THE KING’S BUSINESS
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and to have heard the Word of the Gospel saves no man—contrarily it condemns him, in the face of such privileges to have had no heart for Gospel grace is evidence of utter depravity. Born in a Christian coun try, reared in a pious family, dwelling in an evangelized community, even eating and drinking at the Lord’s table, assures no man, even he to whom “ the doors of the Church” have opened, that when he knocks at the door of glory it will swing “ on its musical hinges.” K nock now ! w ith a will . 28. "Weeping . . . when ye ' shall yee.®S-FearfuI words! Jesus said them. Who, dares tame them dowri? (1) The bitter chagrin and disappointment ! •(2) The evident iniquity of such as grind their teeth because they see others at the feast! Weep ing because themselves shut ou t; gnashing their teeth because others got in ! Hell not Hfeaven is home to such. But, oh , to have J esus shut the door in one ' s face ! 31. “ Get Thee Out. . . . Kill Thee.” —Many or few, they that say, “ Get Thee out,” will be shut ou t; they that “kill” will not be saved. But “yet there is room ” even for them. 32. " / perform cures.” —But they said, “ Get Thee out.” They would not had they felt their sickness. 34. In these verses we see what they did, what the Lord “would have” done, and after all the hope and blessing that re mains. . 35. Come in ! Thou Blessed One, to Thee I hold an open heart; Lest Thou shouldst shut Thy door on me And bid me hence depart. • I could not bear in that dread Day T o share their shameful lot Who hear the King of Glory say, “Depart, I know you not.” I could not bear to miss my place, The lowliest at Thy board, My heaven, whence I may see Thy face And gaze upon my Lord. •
measured, quantity. The “ leaven” type is illustrative of many scriptures (Matt. 16: 6-12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Gal. 5:9; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Rev. 2:14; Jude 10-13; 2 John 9-11; 2 Thess. 1-5-12, where it is as if Paul said, “ The leaven doth already w ork ).” History has and does agree with this inter pretation of “ leaven.” IV. V erse by V erse . . 22. "H e went on.” Though success was small and death certain. The former did not discourage, nor the latter deter Him; 'He believed (Isa. 55:10-13). 23. “ Are there few?” —Indifference and antagonism made this impression. It looks so now. For all the growth' of the tree it covers but little of the garden even now. But Jesus "went on his way.” 24. “Strive to enter.” —Not a direct an swer. As if- He said, “ Do not pry into what does not concern you. Do your best, God does the rest.” “Strive" —Are we saved by striving? No (Titus 3: 5) ; yes (Phil. 2: 12). Nothing is more certain than the free ness of salvation; and nothing more certi fying than the inworking and. outworking of our salvation. Again—Do your best, God does the rest. Believe you are saved and strive to be saved! Press, pinch, squeeze, wriggle; “ straight laced’’ get in to the “ narrow door.” . Be narrow. “ Broad,” “ liberal,” in doctrine or practice—are over the wrong, door. Even so “the love of the Truth” has breadth, length, height and depth immeasurable (Eph. 3:18). What is narrower than love —that crowds out self and centers on other selves?. “Many shall seek," whether many are saved or not, many “shall not be able (t© enter) when once the Master . . . hath shut to the door”. (R. V. marg.). Strip and strive, the way is narrow but the door is open! (Heb. 3:19; Mark 10: 23; Heb. 12:2). 26. “ W e did eat . . . in thy pres ence . . . thou didst teach in our streets.” —-To enjoy the outward benefits, “ Now the door is open, Enter while you may.”
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