Chapter XXII.—THE LORD'S PRAYER.
The answer which Jesus gave, as to loving God with all the heart, and his neighbour as himself, did not silence the Lawyer: he, "willing to justify himself," being anxious to prove that he was a just and righteous man, now asked, "Who is my neighbour?" The Jews had in many points altered or explained the Law, to suit their own feelings and wishes; and they would not look upon any man as a neighbour, unless he were of their own religion.
This Lawyer had probably always been kind to his Jewish brethren, and if our Lord had, as he expected, told him that his neighbour meant one of his Jewish brethren, he would have been able to boast that he had obeyed this command. But very different was our Saviour's teaching: instead of giving him a direct answer, He in a beautiful parable taught him and us, that any fellow creature who needs our help, is our neighbour in the sight of God: even though he be an enemy, or one hated, as the Jews hated the Samaritans.
The Lawyer could not but own that the Samaritan in the parable had best obeyed the commandment of Moses; and in answer to the question, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves?" he said, "He that showed mercy on him." "Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise," that is, copy this example; and look upon every man that needs your help as a neighbour and brother, whom you are to love; and take care that your love is not in word and tongue only, but in deed and in truth.
Journeying through the land of Judæa with His disciples, Jesus "entered into a certain village"; this was Bethany, on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives: "and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus's feet and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving." Both these sisters loved the Lord, though they showed it in a very different way: Mary, delighted to have such an opportunity of listening to His teaching, sat at His feet to learn all that He might teach her; Martha, anxious to show her pleasure at receiving Jesus as her guest, appears to have busied herself in preparing a feast in His honour. Presently, tired with her exertions, and fearing that all might not be ready, "she came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." But instead of doing this, Jesus rebuked Martha for thinking too much of worldly matters, instead of giving her mind to the "one thing needful" for the salvation of man: that one thing was faith in Jesus as the Son of God; such faith, as would produce piety and holiness; and that as Mary had chosen that good part, she must not be disturbed, but that Martha would do well to follow her example. When, therefore, Martha asked that Mary might be bid to help her, "Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Now, from this little history we should all learn this lesson: that though worldly business must be done, and well done, too, it must not take up too much of our thoughts and hearts, and so make us careless in our religious duties: to please and serve God in every way is the one thing needful for us.
On one occasion, when Jesus had been praying, according to His constant custom, "when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples." Jesus then gave them that beautiful prayer, called the Lord's Prayer, because the very words of it were dictated by the Lord Himself, in whose name we pray unto God, the Father Almighty. The Prayer begins by acknowledging God to be "Our Father"; and these words should ever remind us of two things: that as "our Father," all we His children are bound to love and obey Him; and, secondly, that we must love all our fellow creatures as brethren, seeing that we are all the children of one Heavenly Father.
Next we pray, "Hallowed be Thy Name"; in which words we ask that all men everywhere may hallow, or treat as holy, His name, His word, His day, and all things that belong to Him.
By "Thy Kingdom come," we ask that all mankind may become Christians, and so be brought into the Lord's kingdom on earth: also, that we, and all who are Christians, may have the kingdom of God in our hearts; that is, may obey, and love, and serve Him with all our hearts; so that when we die we may be admitted into His glorious kingdom in heaven. Further, we pray, that the Will of God may be done by man on earth, as perfectly and entirely as it is done by the Angels in heaven. Let us remember that the sole object and work of the holy Angels is to do the Will of God; and that therefore we, who use this prayer, must always try to do the same, and not think of doing what will only please ourselves.