MH 2
March 2
Matthew 12:14-21. Isaiah's description of the gentle and compassionate Savior.
Though Jesus had silenced his enemies in the synagogue, he had not overcome the enmity of their hearts. Though they could not answer him, they could hate him. So great was their hatred, that when they left the synagogue, "they held a council against him how they might kill him." Without the grace of God, public worship cannot benefit the soul. From the church where the Savior has been present to bless many of the congregation, we may retire only "to do evil with both hands, earnestly."
Jesus retreated from his enemies to do good in another scene. He permits his followers to flee from persecution; but he enjoins them, wherever they go, still to seek to serve God.
Great multitudes followed Him into his retreat by the side of the lake, desiring to be healed of their diseases. Many people have wondered why he desired those whom he healed not to make him known. It appears that one reason was, that he did not wish, by the report of His miracles, to increase the rage of his enemies, and thus to provoke them to acts of violence before his work was done, and his hour was come. Another reason was, that he did not desire to add to the throng who followed him, and who pressed upon him to a painful degree. Already the concourse was so immense, that he was obliged to escape from the crowd into a ship. People flocked from the most distant parts of the land, and even from heathen cities. We find it recorded in Mark 3:8, that they came from Idumea, or Edom, and from Tyre and Sidon, the habitations of idolatrous nations. Jesus did not desire the praise of multitudes; it gave him no pleasure to hear their shouts as he passed; he delighted in the petitions of the poor trembling sinner, and in the love of those whose sins he had forgiven. Was not his gentle, retiring, compassionate character truly described by the prophet Isaiah in the passage beginning, "Behold my Servant, whom I have chosen!"
Now in this prophecy there are several deeply interesting points. A glimpse is here afforded of the everlasting covenant, that covenant which the Father made with the Son respecting our salvation. It was made before the world began; for God foresaw our ruin, and knew that none but his only-begotten Son could save us; therefore he appointed his Son to do this mighty work. The Son consented, and replied, "Lo, I come—I delight to do your will, O God; yes, your law is within my heart," (Ps. 40.) And lo, he came. Thus Christ became the servant of God his Father. He finished the work that his Father had given him to do, and then ascended to sit at his right hand as our Intercessor. He now pleads the merits of his service, and asks for his reward, the salvation of sinners. His Father has promised that he shall prevail. That is the meaning of the words, (v. 20,) "He shall send forth judgment unto victory." Yes—all the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and turn unto the Lord, (Ps. 22.) That glorious day has not yet arrived. Meanwhile, let us trust in him.
See what a gentle Savior he is. "He will not break the bruised reed," or the broken heart. "He will not quench the smoking flax." The first desires of a soul after Christ may be compared to the smoke of flax, after it has received a spark, and before it is kindled into a flame. Will he quench these feeble desires? No—he will fan them into a flame. How can we refuse to trust in so compassionate a Savior! Ought we not to come to him with confidence, knowing that what he was on earth, he is now in heaven!