The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 278

HOMILETICS. Ch. ix. 1-6 and eh. x. 1-11.-The mission of the twelve, and the mission of the seventy. The differences between the two missions can be easily distinguished. The scene of the mission related in the ninth chapter is Northern Galilee; the scene of the mission related in the tenth chapter is Southern Galilee. The one speaks of a power delegated to the twelve apostles; the other, of an office and of gifts delegated to seventy-" other seventy also "-the two numbers of completeness, seven and ten multiplied. And these seventy are sent before the Lord's face, while the twelve are kept near to his Person. The one, although actually exercised for only a short time, is the sian of a work which, in its design and consequences, is coextensive with the world and its aaes; the other refers to a merely temporary work-to objecls local and immediate. B~t, differeut as the two missions are, they are connected in this homily because they set before us the great principles and features of Christian work in every time. The instructions iu the niutb and tenth chapters are similar; and this, as we 1uay concl11de, because the instructions contain hints and suggestions to be embodied in ministries and senices for Christ. No portion of the evangelical narrative more deserves to be attentively considered in connection with all that the hand of love finds tu do. Let us regard some of its more salient features. l. Observe, first, THE EVER-ABIDING CHARAC,'TJm OF TBUE CrmISTIAN WORK. Ch. ix. 2 and x. 9 give us the word" heal." And the meaning of this word" heal" may be learned from the life an!J. sacrifice of Christ himself. In both the sendin_g of the twelve aud the sending of the seventy, the i.pring of the action is the percepti:m of a harvest wwtiug tu be reHped (cf. Malt. ix. 36-::J8). lie sees the multitude around him 1;:cd CD. X. 1- 42,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LCKE. 279 - - - - - - - - - ---- - - - - and worn out., like sheep exh.rnsted and scattered over a plain, with no shepherd. •·• Tbe harvest truly is plenteous." It is the emotion thus_ expressed which always beats within bis breast. "I am come," he cries, "that they might have life, and have it moro abundantly." His presence is that of the He~ler in a charnel-hou.se of cor- ruption, Ilefore him evil spirits exclaim, "What have I to do with thee?" Fuul shapes of sin and want are expelled by his touch. His works are more than wonders; they are signs of redemption, of healing-the overflow of that fountain of life which wo.s enclosed in his Person. Now, it is in this, the sphere of the Lord's love and power, the.t the servant is to labour. He is sent to save. He is to calm the troubled. He is to exorcise the demons which prey on the life of man. He is to be a channel of tile luve which is neighbour to man in all man's need. "The world's a room of sickness, where each heart Knows its own e.nguish and unrest; The truest wisd,im there e.ntl noLlest a.rt ls Llis who skills of comfort best." Notice what this beating includes. The e.postles (ver. 1) were endowecl with authority over all devils, and power to cure diseases. "Go and preach," commands Jes11-s; but also," Go and heal the sick." The clergyman and the medical man represent the two halves of the Christian ministry. We shall never rise to the height of the Churcll's calling until we realize more systematically the conjunction of these aspects. To some extent we do. In our medical missions we do. In the increased care of Christian com- munities as to sanitary regulations, nursing, and so forth, we do. But much remains to be developed. And what we need, as the sustaining spirit of all work, is the con- viction that Christ has given hfs Church power to heal, to cure diseases. Those who magnify "faith-healing" have hold of a truth, though they press it unduly, and indeed often give it a twist which makes it practically an untruth. They are right in the contention tbat it is Jesus Christ who makes whole, that the power of the cure is with him, and that, in respect of the cu.re, as of all else, the way of blessing is the way of prayer. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all tbat we ask or think. On this, undoubtedly, faith should build. But why oppose this to the use of means? Or why snppose that th,ire is a higher faith in trusting him and dispensing with ordi- nary means, than in trusting him and availing ourselves of the medicinal properties with which he has endowed things in nature, or of the knowledge an,I skill which also are gifts of God? God answers prayer as really in making the means effectual, as in restoration without the application of surgeon's or physician's art. The essential point is that the power over body and soul is his, and delegated by him to men. Let the Church's devotion be, not less theological, but less polemical; more emphatic, first in the requirement of personal righteousness, and next in such work as" sh?.ll deliver the poor and him that crieth, the fatherless, and him that bath none to belp him." II. :Now, this general position assumed, observe, secon<lly, THE CONDITIONS WHICH CHHIST LAYS DOWN AB REGULATIVE OF ALL TROE CHRISTIAN WORK. Putting ourselves alon~side of the twelve and the seventy, let us listen to our marching orders, our code of instructions. Condition the first: "Begin at the point next you." The twelve (eh. ix. 6) are sent through the towns preaching the gospel. The seventy (eh. x. 1) are sent "into every city and place, whither the Lord himself would come." Let us not mistake. These are special embassies. By-and-by the word is," Witness in Jeru- salem, and Judrea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The prin- ciple is this-there are times when attention shoul,1 be concentrated on the fielJ that is at onr own door. And generally, the beginning, though not tho end, of all work, is with our own. We are to work outwards from the circle that is ne:l:t us; thence are to ho extended, outwards, ever outwanls, the g,,lden pipes through which the bea:ing oil empties itself. Condition the second: "Proclaim, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 'l'he twelve ( cf. Matt. x. 6, 7) are to speak this to the lost sheep of the house of lsra,,[. The seventy (eh. x. 9) are to stand by the sick, and, while they heal, preach the advent of the kingdom. They aro to raise a supreme expectri.tion. Not halting to give elaboro.te courtesies. As men hastening, ft.il of a great won!, they are to sound in the ear, now in trumpet-tones, now in gentle whispers," God's kin~,loru is come eloiju to you," 'l'o tell puur weary men and womrn of the Christ who is behilhl thelll,  280 THE GOST'EL AOCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [en. ll. 1-42.