The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-05
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study of the Inter-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
June 10, 1890. ST. Luke, IL 1871.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures
indicated above.I
SUBJECTS: /. CovEToUsNEss. II. PARABLE
OF THE BARN-BUILDER.
/. CoyETOUsNEss.
l. The Circumstances
l. The Circumstances.

see from IL: % that Christ had been dining with
n certain Pbarsee That was at Capernaum.
Evidently he had left the house of the Phari-
see, and had likely set out for his own place of
residence, which was probably with st. Peter.
As he passed on, the crowd increased. Mean
time" u2:1) This points to the middle or
intervening time, the time between ChrisPs
leaving tho Pharisee's house and his arrival at
st. Petor's home. BY the usual arrangement
of harmonists of the New Testament, we find
our Savior next leaving said house. est. Matt,
1871 "Innumerable" Cl2: y is byperbolic,
and simply implies great many. Jesus was
popular Teacher in the sense that he impressed
himself on the attention of people. They we're
convinced he was no ordinary instructor. And
then his miraculous powers gave him great
sway with the masses The Lord "began
az: u means took in hand, and Ii practically
converts began to say" into he said. pre-
vailing sin was hypocrisy. SO Christ taught
them first of all, or as most important, to be
sincere, genuine. The PhaTisees were noted
for bypOcritic qualities. Christ had just do
nounccd them. See IL is -54.) Students differ
in their understanding of tho relation of the
word first y; some referring it to the disciples,
others to the verb beware"
2. Data
We havo only one account, that of ST. Luke,
10: IL 10.
g. Time.
We date this lesson October, A. d. 81, or
about one and one half years before the death
of Christ. 1t is not unlikely that it was the
same day on which no dined with tho Phari-
see. Ql:37.) If so it was in the latter part of
the day.
4. Place.
We find ourselves in street of Capernaum.
The multitude referred to in II could not
have been within any house. The conversation
took place out of doors and somewhere on the
route from the Pharisce's house III 81 to st.
Peters home.
5. Dcfendan, and PaintiG-their Case
In the company were two brothers. We in
fer both were present. The younger one adj
dressed Christ. Neither was seemingly dis
cipc of our Savior. Their father was doad.
They were quarroing over the property. The
account Implies the inheritance was of quite
large value. Among the Jews property de-
scended to children thus: the oldest son had
double portion, while the rest had only equal
shares, or each no-half what tho oldest brother
received. tDeu. 81 ~ IfnosOns were living
the property went to daughters, providing they
married within their respective tribes. (Nu.,
SO co. II was the duty of the older brother
to care for his mother and unmarried sisters.
Much power rested with him. IIe as a rule
made the division of the property, aud might
defer or might DO unfair For some reason the
younger brother felt aggrieved. His charge
against his brother may have boon well founded.
g. ChTist's Position IA lie Case.
Jesus came among men as a religious teacher.
The question raised by tho younger brother
was secular and legal. The authority of Christ
TO act would not have been recognized, and no
decision which he could have rendered would
have had any legal effect Had tho two brothers
Jointly made Christ arbitrator in any given
misunderstanding the matter would have been
some different. On two other occasions at
tempts were made to involve Christ in purely
civil cases lSt John, 8: Ill; ST. Mark, II IS
IL Probably if Christ had taken up the case
OF the younger brother in our lesson, and had de-
c.ded In favor of the older brother, the younger
would have been first and loudest in declaring
that Jesus had no jurisdiction in the case.
Christ came different mission, aud had he
allowed himself TO DO used rs a makeshilt be-
tween contending parties, he would have been
kept busy IN such work, and his real mission
would have suffered. So Christ said who
made me n judge2' meaning who gave me
authority 10 settle legal questions? We are
reminded of the question asked Of Moses by the
quarrcling Hebrews. Tx. 2 a. Christ had
no seal of Office rs civil lawyer or judge. He
had no power TO issue deeds aud titles. Jesus
taught principles which should govern in
courts, prevail in iuries. be Incorporated in
civil statutes, yet he persisted in not acting in
civil cases. He always thrust forward the fact
Of his Kingdom being spiritual. (St John.
Is: 3G)
No Interpretation which can be given to this
lesson must do violence 10 | Cor, 6 10. In
matters which do not absolutely demand legal
action, efforts should be- made to adjust all
difficulties among Christians without referring
them 10 courts of justice.
The proper reply TO the question of verse II
is, nobody. Christ was not vested with au-
thority 10 act legally in the case, and legal
adjustment WAS seemingly the only alternative
left.
Z. The Moral Deduction
We notice that tho younger brother did not
go to Christ rs religious inquirer. He did
not sock Jesus as our Savior, but as q Judge.
His comprehension of tho work to be effected
by Christ went no farther than the secular.
lie wanted arbitration in the settlement Of a
merely personal misunderstanding rather than
salvation from his sins The conspicuous fea-
turo about him was his zeal TO acquire worldly
possessions. When a man puts anything into
"A place superior TO piety and forgiveness of sins
he has no idea OF the relative values OF things.
He il worldly who thinks more of earthly
things than Of Heavenly. The besetting sin
of mankind is covetousness. 1t is evident that
one the other brother was trying to over
reach; was not satisfied with his portion
wanted some part Of anothers share; cnvied
some heirs division. A coyetOus man is one
who WAITS moro; is not contentod; is greedy
50 anxious lot more possessions, ana Hence so
cOvetous OF the possess. IONS of Others that he
becomes guilty of acts which are even dis
honest fraudulent. extortOnate.
We notice Christ is very emphatic lie says
" Take heed and beware keep your eyes
open and be constantly on the watch. Heed
is from the Saxon, and means take care. Be-
ware" means DO wary. cautious This is a very
strong admontion. There is no other such
double cxhoriation in the Bible.
The word "lifo" does not mean his living
or livelihood, nor even his existence, but rather
his eternal happiness, spiritual and permanent
cOntentment This last does not depend on
the amount of ones pecuniary possessions
Thousands of rich persons are utterly miser-
able, while thousands more OF the poor AFRO very
well satisfied.
8. Suggestions
l. Brothers should be truly fraternal.
2. Do not intermediate in tho affairs of others
unless all parties refer To you and you have
authority to dust their d difficulties.
g. Wills should be as definite as possible, so
that property may DO divided without misun-
Outstanding.
L. Avoid covetousness, cultivate contontmont.
DO not try TO correct Providence. Having fair
income do not be unhappy because il is not
equal TO that OF some neighbor. Do not look
wishiully on all property not your own. For
ever some cry More!"
5. Find happiness in aequiescence with the
part in life which Providence prescribes for
u.s. and with the possessions which you can ac-
prayer for neither riches nor poverty prov,
On - = 80