Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-02
SCHOOL LESSON
For September a, 1910; Matt, 21:33-4e
BY Or. Marion McH. Hull

The record we have Of the incidents
which occurred on Tuesday of the last
week of Christs life is more complete
than that for any other day It was
day OF conflict and controversy. The
Pharsees and scribes and the Sadducees.
the ruling classes, had become so intense
in their hatred of Him that they had de-
termined upon His death, although the
decision may not have been formally
made by that time. They had to have
some charge against Him. He had done
nothing worthy of death, they well knew
but He was interfering with their plans
and notions OF propriety, and they would
not tolerate it. Their intention now was
to catch Him unawares, and to secure
from His lips some words which would
condemn Him. The day was all but ia
ken up with these questions and His an
swers to them, which always put them
to shame and increased their hatred of
Him.
REFUSES THEIR AUTHORITY.
As He was teaching in the temple early
on that Tuesday morning, they came TO
Him with the first question. They de-
manded that He give them His authority
for preaching and teaching in this place.
The question seemed fair enough. They
were the rulers Of the temple; they were
charged with keeping the spiritual well
fare of Israeli they had given Him no
authority to teach here; by what author
ity was He doing it?
His reply was another question to them.
Before He answers them He would like
to know from them something about the
baptism of John, was it from heaven, or
from men? They had not expected this
turn in affairs. They were put to it to
answer. They withdrew to one side to
find an answer, while He continued His
heaven" for then He would ask them
why then they did not receive it; they
did not answer, from men," for they
feared the people who were convinced
that John was God-given prophet. Aft
err consultation they decided that the only
answer they could give was the agnos-
tics, we do not know. Parenthetically,
1t might be said that often the agnostics
answer of today is made to escape con-
fession of some sin, as in the present in
stance.
They came, therefore, to Jesus and re-
piled in that manner. Neither tell I you
then, said He, by what authority do
these things.
The refusal of Jesus on this occasion
to recognize their authority was perfect
ly right. The only right they had to ask
Him was because of their position as
spiritual leaders,; by their answer to His
question they demonstrated their inability
to assume this leadership, and hence they
had no right to ask Him or any one else
the question they had put to Him.
OPENLY ATTACKS THEM.
Not only did Jesus refuse to asknowl-
edge their authority to criticise Him, but
He shows their rejection for disobedi-
ence, fruitlessness, and unappreciative-
ness in three parallels, increasing in Sc
verify as the three parallels unfold. These
are the parable of the two sons, the par
able of the wicked husbandman, and the
parable of the kings feast Cor the we'd
ding garmenO. In the first He makes
them acknowledge that rejection with
subsequent repentance is preferable to lip
service with disobedience, and gives the
Interpretation to them so plainly that
they cannot possibly misunderstood that
He 10 referring to them. This reference
TO the pubicans was not pleasant to
them; IL probably antagonized them more
against Him; but they needed such Wig
orous measures to make them realize
the enormity OF their sin.
without waiting, He follows this up
with another parable, that of the wicked
husbandmen, in which He shows that
they have been rejected for fruitlessness.
We shall study this today.
Then He concluded His almost merci-
less attack on them by the parable OF
the kings feast, which we shall study
more fully next week, showing their re-
lection for unappreciativeness of Gods
goodness to them as we'll as for disobedi-
ence and fruitlessness They retired in
shame and in anger, but for fear of the
people dared not touch Him. They had
proven no match for Him. The other
questions they put to Him later during
the day we shall study at some other
time.
REJECTED FOR FRU1TTESSNESS.
Remembering, therefore. the circum-
stances above, let us think on this par
able. Note the care that had been given
to the vineyard. Read In this connection
Isaiah 5:1-7, and see that God had been
so lavish in His love that nothing had
been left undone that might have been
done. He had protected the vineyard
with wall and watch tower; He had taken
out the stones; had digged and cultivated
the field; had watered and pruned the
vines had set husbandmen there to tend
1T. Why was all of this care expended
upon It? Why, In order that He might
have fruit from 1t. Had He not right
to expect fruit? But when He sends His
servants at the time of fruit bearing, the
most remarkable thing occurs. Instead
of the husbandmen rendering to Him that
which is His due, that for which He had