THE KING’S BUSINESS.
453
gleaming with glory; a M an in the sun, among a multitude in midnight darkness of mind, purpose and countenance; (2) At His answers,—made without hesitation, without delay, without asking time for coun sel or deliberation. They could not be clearer, more apt or more convincing. They fitted the occasion and the questioners; they were rational, Scriptural, final. Their sim plicity underscores the prejudice, ignorance and consequent want of vision in the ques tioners. Had they laid off their green, en vious goggles and looked clear they could have seen some things, e. g. perhaps duties to God and to Caesar coincide! As to the marriage puzzle,—possibly they do not wed overhead! As to the Sadducces:—had they “put off their shoes” they might have seen and heard “ in the bush" (Mark 12:26; Exod. 3 :5) more than a hint of resurrec tion ; and as to David’s calling his Son “ Lord” (Ps. 110:2), what Messianic mud dles might have been avoided and what mysteries uncovered! If we believed every jot and tittle to be part of God’s message and therefore of purpose we should get many a hint that would lead to discovery. We know too much to see some things, and too little to deny or to dogmatize about some others. What a tangle men made of' the starry skies till it was hinted that the sun, not the proud earth, is the center. Jesus could give many an astounding hint that would make modern Herodians, Sad- ducees and Pharisees look foolish. And these hints are, doubtless, in the Word, and “If our faith were but more simple” and we would lay aside our cumbering con ceits and preconceptions and follow “ in the bush” the trail indicated until we come out into the clearing^ If we but knew a thing or two, The missing link, the prompting cue, The combination, key or clew, And less of what we think we do, We then might see some dark things through. Our chief errors are due to our inclina tions, ignorance, unbelief and limiting of the Almighty.
and to stand for God’s Truth, defying loss of wealth, reputation and life, demands a courage few possess. “ Brave monk,’’ said a veteran to Luther, about to confront the imperial dignities of Church and State, “you face a fiercer conflict than ever I did.” It was not for “ a good work” they attacked Him. His deeds of mercy would never have nailed Him to the cross. It was for His testimony to the Truth, His “good con fession" which He “witnessed” that they opposed to Him. The very same “ dogmas” the Church is abandoning today to give herself to those philanthropies that neither offend nor save the world, because she has lost the moral courage of her ancient con victions. It is not the deeds that ease but the words that tease the world that God puts first, and Christ and the martyrs died for. They who have no convictions have no conflicts; and they who dare not stand for their convictions soon have no convic tions to stand for. 2. Questioning Christ. There was and is no sin in questioning Christ. The wo man of Sychar was right,^“Messiah com- eth, and when he is come he will tell us all things” (John 4:25). If with sincere and docile minds we carry all our problems, doctrinal, political, social, domestic or per sonal, to Jesus doubtless He will welcome, and from the surface, or else the illumined depths of His Bible answer them. The wrong is in the spirit and intent of man’s questions. Those before us were designed to "entangle” Jesus. Men so search the Scriptures to find flaws (that is the way of “higher criticism” ) ; or to find an excuse for shirking some irksome duty, or indulg ing some pleasant lust; or to justify the rejection of an offensive doctrine; or to refute an adversary in controversy; and, like the Lord’s inquisitors, such men mask as seekers after truth; but like them, again, expose their hypocrisy, being convinced, yet “of the same opinion (and practice) still.” 3. The Wonderful Answers of Jesus. It says, “ they marveled” (v. 22). And we marvel: (1) At Him, —as “ a lily among thorns” ; a rock shaking off the deluge and
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs