THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
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of the kingdom is righteousness, its in variable practice is peace, its ultimate purpose is joy. Rom. 14:17. The golden rule, illuminates the predominant appeal of Matthew’s Gospel which is “Repent,” in view of the imminence of the kingdom. This lays emphasis on a change of mental attitude. Competition is the basis, of our industrial system. Selfishness reigns supreme throughout human society. Necessarily the first word of the Gospel to man is repent, or change your mind. THURSDAY, Dec. 23. Matt. 7:13-29. Encouragement to Prayer. A different meaning has been sought for the three words ask, seek, knock. The first may refer to the gifts we pray for. The second is the word used of God Himself in Scripture. The third speaks of admission to His immediate presence to abide with Him. There is a climax of thought. Asking and receiv ing the gift leads to seeking and finding the Giver, and this in turn to the knocking and opening of the door of the Father’s house* and heart. If,-on the other hand, the promise be one of repe tition, the Master uses stronger phrases as He repeats to mark a growing ear nestness in the suppliant who is thus drawn into communion with the Giver of all good so that from simple asking at the beginning, the heart is kindled in to strenuous seeking and finally into an importunity which will be neither si lenced or denied. FRIDAY* Dec. 24. Matt. 11:1-15. Message to John. Jesus referred John's disciples to the miracles that He had wrought as proof that He was the Messiah. Prophets had wrought miracles but no prophet had wrought so many or any so great. Moreover, Jesus wrought miracles in His own name and by His own power, while the prophets had wrought them by the power of God. Jesus having done the works which none but the Messiah could do, John could draw the inference that He was Christ. The most striking confirmation was that the Gospel was being preached unto the poor. In all other religious systems the poor had been overlooked as of no account. Philosophers and Pharisees despised them. “This people who knoweth nqt the law are cursed.” Jno. 7:49. Jesus is the poor man’s Saviour and the Saviour of all.
his time of silence breaks forth in sol emn measure as soon as speech is re stored to him as melted metal flows through the outlet of a crucible. He first gives thanks that the times of the Messiah have arrived. He expresses his joy over the part his son is to have in the great work. The prophecy closes with a burst of thanksgiving for the Messianic salvation. The Holy Spirit subordinates his paternal pride and af fection to patriotic fervor and the theo cratic sentiment. Visions come while we are at our appointed task. Moses was keeping his flock, Ex. 3:1; Gideon was threshing wheat, Jud. 6:11; Elisha was ploughing, 1 Kings 19:19; David was in the sheep fold, Ps. 78:70; Mat thew in his toll-booth, Matt. 9:9, and Zacharias was executing his priestly of fice, Luke 1:8-11. It is not necessary to change either location or vocation to get in touch with God and the answer to our prayers may come very unex pectedly at last. TUESDAY, Dec. 21. Luke 1:46-53. Mary’s Song. Mary’s hymn of praise breathes a sentiment of deep inward repose. The greater the happiness, the calmer it is. Her joy was holy and divine. It was a spiritual joy, vs. 47. The sentimental songs of the world never reach the spirit of man. , It was a joy in God, vs. 47. God revealed Himself and was known to Mary in the gift of His Son. We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 5:11. It was the joy of salvation, vs. 47. Mary needed a Saviour and found Him. It was the joy of adoration, vs. 46. JThe joy of salvation may be selfish but this is God- glorifying. It was a grateful joy. She kpew she could never merit this great honor. It was all of grace in her low estate, vs. 48. It was a hopeful joy. She would be blessed through all future generations because of the close rela tionship to her Lord and ours. WEDNESDAY, Dec. 22. Matt. 7:1-12. The Golden Rule. Matthew presents the person of the king in his relation to earth, heaven and hell. He then gives the laws of the kingdom in principle, purpose and practice. The so-called golden rule falls in that group covering human in ter-relationship. Its fulfilment would idealize society and do away with all our systems of jurisprudence and courts of law. The supreme principle
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