Daily Devotions
for February 2006
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
THEME - The Gospel of Matthew
by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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It
is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone
who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's
Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in
your daily walk with the Lord
LBC devotionals
are written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
May God richly bless you this day!
Wednesday, February 1st
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
BY CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON
CHAPTER 1
MATTHEW 1:1-17
THE PEDIGREE OF THE KING
1. THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
This verse gives us a clue to the special drift of Matthew�s gospel. He was moved of the Holy Spirit to write of our Lord Jesus Christ AS KING � �the son of David.� He is to be spoken of as specially reigning over the true seed of Abraham; hence he is called �the son of Abraham.� Lord Jesus, make us to call thee, �My God and King!� As we read this
wonderful GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM may we be full of loyal obedience, and pay thee humble homage! Thou art both a King and a King�s Son. The portion before us looks like a string of names, and we might fancy that it would yield us little spiritual food; but we must not think lightly of any line of the inspired volume. Here the Spirit sets before us the pedigree of Jesus, and sketches the family tree of �the King of the Jews.� Marvelous condescension, that he should be a man, and have a genealogy, even HE who �was in the beginning with God�, and �thought it not robbery to be equal with God�! Let us read each line of �The book of the generation� with adoring gratitude that we have a King who is one with us in our nature.
2. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren.
With
Abraham the covenant made that in his seed should all the nations of the earth
be blessed. The line ran not in Ishmael, the offspring
of the flesh, but in Isaac, who was born after the promise; and by the divine
purpose it flowed in elect Jacob, and not in the firstborn, Esau. Let us
observe and admire the sovereignty of God. Our Lord sprang out of
THE PEDIGREE OF THE KING CONTINUED
3, 4. And Judas begat Phares and Ezra of Thamar; and Phares bega tEsrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram, begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naamon; and Naamon begat Salmon.
Observe the dash of unclean blood that enters the stream through Judah�s incest with Thamar. O Lord, thou art the sinner�s Friend!
5. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse.
We note that two women are mentioned in this fifth verse: a Canaanite and a Moabitess. Thus, Gentile blood mingled with the Hebrew strain. Our King has come to break down the wall of partition. As Gentiles we rejoice in this. Jesus is heir of a line in which flows the blood of the harlot Rahab, and of the rustic Ruth; he is akin to the fallen and to the lowly, and he will show his love even to the poorest and most obscure. I, too, may have part and lot in him.
6-9. And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; and Solomon. begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias.
Well may our hearts melt at the memory of David and Bathsheba! The fruit of their unholy union died; but, after repentance, she who �had been the wife of Uria� became the wife of David, and the mother of Solomon. Surely was the grace of God in this case that the line should be continued in this once guilty pair; but, oh, what kinship with fallen humanity does this indicate in our Lord! We will not pry into the mystery of the incarnation, but we must wonder at the condescending grace that appointed our Lord such a pedigree.
10. And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias.
A line of kings of mixed character; not one of them perfect, and some of them as bad as bad could be. Three are left out altogether: even sinners who were only fit to be forgotten were in the line of this succession; and this shows how little can be made of being born of the will of man, or of the will of the flesh. In this special line of descent, salvation was not of blood, nor of birth, but of the Spirit.
THE PEDIGREE OF THE KING CONTINUED
Let us think of such a one as Manasses being among the ancestors of our Lord, as if to hint that, in the line which comes after him, there would be some of the chief of sinners who would be miracles of mercy. Again we say how near does Jesus come to our fallen race by this his genealogy!
11. And Josias
begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they
were carried away to
12-16. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Ablud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
With one or two exceptions these are names of persons of little or no
note. The later ones were persons altogether obscure and insignificant. Our
Lord was �a root out of dry ground,� a shoot from the withered stem of Jesse. He set small
store in earthly greatness. He must needs be of the human race; but he comes to
a family that was of low estate, and there finds his reputed father, Joseph, a
carpenter of
THE PEDIGREE OF THE KING CONTINUED
17. So
all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from
David until the carrying away into
The Holy Ghost led his servant Matthew to adopt a rough and simple method to help weak memories. Here are three fourteens. Let us learn from this to make ourselves familiar with our Lord�s pedigree, and think much of his being born into the world. Specially, let us see that he was literally of the house of David, and the seed of Abraham; for many prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to this fact. He is truly the Messiah, the Prince, which was to come.
MATTHEW 1:18-25
THE BIRTH OF THE KING
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
A word or two sufficed to describe the birth of all the kings whose names we have read; but for our Lord Jesus Christ there is much more to be said. The evangelist girds himself up for his solemn duty, and writes: �Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.� It is a deep, mysterious, and delicate subject, fitter for reverent faith than for speculative curiosity. The Holy Ghost wrought in the chosen virgin the body of our Lord. There was no other way of his being born, for had he been of a sinful father, how should he have possessed a sinless nature? He is born of a woman, that he might be human; but not by man, that he would not be a sinner. See how the Holy Ghost cooperates in the work of our redemption by preparing the body of our Lord!
19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.
Mary was espoused to him, and he was perplexed when he learned that she would become a mother before they had been actually married. Many would have thrust her away in indignation, and put her to an open shame; but Joseph was of a royal mind, as well as, a royal race.
THE BIRTH OF THE KING CONTINUED
Joseph would not expose what he thought to be the sin of his espoused wife: although he felt that she must be put away, he would do it quietly. When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner.
20. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
He could not but feel very anxious, and no doubt he prayed about these things both day and night. God would not leave the honor of the chosen virgin-mother without protection. Soon Joseph had the best of guidance. From heaven he had the assurance that Mary had not sinned, but had been favored of the Lord. Joseph is reminded of his royal rank, �thou son of David,� and is bidden to cast away his fear. How he must have been comforted by the Lord�s �fear not!� He was to take Mary under his tender care, and be a foster-father to the Son who would be born of her. Mary must have been in great anxiety herself as to whether her story of angelic visitation would be believed, for it looked improbable enough. We doubt not that faith sustained her; but she needed much of it. Every great favor brings a great trial with it as its shadow, and becomes thus a new test of faith. The Lord very graciously removed all suspicion from Joseph�s mind, and thus provided for the honor of the mother, and for the comfort of the holy child. If Jesus is born in our hearts, we shall have trouble; but the Lord will witness that Christ is ours, and He will surely bear us through.
21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The Lord of glory is born the Son of man, and is named by God�s command, and by man�s mouth, JESUS the Savior. He is what He is called. HE saves us from the punishment and the guilt of sin, - and then from the ill effect and evil power of sin. This He does for �His people,� even for all who believe in him. It is His nature to do this, as we see in the fact that his very name is JESUS Savior. We still call Him by that name, for He still saves us in these latter days. Let us go and tell forth His name among men, for He will save others.
THE BIRTH OF THE KING CONTINUED
22, 23. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted, God with us.
Who would have thought that the prophecy contained in Isaiah 7:14 could have referred to our Lord? One of these days we shall discover a great deal more in the inspired Word than we can see today. Perhaps it is needful to our understanding a prophecy that we should see it actually fulfilled. What blind eyes we have! It is pleasant to mark that, according to this verse, and the twenty-first, EMMANUEL and JESUS mean the same thing. �God with us� is our Savior. He is with us as God with one purpose, to save us. The incarnation of Jesus is our salvation. To cheer Joseph, and decide his mind, Holy Scripture is brought to his remembrance; and truly, when we are in a dilemma, nothing gives us such confidence in going forward as the sacred oracles are impressed upon the heart. How conversant was Joseph with the prophets to have their words before him in a dream! Lord, whether I read thy Word when awake, or have it brought to my memory in my sleep, it is always precious to me! But thou, Lord Jesus, God with us, art dearer still; and the written Word is chiefly precious because it speaks of thee, the incarnate Word.
24, 25. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took onto him a wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph was not disobedient to the heavenly vision in any respect. He did not delay, but as soon as he rose he �did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him.� Without delay, demur, or reservation, he obeyed. What holy awe filled his heart as he welcomed the favored virgin to his home, to be respectfully and affectionately screened from all evil! What must he have thought when he saw the Son of the Highest lying on the bosom of her whom he had espoused! He was happy to render any service to the newborn King. Since he accepted Mary as his espoused wife, her child was the heir of Joseph, and so of David; and thus was by right the King of the Jews. Our Lord Jesus had a birthright by his mother, but His Kingship on His father�s side was by Joseph�s act also put beyond dispute.
THE BIRTH OF THE KING CONTINUED
Let us leave this wonderful passage worshipping the Son of God, who condescended to be born the Son of man. Thus our God became our brother, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. The nearer He comes to us, the more humbly let us adore Him. The more true the kinship of our King, the more enthusiastically let us crown Him Lord of all!
CHAPTER 2
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED
1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
The King is born, and now he must be acknowledged. At the same moment he will be assailed. His birth was in the days of another king, of Edomite stock, who had usurped the throne of David. The world�s kingdom is opposed to that of our Lord: where Jesus is born there is sure to be a Herod in power. It is a marvelous thing that Magi from afar should know that a great king was born, and should come from so great a distance to do him homage; for the world�s wise men are not often found bowing at the feet of Jesus. When wise men seek our King they are wise indeed. These were devout men, to whom the stars spoke of God. An unusual luminary was understood by them to indicate the birth of the Coming Man for whom many in all lands were looking. Stars might guide us if we were willing to be led. Lord Jesus, make everything speak to me concerning thee, and may I be truly led till I find thee! The wise men were not content with having �seen his star,� they must see himself; and, seeing, they must adore. These were not in doubt as to his Godhead: they said, �We are come to worship him.� Lord, I pray Thee, make all wise men worship Thee!
[Time
after time in the Old Testament Satan seeks to destroy the Jewish race in order
that the Saviour could not be born as promised to
Abraham and others. Now we are introduced into a new tactic of Satan to destroy
all the little boys born in
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
3. When Herod the king
had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Herod
is expressly called �Herod
the king� in that capacity he is the enemy of our King. They
are in a sad state to whom the Savior is a troubler. Some, like Herod, are troubled because they fear
that they shall lose position and honor if true religion makes progress, and
many have an undefined dread that the presence of Jesus will deprive them of
pleasure, or call them to make unwilling sacrifices. O thou who art the King of
heaven, thou can not trouble me: thou art my joy! See the influence of one man:
Herod�s trouble infects �all
Jerusalem.� Well it might; for this cruel prince delighted in shedding
blood, and the darkness of his heart meant death to many. Unhappy
4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
When the earth-king dabbles in theology, it bodes no good to truth. Herod among priests and scribes is Herod still. Some men may, become well instructed in their Bibles, and yet be all the worse for what they have discovered. Like Herod, they make ill use of what they learn; or like these scribes, they may know much about the Lord Jesus, and yet have no heart towards him.
5, 6. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
They
were right in their conclusion, though somewhat cloudy in their quotation.
Jesus was to be born in the city of
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
May it never be my case, to be a master of Scriptural geography, prophecy,
and theology, and yet to miss HIM of Whom the
Scripture speaks! With joy would we note the name of Governor, here given to Jesus. We are of the spiritual
7. Then Herod, when he had privily (privately) called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
We delight in anxious inquirers; but here was one of a very evil sort. Many pry into holy things, that they may ridicule or otherwise oppose them. What an evil diligence is this! When very private inquiries are made, we may suspect that something is wrong; and yet it is not always so. However, truth fears not the light. Whether men inquire privately or not, we are ready to give them information about our Lord and about everything which concerns him.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Artful wretch! Murder was in his heart, but pious pretenses were on his tongue. May none of us be Herodians in hypocrisy! To promise to worship and intend to destroy is a piece of trickery very usual in our own days. Mark that the wise men never promised to return to Herod: they probably guessed that all this eager zeal was not quite so pure as it seemed to be, and their silence did not mean consent. We must not believe everybody who makes loud professions, nor do all that they ask of us, lest we aid them in some evil design.
9, 10. When they had heard the king they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Yes, �they departed� and were wise to get out of Herod�s vile company. They made no compact with him; they heard his false professions, and they went their way. The star appeared when the tyrant disappeared.
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
The star was probably a moving light, which having shone long enough in the western heavens to guide them to Judea, then ceased to be visible; but shone forth again as they quitted Jerusalem. [When we meet Jesus we will always go away another way, because we are changed in the inner person. When we stand in the presence of Jesus as our Saviour we will give ourselves as our gifts of love RJS]. We must not always expect to have visible signs to cheer us, but we are very glad of them when the Lord grants them to us. We seek not the star of inward feelings, or outward signs, but Jesus himself; yet have we great joy when the heavenly light of comfort shines into our souls. Lord, show me a token for good: this will make me glad. Show me thyself, and I will rejoice with exceeding great joy. See how the stars above as well as men below pay their obeisance to the New-born King! My soul, be not slow to adore thy Savior! The star moved �till it came and stood over where the young child was�: so will my heart never rest till it finds the Lord.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frank-incense, and myrrh.
Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see Him
will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.
The gold and spices were presented, not to Mary, but �unto Him.� The wise men
kept their caskets closed till they saw Jesus, and then they opened their
treasures. Let us keep our love and our holy service for our Lord�s eye, and never wish to expose them
to the world�s gaze. The
wise men�s gifts were
royal, with a touch of the priestly in them � �gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.� These choice offerings especially
the gold, would help Joseph and Mary to provide for the Royal Child, who was so
soon to be exiled. God brought providers from the far
East to supply the needs of his Son. �Remember
that Omnipotence has servants everywhere.�
Before the babe starts for
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
Lord, thou shalt have my worship, and my gifts; for thou art the sole
Monarch of my soul: and I will aid thy missionary cause, that when thou goest into
12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Probably, they half suspected Herod already; and the Lord by a dream led their thoughts further in the same direction. Wise men need to be warned of God and when they are so, they alter their minds at once. Though they had planned to return by one route, they took another way they did not linger, but �departed into their own country another way.� Oh, that I may never be disobedient to a hint from the throne!
13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Angels were busy in those
days, for they had special charge of their Royal Master. Joseph�s
high office, as guardian of the young child and his mother, involved him in
care, and made him an exile from his country. We cannot expect to serve the
Lord, and yet have an easy time of it. We must cheerfully journey across a
desert if we have a charge to keep for our God; and we must tarry in
banishment, if need be, and never venture to come back till the Lord sends us
our passports. Our orders are, �Be
thou there until I bring thee word.�
The Lord�s servants
must wait for the Lord�s word before
they make a move, whether to go abroad or to come home. Waiting is hard work,
especially waiting in
14, 15. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Night journeys, both actual and spiritual, may fall to the lot of those who carry Jesus with them.
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
Even the Son of God, who is preeminent above all others, must
depart into Egypt like the rest of the family, and must only come out of it
when he is called. Let us not wonder if we, also, have to go down to
16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Herod, with all his craftiness, misses his
mark. He considers that he is made a fool of, though the wise men had no such
intention. Proud men are quick to imaging insults. He is furious: he must kill
this newborn King lest he claim his crown; and therefore he orders the death of
every two-year-old child in
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
17, 18. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, sayings, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Our Prince steps along a pathway paved with prophecies. Yet see what trouble attends his early days! The weeping prophet foretells the wailing over the innocents. He is the innocent cause of the death of many innocents. Men say that religion has been the cause of cruelty and bloodshed: honesty should compel them to admit, that not religion, but opposition to religion, has done this. What! blame Jesus because Herod sought to murder him, and therefore made so many mothers weep over their dead babes! What three drops of gall are these � �lamentation, and weeping and great mourning�! The triple mixture is all too common. Our Rachel�s still weep; but holy women who know the Lord Jesus, do not now say concerning their little ones that �they are not.� They know that their children are, and the, know where they are, and they expect to meet them again in glory. Surely, if these women had but known, they might have been comforted by the fact, that though their little ones were slain, The Children�s Friend had escaped and still lived to be the Savior of all who die before committing actual transgression.
19, 20. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child�s life.
Angels again! Yes, and they are busy still around �the beloved of the Lord.� Joseph still watches over his honored charge, even as Joseph of old watched over Israel in Egypt. See the order in which the family is arranged, �the young child and his mother.� The Lord is placed first: it is not here, as at Rome, �the Virgin and child.� The angel loathed to mention Herod�s name, but said, �They are dead.� Such a wretch did not deserve to be named by a holy angel. Herod had gone to his own place, and now the Lord brings back his banished ones to their own place. Instead of making Jesus to die, the tyrant is dead himself.
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
Sword in hand, he missed the young child; but without a sword, that child�s Father struck home to his heart. It is a relief to the world when some men die: it was certainly so in the case of Herod. Those who keep our King out of his own are not likely to live long. My soul, ponder the lessons of history concerning the King�s adversaries!
21, 22. And he arose, and took the young child and his
mother, and came into the
Joseph
obeyed without question. �He
arose�: that is to say, as soon as he was awake he set about doing as he was
bidden. At once he made the journey and came into the
23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Our Lord was called �Netzar,� (Hebrew) THE BRANCH. Probably this is the prophecy referred to, for �Nazareth �signifies sprouts or shoots. Possibly some unrecorded prophecy often repeated by the prophets, and known to all the people, is here alluded to.
THE KING APPEARING AND THE
KING ASSAILED CONTINUED
Certainly He has long been called a �Nazarene,� both by Jews and violent unbelievers. Spitting on the ground in disgust, many a time has his fierce adversary hissed out the name �Nazarene,� as if it were the climax of contempt. Yet, O Nazarene, thou hast triumphed! �Jesus of Nazareth�, the greatest name among men. O Lord, my King, as thou art dishonored by thy foes, so shalt thou be adored among thy friends, with all their heart and all their soul. While others call thee �Nazarene, we call thee Jesus � Jehovah, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
CHAPTER 3
MATTHEW 3:1-12
THE HERALD OF THE KING
The King has been in concealment long enough and it is time for his herald to appear and proclaim his coming. This chapter tells us of the champion who came in advance of the King.
1. IN those days came John the Baptist preaching
in the wilderness of
While Jesus still remained at
3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the lord, make his paths straight.
Matthew keeps to his custom of quoting from the Old Testament. The prophets not only described the King, but his forerunner also.
THE HERALD OF THE KING
They mention the character of this harbinger: he was a �voice,� (Jesus is �the Word�) his tone, �crying,� his place, �in the wilderness,� and his message, which was one of announcement, in which he required preparation for the coming king: �Prepare ye the way of the Lord.� Men�s hearts were like a wilderness, wherein there is no way; but as loyal subjects throw up roads for the approach of beloved princes, so were men to welcome the Lord, with their hearts made right and ready to receive him. O Lord, I would welcome thee if thou wouldst come to me. I have greet need of thy royal presence, and therefore I would prepare a way for thee. Into my heart my desires have made for thee a path most short and smooth. Come, Lord, and tarry not! Come into my wilderness nature and transform it into a garden of the Lord.
4. And the same John had his raiment of camel�s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
He was rough and stern, like Elijah. His garments betokened his simplicity, his sternness, his self-denial. His food, the product of the desert where he dwelt, showed that he cared nothing for luxuries. His whole bearing was symbolical; but it was also fit, and suitable for his office. The plainest of food is best for body and mind and spirit, and, moreover, it fosters manliness. Lord, let not my meat, or drink, or garments, hinder me in thy work!
5, 6. Then went out to him
The people were expecting a Messiah, and so they went en masse to
John as soon as his shrill voice had startled the solitude�s.
Baptism, or the washing of the body in water, most fitly accompanied the cry, �Repent ye.�
The �Confessing their sins�
which went with baptism
in
THE HERALD OF THE KING
7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
It was strange to see the proud Separatists and the skeptical Moralists come to be baptized; and therefore, as a test, John addressed them with scorching words. He saw that they, were serpentine in their motives and viperish in their tempers, and so he calls them �Progeny of vipers�: thus would he see whether they were sincere or not. He asks who suggested to them to flee from that wrath of which he was the forerunner, according to the closing words of the Old Testament. This inquiry was not complimentary; but it is no business of the Lord�s servants to make themselves pleasing: they must be faithful, and especially so to the great and learned. Thus faithful was John the Baptist, and he was honored for it by him that sent him
8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
Act as a change of mind would lead you to do: above all, quit the pride in which you wrap yourselves, and leave the serpent motives which now control you. Lord, save us from a fruitless repentance, which would be only an aggravation of our previous sins.
9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Do not imagine that God needs you in order to fulfill his promise to
his servant Abraham, for he can make each stone in
THE HERALD OF THE KING
What a blessing that he can transform hearts of stone into filial spirits! Wonders of grace to God belong!
10. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
He means, the King is come: the Cutter-down of every fruitless tree has arrived. The Great Woodsman has thrown down his axe at �the root of the trees.� He lifts the axe; he strikes; the fruitless tree is felled; it is cast into the fire. The sketch is full of life. The Baptizer sees forests falling beneath the axe, for he whom he heralds will be the Judge of men, and the Executioner of righteousness. What an announcement he had to make! What a scene his believing eye beheld! Our vision is much the same: the axe is still at work. Lord cut me not down for the fire. I know that the absence of good fruit is as fatal as the presence of corrupt fruit:
11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
John could plunge the penitent into water, but a greater than he must baptize men into the Holy Ghost and into fire. Repentance is well attended by washing in water; but the true baptism of the believer by the Lord Jesus himself brings us into spiritual floods of holy fire. John considered himself to be nothing more than a household slave, unworthy of the office of removing his Master�s sandals; and his baptism in water was as much inferior to the Spirit-baptism as a slave to his lord. Jesus is the divine Lord who covers us with the fiery influences of the Holy Spirit. Do we know this baptism? What is water-baptism without it? What are all the Johns in the world, with their baptisms in water, when compared with Jesus and his baptism into fire!
12. Whose fan is in his hand and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
John sets forth his Lord under another figure; that of a Husbandman. This time he holds in his hand, not the axe, but the winnowing shovel. Pharisees, Sadducees, and all the rest, lie on his threshing floor: it is with them he deals.
THE HERALD OF THE KING
�He will thoroughly purge his floor.� If they do not wish to be purified by him, they should not be there: but there they are, and he deals with them. His fan is in his hand: he throws up the heap to the breeze, that he may test and divide. His wheat he gathers; for this he seeks. The chafer is blown further off to the place where a fire is burning, and so it is consumed out of the way by what he tells us is unquenchable fire. Our Lord�s teaching would act like a great winnowing fan, leaving the true by themselves, and driving off the false and worthless to utter destruction. It was so in the life of our Lord; it