NO. 935 DELIVERED ON LORD'S-DAY MORNING, JUNE 12TH, 1870, BY C. H. SPURGEON, AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.
“And he marvelled because of their unbelief.” — Mark 6:6.
THAT Jesus marvelled was in itself a marvel. We never read that either science or art, nature or providence, excited his wonder. We do not find that he marvelled at the grandeur of the temple, although his disciples were evidently wonder-struck, for they said, “Master, see what manner of stones and buildings are here!” Little did his mind dwell upon the gigantic size of the stones, or the antiquity of the pile, or the grandeur of the architecture, but his sympathetic soul mourned as it foresaw the destruction of the whole, and of those who dwelt around it, and he uttered the prophetic words, “There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” I do not find the Redeemer marvelled at the force and majesty of the Roman empire, and yet it wielded a very remarkable power, an all-pervading and irresistible influence. Out of utter insignificance the Roman empire had developed itself into a universal monarchy which locked the entire world in its embrace of iron. Scarce a dog dared move his tongue without the leave of Caesar. In every place, whether sacred or profane, the insignia of the empire were conspicuous; in every nation, whether polite or barbarous, the tramp of the imperial legionaries was heard; and the eagles of Rome were fluttering on every hill and in every dale; and yet I do not find that Jesus ever marvelled at all the pomp and energy of the rule of the Caesars. Neither do I find that he was ever struck with any wonder by the knowledge of the sages... |