he apostles sent forth. (1-9) The multitude miraculously fed.
(10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined.
(18-27) The transfiguration. (28-36) An evil spirit cast out.
(37-42) Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43-50) He
reproves their mistaken zeal. (51-56) Every thing to be given up
for Christ. (57-62)
Verses 1-9: Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time
were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord.
They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's
esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The
Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all
creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he
goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners
from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for
their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the
message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without
excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty
conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the
dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see
him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he
wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now,
his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as
much prejudiced against him as others, (Lu 23:11).
Verses 10-17: The people followed Jesus, and though they came
unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto
them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of
healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ
fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and
serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive
creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from
God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them
all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of
Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ
will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul,
abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here
were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread
enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in
Christ.
Verses 18-27: It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's
Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the
Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his
own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from
thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare
for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty;
and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when
they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after
Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or
ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be
miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though
the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We
must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.
Verses 28-36: Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in
which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement
to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring,
transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord
Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak
concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on
earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing
city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to
make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of
this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that
they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those
know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth
for glorified saints in heaven.
Verses 37-42: How deplorable the case of this child! He was under the
power of an evil spirit. Disease of that nature are more
frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes. What
mischief Satan does where he gets possession! But happy those
that have access to Christ! He can do that for us which his
disciples cannot. A word from Christ healed the child; and when
our children recover from sickness, it is comfortable to receive
them as healed by the hand of Christ.
Verses 43-50: This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough,
but the disciples would not understand it, because it agreed not
with their notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ
teaches us simplicity and humility. What greater honour can any
man attain to in this world, than to be received by men as a
messenger of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ own
themselves received and welcomed in him! If ever any society of
Christians in this world, had reason to silence those not of
their own communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; yet
Christ warned them not to do the like again. Those may be found
faithful followers of Christ, and may be accepted of him, who do
not follow with us.
Verses 51-56: The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the
Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and
bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and
through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they
did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely
different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware
that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of
mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing
motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal
ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to
say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very
faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and
even doing harm instead of good to others.
Verses 57-62: Here is one that is forward to follow Christ, but seems
to have been hasty and rash, and not to have counted the cost.
If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the thoughts of
great things in the world. Let us not try to join the profession
of Christianity, with seeking after worldly advantages. Here is
another that seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a
short delay. To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to
him, Follow me. Religion teaches us to be kind and good, to show
piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not make
these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God. Here is another
that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time
to talk with his friends about it, and to set in order his
household affairs, and give directions concerning them. He
seemed to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he
ought to have, and he was willing to enter into a temptation
leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No one can do
any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other
things. Those who begin with the work of God, must resolve to go
on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to
drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that
endures to the end shall be saved.
he apostles sent forth. (1-9) The multitude miraculously fed.
(10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined.
(18-27) The transfiguration. (28-36) An evil spirit cast out.
(37-42) Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43-50) He
reproves their mistaken zeal. (51-56) Every thing to be given up
for Christ. (57-62)