II. THE CHOSEN TWELVE. 10:1 WHEN HE HAD CALLED UNTO HIM HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. It is not said that the Twelve were now chosen. It had been done on previous occasions. They had been for. considerable period under the direct teaching of Christ and he now sends them forth to preach. Henceforth they ar... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES ARE THESE. Of the twelve apostles there are four lists, found in Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14, and Acts 1:13. They differ in the following particulars: Luke, in the book of Acts, does not insert the name of Judas Iscariot, who was then dead; both in his Go... [ Continue Reading ]
III. THE FIRST COMMISSION. 5. THESE TWELVE JESUS SENT FORTH. The twelve had been "disciples" or learners, for. long period in order to fit them to be "sent forth," or to become "apostles." _Their training_ was under the personal teaching and example of Christ. Immediately after their appointment as... [ Continue Reading ]
GO TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. It is often the case that men, as well as sheep, are lost, and are not conscious of it. It was so of the Jews. Priests, scribes, doctors, Pharisees, were all lost, were out of the true paths and had wandered from God, though they knew it not.... [ Continue Reading ]
PREACH... THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. John the Baptist, and Christ also, both had preached, "The kingdom is at hand." It had not yet been inaugurated. So the apostles were still able to preach. It was near, but not in existence. There was no such charge in the second commission. Then "all powe... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE LEPERS, ETC. To those who see in the external acts of Christ's ministry. parable of his spiritual work, and especially in his ministry to the body. type of his ministry to the soul, it will not seem fanciful to trace that parallel here. The wise apostle of Christ will sometime... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFESSING CHRIST. -- Matthew 10:32-42. GOLDEN TEXT. --_ Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will. also confess before my Father which is in heaven._ -- Matthew 10:32. TIME. -A. D. 28. Immediately after the first commission to the apostles. PLACE. --Somewhere near the sea of Galil... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL DENY ME BEFORE MEN. The Jews denied him when they rejected him as Messiah. All who refuse to receive him as their Lord and King deny him still. The recreant disciple who through the cares of the world turns away from Christian life denies him. Peter denied him in the hour of tri... [ Continue Reading ]
II. PEACE OR. SWORD. 34. THINK NOT THAT. AM COME TO SEND PEACE ON EARTH. These seem like strong words from him whom the prophet called "The Prince of Peace," at whose advent angels sang of peace and good will among men; and he pronounced. blessing upon peace makers. At first glance it would seem th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. COME TO SET. MAN AT VARIANCE WITH HIS FATHER. This was not the Savior's object, but the effect. The conversion of individual members of the family would cause variance. In nearly all quarrels, except those about religion, the members of the same families stand together, but in religious feuds... [ Continue Reading ]
MAN'S FOES SHALL BE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD. This has been verified thousands of times. Many. convert has been turned out of home and banished by kindred, because he had confessed Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH FATHER OR MOTHER MORE THAN ME. The Lord does not require of us to love these less but him more. Love for him must become the dominant principle of life. This is the idea in the strong expression of Luke 14:26-27. The connection with what precedes is: Love to Christ may divide familie... [ Continue Reading ]
III. TAKING UP THE CROSS. 38. HE THAT TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS. Luke adds, _daily;_ not once, but all the time. The cross is the pain of the _self-denial_ required. The cross is the _symbol of doing our duty, even at the cost of the most painful death._ Christ obeyed God, and carried out his work for t... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT FINDETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT. Whoever counts his life of so much value that he will preserve it by sacrificing his Christian integrity, or will renounce his religion to save his life, will find in the end that he has lost his soul forever for the sake of. few fleeting years; while he who g... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT RECEIVETH YOU, RECEIVETH ME. They would go forth in Christ's name, as his servants and embassadors. They carried his message, and to receive it and them was virtually receiving him. An insult offered to. king's representative is an insult to the king. Matthew 10:41 41. IN THE NAME OF. PRO... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER SHALL GIVE TO DRINK TO THESE LITTLE ONES. By the "little ones" are probably meant Christ's disciples. A CUP OF COLD WATER ONLY. The smallest act of kindness. If done "because be was. disciple," or out of regard for Christ, he should never lose his reward. Good deeds are never lost. PRA... [ Continue Reading ]