Matthew 9:10-13 - Homilies By P.c. Barker

The model readiness of mercy.

Learn that—

I. THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACES AND THE MOST UNUSUAL TIMES ARE , ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST , TO BE UTILIZED FOR THE SEEKING AND CONVERTING OF THE MOST UNUSUAL CHARACTERS , AND THOSE WHO MAY BE APPARENTLY OF THE MOST HOPELESS KIND .

II. THAT BY THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST NO LIMIT MUST BE SET TO THE CONDESCENSION — WHENEVER EVEN IT MAY MOST REALLY MERIT THAT DESCRIPTION — OF THE MAN WHO WOULD EMULATE THE CHARACTER AND THE WORK AND THE METHODS OF THAT MODEL PHYSICIAN OF SOULS .

III. THAT AS THE SUPREME NEED OF THE SOUL IS MERCY , SO ALSO THE SOVEREIGN QUALIFICATION OF HIM WHO WOULD RE ITS PHYSICIAN IS READINESS TO MERCY — TO FEEL IT AND TO SHOW IT .

Contrast the "having mercy" and the requiring of sacrifice.—B.