February 21

But they made light of it. - Matthew 22:5.

THERE are four causes which lead numbers to make light of the gospel provision and invitation. First, ignorance. Hear what the Scripture says of this:-“If our gospel,” says the apostle, “be hid, it is hid to them that are lost;” that is, it follows that they will be lost hereafter; and it proves that they are in a perishing condition already. There is an ignorance which is unavoidable. This does extenuate and excuse; but these guests could not plead this ignorance, because a succession of messengers had been sent to them. There is also an ignorance which arises, not from the want of means, but the want of improving them. “My people,” says God, “do not consider.” Now, ignorance never excuses, where knowledge is attainable. And yet there are many who are willingly ignorant: they turn away their ears from hearing God; they close their eyes. And therefore the Saviour says, “Had I not come and done among them the works that none other man did, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin.”

Another cause is insensibility. There are many who do not feel their need of these things: they are not “poor in spirit;” they do not “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” “Now,” says Solomon, “the full soul loathes the honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” “They that are whole,” says the Saviour, “need not the physician,” and therefore they are not disposed to repair to him. They may not oppose him, especially if he happen to be popular in their neighbourhood; yea, they may even recommend to him some who are very ill; but it is obvious that they will not value him on their own account. But it is otherwise with the sick. The person they want is not the merchant, the philosopher, the poet, the musician; but the man who can bring them “health and cure.”

Another cause is indisposition. “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” And the same may be said of the Saviour himself; men “will not have this man to reign over them.” Even in the character of a Saviour, natural men do not love him. David speaks of some who “love his salvation.” It is a fine expression, and ever to be remembered; but natural men, they do not love the manner of it, as it is free, and leaves us nothing to glory in before God; as it represents us, if wise, wise in another’s wisdom; if righteous, righteous in another’s righteousness; if strong, strong in another’s strength; if rich, rich in another’s riches; and however moral we may be, if saved, saved in the same way with the chief of sinners. And they do not love the nature of this salvation, as it is heavenly and holy. His name was called Jesus, because he should save his people from their sins. He “gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

The fourth cause is worldly-mindedness. This was the case here: they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, and the other to his merchandise.