The National tribune., 1891-08-27
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

lone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures rs
indicated aboye.l
sUnJEcr; CHEIsT's SELF DEFENSE AGAINST
VARIOUS ACCUSATIONS.
]. Data.
We have only this one account St. John
was present, and so wrote not only from inspi-
ration but also from memory.
, Time.
We date Tuesday, Sept. 30, A. u. %. Abra-
ham was born B. G.. 20O5 and died r. G. 2ls3.
Our lesson occurred 2,2ll years after the de-
cease Of Abraham. tYs. 33. 81 So Christ was
sent w. 42l . years before our lesson. The
word sent" may be taken in the sense Of was
born. The word beginning" w. AZ may re-
fer 70 creation. IL is probable Satan began his
work in the Garden Of Eden. We find our
selves about six months before the crucifxion
or the lifting up referred to in V. %.
B. U1srey
We read in verse 90. "Thess words spake
Jesus in the treasury, "a he Taught in the
Temple" The treasury was a part Of the
Temple. 1t was known as the Court Of the
Women. II was the place where Christ met
the people often when at Jerusalem and where
no impaired many most important religious
lessons.
4. The Speaker.
We fnd Christ was mighty in word. He
was The Word. He was eloquent in that he
impressed his audiences, compelling them even
when preiudiced against him to declare, Never
man sPake like this man" a: 49, The
people heard him. They believed he was an
authorized Prophet. (7:4OJ Before his day
the ScTibes, PhariSees had tho ears Of the
people. 1t ia not surprising they were jealous
Of Christ when they noticed how popular he
was among the masses. They envied him and
coveted his gifts. They would gladly have
silonced him.
5. Hearers
It is plain the audience was miscellaneous.
There were believers, and some instructions
were given specially adapted TO such. Verses
1922 There were also unbelieyers, and verses
50 AZ were uttered specially for their rebuke
or improvement. All hearers were probably
Jews. The masses were inclined toward Christ.
The Pharisees, governed by selfinterest, pride,
jealousy, envy aud cOyetOusness, set themselves
agains. the New Teacher. IL is we'll to renem-
Der this condition Of things. The student can
with such knowledge see the real status Of
things and more readily interpret words. The
power to put ones self into the environments
which surrounded Jesus, and his audiences is
p great help In the way Of Interpretation and
explanation.
8. Verses 81 and 30.
We find from verse 30 that some Of Christ's
hearers were believers. Jesus knew well that
it is not sufficient 10 begin. Hence he gave
special instructions 20 those that had accepted
his doctrines. He showed them that their
genuineness would he proved by their main
tenanee OF the Christian life. Telling them
how important it is to persist in piety, be
showed them how to keep up their strength
We SEQ that religious instructors should Do
careful to follow up their teachings, maintain
ing watehfulness over those young in the faith.
lt Is said they " believed on him." They
believed Christ was a true teacher. They ac-
cepted bis doctrines They were not however,
much advanced in belief They saw in him
the possibilities of salvation from their I'M
favorable surroundings nationally, and perhaps
had some idea of his ability to help them
religiously. They were willing 10 be Taught,
having confidence in Christ as a teacher They
listened, desiring the truth and admiring the
Preacher Of the truth. They were not, how
ever, fixed in their faith, and needed 10 pro-
tect themselves by the armor Of truth, the
Word Of God.
Suggestions.
/. Persevere. Continue in the Word. Keen
on in the Christian course. Isl. Mt, 10: 90,
81; st. John, g: Sc; Col, I:23; Heb, 10: 50:
Rev., 2:7-1l.b Do not put your hands % the
plow and then look back. %: 50; 6:J So; Is A
10; John. 2:6 10; 3:6.l
=. Believe. (ys. 80. 81 An object with
Christ IN bis words and works was TO induce
confidence in him ard his teachings. t7:3l;
10: ~; 1I:45) Compare verses 10 and 46 Of
the lesson.
3. Feel interest in beginners. Warn them of
dangers besetting the Christian life. Tell them
the secrets Of perseverance.
4. BE genuine" disciples indeed" Mere
pretense is very displeasing to God. We should
Try TO please him. o. 29J
>. Be ples-learneTs. Feel no self-im-
p0rtance. Do not imagine you know enough
Always be open to truth. Always welcome re-
igious instruction.
G. Know the truth. First Of all, Christ Is
The truth. Study Him. Be imbued with His
holy life. Study the truth-the Word of Col
Search the Scriptures. tCf V. 81
z. Utilize the truth. Remember mere knowl-
edge ,Gnosticism) is unayailing. Materialize
The TRUTH thus making it effective for others.
Be living epistles, which even sinners cannot
Ielp but read.
g. Be truthful. We shall see the Jews told a
alsehOod in verse SO. Verse "A intimales how |
lbominable is falsehoOd. They who know the |
ruth should speak the truth. Christ wants Us |
% be disciples indeed. (V. 81 Disciples of |
Him who is Truth must DO truthful.
8. Throw oil Satan'syoke. Issue your decla- |
-ation of Independence against the usurper- |
he Evil One. The Truth shall make you free. |
Christ is Truth. IA: 81 Truth is Chris |
iauity. It is the Gospel. tGal., 3:1; Col, |
80 Truth makes Us free. iRO., 6 IL, Is, /
=; So, Is; JAS, 1:25; 2:12.) But remsm- |
Der freedom is not lawles3Hess. So SHAKESPEARE |
aid, in the comedy of Errors"
Headstrong liberty Is lashed with wo,
There's nothing situate under Heavens eye
But hath his bound. in earth in sea, in sky.
And Milton, than whom no writer ever gave
more attention to the exact play of freedom vs.. /
,rdcr, wrote:
They bawl for freedom in their senseIess mood,
And still revolt when truth would set them free:
License they mean, when they cry liberty
We, descendants Of the noble English poets. 1
inherit through Christianity the spirit Of free |
lom.
We must be free or die who speak the tongue
That Shakspere spa<e; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held"
"Truth shall make you free" No one can |
20 sure safe, free, who IS in spiritual obscurity
md doubt.
z. Verses 1888.
Christ addressed these verses mainly against
inbelieyers. They took exception to his \
tatements that they were slaves They de-
lied the fact. They made an untrue assertion
40 remember they were for centuries slaves 4
lnder Pharaoh; for 40 years they were in cap
iyity at Babylon. Even when Christ spoke /
hey were in bondage to the Roman Govern
nent. WOrse than all, they were subject to
he Evil One-siayes Of Satan.
They were correct in their claims as TO de-
cent from Abraham. Christ admitted so much.
V. 37.l Without abiding historically to the
acts they had been in bondage to Pharaoh |
fha~5 ri rhC 81 Il