Take the scene. A mere handful of men, whether the twelve' or the five hundred brethren' is immaterial.
How they must have recoiled when they heard the sweeping command,' Go ye into all the world'! It is like the apparent absurdity of Christ's quiet word: They need not depart; give ye them to eat,' when the only visible stock of food was five loaves and two small fishes.' As on that occasion, so in this final commandment they had to take Christ's presence into account. I am with you.'
So note the obviously world-wide extent of Christ's claim of dominion. He had come into the world, to begin with, that the world through Him might be saved.' If any man thirst, let him come.' The parables of the kingdom of heaven are planned on the same grand scale. I will draw all men unto Me.' It cannot be disputed that Jesus lived and moved and had His being' in this vision of universal dominion.
Here emerges the great contrast of Christianity with Judaism. Judaism was intolerant, as all merely monotheistic faiths must be, and sure of future universality, but it was not proselytising, not a missionary faith. Nor is it so to-day. It is exclusive and unprogressive still.
Mohammedanism in its fiery youth, because monotheistic was aggressive, but it enforced outward profession only, and left the inner life untouched. So it did not scruple to persecute as well as to proselytise. Christianity is alone in calmly setting forth a universal dominion, and in seeking it by the Word alone. Put up thy sword into its sheath.'
