The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-01-04

the wilderness, Prepare w the way Of tho
Lord. Mark La
CENTRAL Tnrrn-Ws should prepare tho
way for the coming OF Christ inteour hearts
and into the world around as
TiME-Thc ministry Of John tho Baptist
began during the summer Of a. -. ~. and
continued about two years, I'LL he was i'm.
prisoncd by Herod, March, A. d. as. Tho
baptism OF Jesus by John, about January,
A. ID. "a.
PLAcE-The preaching OF John She Baptist
was n the wilderness Of Judca. west Of tho
Dead Sea and lower Jordan. The baptism
OF Jesus was probably at the forsss Of the
Jordan at Bethabara, five miles southeast
OF jericho.
PARALLEL AccorSrs-M Matt 3:1-i-: Luke
3:l23 Jesus was about thirty years old M
His baptism lie was born in bethlehem.
December. b. G. .. His mother was Mary.
John the Baptist was the COUSIN Of Jesus.
His parents were Zacharias. priest. aud
Elizabeth, a cousin ~ the Virgin Mary.
He was born six months before Jesus, june.
i. G.. 3.
PLACE IN SrcrIAR HIsToEY Tibcrius
Caesar, Emperor Of Rome thirteenth year
rs sole ruler. Pontius Plate. Govcrnoro Of
Judca thrst year.. Hfrcd Antipas. GOV
crnor Of Calico uhirtieth Year,: fIcrod
Philip, Of Pcrca. The Roman Empire OK
tended over nearly all the known weird n
was u general time OF peace. Greece was
subject 70 Rome, but was san the center cf
intellect and culture. The Roman Empire
had a population Of l2OOoO.O0) The Jews
in Palestine numbered about G,OOoOOO. the
same as the present number OF Jews
throughout tho world.
HELPS OVER HARD PLAcrs-1 The hmm
ming. this verse is a kind Of title tot book
Gospel; shortened from 0ool and spcii-siory,
news, tidings II is the host news ever
brought 70 man. 2 IN The p,ophefs;v . is
from Malachi. 400 years i. G.. and v. 3 from
Isaiah, 100 years b. g. 3. Prepare the wau;
Eastern princess when proposing 10 march
with their armies through tho countries
where there were no roads acnt incssen
gers before them, requiring tho people to
prepare the way-makc roads, MI up ra-
vines, cast out the rough stones, So John
was to prepare the way for Christ. g. In
nc iriiderness. see place. Preach; proclaim
rs herald. baptism ~ repentance; that thew
should repent, and be baptized US sign aud
confession of repentance. Repentance, !.
=. turning from SIN. was the preparation for
the coming OF Christ. For nc remission,
forgiveness, and taking away q sin God
can not forgive our sins till we repent OF
them g. an The land; the people from all
parts Of the land the great body Of tho peo-
pie. 0. Gdmers hair. u rough but warm gar
mcnt made OF the coarscr hairs Of the
camel. Girdie ~ a skin. Unframed leather.
like that worn by the Bcdoun Of the pres
ont day. Locusts; insects something like
our grasshoppcrs, three or three and half
inches IN length. The Arabs dry and cat
them with salt. They are tho food only or
the poorest people. via honeg O.. honey
made by wild bees. 1t is still gathered
from trees IN the Wilderness and
from rocks in the wadicS. 7. Latch,f:
leather strings or thongs for fastening tho
shoes. sandals Worthy 10 Dsl0ose; this was
the work Of the lowest servants. Christ
was rs much beyond John as prince Is be-
yond his lowest mental. ;. Bdpttsf lrith he
Hpiy Ghsst: Matthew adds. and ruth ire:
cleansing, purifying. powerful, cheering,
llfegiving influences. One example was on
the day Of Pentccost lActs 81 Q 4, O.ysc
days. while John was preaching and bap-
thing. From MARCH His homo for twenty
eight years. II was seventy miles north OF
Jerusalem. Spirit iUsc dore, in the form OF
a dove, representing His gentle, loving, Mt
tracing influences.
CoMMr~Ts-.Just as people living IL those
days were filled with earthly thoughts so as
to be in danger Of neglccting matters OF
eternal Importance, so we are in danger Of
letting things seen crowd out things I'M
seen We arc always exposed TO the tcmpta-
ton Of valulng what we can touch and see
and taste more than the unseen treasures
OF character and life. Treasure ia this
world seems tous more real than treasure
in Heaven. For this reason we need to be-
aroused by warning voice; and though
God has not sent 10 us any j ohm the Baptist.
He has yet not left us without any warning.
m, the preacher the Bible, this very Sun
day-school lesson, sickness, death Of friends,
etc, etc. But besides these, God has sent
70 each one q sort OF especial messenger.
II any man will stop and listen for Gods
message, it will be true in his case as
Il was in that Of Israel. Thine ears
shall hear word behind thee, saying,
This is the way; walk yc in IL" Nsa. 10;
I'D II may be that God will speak in a
still, small voice, so that we shall have TO.
listen carefully, lest the noise Of tho world
drown the voice OF God. But we may be
sure that II we listen God will speak. Nc
often ask God to hcarken 10 our prayer
when we are in trouble SO Tod asks US to.
hearkcn diligently unto Him, IN order that
VIZ may receive from Him q rich blessing.
Now, IL we were to-day TO hcarkcn to this.
voice OF God, what would IL say to,us! 1t
would convict US OF our sins. five are not
truo CHRISTIANS IL would say are all
wrong in Gods sight, for you do not love
Him as you ought 10 do You do not even
try to serve Him. You have not rcpcntcd
OF your sins, and you ought 10 repent immc-
diatcly. and you ought 10 prepare the way
OF the Lord, and be ready TO welcome Him
at once" just as the Holy Spirit spoke
through John, and warned the multitudes,
so the Holy Spirit speaks in our hearts, and
warns us.--Rsr. "A. r. Schdsl1fer.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
/. Every one should prepare the way for
| Christ, both in his own heart and in the
community.
q True repentance, turning from all san,
| prepares the way in our hearts.
| g. We can prepare the way Of the Lord
by: I'd Filling uD the vallcys-dcfeets or
prayer, OF faith, OF love, Of work. ca Bring
| ing down the mountains Of pride, SIM sell
fishnoss, unbclicf. ~ Strengthening the
crooked places Of dishonesty, crooked ways
| OF sin. al Smoothing the rough places VI
harshncss, discourtcsy, temper.
| 4. We should profess ~ well - possess
| religion.
w. ~ ,,ood tba hnrf am az tho Holy