Mountain advocate., 1914-09-04

us thyseii. Luxe lV.St.
This lesson considers a third ques-
ton asked OF our Lord; two others
In this connection we studied last
week. II was not so much ques-
ton OF placing one commandment In
competition with another, but rather
which commandment most clearly
epitomizes or reveals the final prin-
ciple in law. II was the business OF
this scribe to know the law and to
interpret the commandments. Jesus
In his reply quotes from Deut ga.
and from Lev. 1918, which are both
In sense an exposition OF the Deca-
logue.
Love the Basis.
!. The answer Of Jesus, w. 1884.
The scribe's question seemed to be
quite specific and so the Lord strikes
at once at the heart and by his quota
ton reveals to us the fact that the
principle which is the inspiration OF
the law is that OF love. In passing
we have here another illustration of
the masters ready use and knowledge
OF the Scripture. Jesus makes a
four-fold summary. Man must love
God with (a) the heart, e. e., in sim
cerity and uprightness; OBJ with the
soul, with the warmth OF the emo
lions, and the feelings; (c) with all
thy mind" the intellect, not as blind
devotee; Id with strength" viz,
with intensity of service, with energy.
ITO love God with all the heart and
soul and mind and strength is to have
supreme desire for and delight In
Gods glory. making everything else
second to that" This statement Is
but half, for the complement Of cur
love of God is to love man. Man
created in Gods image was $50 loved"
by God that he gave his SOD John
1910: man can do not less and must
express that love In service to others.
To fail in the first is to break the
greatest Of the commandments and
therefore to be guilty of all, Rom.
1928.
Human and Deity.
u. The question Of Jesus, w. S.
81. Our Lords question In return
was a Messianic one and he grounds
his argument on the 10th Psalm, a
Messianic one. Jesus is inferior to
David as his son according to the
the kingdom Of which David himself
is a subject and not the sovereign.
Christ is both human and deity; his
kingdom is spiritual and earthly SOW
ereigns are honored IL they are his
subjects.
10. Tho teaching Of jesus, w. So
40. The word doctrine" in verse 3S
is translated teaching" in the re-
vision. These words OF warning are
full OF solemn Significance. The
scribes. and they have their imitators
today, sought the places of prefer
ment, the seats OF honor in the syna-
gogue and the chief places at the
feasts. The motive that governed
them was a selfish one. They de.
voured widows houses, and sought to
cover their covetousness and dishon-
esty by long prayers and a pretense
of piety. This brought upon them the
greater condemnation" Matt. 24:51. |
Law and love is here again In con-
trast. Law must become life.
~. Tho view Of Jesus, w. 41-44. |
Jesus had one look OF love and COM !
passion for his friends and the needy |
and another that was exceedingly ter |
rible for his enemies. Thus II was as |
n h. fOh
at hand an illustration for his les
son. an application Of the truth in the
case Of the widow who gave out of her
penury and because OF her love for
God, supporting these carping, selfish
scribes. She had two mites (about
OF a cent? and might have
one except that the rabbis
forbade the offering OF a single one.
Her love. however, went beyond the
tenth" and she gave all" therefore
IN proportion to their means she cast
more than they ALL" see II Cor. S:l2.
offerings are needed still for tho
lords work. Jesus is "over against
he treasure" and secs" who it is
hat casts in" how much they cast
md the motive behind the gift. The
standard of a commendable
'ffering is not according TO our super
iuity. but our deficiency, not what
viii be missed but what OF sacrifice
md in proportion thereto. Not to
'lease man. but God. Read II Cor.
:1-3. Our Lords valuation OF gifts
asst into the treasury remains for all
ime the true standard OF measure
nent.
The love OF God unifies a man. We
ove because he FIRST loved us. and
n proportion as we truly apprehend
is love. all that We have OF heart,
fe. strength and mind, yea, our
III sle nature will unite IN love. Il is
his which unifles society. To love
i'm that begets is 20 lovo him that is
egotten. To love God Is TO love>man
nd to keep ali OF the divine com.
lands that concern our relations 20
Inn.
A. sAl. Ia A. I