MAN (20)
MAN (20)
JT It might be helpful to refer to certain characteristics of the gospels at this time. I would say that Matthew, with which we are now dealing, and in which we find the writer’s name, is characterised by the volume of work done by the Lord, so that in the chapter before us we get a great number of persons healed or relieved. Luke presents grace, not volume exactly, but grace, quality; John is love, again quality, but love; and then Mark is skill, the skill with which things are done. We are dealing with Matthew at this time and the volume of work that is done, the plenitude of it. But it is well to keep in mind that certain features mark the gospels. Matthew is volume or quantity, Luke the grace feature, John the love side and Mark the skill which entered into what was done. But, as I said, what we are dealing with now is the plentifulness of the work; how much the Lord did and that He did it well.
CAM Would the plentifulness of what is done connect with the thought of the kingdom of the heavens? You have often stressed the idea of the expanse and the kingdom of the heavens is prominent in Matthew.
JT Yes, the volume; how immense it is! That is what we are engaged with now, the immensity of the work that the Lord did.
SW Since Matthew is known to us as the assembly gospel, would this not indicate the amount of work to be done by persons in the assembly?
JT Yes; the amount of work; not that we would overlook the quality of it, for the quality is in Luke, the grace side, and love is seen in John and skill in Mark, but it is the volume in Matthew. And so we have here in this chapter, “And going on board the ship, he passed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, laid upon a bed; and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Be of good courage, child; thy sins are forgiven. And behold, certain of the scribes said to themselves, This man blasphemes. And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, Why do ye think evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then he says to the paralytic,) Rise up, take up thy bed and go to thy house”.
And then, later, it says, “And Jesus, passing on thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, called Matthew, and says to him, Follow me. And he rose up and followed him. And it came to pass, as he lay at table in the house, that behold, many tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and his disciples. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners? But Jesus hearing it, said, They that are strong have not need of a physician, but those that are ill. But go and learn what that is — I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous men but sinners. Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn so long as the bridegroom is with them. But days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast. But no one puts a patch, of new cloth on an old garment, for its filling up takes from the garment and a worse rent takes place. Nor do men put new wine into old skins, otherwise the skins burst and the wine is poured out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into new skins, and both are preserved together”.
[p. 343] I just take liberty to read all this so that we might get these thoughts that we have already indicated, and especially the volume of things that the Lord did. Matthew, as we have said, records the volume of it.
JTJr It says, in verse 37, that the harvest is great. And then in verse 35 there is a repetition of what is said in chapter 4:23, “And Jesus went round the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues”, Matthew 4:23. The whole of Galilee would suggest the great extent of the work.
JT That is what I thought: the whole of Galilee.
JTJr And then it says also, “And Jesus went round all the cities and the villages”. The repetition, I suppose, would emphasize the extent of what was done.
JT But the thing must be well done, too; and livingly done, and that is what John and the other writers have in mind.
ANW Verse 8 confirms the greatness of the work in a striking way with the extraordinary statement: “But the crowds seeing it, were in fear, and glorified God who gave such power to men”.
SCM Verse 16 of chapter 8, says, “And when the evening was come, they brought to him many possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were ill”, Matthew 8:16. I was thinking of the word ‘all’, and also of the evening; the Lord was never too tired to do a good work.
JT He worked late into the evening. We may not like to work late, but the Lord has set us an example.
CFE Did all such cases await the incoming of the Lord [p. 344] Jesus?
JT It all awaited His coming, but the work that He did was also to be done by others; He appointed the twelve, and then the seventy, and then according to Acts, Paul and others.
GHSP Is there a sort of climax to this process of healing in the end of the chapter when it refers to “every disease and every bodily weakness”? Is it as though the output of power is only restricted by the cases that were to be met? Is it at all similar to the service of the Spirit typified in 2 Kings by the pouring of the oil which only ceased when all the vessels are full?
JT Just so, and so they were in fear, it says, “and glorified God who gave such power to men”.
EAL Does chapter 11 also show the great work the Lord did when John the baptist sent to ask if He was the Christ? The Lord answered, “Go, report to John what ye hear and see. Blind men see and lame walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf hear; and dead are raised, and poor have glad tidings preached to them: and blessed is whosoever shall not be offended in me”, Matthew 11:4 - 6.
JT Yes; the Lord answered John by calling attention to the volume of work that was being done.
Ques Does this reference to the Lord doing something in His own city suggest that He was identified with that locality?
JT It is called His own city, which is remarkable. It was His local city; you might say, His local meeting..
Ques Later, it says about Capernaum that it had been raised up to heaven. Is that because the Lord was there?
JT Just so.
ABP In this first section of this chapter there is the suggestion that, in principle, heaven has come to earth: “The Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins”.
[p. 345] Is that not an important matter, and is it not intended that that power should remain on earth, later to be found in the assembly?
JT Yes; the Spirit of God has come down so that it should be here.
AR Is the volume of work seen in Matthew also seen in the Acts where three thousand were converted at one time?
JT And later the number was five thousand; five thousand men.
RDG There seem to be about eleven different situations with which the Lord deals in this chapter.
JT Very good; think of the volume of the Lord’s work!
FHL Referring to the power of the Spirit working in men today, is it not interesting that Luke speaks of the Lord Jesus in that way: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach glad tidings to the poor”, Luke 4:18.
JT Yes; “because he has anointed me to preach”.
AR Do you think that in our day it is a question of quality more so than quantity?
JT Well, much of the profession does not mind about quality; but we are to be concerned as to it. There is much to be done but things that are done should be done well.
AR Well, did you have in mind that Luke and John give the quality?
JT That is quite right but Mark is quality too; he would insist on things being done well; being done with skill.
ANW In the last parable of Matthew 13 the Lord likens the kingdom to a seine which is cast into the sea and gathers together of every kind. Might that cover what you are saying regarding the volume? But it says further, “Having drawn up on the shore and sat down, they gathered the good into vessels and cast the worthless out”, Matthew 13:[p. 346] 48.
Might that apply to the latter day?
JT Yes; the good is gathered into vessels, meaning assemblies. Assembly order is to be insisted upon among the saints.
SW The Lord seems to have a deep concern about the volume of work to be done, for immediately following this chapter He chooses out persons to carry on this work. The twelve are chosen. Would they be the nucleus of the assembly?
JT The twelve represent the administrative system.
JTJr We get the number of the names in the Acts as being about one hundred and twenty. Should we be affected to think that each one of us is part of this great system which is to have a definite number; there are to be a definite number in the assembly.
JT It is a matter with God to have numbers and every person to be mentioned. The work is wonderful and it is done skilfully, but the volume is great, too.
Rem The apostle John says, at the close of his gospel, “This is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they were written one by one, I suppose that not even the world itself would contain the books written”, John 21:24,25.
JT They were done one by one, also, and yet the world itself could not contain the record; only a divine thought could bring that forward. We may not be able to understand it, literally, but it is so according to God.
Rem It says that when the queen of Sheba came to Solomon, “There came no more such abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave”, 1 Kings 10:10.
[p. 347] Mention is made of the quantity, but it surpassed all other for quality.
JTJr The whole idea in the chapter referred to is to bring out the greatness of Solomon’s system, and it is in keeping with what we are saying. The queen of Sheba says, “Happy are thy men!” 1 Kings 10:8.
VCL Although the Lord does so great a volume of work, the quality of it is maintained. The matter of sins coming in shows it was not just meeting outward need. The Lord says: “Which is easier: to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk?”. Would it seem as though every one was dealt with fully, an inward as well as an outward healing?
JT The great thing that comes out there is that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins. “Power on earth” is the point. The Lord had that power.
ABP Would that help us in matters which come up amongst us? The thing is to get at the under-lying moral issues.
JT Now explain what you mean by the word ‘moral’. It is much used, but may not be understood.
ABP Well, this person was not only ill but along with that there was a state of soul which accounted for it, and the reason appears to be under-lying sins which connect with a moral state.
JT Quite so.
Rem There is a difference between the idea of sins and sin, as dealt with in the epistle to Romans. Is this difference seen in the cases of the paralytic and the leper; the paralytic’s case is sins, the leper’s case is more a question of sin. It says in chapter 8:3, “And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be cleansed”, Matthew 8:3. It is the state there, sin; but in this case it is a question of sins.
ANW Is it not true that sin is never forgiven? Sins are forgiven, but never sin.
JT [p. 348] I think that is right. This chapter deals with sins.
EEH Is sin the root principle? Sins are committed, they relate to our acts.
JT Quite so.
ANW Romans 8 says that God has condemned sin in the flesh. I do not think that it is ever said to be forgiven.
JTJr The sins of persons are forgiven but sin is condemned; it is not forgiven.
ANW Romans 8 seems to make it plain that God having sent His Son in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh.
JT I go fully with what you say as to sin and sins, but I am thinking of another verse later in the chapter; verse 10.
ANW Perhaps I could read verse 9 also, to connect with it: “But ye are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit dwell in you; but if any one has not the Spirit of Christ he is not of him: but if Christ be in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the spirit life on account of righteousness”, Romans 8:9,10.
JT Sin is the real issue there. I suppose we might proceed with our chapter. It says, in verse 9: “And Jesus, passing on thence, saw a man sitting at the tax-office, called Matthew, and says to him, Follow me. And he rose up and followed him. And it came to pass, as he lay at table in the house, that behold, many tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and his disciples. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners? But Jesus hearing it, said, They that are strong have not need of a physician, but those that are ill. But go and learn what that is — I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous men but sinners”. He was here to call sinners,
[p. 349] showing the volume of work that was in mind. It was to call sinners to repentance; not one sinner but sinners, without any number being given.
ABP Terrible thing that the Lord should say to persons to go and learn! In chapter 11, it is, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me”, Matthew 11:29.
JT Yes; the Lord had to say to them to go; they had to act. Such as the Pharisees have to learn themselves and go to do it.
AR Matthew records his own conversion, working out the truth in his own house. It says, “And it came to pass as he lay at table in the house ...” He does not call it his own house, though Luke tells us it was Matthew’s house. And many tax-gatherers and sinners came and lay at table with Jesus and His disciples.
JT Showing the volume of what was done, as we have been saying. It was the many; the number of persons involved.
ANW Evangelistic Luke says that he made a great entertainment; that is the side he stresses.
JT Yes; Luke is evangelistic.
JHE When the Lord told the Pharisees to go and learn, He referred to Hosea 6:6, “For I delight in loving-kindness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings”. Had they known God they would have understood.
JT And so He adds that He had not come to call righteous men but sinners. Tax-gatherers and sinners are put together as if they were equally in disrepute. Matthew calls himself a tax-gatherer. He was not ashamed to say it because he had been called out from it.
EM The Lord quotes: “I will have mercy and not sacrifice”. In order that God could show mercy, His sacrifice was necessary.
RWS Are we not, in some sense, faced with volume as well as quality in our day? We are not [p. 350] to underestimate what there is. I am thinking of the volume of ministry that there is and the quality, too. There seems to be a general consolidation of the truth taking place universally. Is that not a great matter?
JT I am sure it is. We get some fairly large meetings, but we also have order in them. Looseness is not allowed; order is insisted upon. And God would have that. And in our local meetings the Lord helped us to see that about fifty is a proper size for a meeting.
ANW We have been impressed to see that the size of a local meeting stands in relation to the cup.
JTJr The cup determines the workable size of a meeting.
Ques Fifty would be the thought in numbers, but there is also to be the quality of material, would you not say?
JT Well, if the meeting becomes large, we should consider getting another meeting room. That is the way the meetings have increased in number.
Ques Is there such a thing as a workable number?
JT I think fifty is a workable number. The Lord said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in companies by fifties”, Luke 9:14.
Ques That would be a maximum, but what is a workable minimum?
JT Oh, that would be two or three; as we get in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered ...”.
Ques Well, would two be a workable number?
JT “Two or three”; two may be used, or three may be used. The truth is set out in Matthew, the assembly gospel. It shows that the assembly position may be held by two or three.
ANW Well are we doing right in our local area to continue with fourteen breaking [p. 351] bread?
JT You are as near right as any meeting in the city.
Ques Would two or three be sufficient to carry on the service of God on Lord’s day morning?
JT Certainly, two or three can carry on at any time.
Ques That would mean that some brothers would take part more than once in the meeting. Is that in order?
JT Quite in order; if there is only one brother, God will hear him; and whoever may be present will hear him. It is a question of speaking and hearing. It is quite right to hold to the thought of two or three. Matthew 18:20 speaks of two or three “gathered together unto my name”, and the Lord says, “there am I in the midst of them”. It is not simply in the midst, but in the midst of them; in the midst of the two or three.
Ques Is it in order for a brother to take part more than once in the meeting on Lord’s day morning?
JT Why not? God will listen to him; if he is a priest God will listen to him.
AP There is a meeting where soon there will be but two sisters left. Would it be possible for them to continue?
JT They could meet and converse with one another.
AR There are localities where there were only sisters for some time and they came together and laid the table each Lord’s day. If no brother came they did not break bread, but the position was held.
JT It is a day of small things and we must make the most of the small things.
TVD Where few have carried on in faith the Lord has usually honoured it by adding to the [p. 352] numbers.
JT Just so; God will increase us if we are ready for it.
VCL Although it is a day of small things the truth has come more clearly to us in relation to the sonship of Christ and as to the Holy Spirit, and we have been preserved from serious division. Is that not because the saints have become more established in the truth, leading to greater unity?
JT And, as we have said already, where two or three are gathered together in His name the Lord is in the midst of them. That is a great matter and it bears upon what we are saying.
ABP In thinking of the great mercy that has been shown, should not our attitude be one of humility? Ezra said, “And now for a little space there hath been favour from Jehovah our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage”, Ezra 9:8. Should not that be our attitude in relation to the present period of favour?
JT Just so.
Ques The Lord being in the midst would add to the position, would it not? Nebuchadnezzar said that he beheld a fourth in the fiery furnace and that He was like the Son of God.
JT Our dear brother Mr. Pellatt, whom some of us will have known said that there were five at a certain meeting. Upon inquiry he explained that there were four brothers and sisters and the Lord Himself was there. “There am I in the midst of them”, Matthew 18:20.
FHL The promise to Philadelphia is that the door will not be shut because there is a little strength. Does that link with Matthew 18?
JT Just so.