The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 222

where he hRe juet conRidered how he could serve others. To minister, not be ministered unto, wo.s hie continuo.l care. To make the service of others glorious in the eyes of discerning men was one great purpose of his earthly life. This reveals also the very spirit of the Divine life.1 God ie Lord of all because Servant of a.II. He sustains all, a.~ he has created all; and his greatness is the greatnees of ministration. It is only Oriental barbarism which supposes greatness to consist in indolent and luxuriant state. Here, then, is the field of genuine ambition. Let us try to be ji,rBt in the field of service; let us do our best and most for the benefit of all about us; and then a.lone shall we become noble and Christ-like. ll. CHRIST INDIOATES THE RESULTANT INP'LUE"S"CE, (Vers. 28-30.) To the~'.l disciples, who continue with Christ in his temptations, he appoints a. kingdom. fo this kingdom they are to have thrones, e.nd to be judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. In this way our Lord indicates the influence which these men, who entertain his spirit of-service, will acquire, And when we consider the history of Christianity, we see that even in the world of humanity these humble servants of God and mankind have become kings and judges. It is by their deliverances in the primitive age that men are judging themselves and being judged. The apostles are pre-eminently the sovereigns of this new and better t-ime. And this posthumous inflnence on earth is only o. faint reflection of tlicir influence in heaven. Now, is not this to encourage every serviceable soul? Let each of us be only content to serve, to do whatever a brother needs, and by our service we acquire influence and kingship. The world is really ruled by obliging, serviceable, meek, and earnest men. Ill. CHRIST NKX.T POINTS OU'l' TO PETER ms DANGER, RECOVERY, AND C0XSEQUE:l'T USEFULNESS. (Vers. 31-34.) For, strange oo say, temptation is overruled as well a.i service to the creation of influence. There is in Peter's nature a good deal of pride and vain-glory to be winnowed out. There is wheat within him, but also chaff. Now, Satan had set his mind upon the fall of Peter; but Jesus has already prayed for him that bis faith may not fail. Here was Peter's safeguard in the timely intercession of his Master. 9 How watcl.ifol the Lord was and i,i for souls! Oh, how our want of watchfulness stands rebuked! Yet Peter was permitted to fall under temptation; but ho was won back again, con vcrted the second time, so to speak, by the lovin_g look of Jesus; and thus destined to become a strengthener of the brethren. So that our Lord's prayers for us may be that, through permitted humiliations and tears anu penitence, we may pass on to power. It is only when self-confidence, as in Peter's c:i.se, has been purged out of us by humiliating discoveries of our pen;onal weaknes~, that we are in a position to undertake the care and strenl?theuing of brethren. Broken-hearted Simon becomes, after Pentecost, the reliable Rock-man, worthy of the new name, Peter, IV. THE CONTRASTED POLICIES OF CONFIDF.NCE AND OF PRUDENOE. (Vere. 35-33.) In sending the disciples out on their first missions, Jesus relied on the hospit.llity ot the people as a fitting support for his agents. Going to the people as philanthropists, working miracles, preachir.,g the advent of Messiah, they would m6et with such support as would be all-sufficient. 'l'his was the policy of confidence-the reliance on tho people for entil'e support. But when the world turned against Christ, and realize,! how opposed he was to its worldliness, tlien the disciples would require to exercise all possible prudence. They would require to look out for themselves, and even to fight for their own hand. 'l'hat is to say, there are times when we may trust the world, anu times when wo aro warranted in distrusting it. \Vhen is it, we are inclined to ask, that the prudential temper must take tbe place of confidence'! When the worhi is determined on injustice. 'l'hus at this time tl.ie world is about to reckon Christ among the transgressors, and to do him manifest injustice. 'l'he fit of unfairness was upon it, and the disciples should then sto.nd in self-<lcfence. But other days would <lawn ngain, when disciples will be warranted in pursuing a policy of public confidence, al!d thus giving the world the chance of compensation. Let us wisely consider the "signs of the times," and net accordingly. Chri~t will guide us to the policy which is best, if we prayerfully ask him.-R. M. E. 1 er. Dr. Dykee'e noblo sern.1on on ver. 27: • Sermons,' p. 291. • er. Vinet's • Nouvelles :Etudee Evo.ngelique~,' p. 238; also Woolsoy'd 'Religion of the Present and the Future,' p. 186; and Dykes's • Sermons,' p. 263.  nrn GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, LUKE. [Ott. :!XII. 1-71.