Matthew 9:14-17 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Consistency in diversity.

Three classes of persons made up what might be called the religious community of Palestine, viz. the Pharisees, the disciples of John, and the disciples of our Lord. The ground of the question here was why one of these should neglect what the others preached as a religious duty. The answer here teaches—

I. THAT THERE IS A MORAL FITNESS IN RELATION TO CIRCUMSTANCES .

1 . Fasting might be proper to the disciple of John.

2 . Fasting might be proper to the Pharisee.

3 . But fasting might be improper to the disciple of Jesus.

II. THAT THE MORAL FITNESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES IS FATAL TO UNIFORMITY .

1 . Obviously so , because circumstances are ever varying.

2 . Christians have their seasons of mourning.

3 . When the Bridegroom returns mourning will end.

III. THAT CONSISTENCY MUST BE SOUGHT IN DIVERSITY .

1 . It is unnatural to seek it in uniformity.

2 . The unity of truth is in the spirit of love.