But here we come to the climax. The Sabbath—the public link of the covenant between Israel and Jehovah—the Lord as publicly breaks. He defends His disciples eating in the corn-fields on the Sabbath-day. He heals the withered arm and silences the objections of the Pharisee. The Lord of the Sabbath sets aside its ceremonial sanctity. And this was the character of those who would receive the testimony, viz., the setting aside the old covenant. They were babes. From the wise and prudent, according to this world, these things were hidden.
The Pharisees again take counsel to kill Him. But He still lingers in mercy over the people. He heals one possessed with a devil; blind and dumb. The fickle multitude seem to be on the verge of confessing Him to be the Messiah,— “Is this not the son of David?” But the watchful inveterate hatred of the Pharisee again breaks forth, and quells the rising thought, if indeed the people really entertained it. For the second time they say, “This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.”
Jesus convicts them of stupidity, as well as of enmity and blasphemy. They cannot go further than this, and Jesus disowns them—breaks off all connection with them. All national ties are publicly sundered. He will only have disciples for His mother and His brethren. The breach for the time is irreparable. They would not have Him. Now He will not have them.
At this point the aspect and presentation of the kingdom are very different from that which was apparent in the 3 and 4 chaps. of this gospel. Then it was to the nation as such; they were all called. Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached the kingdom as ready for their acceptance. They needed but to repent to enter into it. “Many are called.” But now it is elective, i.e. grace calls out, as in Matthew’s case; and Jesus takes the title of Son of Man, and the door opens to the Gentile.
As to the condition of those who thenceforth enter, they are poor, persecuted, and reviled. Babes in the estimation of the wise and prudent of this world. “Few are chosen.” Quite another principle from the apparent one in the opening of this gospel.
There had been given to the nation three distinct calls. First, that of John the Baptist; then, that of Jesus; last, that of the twelve; and this third distinct call was at that moment in progress, when the rejection was consummated. And so far as this gospel relates is now going on. But the rejection now completely opens the way for the new thing brought out in 8 chapter Until that rejection was open and manifest, the sower could not go forth. Now He goes in the fullness of power and of grace; for man has been tried and has nothing for God. But God has everything for man.