“O THE depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Thus exclaims the inspired apostle after having set forth God’s just and equitable method of dealing both with the Jews and with the Gentiles. Surely with God are both wisdom and love. All his plans in formation and in execution display infinite wisdom.
This truth is strikingly illustrated in the proclamation and growth of the kingdom of God throughout the ages. Beginning with the earthly career of our Lord, the gospel of salvation in accordance with his commands has been extended from generation to generation, until to-day it is almost to earth’s remotest bounds.
The land of Palestine, one hundred and forty-four miles long by about forty miles wide, is a mere atom in comparison with the rest of the world; yet our divine Lord was content to spend his years within those narrow limits, and that, too, when he knew that across the seas and over the mountains his Father had millions of children whose needs were as great, and whose cry was as piteous, as those to whom he personally ministered. Jesus was neither ignorant of nor untouched by the sorrows of the great, wide world outside of the Holy Land, still he felt no call to go outside the fold of Israel during his earthly ministry, nor did this prevent him from saying, finally, ‘I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.’
In Galilee and Judea were but small provinces, and Jesus touched only hundreds there, when he might have reached thousands had he gone to regions beyond; but such a course would have resulted in failure. He came to lay down his life in that religious soil upon which God had sent his richest spiritual blessings. With all their faults, the Jews had the greatest light, and furnished the best soil in which to plant the heavenly germ of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ supreme mission was to plant that germ—to be lifted upon his cross in Jerusalem, whence the power and fragrance of his life would be diffused to all the world. He could not go to those of the dispersion; he must go to Jerusalem, the world’s religious center, and there lay down his life.
Thus, as far as the earthly life of Jesus was concerned, Jerusalem was of more importance in the plan of God than was the whole Roman empire. But while this was the most important work to which Jesus could address himself, the work of his disciples was not to be confined to such geographically narrow limits. They were to begin at Jerusalem, where Jesus planted the cross and left his empty tomb, and thence push out into “all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” What a consistent and comprehensive plan! Begin at Jerusalem, where both Gethsemane and Golgotha attest his supreme love and triumphant death for16humanity. Fill that center with the teaching of the crucified and risen Christ; but that accomplished, no single land or people is to enjoy a gospel monopoly.
We all recognize that to be the Master’s plan of evangelistic operation. It is both equitable and practicable. The whole race is of one blood, and the gospel is intended as much for one people as for another, while the responsibility of this work rests upon those who know and love their Lord.
Each individual by special allotment of God has his own work to discharge; and it is no less true that each generation of Christians has its task to perform, which is in proportion to its light and opportunities. The correlative of present truth is present duty and responsibility. As we have great light, so we have a correspondingly great responsibility to bear witness to that light; and where God imposes duty, he also gives ability and opportunity to fulfil the same.
WHERE EVERY PROSPECT PLEASES AND ONLY MAN IS VILE
We believe, and for good reasons, that ours is the last generation, and just so surely must we believe that to us belongs the task of sending the gospel of the kingdom to the entire world. From the morning of Pentecost, when the circle of missionary operation was limited to the comparatively small city of Jerusalem, it has from generation to generation enlarged, until in this last generation it includes every nation, tongue, and people upon the face of the earth. For the disciples in their day to have left at once their small circle for the regions beyond would have been as great a mistake as for us to refuse to enter the great heathen nations accessible to us in our day.
It is right on this point that we shall make this world-wide opportunity either a stone of stumbling or a stepping-stone to a glorious triumph. It is not enough that we invade the Protestant world. That would be, figuratively, only Jerusalem; on beyond lie Samaria, the Catholic world; and still more remote the uttermost parts of the earth, the Mohammedan and the pagan worlds, teeming with their millions of humanity. This is our task; it calls for earnestness and glad consecration. It is the all-comprehending, the culminating, the crowning work of God’s church, and happy shall we be if we see and seize our opportunity. To the accomplishment of this all things in heaven and upon earth are ready and urgent. Our great King waits to bestow, and his angels stand ready to minister the needed grace; while upon earth both the time and the events are ripe for the fulfilment of this work. Who has wrought thus, and opened these great and effectual doors? There can be but one answer,—Jesus, who came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Again, why has he opened these doors just now?—Because just now is the time they must be entered—it is God’s own arrangement. Whom does he call to enter these ripe, needy fields?—Manifestly the people whom he has called to a great light. Whom did he send at Pentecost?—Those who had been with him. It is the same to-day.
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
