Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
imagines that the government of fortune is blind. But Christ here reminds us that men are justly
deprived of heavenly aid, on which they have neither knowledge nor inclination to place reliance.
They who do nothing but murmur against the Lord in their hearts, and who allow no place for his
providence, cannot reasonably expect that the Lord will assist them.
Shall he find faith on the earth? Christ expressly foretells that, from his ascension to heaven
till his return, unbelievers will abound; meaning by these words that, if the Redeemer does not so
speedily appear, the blame of the delay will attach to men, because there will be almost none to
look for him. Would that we did not behold so manifest a fulfillment of this prediction! But
experience proves that though the world is oppressed and overwhelmed by a huge mass of calamities,
there are few indeed in whom the least spark of faith can be discerned. Others understand the word
faith to denote uprightness, but the former meaning is more agreeable to the context.
LUKE 18:9-14
Luke 18:9-14
9. And he spoke also this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,
and despised others: 10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the
other a publican. 11. The Pharisee standing 327 prayed these things within himself: God, I thank
thee that I am not as other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterous, or even as this publican. 12. I fast
twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13. And the publican standing at a distance,
did not even wish to raise his eyes towards heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, Lord, be
reconciled to me a sinner. 14. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than
the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.
Christ now gives directions about another virtue, which is necessary to acceptable prayer.
Believers must not come into the presence of God but with humility and abasement. No disease is
more dangerous than arrogance; and yet all have it so deeply fixed in the marrow of their bones,
that it can scarcely be removed or extirpated by any remedy. It is no doubt strange that men should
be so mad as to venture to raise their crests against God, and to plead their own merits before him.
Though men are carried away by their ambition, yet when we come into the presence of God, all
presumption ought to be laid aside; and yet every man thinks that he has sufficiently humbled
himself, if he only presents a hypocritical prayer for forgiveness. Hence we infer that this warning
which our Lord gives was far from being unnecessary.
327 “Le Pharisien se tenant l’a;” — “the Pharisee standing there.”
139
John Calvin