1. This should be, but alas is not, the uniform effect of gospel hearing.
(1) Some are indifferent, for they feel no need of it.
(2) Some are critical. They may feel their need, but are not disposed to receive the gospel as a supply for their need.
(3) Some are hostile and reject the gospel utterly as a possible supply for their need, and look elsewhere--to formalism, infidelity, worldliness.
2. These Gentiles were glad.
(1) They heard attentively, with candid minds, with eager desire. They were convinced and so they believed, and the Word of God had its proper effect on them; it became “Good tidings of great joy.”
(2) This gladness was that of conscious pardon, satisfied longing, Divine acceptance, joyful anticipation.
3. If the gospel has not made those who profess to have accepted it glad, it is probably for one or two reasons.
(1) They have not received the whole of it. A spoonful of water will not quench thirst, but will only aggravate it.
(2) They have received it in an adulterated form.
II. They glorified the word of God. This was the inevitable result of their gladness.
1. They were thankful for it. Thanklessness dishonours the gospel. The least that a man can do who receives a gift is to express his gratitude for it.
2. They praised it. Specimens of such praise we have in the Psalms--notably in Psa_119:1-176. It is refreshing to turn to this record in an age of Bible disparagement. When a man receives a gift he is not only thankful for it, but examines it, or puts it to some use, so that he may properly appraise its value. Every candid examination of God’s Word, and self application of its truth, will give it enhanced worth.
3. They made it known to others (verse 49). The gospel is not meant for its immediate recipients. It is a gift for men. Only as it has “free course” is it fully “glorified.” Conclusion: Gladness is the inspiration of true service. It is as steam to machinery. Has the gospel made you happy? Go then and make others glad. (J. W. Burn.)
The first last and the last first
I.The first last.
1. Who are the first? Those who have earliest experienced the Divine love, and are considered most richly endowed.
2. Why do they become last? Because they do not use to their salvation the love of God, and become proud of their gifts.
3. How do they become last? By receiving, according to the measure of their small fidelity, only an inferior position in the kingdom of God (Mat_20:10), or, as the reward of their complete unfaithfulness, by being excluded entirely from the blessings of that kingdom (verse 46).
II. The last first.
1. Who are the last? Those who are called at a later period, and who possess inferior gifts.
2. Why do they become first? Because the knowledge of their defects makes them desirous of salvation.
3. How do they become first? By being themselves in the kingdom of God, and assisting in its wider extension (verses 49, 52). (Lisco.)
The Word of God the revealer of the thoughts of many hearts
I.Of the Gentiles--i.e., of those who were hitherto at a distance and strangers to the Word of God (verses 48, 49).
1. They rejoice in its contents.
2. They praise the grace of God.
3. They receive it by faith.
4. They taste the blessedness of believing.
II. Of the Jews--i.e., the self-righteous who will not be saved by grace (verse 50).
1. They are inflamed with hatred against the evangelical message.
2. They interest others against it.
3. They persecute the messengers of salvation.
III. Of believers, who experience in themselves the power of the Word.
1. Their faith is not perplexed by calamity (verse 51).
2. They experience holy joy (verse 52).
3. They grow in the grace of God through the Holy Ghost (verse 52). (Lisco.)
The gospel appreciated by the outcasts
The man who has grown accustomed to luxuries is the man who turns his meat over, and picks off a bit here, and a bit there; for this is too fat, and that is too gristly. Bring in the poor wretches who are half-starved. Fetch in a company of labourers who have been waiting all day at the docks, and have found no work, and in consequence have received no wage. Set them down to a joint of meat. It vanishes before them. See what masters they are of the art of knife and fork! They find no fault; they never dream of such a thing. If the meat had been a little coarse, it would not have mattered to them; their need is too great for them to be dainty. Oh, for a host of hungry souls! How pleasant to feed them! How different from the task of persuading the satiated Pharisees to partake of the gospel! Go for them, beloved! Lay yourselves out to reach poor, needy souls. They will come to Jesus, though the self-righteous will not. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.--
Eternal life
1. The Jews put from them the Word of God, and thus judged themselves. This was not a Divine judgment; that came afterwards to ratify and give effect to what was done already. And the judgment that the Jews by the rejection of Christ passed upon themselves, unconsciously but really, was that they were unworthy of eternal life. Their case is typical. Men who despise the gospel do now for themselves what will be done for them at the Day of Judgment.
2. The Gentiles, on the contrary, accepted the gospel, and thus fulfilled the conditions on which eternal life was given. They thus judged themselves, and were judged worthy--i.e., qualified, ready--for eternal life. “Ordained” is misleading. The original is a military word suggestive of the putting an army in order, drawing it up for battle--the disposition of the troops. “As many as were disposed”--i.e., were in an attitude for--“eternal life, believed,” i.e., accepted it. The Jews were in no such attitude--hence their unbelief, and loss of eternal life.
I. Eternal life is--
1. A quantitative term--everlasting duration. But this is its lower meaning. This is true of all souls. The wicked as well as the good will live forever. But the life of the former will be “the death that never, never dies.”
2. A qualitative term. What sort of life? Not bare existence, but a life of eternal--
(1) Union with God.
(2) Holiness.
(3) Happiness.
II. The disposition for eternal life. The Gentiles who were so disposed--
1. Heard the Word of God with gladness. Then how indisposed must those be who in our modern congregations are indifferent to it, or who hear it captiously, or only to reject it.
2. Accepted it, and more than that, they glorified it. It met their ease thoroughly, and they felt and acknowledged that it did so. Thus they were in an attitude for eternal life, and so--
3. Believed. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
4. Enjoyed eternal life. “They were filled with joy”--the evidence of it, “and with the Holy Ghost”--its source. (J. W. Burn.)
