Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-16
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
For September 18. Matt 22:15-42, 34-46.
Golden Text: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things
that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods
By DR.. Marion MCH. Hull

is bound up in that devotion. Not
part, not with only one phase, but with
every one of our powers, and every whit
of each. This demands that God shall
be first in our thoughts, desires, aims,
and efforts. Nothing in life shall be
even contemplated without the submits
sion of it first to Him. Business, pleas
ure plans, promises-all must have
Him as their first consideration.
This sets high standard for us; but
not an unattainable one. Since this is
the great commandment breaking il
makes one great sinner. The drunk
ard, the murderer, the licentious profit
gate, the fallen woman is not the great
est sinner; except as they have broken
this commandment also. But the moral
list maybe who breaks the greatest com
mandment.
The second in Importance resembles
it; but it is second, not first, nor equal.
1t is also mandatory, not optional. We
must love our neighbor as ourselves.
At another time Jesus answered very
specifically who is our neighbor. Neigh
borliness is not necessarily measured
by nearness, but by need. Think over
the story Of the good Samaritan.
NOT FAR, BUT
It is no wonder that the lawyer re-
piled as he did when he heard and real
lied the significance of these words of
Jesus. The tone of His voice, vibrating
with His own devoted love to God and
man, had made them sound differently
from what he had ever heard them be-
fore. He saw now for the first time
their depth Of meaning. His question
had been fully answered. He had no
longer any doubt in his mind as to the
relative Importance of the laws. To do
what Jesus required would be far more
than any amount of sacrifices or burnt
offerings.
His answer attracted the attention of
Jesus. He had come clubbing, he was
convicted, he had shown discernment, he
was not far from the kingdom, he need
ed but to acknowledge the Teacher as
his Lord and King. Whether he was
one of those priests who shortly after
Pentecost became obedient to the faith,
we cannot say. We hope so. Are you
not far from the kingdom? II so, will
you not enter fully?
THE QUESTIONERS QUESTIONED.
Not another question was put to
Jesus after that; they realized too keen
ly His superiority and the impossibility
of ensnaring Him in this way. They
sneaked away in disgrace. But as they
were leaving He called them to put
a question to them. He would like to
know from them, He said, what was
their conception of the Messiah; whose
son Is he? Why, the son of David, they
too glibly replied. They were soon sor-
ry however, for He continued, that be-
ing the case, how do you explain this
Speaking by the Spirit, David calls Mes
siah Lord; now why should he call his
son Lord?
They were not able to answer this
that is, without acknowledging that
Messiah was Jesus of Nazareth. The
only explanation that can be given, and
1t is complete, is that Messiah was both
man and God; human descended from
David, and therefore his son and sub
ject to him; but also divine, therefore
David subject to Him.
Some people imagine they can live as
they please, regardless Of Christ. They
question the right of any one to teach
otherwise. But in spite of all that,
the supreme question of every mans life
Is this one. These questioners will be
questioned some day and will have to an
swer, What think We of Christ? Their
whole destiny depends upon the answer.
They may be as blindly foolish as these
Pharisees, Cadducees, and scribes were,
and imagine they can cope with Him. But
they will find to their everlasting shame
that they have not counted on their
opponent
How much better to render now to God
the things that are Gods, which is
nothing more, nothing less, than our
life's devotion. God asks no more of
us in time. He can expect no more of us
in eternity than this-that we love Him
supremacy with every whit of us. The
prophet Micah expressed it thus of old:
What doth the Lord require of thee
but to love mercy, to do justly and to
humble myself to walk with God" Man,
you may be doing the two former; you
art then not far from the kingdom.
Will you not walk humbly, realizing the
vast difference between you, with thy
God, loving Him with all devotion, put
ting Him first middle, and last, in your
life?