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with all the understanding； and with all the soul； and with all the strength； and to love his neighbor as himself； is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices。〃
The wisdom of Christ's answer had convicted the scribe。 He knew that the Jewish religion consisted in outward ceremonies rather than inward piety。 He had some sense of the worthlessness of mere ceremonial offerings； and the faithless shedding of blood for expiation of sin。 Love and obedience to God； and unselfish regard for man； appeared to him of more value than all these rites。 The readiness of this man to acknowledge the correctness of Christ's reasoning； and his decided and prompt response before the people； manifested a spirit entirely different from that of the priests and rulers。 The heart of Jesus went out in pity to the honest scribe who had dared to face the frowns of the priests and the threats of the rulers to speak the convictions of his heart。 〃And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly； He said unto him； Thou art not far from the kingdom of God。〃
The scribe was near to the kingdom of God； in that he recognized deeds of righteousness as more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices。 But he needed to recognize the divine character of Christ； and through faith in Him receive power to do the works of righteousness。 The ritual service was of no value； unless connected with Christ by living faith。 Even the moral law fails of its purpose； unless it is understood in its relation to the Saviour。 Christ had repeatedly shown that His Father's law contained something deeper than mere authoritative commands。 In the law is embodied the same principle that is revealed in the gospel。 The law points out man's duty and shows him his guilt。 To Christ he must look for pardon and for power to do what the law enjoins。
The Pharisees had gathered close about Jesus as He answered the question of the scribe。 Now turning He put a question to them： 〃What think ye of Christ？ whose son is He？〃 This question was designed to test their belief concerning the Messiah；to show whether they regarded Him simply as a man or as the Son of God。 A chorus of voices answered； 〃The Son of David。〃 This was the title which prophecy had given to the Messiah。 When Jesus revealed His divinity by His mighty miracles； when He healed the sick and raised the dead； the people had inquired among themselves； 〃Is not this the Son of David？〃 The Syrophoenician woman； blind Bartimaeus； and many others had cried to Him for help； 〃Have mercy on me； O Lord； Thou Son of David。〃 Matt。 15：22。 While riding into Jerusalem He had been hailed with the
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joyful shout； 〃Hosanna to the Son of David： Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord。〃 Matt。 21：9。 And the little children in the temple had that day echoed the glad ascription。 But many who called Jesus the Son of David did not recognize His divinity。 They did not understand that the Son of David was also the Son of God。
In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David； Jesus said； 〃How then doth David in Spirit ＇the Spirit of Inspiration from God＇ call Him Lord； saying； The Lord said unto my Lord； Sit Thou on My right hand； till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool？ If David then call Him Lord； how is He his son？ And no man was able to answer Him a word； neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions。〃
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Chapter 67
Woes on the Pharisees
It was the last day of Christ's teaching in the temple。 Of the vast throngs that were gathered at Jerusalem； the attention of all had been attracted to Him； the people had crowded the temple courts； watching the contest that had been in progress； and they eagerly caught every word that fell from His lips。 Never before had such a scene been witnessed。 There stood the young Galilean； bearing no earthly honor or royal badge。 Surrounding Him were priests in their rich apparel； rulers with robes and badges significant of their exalted station； and scribes with scrolls in their hands； to which they made frequent reference。 Jesus stood calmly before them； with the dignity of a king。 As one invested with the authority of heaven； He looked unflinchingly upon His adversaries； who had rejected and despised His teachings； and who thirsted for His life。 They had assailed Him in great numbers； but their schemes to ensnare and condemn Him had been in vain。 Challenge after challenge He had met； presenting the pure； bright truth in contrast to the darkness and errors of the priests and Pharisees。 He had set before these leaders their real condition； and the retribution sure to follow persistence in their evil deeds。 The warning had been faithfully given。 Yet another
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work remained for Christ to do。 Another purpose was still to be accomplished。
The interest of the people in Christ and His work had steadily increased。 They were charmed with His teaching； but they were also greatly perplexed。 They had respected the priests and rabbis for their intelligence and apparent piety。 In all religious matters they had ever yielded implicit obedience to their authority。 Yet they now saw these men trying to cast discredit upon Jesus； a teacher whose virtue and knowledge shone forth the brighter from every assault。 They looked upon the lowering countenances of the priests and elders； and there saw discomfiture and confusion。 They marveled that the rulers would not believe on Jesus； when His teachings were so plain and simple。 They themselves knew not what course to take。 With eager anxiety they watched the movements of those whose counsel they had always followed。
In the parables which Christ had spoken； it was His purpose both to warn the rulers and to instruct the people who were willing to be taught。 But there was need to speak yet more plainly。 Through their reverence for tradition and their blind faith in a corrupt priesthood； the people were
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enslaved。 These chains Christ must break。 The character of the priests； rulers； and Pharisees must be more fully exposed。
〃The scribes and the Pharisees；〃 He said； 〃sit in Moses' seat： all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe； that observe and do； but do not ye after their works： for they say； and do not。〃 The scribes and Pharisees claimed to be invested with divine authority similar to that of Moses。 They assumed to take his place as expounders of the law and judges of the people。 As such they claimed from the people the utmost deference and obedience。 Jesus bade His hearers do that which the rabbis taught according to the law； but not to follow their example。 They themselves did not practice their own teaching。
And they taught much that was contrary to the Scriptures。 Jesus said； 〃They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne； and lay them on men's shoulders； but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers。〃 The Pharisees enjoined a multitude of regulations； having their foundation in tradition； and unreasonably restricting personal liberty。 And certain portions