The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 425

Vers. 16-23.-The futwe mission of the apostles. I. THE OOMING PERSECUTIO:ll'S. 1. The Lwd warns his apostles befwehand. "Behold, I send you forth." He loob forward to their future work in the world when they should have received the full apostolic commission ; he prepares them for the dangers of their office; he reminds them of its dignity, of the source from which the commission comes. "I send you." The pronoun is emphatic: "It is I, the Lord, who send yon." This thought should strengthen his servants in trials and difficulties. Their mission came from Christ. " I send you." The word reminded them of their apostleship ; of its dignity and its duties. 'fhey were sent by Christ. But they would be sent into the midst of dangers ; they would be like sheep in the midst of wolves-as harmless, as helpless. Their task seemed hopeless. A few weak men were sent to grapple with all the might of the heathen world. Their case seemed desperate; success seemed impossible. But it was the Lord who had sent them; here was their hope and strength. 2. He tells them how to conduct themselves. They were not to court martyrdom. They were to be wise, prudent, careful not to give unnecessary offence. Their lives were precious; they were to preserve them by all lawful means. St. Paul's conduct in heathen countries was regulated by this precept of the Lord's. The town~lerk at Ephesus said of him and his companions that they were not robbers of temples nor blasphemers of the Ephesian goddess. They did not put themselves into unnecessary danger by shocking the prejudices of the heathen. But they were to copy the wariness, not the guile, of the serpent. They must be harmless as doves; or rather, as the word means, simple, sincere, pure as doves. They must be genuine, truthful, free from the mixture of selfish motives. Such should be the conduct of Christ's ministers now. They need prudence in dealing with men-zeal without discretion often interferes with the success of their work; but they must always be truthful and single-hearted. 3. The sufferings that awaited them. They would be scourged by the Jews; they would be brought before Gentile governors and kings. The Lord began early to prepare his disciples for persecution. It is what no earthly teacher would have done-only the Son of God. The crown would indeed be theirs, hut the cross must come :first. Their sufferings would be a testimony, proving to Jew and Gentile the depth, the reality of their faith, the power of God which strengthened them. Christian patience, Christian meekness, show the mighty influence of the grace of God. They testify for God far more effectively tho.n words. II. THEY HUST TRUST, AND NOT BE AFRAID. 1. They were not to be ana:iow to prepare their defence. Christ does not forbid thoughtfulness. He uses the same word here which he used in the sermon on the mount: "Take no thought for the morrow." They must not be anxious ; they must not allow their minds to be distracted with care about the matter or the manner of their answers. The Christian must be always trustful ; he is in the hands of God. He must keep hie heart free from distressing anxieties; the peace of God should dwell there, 2. The reason. The martyrs of the Lord would have the promised help of God the Holy Ghost. He would strengthen their heRrt in the hour of danger with his most gracious presence. He would tench them what to speak; nay, he would so :fill their inmost being, that the words which seemed to be uttered by bis servants would be in truth the words of God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit removes distracting cares, and fills the heart with joy o.nd peace in believing. He inspired the saints and martyrs in the olden times. He cleanses the hearts of the faithful by his holy inspiration now, and gives them words when they are called to speak for the glory of God and for tho good of souls. God's ministers are not apostles; they must give time and thought and study for the prepara- tion of their sermons. We must not offer to the Lord our God that which bath cost us nothing. Still, they must look for the help of the blessed Spirit. He will teach them (if they come to him in the earnest prayer of humility and faith) what they ought to speak; and that the more, the nearer they walk with God. Ill. 'l'HE CRUELTY OF THE IMPENDING PERSECUTION. 1. The breaking of family tin. The preaching of Christianity would introduce a .new element of division into the 422 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [OH, x. 1-42.