Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06
for Sunday $cboota.
STAR LESSON FOR OCTOBER ?.
BY Rev. J. E. Gilbert, DID,,
SECRETARY AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS Mark xii Is a. ss-44

THE SEVERE ORDEAL A public
teacher in Judea was subjected to the most
trying test, well suited to determine his
wisdom and goodness. He was ever in the
midst Of the people, who might at any
time PROFOUND question with the purpose
to ensnare and annoy. 1t was impossible
for any one to guard against surprises.
even to forejudge what would be the ma
ture OF the encounter. 1t was under such
circumstances that Jesus wrought and
taught. In the temple and in the syna-
gogue, in the private house and in the
highway he was liable to be questioned
upon any matter, either intricate or pro-
found. The manner of his reply, the ease
with which he parted the unkind attack
or cast light on dark problems had much
to do in forming public opinion concerning
him among his contemporaries and has had
large influence in preserving for him a
unique place in history.
THE SCRIBES QUESTION Verse
2S) A learned man in the law, public
teacher, respected by the people Matt.
xxi. S5). drewp near while Jesus was con-
versng with the Pharisees, Herodians and
Sadducees. as mentioned in the lesson of
September 16. Perceiving that Jesus had
answered wisely and that his questioners
quiries. this scribe thought there was a ia
vorable opportunity for him. Hence, he
drew near with one of the old bones that
and philosophers. (Which is the first com
mandmeent Of all,'-not which stood first
in the decalogue eek. Xxx, 81. Every one
knew that. But which was most impor-
of Scripture in those days that all sorts
of curious questions had been raised, this
among them. There was no manifestation
of captiousness in the scribe. He evidently
THE LORDS ANSWER Oversees 20,
3d. 81. The rabbinical quibbling which
lay back of the scribe's question was very
perplexing. Which was most important,
the first part of the law that covered duties
to God, or the second part that covered
duties to men? OF the four commands in
the first part, which was most important?
OF the six commands in the second part,
which was most important? And so on ad
nauseam. But Jesus did not fall into the
net at any point, as many man might
DO. He met the candid auestoner with
frankness and directness. Condensing the
sentence, and then contracting the sem
tence into one word, love, he boldly de-
clared that love to God was first, and love
to man second. The one was first chrome
logically, logically, scripturally and phil
osophically. God first, man second, but the
two COMBINED.
THE sCRIBES APPROVAL Oversees
49, 33). The scribe was not like those who
had on previous occasions sought to en-
tangle Jesus, who distorted and mfsrepre-
scented His words Matt xxii:15). He had
legal mind and could judge the import of
q sentence. Moreover, he was evidently &C
quainted with Scripture and with the sum-
maries that had been given Of extended
paragraphs. His approval of what Jesus
had said was prompt and hearty, credit
able alike to his head and to his heart.
Great Teacher is in accord with Jewish
teacher-the two masters are agreed on a
matter about which there had been much
diversity Of opinion and much debate. The
scribe proceeded to give the ground Of his
approval. He recognized the beautiful
summary and admitted that love was the
essential thing, love Of two kinds-Godward
and MAYNARD. He recognized also that the
sacrifices.
THE LORDS APPROVAL Verse s4.
Jesus was not to be outdone by q scribe.
II the latter acknowledged His wisdom,
upon the questioner. Thou art not far
from the kingdom Of heaven" This king
dom was the great subject upon which
Jesus spoke mark i:14), the central theme
pose of His mission to earth John xvii:3O.
Now He had found a man who had come
very near to 1t. How near? He had recog-
nized that love was the one essential of
true character, love toward GOD and man.
Love is to the spiritual world what CRAWL
tation is to the physical world But the
scribe had not entered into the kingdom.
How far was he from It? He had only an
intellectual conception Of what was neces-
sary. He had not attained the love which
he saw to be essential. His will and af-
fections had not followed his thought. And
yet it was beautiful to commend him. The
approval set Jesus on a high plane to be
admired. All were silent (Matt. xxii:40.
THE LORDS CAUTION CVerses 3S,
S9,4O. Give credit to every man wherever
possible, and yet be sure that words of ap-
MT ynfc