The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 274

"Christ." And not only so; these Scriptures are to be expounded and enforced in the light and through the skill of the opened understanding. This is the secret of the effect; it is this that makes them the sword. Only when they al'e thus the weapon of the Spirit, illuminating the mind of the teacher, as well as acting on the conscience of the hearer, are they quick and powerful. 'l'he opening of the understanding is spoken of as a definite action at a definite time. " Then opened he their understand- ing." What a new light is then shed on the sacred page I What a blessed" Eureka I" is then realized ! The foolish and slow in heart go forth with the sword of the Spirit, "conquering and to conquer." II. THE MESSAGE WHIOH THE CmracR IS TO DELIVER. (Ver. 46.) The message is: the Christ whom God has sent, and the world needs-the historica'Z Christ, incarnate, suffering, crucified, risen; and this Christ presented as the fulfilment of all Scripture, the con~ummation of Divine thought and purpose, "the Lamb slain from the founda- tion of the world,'' the Prophet, Priest, and King, by whom man is redeemed, in whom the nature and want, the hope and desire, of all nations are interpreted. The Church is called to teach that "thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day." Wide is the environment of truth, and the Church must sweep this environment in its vision; but this is the centre of all the circle. III. THE C01''DITIONS OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE KINGDOM OF Gon wmcH IT IB TO DECLARE. (Ver. 47.) The beginning of the gospel preached by Christ was the word "repent" (Matt. iv. 17). Now he solemnly and emphatically urges that repentance is to be the great fact in New Testament preaching. The end to be ever before the Church is " to open the eyes, and turn men from darkness to light, and from the power or Satan to God." And with this repentance is to be associated the blessing of the kingdom, "remission of sins;" i.e. the sending of the guilt and power of sin away from between the soul and God, and thus making the inner vision clear, inspiring with the consciousness of the spirit of adoption and the spirit of brotherhood, confirming in the liberty wherewith Christ makes free. In the no.me of Christ, all nations are to be summoned to repent, and receive this remission; the voice lifted up with strength, "There is none other Name given under heaven among men whereby we must be Baved." IV. THE WIT1'"'ESS WHICH THE CmracH IS TO REALIZE. (Ver. 48.) 1. Its range. "Among all nations." The universality an<l catholicity of the Christian word, of the Christian Church, are asserted, with regal authority, at the conference on the mountain in Galilee (Matt. xxviii. 18-20). 2. Its ccurse. "Beginning at Jerusalem." There, where the Lord of glory was crucified, the first call to repentance is to be sounded, the first offer of the Christ for the remission of sins is to be made. So it was (Acts ii.). But, from Jerusalem, the course of the witness is ever outward-" to J udrea, Samaria, the uttermost parts of the earth." We are first to find our own; but the love which begins, is never to stop, at home. 3. Its power. (Ver. 49.) Not in the witnessing man or woman ; not in the things witnessed to; not in word, ordinance, ministry ; no, the power is from on high. Christ reasserts what he taught in the last discow·se before he suffered. The great consolation then was the promise of the Father-that in which his Fatherly love and will are expressed, his great promise to his Son-the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost who testifies of him. He is not the accompaniment of the Church; the Church is his accompaniment. "He shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness" (John xv. 26, 27). Now, in the forty days' instruction, he repeats this word. He reminds us that the power of witnessing is e. descent from on high, the anointing of the me.n by the Holy Spirit. Two things are said-the one, the declaration tho.t the promise is imminent,." I am ~ending it;''. an_d the other, the injunction to wait in ~he city, to attempt nothrng, until tbe pro1D1Se 1s made good, and they a.re endued with the power. Let the Church, let every Christian, remember the injunction; let eternal thanksgiving arise because the promise of the Father has been sent, and the Holy Spirit now dwells with the Church. Vers. 50-53.-TM farewell and the Ascension. Once more the old relation is resumed. The Shepherd of Israel goes before his little flock. They see him, RB in the former time, at their head. The well-known route is taken, the well-known place is reached. And the crowning memory of Bethany is imprinted on their hen.rte. It ii  OH, xx1v. 1-53.] '!'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING 'fO ST. LUKE. 2fl5