and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: "But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing: whose end is to be burned." 6 2. Secondly, where these privileges exist, we are taught by the example of the Jews, that another danger must be watched against. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which was hypocrisy." The Lord found upon the tree no fruit, but leaves only; and it added to his disappointment that he saw the tree having leaves. So it adds to the guilt of any man whose heart is unconverted, that he pretends to piety, and professes to be "seeking first the kingdom of God." Such an one is represented by our Lord as the son who replied to his father's advice, "I go, sir, and went not:"7 and he is justly held up for our warning. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer," he deceives his own self, and is like the man who "builds his house upon the sand."9 The time will come when the foundation must be tried; and the house of the hypocrite will fall, and bury the unwise builder in its ruins. 6 Heb. vi. 7. 7 Matt. xxi. 30. 9 Matt. vii. 26, 27. LECTURE LXXI. THE PROFANATION OF THE TEMPLE. MARK Xi. 15-19. 15. And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16. And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but yv have made it a den of thieves. 2 This was the second occasion when the Lord reproved the practices by which the temple was profaned, and reminded the people of the words written in their law, "They shall reverence my sanctuary."1 He had done the same at the season of the second passover which he attended at Jerusalem; when on seeing his indignation the apostles perceived the fulfilment of the prophetic words, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." If the hearts of those in authority had been teachable, their consciences capable of impression, they would not have allowed a practice to be renewed which had been so Levit. xix. 30. 2 John ii. 13-17. For what could be more un 3 justly condemned. worthy of their profession, more injurious to the divine honour? The place where this merchandise was carried on, was an outer court of the temple, that probably which was called especially "the court of the Gentiles," who were not allowed to proceed into the more sacred parts of the building. Suppose then a Gentile, who had been taught from the Jewish Scriptures the being and unity of God ; who had joined himself to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servant;" suppose him to have visited Jerusalem, for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of his faith: like the chamberlain of the Ethiopian Candace, who, with the Scripture in his hand, had "come up to Jerusalem to worship." What a disappointment to his feelings, and what a contrast to his expectations, would be the sight of this temple, in which the sacrifices which were to be offered on the altar had been made a pretext for buying and selling; for placing there the tables of the money-changers, and the seals of them that sold doves. How disgusting and how injurious to his rising faith it would prove, to find that the business of profit and loss was pursued and the tumult of worldly transactions continued even there, where most particularly the thoughts ought to be carried beyond this world, and lifted above it! We cannot then wonder that the zeal of our Lord was excited; that he saw it a fit opportunity to ex 3 See Whitby in loco. 1 See Isa. lvi. 6. 5 Acts viii. 27. press his vehement indignation. There could have been no stronger proof of the alienation of their hearts from God and heavenly things. The king of heaven appoints a place, where he will meet his creatures; not as an earthly king might do, a court of justice, where punishment might be awarded to evil-doers ;-but a court of mercy, where he will listen to their repentance, receive their petitions, and accept their homage. This had been distinctly promised to the Jewish nation, in those words revealed to Moses, "In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” 6 So likewise he had engaged concerning the temple built by Solomon, on the ruins of which stood now the temple entered by our Lord, "I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice." "Now mine eyes thall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." Yet now the proper purposes of the sanctuary were disregarded, and its privileges despised and men were seeking in this court of divine mercy, this seat of divine majesty, an occasion to make gain and profit to themselves. "The house of prayer" had become "a house of merchandize." The chief priests and elders did not check or resent this. The zeal which they professed for the house of God, took no offence at this profanation. It was part of that national sin which was bringing on the impending destruction; the cause of that prophecy, so prophecy, so soon to be accomplished: Ex. xx. 24. 7 2 Chron. vii. 12-16. "Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." 8 Even now when they received this duced no effect; led to no change. reproof, it pro It sometimes happens that practices which admit of no defence have so long prevailed, that the evil of them is not perceived. Suppose it to have been so in the present case; suppose that the tribute paid annually by the worshippers had furnished occasion for moneychangers, and that the offerings prescribed by the law had brought to the temple those who sold doves, till by long established custom they had their tables and their seats there. Now, at least, the profanation was pointed out; now it was shown how the courts of the Lord's house, the house of prayer, were made like a den or cave in which robbers hide themselves and collect their spoil. Indeed, the people themselves were so struck by the reproof, its justice was so plain to their consciences, that they offered no opposition. But they in whom authority was vested, thought little of the honour of God or the sanctity of the temple. Their own credit and interests were in danger. They saw a fresh proof of the influence of Jesus, and it roused the spirit of jealousy to "perceive how they prevailed nothing," and the whole world was gone after him. 9 18. And the scribes and the chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19. And when even was come, he went out of the city. 8 Ch. xiii. 2. 9 John xii. 19. |