Matthew X

i. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

1. Disciples advanced to be apostles. First learners, then teachers; first near the person of the Lord, then evangelising those who are afar off. 2. He who calls to one position gives “power” to fill another. Power is not given at once. Even in the Church on earth it doth not yet appear what we shall be. Those who are now young in Christ may be called to apostleship, and great honour in evangelistic service. 3. As a perfect leader, Christ gave His servants power over the body, “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” We have the fact, we cannot give the explanation. The principle, however, is of the utmost importance, viz., that the followers of Christ should concern themselves in the physical welfare of society. The Church should have its school, its orphan-house, its hospital, as well as its preaching-house. 4. Philanthropic labour should be immediately identified with Christ’s name, not collaterally or incidentally, but vitally and directly. The apostles were wont to say, “in the name of Jesus Christ,” we do this or that. Why should that solemn formula have fallen into disuse? Why not say, In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, we found this hospital, this orphan-home, this refuge for the destitute? If we thus honoured Christ would He not more abundantly honour us?

2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;

4. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

“Names “? What have the ages to do with the “names”

of a dozen men? i. Man employed to bless man. 2. A few sent to call the many. 3. Different types of men meet different types of the community. 4. Some famous, some unknown, but all useful. 5. Is every twelfth man a “devil”?

Christ’s Charge to the Twelve Apostles.

This charge occupies the remainder of the chapter (verses 5 — 42), and presents some points of singular difference from the Sermon on the Mount.

There are peculiarities of expression in this charge:

Verses 5, 6. Stier’s observation upon the restriction is: “The first consideration of one who is sent of the Lord must ever be, that the immediate sphere of his activity should be accurately prescribed to him, and that he should know with precision whither he must not go, whither also he must.”

Verse 23. Stier says: “Go ye whither I now send you forth; perserve in patient performance of your duty in preaching and testifying through all persecution; ye may comfort yourselves with the assured hope that / Myself will come after for salvation and separation.” Lange says: “Till the Son of man shall overtake you. The expression is, however, also symbolical, and applies to the Church generally. In this sense it points forward to the second coming of Christ; including, at the same time, the idea, that their apostolic labours in Judea would be cut short by the judgment impending upon Jerusalem.”

Verse 27. “What ye hear in the ear;” what is communicated to you by the Holy Ghost.

Verse 28. “Fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell;” fear the devil, says Stier, but he has mistaken the meaning.

Verse 34. “I came not to send peace, but a sword,” — the sword prepares the way for peace. The surgeon gives pain that he may promote health.

The giving of charges to persons about to prosecute new and hazardous enterprises. Does not the anxious parent instinctively and pathetically charge the child who is about to leave home?

The twelve apostles went forth with this charge as their only inspiration. Mark this. They had the living word within them, and by its power they cleared their perilous way. A word may be as a pillar of fire lighting a man through the wilderness.

The very fact of undertaking such a mission empty-handed (verses 9, 10), supplies a vivid illustration of the social influence of the Gospel. The Gospel opens human hearts and human hands. They who preach faith should exemplify faith.

This method of encountering human voracity (verse 16) shows the omnipotence of moral force. Ideas are better than swords. Persuasion will conquer more than persecution.

He who labours for God is under the protection of God, and should, therefore, know nothing of fear. (Verses 28-31.)

The relation which men now occupy to Christ, is the relation which Christ will finally occupy towards men. (Verses 32, 33.)

The inspiration of moral labour is simply passionate love towards the Lord Jesus. (Verses 37 — 39.) This love is to transcend all other love, as appreciation of the sun exceeds our appreciation of all other light. We do not dislike a star because we admire the sun.

Christian labourers are vitally identified with their Master. (Verses 40 — 42.)

The 42nd verse may be used to show God’s recognition of the humblest service. 1. God’s intimate acquaintance with every member of His spiritual kingdom, — “little ones;” “one of these little ones.” 2. God’s perfect knowledge of every transaction in His empire. This fact should (a) invest life with the profoundest solemnity; (b) inspire men with the holiest motives; (c) animate men with the noblest ambition. 3. God’s special regard for all who are attached to Christ, “in the name of a prophet,” “in the name of a disciple,” “in the name of a righteous man.” 4. God’s pledge to reward the humblest good-doer. The practical application is five-fold, (a) There has been a fearful moral disruption in the social fabric; (b) a restorative economy has been established; (c) a retributional period will eventually supervene; (d) the feeblest power may be beneficently exerted; (e) in the vast economy of the universe nothing is lost.