with him in his family, which is an example to be kind to our relations. In spiritual healing, the
Scripture speaks the word, the Spirit gives the touch, touches the heart, touches the hand. Those
who recover from fevers, commonly are weak and feeble some time after; but to show that this
cure was above the power of nature, the woman was at once so well as to go about the business of
the house. The miracles which Jesus did being noised abroad, many thronged to him. He healed
all that were sick, though the patient was ever so mean, and the case ever so bad. Many are the
diseases and calamities to which we are liable in the body; and there is more, in those words of the
gospel, that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows, to support and comfort us
under them, than in all the writings of the philosophers. Let us not grudge labour, trouble, or expense
in doing good to others.
Verses 18–22
One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of
Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion are produced by sudden
conviction, and taken up without due consideration; these come to nothing. When this scribe offered
to follow Christ, one would think he should have been encouraged; one scribe might do more credit
and service than twelve fishermen; but Christ saw his heart, and answered to its thoughts, and
therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous
principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect
to fare better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went away. Another was too slow.
Delay in doing is as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave
to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable,
yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father,
is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for
the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give way. An unwilling
mind never wants an excuse. Jesus said to him, Follow me; and, no doubt, power went with this
word to him as to others; he did follow Christ, and cleaved to him. The scribe said, I will follow
thee; to this man Christ said, Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are brought
to Christ by the force of his call to us, Ro 9:16.
Verses 23–27
It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect
that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on the water, and to be
in storms there. Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms.
His human nature, like to ours in every thing but sin, was wearied, and he slept at this time to try
the faith of his disciples. They, in their fear, came to their Master. Thus is it in a soul; when lusts
and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is, as it were, asleep to it, this brings it to the
brink of despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth, Lord Jesus, keep not silence to me, or I
am undone. Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ's disciples are apt to be disquieted with
fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are bad with them, and with dismal thoughts
that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of
bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They