hrist heals one sick of the palsy. (1-12) Levi's call, and
the entertainment given to Jesus. (13-17) Why Christ's disciples
did not fast. (18-22) He justifies his disciples for plucking
corn on the sabbath. (23-28)
Verses 1-12: It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried,
and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of
those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should
be in men, toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith
and strong faith may work in various ways; but it shall be
accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all
our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to
take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all
diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his
power to cure the man sick of the palsy. And his curing diseases
was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the
soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ
does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like.
Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a
physician, therefore despise or neglect Christ and his gospel.
But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all help,
excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to
him without delay.
Verses 13-17: Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew,
he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for
the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow him.
With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest
sins, and grace to change the greatest sinners, and make them
holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare. And because
the Jews had a particular hatred to an office which proved that
they were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers
an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate
to converse with, when he appeared in the likeness of sinful
flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well done
and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach
of the wisest and best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though
the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous,
there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach
repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company
with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we
are to show love to their souls, remembering that our good
Physician had the power of healing in himself, and was in no
danger of taking the disease; but it is not so with us. In
trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do not get
harm to ourselves.
Verses 18-22: Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully
come up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we
should be willing to bear them, as well as careful not to
deserve them; but should attend to every part of our duty in its
proper order and season.
Verses 23-28: The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a
privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never
designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it
so to ourselves. The sabbath was instituted for the good of
mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles,
preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made
for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to
God, nor was he commanded to keep it outward observances to his
real hurt. Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted
by the rule of mercy.
hrist heals one sick of the palsy. (1-12) Levi's call, and
the entertainment given to Jesus. (13-17) Why Christ's disciples
did not fast. (18-22) He justifies his disciples for plucking
corn on the sabbath. (23-28)