Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-02-17

Oun0-A A<SoHnGo oA4o >VA4<@eS -
view of the Same.
Lesson for Feb. 20.
'The Twelve Sent Forth" Is the title
of this weeks lesson. which may be found
in Matt. 10: 2-15.
Introductory.
After the Sermon on the Mount, there
occurred the second preaching tour in
Galilee, then a day of teaching and day
of miracles by the sea of Galilee, then a
third preaching tour, during which the
twelve apostles, who had been chosen just
before the Sermon on the Mount MARX
3: q, were sent out.
The ministry of Jesus had now reached
stage when he could begin to utilize the
service Of the disciples whom he had had
with him several months Tin the case of
the first four, James, John, Simon and
Andrew, nearly year,. or the nature of
the training which he had given them dur
ing this time we have only partial evil
dence, the Sermon on the Mount proba-
bly, indicating the general trend of teach
ing which extended over many following
weeks.
Explanatory.
BY all means include in this lesson the
four verses that prccede the passage as
signed: o: 1910, 1. They are the key ia
the whole section. Leave them out and
you miss the significance Of the sending
forth of the twelve.
This is a good place to learn, or to re-
view, the names of the twelve apostles
which everybody should know. How lit.
4 ia De- k<lA
NEW and Thaddeus, and Simon the Zeal
OF. Bartholomew is generally identified
with Nathaniel.
The prohibition against preaching to the
Gentiles shows that the mission was but
temporary, and adapted to the needssoi
that particular period. How foolish, then
for men to attempt to apply the details OF
the following injunctions to missionaries
and preachers to-day. The first effort
was to be for ''the lost sheep of the house
of Israel" and this effort. continued dur
ing Jesus life, and for several years af
terward. Not until persecution scattered
the church was foreign mission" work
attempted.
The substance of the apostles preach
ing was to be the kingdom. Bruce re
marks that ''the apprentice apostles could
as yet make no intelligent theoretic state
ment concerning the kingdom, but they
could tell not little about the King, the
Master who sent them, the chief object OF
interest doubtless for all receptive souls
Notice how prominent place healing
has in the mission. Since the twelve were
to be chiefly witnesses as to the person
atty of their Master, rather than teach
ers of systematic theology, their work
would require such practical demonstra
ton. The people who had heard Of Jesus
chiefly as healer would hardly listen tc
| men who represented themselves as his
followers, but who could perform no won
derful deeds.
These directions have given much trou
BILE to some students; in the first place
because it has been attempted to apply
them to other circumstances, in the sec
ond place, because they seem unreasona
bic even in this mission of the twelve. II
is not likely that in giving such directions
Jesus had the spirit of the monastic lead
ers who prescribe with painful exactness
every article which monk may have fol
his personal use, to disobey being a Sc
verely punished offense. Rather he spoke
in vivid, concrete way adapted to the
understanding Of his hearers, meaning
to impress upon them the urgency of Their
mission, the self-denial expected of them
and the complete remuneration Of worldly
pride and ambition.
Notice that this mission was not like
| that adopted in later times by Paul and
others. Instead OF entering into a syna.
gogue and speaking first to the assembled
people, following this up with personal ap.
peals, the twelve were at this time to un.
dertake a house-to-house mission. They
were to observe the ordinary rules OF
courtesy-on entering house, they mus,
say Peace be to this house." or peace
be unto you," the stereotyped greeting in
the East then and now; which would
under such circumstances, gain deer
and precious meaning. Think of having
Christs own messenger bring a message
Of peace into the home. Ever afterward
the threshold might seem more sacred
and the hearth more secure.
Rejection of the messenger is rejection
of him that sent him. This, at least, is nc
temporary provision, for Jesus repeats il
afterwards; and besides, it is true in the
nature Of things.
Teaching Hints.
Two ny tWo IL eOOu rule IN some
forms of Christian work-visiting, for in.
stance. Christian companionship is 9
great help in bearing good witness.
Christians who do not yet know very
much about formal religious doctrine car
do much good by simply bearing witness
to their knowledge of Christ. The least
learned disciple can say with sincerity
peace be to this house." and can bring
peace with him, if he has it in his heart.
Jesuo used men just as soon as they
were capable of being used. Yet he did
not cease training them; and he did not
entrust to them the most delicate and i'm.
portant tasks until they had been well
tested.
"As the Father hath sent me, even SC
send YOU"
Next Lesson-"Warning and Invita-.
ton MATT II. oO-2O