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The directions to the seventy were similar to those that had been given to the twelve； but the command to the twelve； not to enter into any city of the Gentiles or of the Samaritans； was not given to the seventy。 Though Christ had just been repulsed by the Samaritans； His love toward them was unchanged。 When the seventy went forth in His name； they visited； first of all； the cities of Samaria。
The Saviour's own visit to Samaria； and later； the commendation of the good Samaritan； and the grateful joy of that leper； a Samaritan； who alone of the ten returned to give thanks to Christ； were full of significance to the disciples。 The lesson sank deep into their hearts。 In His commission to them； just before His ascension； Jesus mentioned Samaria with Jerusalem and Judea as the places where they were first to preach the gospel。 This commission His teaching had prepared them to fulfill。 When in their Master's name they went to Samaria； they found the people ready to receive them。 The Samaritans had heard of Christ's words of commendation and His works of mercy for men of their nation。 They saw that； notwithstanding their rude treatment of Him； He had only thoughts of love toward them； and their hearts were won。 After His ascension they welcomed the Saviour's messengers； and the disciples gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies。
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〃A bruised reed shall He not break； and the dimly burning flax shall He not quench： He shall bring forth judgment unto truth。〃 〃And in His name shall the Gentiles trust。〃 Isa。 42：3； margin； Matt。 12：21。
In sending out the seventy； Jesus bade them； as He had bidden the twelve； not to urge their presence where they were unwelcome。 〃Into whatsoever city ye enter； and they receive you not；〃 He said； 〃go your ways out into the streets of the same； and say； Even the very dust of your city； which cleaveth on us； we do wipe off against you： notwithstanding be ye sure of this； that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you。〃 They were not to do this from motives of resentment or through wounded dignity； but to show how grievous a thing it is to refuse the Lord's message or His messengers。 To reject the Lord's servants is to reject Christ Himself。
〃I say unto you；〃 Jesus added； 〃that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom； than for that city。〃 Then His mind reverted to the Galilean towns where so much of His ministry had been spent。 In deeply sorrowful accents He exclaimed； 〃Woe unto thee； Chorazin！ woe unto thee； Bethsaida！ for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon； which have been done in you； they had a great while ago repented； sitting in sackcloth and ashes。 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment； than for you。 And thou； Capernaum； which art exalted to heaven； shalt be thrust down to hell。〃
To those busy towns about the Sea of Galilee； heaven's richest blessings had been freely offered。 Day after day the Prince of life had gone in and out among them。 The glory of God； which prophets and kings had longed to see； had shone upon the multitudes that thronged the Saviour's steps。 Yet they had refused the heavenly Gift。
With a great show of prudence the rabbis had warned the people against receiving the new doctrines taught by this new teacher； for His theories and practices were contrary to the teachings of the fathers。 The people gave credence to what the priests and Pharisees taught； in place of seeking to understand the word of God for themselves。 They honored the priests and rulers instead of honoring God； and rejected the truth that they might keep their own traditions。 Many had been impressed and almost persuaded； but they did not act upon their convictions； and were not reckoned on the side of Christ。 Satan presented his temptations； until the light appeared as darkness。 Thus many rejected the truth that would have proved the saving of the soul。
The True Witness says； 〃Behold； I stand at the door； and knock。〃 Rev。 3：20。 Every warning； reproof； and entreaty in the word of God or
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through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart。 It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance。 With every knock unheeded； the disposition to open becomes weaker。 The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today； will not be as strong tomorrow。 The heart becomes less impressible； and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life； and of the great eternity beyond。 Our condemnation in the judgment will not result from the fact that we have been in error； but from the fact that we have neglected heaven…sent opportunities for learning what is truth。
Like the apostles； the seventy had received supernatural endowments as a seal of their mission。 When their work was completed； they returned with joy； saying； 〃Lord； even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name。〃 Jesus answered； 〃I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven。〃
The scenes of the past and the future were presented to the mind of Jesus。 He beheld Lucifer as he was first cast out from the heavenly places。 He looked forward to the scenes of His own agony； when before all the worlds the character of the deceiver should be unveiled。 He heard the cry； 〃It is finished〃 （John 19：30）； announcing that the redemption of the lost race was forever made certain； that heaven was made eternally secure against the accusations； the deceptions； the pretensions； that Satan would instigate。
Beyond the cross of Calvary； with its agony and shame； Jesus looked forward to the great final day； when the prince of the power of the air will meet his destruction in the earth so long marred by his rebellion。 Jesus beheld the work of evil forever ended； and the peace of God filling heaven and earth。
Henceforward Christ's followers were to look upon Satan as a conquered foe。 Upon the cross； Jesus was to gain the victory for them； that victory He desired them to accept as their own。 〃Behold；〃 He said； 〃I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions； and over all the power of the enemy： and nothing shall by any means hurt you。〃
The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul。 Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power。 The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones。 With Him there can be no such thing as failure； loss； impossibility； or defeat； we can do all things through Him who strengthens us。 When temptations and trials
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come； do not wait to adjust all the difficulties； but look to Jesus； your helper。
There are Christians who think and speak altogether too much about the power of Satan。 They think of their adversary； they pray about him； they talk about him； and he looms up greater and greater in their imagination。 It is true that Satan is a powerful being； but； thank God； we have a mighty Saviour； who cast out the evil one from heaven。 Satan is pleased when we magnify his power。 Why not talk of Jesus？ Why not magnify His power and His love？
The rainbow of