Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-14


Ny Neighbor.
In the treatment OF the former theme the
lawyer stated his opinion, and Jesus m
dorsed 1t. In discussing the next subject
the order was reversed. Jesus gave HIS
views and the lawyer approved This
courtesies-it was the product Of the teach
er's skill. 1t Is sometimes best for a learn
er to call up his knowledge and sometimes
best to get a new idea
CHRISTIAN-Christ's view of a neigh
Dor was given in narrative, usually
called parable, more likely history. A
Samaritan. from whom because of enmtty
lJohn. iv:9). no Jew might expect any
favor. was represented as performing an act
OF charity toward an unfortunate man
whom priest and Levite, set apart to holy
service. had neglected The details of the
narrative are all interesting. but the CHIEF
point demanding attention is this. that true
neighbor love overleaps the bounds OF
nationality and prejudice, and is as broad
mics Matt, v:44). This is Christian, not
because Christ first taught it, for it had
been previously enjoined (Deut-. xxii:1;
Lev. xix:3D, but because Jesus rescued
prominent in His system q John, HAD. one
of the fundamentals of His world wide mis-
sion mark, xvi:15). The recital captured
the lawyer, who promptly confessed that
the Samaritan had proved himself neigh
Dor. Then Jesus, as He did before, pressed
the matter TO a personal and practical is
sue by exhorting the legalist to go and do
likewise. bringing him again to the place
where human depravity and helplessness
appear.
JEWISH-The force of our Lords
teaching on the neighbor question will ap-
pear more fully bysexhibfting the character
Of the Jews at that time. Because of the
work assigned to them (Gen., xxii:1S}. they
ought to have been broad and generous.
Whereas. they were narrow and exclusive.
calling the people of other nations dogs
Matt Q6-C0 Their priests had be-
come unfaithful Ger, v:3D. mere hirelings
(Mal., I:10), failing to serve the people
The law had been so construed as to au-
thorize and encourage the hatred of enc
mics Matt, :43). 1t is probable that the
Samaritans a mongrel race. were superior
to them duke. xvii:16). And SO our Lord
had made picture before one of their
conceited and self-righteous representatives,
showing him that the love required toward
a neighbor had been lost out of the ma
tional life. And when He said, Gou thou
and do likewise" making the Samaritan an
example of better things, He administered
a severe but merited rebuke.
INSTRUCTIONS.
FOR THAT TTME.-The lawyer found
what he sought and more, answers to his
questions and disclosures of his own short
comings and the needs of his people. Ar
raigned and convicted by the whole law
which he easily quoted. he took refuge in
questions concerning the scope of the lesser
half of the law. only to be overwhelmed by
the portrayal of the bigotry and selfish
ness so common, but odious. And Jesus
closed the interview, master indeed, both
in knowledge and skill. His sentence, IKE
a sharp arrow, piercing the hard heart or
one who cared more for intellectual quio-
bies than for righteousness.
FOR ALL TIME.-True religion is the
same everywhere and always. Its essence
is love in its two-fold manifestation. Love
is the law of the spiritual word gravi-
tation is of the material world (Deut., XIX;
1 Cor. vita; Thess, iv:e). He who lives
by love is perfect Matt, VAS. The world
of the blessed is the place where love
reigns That life is a perversion without a
change of heart Matt, xii:33), and that Is
a bad heart that does not control action.
Right living Is the fruitage of a good heart.
If men are justified by faith, their faith Is
justified by their works Games, i:17-1S),
This do and do thou likewise are
Christs calls to the new life described IN
the law and made possible by His grace
{Eph., n;S), resulting in eternal life (John,
tv:1l.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Any person may mall to DIR. Gilbert, 1903
r street, this city. any biblical question. and
receive answer through The Star.
1874 Why did Jesus take Peter, James and
John into the mount at the TRANSPORTATION,
and otherwise show them special honor?
Answer. These men became the leaders of
three different groups or schools of thought |
in the new dispensation. James was at the
head of the church at Jerusalem known as
the Hebrew Christians. those who had been
Jews the most conservative section. Peter
represented a middle ground between these
and the Gentle Christians under Paul.
John, OUTLYING all the other apostles. and
fixing his home late in life at Ephesus, was
the head of the ecumencal branch of the
church. IN which Jew and Gentle were for
gotten in the universal brotherhood. These
four groups were not antagon1stlc. Iney
only sought to set forth Christ and His
teaching In their various aspects. The three
apostles who were to lead three great move
ments needed special disclosures by Christ
as in the TRANSPORTATION.
1876 What was the cause of the general !
wickedness of the antedluvians?
Answer Probably three causes. ID The
Scriptures give no account of any religious
institutions during that period, leaving
everything to the family; (2) the family de-
generated because good men married ire
ligious women. tGen., vi:4-5). Society was
corrupted at its foundation; 90 the long life
of the men aggravated the evil. Gen, v:21).
hitter oppositfon to It without. If it could