3. The extent of Chrisfs mission. — While the regeneration of men was His hfst concern, His numerous miracles evince His care for man's physical needs. As all departments of life were to be purified and enriched by Hi> example and teach- ing, so aU men were to feel that they could l»e saved by His grace. It has been supposed that Jesus had no outlook beyond the Chosen People, and that the universalism of the Gospels is an inter- polation ; the catholicity which the Church sub- sequently manifested being read liack into the teachings of tlie Lord. This conjecture is applied to the Fourth Gospel, to the world-wide commission (Mt •2S1*-"", Mk 16'5|. and to the tmiversalism of St. Luke. True it is that at first the area of labour was restricted (Mt 15^), but this was a necessity of the situation, and is no indication that the Gentiles were to be excluded from salvation. Sin is not local or racial, and Jesus hated it ; and man, as man, was loved by Him. Any devout Jew would think that somehow the Gentiles were to reap advantage from the Messianic reign (Lk 2**"*^), and though it was deemed absurd to suppose that preference could be given by the Messiah to heathen men (Jn 7^), even the Pharisees were zealous in making proselytes (Mt 23^^). Wliy should it be thought incredible that Jesxis hoi>ed ultimately to win men of all nations? Was not exclusiveness distressing to Him? Was He not ready with a reference to mercies granted to the woman of Zarephath and to Xaaman the Syrian ( Lk 4^-'^) ? The outer court of the Temple was the only part of the sacred structure to Mhich a Gentile had access, and all the Evangelists report that Jesus insisted that this enclosure should be kept clean and quiet 'for aU the nations' (Mt 21i2- 1^, Mk lli^i", Lk 19*5. 46 ju 2^*'^*). Jesus rejoiced in the centttrions faith — not found by Him in Israel (Lk 7*), and the Syrophoenician woman cheered His heart by her trust and lo\-ing ingenuity (Mt 15^). At first the disciples were forbidden to preach to Samaritans (Mt 10^1, though, when they were fully equipped, the restriction was withdrawn (Ac 1*) : He Himself laVx)ured in Samaria (Lk 9^^'^, Jn 4), and called attention to the l>eneficence of one Samaritan (Lk irp-33), and to the faith and gratitude of another Q-i5-i9j It Ls quite in harmony with the Saviour's love for the outcast and despised, the publicans and sinners amongst the Jews (Mt 9^^*. Lk T^r-a* 151. 2ff. ig9-u 191-10, that He should foresee the ap- proach of all men to Himself (Jn 12^-). and antici- 1 pate a time when He should l»e the Shepherd of one flock consisting of sheep gathered from far and near (10^*). The interest manifested bv the Magi (Mt 2) and by the Greeks (Jn 12^-1) is not alien to ! Christ's mission. Moreover it is clearly declared that strangers ^vill l»ecome workers in the vineyard (Mt 21"), and that before His throne all nations are to be assembled for judgment (Mt 25^'- ^). ' The ' Saviour of the world ' ( Jn 4^) has grace and power wherewith to meet the needs which belong to every man in every age and country ; for He is the Light (P81295 12^r. theWater(4i« 7'*'), theBread(6»-«^), the Life (11-5 14«).
i. Credentials of the mission. — Jesus entered i
VOL. II. — 13
upon His task with the confidence that He was anointed ^^-ilh the Holy Spirit (Lk 4'*). John the Baptist declared that he saw the Spirit descending upon Jesus, and that he had been prepared for thfe sign (Jn 1*^*^1. The testimony thus borne by the last of the Old Covenant prophets is referred to by the Saviour together ^vith other credentials, — aus the witne>s of His works, that of the Father and that of the Scriptures ( Jn 5^-^). Messengers c-ame from the Machjenis prison, saying, 'John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee.saying. Art thou he that cometh, or lc>ok we for another?' In that hour .JestLs \%Tought miracles which He adduced, together \tith HLs habit of announcing good tidin«^ to the poor, as proofs of HLs Messiahship (Lk 7'*"*=). The deeds were signs (<rjjAi€ta) that the Divine messenger could quicken body and soul (ilk 5*^ **, Lk 7^*- ^, Jn 11-^ ^ **) ; cure physical and spiritual diseaises ; render efficient withered powers (Mk S^"*, Jn 5*^) ; add faculties, contrary to what might be expected, as in the case of the man bom blind ( Jn 9) ; redress evils caused by circumstances — for instance the fever due to the Capernaum district — (Lk 4^**) ; cleanse all the fountains of life, as in cures wrought for lepers (Mk 1*-'-^', Lk 17^"^') ; Ijestow abilities, receptive (Mk S'-^^) and com- municative (Mt 9*^*). While the miracles were wTought in pxire kindness, they afforded evidences to the thoughtful of the validity of Christ's claims (Jn 3- 7^^ ltj3^-s^ 14^ 1.5-^), and they were intended by the Lord to give assurance to men of His re- deeming grace ( Mk 2^'-'- " ). The very term employed for sa^"ing processes (o-wfw) will serve equally for temporal and spiritual blessings (Mt I^, Mk 10^, Lk 7*. Jn 3'"f, even as the Worker shows Himself in reference both to the inner and the outer life to be the Great Physician iMk 2''). Some persons were allowed to have extraordinary aid to the belief that •Jesus came from God, for they were with Him when He was transfigured, and heard a voice say- ing, 'This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him' (Lk 9 ^) ; nevertheless there was adequate support for the faith of all men in the remarkable interest Jesus took in the neglected (Lk 7^23 i5iff.,_ in jjjg readiness to pray (.Jn 17^; and to serve (Mk 6**, cf. v.^^), and in the tmion of qualities of character which are rarely found together. The credentials of Christ's mission are in Himself. The grandeur and simplicity of His life, the meek and beneficent use of marvellous powers, the sinless One's friend- ship with sinners, the strength and gentleness, the zeal and patience, the ardour and puritA^ of His character — prove that He came forth from the Father (.Jn 6*-* 16^). Believers in Him discover Avith more and more clearness, as tbey trust Him more and more fully, that His gracious promises are ftilfilled. He is to their consciences the Good- ness,— to their intellects the Truth, — to their hearts the supreme Beauty, the Way, the Truth, the Life.