Sermon XXXIX.
[LXXXIX. Ben.]
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xxi. 19, where Jesus dried up the fig-tree; and on the
words, Luke xxiv. 28, where He made a pretence as though He would go further.
1. The lesson of the Holy Gospel which has just been read, has given us an alarming
warning, lest we have leaves only, and have no fruit. That is, in few words, lest words be
present and deeds be wanting. Very terrible! Who does not fear when in this lesson he sees
with the eyes of the heart the withered tree, withered at that word being spoken to it, “Let
no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever”?2949 Let the fear work amendment, and the
amendment bring forth fruit. For without doubt, the Lord Christ foresaw that a certain tree
would deservedly become withered, because it would have leaves, and would have no fruit.
That tree is the synagogue, not that which was called, but that which was reprobate. For out
of it also was called the people of God, who in sincerity and truth waited in the Prophets
for the salvation of God, Jesus Christ. And forasmuch as it waited in faith, it was thought
worthy2950 to know Him when He was present. For out of it came the Apostles, out of it
came the whole multitude of those who went before the ass of the Lord, and said, “Hosanna
to the Son of David, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.”2951 There was a
great company then of believing Jews, a great company of those who believed in Christ before
He shed His Blood for them. For it was not in vain that the Lord Himself had come to none
“but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”2952 But in others, after He was crucified, and
was now exalted into heaven, He found the fruit of repentance; and these He did not make
to wither, but cultivated them in His field, and watered them with His word. Of this number
were those four thousand Jews who believed, after that the disciples and those who were
with them, filled with the Holy Ghost, spake with the tongues of all nations,2953 and in that
diversity of tongues announced in a way beforehand, that the Church should be throughout
all nations. They believed at that time, and “they were the lost sheep of the house of Israel;”
but because “the Son of Man had come to seek and to save that which was lost,”2954 He
found these also. But they lay hid here and there among thorns, as though wasted and dis-
persed by the wolves; and because they lay hid among thorns, He did not come to find them,
2949 Matt. xxi. 19.
2950 Meruit.
2951 Matt. xxi. 9.
2952 Matt. xv. 24.
2953 Acts ii. 4.
2954 Luke xix. 10.
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xxi. 19, where Jesus dried up the fig-tree; and on the words, Luke xxiv. 28, where He made a pretence as though He would go further.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xxi. 19, where Jesus dried up the fig-tree;…