The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-01-09

Jesus came unto his own and his
own received him not" Rejected in
Judea, he turned to Galilee, making
his headquarters at Capernaum only
to be rejected there also. After these
things" w. - g. g., after his final de-
parture from Galilee, and as he was
about to perform his Perean ministry.
The ministry Of Jesus is rapidly has
tening to close, still there is much
work to do, hence the selection Of
those who shall go before him to pre-
pare for what proved to be in each
city and town his last visit
l. The Seventy Sent wv. 1-9). Verse
one tells us of the character of the
work they were to undertake, viz, to
be heralds; to prepare the people
against his coming, Cor. 500. There
Is a plentitude Of work, but, "the Ia
borers are few" They were sent to
particular people, whittier he him
self would come" Q Tim. AS; Titus
2:13. No matter what may have been
their limitations, the coming one"
would supply all deficiencies. Jesus
commanded prayer, but also sent forth
those same praying ones wv. 2, 81.
Prayer and work go hand in hand in
sane Christian experience. Every
impression demands sufficient express
sion, If it is to make any lasting con-
tribution to our characters. The large
harvest demands attention. We are
sent into that harvest by the King
himself, Behold l send YOU" and
those whom he sends are not COM
PEELED to labor alone, Matt. $500;
John 14:16. Jesus mentions four
things about those whom he sends:
Like Lambs.
% Their character. They are to be
like lambs" We have just had the
figure of "laborers" presented, labor
ers who were sent. Is this then a
mixed simile? We think not. We are
to go forth to the harvesting work as
laborers, that is our work, but, in our
characters, we are to be lamb-like.
(2) Their environment, among
wolves" That is to say, surrounding
each harvest field, and frequently en-
croaching as far as they dare, are the
wolves, type ofNthe evil one and OF
his agents. Those who go thus into,
or by the way Of, danger will not carry
any excess of baggage, 2 Tim. ga.
(3) In the third place, they are to
go forth with complete dependence
upon Gods providing care ". ~. The
exact letter of these instructions Is
not always incumbent upon his ambas-
sailors, chapter 22:35, SO, but the spir-
1t of absolute faith in a Father who
will provide, must always possess his
representatives.
4. AS to their bearing, It must be
that Of dignity and self-respect ". 81.
Social demands consume a great deal
OF energy in diplomatic circles, and 1t
is here that many Christians waste
precious energy, as well as becoming
involved in worldly practices. Their
first thought upon entering a house
must be for the good of the home
w. 81. not for their personal comfort.
If "son of peace" w. g., dwelt there,
one to whom peace rightfully be-
longed, their benediction would bring
to that home blessing. But If he be
not there their peace was not to be
lost, for it would return to the giver.
(5) Their mission was to offer, not
to force acceptance. They were not
beggars, going from house to house
". y, they had something worth
while and we're worthy of their hire.
The fawning, cringing sycophants that
pass for Christian workers stand re-
buked before this teaching. However
this does not sanction the dogmatic,
domineering methods Of some. They
are to accept what is offered ". g.,
not demanding, "a worthy compensa-
ton" The church of Christ stands
condemned for the meager salaries
given it's representatives, yet 1t is also
true that man usually, and in the
long run, gets about what he is worth.
Gods Truth.
To build up character brings a far
richer compensation, and more last
ing results, than to obtain earthly
prestige, ease or wealth. Therefore
the ambassador of Christ can afford
to wait with glad certainty the final
casting up of accounts, accepting in
the meantime the lowlier seats among
men, Luke 14:7-14. However, these
ambassadors do have an exalted work
to perform. They had commission
for both body and soul. The Gospel
of Christ is for the whole man ". 81.
To minister to the bodies of men must
however be accompanied by the her
aiding of the coming kingdom. That
kingdom which is everlastingly to be
visible upon earth, Dan. 2:44.
II. The Seventy Received wv. 10
49, These heralds were to proclaim
that the kingdom was nigh unto you"
In this section we have set before
us not only the probable manner
whereby the ambassadors may be re-
ceived, but also their attitude towards
those who shall reject them. Jesus, by
his anathemas pronounced upon Choir
azin and Bethsaida (vv.. 12-15), init
mates what shall be the fate of those
who reject the ambassadors Of the
King. He emphasizes this by saying