Matthew 9:18-26 - Homilies By P.c. Barker

The advance of faith upon sense.

In introduction, point out this narrative as a typical instance of the advantage of comparing the different accounts of the three evangelists. Note in this case the very graphic rehearsal of St. Mark, and how still St. Luke has to add to it. Also point out the fine corroborating, not invalidating, witness to truth offered by the variation of St. Matthew's "even now dead," St. Mark's "on the point of death," and St. Luke's "lay a-dying." Notice—

I. WHAT SYMPATHY AND WHAT ACTIVE EXERTION THE GENUINE ACCENT OF WOE AWAKENS IN CHRIST . He heard it, and arose and followed it.

II. THE UNLIMITED CONFIDENCE WHICH CHRIST ADVISES TO FAITH , AND WITH WHICH lie AUTHORITATIVELY INVESTS FAITH , AS AGAINST THE PHENOMENA OF THE BAREST SENSE . These latter may seem uncontradictable:, but it is the other which is incontestable.

III. THE GRACIOUS CONDESCENSION WITH WHICH CHRIST WILL PAUSE TO RECKON AND ARGUE WITH ERROR , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS NATURAL ERROR , OR CAN CHARITABLY BE COUNTED SUCH , AND THE ERROR OF IGNORANCE AND OF THE UNTAUGHT MANY , RATHER THAN THAT OF PERVERSENESS , AND OF THOSE WHO LOVE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT .

IV. THE PORTION OF PRICELESS BLESSING , THAT IS TO THE PRAYING FATHER INDEED :, AND TRUSTING MOTHER INDEED , AND TO ELECT DISCIPLES INDEED , AT THE MAJESTIC GIFT OF THEIR SAVIOUR . V. THE SOLEMN SUGGESTION OF THE INEFFABLE MYSTERY OF THE WITNESSES OF THE FINAL WAKING OF THE DEAD .—B.