In the preceding paper we presented to the notice of our readers, a motto for the evangelist, in the expression, “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond.” This is the grand object of the evangelist, let his gift or sphere of action be what it may.
But, the pastor has his work as well as the evangelist; and we are desirous to furnish a motto for him likewise. Such a motto we have in the words, “Let us go again.” We are not merely to regard this expression as the narrative of what was done, but a model of what ought to be done.
If the evangelist is responsible to preach the gospel in the regions beyond, so long as there are regions to be evangelized; the pastor is responsible to “go again and visit his brethren,” so long as there are brethren to be visited. The evangelist forms the interesting connection; the pastor maintains and strengthens that connection. The one is the instrument of creating that beautiful link; the other of perpetuating it.
It is quite possible that the two gifts may exist in the same person, as in Paul’s case; but whether this be so or not, each gift has its own specific sphere and object. The business of the evangelist to call out the brethren; the business of the pastor is to look after them. The evangelist goes, first, and preaches the Word of the Lord; the pastor goes again and visits those upon whom that word has taken effect. The former calls out the sheep; the latter feeds and takes care of them.
The order of these things is divinely beautiful. The Lord would not gather out His sheep, and leave them to wander uncared for and unfed.
This would be wholly unlike His gracious, tender, thoughtful way. Hence, He not only imparts the gift whereby His sheep are to be called into existence, but also that whereby they are to be fed and maintained. He has His own interest in them, and in every stage of their history. He watches over them, with intense solicitude, from the moment in which they hear the first quickening accents, until they are safely folded in the mansions above. His desire to gather the sheep tells itself forth in the large- heartedness of the expression, “the regions beyond;” and His desire for their well-being breathes in the words, “Let us go again.” The two things are intimately connected.
Wherever the word of the Lord has been preached and received, there you have the formation of mysterious, but real and most precious links between heaven and earth. The eye of faith can discern the most beauteous link of divine sympathy between the heart of Christ in heaven, and “every city” where “the Word of the Lord” has been preached and received. This is as true now, as it was eighteen hundred years ago.
There may be many things to hinder our spiritual perception of this link; but it is there for all that. God sees it, and faith sees it likewise. Christ has His eye—an eye beaming with intense interest, and radiant with tender love—upon every city, every town, every village, every street, every house in which His Word has been received.
The assurance of this is most comforting to everyone who feels that he has, in very deed, received the Word of the Lord. Were we called upon to prove, from Scripture, the truth of our assertion, we should do so by the following quotation:
“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he prayeth.” (Acts 9:10, 1110And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:10‑11)).
Can aught be more touching than to hear the Lord of glory giving, with such minuteness, the address of His newly-found sheep? He gives the street, the number, so to speak, and the very occupation at the moment. His gracious eye takes in everything connected with each one of those for whom He gave His precious life. There is not a circumstance, however trivial, in the path of the very feeblest of His members, in which the blessed Lord Jesus is not interested. His name be praised for such a comforting assurance! May we be enabled to enter, more fully, into the reality and power of such a truth!
Now, our gracious Shepherd would fill the heart of each one acting under Him with His own tender care for the sheep; and He it was who animated the heart of Paul to express and carry out the design embodied in the words, “Let us go again.” It was the grace of Christ flowing down into the heart of Paul, and giving character and direction to the zealous service of that most devoted and laborious Apostle. “I have taught you publicly, and from house to house.” (Acts 20:2020And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, (Acts 20:20)).
What an example! Think of the Apostle with all his gigantic labors, finding time to visit from house to house; and that for three years in one town!
(To be continued)