The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 434

THOSE HE OOMMISSIONS ARE TO FULFIL THEIR ALLOTTED WORK. These are such as follow: Firstly, absolute independence of any supposed dictation on the part of those to whom their mission is. Secondly, absolute undoubting reliance on himself for guidance and protection, and in the la.st resort for all that is necessary for "life." Thirdly, the exclusive use and encouragement of moral influence over and among those who are to be visited and preached to, and whose spiritual and bodily 1<icknesses and diseases are to be ministered to. A most interesting and significant exemplification of this same principle is _to be observed in the direction given to the disciples to accept hospitality; not only this, :imt to lay ~hemselve~ op~n ~ the offer of it; nay, to iaquire for it, but; never to force 1t. And this exemphficat1on 1s perhaps yet more powerfully established in the external symbolic, but still moral condemnation, directed to be expressed towards those who refused to "receive them," as also to "hear their words." Fourthly, throughout all that might seem to merely superficial observation special and artificial and supernatural-a religions and grateful obedience to what wise nature and true reason must dictate. 'l'hey are sent forth "by two and two" (see St. Mark's account; see also of the seventy, Luke x. 1). This is (1) for the manifest and natural advantages of conversation and mutual support; as also for the yet greater gain of complementary support; that is, that where the characteristics of one lay in one direction, those of the other lying in another direction, would contribute largely to the whole stock. So Bunyan, in his great Master's track, herein sets off his two pilgrims, and they remain together to the end-men of the most diverse character and most diverse Christian adapt.abilities. And (2) for the almost creating, but at any rate the setting high honour on the observing of the relation· so novel then-spiritual brotherly affection, Christian brotherly affection. How many causes and motives may unite, have united, men tog-ether "by two and two" I How rare this once was I how grand has been ite career since! What diverse ages-age itself with youth itself; what diverse charac- ters-the gentlest and meekest with the strongest and impetuous-the enumeration were almost endless-has Christian work, the simplest work "for Christ's sake," bound together in alliance as indissoluble as sacred! Fifthly, the practical memory of the fa.et, that as Chril!t's supreme, final ministry has for its achievement the redemption of soul and body, so that of his apostles, follow it however humbly, at however great a distance, is for the healing of the sicknesses of the body as well as of the sin of the soul. Perhaps it may be said that in nothing has the career of Christianity more vindicated its worthiness than in this-in that, without a "miracle" worked by human intervention for eighteen centuries, those institutions, and t,hat individual charity, tho.t come of the very breath of Christ's own Spirit, have achieved a stupendous mass of mercy for the body of men down those centuries bereft of literal miracle, that leaves far, far behind all the glories of the miracle age. Sixthly, that there should be an order, however inscrutable for its method, and however inscrutable for ita justification (as men would be sure to say or to think), according to which the nations of the world were to be visited with the proclamation of the "kingdom of heaven nigh at hand," and with the priceless blessings of that kingdom. Note how facts have been bearing this out in complete harmony with it all the time, since those words fell on the ears of the disciples, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not." The enfranchising word has, it is true, gone forth in one respect to the very opposite effect now. It went forth round the whole world as Jesus ascended. But what a history to muse, to wonder over, "to be still and we.it," and to pray over-the sure but unknown growth and devious spread of the ltingdom I The "way" of that kingdom as it travelled after the" beginning at Jerusalem," past and present, and perhaps for long yet to come-it must be said even of it, as of him, who only knows and who only governs it, "'l'hy way is in the sea, thy path in the mighty waters, thy footsteps not known." Our voice, our mission, our commission, is, beyond one inglorious doubt, to all the world; but who is it teaching and constraining and compelling the order of our doings and of our goings in this grand enterprise? Surely an order there is I . We do not stumble on in guilty darkness; we do not hurry on by mere "good luck;" neither do we march on as an army in its strength and in our own atrength. We are practically as surely bound by the unseen hand that guides and threads our way over the world as were the first disciples by this spoken word. We ought, after praying to know it, to follow the one as implicitly as the disciples did the ou. x. 1--42.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 431