Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-01-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
LESSON.
Rehectio d. Of nm kievating Character
wholesome Food for Thought
Studying the scripturai Lesson In
telligently and Prohtably.
Lesson for Jan. o.

"Forerunner Of Christ"
We are to spend now six months with
Luke. 1t Is well to get, at the outset, q
broad view OF this gospel. Take rapid
run through the book, chapter by chapter,
noting characteristic verse here and
there, fixing the way-marks as you go. 1t
is the gospel Of the Son of man, the divine
healer and helper of humanity. Among
the things therefore peculiar to this mar
rative are the angelic announcement or
Christ's birth; tie amounting of Christ by
a sinner at Capevnaum. the seventy sent
out and the wonderful parable of the
Prodigal Son. Like was physician with
a physicians way of looking at things,
and this in turn may account in part for
such things not named elsewhere, as the
account of the ten lepers, the rich man
and Lazarus mot a parable), and the
beautiful story of the good Samaritan.
There is something quite artistic In the
way Luke begins his narrative, and there
Is a fine literary touch to rhc paragraphs
of the gospel throughout. Tradition says
that besides being physician by occupa-
ton, Luke was by taste painter. Ger
tainly. these lessons on which we enter
reveal the artist spirit, and the life OF
Christ is unfolded to Us, as 1t were, In
panoramic form and from an artists port
folio.
The writer of the gospel is but little
more than half century's remove from
the events which he records, Luke's Cos
pei being placed at from SO to 60 A. ID.
Other narratives of Christ's life had. 1t
seems. already appeared. probably Mat
thew's among the number. He writes to
give his impression Of the character of
Jesus, not indeed as an eye witness, to
much that he ma rates, but ms one well
informed and deeply sympathetic. He
pens his account. apparently, under the
influence of Paul, with whom he was
much associated. and holds forth particu-
larly Christs friendship for all mankind.
The story opens with the mention of
certain priest named Zacharias. Yet it is
not as priest but rather as prophet that he
figures here. Christ did not come by way
Of sacerdotalism Zacharias' censor and
robe pass out of sight presently. and the
priest stands before us in q very humble
guise, an erring man, confessing fault.
but at the same time introducing to us
John the harbinger of the Christ. The
priest of the temple is thus seen to be but
lowly doorkeeper of the temple of the
true Lord of glory. and he may but ven
ture to loose the shoe latchets Of him who
In his turn counts himself unworthy for
such Offices to the Christ. How absurd
In this light the claims of u Modern priest
hood!
His wife," however, is even more
prominent in the picture that is sketched
for us. Luke is described as the evange-
list who has more 20 say of woman's
ministries than any other of the inspired
four In this he is in keeping with the
new and broad humanitarian sentiment
that characterizes his gospel. His is the
really new woman. and the only one we
need concern ourselves about, made new
and free in Christ Jesus. A grand and
blessed day is ushered In for womankind
with the two songs. in feminine treble,
with which Luke's glad tidings open.
And the same strain is presently in the
angels carols.
1t was to righteous" and ''bameless"
people that Gods first intimations Of the
coming Messiah were given. Paul adds
to similar description at Phil. ,: ID as
in part explaining it. "Sons of God, with
out rebuke i'm the midst of q crooked and
perverse generation, among whom We
shine as lights in the world. holding forth
the word of life" Is il not this sort al
ways that hold forth the word Of life and
reminding of Christ lead the way to him
And such lives also seem to remind of
the second coming of Christ, for Paul
Immediately adds, THAT l may rejoice in
the day of Christ" For Christ's sake:
be bameless. The story is familiar; the
priest faithfully, but perhaps with some
thing of perfunctory Indifference, per-
forming his routine Offices at the altar.
Suddenly the startling apparition of an
angel and the promise of a son who is to
lead the way of the Christ. If any thing
Ia needed to show the crude unreadiness
of Zacharias' mind his first inquiry, hint
ing doubt. declares it. 'How shall know
thisy' True indeed. "The Jews require
a sign" Well, Zacharias. you shall have
a sign. Behold thou shalt be dumb and
not able to speak until the day when these
things shall be performed" AS much as
TO say. God will perform. and it is for you.
in way verging on humiliation, to stand
still and see the glory of God.
And how noble, over against this slack
faith of the priest Zacharias stands the
holy confidence of the angel Gabriel!
"How shall know?" dost thou say, why,
am Gabriel that stands tin waiting atti-
tude. never questioning in the presence
of God, and | am sent to thee just to
speak unto thee and to show thee these
glad tidings." And the implication is.
"What more do you want? 1t is enough
for me simply to be spoken to, and to be
told. Straightway l rejoice and obey"
In measure we may all of us, who
preach and teach the Gospel, be counted
like unto John in that we are forerunners
of Christ, preparing the way for his en-
trance into needy hearts. Charles Spur
geon declared that one of the most help
full sermons that he had heard land good
speaker may also be good listener. elo-
quent withaD was from the text of Scrip
ture John 10: ~, John did no miracle;
but all things that John said of this man
was true" Spurgeon said that when he
died he hoped it might be said of him that
oil that he had testified of Christ was
true. The power of truthful testimony.
the witness of the lip and the witness of
the life always true to Jesus. The effect
iveness of such a message. opened to us
all, Is limited In the verse that follows:
"And many believed on him there" Keep
on, faithful teacher. Tell the truth about
Jesus. Some one will come along some
time and reap the fruit, but God shall
have the glory and our Christ be satisfied.
Next Lesson-"The Boy Jesus."-Luke
2: 1852.