The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 101

I. THE LARGE AMOUNT OF AC0IDENT which enters into the fabric of human life. Take, for example, a bad railway accident. How accidental it seems that one man should just miss that train and be saved, and that another should just catch it and be killed; that one should take a seat in the carriage which is crushed, and another in the carriage which is left whole; that one should be sitting exactly where the bent and twisted timber pierced him, and another exactly where no injury was dealt, etc. I It is the same with the battle-field, with the thunderstorm, with the falling house. One is taken, and another left; and the taking of the one and the leaving of the other seems to be pure accident-not the result of reason or forethought, but entirely for- tuitous. I I. OuR CORRECTED THOUGHT CONCERNING IT. 1. Of accident in the sense of chance we know there is nothing. Everything is "under law;" and even where there is no law apparent, we are assured, by the exercise of our reason, that there must be the operation of law, though it is out of our sight. In this world of God's, pure chance has not an inch of ground to work upon. 2. There is usually much more play of reason and habit in "accidental events" than seems at first sight. Things result as they do because habit is stronger than judgment, or because foolish men disregard the counsel of the wise; because thoughtful men take the precautions which result in their safety, and because thoughtless men take the action which issues in their suffering or death. 3. The providence of God covers the entire field of human life. May we venture to believe that the hand of God is in the events and issues of life? I think we may. (1) It is clearly within the range of the activities of an Infinite Being to whom nothing is small as nothing is great. (2) His Fatherhood would lead him to follow the course of every one of his children with parental interest, and to interpose his hand wherever he saw it was wise to do so. (3) Scripture warrants the conclusion: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints;"" The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walk:eth to direct his steps;" " Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father : ye are of more value than many sparrows." II!. THE LARGE MEASURE OF UNCERTAINTY THAT RE.MAINS AND MUST RE.MAIN, Human science has introduced many safeguards, but it has also introduced new perils. The "chapter of accidents" is as long as it ever was in the contemporary history of mankind. God is supreme, but he lets many things happen we should antecedently have supposed he would step in to prevent; he lets good men take the consequence of their mistakes; he permits the very holy and the very useful to be overtaken by sad misfortunes and even by fatal calamities. We cannot guarantee the future; we cannot ensure prosperity, health, friends, reputation, long life. To one that seems to be heir to all these good things they will fall; to another who seems equally likely to inherit them they will be denied: one is ta.ken, the other left. Therefore let us turn to-- IV. THE O1'"'E GOOD TIIIN'G ON WHICH WE 0AN ABSOLUTELY COUNT. There is "a !!Ood part which shall not be taken a.way." This is a. Christian character; its fot~nda- tions a.re laid in repentance and faith; it is built up of reverent ~tudy, of worship, of the obedience of love. Its glory is in resemblance to Jesus Christ himself. This is within every man's reach, and it cannot be taken; it must be left. He who secures that is safe for ever. No accident can rob him of his heritage. His treasure and him- self are immovable; for "he that doeth the will of God a.bideth for ever."-C. Vere. 1-19.-Graces stimulated and strengthened. The preceding chapter urges most powerfully, by precept and parable, consideration for otherR. Money is to be used for thi11 end. But consideration may be shown in many other ways. And want of --onsidera.tion may be one of those " occasions of stnm bling" ( so in Revised Version) to the Lord's little ones which shall be visited with such overwhelming retribution. Our Lord consequently begins by teaching- 1 THE GREAT DANGER OF CAUSING A LITTLE ONE TO STUMBLE. (Vere. 1, 2.) In this way he urges bis disciples to watchfulness. He plainly implies that defenceless individuals who fall through stumbling-blocks placed in their path shall have in God a most terrible Avenger. Better the most fearful physical death than the fate of those who cause them to stumble. Of Judas it was expressly stated it would have been better if he had never been born; and the same might be said of every on.xvn.1-37.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 105