VER. 29.]

Thanks and Promises of Christ.

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shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Here we are warned against the great danger of pride. Even the deadly sins which prevailed in Sodom did not harden hearts so hopelessly as pride does. We are in danger whenever we feel satisfied with ourselves and trust in our own strength. These words of Divine Wisdom should put us on our guard and make us pray for the grace of humility. Many who trusted in themselves have had terrible falls and never risen again.

25. ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Jesus Christ considered and adored the ways of His Father's Providence. He saw the ignorant and simple accept Divine truth, while the great despised it. Heavenly mysteries are hidden from some, while to others they are bright and clear. Lord, I desire to approach with a meek, teachable, obedient heart. Let me be a child in readiness to learn from Thee.

26. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. Let submission to God's will be our key to the difficulties of life. We should do our own duty boldly; but for all that is out of our power, and seems hard or perplexing, we must submit to God's wisdom, which is greater than ours. His Providence over ourselves, which we have often felt, gives us reason to believe in it over others where we cannot trace it.

27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

All gifts come to us from God through Christ. It is a happy necessity to have to receive them thus at the hands of a Friend. We willingly depend on Thy goodness, O Lord Jesus, and expect blessings from Thee. Thou alone art God's Son and canst declare God to us.

28. ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

All who feel their burden are called to come and Christ will lighten it for them. Whether it is sin, or sorrow, or fear, or pain that distresses us, we are invited to come and seek help from this Good Physician. There are many burdens which no human sympathy can lighten, but the Lord can remove them or help us to bear them better. His offer of rest means inward peace even in trouble here, and perfect peace hereafter.

29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am

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The Disciples pluck Ears of Corn. [S. MATT. XII.

meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our own load is heavy, yet we lighten it by taking up that of Jesus Christ. A Christian who embraces his cross in humility for the love of Jesus becomes able to endure with hope and patience all that comes. Pride is the root of our trouble. When we have come to feel our own nothingness we can bear with unkind usage or sad times, and return strife with kindness. This is the school of humility, in which Jesus is the Teacher, and His saints have been learners. Teach us, O Lord, this salutary lesson which will give us inward peace.

CHAPTER XII.

1. Christ reproveth the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the sabbath, 3. by scriptures, 9. by reason, 13. and by a miracle. 22. He healeth the man possessed that was blind and dumb. 31. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven. 36. Account shall be made of idle words. 38. He rebuketh the unfaithful, who seek after a sign: 49. and sheweth who is his brother, sister, and mother.

T that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the

AT corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to

pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

The disciples of Christ were poor; they were also much taken up with doing their Master's work and listening to Him. On this occasion they had nothing better to eat than dry ears of corn, still they were contented so long as they were with Him.

2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

The Pharisees looked out for faults in others, and were ready to blame whenever they had a chance. Let us not copy this temper, but rather look out for what we can admire and praise in our brethren. They said that the disciples by plucking the corn had broken God's day of rest.

3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4. how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Our Lord defended His disciples by the example of David, who, with his soldiers, ate the holy bread when they could get no other. In such cases of need God puts aside His ceremonial law,

VER. 10.]

Christ is Lord of the Sabbath.

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and bids us care for our neighbour's necessities as He cares for

ours.

5. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

He defended them also by the example of the priests in the temple. They broke the Sabbath by doing many things of the nature of work, yet, being for God's service, it was allowed. The observance of Sabbath rest was not the end, but only the means; it was but a figure of heavenly rest, and meant to prepare us for that; it might be laid aside when man's need or God's service required.

6. But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

The reverence of the Jews for their temple and its ordinances reminds us with what feelings we should approach Jesus Christ. He is present with us now when we draw near to His altar. There we find One so great that we cannot too humbly adore Him. The highest privilege of our Christian Sabbath and Christian temple is the opportunity which faith has of meeting our Saviour.

7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

He defends His disciples also by the law of charity, which is above all other laws. True piety is shown not by multiplying outward services, but by multiplying the love and faith with which we offer them. Inward offerings must go with outward if the latter are to be accepted. How many of our judgments are like those of the Pharisees, too harsh, too sharp, and undeserved!

8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. He had power to change the Sabbath. God had set apart for rest one day in seven in order to keep men in mind of their Creator; but Jesus Christ did away with the old Sabbath, and left us instead the Lord's day and other festivals of the Church, which keep us in mind of our redemption and allow time for prayer and praise. One day He will do away with these also and bring in the endless Sabbath of eternity.

9. And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10. And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

This man's hand was wasted and had no strength or feeling. Some of us never lift up our hands to God in earnest prayer, or stretch them out to help and succour our neighbour. Are not such hands withered in God's sight? The Pharisees professed to come to the

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The Withered Hand healed.

[S. MATT. XII. synagogue in order to pray and hear God's Word, but what they really did there was to nourish their hatred of Christ and devise traps for Him. They were the worse instead of better for going. 11. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12. How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

What wisdom and kindness the Lord brings to decide the question whether it is right to relieve pain on the Sabbath day! How much is a man better than a beast? Infinitely better, for he is in God's image, redeemed by Christ's blood, meant for heaven. No trouble whereby we may help our brethren should be reckoned too great for us. Some people reverse this text, and treat their dogs and horses better than their poorer brethren.

13. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

He

God has but to command and what seemed impossible is done. Who gave power to the wasted hand can quicken into life our cold and barren souls. Restore us, O Lord, to innocence again, make us inwardly whole and pure, and able to feel Thy love and do work for Thee.

14. ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Envy and hatred grow when we have once let them into our hearts. We must guard against their first beginnings. Every good thing that our Saviour did was found fault with; it was sure in some way to give offence. Let us look out for what is good and welcome it, lest we become blind to goodness.

15. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16. and charged them that they should not make him known:

His object was to do good, not to be praised for it; nor did He desire to stir up strife or provoke His enemies till the hour of His great conflict drew near. While the time of His earthly life lasted He would rather do good quietly and remain in obscurity. He knew how little men's praise was worth.

17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

God's Servant is set forth in Isaiah as a pattern for other ministers

VER. 24.] Mercy and Power joined in Christ.

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and servants of God. He did not thrust Himself into His office, but was chosen and called by God. He was loved by God and loved Him. The Holy Spirit rested on Him to fit Him for His work. He declared to the world God's righteous law and promised deliverance, and bore witness to it by His sufferings. Such is the outline of that great Servant Who is set forth as the Messenger from God to men.

19. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

A Christian should abhor pride and violence. He should not insist upon his own rights, or make complaints about trifling affronts, but imitate his Master's gentleness. No one can affront me unless I choose to take it so. Why should dust and ashes be so proud? 20. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Bear with the weak, comfort the doubtful, encourage the faint-hearted; do not despise any soul, though its strength is as weak as the broken reed or its faith as dim as the smouldering wick. God's righteous judgment will conquer at last if we will only wait His time. Now is the day of disappointment, of failure, and of confusion, but one day will come victory.

21. And in his name shall the

Gentiles trust.

What other name can we trust in? This sweet and saving Name of Christ Jesus represents to us God's holiness and mercy, the Passion and Resurrection, Divine promises of grace, past experiences and present comforts. It is for us to spread that Name throughout the

world.

22. ¶ Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

All

Lord, drive out the devil which possesses sinners' hearts, enable them to speak in praise and prayer and see the right way. round us are many souls who are in bondage to Satan and need Thy saving grace to set them free.

23. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

These are the works of the promised Messiah. We recognise our Deliverer in the union of majesty and mercy which Jesus Christ exhibits. Is not this our Saviour? We can find succour in no other. None of all the sons of men have so fulfilled old truths and brought out new ones as He has done.

24. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. They mocked at our Lord's works of mercy, and doubted if Satan had

really left the afflicted person. So nowadays, when a sinner is con