The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-04-03
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
Dv nnv. +. h. nARonaAvEs.
Lesson l. End Quarter, april Z
rnE WORD MADE FLESH.

Lesson l. End Quarter, april 4.
THE WORD MADE FLESH.
John /. lis. Golden Text, John /. ID.
Time, b. c. 4. Rulers, Octaviarus(co COM
monty callel Augustus Cesar, emperor
Of Rome; Herod the Great, King of
Judea.
This lesson is the veStibule to the dis
pensation of Christ. We have hidden
farewell to the old Testament, with all
its thrilling history. its sublime poetry,
and its marvellous prophecy, and we are
about 10 enter upon The New and glori-
ous recital of Christly deeds and words.
The traveller through Palestine is con-
stantly impressed with the places which
he visits, not so much for their appear
ance or character, as for the Biblical
associations connected with them. This
Is especially true Of those places which
are now desulite and forsaken and are
without natural beauty. There is
Gallec, "sweet Galiloe," home of the
Savior, Ground which a thousand
memories are entwined. Bleak, monoto-
nous, unattractive to-day; yet in the
time Of our Lord it was full of gracious
beauy.
Nine cities stood on its shores, and It
was covered with the boats OF active
fishermen, rs its waters were plentifully
supplied with fish. One Of these men,
called Zebedee, had acquired wealth in
the prosecution Of his calling, and lie
found a principal market for his fish in
the city of Jerusalem His wife's name
was Saloms, one of the women of Cali
lee who ministered to Jesus. She was
with him at the cross and was one of
the first at the sepulchre. She is said
to have been the own sister of the
Virgin Mary, and hence her children
were first cousins TO Jesus, and dlstantlv
related to John the Baptist. BY the
side of their fathers boat on the shores
of the lake. the boys James and John
often played. Bright and happy in their
boyhOod, with pleasant surroundings,
they grew up in the traditions and Gus
toms OF their country. and especially of
their province. When John was young
man he was sometimes sent to JeTusa-
lem to superintend the sale of his faith
er's fish. While there uron cne occa-
sion. he heard that new prophet had
arisen, called John the Baptist, who was
preaching on the banks of the Jordan.
Crowds were docking to hear h m, and
amongst them we find John, the son of
Zebedee and Salome He heard ,bclieyed
and was baptized. When Jesus was
afterwards recognized by the Baptist as
he cried, Behold the Lamb Of God,
which taketh away the sins of the
world" John AMI Andrew turned their
attention to the Divine being. The
next day, when the Baptist exclaimed,
Behold the Lamb of Cod" they
followed Jesus, who turning, asked
them, "What are ye seekingY" They
answered, rabbi, where dwelest
Thou?" lie said, Come and see."
They went, tEev saw, they became the
faithful followers of the meek and lowly
Jesus.
The lessons of this quarter to which
this days lesson is but the prelude, are
taken from the writings of John, His
first follower, Of whom it was said, he
was ''the disciple whom Jesus loved"
The ministry of John, his public
teachings during many years, are here
recorded, and they form the intensely.
interesting life story Of our Lord. In
this lesson he speaks of the Divine Ma
ture of Jesus, showing that He is not
only the bearer of Divine truth TO men,
but He is also the Creator of the world.
Science and religion must be in har,
mony therefore; because He who suffer
ed for our sins, He who inspired the
sacred narrative, Himself fashioned
this world of ours. Then John speaks
Of the manifestation of this Divine
Nature to men, 1t was the Light of
God revealed 10 the human race, scat
tering the night darkness which pre-
vailed. In the last lesson Malachi de-
scribed Christ, as "The Sun of Right
eousness, with healing In His wings"
and this lesson speaks OF Him as the
Light of the World.
Before the eifulgent glory of His
Divine nature all darkness Is forever
banished, and in His Light we have
Life. Then John speaks of the way in
which this manifestation is made. "The
Word was made Flesh, etc, V. IA. The
Divine Nature took up its abode in q
human form, and the Christ dwelt
among men. He took upon Him the
form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men; and being formed in
fashion as man, he BUNDLED himself,
and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross. Phil. 10. So
the very God became man, and the
Messiah dawned upon the world.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
/. In nature we see God revealed,
since lie is the author of nature.
2. The uniYersalitY of Christ's gos-
pei. 1t is light for the whole world.
3. The incarnation Of Christ. He is
our Savior.
1. The privileges which accrue to
those who accept Him.