Matthew 21:3

SINCERITY IN RELIGION

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway be will send them.’

Matthew 21:3

The remarkable incidents recorded in this chapter have many lessons. Let us look at some which do not seem to lie quite on the surface.

I. Adaptability in method.—The method of promulgating Christianity has passed through many phases, and it is not likely to cease from its transitions now. Its power of adapting itself to the changeful need of humanity proves its Divine origin and its living energy. Though we should not seek after novelty in ‘the old, old story,’ we should not object needlessly to any harmless alteration in the forms of outward worship that may commend itself to the spirit of a Christian brother. We should not querulously demand, ‘Why loose ye the colt?’ when some disciple of our Master wishes to free that which was bound, and to loose that which was tied up.

II. The ephemeral in religion.—The multitude which greeted our Lord with shouts of ‘Hosanna’ afterwards cried ‘Away with Him.’ We should beware, therefore, of trusting too much to our emotional sentiments in religion. In the warmth of excitement we may be eager to cry on one day ‘Hosanna’; and in the coldness of disappointment to shout another day, ‘Crucify Him.’ Merely emotional religion is apt to be as transitory in its results as it is vapid in its origin.

III. Humble instruments may be used by God.—Just as an ass and a colt the foal of an ass were chosen to bear the person of the Lord’s Anointed, so the weakest, humblest souls may be filled with the Spirit of God and made the means by which a triumph is obtained for the Gospel, by which, as it were, Christ is made manifest to the multitude.

IV. Supplying the Lord’s need.—When the owners of the colt were informed that it was the Lord that had need of it, they straightway let it go. So we should yield the desire of our eyes, the joy of our hearts, our dearest possession at the demand of that God from whom we obtain all we have. If we do so we may perchance find that our offering is exalted and sanctified, that the poor colt which we presented is dignified by bearing our Lord Himself, and is greeted with the rapturous plaudits of men. Though our offering may be poor, if we but give it with good will, the Lord of glory will accept the gift, and confer on it a lasting honour.

—The Rev. R. Young.

(SECOND OUTLINE)

THE LORD’S NEED

There are two thoughts here. The one, the Lord’s need of His creatures; and the other, His creatures’ response to that demand.

I. The Lord’s need of His creatures.—The Lord has need of you. It was for you He endured the Cross, despising the shame. And He needs yours.

(a) Your prayers; (b) your praises; (c) your talents, be they what they may; (d) your work; (e) your most cherished one.

II. The creature’s response.—We all know what are nature’s replies to all these demands of the Great Proprietor! The colt was tied, but probably not so fast as the mind of its owner was bound in the chains of its covetousness, till a higher influence came, and loosed all. Unbelief shuts itself up, and denies the claim: weakness hesitates till the opportunity is past: simulation seems to do it, but does it not: selfishness hugs her own. Are you yourself a professor of God? His tenant—holding all under His will, and dependent every moment upon His bounty? Have you ever yet deliberately, solemnly and religiously—by some express act—yielded yourself and all that you have up to His power?

The Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustrations

(1) ‘A mother, a Christian worker, and one who for years has professed interest in foreign missionary work, said of a daughter: “She at one time talked much of giving herself to missionary work, and would like to have been trained for the medical missionary service, but I think she has grown wiser lately.” ’

(2) ‘A clergyman, a spiritually minded man, pleading from the pulpit for more missionary zeal and for offers of personal service, invited into his vestry at the close of the service any who would like to speak to him on the subject. The first to present herself at the vestry door was his own daughter. He immediately answered, to her great astonishment, “Oh no, I did not mean you.” ’