The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 165

HOMILETICS. Ver. 19-ch. xxi. 38.-The last working day. It is Tue5day, the last of the Lord's working days; for Wednesday and the early part of Thursday were spent apparently in the quiet of his Bethany home. A busy, trying day, crowded with events in which we see the Son of God enduring against himself the contradicLion of sinners. Let us gather up a part of its teaching. When, in the early morning, Christ entered the outer courts of the temple, he encountered a deputation of persons secretly commissioned by the Pharisees to entrap him into admissions which might be used against him (vers. 19, 20). The deputation consisted (Matt. xxii. 16) of some of the more prominent scholars of the rabbis, and some politicians who were attached to the Herodian dynasty. For so it often is-a common hatred will unite those whose posi- tions, mental or moral, are antagonistic. This has been frequently exemplified in religious and religio-political movements. The emissaries of priest and politician, thus leagued together, submit their question with ceremonious politeness (vers. 21, 22). He to whom they speak knows what is in man (ver. 23). And, demanding the penny, with the coin held before them he returns the famous sentence on which so much has been spoken and written, which has been rendered the catchword of heated ecclesiastical controversy (ver. 24), "Whose image and superscription hath this penny?" It is the image and superscription of the proud 'l'iberius. "Then," is the reply, "if you use his coin, give back to him what is his due, and to God, whose is the image and superscription-on the human soul, give back what is God's" (ver. 25). 'l'he confusion of the spies is complete. "They marvelled at his answer, and held their peace" (ver. 26). As the day passes, another deputation appears on the scene. This time the 8adducees (ver. 27) measure the sword of their wit against the Witness for God. The fsadducee mind, cold, cynical, cavilling, pronouncing all earnestness fanaticism, with no definite views as to a life beyond the present, but willing enough to toy over the subject -faith and the things of faith being only a matter to be talked about-has its repre- sentative in all ages. And it has some trafficking with Christ. It has its problems, its questions, its discussions. Behold an illustration of their kind in the problem sub- mitted as to the seven brothers (vers. 28-33). A more foolish issue than that raised it is scarcely possible to conceive, and it might have been treated with contemptuous silence. But truth may be taught even though the occasion of the teaching is unworthy. And, by the incident related, a weighty, suggestive instruction is elicited, one which gives, as by a lightning flash, not only a glimpse into the invisible, but a discernment c,f the spirit of the old Mosaic economy. First of all, disabusing the thought of his hearers of their carnal conceptions of the resurrection-life (vers. 34-36), he reminds them (ver. 37) of the character which, by their own admission, belonged to God; of the p:reat covenant word which Moses uttered when he called the Eternal "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Could they conceive him (ver. 38) the God of mere empty names? Does not the word imply that A bro.ham, Isaac, And Jacob are not mere dust and ashes, but still living persons, heart to heart with him? It is not wonderful that the quickness and keenness of the reply, and the li11;ht which it shed on human destiny, impressed all who were present; so that the multitude hearing were astonished at his doc- trine, nnd from the admiring crowd (Matt. xxii. 23) came the approbation, echoed (ver. 39) by certain of the scribes," Master, thou hast well said." Bnt not yet does the temptation cease. A jurist, or student of the Law, accuslorned to hair-splitting dbtinctions and 172 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [en. xx. 1-47.