The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 212

HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-21.-TM e:vangelistic cfrcu,it. Observe- !. THE PLAN OF cmcurT. (Ver. 1.) "He went," or "went about," or "bpt journeying." Hitherto Capemaum had been the centre from which short excursions were taken, the Lord always returning to it. Now he moves steadily on from place to place," passing in patience until his work is done." "Through cities and villages." He will not omit any abode of man. If social influence and power had been the aim, this Prophet would have limited his or,arations to the chief centres of life; but his meat is to do the Father's •will, e.nd where there is even one sonl waiting for the message, there is he. To the Father, to him, there is the same value in the soul of the peasant as in that of the prince. "Preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God." The distinction between the words, "preaching and showing the good tidings "~r, to give the exact English rendering, "evangelizing "-is not to be pressed too far; but the latter word seems to mark an advance of thought on the former. The "preaching" was the more general proclamation, e.nd the "evangelizing" was the presentation of the gospel thus proclaimed to the diversities of experience and need, the opening up of its several aspects of blessing, so that men from their different standpoints might realize the great love of God e.nd behold the glories of his kingdom. Kings grant pardons, but they only send them ; this King comes himself with the pardon, and deals. personally with the sinner. "How beautiful upon the monn• tains are the feet of him thus bringing good tidings, and publishing peace; bringing good tidings of good, publishing salvation, saying unto Zion, Thy God reigneth 1" II. A NEW STYLE OF DISCOURSE. One which thenceforth becomes a. marked feature of the teaching. He had frequently used comparisons, traced likenesses between the natural e.nd the spiritual But what had been an occasional trait now became a characteristic mode of conveying truth, e.nd for the reason given by himself (ver. 10). 'l'o us, familiar with the sound and meaning of the parable, nothing can seem more apposite and happy as a means of communicating thought. By it the highest and deepest mysteries of the kingdom are most gently infused into the apprehension of the mind, whilst there is always a reserve of meaning on which we can draw. But the parable was not all this to those who heard it. It stimulated inquiry rather than imparted knowledge. It brought the disciples to Jesus, saying, "Expound to us;" "What might this story be?" Those who did not wish to learn were sent away w1 to. the feeling, "A dark saying has been uttered: who can hear it?" Jesus says that this defined his purpose in adopting it. He meant it to be a test of the spirit of the mind. Thus he laid his hearers in the baLmces. May we be of those " to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the king,lom of heaven "I III. THE PARABLE OF THE BOWER. This is the only one of, the famous seven given in Matt. xiii. which St. Luke places in our view. It falls more naturally to be con- sidered at length in connection with the former of the accounts. Observe here-on this St. Luke is explicit-the point to which the discourse of Jesus looks (ver. lt5), "'l'ake heod therefore how ye hear," In this connection recall tho four kind:1 of nla.:11  212 TIIE GOSPEL AOOORDlNG TO ST. LUKE. [en. vm. 1-(,6,