66 Among them that are born of woman there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist:" yet such was his humility. We had an example of it before, in his declaring to the people, He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He claims nothing: he even represses the homage paid to him. And from that time to this it has been found, that those who possess the fullest measure of the Spirit of God, have been the first to see their need of more; that the best and holiest of men have had the deepest sense of their unworthiness; and have most cordially assented to the scripture, "which has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Gal. iii. 22.) Imprint, O Lord, this truth upon our hearts! Not only when we have transgressed against thee, but in the best works by which we strive to serve thee: I have need to be baptized of thee. 15. And Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Our blessed Lord here, while he insists on what became him in his own peculiar character, leaves a record of the duty of mankind in general:' that He uses the plural, uas; in which form, it is observed, he never speaks of himself. Various purposes were served by the baptism of our Lord. 1. A testimony was given to him from heaven, in a place of general concourse. 2. He added authority to the ministry and baptism of John. 3. He sanctified the rite of baptism by his example. 4. He bore himself the symbol by which others were to be initiated into his religion.-See Poole in loco. they comply with all the commandments and ordinances of God. Whatever God ordains, is part of the righteousness which man is to fulfil. The baptism of John was an ordinance of God. In many respects it was not applicable to our Lord; for it was the " baptism of repentance," and accompanied by confession of sin. But it was a divine appointment at that time in force; therefore Christ complied with it, as he complied with the rite of circumcision. Learn, from this example, to reverence God's ordinances, and to seek in them further communications of his grace. Do not neglect them, and pretend that they are not profitable. Though the benefit of baptism may not always be perceived immediately; though an increase of grace may not always be experienced from attendance at the Lord's table; though you may fancy that the liveliness of your devotion is not heightened by "assembling yourselves together;" still they are divine ordinances, and it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. The most advanced Christian will be the first to value them, and the most constant to attend them; otherwise he is not entitled to the character of an advanced Christian, but is wanting both in faith and humility. 16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. 17. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. God gave this public testimony to Jesus, as he was now first entering upon the office for which he came into the world. This is my beloved Son. He is the Son of God, because, "he is of the Father alone; and because such as the Father is, such is the Son." He is the Son of God, for he had no human father. And he is the Son of God, because he is his "elect, in whom his soul delighteth." (Is. xlii. 1.) This may satisfy us, without inquiring curiously into the inexplicable nature of the union of the Father with the Son. What really concerns us, is the importance here ascribed to the work of redemption, in which all the three persons of the Trinity are interested and engaged. The Father sends "his only begotten Son, that all that believe in him might not perish, but have everlasting life." The Son consents; and has just set the first example to mankind, that “it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." The Holy Ghost descends visibly upon him, and intimates in what power he came, and what virtue might be expected to attend his ministry, and to establish his religion. And all this "for us men and for our salvation!" How great must be the value of the soul, in behalf of which so much was done! We, who read the narrative, are the objects of this gracious interposition. Do we feel it as we ought? Strive daily to improve your sense of it, and exalt your gratitude by meditation and prayer. Contemplate the mercy of God, till his Spirit descends more and more upon you, and leaves his dove-like image upon your hearts: the emblem and characteristic of the religion of Christ, which is peace with God, and meekness towards man. 2 Athanasian Creed. Mark i 12. LECTURE VI. TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. MATT. iv. 1—11. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. At It is taken for granted by St. Matthew, in this narrative, that those who read it should know who is designated as THE DEVIL. And Scripture instructs us that the devil is an evil spirit, who is the great enemy of mankind, and is permitted to try their hearts by tempting them to disobey God, and "seek the pleasures of sin for a season." the beginning, he succeeded in beguiling Eve through his "subtilty," and so brought the world under condemnation. He still endeavours to keep every individual in thraldom: to prevent their recovery to God, or to pervert them from the steadfastness of their obedience. It formed a part of that mysterious plan of mercy now devised for the restoration of the world, that the Redeemer should be tried by the enmity of that evil spirit, whose works he came to destroy. Therefore he was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness. 2. And when he had fasted forty days, and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered. 3. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.1 4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The mode of temptation employed here, is not unlike that used towards Eve, (Gen. iii. 1.) "Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" If thou be the Son of God, his beloved Son, let a proof be seen of his favour. To shake our faith in God, is the first object of the spiritual enemy. How beautiful is the reply! Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. There is something more needful to man, than the supply of his temporal wants. The worst famine, is "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." (Amos. viii. 11). 5. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone, 3 7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. With regard to the manner in which this temptation was carried on, many inquiries might be raised, and nothing certain can be replied. It is among the things not clearly explained, and left to our faith. 2 Deut. viii. 3. 3 Ps. xci. 11. 12. * Deut. vi. 16. |