Verily I say—in as much, &c.— This is unspeakably astonishing! The united wisdom of angels could not have thought of any thing more proper to convey an idea of the warmth and strength of the divine benevolence to man, or offered a more constraining motive to charity, than that the Son of God should declare from the judgment-seat, in the presence of the whole assembled universe, that such good offices as are done to the afflicted through genuine love, are done to him. Having in the day of his flesh suffered injuries and afflictions unspeakable, he considers all the holydistressed members of his body, loves them tenderly, and is so much interested in their welfare, that when they are happy, he rejoices; when they are distressed he is grieved. In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Wonderful condescension of the Son of God!
Astonishingstupidity of men! who neglect altogether or are persuaded with difficulty, to do good to Christ. What wonderful condescension, that the Son of God should call any of us his brethren! This happy relation arises from the manhood, which he still possesses in common with us. The faithful are with him, but in an infinitely inferior sense, sons of the same Father, after whose image they are formed through the influence of his Spirit working faith in them. It is this conformity of nature human and divine, which makes men Christ's brethren; for which reason, in whatever person it is to be found, he will acknowledge the relation, without regard to any circumstance whatever, that is out of the person's power. See Macknight. By these my brethren, Dr. Heylin also understands, the saints, who should come in Christ's train to judgment. See Mede's Works, p. 81 and Wetstein.