The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 295

foet, and beard his word." We also receive it into our hoal'ts RB wo "go unto him" and " le11rn of him," 11s we follow him, 110d 11s we abide in him. Of him we learn the way to God, the way to the light and the pe11co aud the life which are in him. From him wo gain forgivene~s, friendship, purity, usefulness, a hope that does not make ashamed. 'l'his is the "good part,'' the intrinsically precious, the invaluable thing of which ~o figures can indicate the worth ; it is the good part which can never he lost: For there 18 no power on earth that can touch it to harm it. Disease win not wl\Bte it fire will not consume it, force will not crush it, fraud will not steal it time will not enfeeble it, death will not destroy it, the grave will not hold it. It live; ever and out- lives everything which the eyes can see, on which the hand can rest. This is the one thing which is above high-water mark; all other, all earthly good things will be washed away by the incoming tide; but this portion, this heritage, no wave will reach in the mightiest storm. This is the" part" to choose. 1. We all can choose it. God is opening his hand to offer it; we can open ours to take it if we will; our destiny is in our choice. 2. We mU!lt choose it. If we fail to do so, we shall not only·shut ourselves out from ell that is most worth having and being, hut we shall shut ourselves in to loss, to shame, to death.-C. Vers. 1-~4.-The mission of the seventy. Jesus, as we have seen, is now going up on his last Journey to Jerusalem, and he is anxious that the places he is to visit for the last time, and some possibly for the first as well as last, should be ready to receive him. On this account he organizes the mission of the seventy in addition to that of the twelve already noticed. They are to be forerunners, going to announce his advent in the different cities and villa.gee. Let us study the mission as here presented to us. And- I. THEY ARE TO GO FORTH IN A SPIRIT OF PRAYER FOR ADDITIONAL LABOURERS, (Ver. 2.) The desire in the world to limit and regulate the number of labourers, to keep up wages, is to have no counterpart in the Church of Christ. The needs of men ,are so great, the harvest of souls is so enormous, that as many reapers as can possibly be equipped are needed a.nd should be prayed for. Narrow-mindedness and jealousy are, therefore, out of place in Christian work. Those already labourini:: for God are to be the chief intercessors for more workers, a.nd it ill the inspiration of God which can alone fit men for such work. IL THEY ARE TO GO FORTH PREPARED FOB OPPOSITION EVEN UNTO DEATH. (Ver. 3,) It seems a.t first a foolish policy to send lam'.ls among wolves. Will they not be torn to pieces instantly ? Is it not to court defeat and failure? But it so happens that it is the manifestation of a meek and lamblike spirit among ravenous and wolfish men which wins the battle for Christ and conquers the world. Were it not for such exhi- bitions of meekness the world would never be won. Hence the martyr-sphit ill the safety of the Church. IIL THEY ARE TO DEPEND UPON THE PEOPLE FOB SUPPORT. (Vers. 4-8.) Some of the seventy, like some of the twelve, might have taken some provision or money with them. They were not all absolutely poor. The Lord himself might have brought from heaven or furnished mira.culously all that he needed during his ministry on earth, but he preferred to depend upon his Father in heaven, and to. a.ccept of. the loving ministrations of his friends on earth. The same rule he prescribes for his servants. They are to receive their support from those a~ong whom they la~o~. And in th1, reception of support, they are to be content with whatever hosp1tahty comes firs't. Peacefully are they to dwell in the house of their host, and they are not to be. choosing some better hospitality and showing a mean and worldly spirit. IV. THEY ARE TO GIVE THEMSELVES UNRESERVEDLY TO THE E:ll'lo'e BUSINESS. (Ver. 4.) The instruction," Ba.lute no ma.o by the wa.y," does r.ot advise any dis- courtesy but as the Ea.stern sa!a.a.ms a.re protracted pieces of etiquette, they are to show 80 clearly that their" King's business requireth haste," that such cumbrous formalities must be dispensed with. It is a great thing gained if the Lord's servants are so con- c.entrated upon their work that nothing is allowed ii: the least degree to interfere with it. Gud's work must be pa.rawount. v. THEY ABE TO HEAL THE SICK AND ANNOUKCE THE KINGDOM. (Ver. 9.) It is the advent of sa.lva.tiou io tht:Se cities a.nd viila.gcs of Palestine i hence the healing of on, x. 1-42.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 207