按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
theirs。 Wherever He leads the way； they will rejoice to follow。
The calling of Matthew to be one of Christ's disciples excited great indignation。 For a religious teacher to choose a publican as one of his immediate attendants was an offense against the religious； social； and national customs。 By appealing to the prejudices of the people the Pharisees hoped to turn the current of popular feeling against Jesus。
Among the publicans a widespread interest was created。 Their hearts were drawn toward the divine Teacher。 In the joy of his new discipleship； Matthew longed to bring his former associates to Jesus。 Accordingly
274
he made a feast at his own house； and called together his relatives and friends。 Not only were publicans included； but many others who were of doubtful reputation； and were proscribed by their more scrupulous neighbors。
The entertainment was given in honor of Jesus； and He did not hesitate to accept the courtesy。 He well knew that this would give offense to the Pharisaic party； and would also compromise Him in the eyes of the people。 But no question of policy could influence His movements。 With Him external distinctions weighed nothing。 That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the water of life。
Jesus sat as an honored guest at the table of the publicans； by His sympathy and social kindliness showing that He recognized the dignity of humanity； and men longed to become worthy of His confidence。 Upon their thirsty hearts His words fell with blessed； life…giving power。 New impulses were awakened； and the possibility of a new life opened to these outcasts of society。
At such gatherings as this； not a few were impressed by the Saviour's teaching who did not acknowledge Him until after His ascension。 When
275
the Holy Spirit was poured out； and three thousand were converted in a day； there were among them many who first heard the truth at the table of the publicans； and some of these became messengers of the gospel。 To Matthew himself the example of Jesus at the feast was a constant lesson。 The despised publican became one of the most devoted evangelists； in his own ministry following closely in his Master's steps。
When the rabbis learned of the presence of Jesus at Matthew's feast； they seized the opportunity of accusing Him。 But they chose to work through the disciples。 By arousing their prejudices they hoped to alienate them from their Master。 It was their policy to accuse Christ to the disciples； and the disciples to Christ； aiming their arrows where they would be most likely to wound。 This is the way in which Satan has worked ever since the disaffection in heaven； and all who try to cause discord and alienation are actuated by his spirit。
〃Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners？〃 questioned the envious rabbis。
Jesus did not wait for His disciples to answer the charge； but Himself replied： 〃They that be whole need not a physician； but they that are sick。 But go ye and learn what that meaneth； I will have mercy； and not sacrifice： for I am not come to call the righteous； but sinners to repentance。〃 The Pharisees claimed to be spiritually whole； and therefore in no need of a physician； while they regarded the publicans and Gentiles as perishing from diseases of the soul。 Then was it not His work； as a physician； to go to the very class that needed His help？
But although the Pharisees thought so highly of themselves； they were really in a worse condition than the ones they despised。 The publicans were less bigoted and self…sufficient； and thus were more open to the influence of truth。 Jesus said to the rabbis； 〃Go ye and learn what that meaneth； I will have mercy； and not sacrifice。〃 Thus He showed that while they claimed to expound the word of God； they were wholly ignorant of its spirit。
The Pharisees were silenced for the time； but only became more determined in their enmity。 They next sought out the disciples of John the Baptist； and tried to set them against the Saviour。 These Pharisees had not accepted the mission of the Baptist。 They had pointed in scorn to his abstemious life； his simple habits； his coarse garments； and had declared him a fanatic。 Because he denounced their hypocrisy； they had resisted his words； and had tried to stir up the people against him。 The
276
Spirit of God had moved upon the hearts of these scorners； convicting them of sin； but they had rejected the counsel of God； and had declared that John was possessed of a devil。
Now when Jesus came mingling with the people； eating and drinking at their tables； they accused Him of being a glutton and a winebibber。 The very ones who made this charge were themselves guilty。 As God is misrepresented； and clothed by Satan with his own attributes； so the Lord's messengers were falsified by these wicked men。
The Pharisees would not consider that Jesus was eating with publicans and sinners in order to bring the light of heaven to those who sat in darkness。 They would not see that every word dropped by the divine Teacher was a living seed that would germinate and bear fruit to the glory of God。 They had determined not to accept the light； and although they had opposed the mission of the Baptist； they were now ready to court the friendship of his disciples； hoping to secure their co…operation against Jesus。 They represented that Jesus was setting at nought the ancient traditions； and they contrasted the austere piety of the Baptist with the course of Jesus in feasting with publicans and sinners。
The disciples of John were at this time in great sorrow。 It was before their visit to Jesus with John's message。 Their beloved teacher was in prison； and they passed their days in mourning。 And Jesus was making no effort to release John； and even appeared to cast discredit on his teaching。 If John had been sent by God； why did Jesus and His disciples pursue a course so widely different？
The disciples of John had not a clear understanding of Christ's work； they thought there might be some foundation for the charges of the Pharisees。 They observed many of the rules prescribed by the rabbis； and even hoped to be justified by the works of the law。 Fasting was practiced by the Jews as an act of merit； and the most rigid among them fasted two days in every week。 The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting when the latter came to Jesus with the inquiry； 〃Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft； but Thy disciples fast not？〃
Very tenderly Jesus answered them。 He did not try to correct their erroneous conception of fasting； but only to set them right in regard to His own mission。 And He did this by employing the same figure that the Baptist himself had used in his testimony to Jesus。 John had said； 〃He that hath the bride is the bridegroom： but the friend of the bridegroom； which standeth and heareth him； rejoiceth greatly because of
277
the bridegroom's voice： this my joy therefore is fulfilled。〃 John 3：29。 The disciples of John could not fail to recall these words of their teacher； as； taking up the illustration； Jesus said； 〃Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast； while the bridegroom is with them？〃
The Prince of heaven was among His people。 The greatest gift of God had been given to the world。 Joy to the poor； for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom。 Joy to the rich； for He would teach them how to secure eternal riches。 Joy to the ignorant； He would make them wise unto salvation。 Joy to the learned； He would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed； truths that had been hidden from the foundation of the world would be opened to men by the Saviour's mission。
John the Baptist had rejoiced to behold the Saviour。 What occasion for rejoicing had the disciples who were privileged to walk and talk with the Majesty of heaven！ This was not a time for them to mourn and fast。 They must open their hearts to receive the light of His glory； that they might shed light upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death。
It was a bright picture which the words of Christ had called up； but across it lay a heavy shadow； which His eye alone discerned。 〃The days will come；〃 He said； 〃when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them； and then shall they fast in those days。〃 When they should see their Lord betrayed and crucified； the disciples would mourn and fast。 In His last words to them in the upper chamber； He said； 〃A little while； and ye shall not see Me： and again； a little while； and ye shall see Me。 Verily； verily； I say unto you； That ye shall weep and lament； but the world shall rejoice： and ye shall be sorrowful； but your sorrow shall be turned into joy。〃 John 16：19； 20。
When He should come forth from the tomb； their sorrow would be turned to joy。 After His ascension He was to be absent in person； but through the Comforter He would still be with them； and they were not to spend their time in mourning。 This was what Satan wanted。 He desired them to give the world the impression that they had been deceived and disappointed； but by faith they were to look to the sanctuary above； where Jesus was mini