There is nothing negative about this verse; it does not say, “Who did no harm.” There was One who, in His pathway through this world of misery and need, was actively engaged in doing good. His love was unwearied and in spite of rebuffs and even hatred, He “went about doing good.” The ungrateful response of those to whom He came is told in the words of the Psalms: “For My love they are My adversaries. ... They have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love” (Psa. 109:4-54For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109:4‑5)).
Still that blessed One went steadily forward “doing good,” and at last we read of Him weeping over (not the fact that He was rejected, but) those of that guilty city because of the terrible judgments that were soon to fall on them (Luke 19:41-4441And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:41‑44)).
May we, His redeemed ones, who are left in this same world a little longer, be better transcripts of the One to whom we belong — that One who “went about doing good.” The needs are great and the “night is far spent.” A few verses from the epistles may remind us of our opportunities and privileges:
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. ... For we ourselves also were sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived. ... But according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:1-51Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. 3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:1‑5)).
We must not, however, disregard any direct word or any principle of Scripture in doing good. Here we need to keep a balance and remember that we must “strive lawfully.” Our enemy is very subtle and would entangle us with associations and unequal yokes in our seeking to do good. But, fellow-Christian, if we are really seeking to “redeem the time” (it is fast going) and look to Him for His guidance, we shall find abundant opportunities. Then, shall we not as a “royal priest” dispense royal bounty and “show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)?
P. Wilson