THE Jews looked forward to the kingdom of the Messiah; and they learned from Daniel that it would be the heavens ruling, and that the Son of man would receive it from the Ancient of days. But all was so vague that they saw little more from its source and character than a kingdom of resistless power and incomparable grandeur, before which all kings and emperors bow down in. abject servitude, if allowed to live. They expected for the chosen people an assured, perfect, and indefeasible title, as sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet neither law, nor Psalms, nor Prophets taught any such necessary claim to the blessing, but abounded in solemn warnings to sinners about their sins. Now we know, says the apostle,that whatsoever things the law saith, it speaks (not to the nations whom they despised, but) to those in the scope and obligation of the law; other words, to the Jews. The solemn denunciations throughout the Bible concerned them immediately. Hence all of Israel who were taught of God looked in faith to the Messiah for their souls.
John the Baptist came and announced Him and the kingdom as imminent, and baptized them on the confession of their sins. It was a baptism of repentance, that they should believe on the Messiah to come after himself.
But this very chapter skews us John in prison, a most staggering fact for the forerunner of Messiah; and his sending two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus, "Was He the coming One? or were they to expect another?" Jesus points to most irrefragable proofs as His answer, as He also bears witness to John's God-honored place. But He explains the strange yet astounding truth of His own rejection, and along with it, that the kingdom in consequence would confer such a wealth of privilege and dignity, that the least in it is greater than John the Baptist, although none born of women had arisen greater than he. But it can be entered only by the force of faith, which breaks through all difficulties. Not even a son of David could enter it through his birth; nor would circumcision, though going up beyond law to the fathers, avail to give an adequate title.
A rejected and, as soon after appeared, a crucified Messiah is the object of faith. Even when the Lord spoke, the Jews were turning from. Him; especially the leaders, the Pharisees and the Scribes. Still more did they revolt from resting on Him that died on the cross. To Jews pre-eminently it was a stumbling- block. What could be more opposed to their confident hope of a glorious kingdom to exalt them and overwhelm their enemies? But even as it was, their trusted guides were already saying within themselves„ "This man blasphemeth." They believed not that the Man Who had not where to lay His head could be the predicted Son of man, and they could not endure His claim of authority on earth to forgive sins. They stumbled at the stumbling-stone; and the end was the cross, where and when He was the propitiation for sins by His blood.
Wherefore the call of God is to believe on the despised and rejected One; for He is the only Savior, and there was no other means of blotting out sins. It is not the easy-going that enter the kingdom. It is not those that trust in themselves that they are righteous who are justified, nor are men saved who confide in earthly priests or sacraments. The sinner needs a divine Deliverer, and a work of divine efficacy, yet by man. All is found in Jesus and in Him alone.
But the faith that receives Jesus breaks through every tie of flesh and the world. The believer abandons all he once valued. The kingdom is taken by violence, and violent men, as the Lord says, seize it. So does He teach elsewhere that, if one set not Himself before father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, yea, and life itself, he cannot be His disciple. Genuine faith is tested to the uttermost. At bottom this was ever true; but when Christ came, it was manifested fully. Hence He said in Luke 13:2424Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24), "Strive earnestly to enter through the narrow door." Conversion to God there must be, and, in such a world as this, breaking through all obstacles and opposition. Grace, sovereign grace, is on God's part; but on ours, the courage of faith that seizes what can only be taken by rupture with all present ties and hindrances.
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OUR true growth is more known by our growing downwards in humility, then by all the outward things put together.