Its present concealment. The whole structure of the parable implies that the beauty of the righteous man is hidden in the present; tares and wheat scarcely distinguished. The glory has begun in men here, though veiled. The wheat had in it the germ of the golden grain. The sun shines forth from the clouds which had obscured his radiance. Reasons of this concealment:-
1. The first reason is the nature of the only true righteousness in man. Man becomes righteous by denying his own righteousness and accepting that of another; this why it is hidden now. Our faith is cradled in tears and made strong by storms.
2. We find a second reason for concealment in the discipline by which the righteous are perfected. Faith grows by trials, which conceal glory. The world’s eye sees little beauty in the crown of thorns.
II. Its future manifestation. The present concealment will pass away; the germ of faith will ripen unto eternal glory. By the silent growth of faith the image of the heavenly is being secretly formed within. Who can tell how the souls of the righteous will ripen in the sun-light of Christ’s smile,
III. Its mighty lessons. “Who hath ears to hear let him hear.” Hear it, slothful Christian. Hear it, earnest, struggling soul. Hear it, downcast spirit. Hear it, unbeliever. (E. L. Hull, B. A.)
Moral beauty manifested after death
Just as the flower bursts forth in beauty from its concealment in the seed, so shall it be with the righteous when the last temptation has been vanquished, and the body, so frail and weary, has been laid aside. We see it not in our dying friends. We see only the expiring animal nature. We see not how the Christlike grew within them during the hushed endurance of pain, and while their faith held on during that long horror of darkness. We see not this rising inner life. We see only their failing humanity. (E. L. Hull, B. A.)
The Divine tracery not seen at present
But we cannot see the glory which is behind. We cannot fully understand how the discipline of life is fitting the soul for the fruition of the future. At present we cannot read the Divine tracery inscribed by the hand of sorrow; it has all a heavenly compensation, infinitely greater than its present misery … The veil is over us; we do not see what royal souls are being formed by it here. But in the end it shall be seen that all the feelings of pain and weakness, solitude and weariness, have a corresponding weight of joy. (E. L. Hull, B. A.)
These words describe the happiness of the righteous
I. In its elements. “Like the sun”-visible, pure, active, glorious.
II. In its platform. It is “ in the kingdom of their Father.” This imports-
1. All the privileges and security of an organized society of the highest order.
2. For ever to dwell at home.
III. Its juncture. “Then”-day of judgment, when the righteous shall be publicly recognized as such.
IV. Its truth. On what do we ground these expectations? On the express declarations of God; the nature of the gospel, and the work of grace on the heart; and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Suggests-self-scrutiny and submission. (J. Hirst.)
I. The present concealment of the righteous. On account of-The nature of their excellence-not discerned or appreciated by the world; the sphere within which it is displayed-in the common walks of life; the imperfections, etc., with which it is often accompanied; the reserve by which it is sometimes hidden-unobtrusive, silent.
II. The future manifestation of the righteous. The time, place, splendour, duration. (Brooks.)
We hare here a description of the glorious state of believers, called the righteous
Believers have a twofold righteousness.
1. The righteousness of justification.
2. The righteousness of sanctification. What need shall the saints have to shine in Christ’s righteousness, when they shall be perfectly holy in themselves?
1. Because it was not their own inherent righteousness which was their title to heaven, but the righteousness of Christ alone; therefore they shall boast of and shine in the righteousness of Christ for ever.
2. Because their own inherent righteousness was imperfect and full of spots whilst they lived upon the earth, and it was made perfect only as an act of Christ’s purchase, or the fruits of His merits and obedience, to make them meet for that inheritance. The glory of believers is reserved to that time; now their life is a hidden life, and their glory is veiled (1Jn_3:1-3).
When the end of the world comes, or at the day of the resurrection, the saints shall shine forth gloriously.
1. Because being God’s jewels, they are then all made up, or completed every way, and shall shine before wicked men and devils, to the shame and confusion for ever of these wretches.
2. Moreover, as heirs, they then come to a perfect age, and to possess the purchased inheritance, to the praise of God’s glory and grace.
3. Then the marriage of the Lamb will be celebrated, and the bride be adorned in all her marriage robes and rich attire (Rev_19:7).
4. Because then the bodies and souls of all believers shall be reunited, both being made perfect: a curious piece of work, whether a jewel or clockwork, never appears so glorious until it is all joined together, and every way perfected. So the glory of the saints will then be every way full and perfect, both in respect of soul and body too.
5. Because Christ will then appear; “and when He appears, we shall appear with Him in glory” (Col_3:4; Joh_3:4).
6. Because then will be the time of the manifestation Of the sons of God” (Rom_8:19). Then they shall be crowned with glory. That will be the saints’ coronation day.
7. Then will be the time of the saints reaping, as now is their time for sowing, and “ they that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psa_126:5). “Shine as the sun,” etc. This denotes the greatness of the glory of the saints. The glory, excellence, and splendour of believers in that day will be amazing.
Consider:
1. The sun is the greatest glory of this world, or far excels in glory all other things. So the saints shall shine forth in the greatest glory, beyond the glory of Solomon, or all earthly potentates whatsoever.
2. When the sun shines forth in his full strength, all dark clouds and mists are vanquished and driven away. So when the saints shall shine in their greatest glory, all dark mists of ignorance, and clouds of sin and corruption, shall be expelled from them for ever. No more dark days or unbelief for ever.
3. The sun is a singular light, and shines with a singular glory. There are many stars, but one sun. So the glory of the saints shall be a singular glory. No glory like that glory, or to be compared to it.
4. The sun is a pure, bright, and spotless creature, far brighter than the moon or stars, so the glory of the saints wall be a pure, bright, and spotless glory, not like “the glory of this world, nor like the glory which attends the saints while they are here in this mortal body.
5. The glory of the sun is an unchangeable glory; he alters not, changes not in his glory as the moon doth.
So the glory of the saints in that day will ever abide the same, and never change or be less, because they then shall arrive to a full perfection of glory; nay, it shall exceed that of the sun.
1. Because the sun sets, or goes out of our sight, but the saints’ sun shall never go down, their glory never sets (Isa_60:20).
2. The sun is sometimes clouded, its glory appears not, but the glory of the saints shall never be clouded any more as it was in this world.
3. The sun shall then be ashamed (Isa_24:23). That is, the glory of the saints shall so far excel the glory of the sun, that the sun shall, as it were, be ashamed (as such are said to be, when they are outshined), or outdone by others.
4. The sun is sometimes eclipsed by the gross body of the moon interposing betwixt us and it; but the glory of the saints shall by no dark body of sin, corruption, or of this world, be eclipsed any more for ever.
5. The sun is so glorious, that mortals cannot behold it, but their eyes will dazzle. So the glory of the saints will be too great for sinners to behold, it would even put out their eyes, or confound them. O happy believers! (B. Keach)
