The Yale expositor., 1912-06-27


long for the most part to the year 2S,
known as the year OF popularity. Be-
ginning with the great Easter lesson
there is set forth the fact, certainty,
and meaning or the resurrection or
our Lord, by which was demonstrated
his fulfilling OF the purpose OF God
both in his own life and In his work
upon the cross whereby was made
possible the establishment OF the new
kingdom. Several OF these lessons
are taken from his manifesto to show
us the application Of the law which
he came to fill full with newer and
richer meaning. Speaking of the ideal
Sabbath as contrasted with that pre-
scented by the religious teachers OF
the day, Jesus uses the illustration OF
healing and also the plucking of grain
to show us that man is of more value
than the ceremonial observance OF the
law. Jesus proceeds in the third les
son to choose and set apart those
who shall share with him in the es-
taDlishng of this new kingdom.
In the fourth lesson Jesus depicts
the character necessary for those who
shall share with him In the fulfilling
of Gods purposes in this kingdom.
The blessings of poverty and the
danger Of riches form the subject mat
ter of the fifth lesson wherein We are
taught full revelation concerning
life and its true substance.
Key to Situation.
The sixth lesson has to do with
love as the secret OF the fulfillment OF
all that is required, OF all that has
been already stated, or that may
hereafter arise. In this lesson by a
set Of skilful questions Jesus asks
and answers the fundamental princi-
pies Of this law OF love- So deep
does he build and so high does he
reach that We are compelled to ex-
claim, who is sufIl Gent" And so
it is that the seventh lesson logically
follows the sixth, for in this we find
the key to the whole situation. Begin
ming with the verse that forms the
golden text for today, Jesus goes on
to show us that what is impossible
with man is possible with God. That
while the law Is tmmutable and its
penalties therefore still in force, that
he. Jesus, Is the one and only one who
keeps the law outwardly and at the
same time its spirit and intent as
we'll; hence we have in him and his
righteousness all that is essential.
The eighth lesson still further car
ries out this teaching by showing us
the fact that in the constant con-
seriousness Of God there lies power
that will enable men, independent OF
oaths. IN simple truth to fulfill all
the requirements Of truth.
The ninth lesson is one of the prac-
teal applications OF these principles
which Jesus has been setting forth.
The ancient high priest with the bells
and pomegranates upon his garment
carried as much fruit as noise into the
holy place. So Jesus. this new high
priest teaches us that though we are
justified in the sight OF God by our
faith we demonstrate that faith in the
sight OF men by our actions toward
those about us.
If We are truly and properly spirit
ually related to him our aims and
prayers and fasting will not be for
the purpose of attracting the attention
OF men but each disciple will be as
his master who sought only to glorify
the Father. This is the man who
builds upon solid ground and whose
house stands amid the breaking storm
rather than the one whose house not
so founded goes TO pieces amid the
storm. This is the tenth lesson.
Dominant Notes.
Following these lessons upor the
kingdom Jesus is shown in the
eleventh lesson as depicting John the
Baptist's place and significance as the
iorerunner of himself and because of
that position as being the exalted
among those born OF women yet he
who in humbleness is little shall be
greater even than John. John repre-
scented the end OF the old and Jesus
the beginning of the new
The last lesson affords US o signifi.
cant view, q radiant revelation, OF the |
compassion and at the same time the
mercilessly keen discernment OF
Jesus. His dealing with her who gave |
her best as contrasted with Simon
who from his abundance gave only |
discourtesy and friendless criticism.
teaches us what should be the real |
heart motive OF our lives. lie who |
came TO break the shell OF self com. |
gloriiied the act OF the sinful |
woman who IN contrition broke her
box at his feet; he who low
ing much could forgive much.
There are two or three notes that
are dominant throughout the lessons
of this quarter. lie, Jesus, who is The
light. not only sets up high standards
but at the same time shows men tho
path OF attainment Again In all OF
his work there is perfect co-opera-
ton of the son with the Father in tho
out OF the beneficent work
Of this new kingdom
Though the old is set aside 1t is
not set down, but contrarjWise AZ is