To Save Men’s Lives

«After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.» The disciples were to precede Christ, and prepare the way before him, as John had preceded and prepared his way. They were to preach the kingdom of God. They were to go two and two, and in this way pass over a large territory. The Lord was taking his last journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem. The disciples were not only to preach the kingdom of God, but were to heal the sick, and prepare the field for the coming of the great Physician. They were to proclaim his divine character, and awaken an interest in the minds of the people, announcing him to be the Messiah, and giving publicity to his work and mission.

These disciples were enjoined to salute no man by the way. They were not to enter into formal salutations that would open a way for controversy. The life of Christ was drawing to a close. They were to prepare the way for the last work that he was to do in person for the inhabitants of the world. He sent them forth empty-handed, to depend upon the hospitality of those whom they should meet. They were in no way to disguise their humble origin. As they mingled with the people, they were to sit with them at their tables, to go with those who should invite them, to pay no attention to caste or position. Their one object was to proclaim the Gospel to every man, no matter what might be the nation or character of his hearers. «And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.» This circumstance happened just on the outskirts of the village. The ten men were a most distressing spectacle. The law prohibited a leper from entering towns or villages, and lest any one should come unexpectedly upon them, they were to utter the mournful cry, «Unclean! unclean!» These lepers were made up of Jews and Samaritans, and the prejudice that existed between them was broken down by this terrible malady, and, doomed to death, they associated together. The lepers were not ignorant of Jesus. They had heard of his wonderful works of mercy, and how he had healed those who were in the same condition as they were themselves. Recognizing the great Teacher and Healer, they raised their voices in a pitiful wail of distress, and cried out, «Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.» They were cut off from society, and presented themselves to Jesus as subjects of pity. His heart was stirred with divine compassion, and he said to them, «Go show yourselves unto the priests.» When they heard this word, they believed that it meant their restoration, and they hastened to obey. They knew that Jesus understood the law and how their disease had excluded them from society. It was necessary for a cleansed leper to have the testimony of a priest that he was clear of his plague, and to have his permission, in order again to associate freely with his fellow-men. They hastened to obey the word of Jesus; «and it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.»

Jesus was a helper to the helpless, a friend to the needy. He had daily manifested compassion and love for the human race. While he received the lowly, the sick, the poor, and the afflicted, he presented principles to the Pharisees, scribes, and rabbis that condemned their pride, their selfishness, and self-glorying. These bigoted teachers were filled with envy because the masses turned away from their instruction to listen to Jesus. They spoke evil of Christ and of his doctrine. They had it in their hearts to destroy him, but they knew not what they could do, because the people were very attentive to hear him. The greater good he wrought for the people, and the more they were led to glorify God on account of his mighty works, the more desperate and determined his enemies became. They said among themselves, «Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.»

Those who thought themselves righteous and in need of nothing, rejected the word of Christ, yet the poor and afflicted received his assurances. The ten lepers went on their way in obedience to his command, and they knew that a great change had taken place in themselves, and that they were healed. Their faith had been tested by Christ’s direction; but they did not defer a moment to act upon his word. If there was any prospect that they might be healed, they would make the venture. The tones of his voice had thrilled their hearts, and inspired them with hope, with faith and confidence. They were not only cleansed, but made entirely whole. Divine power had wrought a new creation.

When they presented themselves to the priest, he declared that they were free from every taint of leprosy. One of the number was filled with joy and thankfulness, and determined to return and to find the wonderful Healer, in order to give him thanks for the restoration. He came rejoicing at every step, and with a loud voice he glorified God. When he came into the presence of Christ, he fell upon his face, and with an overflowing heart expressed the love and gratitude which he felt. This man who returned to give praise to Christ was a stranger, a Samaritan. His nation was despised and hated by the Jews. Christ had healed of the leprosy men who were Jews, but none of the nine returned to glorify God on behalf of his work for them. This Samaritan believed in Christ as the Redeemer of both soul and body. He made manifest the fact that he was more susceptible to the grace of God, and more appreciative of divine love, than were the other nine. Jesus called the attention of his disciples to the fact that he was a Samaritan, and said: «Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.»

The disciples of Christ, as Jews, had been educated to hate the Samaritans, and this was a lesson that would be of great benefit to them in their future experience. Jesus would have them understand that there were many precious souls among the Samaritans who would not refuse to come to the Gospel feast. This Samaritan that had returned to give praise to God was no mean citizen, and he would prove an effective witness for Christ. After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, he would bear decided witness that Christ was the Son of God. He would repeat the story of his restoration, and with a heart full of intense love and interest, he would say to those with whom he came in contact, «Will you believe in Jesus?» It was testimonies of this kind that turned men from the established teachings and endless repetitions and worthless traditions of the scribes and Pharisees. Unlearned men testified to the power of Christ, and spoke boldly of the grace of God, and their glowing testimonies were placed in sharp contrast to the heartless, exacting ritual of the Pharisees. And the people were constrained to say that these men had been with Jesus, and had learned of him. ( Concluded next week .) —

The leper that returned to give glory to God was rewarded for his faith and gratitude. But how sad it is that only one of the ten appreciated the blessing that was bestowed upon them! In every age God has poured out his blessings upon men, and has healed and restored them as he healed the ten lepers. But how often the proportion of those who recognize and appreciate God’s mercies is even less than one to ten! The nine did not report themselves, but went on their way, satisfied that they were restored. They did not give honor to God, and to Jesus Christ, whom he had sent to be their healer. The Lord works continually to benefit mankind. He is continually imparting his bounties. He raises up the sick from beds of languishing, he delivers men from peril which they do not see; he commissions heavenly angels to save men from calamity, to guard them from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and from the destruction that wasteth at noonday, but their hearts are unimpressed. They do not consider God’s blessings, they do not rejoice in his love. They center all their thoughts upon themselves. They do not appreciate Christ’s pitying tenderness and matchless love. Only a few discern that their blessings are the result of the never-failing mercies of God through Jesus Christ; but those who do discern this fact, make melody in their hearts to God, and, as did the cleansed leper, they offer to him a tribute of praise and thanksgiving.

There are many who claim that Jesus has cleansed them from the leprosy of sin. But how few continue to offer a tribute of praise, ascribing glory to God! The great gift that God has bestowed upon the world in his only-begotten Son, calls for as hearty a response of love and gratitude as that which fell from the lips of the Samaritan, who returned to give God glory. When our human friends bestow upon us gifts and favors, we feel an inclination to manifest gratitude, and to return gifts and favors to them. But how indifferent and careless, how unappreciative, are the hearts of men of the love of God! How little men seem to think of the blessings that are showered upon them by our kind heavenly Father! The Lord asked, «Where is my glory and my praise for the boundless love I have shown to men?» It is impossible for God to give a greater manifestation of his tender compassion and benevolent love. «For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.» All heaven was comprised in that one gift. It is through the merits of the gift of Christ that we receive all our mercies. We may rejoice with heart and soul and voice as we partake of our daily food; for it is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.

In the councils of heaven the Lord planned to reshape the broken, perverted characters of man, and to restore to them the moral image of God. This work is termed the mystery of godliness. Christ, the only-begotten of the Father, assumed human nature, came in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh. He came to testify to the unchangeable character of the law of God that had been impeached by Satan. Not one jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. Christ lived the law in humanity, in order that every mouth might be stopped, and that Satan might be proved an accuser and a liar. Christ revealed to the world the character of God as full of mercy, compassion and inexpressible love. He came to lift up man. It was provided that whosoever should believe in Christ as his personal Saviour should be saved. In all his works he taught men that it was his mission not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.

Through the plan of salvation, power was to operate in the re-creation of man. The remedy for the sinner was of a supernatural character. It was not essential that fallen man should understand the philosophy of the scheme of redemption, or comprehend how divinity and humanity were united in Christ. It was not essential that doctors of divinity, that men of learning, should be able through worldly wisdom to unfold all that pertained to the grand scheme of redemption. It was made plain that it was essential that fallen man should believe in the word of God, and obey to the letter his commandments. The word of God may be compared to a treasure-house, and the more we search it, the more we find its hidden riches. Here we may behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. It is in the word of God that we find encouragement to turn our eyes to Christ, to lift up our voice in hope and expectation, saying, «Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.» It is in the word of God that we find what is the effectual remedy for the leprosy of sin. Here it is that we see the ransom that has been provided, hear the gracious invitation, and look upon the mercy of God, that has no parallel, toward those who are rebels and enemies.

As messengers that are chosen of God, we are to herald the glad news of salvation, and earnestly co-operate with him in saving perishing souls. We should seek to lead those who are bound in the slavery of sin, to accept the costly sacrifice that heaven has made for man. The conditions upon which salvation is assured are plain and simple, so that the wayfaring man need not err therein. To neglect or reject these conditions it to lose all hope of salvation. God alone is able to say on what terms fallen, rebellious man may be saved. How foolish it is for men to spend their energies in seeking to climb up some other way than that way which is so simple and so easy to be understood that the most illiterate may take advantage of its provisions. Professed theologians seem to take pleasure in making that which is plain, mysterious. They clothe the simple teachings of God’s word with their own dark reasonings, and thus confuse the minds of those who listen to their doctrines. Let the Lord explain what he would have the sinner do to inherit eternal life. He has furnished ample provision for his salvation, for he gave himself in Christ. He provided a salvation as full and complete as was the offering full and complete. A lawyer came to Christ asking what he should do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus said unto him, «What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.»

The lawyer spoke just as he was convicted, and Christ confirmed him in his interpretation of the law. «And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.» How beautiful was this truth in its simplicity! This is what God requires of us. Through faith in Jesus Christ as our substitute, surety, and righteousness, we may lay hold upon divine power, so that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The keeping of God’s commandments is an evidence of our faith in Christ as our divine Saviour. John says, «This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.» Again he writes, «Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.» —