The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02
THE SUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON
April 8, 1sos-Matthew Nv, 21-s1.


Jesus had triple motive for this journey.
There was ill-advise6 popular movement to
proclaim Him King Again, His preaching had
attracted the attention of Herod Antipas John
Baptists murderer. Finally, Jesus had irrevoc-
ably broken with the Pharisees and they were
planning His DEATH
Rest and refreshment were to be found in the
locality Jesus visited. Two of natures grandest
features were there in juxtaposition-the sea and
the mountain. srnDn>,D
His retirement was only partially successful,
however for it is significantly said. He could
not DE hid and heather the first
to entreat His offices. This Syrophoenician is the
personifcaton of parental solcitude. In her
pathetic appeal she makes her daughters malady
her
1t is a mistaken Interpretation which affirns
that the unusual conduct of Jesus toward this
suppliant was intended to test her faith and ex-
hibit her persistence 1t undoubtedly had that
effect, but this incidental. not the main pur
pose of delay. His saying to His disciples ex-
plains His apparently unsympathetic bearing II
am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house
sent He will be true to the minutest direc-
tions of His Infinite Sender. Gods plan for
His Son confined His ministry to the Hebrew
people He was to be a minister to the circum-
cison." He himself restricted the commission
of the apostles to the Jews until His resurrec
of the Hebrew nation, on which a fire might be
kinded, to whose warmth and cheer all the
To this plan" Jesus faithfully adhered. He
never crossed the boundary of the Holy Land,
never worked a miracle on Gentle.
He who had limited His disciples commission
to the Hebrews could not go beyond them
to work miracle for this heather, unless, to the
complete satisfaction of Il disciples, she could
be shown to be an exception Hence His silence.
His discouraging announcement, Am not sent,
and finally those trying words in which He used
the common discourteous epithet which Jews APP
piled to Gentiles.
The suffering endured the ordeal. She
proved herself daughter of Abraham by her
faith. and as such worthy of having the thing
which she asked done for her.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Into the coasts: In the parts of Palestine ad-
left the land of the Hebrews.-BengeI.
Have mercy on me: The faithful mother had
made her daughters misery her own.-Ibid.
Send her away: They mean that He shall dis
miss her by performing her REPRESENTATION.
He answered. Assigns the true cause of His
actions. He declines because His immediate mis-
sion is not to Gentle, but to Jew.-Whedon.
Short. humble faithful, fervent, modest, respect
full, rational, persevering, relying only mercy.
Clarke.
Not meet: Principle not applying to the whole
mediatorial office. but to His preaching and mir
acles.-Bengel. Answer opens entirely differ
ent point of view and adduces mighty reason
for His silence.-Stier
To take the childrens bread: 81 dare not else
might the Jews say, 1T is not right Berlin
burg Bible Must satisfy the disciples that the
grace He about to show to this Gentle be-
lever was beyond His strict commissioner.
+. Il.
Dogs eat crumbs: She catches Him in His own
words-Luther Takes the sword out of His own
hand and Stays Him with it.--Miler. Drives back
the into His heart.-Rieger.
. womaEi Her faith takes her out
ception to the whole Gentle world. She shall
be as an Israelite.-Whedon.
THE TEACHERS CULVER
1t is true yet Jesus cannot be hid" Remains
wreaths of rhetoric and Strauss blocks of argu-
ment fail to hide Him. He is the conspicuous
character in all history. Everybody must think
something of Him.
The Father has a plan for each of us, as He
had for our Elder Brother. He has thought He
wishes to express in our lives. This gives us
dignity. We are dumb, driven cattle. Find
ing what God wants. and doing it, is the ideal
life In this Jesus is our example.
Phillips Brooks deprecated what he called
the passion of immediateness." The forcing of
maturity-effort to reach ends without use of
means-is TO be reprehended course; but there
is good passion of nmediateness' also. Peter
showed it when, sinking, he cried, Lord, savei''
ample
1t was great faith. too. This heather APP
pretended the Wilderness of Gods mercy The
Messiah was not just barely enough for the Jews
but enough and to spare for all-chldren at the
table, and dogs under it.