The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-09

Secretary of the American Society of Re-
ligious Education.
students of these lessons are requested to
send to DIR. Gilbert, Washington, ID. g.,
their names. denomination and postofhce
address for enrolment in the Office of the
society, mentioning this paper, that docu-
ments on Bible study may be mailed to
them.)
CONTEXT.-First-while descending the
mountain afte. the TRANSPORTATION. as mar
rated in last lesson, Jesus conversed with
His apostles concerning Elias. On reaching
the plain below He cast a dumb spirit out
of a demoniac boy which the nine had
failed to do. Again He foretold His death
and resurrection. being the third time that
subject had been mentioned in ten days.
Then the comteny journeyed southwark,
no record beirg made of the events on the
way, except that there was a dispute among
the twelve as to their superiority in the
kingdom of heaven. Mark tx, 49, Arriving
at Capernaum a miracle was performed to
provide money for the annual taxes. Jesus
retired to the house. probably of Peter,
where He had the interview with the apos-
ties outlined in the lesson of the day.
PURPOSE.-Expositors differ concerning
the primary import of this passage of
Scripture. Many, making the first verse
most promipent. believe that Jesus in
tended to answer the question of the
apostles by instructing them concerning
their Office and work. Some, regarding the
last verse as the climax, think that, TAX
ing occasion of their dispute, He sought to
settle it by showing the place and value of
little children in His system of doctrine.
Others. finding the key in the eleventh
verse, contend that the Master designed, as
on other OCCASIONS, to direct attention to
himself. Judging from the topic the interna-
tional committee hold the second position.
A better Interpretation unites the main
features of all these views Whatever Jesus
said concerning the apostles, or childhood,
or Himself, bore upon a theme in which all
His teachings found unity, namely, the
kingdom of heaven. The Jewish nation ex-
pected a Messiah who would set up a tenn
poral kingdom. Unlike their countrymen
the apostles believed Jesus to be the Mes
siah, but they were yet bound by popular
opinion concerning His kingdom. That false
notion, the source of their other errors,
must be corrected. Jesus had previously
and frequently instructed them on the SUBJ
ject, and He now undertakes by another
method to make them understand. He is
destined to fail. however, as, up to the
last, they thought of Him as a restorer of
temporal sovereignty. duke xxi, "a, 30;
Acts i, g.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES with the
thought that the passage treats the nature
of the kingdom of heaven, it may be divided
into three great parts, furnishing answers
to as many leading questions. 1. Who are
to be admitted into this kingdom? What
class of persons? What shall be their gem
eral character? Will it be ON the basis Of
race or blood, or of moral quality? 2.
After certain persons are admitted, how
shall they be treated? And in order to
secure such treatment, what shall be the
proper spirit, attitude and behavior of those
who administer the affairs of the kingdom
in the interests of the subjects? 5. Upon
what basis of principle and authority, of
wisdom and expediency, does all this rest?
How and by what right are these questions
of membership and administration adjusted?
How came there to be projected and set
up such a kingdom, unlike those previously
existing? Second-Or, more briefly, we have
here instruction concerning the members,
the agents, and the founder of the kingdom,
the three classes of persons who make every
monarchy-the character of the first, the
conduct of the second, the spirit of the last.
BY giving correct views on these three top
les. Jesus expects to explain himself and
His mission, and the place and mission of
the apostles At the same time he gives
great truths destined to reconstruct society.
CHARACTERISTIC are the members of
the kingdom? Jesus answers in three ways.
First-He gives an object lesson, a little
child set in the midst, large enough to walk
Qor he came on calD, small enough to be
taken thrd IN arms q ku *; $50, probably two
child was Ignatius, afterward Bishop of
Antioch. The words of Jesus on another oc-
casion (Matt. xix, 1D warrant the belief
that He intended to say that children are
members, as they had been in the Jewish
IDENTIFY so understood. lEph. Vi, z: Il Tim. ii,
l59 Second-He, declared that. childlike
mon and Jeremiah so classed themselves.
G. Kings iii, Z; Jer. i, y The child spirit is
given in Scripture under four ~heads-quiet-
freedom from malice q Cor. xiv, 2O, desiring
instruction q Pet. ii, p, humility Qesson,
verse a, the last being most prominent here
because of circumstances. Third-He showed
how adults acquired the child likeness by
iii, p, or change of thought and purpose
of life Matt. Kill, 49,, and expresses a state
frequently mentioned in Scripture under
ACTS Asts0q ii. 1 IL: James .r :. 49, II 1T * Is t dific vi To t.
the rich Matt. xix, 2D, and it is frequently
attended with pain. tActs xiv. 20 It is the
2D,, a new birth John iii. 81, resulting in
righteousness. (Matt. v. 20; vii, ID Or,
the descendants Of Abraham Matt. iii. q,
but of children under nurture. and those
who by change of heart and life return to
the child state, and so become the children
OF God (Matt. v, 45), constituting a family
lEph: iii, 15), among whom all are equals.
tihtl ANiii. o. F
CONDUCT.-In such a kingdom there is
no need of rulers to exercise authority as
In human society. So far as honor is con-
cerned each must prefer the other. (Rom.
xii, 10; Phil ii, 81 But there is needed a
class OF officials for service. and they are
greatest who serve most and hest. Matt.
Xxx, 26) Jesus then outlines the proper coli
duct of those who serve. thus coming to
the work of the apostles oversees ) to 1)
under three heads. They are to receive the
members, give them no offense, and be
careful not to despise them. Jesus calls the
members little ones, retaining the child
idea, and declares that whose receives them,
receives Him, which last thought He after
weird expressed. Mat. X. 40-42; John xiii.
2O9 On the matter of offenSes, or causing
members TO stumble, lie is very emphatic,
saying that it were better to be drowned,
referring TO a mode of capital punishment
practiced by the Greeks. The apostles al.
lude to this later. Rom. xiv, 10; Cor. viii,
consequences to the world through the Of
fenses of men of position, which He might
have illustrated Gen. iii, !, "a; / Sam. ii, IL
"a: II SAM. xii. I'D, and pronounces a woe
upon the offenders, perhaps with Judas III
mind. (Aets i, 1920 To protect then,
against misdemearorS, He urges them 10
cast away everything that may lead them
astray Matt. v. %. 800. in harmony with
other Scripture elsa. ii. 20, u; Rom. xiii, ID,
and warns them by the exposure to hell fire.
Luke tx. 25; III Thess. i. s, 81 Jesus was
eSnnoiaIg.y vtCr thar I. ar..,~tJor t.a,,il