Middletown transcript., 1914-01-10

speaketh in you. Matt. 1920
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" ". - e. 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 a 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.
1. The Seventy Sent (vv 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
a particular people, whittier he him
self would come" 2 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 (vv. 2, 81.
Prayer and work go hand in hand IN
a 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 1 send you;" and
those whom he sends are not COM
PEELED to labor alone, Matt. 2S:2O;
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 ouf
characters, we are to be lamb-like.
(2) Their environment, "amonk
wolves" That is to say, surrounding
each harvest field, and frequently en-
croaching as far as they dare, are the
wolves, a type of the 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. "a.
(3) In the third place, they are to
go forth with complete dependence
upon Gods providing care ". A.. The
exact letter of these instructions Is
not always incumbent upon his ambas-
sadors, chapter 22:35, sc, but the spir-
it of absolute faith in a Father who
will provide, must always possess his
representatives.
4. As to their bearing, 1t must be
that of dignity and self-respect ". 81
Social demands consume a great deal
OF energy in diplomatic circles, and it
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 a "son of peace" ". 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 were 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 ". 81, |
not demanding, "a worthy compensa-
ion" The church of Christ stands
condemned for the meager salaries
given it's representatives yet it is also
true that a man usually, and in the |
ong run, gets about what he is worth
Gods Truth.
To build up character brings far |
richer compensation, and more last
Iuk ISSullOp lncbu " OOlcAA OoA SA%S
ease or wealth. Therefore |
he ambassador Of Christ can afford
% wait with glad certainty the final
casting up of accounts, accepting in
he meantime the lowlier seats among
men, Luke 14:7-14. However, these
do have an exalted work
20 perform. They had a commission
or both body and soul. The Gospel
If Christ is for the whole man ". 81.
TO minister to the bodies Of men must
however be accompanied by the her
llding of the coming kingdom. That
which is everlastingly to be
,isible upon earth, Dan. 2:44.
II. The Seventy Received wv. 10
81 These heralds were to proclaim
hat the kingdom was nigh unto you"
n this section we have set before
IS not only the probable manner
Whereby the ambassadors may be re-
eived; but also their attitude towards
hose who shall reject them. Jesus, by
lis anathemas pronounced upon Choir
.zin and Bethsaida (vv. 12-15), init
mates what shall be the fate of those
Who reject the ambassadors of the
ling. He emphasizes this by saying
v. 16) that he is heard and despised
Ehen these, his representatives, are
eard or despised. This shaking of
f the dust is a testimony of Gods
of their deeds, Luke 9:5.
f men will not receive the Gospel, We
re to pass on (Acts 1851; 1850.
his does not, however, in any sense
ct aside, nor invalidate, Gods truth,
tom. 1:16. The words of that para
raph contained in verses 12-15. are