The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-26
Christ SiIenCes the Pharisees.
Matt xii. 34-46

DAViDS LORD (Nerses As, a, 4j).--The an.
swer was correct. 1t gave the human lineage
OF the Jewish Messiah, and that only In so
far II met the boast OF the nation WHO glorihed
in the fact that they descended from Abraham
(John viii: 3S), the most llustrious OF the pa
trarchs, and that they looked for a restoration
of kingdom, over which should reign son
OF the most famous king, whose glory had ex.
tended among all nations. But this was by no
means the more important truth concerning
Messiah. He was TO be Divine Being, the Son
OF God psalm liz CD, as well as the son OF
David. This fact was we'll known 10 David
himself, who had stated IL in one Of his temple
hymns which had been sung in worship for a
thousand years. But the Pharisees had over.
locked the predicted divinity and laid emphasis
on the expected one. By thus obscurng the
greater and exating the lesser they had fallen
into innumerable misconceptions, not the least
being temporal reign Of this Messiah with at
tendant pomp So Jesus put to them the pul.
zliIg question: IN David called Him Lord how
is He his son7''
FORCED SILENCE Vers4 46).--No one could
answer. A look Of astonishment, OF confusion
and shame spread over the faces Of those who
stood about as they found themselves ignorant
on such a weighty matter Students OF the
Scriptures (John V: 800, every part OF which
they had examined with minuteneSs and care
they were compelled TO admit that the two
statements concerning Messiah were truthful
but they knew not how TO harmonize thosa state
mems, Had these learned men been wise they
would have accepted the guidance Of the One
before them and addressed themselves to the
task Of adjusting their notions to the whole
truth. Instead they followed the course which
10 common in our day--they held to their pre-.
conceived opinion and so nuch Of the Scripture
as supported that opinion, while they rejected
what coniiicted with it, They We're the same
unjust critics they had so lonC been, unwilling,
and even unable TO see the glory Of Jesus. and
hoping for a more favorable opportunity 20 over.
come Him But they were forced TO be silent
REFLECTIONS. Who was this young man that
had come from Galilee, who was able to meet
the wise men, tho eminent scholars Of Jerlsa.
lemY How is IL that He knew more than they
Of tile very law which il wac their daily voca.
tion TO study and to teaohl How could he 50
easily summarize end so effectively eXalt and
enforce that law2 How did he know the nature
and pedigree Of the nations Messiah while they
were ignorant? How could he, in short sen.
tences, lay open the great national bunder and
show the way into the very heart OF the new
dspensaton which would be spiritual king.
dom? How could he do all this without Ire.
meditation, meeting casually in the temple suf.
iering their question and offering him, but so
doing this that he was left complete master,
and they were speechless? There Is but one re.
ply. The confession OF Peter explains it all
Matt, xvi; l6). "Thou art the Christ, the
Son Of the Living God" As lie began In
boyhood duke ILL., i6), SO lie ended His life,
displaying superhninan wisdom Gohn vii: 10Y.