625. LUK 10:1-20. JESUS CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES
Luk_10:1-20. Jesus Christ’s Instructions to the Seventy Disciples
By The Rev. H. Hunter, D. D.
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way," etc.’97Luk_10:1-20.
At the time when our blessed Lord sent out the seventy, by two and two, he was preparing to follow them in the last circuit which he made through Galilee, being within the last six months of his abode upon earth. What he addressed to them on that memorable occasion, may, with the change of a few circumstances, serve to admonish, warn, and instruct us all; and especially those whom we are sending out in his name, on a progress much more extensive, but precisely with the same view. I trust all will listen to them, therefore, with that attention, deference, and humility, which are due, not to the words of a mere man like themselves, but of Him who spake as never man spake.
I. Christ sent out the seventy by pairs, seeming to say, with Joseph to his brethren, "See that ye fail not out by the way," Gen_45:24.
The little district of Galilee was thus parcelled out into thirty-five subdivisions; and thereby the labor and danger were diminished, by being equalized. Besides, each missionary was thus provided with a known and tried friend, embarked in the same cause with himself, whose conversation would relieve the tediousness of the way, mutual confidence would be inspired to the discharge of their important trust, and credit would be secured to a message delivered under the concurring testimony of two witnesses.
II. Our blessed Lord fairly and faithfully warned the seventy of the difficulty and danger of the charge which they were undertaking.
The labor and difficulty he represents under the idea of an ample harvest, to be reaped by the hands of a few laborers. The harvest-field is a scene of more than ordinary exertion, toil, and fatigue, even when laborers are abundant; it calls for unremitting application through the whole day, and frequently through the night’97it demands emulous yet friendly energy.
The danger of the enterprise is represented in the character here given of human nature: "Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." "Beware of men," Mat_10:17. Mortifying view of human nature! and, alas! it is not the exaggerated account of a discontented, irritable cynic, inflamed with hatred against mankind; but a true representation of the case from one who knew it well, and who bitterly deplored that depravity which he was constrained to expose. Man a wolf to man!’97to his brother’97his benefactor! Man a victim to the fury of him whom he sought to save!
III. Our Lord cautions his missionaries against an over-curious and minute regard to accommodation, preparatory to their entering on their mission, and while employed in executing the business of it.
Observe, he would inculcate on them an unbounded confidence in the care of Providence, and perfect contentment with such provision as the hospitality of those whom they visited might, from time to time, supply. They are enjoined to disregard some particulars which most men would deem essentially necessary to a journey: "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes." An anxious solicitude about conveniences, much more about fantastical gratification and indulgence, betrays a mind unsubdued to the authority, and uninfluenced by the example, of the Lord Jesus. It betrays the sickly appetite of a spoiled child, which must be tempted and pampered with delicacies; not the manly spirit of the intrepid youth, who cares not how hard he lies, and how coarsely he fares, provided he gets forward. "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need," Php_4:11, Php_4:12.
IV. Our Lord recommends to the disciples undivided, undeviating attention to what was specially committed to them.
This is plainly implied in the injunction, "Salute no man by the way." And this is by no means an encouragement to practice rudeness and incivility; for the gospel inculcates not only the weightier matters’97"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, and whatsoever things are pure," but those also, which "are lovely and of good report," Php_4:8; and ordains that "all things be done decently and in order," 1Co_14:40. But the salutations of the East were and are formal, tedious, and ceremonious; and custom sanctioned them so far, as to suspend and interrupt the most serious and necessary business. It became needful, therefore, on urgent occasions, to dispense with the customary laws of decorum.
"The King’s business requireth haste." When a dark world is to be enlightened; when the "dead in trespasses and sins" are to be quickened into "newness of life," let the servant of Jesus Christ give his whole heart to it, "Let the dead bury their dead," Mat_8:22.
V. Our Lord’s instructions to the seventy respecting their work, and the manner in which they were to perform it.
This consists of three articles: they were to proclaim peace wherever they went; they wore to "heal the sick;" and to announce the immediate approach of the kingdom of God. What a copious return for the lodging and refreshments of a day! And it is thus that the great God acknowledges and remunerates the little services which men render him in the person of his ministers. "Say, peace be to this house," Luk_10:5.
"Heal the sick." The seventy were endowed with miraculous powers of healing. They had this supernatural seal affixed to their commission; and thus an effectual door was opened for them to the hearts of those to whom their message was addressed. We pretend not to send you forth armed with such power as this.
But "say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." This prepared the inhabitants of Galilee for the personal visit of the Saviour of the world; thus was his approach announced in "every city and place, whither he himself would come;" and thus are these, our missionary brethren, to "go forth," I trust, in the spirit and power of Elias, in the spirit and power of John Baptist; as "a voice crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God," Isa_40:3. A finger pointing out’97a tongue proclaiming, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," Joh_1:29.
VI. Christ encourages his disciples with the assurance, that he should consider the reception which they met with, as given to himself.
Every instance of neglect or insult which should be offered to them, as disrespectful to him, and consequently to God; and every expression of kindness and benevolence to them, as a personal favor. "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me," Luk_10:16.
VII. Our Lord instructs his disciples to keep their hearts with all diligence, from, the emotions of self-gratulation and complacency in the hour of success.
To the full extent of his promise, and beyond it, his presence and power had accompanied them. This they joyfully acknowledged on their return, "saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us, through thy name," Luk_10:17. But even this was surpassed by a still dearer, and more deeply interesting consideration: "Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven," Luk_10:20. Hereby their great their eternal all was effectually secured.
To conclude. Let every professed Christian consider himself specially commissioned to declare and to live "the truth as it is in Jesus," in the ears, and before the eyes of a careless and unbelieving world!
Autor: JABEZ BURNS