Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-01
Golden Text: Render therefore
unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars, and unto God the things

unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars, and unto God the things
that are Gods" Luke 20:25.
Luke only records a part of the
incidents that occurred during the
first part of the last week of Jesus
life on earth. Matthew gives more
Of the details. Without. going into
them too closely, but giving only
the high lights in order that we
may get the connection and under.
stand the incidents before us, we
find that Jesus and His companions
arrived in Bethany six days before
the passover, that that night He
was given a supper at the home of
Simon the leper at which Lazarus
was one of the guests and at which
Martha served 1t was during this
that Mary broke the alabaster box
and anOinted Him with the spikenaTd
which revealed the cupidity of the
Disciples, particularly Judas, and
which also showed that Mary I'M
derstOOd Jesus better than any. one
else in the world.
On the next day Jesus came into
Jerusalem riding on the colt, the
fOal Of an ass, as Zechariah had
fOretOld many years before that the
Messiah should, and thus offered
Himself formally as the long expect
ed Messiah A calculation from
DaniePs prophecy ninth chapter)
shows that the day upon which He
so rode into Jerusalem was the very
last day of the siXty-ninth week.
Had these people been students of
their own prophets. Daniel and
Zechariah, they would have known
that this man was indeed their king,
long expected and desired. Instead
of accepting Him they rejected Him.
Their leaders protested against the
h0sannas that were being sung by
the children as He rode through the
cIty'S streets to the temple gate;
to which He made answer that if
these did not do it the very stones
would cry out in praise.
On Monday He cleansod the tenn
pie the second time. driving out with
whips those who had perverted the
house Of His Father, making it
den of thieves rather than as in
tended a house of prayer.
On Tuesday He was in constant
conflict with the religious leaders.
If anyone had gained the conception
that Jesus was effeminate or soft,
let him study the events of Tuesday
as recorded by the three evangelists.
If there ever was a manly mana
real herman, as the modern phrase
describes it-Jesus was that man.
The leaders met Him in the morning
% demand with what authority He
oh
the temple. They were the legally
appointed custodians of the temple
and of its WOrkship, so they Were.
within their rights with making such
| demand. But Jesus answered them
)y asking them a question: Whence
;ame John the Baptizer, from God or
nan? They found themselves in a
say from God" would
nave endangered their lives, for John
had a mighty hold on the people
wen yet. SO they craw-fished out
~ saying that they did not know. All
light, said Jesus, if you confess your
ignorance in this, you have proven
incapable of passing judg
nent, and therefore ] refuse to tell
-ou by what authority l do these
Kings.
Rejection
Fly their question they had formal
V rejected Him as their Messiah; so
low He rejects them as q nation.
What He refused to tell them He
low tells to the people in the para
lie of the vineyard God owns the
which in the Scriptures is
.lvavs A type OF the Jewish nation
the vineyard and the fig tree are
lways Jewish types. He had sent
expecting fruit, as the
,wner had a right to expect. The
had beaten the messen-
,ers and driven them away until
inallv, with the hope that they
would respect His rights, IIe had
ont His Son. But the vinedressers
lad taken the life of the Son, eX-
,ecting thereby to become the own
RS of the vineyard themselves. The
wner sent and drove them out and
ave the vineyard to others to work
or him.
Not only did Jesus foretell the re-
cction Of the Jewish nation, but also
he reason for it-becauSC they would
ccOmDlish His own death The lead
RS we're not blind to the fact that
lie was talking about them, so they
,egan at once to lay plans to en-
rap Him so they could deliver Him
.vcr to the Roman authorities. They
tired spies to ask Hin questions.
These men came with all appar
mt sincerity and honesty. Their
irst question was very shrewd
me. 1--WE know" they said, that
,ou will answer without fear of
nan. and give an honest opinion re
cardlcs5 Of the consequences. Is it |
light to pay taxes to Caesar"
Now we may not realize at first |
what 4 fine question this was. They |
we're under the power of the Roman |
government, but they resented that |
authority ever them every moment. |
{ He said Yes. the PhaTisees as |
loyal Jews would have |
,cen able to discredit Him in the |
YES of the people. If lie said No, !
he Herodians would have had Him !
n the cluthes of the Roman authOri- |
les within the hour. They had cal !
ulatnd we'll when they framed that |
question.
Before we notice His answer, let |
Is recall a few facts God had |
hoscn this nation and had told them
hat He would provide for them if !
hey were true to Him; He had ALSO |
warned them that He would deliver
hem into the hands of their enc
MES if they forsoCk Him. They
lad forsallen Him and He had al
owed the powerful nation of Rome
o gain supremacy over them. Re
this let us notice the
eply that Jesus made.
Lend me a denarius." He said.
lie was 50 poor that He did not