When the Baptist's messengers were gone away, Jesus spake to the
multitude about him; telling them that John was the messenger spoken
of by the prophet Malachi--the Elias, who was to come before the
Messiah. He also told them, that John the Baptist was more than a
prophet, but that the humblest follower of Christ might become greater
than he was. Many other things spake Jesus unto the people: those who
were humble, and felt that they were sinners, gladly accepted the
offer of forgiveness, on the condition of repentance; but the
Pharisees and Scribes, who thought themselves righteous, neglected His
gracious offers of mercy.
It seems that before Jesus left Nain, where He had raised the widow's
son, a Pharisee named Simon "desired him that he would eat with him.
And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat." Whilst
he sat, or rather reclined upon a couch, as was the custom at meals in
those days, a woman, well known to have been a great sinner, came "and
stood at his feet behind him, weeping; and began to wash his feet with
tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his
feet, and anointed them with the ointment" which she had brought.
The Pharisees considered themselves too holy even to touch any person
whom they looked upon as a sinner: when, therefore, the master of the
house saw that Jesus allowed this woman to touch Him, he said within
himself (or thought), "This man, if he were a prophet, would have
known what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, for she is a
sinner." Meaning, that if Jesus had known how greatly this woman had
sinned, He would not have allowed her to touch Him. But Jesus did know
all, and _more_ than the Pharisee knew; for He knew that this woman,
however sinful she had been, was now truly sorry for her sins, and
anxious to lead a better life; and such truly penitent sinners He was,
and is, always ready to receive. Jesus therefore, knowing what Simon's
thoughts were, spake to him, and told him a little parable, to show
him that this poor woman, whom he so despised, had given proofs of
greater love towards Himself than Simon had done; and He ended by
turning to the repentant woman, and saying the comforting words, "Thy
sins are forgiven." With what joy must the poor sinner have heard
these words! But we are not told what her feelings or words were; we
are only told, that "they that sat at meat with him began to say
within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?" They might
easily have known that He could be none other than the Son of God, the
Messiah; but they would not own as such a poor man who went about
amongst publicans and sinners.
That He did show such love towards sinners, is our greatest comfort;
for we are all sinners, and stand greatly in need of His mercy.
Knowing how the Pharisees were offended by His words, He only repeated
His assurance to the woman in other words; saying, "Thy faith hath
saved thee; go in peace." Her faith had brought her to Jesus; and
those who come to Him in faith and penitence, He will in no wise cast
out.
In the parable which Jesus spake to Simon, reference is made to two
customs of the Jews: one, washing the feet, or making the servants
wash the feet, of every guest, to remove the dust which must settle on
the feet during the shortest journey; the other, the custom of
welcoming a distinguished guest with a kiss, as a sign of respectful
attention and love.
Jesus continued to go throughout the country of Galilee, "preaching
and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve
were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil
spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven
devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna,
and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance." These
women, one of whom, at least, had been delivered from bondage to
Satan, having "substance," that is, some property of their own, seem
to have been constant attendants upon our Lord, and to have supplied
His temporal wants. Jesus so devoted himself to the work He had
undertaken, that from the constant thronging of people around Him, He
had not time "so much as to eat bread."
At this time there was brought to Jesus a wretched object, a man
possessed with a devil, who was also blind and dumb: "and he healed
him," so that the man who had been blind and dumb both saw and spake.
The multitudes marvelled, saying, "It was never so seen in
Israel"--never before had such things been done in the land of Israel;
and therefore the multitude rightly felt, that He who could do such
wonderful things must be a very different Being from any of their
teachers, or from the prophets or holy men of old.
Seeing the wonderful miracles worked by Jesus, "all the people were
amazed, and said, Is not this the Son of David?"--that is, is not this
Man, who can cast out devils, the Messiah of David's seed, so long
promised to our fathers and to us?
These people saw the truth; but the Scribes and Pharisees laboured
hard to prevent their accepting Jesus as the promised Messiah: and
they immediately declared, that the evil spirits were only cast out by
the permission of Beelzebub, or Satan, the prince of the devils; and
that therefore, so far from proving Jesus to be the Messiah, these
miracles showed that He was under the power of the Devil, and that no
one ought to listen to His teaching. This was dreadful blasphemy; and
might have drawn upon them the immediate wrath of God: but instead of
punishing them, Jesus tried to show them and all the people, how
foolish it was to suppose that the Devil would fight against himself,
and undo his own work. But when people are determined not to listen to
those who warn them of their sins, and point out their duty, they will
believe, or pretend to believe, anything however foolish, that gives
them an excuse for not listening to good advice.
Jesus warned the Pharisees, that speaking of the work done by the Holy
Spirit of God as being done by the Devil was a most fearful sin; and
one for which there could be no forgiveness.
Jesus also told the people, that if the heart of a man was not full of
faith and love, it would be as impossible for him to do anything
pleasing to God, as it would be for a bad tree to bring forth good
fruit; for the quality of the tree is known by its fruits; and the
heart of man is known by his conduct and actions.
Certain of the Scribes and Pharisees, asked Jesus to give them a sign
of His being indeed the Son of God. This was displeasing to the Lord,
for His miracles were a sufficient sign of His having come from
Heaven; and from the writings of their own prophets, the Jews should
have understood, that the promised Messiah whilst on earth would be in
a humble condition, and be finally put to death for the sins of His
people. Jesus therefore told the Scribes and Pharisees, that no
further sign of His being the Messiah would be given, than the sign of
the prophet Jonas, or Jonah. "For as Jonas was three days and three
nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth." The meaning of this was, that
the only further sign they could expect as to His being the Messiah,
would be that one, of which Jonas was a type (or sign): for that as
Jonas, though buried in the whale's body, came out alive; so He would
be buried in the ground for three days, and then rise up again to live
for ever. Then Jesus took occasion to show the Pharisees, that they
were more sinful in the eyes of God than the men of Nineveh, "because
_they_ repented at the preaching of Jonas," whilst the Scribes and
Pharisees refused to listen to Him, who was far greater than Jonas.
Many other things Jesus said unto the people, teaching them also by
parables. One parable spoken at this time was that of the Sower.
Afterwards, when they were alone, the disciples asked Jesus the
meaning of this parable, which He immediately explained: teaching them
that many may hear the Gospel, and receive no benefit from it; either
because they listen carelessly; or because, having listened, they have
not faith to hold its doctrines fast when temptations and trials come;
or because they allow the cares and pleasures of life to take up too
much of their hearts, and so prevent their serving God properly. None
of these will be the better for hearing the Word: but those who listen
to it with a sincere and honest intention of obeying it, and pray to
God for grace to do so, striving at the same time to root out all
those sinful feelings and passions which, like stones and thorns,
prevent their bringing forth the fruit of good works; those, and those
only, will bear fruit pleasing unto the Lord.
Let us learn from this parable to listen attentively to the Word of
God, and try to do whatever it bids us.
Other parables, which seem to have been delivered at this time, are
those of the Tares, the Grain of Mustard Seed, and the Leaven: "and
with many such parables spake he the word unto them"; "and when they
were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples," and added the
parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Goodly Pearl, and the Net. "And
it came to pass when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed
thence."
After this, Jesus went down to the Lake of Gennesareth, "and said
unto his disciples, Let us go over unto the otter side of the lake."
"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him." And
there were also with him other little "ships." "And they launched
forth."