An appeal for disciples.
Admirable, indeed, were the bearing and the language of this poor man when in the presence either of Jesus or of the Pharisees. When confronted by the Lord's enemies, he was not worsted in the discussion, and he was silenced only by violence. If there was a shade of irony in this appeal, still there was justice in it. The language is such as may well be addressed, by those who have benefited by Christ and have attached themselves to Christ, to all whom their influence may reach.
I. THE CHARACTER OF THIS DISCIPLESHIP. There was reason in the designation "disciple," as applied to all who attached themselves to the Lord Jesus. Observe:
1. The Master and his lesson. Christ is supremely able to teach. There may be learned
2. The scholar and his spirit. On the part of him who would be Christ's true pupil, there must be
II. THE HINDRANCES TO THIS DISCIPLESHIP. There may be observed, as militating against such pupilage:
1. Pride, which flatters men that they need no teaching, that they are a sufficient lesson and law to themselves.
2. Irreligion, which assures men that other masters are as good as Christ, that there is no special faculty to instruct and to govern residing in him rather than in others who claim obedience.
3. Unspirituality, which too readily suggests that Christ's teaching is too holy, that his standard of goodness is too high, for human attainment. By these several formidable obstacles multitudes are kept from resorting to Jesus in that reverent, lowly, and teachable temper of mind which alone can secure their enlightenment and salvation.
III. THE MOTIVES TO THIS DISCIPLESHIP.
1. It is our nature and our need to learn.
2. None is so able to instruct us as is the great Teacher, the Divine Master.
3. To stand aloof from his teaching is to remain ignorant of what it most concerns us to know.
4. Christ is willing to receive and to welcome us into his school. There is no need, in order to become his disciples and to learn of him, to abandon lawful avocations; no need to dispense with human teachers who are not rivals to Jesus. The door of the school is open, and the great Master is waiting and ready.
APPLICATION.
1. A question to answer for yourselves. "Will ye also be his disciples?" It is not the first time this question has been put to the hearers of the gospel; it is urged once again. It is not too early for any to begin discipleship. And it is not too late for any who may have delayed hitherto, now to respond to the summons.
2. A question to propose to others. This is the invitation which the Church is bound to address to the world. If one who had been a poor blind beggar could urge it upon his superiors; if he could speak for Jesus, though persecuted for his boldness; why should any Christian be deterred from witnessing and appealing to his fellow-men, either by the sense of his own unworthiness and insufficiency, or by the seeming unsuitableness and insensibility of those to whom the appeal is made?—T.