The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-26
Sunday School Lesson for February Il.
Warming and Invitation.
Matt. XII; 2O-3O
BY J. e. GILBERT, ID. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

CONTENT are unable to trace
the precise order of events from the send
ing forth of the twelve studied last week
to the passage that forms today's lesson.
The scholars who have attempted to har-
monize the narrative of the four Cos
pels do not agree In their arrangement.
For our present purpose it may not be
necessary to fix any definite order--the
chronology may not be important. IL
Matthews recital is accepted as COM
plete Jesus went forth alone (Ch. XII, y
TO preach, having instructed and dis
missed His disciples. Standing in the
midst of the multitudes who gathered
about, lie delivered His message In the
same spirit as at the beginning of His
ministry. His purpose appears In His
expostulation with the curious, as IL He
would win them to be His followers
oversees 16 to 19). He was ever jealous In
seeking souls. In our lesson He employs
two methods appealing first to the fears
and then to the hopes of His hearers.
lMPENtTENT. -Capernaum. Bethsai1a
and Chorasin-three cities lying on the
northwest coast of the sea of Galilee-
were highly favored during the ministry
of Jesus. In the first lie made His home
Matt. iv 12). after His rejection at Naz-
areth. There He wrought many miracles
Matt. wifi, 81, and delivered many SER
mons Matt /, 2D. There He suffered the
glory OF His character to shine forth and
gained fame which endured to the end of
His career John vi, 2D. Thence He went
forth on missionary tours in various parts
of Galilee, His reputation preceding Him
duke iv, 3D, and thitheri He returned
amidst the plaudts of the people who fol-
lowed. Bethsaida was the home of three
apostles John l. 4D, and was frequently
visited by the Lord, as was Chora2n.
And yet, the people of these communities,
Notwithstanding the presence and labor
of such an illustrous Person failed to APP
preciate Him. Neither did they repent
OF their sins (verse 20). In utter indif-
ference to the mercy offered and to the
new life made possible they remained III
wickedness.
| REPROACHED.-Jesu did not always
| bear Il beniCnant lOok-lle did not al
ways speak in gentle tones. There were
/ times, not many to be sure, when He grew
| stern and when His words were severe
| Matt. NXiii 49, as when He called the
| pharisecs hypocrites. There is no indg-
nation like that of the righteous Rev.
! vi, 49, After many months had been
| spent in these lake cities, teaching and
! laburing for their good, He turned to the
! people with upbraiding for their hard
ness of heart He declares that they were
| more obdurate than were the heather OF
| Tyre and Sidon, two great commercial
| cities on the Mediterranean, whose pco-
| pie under the ministry of Ezekies Ezek
xvii, 29. six centuries before, would have
repentcd in sack cloth and ashes, had
that old prophet performed miracles as
| Christ had done Oversees - and 2D. He
| also declares that in the day of retribu.
tion these impenitent Jews will receive a
! greater condemnation than the Syro'
| Ihoenicians (verse 22).