Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of MatthewGibson, John Monro
Religion
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew
Gibson, John Monro
Bible. Matthew -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Indeed, is it not to the meek and lowly heart that even the truths of
science are disclosed? A man who approaches nature with a preconceived
theory, about which his mind is already made up, is sure to miss the
mark. To enter into its secrets, prejudices and prepossessions must be
laid aside, and things observed with open mind and simple receptiveness.
In this connection one sees the special appropriateness of the
reference to "the Lord of heaven and earth." The principle is one
which is not restricted in its range: it runs all through nature.
Still more appropriate is the appeal to the fatherhood of God. It is
not for the Father to be partial to his clever children, and leave the
less favoured ones to shift for themselves. To Him they are all
"babes"; and to them He must be not examiner, nor prize-giver, but
above all _Father_, if they would understand and feel His love. So the
more one thinks of it, the more in every point of view does it seem
good and necessary that these things should not be made known to the
"wise and understanding" (R.V.) as such, but should be revealed to
"babes," to those of childlike spirit. It is well. The wisest and most
learned may join in the thanksgiving, for it is far better for them to
take their places with the rest, as many happily do, and receive the
same loving welcome; and those of us who cannot call ourselves wise
and learned should surely be most devoutly thankful that, however
impossible it may be to compete with these highly favoured ones in
obtaining the prizes of earth, we are at no disadvantage in striving
for "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
The next great thought which comes to the relief of the Saviour in
His discouragement is that, while there are barriers in the heart of
man, there is no barrier in the heart of God, no limit whatever to the
outpouring of Divine love and grace: "All things are delivered unto Me
of My Father." Even at the time when it is borne in upon Him that men
will have none of Him, He exults in the thought that He has everything
for them. If only they could see it! If only they knew the boundless
treasure there was for them in God! If only they knew that God had put
all within their reach by sending them His Son! But the Son is unknown
except to the Father, Who sent Him; and the Father is unknown except
to the Son, Who has come to reveal Him. But He _has_ come to reveal
Him; and with the revealing the way will be opened for all good things
to follow. As He thinks of it His heart yearns over the orphaned
children of men, and He exults in the thought that He has for them the
revelation of the Father's heart and home, with enough and to spare
for all His children (ver. 27).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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