‏ Luke 10

* Seventy 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)

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. 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. 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. 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.