eventy disciples sent forth. (1-16) The blessedness of
Christ's disciples. (17-24) The good Samaritan. (25-37) Jesus at
the house of Martha and Mary. (38-42)
Verses 1-16: Christ sent the seventy disciples, two and two, that they
might strengthen and encourage one another. The ministry of the
gospel calls men to receive Christ as a Prince and a Saviour;
and he will surely come in the power of his Spirit to all places
whither he sends his faithful servants. But the doom of those
who receive the grace of God in vain, will be very fearful Those
who despise the faithful ministers of Christ, who think meanly
of them, and look scornfully upon them, will be reckoned as
despisers of God and Christ.
Verses 17-24: All our victories over Satan, are obtained by power
derived from Jesus Christ, and he must have all the praise. But
let us beware of spiritual pride, which has been the destruction
of many. Our Lord rejoiced at the prospect of the salvation of
many souls. It was fit that particular notice should be taken of
that hour of joy; there were few such, for He was a man of
sorrows: in that hour in which he saw Satan fall, and heard of
the good success of his ministers, in that hour he rejoiced. He
has ever resisted the proud, and given grace to the humble. The
more simply dependent we are on the teaching, help, and blessing
of the Son of God, the more we shall know both of the Father and
of the Son; the more blessed we shall be in seeing the glory,
and hearing the words of the Divine Saviour; and the more useful
we shall be made in promoting his cause.
Verses 25-37: If we speak of eternal life, and the way to it, in a
careless manner, we take the name of God in vain. No one will
ever love God and his neighbour with any measure of pure,
spiritual love, who is not made a partaker of converting grace.
But the proud heart of man strives hard against these
convictions. Christ gave an instance of a poor Jew in distress,
relieved by a good Samaritan. This poor man fell among thieves,
who left him about to die of his wounds. He was slighted by
those who should have been his friends, and was cared for by a
stranger, a Samaritan, of the nation which the Jews most
despised and detested, and would have no dealings with. It is
lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how
many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in
relieving others. But the true Christian has the law of love
written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him;
Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a
beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as
ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other
distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our
Saviour toward sinful, miserable men. We were like this poor,
distressed traveller. Satan, our enemy, has robbed us, and
wounded us: such is the mischief sin has done us. The blessed
Jesus had compassion on us. The believer considers that Jesus
loved him, and gave his life for him, when an enemy and a rebel;
and having shown him mercy, he bids him go and do likewise. It
is the duty of us all , in our places, and according to our
ability, to succour, help, and relieve all that are in distress
and necessity.
Verses 38-42: A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a
house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed, as to
make them turn to the good of their souls. Sitting at Christ's
feet, signifies readiness to receive his word, and submission to
the guidance of it. Martha was providing for the entertainment
of Christ, and those that came with him. Here were respect to
our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs. But
there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving;
plenty, variety, and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to
us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our
souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out,
even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was
on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her
general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The
favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of
Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all
other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared, Mary hath
chosen the good part. For one thing is needful, this one thing
that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ.
The things of this life will be taken away from us, at the
furthest, when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing
shall separate from the love of Christ, and a part in that love.
Men and devils cannot take it away from us, and God and Christ
will not. Let us mind the one thing needful more diligently.
eventy disciples sent forth. (1-16) The blessedness of
Christ's disciples. (17-24) The good Samaritan. (25-37) Jesus at
the house of Martha and Mary. (38-42)