the desire of ages-第175节
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aching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you： and lo； I am with you always； even unto the end of the world。〃 Matt。 28：19； 20； R。 V。
The Jewish people had been made the depositaries of sacred truth； but Pharisaism had made them the most exclusive； the most bigoted； of
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all the human race。 Everything about the priests and rulerstheir dress； customs； ceremonies； traditionsmade them unfit to be the light of the world。 They looked upon themselves； the Jewish nation； as the world。 But Christ commissioned His disciples to proclaim a faith and worship that would have in it nothing of caste or country； a faith that would be adapted to all peoples； all nations； all classes of men。
Before leaving His disciples； Christ plainly stated the nature of His kingdom。 He called to their minds what He had previously told them concerning it。 He declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal； but a spiritual kingdom。 He was not to reign as an earthly king on David's throne。 Again He opened to them the Scriptures； showing that all He had passed through had been ordained in heaven； in the councils between the Father and Himself。 All had been foretold by men inspired by the Holy Spirit。 He said； You see that all I have revealed to you concerning My rejection as the Messiah has come to pass。 All I have said in regard to the humiliation I should endure and the death I should die； has been verified。 On the third day I rose again。 Search the Scriptures more diligently； and you will see that in all these things the specifications of prophecy concerning Me have been fulfilled。
Christ commissioned His disciples to do the work He had left in their hands； beginning at Jerusalem。 Jerusalem had been the scene of His amazing condescension for the human race。 There He had suffered； been rejected and condemned。 The land of Judea was His birthplace。 There； clad in the garb of humanity； He had walked with men； and few had discerned how near heaven came to the earth when Jesus was among them。 At Jerusalem the work of the disciples must begin。
In view of all that Christ had suffered there； and the unappreciated labor He had put forth； the disciples might have pleaded for a more promising field； but they made no such plea。 The very ground where He had scattered the seed of truth was to be cultivated by the disciples； and the seed would spring up and yield an abundant harvest。 In their work the disciples would have to meet persecution through the jealousy and hatred of the Jews； but this had been endured by their Master； and they were not to flee from it。 The first offers of mercy must be made to the murderers of the Saviour。
And there were in Jerusalem many who had secretly believed on Jesus； and many who had been deceived by the priests and rulers。 To these also the gospel was to be presented。 They were to be called to
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repentance。 The wonderful truth that through Christ alone could remission of sins be obtained was to be made plain。 While all Jerusalem was stirred by the thrilling events of the past few weeks； the preaching of the gospel would make the deepest impression。
But the work was not to stop here。 It was to be extended to the earth's remotest bounds。 To His disciples Christ said； You have been witnesses of My life of self…sacrifice in behalf of the world。 You have witnessed My labors for Israel。 Although they would not come unto Me that they might have life； although priests and rulers have done to Me as they listed； although they have rejected Me as the Scriptures foretold； they shall have still another opportunity of accepting the Son of God。 You have seen that all who come to Me； confessing their sins； I freely receive。 Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out。 All who will； may be reconciled to God； and receive everlasting life。 To you； My disciples； I commit this message of mercy。 It is to be given to Israel first； and then to all nations； tongues； and peoples。 It is to be given to Jews and Gentiles。 All who believe are to be gathered into one church。
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the disciples were to receive a marvelous power。 Their testimony was to be confirmed by signs and wonders。 Miracles would be wrought； not only by the apostles； but by those who received their message。 Jesus said； 〃In My name shall they cast out devils； they shall speak with new tongues； they shall take up serpents； and if they drink any deadly thing； it shall not hurt them； they shall lay hands on the sick； and they shall recover。〃 Mark 16：17； 18。
At that time poisoning was often practiced。 Unscrupulous men did not hesitate to remove by this means those who stood in the way of their ambition。 Jesus knew that the life of His disciples would thus be imperiled。 Many would think it doing God service to put His witnesses to death。 He therefore promised them protection from this danger。
The disciples were to have the same power which Jesus had to heal 〃all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people。〃 By healing in His name the diseases of the body； they would testify to His power for the healing of the soul。 Matt。 4：23； 9：6。 And a new endowment was now promised。 The disciples were to preach among other nations； and they would receive power to speak other tongues。 The apostles and their associates were unlettered men； yet through the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost； their speech； whether in their own or a foreign language； became pure； simple； and accurate； both in word and in accent。
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Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission。 He made full provision for the prosecution of the work； and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success。 So long as they obeyed His word； and worked in connection with Him； they could not fail。 Go to all nations； He bade them。 Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe； but know that My presence will be there。 Labor in faith and confidence； for the time will never come when I will forsake you。
The Saviour's commission to the disciples included all the believers。 It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time。 It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister。 All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel。 All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men。 For this work the church was established； and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co…workers with Christ。
〃The Spirit and the bride say； Come。 And let him that heareth say； Come。〃 Rev。 22：17。 Everyone who hears is to repeat the invitation。 Whatever one's calling in life； his first interest should be to win souls for Christ。 He may not be able to speak to congregations； but he can work for individuals。 To them he can communicate the instruction received from his Lord。 Ministry does not consist alone in preaching。 Those minister who relieve the sick and suffering； helping the needy； speaking words of comfort to the desponding and those of little faith。 Nigh and afar off are souls weighed down by a sense of guilt。 It is not hardship； toil； or poverty that degrades humanity。 It is guilt； wrongdoing。 This brings unrest and dissatisfaction。 Christ would have His servants minister to sin…sick souls。
The disciples were to begin their work where they were。 The hardest and most unpromising field was not to be passed by。 So every one of Christ's workers is to begin where he is。 In our own families may be souls hungry for sympathy； starving for the bread of life。 There may be children to be trained for Christ。 There are heathen at our very doors。 Let us do faithfully the work that is nearest。 Then let our efforts be extended as far as God's hand may lead the way。 The work of many may appear to be restricted by circumstances； but； wherever it is； if performed with faith and diligence it will be felt to the uttermost parts of the earth。 Christ's work when upon earth appeared to be confined to a narrow field； but multitudes from all lands heard His message。 God often uses the simplest means to accomplish the greatest results。 It is
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His plan that every part of His work shall depend on every other part； as a wheel within a wheel； all acting in harmony。 The humblest worker； moved by the Holy Spirit； will touch invisible chords； whose vibrations will ring to the ends of the earth； and make melody through eternal ages。
But the command； 〃Go ye into all the world；〃 is not to be lost sight of。 We are called upon to lift our eyes to the 〃regions beyond。〃 Christ tears away the wall of partition； the dividing prejudice of nationality； and teaches a love for all the human family。 He lifts men from the narrow circle which their selfishness prescribes； He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society。 He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers； friends and enemies。 He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our brother； and the world as our field。
When the Saviour said； 〃Go； 。 。 。 teach all nations；〃 He said also； 〃
