International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8 LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1894.
[Note.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - THESE twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans.
- But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils; freely ye received, freely give.
- Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
- No wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff; for the laborer is worthy of his food.
- And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go forth.
- And as ye enter into the house, salute it.
- And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
- And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.
- Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
- Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Golden Text: "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Verse 7. Note.—This section of lesson includes the whole of Matthew 10, and the whole chapter should be read. A new development is here shown in Christ's ministry. After nearly two years of training our Lord sends the disciples out for the first time by themselves, two by two, to preach and work miracles, in order that they may get some experience to better fit them for the greater developments which are to follow. The intervening events between this lesson and our last are something as follows: After speaking the parables as recorded in our last lesson, Jesus sailed across the Sea of Galilee. Then followed the stilling of the tempest, the restoring of the demoniac of Gadara, the feast at the house of Levi, or Matthew, and the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead, and giving of sight to the blind men. Parallel accounts to this lesson will be found in Mark 6: 7-11 and Luke 9: 1-6. - How many of his disciples did our Lord at first send forth? Verse 5. See verses 2-4 for the names.
- What instruction did he give them? Note 1.
- To whom were they especially sent? Verse 6.
- What was to be the burden of their preaching? Verse 7. Note 2.
- What were they to do besides preaching? Verse 8.
- What provision were they to make for their support? Verses 9, 10.
- What were they to do on entering a city? Note 3.
- What were they to do as they entered a house? Verse 12.
- How would they know whether the house was worthy or not? Verse 13.
- What were they to do respecting those houses or cities which would not receive them? Verse 14.
- How did our Lord compare such cities with Sodom and Gomorrah? Verse 15. Note 4.
- What did our Lord say their condition and conduct should be? Note 5.
1. THE disciples were not to go to the Gentiles nor to the cities of the Samaritans. God designed to make Israel his messengers in giving his message to the world. This was Israel's privilege; and so for the three years of our Saviour's work, and the first three years of the apostles', they preached to the Jews; and it was not until the Jews rejected the word of God, as expressed by the apostle Paul, and put it far from them, that the apostles turned to the Gentiles. See Acts 13: 46. They were sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, those who realized their lost condition, and were willing to accept of Jesus as their Saviour. 2. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." That is, it was a special manifestation of the kingdom of grace, in which the character of the king was set before them by Christ. Some translate it, "The royal majesty of heaven has appeared." Christ's own kingdom will not be set up until he comes the second time. See Matt. 24: 31. 3. THEY were first to find one who was worthy, so as not to bring any scandal or reproach upon the cause. They were not to stop at a disreputable house. As they entered a house, they were to salute it, the common salutation of that day being, "Peace be unto you;" and if the house were worthy, there was the promise that that would be made known to them by the Spirit of God; but if it were not worthy, their peace would return unto them. Thus they were to be guided in their work. Their stay was to be but short. They were not to go from house to house seeking for greater comfort or convenience. 4. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, for the simple reason that Sodom and Gomorrah did not have the light which the cities of Judea had. They had only Lot's warning, and his far from perfect life, and yet a life which was much better than that of the people of the city; but the cities of Judea had the power of the gospel message carried home to their hearts by mighty miracles which were wrought by the disciples. Their punishment would be less tolerable, because they sinned against greater light. 5. In the last verse of our lesson, and in the ones which immediately follow, is presented the only defense of the Christian when persecuted for Christ's sake. He is not to oppose men with carnal weapons. Wisdom is to be used in all his discourse, even the wisdom of God, but he is to be as harmless as a dove. When he is delivered up before counselors and rulers, he is not to employ the earthly or carnal means generally used for defense. He is to leave his case wholly with God, and the promise is that the Lord will give him words that cannot be gain-said or resisted. From this we may certainly learn this lesson, that, as Christians are not to resist when their own life is in danger, they certainly will not persecute others when they have the power.