Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDY ON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDY ON

THE GOOD SAMARITAN. Luk* 10:25-37—Jan. 18. "Thou Shalt tore thy neighbor at thyself.”— Mark 0:31. OUR Studies since the first'of the year relate to the six months of our Lord’s ministry. Jesus knew that His death was approaching; that He must, as the antitypical Passover Lamb, be put to death the following Spring, on the fourteenth day of the first month. His ministry had only begun to awaken the people. The seventy, whose ordination, or commission, we considered a week ago, were sent across the Jordan into Perea. Shortly afterward, Jesus Himself went thither. The purpose of His ministry was to thoroughly awaken the Jews to the fact that the time of their visitation had come. This witness bore fruit—after Pentecost. Later, the seventy returned, expressing joy and confidence, remarking that even- the demons were subject to them in the Father’s name. The Master took occasion to tell them that they overlooked their chief cause of joy. saying. “Rejoice, rather, that your names are written in Heaven”—than that demons are subject to your command. So it is with us. Salvation is a personal matter, and works and preaching are merely incidentals connected with it. The great- time for works is future. Then, if faithful, we shall be associated with the Redeemer in His work of regenerating humanity. Who Is My Neighbor? At this point today’s Study opens. A lawyer thought to entrap the Master by asking. “Master, what shall I do to Inherit eternal life?” In those days, when Israel’s only law was God s Law.

a lawyer was one well versed in Moses’ teachings. Jesus therefore said, How do you understand the matter? You know what is written in the Law. The Doctor of Theology replied, We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with

all our strength, with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus approved. saying, Do this—keep the Law, and you shall live. You will never die. The lawyer was caught. He knew that the people of Israel had been dying for centuries, notwithstanding the Law; yet himself and others were outwardly claiming to keep the Law. Out of his own testimony Jesus showed him that he was not keeping the Law. as he and the Pharisees in general pretended to do. No fallen man can keep God’s perfect Law; for it is so comprehensive that only a perfect man could keep it thoroughly. The lawyer sought to make the best of a bad argument. Instead of acknowledging his defeat, he asked. “Who is my neighbor?” This was one of the points which Jesus had particularly made against the Pharisees—that they were outwardly pious, re-ligious-prayed, fasted, etc.; yet in heart they were unjust, and took advantage of widows and orphans, not loving these as themselves. The lawyer sought to imply that according to God’s law only certain special ones were neighbors. Should Do Good to All as We Have Opportunity. Jesus again outgeneraled him. saying. I will give you a parable. A man going, down to Jericho was beset by thieves, who wounded him and left him half dead. There happened that way a priest, one of the highest repre sentatives of the Law. When he saw the man. he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite passed by. next in relationship to God’s service. He went near, looked at the man. but did nothing. Then came along a Samaritan. who bound up the wounds, took the man to an Inn, cared for him at the sacrifice of time and strength, and finally paid for his keep until his own return from Jerusalem. Now. said Jesus, which man acted the neighbor’s part? The lawyer answered that it was the one who showed mercy. Jesus replied that this

should be an example to the lawyer that he should be kind, thoughtful, generous to whoever needed help. We do well to remember God’s object in giving c o m m andments. He does not take pleasure in the number of times we bow knee or

head or render formal worship. He especially delights to see us cultivate His own spirit of love, kindness and generosity. Well does the Apostle tell us that love is the fulfilling of the Law. and that love is the principal thing in character, in Divine estimation! All else cotints for nothing in God’s sight. ' Evidently the great lesson for Christians to learn is to put away all anger, malice, envy, hatred, strife, and to put on meekness, gentleness, long-suffer. ing. brotherly kindness, love. St Peter tells us that if we do these things we shall never fall, but that an abundant entrance shall be granted to us into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—2 Peter 1:10, 11.

“Who Is My Neighbor?"

Then Came a Samaritan.