Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

in all the Scriptures, the things concerning | received him, having seen all the things that himself, and thus extending the boundaries he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also of the kingdom of God, he pursued his journey to Galilee, and returned "to Cana, where he made the water wine." Beside his general and leading object, to preach the gospel of the kingdom, he might intend, by re-visiting that city, to express the affection of a kind relation to the new-married pair who resided there, to strengthen their union by his benediction, by his counsel, by participating in their domestic cares and comforts, and to confirm them and the other inhabitants of the place in the faith which they had professed.

It was so ordered of Providence that at the time of his return a distinguished family in the neighbouring town of Capernaum was visited with a sore affliction. "There was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum." The word translated nobleman signifies courtier, one employed near the person, or in the service of a king. Herod was but a delegated and limited sovereign: "Tetrarch of Galilee," that is governor, under the Roman emperor, of the fourth part of a province. But he was permitted to assume the title and state of king, because it swelled the pride of the imperial despot to lord it over many subordinate and dependant thrones. Capernaum being within the limits of Herod's government, he no doubt occasionally resided in that city, and there probably at this time held his court; and the nobleman in question might either officially or from affection be in attendance upon his master. But the vicinity of a court, and the rank of nobility, are no security against the inroads of disease and death, for they too are tainted with sin. The danger of losing a child excites a thousand anxieties in the bosom of a parent, whatever be the station or condition. There are innumerable circumstances which level all distinctions. The honourable feelings of humanity are of this description, parental and filial af fection, with the kindred charities of the human heart, sympathy with the distressed, and a desire to assist and relieve them: these constitute a dignity, a nobility which God alone can bestow, and which the air of a court tends rather to blight than to cherish. This good man however has not sunk the father in the courtier. Anxiety about the life of his child suspends the pride of rank, the duties of office, the etiquette of nobility. "When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death."

went unto the feast." The report which they made at home, of his mighty works, as wel as of his condescension and benevolence, had reached the ears of the great, and excited attention. We fondly listen to what promises ease; we grasp the very shadows of probability, and frequently make experiments with little hope of success. All that medical skill could effect had, in this case undoubtedly been attempted, but attempted in vain. It is one, and not the least of the evils attendant on poverty, to know of a remedy without the means of procuring it. The rich have at least this consolation in extremity, that every thing was done which influence could command or money purchase. But the nobleman of Capernaum is not to be taxed with credulity for believing the report concerning Christ, or for building upon it the hope of a cure which medicine had been unable to effect. Instead of sending for him, as in the case of ordinary physicians, “he went to him." The distance between Capernaum and Cana was about a day's journey, as we may gather from verse 52. He was met on his way homeward, rejoicing in the belief of the power and grace of Christ, the day after he had received the assurance: " Yesterday," said the servants, "at the seventh hour the fever left him." Here then we have nobility descending from its stateliness, waving ceremony, assuming the form of a supplicant. Was it thereby degraded ? No, to follow the honest impulse of nature, to submit to the obligations of propriety and decorum, to employ fair means to obtain a desirable end, is no degradation, even to a prince. Vice alone degrades, and exposes a man to shame, and lowers his dignity in the eyes of God, and of his fellow-creatures.

Calamity brings down the loftiness of the human spirit. We have a noted instance of this in the history of Ben-hadad the king of Syria. In the pride of his heart, in girding on his harness, in the confidence of superiority, he sends this insulting message to the king of Israel; "Thus saith Ben-hadad, thy silver and thy gold is mine, thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest are mine." Unmollified by submission, he assumes a still haughtier tone, and proceeds to take by violence what had been quietly yielded to him. But brought to himself by a total defeat of his formidable army, he lowers his tone and humbles himself to the man whom he had insulted: servants with sackcloth girded on their loins, and ropes upon their heads, "came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me "A city that is set on a hill cannot be live," a confirmation of the truth of the wise hid." The fame of Jesus was now spread man's observation: "Pride goeth before deover the whole land. When he came back struction and an haughty spirit before a from Jerusalem to Galilee, "the Galileans, fall." We would not be thought to insina

ate that pride is an inseparable concomitant of greatness, or insolence of a prosperous condition. But the flattery of inferiors, and the constant means of self-gratification, acting habitually on a principle radically corrupt, have, without doubt, a very dangerous tendency to mislead the understanding, and to corrupt the heart: adversity dispels the illusion, and tells a man feelingly what he is. But for the indisposition of his son, the father might have remained a slave to the world, and died a martyr to the pride of life, and a stranger to the Saviour of mankind. Blessed is that dispensation, be it ever so severe, which loosens a man from the things of time, which empties him of self, which leads him to God.

one of the twelve, who, after all the signs and wonders of which he had been a spectator, resisted the clearest testimony; "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." The nobleman of Capernaum had probably expressed himself in similar terms, and thereby incurred this reproof of his incredulity, which seemed to convey a denial of his suit.

Parental affection perseveres in following up his request. He tacitly admits the justice of Christ's censure, but waves discussion, and in the anguish of his soul renews his supplication to him, to whom misery never applied in vain: "Sir, come down ere my child die." Where the heart is deeply interested, the "words are few," but O how forcible! The feelings of a parent are seen with approbation by the friend of mankind, who knows what is in man, and to whom nothing that affects humanity can be a mat

The faith of this nobleman, as in every case, was blended with much infirmity. He reposed confidence in the goodness of Christ, in the power of Christ to heal the sick; but he weakly imagined that this power could operate only on the spot. Under this impression he travels from Capernaum to Cana inter of indifference. "Jesus saith unto him, hope of being able to persuade Jesus to accompany him to the former city, and stand over the patient, and rebuke the fever, and restore him to health: "he besought him, that he would come down, and heal his son, for he was at the point of death." He urges the importance of despatch, lest death should interpose and extinguish hope for ever; for his faith carried him no farther than to the brink of the grave, and there gave up all for lost. It was meet that one who thought, who felt, who acted so well, should be taught to think, to feel, to act better. It was meet he should be taught not to dictate to divine sovereignty, but to adore, and submit to it; taught to enlarge his ideas of the power and grace of the Redeemer, as extending to universal space, and to every possible state of things. This seems to be the only rational interpretation which can be given of the apparent coldness of the reception given him by our Lord. Instead of his usual promptitude to fly to the relief of distress, the importunate and solicitous father meets, from the lips of Christ, with a seemingly ungracious reflection which had nearly chilled his heart." Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe." In his progress through Samaria Christ had found greater faith than in Judea. The Samaritans exacted no sign, expressed no suspicion, insisted on no condition. "Many more believed because of his own word, and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." But his countrymen of Galilee, though they had been witnesses of his miracles, were "slow of heart to believe." They demand further evidence, and in the true spirit of Thomas,

Go thy way: thy son liveth." That word, that one little word, has in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, reached Capernaum, has expelled a mortal distemper, has relieved a wretched father from a pressure under which he was sinking, and has inspired him with a confidence never more to be shaken. He receives his son as one alive from the dead; he learns to correct his false ideas of the power of Christ, and to submit implicitly to his decisions. "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way."

The sequel unfolds an amiable, interesting. and instructive view of domestic life. When the master left his home to go in quest of relief to his child, the servants of the family, some of them actually slaves, entering into their lord's feelings, tend the sick bed of the young man with all the attention and solicitude, of humble friends, not with the eye-service of mercenary or compelled drudges. They observe every symptom of the disorder, they watch over every motion of the patient, they outrun his wants and wishes, they tremble for the issue, they mark with transport the moment of convalescence, and, to spare the tender parent every unnecessary pang of painful apprehension, instead of waiting for his return, they send off a deputation of their number, the instant that the fever came to a crisis, to announce the welcome tidings to their beloved master. What honour does this reflect on all the parties! Human life consists of a reciprocation of kind affections, expressions, and actions, or their contraries. In vain does the unfeeling, insolent, tyrannical despot expect dutiful, cheerful, cordial attachment and submission from domestics and dependants. By failure in his own duty, he has set them the example of harshness,

want of sympathy, and disrespect. The inferior almost always takes the tone from his superior. If you see obsequious, faithful, diligent servants, or attentive dutiful, affectionate children, rest assured that the master and mistress of the family, that the parents of the children are wise, gentle, and good. Most families in the metropolis, especially those of high rank, are uncomfortable, because mutual attachment subsists not between the rulers and the ruled. It is a mere intercourse of accommodation and interest, in which neither the heart nor conscience hath any part. The paltry consideration of a month's wages

settles the account on either side. In the remoter parts of the kingdom, the relation of master and servant is a tacit compact of unlimited duration. The servant is adopted into the family, and looks up to the heads of it with filial respect, gratitude, and confidence. No separate interest, no divided or contradictory views and pursuits disturb domestic tranquillity. The family of this nobleman was not far from the kingdom of God, for the spirit of love was its governing principle, and God is love. "And as he was now going down his servants met him, and told him, saying, thy son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."

One of our highest mental pleasures consists in comparing object with object, in order to discover coincidence, similitude, difference, or contrast. This pleasure must have been enjoyed in singular purity on this joyful occasion. The distance of the two cities was well known. It employed a whole day, and the exertions of a man of rank and fortune, furnished with all the means of expeditious travelling, and under the stimulus of paternal affection, to go from Capernaum to Cana. How pleasant was it to compare that distance, and the usual rate of journeying, with the inconceivably rapid transition of the word of Christ! what a contrast! Here then was a demonstration of the controlling power of Christ over space; it was not needful that he should go up or come down, that he should be on the same spot with the object of his beneficence, for the purpose of effecting a cure. The divine attribute of omnipresence was accordingly displayed. The measurements of time are equally wellknown and understood; and there was a peculiarly powerful motive on both sides to mark the precise moment. Here an opportunity was afforded of instituting a second comparison, and lo, what a coincidence between the time of the father's observation and that of the servants, that is, when Jesus spake the word to the one, and when the others perceived a sensible change to the better, in their young master's health! If ever the relation of cause and effect existed,

it was in this case. And here was a display of another divine attribute, time as well as space subdued to the will of him who filleth all space; whose existence was before time began to flow, and runneth through the whole extent of its duration; with whom a thousand years are as one day, and one day as a thousand years, who measureth the lapse of moments and of ages by a standard unalterable as the ordinances of heaven, and by a standard still more intelligible, sensible, interesting, and endearing, uninterrupted, unwearied acts of loving kindness and tender mercy.

It would be ungenerous and unjust to ascribe the nobleman's minuteness of inquiry to doubt, or slowness of belief, for the history expressly saith, “the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and went his way," confiding entirely in the truth and faithfulness of that word, long before the evidence of it met him on the road. But that Jesus in whom he trusted graciously, gave him this confirmation of his faith, that he might feel the, solidity of the rock on which all his hope rested. Faith is faith, though but as a grain of mustard-seed; for that grain contains an immortal germ, pregnant with all the beauty and richness of a future harvest. The apostles themselves were sometimes weak, at other times strong in the faith: sensible of this, they prayed unto the Lord that he would "increase" it. The principle is sound, it is vital; it may lie dormant, it may suffer depression, but it cannot expire. "So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house."

[ocr errors]

The miracles of Christ always look farther than to their immediate object. Application is made for the removal of a bodily infirmity; the diseases of the mind are at the same time reached by the healing power of the Redeemer, and the spectators are made sensible of a divine energy. The blind man comes in hope of having his sight restored, he goes away seeing, and with the unspeakably greater blessing, the eyes of his understanding are opened. Behold that helpless paralytic, "borne of four," stretched motionless on his couch. At the word of Christ he recovers strength, arises, takes up his bed, goes forth before them all, and departs to his house, not only with a body every whit whole, but with a soul relieved from the dreadful pressure of the guilt of sin: "Jesus said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Mark these ten lepers, outcasts from society, loathsome to themselves, an abomination to others, labouring under a malady which medicine could not reach; they stand afar off, they lift up their voices, they cry for mercy. As they went, at the command of Christ, to show themselves to the priests,

they were cleansed. To nine of the ten it | of heaven moves. The enterprizes of man proved a mere temporary relief, a corporal exhibit the noise and bustle of preparation, purgation; the fatal leprosy of sin remained and violence of exertion, and lo, they come to defile the conscience. To the tenth, a to nothing; they commence in a blaze, and stranger, a Samaritan, it proved at once the presently issue in smoke. The designs of cure of bodily disease, and of mental pollu- the Most High have, from imperceptible betion; "and one of them, when he saw that he ginnings, made a silent, unnoticed progress, was healed, turned back, and with a loud and have acquired strength irresistible before voice glorified God, and fell down on his face attention was excited; they issue from a dark at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a cloud, and advance with growing lustre unto Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said, the perfect day. What more common than were there not ten cleansed? but where are sickness in a numerous family? Uniform the nine? There are not found that returned health, not occasional disease, is the wonder. to give glory to God, save this stranger. And The malady of a beloved child spreads a sable he said unto him, arise, go thy way; thy faith veil over an honourable house; it threatens hath made thee whole." to embitter the future days of survivors; the hand of death is lifted up to strike the decisive blow. It is a critical moment. The Lord gives the word. The child lives, the parent believes, the whole house is converted unto the Lord, an impression favourable to Christianity is made on the public mind, the dominion of grace is extended, and the kingdom of glory opens to view. From such a hidden source, inaccessible as that of the Nile, issues the majestic river, destined to adorn and fertilize distant regions and the nations which inhabit them. This day salvation came to the house of that nobleman. It wore a lowering aspect, but it brightened as it went.

Illustrious to the same purpose is the history of the miracie under review. The nearer and more immediate object is a sick child at Capernaum, restored instantaneously from threatening indisposition to perfect soundness. But consider how many momentous circumstances are involved in that one object. The father was a person of the very first distinction, connected with the higher powers of this world, at the head of a numerous and well-ordered household, a man of urbanity, understanding, and address. Converted himself to the faith of the gospel, behold him disposed to employ the whole weight of his influence, of his authority, of his example, in promoting the cause which he himself had from conviction embraced. Incalculable is the effect which one man of character, talents, and virtue may produce in a court, a city, a kingdom, a world. No one can be solitary either good or wicked. The contagion whether of virtue or vice is quickly caught and communicated, with this difference, that in the one case there is a repulsive faculty that guards the system against the admission of the gracious principle, and which therefore needs to be corrected; whereas in the other there is a predisposition to absorb the poison, which it requires no common skill and attention to prevent. Whatever might be the more remote, or more extensive influence of this good man's faith and piety, the evangelist informs us that it embraced at least the whole of his own family: "and himself believed and his whole house." Here was another province, by a strong hand rent from the empire of Satan, and added to the kingdom of the Messiah; "for he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet."

We conclude with a few practical reflections suggested by this portion of our blessed Lord's history.

1. Events, to our apprehension, casual, ordinary, merely things of course, are, in the purpose of the Eternal Mind, order, connexion, mutual dependence. Our eyes are too feeo.e to discern how delicately fine the hinges are on which the mighty machinery

2. Mark the impartial regards of the great Lord of all to his creatures of every order and condition. With some men there is a strong prejudice in favour of nobility and affluence, as if they implied greatness, generosity, ca. pacity. Others are actuated by a prejudice equally violent and unreasonable against them. Wisdom says, look to the man, and not to his circumstances. Goodness is the object of commendation and esteem, whether in the high or the low, the rich or the poor; and vice is odious whatever be the condition of life. A righteous judge considereth the cause, not the rank and character of the parties. And lest there should be an improper bias to the side of poverty, as there sometimes is to the side of wealth, the law very wisely throws in this caution: "Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause." Our Lord sets the example of this impartiality. Nobility could be no recommendation to his favour, neither was it any bar in the way. The distress, the importunity, the parental affection of the man moved his compassion, the current of which could not be impeded by the consideration of his being a courtier. It is a melancholy reflection, "that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called;" but it is pleasing to reflect that the rule is not absolute and universal. The history of the Christian church and the state of the world at this day, exhibit many glorious instances of the triumph of divine grace over the fascination of

high rank, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pride of life. As such persons had more to combat and to overcome than others, the combat and the conquest redound the more to the glory of God, in whose strength they

overcome.

3. We have before us an example of high moral virtue, existing without a principle of saving faith. This nobleman adorned his exalted station by qualities estimable in whatever rank. He ruled well his own nouse. He was an affectionate parent, and a kind master. And when we behold a man fulfilling the duties of one relation reputably to himself and usefully to others, we are bound in charity to believe, that he acts worthily in the other relations of life. When an instance of this kind presents itself, it excites regret, that such a one though "not far from the kingdom of God," should nevertheless come short. It is religion that confers dignity on high birth, and that gives energy to virtue. If then this man were respectable and exemplary by his virtuous conduct, how much more so is he, when faith is added to virtue, now that a divine principle sanctifies, animates, ennobles every action, and renders ordinary employments not only a reasonable but a religious service. Morality, then, may exist without religion, but there can be no religion without morality. "Faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone:" "for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." If in his mere civil and moral capacity the nobleman of Capernaum administered his affairs so wisely and so well, what must have been the ardour of natural affection, his discretion in the management of his household, the propriety of his personal deportment, now that his understanding is illuminated, and his heart warmed, and the path of his feet guided by the sacred flame of religion! now that "the grace of God, that bringeth salvation had appeared to him, teaching" him, as it does all its subjects, "that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

4. Do we feel parental solicitude about the bodily health, and the mental improvement, and the worldly prosperity of our children? What then ought to be the fervour of our spirits at a throne of grace, to obtain for them an interest in the favour of God, the knowledge that maketh wise unto salvation, the Spirit of sanctification, a right to "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away?" From their re

lation to us they derive pollution, guilt, condemnation, and death; and shall we not be stimulated to repair the injury we have done them; and, by nurture, by example, by prayer, and supplication, become the instruments of making them "partakers of the divine nature," and of raising them to the rank of "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Wo unto them, and unto us, unless they are adopted into a nobler family, and exalted to higher privileges than those to which the birth of nature entitles them; and unless they "receive the Spirit of adoption, whereby they may cry, Abba, Father." What will it be to present ourselves, at length, and our offspring, whether after the flesh, or after the spirit, or both in one, with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, saying, "Behold I, and the children which God hath given me!” Let this prospect direct our wishes, dictate our prayers, animate our exertions, till, with Israel, we have power with God, and with men, and prevail.

5. Finally, In the presence of that God with whom we have to do, and of Jesus, "who is God over all, and blessed for ever," all space shrinks into a span, all duration into a moment. "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord?" Realize that awful omnipresence as a guard upon the heart, upon the tongue, upon the life; as a ground of hope and a source of joy in every dark and trying hour. "God is a very present help in trouble." "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." He is faithful who hath promised, to his Israel whom he hath created, whom he hath formed, whom he hath redeemed, whom he hath called by name. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Are "a thousand years in his sight but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch in the night?" And do "we spend our years as a tale that is told?” "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." There is no commodity which men trifle with so sadly, when they have it at command, as time; and no one the loss of which they so bitterly deplore, when it is in their power no longer. Account every instant critical and decisive, for undoubtedly many are so. Remember that you are the disciples of him who saith of himself; "I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »