The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-25

(These lessons constitute the Sunday
school extension department of the above
named society. All who study them are re-
queSted TO send their names, poStOtfice adj
dress and denomination, mentioning this
paper, 10 the author at Washington. d. c.,
, for enrollment)
COMMENTARIES His baptism Jesus went
into the wilderness and gained a victory
over Satan. The events of the year fol-
lowing, omitted by the syn9ptics. are re-
corded in the fourth gospel From the
wilderness Jesus returned to John the
Baptist, received His second testimony, and
gained His first disciples. With these He
proceeded to a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
where He wrought His first miracle. John
ii, ILL After that He madel brief visit
at Capernaum, destined to be the center
of His more active ministry, and then went
up TO Jerusalem to attend the first passover
subsequent to His baptism. This was in
April. A. d. e. During that visit He
cleansed the temple for the first time, and
held that celebrated conversation with
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews in which
He set forth some high spiritual truths
Leaving Jerusalem Jesus labored in Judea
for several months, attended by His dis
ciples. He preached and they baptized the
converts John Nv, p, but there is no de-
tailed account of what transpired, and
there Is some difference of opinion con-
corning the localities visited.
MISUNDERSTANDING in the winter of q
or the spring following Jesus re-entered
Galilee. Two motives are assigned for this
change In the field of His labors. John
informs US (Ch Nv, 81 that His popularity
had so far increased as to cause the
Pharisees to institute comparison be-
tween Him and the Baptist, 10 the dis
arrangement of the latter. Matthew says
cast into prison. och. Nv, H. This is the
explanation: Up TO the time Jesus and
John had preached substantially the same
thing, the heavenly kingdom. Their min
the latter was suddenly slenced by the
cruel act. of Herod. Left thus alone Jesus
retires to Galilee 10 begin labor on a new
basis by new method. He went in the
power of the Spirit. That which given
at the baptism (Ch. Iii, 22) had remained
with Him in the W lderness and in all His
travels (Acts X. 3S), and was now the su-
preme fact of His unique personality. But
the point to be specially noted is not the
power that displayed itself in word and
deed. as we shall see, Gil all occasions
throughout His whole career.
FAME.-The ministry OF Christ. up TO this
time. while II had been on the same basis
that of John the Baptist, had served an
important purpose of far greater signifi-
Cdnce-lt QdQ nldQe him KNOWN. Already
the prediction concerning Him was being
fulfilled. tJohn iii, 30) 1t is worthy of men,
ton that at the end of the year He came
INTO Jerusalem. preceded by enviable
fame. Although great preacher. the great
est that had been seen in Israel for many
centuries, had gained immense popularity
before Him and had been followed by many
of the great Matt. Iii. y, Jesus had gone
forth into that part OF the country where
the rabbis were most numerous and most
influential, into the nations capital and 10
the very seats of the learned, and there
attended only by few unlettered men, He
had soken for months and acquired a repu-
tation which carried His name into all
parts. The first Judean ministry of Jesus
was bold stroke and ended in His COM
plete triumph. He had compelled recogni-
ton. He stood the foremost figure in the
religious world. And so. He came into
Galiee, He was an acknowledged teacher
of the highest order. giorified by ALL
HOME-Having passed some months In
Galilee. received with favor by all classes
Uohn iv. 49,. Jesus made q visit to Nax-