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Equality amongst men is the dream of fanatics. It is true that men should by law have equal rights. But the Creator has not bestowed equal gifts or powers of body or of mind, and no human laws can equalize men's condition, their possessions, or their enjoyments. And in all society there must be authority and. subordination; some must rule, and some obey. So is it in the spiritual kingdom of our Lord.

I. THE CLAIM OF CHRIST.

1. Wheel it is.

(1) Jesus claims to be the authoritative Teacher, the Master of his people and of mankind, lie reveals and communicates the truth of God to men. He bids us learn of him.

(2) He claims to be the Lord who rules. His authority is not merely over men's beliefs; it is over their actions. He issues laws, and requires homage and obedience. In both these respects Christ is unrivalled and supreme. "One is your Master."

2. On what it rests.

(1) On grounds of native right. The Deity of our Lord's Person, the Divinity of his attributes, his appointment by the Father, give him a right to teach and. to govern his people.

(2) On grounds of moral fitness, His wisdom and insight are such that none is so qualified to instruct; his moral authority is such that the conscience bows before him as before none other.

(3) Christ's claim rests upon tenderer grounds - upon his love toward his people. What he has done and suffered for us is proof of his disinterested affection, and gives his claim to our devotion an efficacy quite unique.

II. HIS PEOPLE'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CHRIST'S CLAIM.

1. The character of this acknowledgment. It is sincere and practical; opposed to resistance and rebellion, and equally opposed to pretence and hypocrisy. The repudiation of the rebel, the enemy, and the pretence and dissimulation of the hypocrite, are alike detestable to Christ.

2. The methods of this acknowledgment. Practical submission to Jesus means the studying and reception of his doctrines, and obedience to his commands. Yet there are certain definite ways in which we may recognize Christ's lordship, e.g. by honoring his holy Name, and by discountenancing and rebuking profanity; and again by devoutly observing his ordinance, concerning which he said, "Do this in remembrance of me."

3. The advantages of this acknowledgment. It tends

(1) to the improvement of the individual Christian character;

(2) to the unity of the Church, which needs to think less of human leaders and more of the Divine Head; and

(3) to the illumination and conversion of the world. On these accounts they "say well" who sincerely recognize Christ's just demands upon them, and. prove their sincerity by their docility and. their obedience. - T.

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KJV: Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

WEB: You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am.