spiritual concerns. Joseph and Mary
|
|
had a son in the house with them, that was able to teach them better
|
|
than all the rabbin at Jerusalem; yet they <I>went up</I> thither,
|
|
<I>after the custom of the feast. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more
|
|
than all the dwellings of Jacob,</I> and so should we. We have reason
|
|
to suppose that Joseph went up likewise at the feasts of
|
|
<I>pentecost</I> and <I>tabernacles;</I> for all the males were to
|
|
appear there <I>thrice a year,</I> but Mary only at the
|
|
<I>passover,</I> which was the greatest of the three feasts, and had
|
|
most gospel in it.
|
|
|
|
2. The child Jesus, at <I>twelve years old,</I> went up with them. The
|
|
Jewish doctors say that at twelve years old children must begin to fast
|
|
from time to time, that they may learn to fast on the day of atonement;
|
|
and that at thirteen years old a child begins to be <I>a son of the
|
|
commandment,</I> that is, obliged to the duties of adult
|
|
church-membership, having been from his infancy, by virtue of his
|
|
circumcision, <I>a son of the covenant.</I> It is not said that this
|
|
was the <I>first time</I> that Jesus went up to Jerusalem to worship at
|
|
the feast: probably he had done it for some years before, having spirit
|
|
and wisdom above his years; and all should attend on public worship
|
|
that can <I>hear with understanding,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:2">Neh. viii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those children that are forward in other things should be put forward
|
|
in religion. It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend
|
|
on public worship, and he is pleased with their hosannas; and those
|
|
children that were in their infancy dedicated to God should be called
|
|
upon, when they are grown up, to come to the <I>gospel passover,</I> to
|
|
the Lord's supper, that they make it their own act and deed to join
|
|
themselves to the Lord.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Christ's <I>tarrying behind his parents at Jerusalem,</I> unknown
|
|
to them, in which he designed to give an early specimen of what he was
|
|
reserved for.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His parents did not return till they had <I>fulfilled the days;</I>
|
|
they had staid there all the seven days at the feast, though it was not
|
|
absolutely necessary that they should stay longer than the two first
|
|
days, after which many went home. Note, It is good to stay to the
|
|
conclusion of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, <I>It is good to
|
|
be here,</I> and not to hasten away, as if we were like Doeg,
|
|
<I>detained before the Lord.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The child <I>tarried behind in Jerusalem,</I> not because he was
|
|
loth to go home, or shy of his parents' company, but because he had
|
|
business to do there, and would let his parents know that he had a
|
|
<I>Father in heaven,</I> whom he was to be <I>observant</I> of more
|
|
than of <I>them;</I> and respect to <I>him</I> must not be construed
|
|
disrespect <I>to them.</I> Some conjecture that he tarried behind in
|
|
the temple, for it was the custom of the pious Jews, on the morning
|
|
that they were to go home, to go first to the temple, to worship God;
|
|
there he <I>staid behind,</I> and found entertainment there till they
|
|
found him again. Or, perhaps, he staid at the house where they lodged,
|
|
or some other friend's house (and such a child as he was could not but
|
|
be the darling of all that knew him, and every one would court his
|
|
company), and went up to the temple only at church-time; but so it was
|
|
that he staid behind. It is good to see young people willing to
|
|
<I>dwell in the house of the Lord;</I> they are then like Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. His parents went the <I>first day's journey</I> without any
|
|
suspicion that he was left behind, for they <I>supposed him to have
|
|
been in the company,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
|
|
|
|
On these occasions, the crowd was very great, especially the first
|
|
day's journey, and the roads full of people; and they concluded that he
|
|
came along with some of their neighbours, and they <I>sought him among
|
|
their kindred and acquaintance,</I> that were upon the road, going
|
|
down. Pray did <I>you</I> see our Son? or, Did <I>you</I> see him?
|
|
Like the spouses's inquiry, <I>Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?</I> This
|
|
was a jewel worth seeking after. They knew that every one would be
|
|
desirous of his company, and that he would be willing to do good among
|
|
<I>his kinsfolk and acquaintance,</I> but among them they <I>found him
|
|
not,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
There are many, too many, who are our kinsfolk and acquaintance, that
|
|
we cannot avoid conversing with, among whom we find little or nothing
|
|
of Christ. When they could not hear of him in this and the other
|
|
company upon the road, yet they hoped they should meet with him at the
|
|
place where they lodged that night; but <I>there</I> they could learn
|
|
no tidings of him. Compare this with
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:8,9">Job xxiii. 8, 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. When they found him not at their quarters at night, they <I>turned
|
|
back again,</I> next morning, <I>to Jerusalem, seeking him.</I> Note,
|
|
Those that would find Christ must <I>seek till they find;</I> for he
|
|
will at length be found of those that seek him, and will be found their
|
|
bountiful rewarder. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and
|
|
the evidences of their interest in him, must bethink themselves where,
|
|
and when, and how, they lost them, and must <I>turn back again</I> to
|
|
the place where they last had them; must <I>remember whence they are
|
|
fallen, and repent, and do their first works,</I> and <I>return to
|
|
their first love,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:4,5">Rev. ii. 4, 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with Christ must go to
|
|
Jerusalem, the <I>city of our solemnities,</I> the place which he has
|
|
<I>chosen to put his name there;</I> must attend upon him in his
|
|
ordinances, in the gospel-passover, there they may hope to meet
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. The <I>third day</I> they found him <I>in the temple,</I> in some of
|
|
the apartments belonging to the temple, where the doctors of the law
|
|
kept, not their courts, but their conferences rather, or their schools
|
|
for disputation; and there they found him <I>sitting in the midst of
|
|
them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>),
|
|
|
|
not standing as a <I>catechumen</I> to be examined or instructed by
|
|
them, for he had discovered such measures of knowledge and wisdom that
|
|
they admitted him to sit among them as a fellow or member of their
|
|
society. This is an instance, not only that he was <I>filled with
|
|
wisdom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>),
|
|
|
|
but that he had both a desire to increase it and a readiness to
|
|
communicate it; and herein he is an example to children and young
|
|
people, who should learn of Christ to delight in the company of those
|
|
they may get good by, and choose to <I>sit in the midst of</I> the
|
|
doctors rather than in the midst of the players. Let them begin at
|
|
<I>twelve years old,</I> and sooner, to enquire after knowledge, and to
|
|
associate with those that are able to instruct them; it is a hopeful
|
|
and promising presage in youth to be desirous of instruction. Many a
|
|
youth at Christ's age now would have been playing with the <I>children
|
|
in the temple,</I> but he was sitting with the <I>doctors in the
|
|
temple.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He <I>heard</I> them. Those that would <I>learn</I> must be
|
|
<I>swift to hear.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He <I>asked them questions;</I> whether, as a teacher (he had
|
|
authority so to ask) or as a learner (he had humility so to ask) I know
|
|
not, or whether as an associate, or joint-searcher after truth, which
|
|
must be found out by mutual amicable disquisitions.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He returned <I>answers</I> to them, which were very surprising and
|
|
satisfactory,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
And his wisdom and <I>understanding</I> appeared as much in the
|
|
questions he asked as in the answers he gave, so that all who heard him
|
|
<I>were astonished:</I> they never heard one so young, no indeed any of
|
|
their greatest doctors, talk sense at the rate that he did; like David,
|
|
he had <I>more understanding than all his teachers,</I> yea, <I>than
|
|
the ancients,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:99,100">Ps. cxix. 99, 100</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now Christ showed forth some rays of his glory, which were presently
|
|
drawn in again. He <I>gave them a taste</I> (says Calvin) of his divine
|
|
wisdom and knowledge. Methinks this public appearance of Christ in the
|
|
temple, as a teacher, was like Moses's early attempt to deliver Israel,
|
|
which Stephen put this construction upon, that <I>he supposed his
|
|
brethren would have understood,</I> by that, <I>how God by his hand
|
|
would deliver them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:24,25">Acts vii. 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
They might have taken the hint, and been delivered then, but <I>they
|
|
understood not;</I> so they here might have had Christ (for aught I
|
|
know) to enter upon his work now, but they were only <I>astonished,</I>
|
|
and <I>understood not</I> the indication; and therefore, like Moses, he
|
|
retires into obscurity again, and they hear no more of him for many
|
|
years after.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. His mother talked with him privately about it. When the company
|
|
broke up, she took him aside, and examined him about it with a deal of
|
|
tenderness and affection,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>.
|
|
|
|
Joseph and Mary were both <I>amazed</I> to find him there, and to find
|
|
that he had so much respect showed him as to be admitted to <I>sit
|
|
among the doctors,</I> and to be taken notice of. His father knew he
|
|
had only the name of a father, and therefore said nothing. But,
|
|
|
|
(1.) His mother told him how ill they took it: "<I>Son, why hast thou
|
|
thus dealt with us?</I> Why didst thou put us into such a fright?" They
|
|
were ready to say, as Jacob of Joseph, "<I>A wild beast has devoured
|
|
him;</I> or, He is fallen into the hands of some more cruel enemy, who
|
|
has at length found out that he was the young child whose life Herod
|
|
had sought some years ago." A thousand imaginations, we may suppose,
|
|
they had concerning him, each more frightful than another. "Now, why
|
|
hast thou given us occasion for these fears? <I>Thy father and I have
|
|
sought thee, sorrowing;</I> not only troubled that we lost thee, but
|
|
vexed at ourselves that we did not take more care of thee, to bring
|
|
thee along with us." Note, Those may have leave to complain of their
|
|
losses that think they have lost Christ. But their <I>weeping</I> did
|
|
not hinder <I>sowing;</I> they did not sorrow and sit down in despair,
|
|
but sorrowed and <I>sought.</I> Note, If we would find Christ, we must
|
|
seek him <I>sorrowing,</I> sorrowing that we have lost him, that we
|
|
have provoked him to withdraw, and that we have sought him no sooner.
|
|
They that thus seek him in sorrow shall find him, at length, with so
|
|
much the greater joy.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He gently reproved their inordinate solicitude about him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>How is it that you sought me?</I> You might have depended upon it,
|
|
I would have followed you home when I had done the business I had to do
|
|
here. I could not be lost in Jerusalem. Wist ye not that I <I>ought to
|
|
be,</I> <B><I>en tois tou patros mou</I></B>;--<I>in my Father's
|
|
house?"</I> so some read it; "where else should the Son be, who
|
|
<I>abideth in the house for ever?</I> I ought to be,"
|
|
|
|
[1.] "<I>Under my Father's care</I> and protection; and therefore you
|
|
should have cast the care of me upon him, and not have burdened
|
|
yourselves with it." Christ is a shaft hid in his Father's quiver,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:2">Isa. xlix. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
He takes care of his church likewise, and therefore let us never
|
|
despair of its safety.
|
|
|
|
[2.] "<I>At my Father's work</I>" (so we take it): "I must be <I>about
|
|
my Father's business,</I> and therefore could not go home as soon as
|
|
you might. <I>Wist ye not?</I> Have you not already perceived that
|
|
concerning me, that I have devoted myself to the service of religion,
|
|
and therefore must employ myself in the affairs of it?" Herein he hath
|
|
left us an example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity
|
|
to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business, and to make all
|
|
other business give way to it. This word of Christ we now think we
|
|
understand very well, for he hath explained it in what he hath done and
|
|
said. It was his errand into the world, and his meat and drink in the
|
|
world, to do his Father's will, and finish his work: and yet at that
|
|
time his parents <I>understood not this saying,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>.
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They did not understand what business he had to do then in the temple
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for his Father. They believed him to be the Messiah, that should have
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the throne of his father David; but they thought that should rather
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|
bring him to the royal palace than to the temple. They <I>understood
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not</I> his prophetical office; and he was to do much of his work in
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that.</P>
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<P>
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<I>Lastly,</I> Here is their return to Nazareth. This glimpse of his
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glory was to be short. It was now over, and he did not urge his parents
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either to come and settle at Jerusalem or to settle him there (though
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that was the place of improvement and preferment, and where he might
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|
have the best opportunities of showing his wisdom), but very willingly
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|
retired into his obscurity at Nazareth, where for many years he was, as
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|
it were, buried alive. Doubtless, he came up to Jerusalem, to worship
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|
at the feast, three times a year, but whether he ever went again into
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the temple, to dispute with the doctors there, we are not told; it is
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|
not improbable but he might. But here we are told,</P>
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<P>
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1. That he was <I>subject to his parents.</I> Though once, to show that
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|
he was <I>more than a man,</I> he withdrew himself from his parents, to
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|
attend his heavenly Father's business, yet he did not, as yet, make
|
|
that his constant practice, nor for many years after, but was
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|
<I>subject to them,</I> observed their order, and went and came as they
|
|
directed, and, as it should seem, worked with his father at the trade
|
|
of a carpenter. Herein he hath given an example to children to be
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|
dutiful and obedient to their parents in the Lord. Being <I>made of a
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|
woman,</I> he was made under the law of the fifth commandment, to teach
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|
the <I>seed</I> of the faithful thus to approve themselves to him a
|
|
faithful seed. Though his parents were poor and mean, though his father
|
|
was only his <I>supposed</I> father, yet he was <I>subject to them;</I>
|
|
though he was <I>strong in spirit,</I> and <I>filled with wisdom</I>
|
|
nay though he was the Son of God, yet he was subject to his parents;
|
|
how then will <I>they</I> answer it who, though foolish and weak, yet
|
|
are disobedient to their parents?</P>
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<P>
|
|
|
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2. That his mother, though she did not perfectly understand her son's
|
|
sayings, yet <I>kept them in her heart,</I> expecting that hereafter
|
|
they would be explained to her, and she should fully understand them,
|
|
and know how to make use of them. However we may neglect men's sayings
|
|
because they are obscure (<I>Si non vis intelligi debes negligi--If it
|
|
be not intelligible, it is not valuable</I>), yet we must not think so
|
|
of God's sayings. That which at first is dark, so that we know not what
|
|
to make of it, may afterwards become plain and easy; we should
|
|
therefore <I>lay it up</I> for hereafter. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:22">John ii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
We may find use for that another time which now we see not how to make
|
|
useful to us. A <I>scholar</I> keeps those grammar rules in memory
|
|
which at present he understands not the use of, because he is told that
|
|
they will hereafter be of use to him; so we must do by Christ's
|
|
sayings.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. That he improved, and came on, to admiration
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:52"><I>v.</I> 52</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He increased in wisdom and stature.</I> In the perfections of his
|
|
divine nature there could be no increase; but this is meant of his
|
|
human nature, his body increased in <I>stature</I> and bulk, he grew in
|
|
the growing age; and his soul increased <I>in wisdom,</I> and in all
|
|
the endowments of a human soul. Though the Eternal Word was united to
|
|
the human soul from his conception, yet the divinity that dwelt in him
|
|
manifested itself to his humanity by degrees, <I>ad modum
|
|
recipientis--in proportion to his capacity;</I> as the faculties of his
|
|
human soul grew more and more capable, the gifts it received from the
|
|
divine nature were more and more communicated. And he increased in
|
|
<I>favour with God and man,</I> that is, in all those graces that
|
|
rendered him acceptable to God and man. Herein Christ accommodated
|
|
himself to his estate of humiliation, that, as he condescended to be an
|
|
infant, a child, a youth, so the image of God shone brighter in him,
|
|
when he grew up to be a youth, than it did, or could, while he was an
|
|
<I>infant</I> and a <I>child.</I> Note, Young people, as they grow in
|
|
stature, should grow in wisdom, and then, as they grow in wisdom, they
|
|
will grow in favour <I>with God and man.</I></P>
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