Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
Again, as Paul reminds us, that the gospel is mean according to the flesh, "that our faith should stand" in the power of the Spirit, not in the "lofty142 words of human wisdom," or in any worldly splendor,143 (1 Corinthians 2:4,5;) so this inestimable "treasure" has been deposited by God, from the beginning, "in earthen vessels," (2
Corinthians 4:7,) that he might more fully try the obedience of our faith. If then we desire to come to Christ, let us not be ashamed to follow those whom the Lord, in order to cast down the pride of the world, has taken, from among the dung144 of cattle, to be our instructors.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them He says, that the glory of the Lord145 shone around the shepherds, by which they perceived him to be an angel.146
For it would have been of little avail to be told by an angel what is related by Luke, if God had not testified, by some outward sign, that what they heard proceeded from Him. The angel appeared, not in an ordinary form, or without majesty, but surrounded with the brightness of heavenly glory, to affect powerfully the minds of the shepherds, that they might receive the discourse which was addressed to them, as coming from the mouth of God himself. Hence the fear, of which Luke shortly afterwards speaks, by which God usually humbles the hearts of men, (as I have formerly explained,) and disposes them to receive his word with reverence.
10. Fear not The design of this exhortation is to alleviate their fear. For, though it is profitable for the minds of men to be struck with awe, that they may learn to "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name," (Psalm 29:2;) yet they have need, at the same time, of consolation, that they may not be altogether overwhelmed.
For the majesty of God could not but swallow up the whole world, if there were not some mildness to mitigate the terror which it brings. And so the reprobate fall down lifeless at the sight of God, because he appears to them in no other character than that of a judge. But to revive the minds of the shepherds, the angel declares that he was sent to them for a different purpose, to announce to them the mercy of God.
When men hear this single word, that God is reconciled to them, it not only raises up those who are fallen down, but restores those who were ruined, and recalls them from death to life.
The angel opens his discourse by saying, that he announces great joy; and next assigns the ground or matter of joy, that a Savior is born These words show us, first, that, until men have peace with God, and are reconciled to him through the grace of Christ, all the joy that they experience is deceitful, and of short duration.147
Ungodly men frequently indulge in frantic and intoxicating mirth; but if there be none to make peace between them and God, the hidden stings of conscience must produce fearful torment. Besides, to whatever extent they may flatter themselves in luxurious indulgence, their own lusts are so many tormentors. The commencement of solid joy is, to perceive the fatherly love of God toward us, which alone gives
142"En paroles magnifiques;" — "in magnificent words." 143"En quelque lustre et apparence du monde;" — "in any luster and display of the world." 144"Ex pecudum stercore;" — "sur la fiente des bestes." 145"La clarte du Seigneur;" — "the brightness of the Lord." 146"c'a este afin qu'ils cogneussent que c'estoit l'ange de Dieu qui parloit;" — "it was in order that they might know that it was the angel of the Lord that spoke."
147"Ce n'est que fumee;" — "it is only smoke."