Newark post., 1910-08-31
Matt. 2l: 23-4o.)


MENT
(Matt. q: 1880
Golden Text: Therefore say | un-
to you, the Kingdom Of God shall be
taken away from you" Matt. 81: 43.
Between what we call Palm Sunday
and the day generally reckoned as the
day OF the crucitixion were four days,
which we would call Monday, Tues
day, etc. On Two, probably three OF
these days. he went with his disciples
into the city, and to the temple,
where in the porches he talked with
all who questioned him. In these dis
courses he was at the height OF his
power. The break between him and
Pharisees and Sadducees was open
and his words were unsparing. The
conflict with the rulers runs through
the remainder Of chapter xxi, and all
of xxi and xii Lessons Xl and
XII carry the story up to the end OF
chapter xxi. The teacher will do well
who becomes thoroughly familiar with
al up TO the end Of chapter xiv. The
Uniform Lessons pass, entirely by
chapters XIII and xiv. The Fourth
Quarter Of I9Io begins with chapter
XIV.
THE LESSON.
VS.. 22. Jesus had entered the city
early and gone to the temple, and at
once began his words to the people.
This was too much for the authorities.
To teach without divine commission
was prohibited. He was only Cali
lean peasant of the lowest rank The
time to stop him had come The chief
priests asked the question which they
expected would silence him. He was
an unauthorized teacher. his gives
the reason for the particular question
that they asked. ------,s..-.
VS.. "a. The answer Jesus gave was
audscious. 1t shows him perfectly
ready for the break which he knew
was inevitable. He said, Il will an
swer you after you answer me-" lie
had 1ot been arrested, and the ques-
ton put to him was not put officially.
The answe rwas masterful. He threw
the burden on them. The advantage
was on his side at once.
VS.. 25. His question was direct,
about a matter that had been much
discussed, concerning man whom the
people had highly ,everenced. The
question was practically this. was
John prophet or not:
The priests saw at once how astute
the question was. John had undoubt
edly declared that Jesus was the di-
vinely accredited Messiah. The verse
tells how they discussed with eacf
other. They were arrant towards. II
the last Of this verse 25 they said, I'VE
cannot acknowledge John to have beer
a divine messenger without acknoWl
edGing this carpenter, also. That We
will never do So they were traitor:
to themselves.
VS.. 26 Now they show their cow
ardice. 1T we deny divine authOrit,
to John an dthe people hear they vii
mob us. That means tumult in th'
crowded city. That means the Ro
mans will be upon us from the castle
VS.. 27. Here is the answer of COW
ards and liars we know not" Wh'
should know in that day, if not they
They were the most religious men o
the world, and supposed to be exper
in spiritual things. Either they knes
or they were not fit to be spiritua
guides. Notice the keenness OF til
answer Jesus made then You d.
not know? Wei, then, | will not teI
You by what authority act. for
you do not know the lesser, it is use
less to tell you the greater thing.
Notice how he said neither"
implied that he knew that they wer
deliberately eyadirg. 1t was as il h
+aIt ia
will IT, He was great in that.
VS.. z9. Now comes the first o. tn
two parallels which suggest the car
ton that the Committee had given
this lesson. There are several part
to it. (D The persons OF the httl
drama. A man and his two sons. e
The order Of the father, based on
need, and which he had a right to is
sue 60 The way in which the orde
was given; first to one son; perhap
the elder These facts are in verse 3
VS. ~ The answer Of the first wa
that of the quicktempered, impulsiv
fellow. Perhaps not always well go'
erned, surely headstrong. But as wit
most impulsive men, a good impdls
came No one demonstrated. III
repented himself" The good impuls
came ont of his own heart. Il Wa
hasty," he doubtless thought, Il wi
go work in my fathers vineyard. 1t
his due from me- Then he wen
That is all very natural. Men act lil
that yet.
VS.. 20. Here is different stor
The second son was outwardly willing
go work" said The father. III go
said the SON But he did not. Il
probably never meant to obey to ODE
There are men like that now. The
are not pleasant Their characterist