Ghost hath made you overseer." All who would teach effectively for God should aim to be like Jesus—the very incarnation of the truth they teach. (b) "Neither carest thou for any man." Paul, like His Master, said: "Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of God." Gal. 1:10. The am- bassador of God has but one to please, but many to profit, and should without fear or favor of wealth or rank, deliver his message in love, keepin back noth- ing that may be profitable. 1st Question. " I s it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?" This was a much debated question, whether a patriotic Jew should pay poll tax to a heathen ruler. They also knew He was from Galilee, a hot-bed of sedition, and as He was the idol of the people they thus thought to ensnare Him. " B ut Jesus, perceiving their wickedness, said: "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites I " or "Why make ye trial of me ?" B. V. ' ' Shew me the tribute money.'' The denarius was equal to seven pence half penny, Matt. 20:2, bearing the image of the Boman Emperor, and the superscrip- tion, recognizing His authority and claim, left no doubt as to the duty of those who used the coin. "Bender (or, better, "pay....) unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." The answer of Jesus was all comprehensive, covering man's duty not only to man, but unto Cod. The appeal was made to con- science and reason. Though not devot- ing His time to reformatory lines, His teachings have produced the most abid- ing reforms in society. Jesus placed principles before party; considered measures greater than men. Whoever follows Him in these principles is sure to win out for both worlds. "Th ey marvelled and left Him.'' 2nd Question: "Which is the great commandment of the l aw?" The Sad- duccees who did not believe in the res- urrection, had approached Jesus with a question on the resurrection. Jesus had very effectually silenced them by exposing their ignorance of the Scrip- ture. This defeat doubtless stirred the Pharisees, who did believe in the resur- rection, and who were delighted to see the way by which their theological ri- vals were put to silence. They send a lawyer, a scribe, one well versed in the law, therefore competent to win out
in his case, with a test question rela- tive to the law. "Which is the great commandment?" The Babbis had been in the habit of splitting hairs in their discussions as to the respective merits of certain precepts. But Jesus brushes them all aside, and unhesitatingly de- clares that there are virtually but two laws, and that they both are imperative in their proper place. And He quotes from Scripture, Deut. 6:5, and Lev. 19:18. 1. The law of love to God must be whole hearted. "Wi th all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind." " And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself?" If they desire to know whether there is any order, then this is the first and greatest, but this alone is not sufficient, so adds,'' The second is like unto it, and quotes Lev. 19:18. It is evident that these questioners were not sincere; they were not seeking after the truth, but were simply seek- ing for an occasion whereby they might entrap Jesus. But their conspiracy has utterly failed, and only succeeded in giving Jesus yet a stronger hold upon the multitudes, for " t h ey were aston- ished at His doctrine," and as though to test their real sincerity, Jesus asks them a question. III. APPLICATION. 3rd Question: "Wh at think ye of Christ. Whose Son is H e ? " After all this is the only ques- tion that they, or we, need to be con- cerned about, and our destinies forever will rest wholly upon the answer. Let every teacher and student face and an- swer this question squarely. We may fail, yes we will fail in keeping either of the great commandments, but if we be- lieve that Jesus was the Son of God, we shall have life through His Name, John 20:31. Neither is there life through any other, Acts 4:12, He was the end of the law to all who believe, and there is salvation for all through Him, Gal. 3: 22-26. Jesus was God, John 1:1-3. He was made flesh and dwelt among us, John 1:14, also 1 John 1:1-2. Isa. 9:6, "Un to us a child is born, unto us a Son is given." As Son of God He was not born, but given, John 3:16. The Child that was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, Matt. 1:18-21; Luke l:30r33, was of the seed of David, therefore David's son in the flesh, Matt. 1:1.
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