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“Inherit
the Kingdom
Prepared for You?”
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Lesson
22
Summary |
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Matthew 25; sus counsels the
rich young man, foretells His own death, and heals blind Bartimaeus.
Jesus teaches: Beware of hypocrisy; lay up treasures in heaven, rather
than on earth; prepare for the coming of the Lord; where much is given,
much is required. Jesus again heals on the Sabbath—He teaches humility,
and gives the parable of the great supper—Those who follow Him must
forsake all else. Jesus gives the parable of the unjust steward—He
teaches of service and condemns divorce—He gives the parable of the rich
man and Lazarus. |
Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:
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Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God.” Let us consider the last paragraph of
supplement lesson number nine. “In the days of the Savior, all believing members
committed their time, talent and even their lives to “the kingdom.” I
participated in an archaeological survey close to Jericho where we were
discussing the odd nature of a beautiful synagogue floor of the first century.
What was odd about it was the signature.
Almost every ancient mosaic floor
found in Israel has the signature of the donor with his family name and title.
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This one simply had an
inscription that indicated that the “entire community” had done this work. I had
the distinct feeling we were standing on the remains of a worship center used by
early saints, “former-day Saints,” people who committed themselves to first the
building of the Kingdom of God.”
Stewardship Instead of Ownership: As a discipline and behavioral
structure, the early Saints gave everything to the Lord. By consecrating their
resources to the Kingdom of God, they were learning stewardship instead of
ownership. “. . . were of one heart and of one soul . . . they had all things
common . . . and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
(Acts 4:32-35) Stewardship is an eternal principle also given before
Jesus’ time. “For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD . .
.” (Exodus 32:29)
Two Men, Same Question, Two Answers: In Jesus’ day, two men asked what
they should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus gave each one an answer that
applied to him because each had to learn a principle he needed most. The rich
young man was told to keep the commandments and when he answered that he
observed them all, he was told to sell what he had and give to the poor. On the
other hand, a lawyer was asked a question and when he answered correctly Jesus
told him to follow his own answer. In other words, “Do it.”
The Rich Man Needed this Lesson: “And when he was gone forth into the
way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master,
what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? . . . Thou knowest the
commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear
false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and
said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus
beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way,
sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven . . .” (Mark 10:17-20)
The Lawyer Needed this Lesson: “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up,
and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He
said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering
said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as
thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt
live. (Luke 10:25-28)
Which Answer is Yours? The answer to the lesson title’s question includes
more than a lesson on riches, wealth or worldly aspects. It is a lesson in
stewardship, humility, and a fervent purpose of service to others guided by
mercy, piety, wisdom, humility, gentility, and understanding.
Judges: “The shofet, or judge, had to meet strict qualifications, besides
just knowing the law. Among these qualifications were piety, wisdom, humility,
gentility and human understanding. When Moses set up the first courts, he looked
for "able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain" (Exodus
18:21) and "wise men, and understanding and full of knowledge"
(Deuteronomy 1:13). They were charged to "hear the causes between your
brethren and judge righteously between a man and his brother and the stranger,"
not to be partial in judgment but to "hear the small and the great alike, fear
no man, for judgment is God's" (Deuteronomy 1:16--17).” (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
More than Ritual: “Ritual alone does not please God, who demands that it
go hand in hand with mercy and compassion.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Exercising Mercy: “The exercise of mercy is an obligation for all Jews.
By this it is meant that they must act with compassion and forgiveness towards
all mankind, and perform deeds of charity and kindness. This quality is an
essential characteristic of God who is known as Rahum ("Merciful") and, in
accordance with the tradition which sets as man's goal the imitation of God: "As
He is merciful, so be you merciful." Just as God is bound by His covenant of
mercy with His people, so is the Jew bound by specific commandments to act
mercifully to the oppressed, the alien, the orphan, the widow, and indeed, every
living creature. The stress placed upon this quality is evident both in the many
charitable institutions existing in Jewish communal life, and in the daily
prayers which implore God to deal compassionately even with the undeserving man.
Human beings are frail, imperfect creatures constantly open to error, and so
they are totally dependent on God's mercy. But God, as depicted by the rabbis,
embodies a combination of justice and mercy, of strict judgment and lenient
compassion. This combination of justice and mercy in God is represented by the
two names of God --- Elohim and YHWH. The former stands for justice and the
latter for mercy. Though they may seem contradictory, one actually complements
the other and, when there is a conflict between the two, God usually favors
mercy. Judaism demands of its judges this same balance, and the principle of
mercy thus assumes extreme importance in the administration of Jewish law. The
prophet Zechariah (7:9) put it: "...execute the judgment and show mercy and
compassion every man to his brother." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Doing Without Being Instructed to Do So: The law of consecration, in a
celestial sense, is a stewardship of doing without being instructed to do so.
Those that have to ask, “What must I do to inherit life?” must grasp the
opportunity to reach higher so that the spirit can dictate the answer, “Seek ye
first the Kingdom of God.” |
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