to Rome. His is the Gospel of historical development. To him we are indebted for nearly all the
hints that link the gospel facts with the contemporary history of the world.- It is the Gospel of universal humanity. It breathes the genuine spirit of charity, liberty,
equality, which emanate from the Saviour of mankind, but are so often counterfeited by his great
antagonist, the devil. It touches the tenderest chords of human sympathy. It delights in recording
Christ’s love and compassion for the sick, the lowly, the despised, even the harlot and the prodigal.
It mentions the beatitudes pronounced on the poor and the hungry, his invitation to the maimed,
the halt, and the blind, his prayer on the cross for pardon of the wicked murderers, his promise to
the dying robber. It rebukes the spirit of bigotry and intolerance of the Jews against Samaritans, in
the parable of the good Samaritan. It reminds the Sons of Thunder when they were about to call
fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village that He came not to destroy but to save. It tells us that
"he who is not against Christ is for Christ," no matter what sectarian or unsectarian name he may
bear. - It is the Gospel for woman. It weaves the purest types of womanhood into the gospel
story: Elizabeth, who saluted the Saviour before his birth; the Virgin, whom all generations call
blessed; the aged prophetess Anna, who departed not from the temple; Martha, the busy, hospitable
housekeeper, with her quiet, contemplative sister Mary of Bethany; and that noble band of female
disciples who ministered of their substance to the temporal wants of the Son of God and his apostles.
It reveals the tender compassion of Christ for all the suffering daughters of Eve: the widow
at Nain mourning at the bier of her only son; for the fallen sinner who bathed his feet with her tears;
for the poor sick woman, who had wasted all her living upon physicians, and whom he addressed
as "Daughter;" and for the "daughters of Jerusalem" who followed him weeping to Calvary. If
anywhere we may behold the divine humanity of Christ and the perfect union of purity and love,
dignity and tender compassion, it is in the conduct of Jesus towards women and children. "The
scribes and Pharisees gathered up their robes in the streets and synagogues lest they should touch
a woman, and held it a crime to look on an unveiled woman in public; our Lord suffered a woman
to minister to him out of whom he had cast seven devils." - It is the Gospel for children, and all who are of a childlike spirit. It sheds a sacred halo
and celestial charm over infancy, as perpetuating the paradise of innocence in a sinful world. It
alone relates the birth and growth of John, the particulars of the birth of Christ, his circumcision
and presentation in the temple, his obedience to parents, his growth from infancy to boyhood, from
boyhood to manhood. Luke 1 – 2 will always be the favorite chapters for children and all who
delight to gather around the manger of Bethlehem and to rejoice with shepherds on the field and
angels in heaven. - It is the Gospel of poetry.^1008 We mean the poetry of religion, the poetry of worship, the
poetry of prayer and thanksgiving, a poetry resting not on fiction, but on facts and eternal truth. In
such poetry there is more truth than in every-day prose. The whole book is full of dramatic vivacity
and interest. It begins and ends with thanksgiving and praise. Luke 1–2 are overflowing with festive
joy and gladness; they are a paradise of fragrant flowers, and the air is resonant with the sweet
(^1008) Farrar (p. 23) calls Luke "the first Christian hymnologist" (better hymnist), and quotes the lines from Keble:
"Thou hast an ear for angel songs,
A breath the gospel trump to fill,
And taught by thee the Church prolongs
Her hymns of high thanksgiving still."
A.D. 1-100.