T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S (2) RECEPTION AND REJECTION, vs. 8-11. “ And they receive you, eat * * * and they receive you not, go your way.” . Some would receive and some would reject. For the former, there was bless ing; for the latter, a curse. A symbolic act was to testify to God’s displeasure. They were to shake off the dust of their feet as a testi mony against them. The message of God is a savor of life or death to every man who hears it. The very superior ity of the Jews as the people of God made the judgment the more severe. Sodom and Gomorrah were not so cul pable as Capernaum. Christendom is more guilty than heathendom. (3 ) RETURN AND REPORT, v. 17. “And the seventy returned again with joy.” There is an end to every mission. They had gone out with fear and trem bling. They came back triumphant. They had found that the demons could not withstand the power of His name. They make no mention of their own name. He sends forth and they return to Him. Disciples are ambassadors— stewards. They must give an account of their ministry. What gleanings from the harvest field, what report, can you bring to Him?" (4) RESULT AND REJOICING, vs. 18-20. “ But rather rejoice, be cause your names are written in heaven.” The seventy rejoiced chiefly in the fact that the demons were subject to them. It was a testimony to the fact that Jesus had conquered Satan. His doom was assured. They had been vic torious over him, through faith, but there was something better than that for them to rejoice in— the fact of the assurance of salvation. So it is with us— our names are there; our right and title are assured. We are to re
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joice not so much in what we are able to do, but in what He has done— the finished work of Jesus Christ, His Son. Rejoice in Him who lives in us, who works through us. Be more occupied with Himself than 'with results. QUESTIONS. (1) Was the same order, two by two, followed in the early church? (Acts 13:2,3.) (2) What has been the fact always concerning the field and the workers? (Jphn 4:35-38.) (3) Whom do we represent when we go forth to serve? (Acts 1:8,) (4) What is the message we are authorized to give? (Acts 8:4.) (5) To Whom should the mission aries look for the supply of their need? (Phil. 4:19.) ( 6 ) What should our attitude be with reference to our supplies? (1 Tim. 6 f 8 ; Heb. 13:5.) (7) What was Paul’s method of service as a missionary in ministering to others? (Acts 28:7-10.) ( 8 ) What is the effect of the giv ing of the Gospel to some? (Acts 13: 42.) To others? (Acts 13:44-46.) (9) What comfort and consolation is there in the service of the mission aries? (Psa. 126:6.) It was wise to send out these disciples two by two. A larger number would be ineffective. “ One shall chase a thousand and two shall put ten thou sand to flight.” Each DEVOTIONAL pair had a prescribed COMMENT itinerary. It must have F. W. Farr been a powerful incen tive to industry and fidelity to think that the Master would shortly follow them and inspect their work. “ Into every city and place whither He Himself would come.” We can imagine one disciple saying to his fellow worker, “We must be careful what we say and do, and we must leave
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