Luke 9:51-56 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,… The next worst thing to being destitute of enthusiasm altogether is to expend it on the wrong objects. As the poet says — What is enthusiasm? What can it be But thought enkindled to a high degree, That may, whatever be its ruling turn, Right or not right, with equal ardour burn That which concerns us, therefore, is to see What species of enthusiasts we be." Here was enthusiasm, and enthusiasm for Christ; but it was expending itself in unchristian, and even anti-Christian channels. We are constantly meeting, in our every-day experience, with instances of misdirected enthusiasm. The important thing to do is to discover Christ's idea of Christianity, and to let our enthusiasm go forth into the same channels in which His was wont to flow. If this be our earnest and constant endeavour, then, although we may sometimes make mistakes, although we may, like the Boanerges, incur the rebuke, "Ye know not what spirit ye are of," it will be a gentle rebuke — one of pity rather than of condemnation. (Prof. Momerie, M. A. , D. Sc.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, |
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