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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
chiefly on something loftier still, and not remain satisfied with outward miracles. He does not
altogether condemn their joy, as if it were groundless, but shows it to be faulty in this respect, that
they were immoderately delighted with a temporal favor, and did not elevate their minds higher.
To this disease even the godly are almost all liable. Though the goodness of God is received by
them with gratitude, yet the acts of the Divine kindness do not assist them, as they ought to do, by
becoming ladders for ascending to heaven. This makes it necessary that the Lord should, as it were,
stretch out his hand to raise them up, that they may not rest satisfied with the earth, but may aspire
to heavenly renovation. The power of the enemy is the name given by him to every kind of
annoyance; for all that is hostile to us is wielded against us by Satan. I do not mean that every thing
which tends to injure men is placed at his disposal; but that, being armed with the curse of God, he
endeavors to turn to our destruction all his chastisements, and seizes them as weapons for the
purpose of wounding us.
20. Your names are written. As it was the design of Christ to withdraw his disciples from a
transitory joy, that they might glory in eternal life, he leads them to its origin and source, which is,
that they were chosen by God and adopted as his children. He might indeed have commanded them
to rejoice that they had been regenerated by the Spirit of God, (Titus 3:5,) and become new creatures
in Christ, (2 Corinthians 5:17;) that they had been enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) in the hope of
salvation, and had received the earnest of the inheritance, (Ephesians 1:14.) But he intended to
point out, that the source from which all these benefits had flowed was the free election of God,
that they might not claim any thing for themselves. Reasons for praising God are no doubt furnished
by those acts of his kindness which we feel within us; but eternal election, which is without us,
shows more clearly that our salvation rests on the pure goodness 54 of God. The metaphorical
expression, your names are written in heaven, means, that they were acknowledged by God as His
children and heirs, as if they had been inscribed in a register. 55
MATTHEW 11:25-30; LUKE 10:21-22
Matthew 11:25-30
Luke 10:21-22
21. In the same hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit,
and said, I acknowledge to thee, 59 25. At that time Jesus answering said, I
acknowledge to thee, O Father, Lord
56 O Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little things from the wise and prudent, and hast
54 “La pure et simple bonte;” — “the pure and simple goodness.”
55 “Comme s’ils estoyent escrits en une rolle, ou enregistrez en quelque livre;” — “as if they were written in a roll, or registered
in some book.”
59 “Ie to ren graces;” — “I give thee thanks.”
56 “Ie te ren graces;” — “I give thee thanks.”
22
John Calvin