May 8, 1949 . JESUS ANSWERS HIS CRITICS Mark 11:27-33; 12:28-34
man more than he asked for. He said, “ The second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (31). This summarized all the com mandments setting forth man’s duty to man (Lev. 19:18). The Response: the man was impressed with Jesus’ words. He appreciated their truth. Still he whs outside the door. “ Thou art not far from the kingdom of God” (34). It is not enough to believe the commandments, or even to hear with appreciation the words of Jesus. One must receive Christ as his own per sonal Saviour and trust Him as Lord. For no one but Christ Himself has ever been able to keep the commandments, and so to measure up to God’s standard. Helps for the Children Jesus Teaches Love and Sacrificial Giving Mark 12:28-34 ; 41-44 Memory Verse: “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name . . . for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chron. 29:13,H ). One day a scribe, who was listening to the wise answers that the Lord Jesus gave to His questioners, asked, "‘Which is the first commandment of all?” The Saviour answered, “ Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength.” The second commandment was, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Because the scribe agreed with our Lord’s answer, Jesus said, “ Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” This was the Saviour’s great teaching about love. Another time Jesus was sitting by the treasury in the temple watching people bring their gifts to God. A poor widow brought two mites (about one- fourth of one cent) and placed them into the treasury. The Lord called the disciples to Himself and said, “ This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Here, our Lord was teaching the true meaning of giving. A little that is cheerfully and sacrificially given is worth far more in God’s sight than a large gift grudgingly given. Do your parents give you your offer ing for Sunday school and church each Sunday? Have you tried saving a nickel or dime from a candy bar or some ice cream out of your allowance that you might give your own offering? The little that you give of your own money is worth far more in God’s sight than any amount that your parents may give to you to give to Him. Boys and girls are true helpers for the Lord when they love Him with all their being, and worship Him by aiding with their gifts of love. T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
Pointers on the Lesson In today’s lesson we find Jesus stand ing before some of His critics. They ask Him subtle questions having no good intent. But in each instance He meets His adversaries perfectly and thereby manifests who He is. We have reason to thank God that these difficult questions were asked our Lord. Without them the marvelous words of wisdom pre sented probably would never have been our possession. The Question Regarding Authority (11:27-33) “ By what authority doest thou these things?” (28). Who asked this question? None other than “ the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders” (27). These were the religious leaders of the day. They should have been the ones to in struct the people in right attitudes to ward Christ, hut instead we find them full of prejudice against the truth, bitter enemies of the Messiah. Instead of lighting the way for those who looked to them for leadership they led them into darkness. Christians should learn not to depend too much on human leaders. They oft- times fail and disappoint, being far from infallible. They are to be followed only in so far as they follow the Word. To the question asked Him regarding His authority, Christ refused to answer directly. Instead He asked them a ques tion. The right answer to His question would have been the right answer to their question. “ The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?” If they admitted that John was sent by God, then the claims of Jesus were es tablished because John had declared Him 'to be the Promised One. who was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. None hut Messiah could do this. These Jewish leaders evaded Jesus’ question by lying. “We cannot tell” (33). God cannot help folks who are insin cere. He is always ready to bless honest inquirers. When seeking light from God, let us be sure that we are desirous to know the truth. The Question Regarding Importance (12:28-34) The Questioner: a scribe who seems to have been much more sincere than the religious leaders considered above. He seems to have been an earnest seeker for truth. The Lord can do some thing with a man like that. The Question: “Which is the first commandment?” He is concerned to know which commandment is most im portant. Having been impressed by Je sus’ previous answers, he boldly asks this weighty question. The Answer: Jesus quoted a passage containing all the commandments con cerned with man’s duty to God (Deut. 6:4,5). He proceeded to give the earnest
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