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on； and unreasonably restricting personal liberty。 And certain portions of the law they so explained as to impose upon the people observances which they themselves secretly ignored； and from which； when it served their purpose； they actually claimed exemption。
To make a show of their piety was their constant aim。 Nothing was held too sacred to serve this end。 To Moses God had said concerning His commandments； 〃Thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand； and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes。〃 Deut。 6：8。 These words have a deep meaning。 As the word of God is meditated upon and practiced； the whole man will be ennobled。 In righteous and merciful dealing； the hands will reveal； as a signet； the principles of God's law。 They will be kept clean from bribes； and from all that is corrupt and deceptive。 They will be active in works of love and compassion。 The eyes； directed toward a noble purpose； will be clear and true。 The expressive countenance； the speaking eye； will testify to the blameless character of him who loves and honors the word of God。 But by the Jews of Christ's day all this was undiscerned。 The command given to Moses was construed into a direction that the precepts of Scripture should be worn upon the person。 They were accordingly written upon strips of parchment； and bound in a conspicuous manner about the head and wrists。 But this did not cause the law of God to take a firmer hold of the mind and heart。 These parchments were worn merely as badges；
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to attract attention。 They were thought to give the wearers an air of devotion which would command the reverence of the people。 Jesus struck a blow at this vain pretense：
〃But all their works they do for to be seen of men： they make broad their phylacteries； and enlarge the borders of their garments； and love the uppermost rooms at feasts； and the chief seats in the synagogues； and greetings in the markets； and to be called of men； Rabbi； Rabbi。 But be not ye called Rabbi： for one is your Master； even Christ； and all ye are brethren。 And call no man your father upon the earth： for One is your Father； which is in heaven。 Neither be ye called master： for One is your Master； even Christ。〃 In such plain words the Saviour revealed the selfish ambition that was ever reaching for place and power； displaying a mock humility； while the heart was filled with avarice and envy。 When persons were invited to a feast； the guests were seated according to their rank； and those who were given the most honorable place received the first attention and special favors。 The Pharisees were ever scheming to secure these honors。 This practice Jesus rebuked。
He also reproved the vanity shown in coveting the title of rabbi； or master。 Such a title； He declared； belonged not to men； but to Christ。 Priests； scribes； and rulers； expounders and administrators of the law； were all brethren； children of one Father。 Jesus impressed upon the people that they were to give no man a title of honor indicating his control of their conscience or their faith。
If Christ were on earth today； surrounded by those who bear the title of 〃Reverend〃 or 〃Right Reverend；〃 would He not repeat His saying； 〃Neither be ye called masters： for One is your Master； even Christ〃？ The Scripture declares of God； 〃Holy and reverend is His name。〃 Ps。 111：9。 To what human being is such a title befitting？ How little does man reveal of the wisdom and righteousness it indicates！ How many of those who assume this title are misrepresenting the name and character of God！ Alas； how often have worldly ambition； despotism； and the basest sins been hidden under the broidered garments of a high and holy office！ The Saviour continued：
〃But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant。 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased； and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted。〃 Again and again Christ had taught that true greatness is measured by moral worth。 In the estimation of heaven； greatness of character consists in living for the welfare of our fellow men； in
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doing works of love and mercy。 Christ the King of glory was a servant to fallen man。
〃Woe unto you； scribes and Pharisees； hypocrites；〃 said Jesus； 〃for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men： for ye neither go in yourselves； neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in。〃 By perverting the Scriptures； the priests and lawyers blinded the minds of those who would otherwise have received a knowledge of Christ's kingdom； and that inward； divine life which is essential to true holiness。
〃Woe unto you； scribes and Pharisees； hypocrites！ for ye devour widows' houses； and for a pretense make long prayer： therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation。〃 The Pharisees had great influence with the people； and of this they took advantage to serve their own interests。 They gained the confidence of pious widows； and then represented it as a duty for them to devote their property to religious purposes。 Having secured control of their money； the wily schemers used it for their own benefit。 To cover their dishonesty； they offered long prayers in public； and made a great show of piety。 This hypocrisy Christ declared would bring them the greater damnation。 The same rebuke falls upon many in our day who make a high profession of piety。 Their lives are stained by selfishness and avarice； yet they throw over it all a garment of seeming purity； and thus for a time deceive their fellow men。 But they cannot deceive God。 He reads every purpose of the heart； and will judge every man according to his deeds。
Christ unsparingly condemned abuses； but He was careful not to lessen obligation。 He rebuked the selfishness that extorted and misapplied the widow's gifts。 At the same time He commended the widow who brought her offering for God's treasury。 Man's abuse of the gift could not turn God's blessing from the giver。
Jesus was in the court where were the treasure chests； and He watched those who came to deposit their gifts。 Many of the rich brought large sums； which they presented with great ostentation。 Jesus looked upon them sadly； but made no comment on their liberal offerings。 Presently His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly； as though fearful of being observed。 As the rich and haughty swept by； to deposit their offerings； she shrank back as if hardly daring to venture farther。 And yet she longed to do something； little though it might be； for the cause she loved。 She looked at the gift in her hand。 It was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her； yet it was her all。
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Watching her opportunity； she hurriedly threw in her two mites； and turned to hasten away。 But in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus； which was fastened earnestly upon her。
The Saviour called His disciples to Him； and bade them mark the widow's poverty。 Then His words of commendation fell upon her ear： 〃Of a truth I say unto you； that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all。〃 Tears of joy filled her eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated