The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 285

Ver. 49.-The secret of spiritual strength. How came it to pass that the apostle& of our Lord became such strong men and did such noble work for their Master and for mankind so soon after they manifested such weakness as they did? We consider- !. THEIR INSUFFICIENCY UP TO THE TIMI!: OF THE AS0ENSION. '!'hey had been receiving for mll.Ily months the inestimable advantage of Christ's own teaching for their mental enlightenment, a.nd his own influence for their spiritual ennoblement. And this teaching and training cannot have been-we may confidently say was not-without very great value throughout their subsequent course. Yet they undoubtedly lacked something which would complete them for the great task before them. They showed but scant determination (Matt. xxvL 41, 43), but feeble courage (Matt. xxvi. 56), but little understandmg of their Master's aim (Acts i. 6); and this, too, at the very close of his ministry, when their great and special privilege was expiring. Something more they sadly needed to prepare them for their work. IL Tim PBOMl.SED POWEB. L Its announcement and its confirmation. It was first predicted by the prophets who preceded our Lord (Isa. xliv. 3); and more particularly Joel (iL 28, 29). It was renewed and confirmed, at first more indefinitely, and here more definitely, by our Lord (John xiv. 16, 26; xv. 26, 27; xvi, 7; text). 2. Its hist-0rical fulfilment (Acts ii 1-11). 3. Its permanent results. These men, whose character and whose fitness for their grand and lofty mission left much to be desired, "endued with power from on high," became wonderfully equipped for and admirably adapted to the noble 1:°ission to which ~hrist app0inted them.. They bec_ame stron_g (1) to stand in the evil hour of temptation, defying the authority of Jewish council and the sword of Roman ruler; they became strong (2) to suffer, rejoicing that they were "counted worthy to suffer shame" for the Master's sake and Name; they became strong (3) to testify, "with great power" giving witness to the Resurrection, and gr.eat grace beincr on them all; they became strong (4) to grasp the great central and savmg truths of the gospel, making known to their own compeers by their speech, and to all time by their letters, the "mystery which was hidden from the generations,". the gr~at and gracious purpose of God to the whole race of men; they became strong (o) to build and work, to lay the foundation-stone of the gospel of Christ (Eph. iL 26), of that Church of the future which has already endured for eighteen centuries, and is more than ever bent on the conversion and conquest of the world. We know what made these weak men etrong, these failing men to triumph. It was the power of the Holy &host resting upon them, ope11:ing th~ir eyes that they mi~ht see, quickening t~eir BOWS that they might feel, nervlllg theu hearts that they might stand, strengthening their hands that they might labour and achieve. olI. xx1v. 1-63.) TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 297