Different effects of the same revelation on different, men
1. Many believed. In their ease
(1) The moral end of the miracle was then answered. They saw the “glory of God.”
(2) The end of Christ’s mission was answered. He became their Saviour.
2. Some did not believe. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets.” The different effect of the same revelation on different minds is
I. A COMMON OCCURRENCE (Act_17:32-34). The gospel is to some the “savour of life unto life,” etc. In every congregation there are believers and unbelievers. Like the sun, which wakes the vital germ in a grain of corn, and calls into being a beautiful and manifold life yet draws poisonous vapours out of the morass, so the gospel brings life to some objects and death to others.
II. A SIGNIFICANT OCCURRENCE, indicating
1. Diversity in men’s minds. If all men were alike, the same cause acting upon them would produce the same results. But they are not alike.
(1) Naturally. No two have the same kind and measure of faculty.
(2) Morally. No two have the same quality and force of disposition.
(3) Educationally. No two have had exactly the same training.
At St. Paul’s conversion some saw the light, but heard not the voice. Here is an extraordinary circumstance which is common in life. Everywhere there ere men hearing the same voice but receiving different impressions; seeing the same lights, but observing different objects. A voice fraught with deep meaning to some is mere empty sound to others: a light revealing the grandest realities to some discloses nothing to others.
2. The moral force of depravity. Men, through prejudices, sinful habits and carnal tendencies, become strong enough to resist the mightiest evidences and appeals. “Ye do always resist the Spirit of God.”
3. The uncoerciveness of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God, but not a resistless force. It reasons and persuades, but does not outrage the freedom of the soul
4. The need of perseverance in the Christian preacher. Do not be discouraged because some do not believe; other’s will. “Sow beside all waters.” (D. Thomas, D. D.)
The power of unbelief
Death more readily yielded to Christ than man’s infidelity. (J. A. Bengel.)
The consequences of unbelief
A vessel named The Thetis was cruising in the Mediterranean in search of a shoal or bank, or something of that kind, said to exist beneath the treacherous waters. The captain, after he had adopted all the means he thought necessary, having failed, abandoned the enterprise, declaring that the reported danger was all a dream. An officer on board formed a different judgment, went out by himself on an expedition afterwards into the very same latitude and longitude, and there discovered a reef of rocks, which he reported at the Admiralty; and it was inserted in the charts, the discoverer being rewarded with a high appointment. The intelligence came to the captain’s ears; he would not believe in the discovery. He was a shrewd, clever, practical man, but unscientific, incredulous, and obstinate. “The whole thing is a falsehood,” he exclaimed, adding, “If ever I have the keel of The Thetis under me in those waters again, if I don’t carry her clean over where the chart marks a rock, call me a liar, and no seaman.” Two years after he was conveying, in the same vessel, the British ambassador to Naples. One windy night, he and the master were examining the chart on deck by the light of the lantern, when the latter pointed out the sunken rock on the map. “What!” exclaimed the old seaman, “is this invention to meet me in the teeth again? No; I swore I would sail over the spot the first chance I had; and I’ll do it.” He went down into the cabin, merrily related the story to the company, and said, “Within five minutes we shall have passed the spot.” There was a pause. Then, taking out his watch, he said, “oh! the time is past. We have gone over the wonderful reef.” But presently a grating touch was felt on the ship’s keel, then a sudden shock, a tremendous crash: the ship had foundered. Through great exertions, most of the crew were saved: but the captain would not survive his own mad temerity, and the last seen of him was his white figure, bare headed, and in his shirt, from the dark hull of The Thetis, as the foam burst round her bows and stem. He perished, a victim of unbelief. So perish multitudes. (J. L. Nye.)
