We have here a distinction drawn between one citizen and all the rest. The prince was to enter by the way of the porch of the east gate and stand by the post of the gate, "at the porch of the inner court," while the people were to stand at a distance, at the outer gate (vers. 2, 3); yet on other occasions the prince and the people together were to enter in and to go forth together without regard to social distinction (ver. 10). We are thus invited to consider that, in the coming kingdom, of which this whole vision was prophetic, there were to be both distinction and equality. And we have both.

I. DISTINCTION WITHIN THE KINGDOM. In the gospel of Jesus Christ there are:

1. Higher posts in the Church to be occupied by a few; there have been (or are) apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, deacons, etc.; and there is a sense in which these have a priority of position over the ordinary members of the Church.

2. Higher order of service to be rendered by some. While every citizen of the kingdom of God has to serve by living the truth, by illustrating its essential principles in daily action in every sphere, it is given to some to commend the saving truth by powerful and persuasive utterances, or by unanswerable and imperishable literature; and yet again it is given to others to contribute still nobler service by suffering, or even dying, "for the sake of the Lord Jesus" and in confirmation of the truth (see Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:29; Revelation 7:13, 14).

3. Longer period of service granted to some than given to others.

(1) There are those who are called and blessed from childhood to old age, who serve Christ and his cause through all the stages of human life, with the gathered wisdom of long and varied experience.

(2) There are those who have not heard the Divine summons until the greater part of life is over, and these can only bring their wasted and rapidly declining faculties to the altar of holy service. Yet is there essential -

II. EQUALITY IN THE KINGDOM. Inasmuch as:

1. All must enter at the same gate. To one and all alike, however favored or however denied, Jesus Christ is the one open Door by which to come (John 10:7).

2. All must advance by the same spiritual course - by means of watchfulness and prayer and holy usefulness, by learning of God, by gaining from God, by working for God.

3. All must give account of the? Christian life, and the use they have made of their the opportunity (Luke 19:12-26; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

4. All will be judged on principles of perfect equity (Matthew 25:20-23; Luke 12:48; 2 Corinthians 8:12). - C.

The old legend that the Grecian host lay weather bound in their port, vainly waiting for a wind to come and carry them to conquest; and that they were obliged to slay a human sacrifice ere the heavens would be propitious and fill their sails, — may be translated into the deepest verity of the Christian life. We may see in it that solemn lesson — no prosperous voyage, and no final conquest until the natural life has been offered up on the altar of hourly self-denial.

(A. Maclaren, D. D.)