The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-06
READING FOR THE DAY.
Sunday School Lesson for June Is. 1886.
Ircrrc THE CHRIST -.lohn VII 37-52

Sunday-School Lesson for June Is, 1886.
JESUS THE CHRIsr.-John VII. 1882
Golden Texh~-Thou art the Christ the Son of the
living dod-Matt xvi. 10
Jesus had not been in Jerusalem for year
and half-not since the Passover feast Of the
year 2S And although it was the custom of
every male Jew to go up to at least one of the
three great yearly feas;s in the Holy City, yet
for good reasons Jesus remained in Galilee,
teaching and working miracles and laying deep
and broad the foundations of the kingdom that
IN good time would be cemented in His own
blood. He was as ready to die at one time as
another, but He would not submit to
His enemies until His cause had sure and
permanent place in the hearts Of a few disciples
He was at this time about thirty three years
of age, and near the third year Of his ministry
Several important events and discourses are re-
corded by the other evangelists, and located be-
tween the feeding OF tba 5000 and the Feast OF
Tabernacles in October, 20 A. D., to which John
gives only a verse wi, H. Jesus seems to have
taken leave of Gailee, and ''steadfastly set his
face to go up to Jerusalem" to attend this feast
we'll knowing that with the next Passover His
ministry and life would end, as He must needs
die at Jerusalem"
Any teacher who would specially interest
class ought to read up the account of this great
feast as given by Edersheim in his life OF Jesus
1t is magnificent picture, covering many
pages 1t was held that year (29 A.
d. Oct. 11-l7. It was grand thanks
giving over the ingatheriug of wine, oil, corn,
etc The people also commemorated the wilder
ness life of their fathers by living in booths that
week. These were arbors built on the house
tops In the public places. everywhere that men
could live out Of doors They were built of the
branches of trees Great offerings were made
by the people. special sacrifices we're made by
the priests. the temple was illuminated all night
long by great lights, and the week was closed by
y special service of drawing water from the Pool
Of Sloan and pouring il out OF golden pitcher
upon the great altar Of the temple. The peo-
pie were all in procession, with palm branches
in one hand and fruit in the other, crowding
into the temple to witness the closing services
As the great lights over the courts illustrated
the shining OF the temple into heather darkness,
so the outpouring of the water typifed the out
pouring of the spirit As it was poured out then
began the chant the great "Hallel" Psalms
cxii-cxviii.l At this point, when the responses
ceased, Edersheim says: "At this moment there
arose, 80 loud as to be heard throughout the tenn
pie. the voice of Jesus. He interrupted not the
services, for they had Fer the moment ceased
He interpreted and He fulfilled them" Then
He stood and cried IF any man thirst, let him
come unto me aud drink"
PRACTICAL LESSONS.
I. As Jesus used this event as great object
lesson while it was before the people, ought
the Christian teacher touse the passing history
to enforce Christian truth, and to show that
Christianity is thing for every day. and not
Only for Sunday and church.
g 'If any man thirst let him come to me-"
How real is the uneasy, unsatisfied thirst of the
soul that drives men first to one thing and then
TO another! They do not know how deep-seated
10 the need that makes this constant fever and
anxiety. The more of worldly pleasure they
have, the more they must have, and 1t must be
more and more strongly spiced with intense ex-
element Show your scholars that the unrest
OF sin can only be satisfied by Christ. and that
He can not only quench thirst. but He can make
them as a fountain OF life and health to others
8 Never man sgake like this man. He is
more than man. He speaks with an authority
and power that shows him divine. What other
teacher before him ever spake such words about
pardon, peace. light, life, salvation and
heaven2
A. Is he that prophet, or is he the Christi Too
often men reach an idea of Jesus that they call
divine, but is yet far short of Deity See to it
that your scholars have no confusion or uncer-
tainty here. Show them that Jesus was not
only higher than any angel, but that IN every
way he and s God
5. Christ clearly indicated that He did not ex
pect many of the chief men to believe on Him.
This has always been So and will be to the end.
We shall never reach many Of the great and
high, because they will not give attention TO the
gospel If they would hearken they could be
convinced. They have no special superiority of
intellect that lifts them above Christian belief.
We are not wise in giving very much time in
that direction 1t is better to save the children
who will become great and strong.