Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-09-20
Sunday School lesson Notes.
RY Kly. !. O. SHERBURN.
s.r'. g,n: quarterly Review.

views Wl',G Jesus lllu Will groups vi
mcn w&o camn TO ask some questions Of
him. In several instances he becomes the
Gur~tior.r; and Il single question from
him does more to silence his opposers than
hours Of argument would have done.
7. isyrry interesting 20 note the di1Ier-
en-, bearing which Jesus manilests toward
different c ,,,as and inIivirluals that ap-
proach him. Patient and frank with those
who come rs honest seekers after truth,
more than equal to the cunning of his
f,es. aud terrible in his' denunciations of
their hypocrisy.
As one very important matter with
every one ID Il successful approach to
Chris, we may study some of the lessons
Of this uu trlcr with the aim to find out
what they teach us on this subject. First
the phqrieecs came asking question
about II divorce, tempting him. The
subject is IN important one. and, though
they come in craft. he does not evade their
question. Ile answers it in such way as
to put his meaning beyond cavil, though
the position lie took appeared to put him
in connic. with Moses's law and thus gave
the jews occasion to speak against him.
Chris! would NO let the truth suffer, even
# lis vrdication brought suffering TO him,
But his wis, and worthy answer made
those malicious Pharisces none the wiser
ur rpror Hhcv were seeking neither
wisdom nor righteousness, but seeking an
occasion against Jesus.
The next who cime TO Jesus were little
children; they were br0ugM to him; too
YOUNG 10 act for themselves their parents
and protectors acted for them. Jesus ac
ccpts them with the tcnderest tokens of
regard, and sharply rcbukcd those who
would hinder their coming. This passage
has furnished comfort for thousands of
every generation as they nave been called
to give up the little ones whom they had
come to love So tcnderly. Italso teaches
perpctually how men are TO secure the
kingdom of God sc. up Wic!nn themselves
This passage igivcs Us u licturc of u
proper approach to Christ. 1t may be n
pattern for us.
The next person who approaches Jesus
is the rich young ruler. lie comes with II
very exalted view Of himself. Comes with
the idea that his own well doing is to
secure for him eternal life. Christ answers
his earnest inquiry according to the tenor
of his asking. Christrregarded him with
favor because ho was anxious about the
rrcat matter Of eternal life, and because of
the many cNccllcncics of his character,
but taught him that tho way to life was so
narrow as to demand full surrender of
al! we have before we can walk in il.
There was fault in this mans coming
full purpose to obey the Savior or to fol-
low the teaching which he seemed so
earnest to obtain. Willingness to do the
will of God is I'm essential to successful
approach to him. There is no meaning
to our interest about the way to heaven
unless WE wish to walk that way. The
next inquiries made of Jesus are by the
disciples. They were suggested by what
the Master said of the young ruler who
c!ung to his riches and left Jesus. The
dis, iples. hearing his teachings about the
difficulty of gaining heaven while holding
on to riches, said we have left all to fol-
low thee, what reward shall we have9
Here was proper and natural question.
Man was not made TO 90 forth without an
effort, save In. view Of some return. This
proper and important question Jesus an
swers and answers it tothe encouragement
of all who would become his followers.
Both the malicious Pharisees and the low
ing disciples did humanity an excellent
service by drawing out the Master on
these great themes. At this point Jesus
begins to tell his disciples plainly of the
shame and suffering he is about to endure
at the hands Of his people. This opens
up a new field of inquiry and leads to a
great variety of questions and petitions.
FRS, two of his most favored disciples
conc seeking preGerment. They desire
place higher in honor than their breth-
rem Here Christ meets one of the most
common desires of our disordered human
nature. lie is tender ndaloving toward
his disciples, but rcbukes their worldliness
OF aim and points cut tho way to real
advancement in his kingdom. We can
almost forgive the weakness of James and
John sin view of the wise and helpful
instruction it secured us from the lips of
Jesus. His answer shows us that man is
not exalted by being lifted to a place, but
by aocking to lift up his fallen fellowmen.
The next who sought favor of Christ was
the blind nan Of Jericho. And his earnest
persistent seeking is Il worthy example
Tor NIL who would succeed in gaining help
o0 God.
In the next incident that came before us
fol study we have anothert thought brought
before us Christ needs our possessions.
lio sent his disciples to secure beast on
which he might ride; and this was the
accompanying message. The Lord hath
need Of him" The owner promptly fur
oHhcd the thing Christ needed for his
work. Here is pattern for us again
We have, many things thatimight be of
great service in the Masters work. They
should be cheorfully and promptly fur,
nished at his call. Christ next comes in
contrast with those who are defiling the
holy place with their avarcous pursuit of
gain Again:t them his scverest indigna-
ton is stirrol Such sacrilcge he cannot