Matthew 13:43

Matthew 13:43

The Glory of the Righteous.

I. Its present concealment. (1) We find the first reason for this concealment in the nature of the only true righteousness in man. Our faith is as yet only the germ of a new creation, and often it is cradled in tears and made strong by storms. Slowly, very slowly, through struggle and through storm, are we changed by faith into righteous men; and who then can marvel if, amid that life long conflict, our glory is but dimly seen? (2) We find a second reason for this concealment in the discipline by which the righteous are perfected. The necessary discipline of their faith inevitably conceals their glory. The world's eye sees little beauty in the crown of thorns, and is unable to perceive the grandeur of the faith that accepts the sorrow of the heaviest cross for the sake of the Christ it cannot see.

II. Its future manifestation. The present concealment will pass away; the germ of faith will ripen into eternal glory The veil is over us; we do not see what royal souls are being formed by sorrow here. But in the end it shall be seen that all feelings of pain and weakness, solitude and weariness, have a corresponding weight of joy.

III. Its mighty lessons. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (1) Hear it, slothful, dreaming, forgetful Christian. You, whose heart is growing cold and whose prayer is still, hear it, and awake from your sleep, that "Christ may give you light." (2) Hear it, earnest, struggling, determined soul. Struggle onwards still. The morning is breaking, the day is at hand, when thou shalt shine like the sun in the kingdom of thy Father. (3) Hear it, unbeliever. There is a righteousness for thee. Renounce thine own works and thy self-will, receive the righteousness of Christ, and thou too shalt shine as the sun in the kingdom of the Father.

E. L. Hull, Sermons,1st series, p. 327.