by Paul, 1 Cor., ch. 13, and by
the "Scripture lesson" on love written by John, 1 John 4:7-21.

First then, in place of all revenge, vs. 27-30, Jesus established the
Golden Rule: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them
likewise." V. 31. Then, in contrast with the self-interest and desire for
recompense which so often passes among men as charity, vs. 32-34, he
pointed to the perfect example of God and intimated that his mercy should
incline us to kindly judgments of our fellows, assuring us of the
boundless liberality with which our Father will reward our unselfish love.
Vs. 35-38.

The second portion of the main discussion, vs. 39-45, dwells still more
definitely upon the fault of unkindly judgments to which Jesus had just
referred and which constitutes such a common infraction of the law of
love. A man who is unkind in his criticisms and unconscious of his own
faults cannot help his fellow man; he is like a blind man trying to lead
the blind, like one in whose eye there is a beam trying to help one in
whose eye there is a mote. As good fruit is produced only by good trees,
only out of hearts full of love can real helpfulness come.

To warn men against calling themselves Christians while they do not
observe the law of love, and to encourage his disciples in faithfully
keeping his commandments, Jesus concluded this sermon with the familiar
figure of the two houses, founded one upon the sand and the other upon the
rock. Amid the storms and tempests and floods of the time of judgment,
only the latter will stand secure.

3. The Centurion of Capernaum. Ch. 7:1-10

1 After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, he
entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was
sick and at the point of death. 3 And when he heard concerning
Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he
would come and save his servant. 4 And they, when they came to
Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou
shouldest do this for him; 5 for he loveth our nation, and himself
built us our synagogue. 6 And Jesus went with them. And when he
was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him,
saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy
that thou shouldest come under my roof: 7 wherefore neither
thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, a