The Arvada enterprise., 1919-08-21
LESSON FOR AUGUST "a
JESUS AnswERINo ryE LAwvEI

LESSON FOR AUGUST "a
jEsUs ANsWERiNo THE LAWYER.
LESSON TExT-Luks lo:1-H.
GOLDEN TExT-As We have therefore
opportunity. let u DO good unto all men.
especially unto them who are Of the
housshoid Of faith.-Hal. s:lo.
ADDITIONAL NATERIAL-oal. s:2, q
10; James 2:1l-1A
PRIMARY ToPIc-showing kindness u
Sthers.
JUNIOR ToP1c-Hslpins tn. needy.
INTERMEDIARY TOPIC-Our responsi.
bility for the welfare OF others.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Ths
Christian ideal Of brotherhood.
The subject chosen by the lesson
committee for today, based upon this
text. is Social Responsibility" When
We consider the real meaning Of the
text 1t is hard to understand why the
committee chose such q subject. How.
ever. let us with open minds and
hearts study the text, for it is Of
great Importance. Christs object was
to lead the lawyer theological pro.
fessor) to understand the need Of God.
]. Eternal Life Through Obedience
b the Law wv. 25-2S).
l. The lawyers question ". 25). The
lawyer" was one who expounded the
Mosaic law. The nearest position cor
responding thereto In modern life il
the theological professor. His ques-
tion was not an effort to ascertain the
truth. but to entrap Jesus. He not
only had q wrong motive. but a defec-
tive theology. He thought that eter-
nal life could be secured by doing
obedience. He did not know that do.
Ing meant keeping the law in its MI
nutest parts, which is an utter impos-
sibility for fallen men; that failure to
measure up to the least demand Of the
law exposed him to the curse Of God
(Gal. 8:10).
2. The lawyer answering his own
question ". 27). Christ's counter
question sent him to the law, Of which
he gave a fine summary. Supreme
love to God and love to ones neigh
Dor ~ to ourselves Is the whole Of
mans duty. 1t il true a. Jesus said: |:
"This do and thou shalt live" ". 2s).
But no one has ever kept the law.
There is none righteous, no not one"
(Rom. 3:1O). "All have sinned and
come short Of the glory Of God" (Rom.
S:2S). "By the deeds Of the law there
shall no flesh be Justified in his sight"
(Rom. S:2O). by the law 10 the
knowledge Of sin" (Rom. 3 :2O).
u. Being . Nsiohber (vv. $3.50.
I. The lawyers question Il. 2e). He
evidently keenly felt the force Of
Christ's argument. for he sought to
Justify himself by asking. "Who 10 my
neighbor" This inquiry betrays his
lack Of that love which IL the fulf,ll.
ment Of the law (Rom. 13 :1O). Love
never inquiries ~ to whom to love, bue
"Where IL some one who needs my
lover" Christ convicted him on his
own grounds.
2. Jesus answer (vv. 80-S7). He an.
swered by parable In which certain
man fell among thieves on his way to
Jericho and was severely wounded.
While In this helpless condition Q
priest passed BY. not even coming
near; also Levite. who was interest.
ed enough to look ON him. but not
enough to telp him. Finally . sa.
maritan came where the wounded man
was and. moved BY compassion for
him. bound up his wounds and brought
him on his own beast to the inn.
where he was cared for At the samari.
tan's expense. h reply to JssuS'
question the lawyer declared that the
Samaritan was neiEhbor to the unfor-
tunate man: and Jesus commanded
him to 20 and do likewise ". 81. By
this Jesus showed him that the impor.
tant question II not. "Who is ny
neighborr' but "Whose neighbor an
r. Jesus came seeking those to
whom he could be neighbor. Those
who have his Spirit will be trying to
be neighbors instead OF hunting neigh
bors.
Those who love God supremely viii.
- they pass along the highways Of
Mfe. minister to the broken and
wounded souls In the spirit Of neigh.
bor's love. regardless Of nationality. r.
ligion. character or color. May We
hear the voice Of Jesus saying. "0e
and do thou likewise"