The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-04-25
THE SABBATH J SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
yoR APRIL 29.

Ao-~o-uOiuOh =
-Memory Verses, 90, a,23-Cornmentary
on the Days Lesson. 4
1s. "Disciples or John showed him..
John was.confned In prison in the fortress
OF Maoh@rus. on the Gqlthern border OF
Per@a.s His con6nemenK'was not Of the
closest kind, as his, disciples were allowed
interviews with him. "of all these thlngs."i
The miracles which Jesus had performed
and, perhaps, an account OF some OF HIS
public discourses.
10. cart thou. He that should come"
Some suppose that John sent this message
for his own information, Others think that
It's purpose was to confirm the faith OF his
disciples In Jesus as the Messiah, while ali
agreo that John was anxious to have Him
declare, openly, His Messiahship. John
had been In prison now about six months,
and during all Of that time Jesus had been
enjoying the greatest liberty and had per-
formed many miracles, and John may have
been under atrong temptation relative to
The Messlahship Of Christ. II He were the
Messiah why would He !sllow His forerun.
ner to langulsh so long In prison? Why
did He not openly declare Himselt2 Those
were questions thatm,ght seem mysterious
to John. But he took the proper means to
get rid 0: his doubts, II doubts he had; bis
message Is Straightforward and open, and
Is addressed directly to Jesus "Or look
we for another" John. had confidence In
tlre integrity Of Jesus, and believed that II
, he, after all, were only forerunner. like
himself, He would say so plainly.
20. "The men were come unto Him.
These disciples OF John, needed encouraged
ment. It was severe test to them to see
John In prison 80 long.
81. "In that same hour He cured many"
They find Jesus In the midst OF Hismtracu-
lous activity. Some suppose that these
disciples ouly remained with Jesus one
hour. "And Of evil spirits" In the ac-
count Of the slck here healed, Luke, the
physician, distinguishes the demoniacs
from naturally sick persons. ..
22. $50 your way and tell John" Jesus
kept them long enough to show them the
remarkable cures which He was perform
ing. Christ would have men judge Of Him
and OF others, by their works. This Ii the
only safe way Of judging. A man Is not
to be credited because he Processes to
know, but because he demonstrates BY his
conduct that his pretenslops are not
vain. Jesus answered Johns inquiry sim
ply by clearer presentation OF the great
truths OF His gospel, aud more miracles
performed, each one OF which was typical
OF the spirit and power Of the gospel. It
was precisely the same evidence that con-
vinced the apostles and the multitude Of
believers. The argument Is as potent now
as IN the time Of Christ. "The blind see."
In His reply Jesus combined the highest
wisdom with the highest power; He ap-
pealed 10 His works bv which John could
not fall to recognize Him as the Messiah.
"The dead are raised" They probably
witnessed the raising Of the widows son
ut Nnin. "To the poor the gospel IS
preached" This:is the crownlng proof Of
His Messiahship. The preaching Of the
gospel to the poor Is tho highe.t signature
for the divinity OF the gospel. The
greatest mercy and the greatest miracle
OF all. Jesus set out the same. old truths
With new clearness, in new light, 80 we
need expect no new truths, but the snme
old truths and promises, with new depths
%. "Shall not be offended in Me-"
ChrIst's education ut Nazareth, His resi-
donce in GaIilee, the humble life of His
family and relations, Els poverty, and the
lowliness OF His followers-these and the
like were stumbllng-blocks to many; he
Is blessed that is not overcome by those
things. See Pet. 2.7. 8.
"a. "He began to speak unto the peo-
ple." In answer to their thoughts and se-
oret questlonings. They might imagine
from Johns message that the Baptist wa
yered In his faith, and that his imprlson-
ment had shaken his constancy. Our Lord,
therefore, reminds them OF what john
was. "What went ye out. for to see?"
This is q reference to Johns early ministry,
when the whole country went to hear and
see him. Matt. 3:5. "a reed shaken with
the wind" The reed OF Palestine is very
tall cane, growing twelve feet high, with
q magnificent blossom at tho top, and so
tender aud yielding that 1t will iie per-
fectIy fat under a gust Of wind, and imme-
dlately resume Its upright position. SO
far from being 4 reed shaken by the wind
OF popular opinion, or afllcttou. John was
a rock--a man OF infexible resolution and
inyfnclble courage, that stood unmoved
though beaten by many storms.
as, "a man clothed In soft raiment."
second. excellency OF John was his sober,
self-sacrifcing life. Gorgeous ratment
was the mark OF efremiuate persons; John
tras clothed with q camel's-hair garment
A preaehet.oi the gospel should have moth.
ind about HIM that savors OF worldly pomp.
ssIre In kings courts" II you desire to SEQ
gorgeous apparel aud delicate living, gotd
Herod's palace, Chrlst's forerunner did
not resemble any of the great persons that
lived In kings courts. The wilderness
prophet was entirely separated from the
worldly spirit Of his time.
26. "Much more thun q prophet" l.
Because he was himself the object oil
prophecy. q Because he pointed out the
|, Messiah. whom others forstold, and saw
Him whom kings and prophets desired to
see, s. he was forerunner as welt al
prophet. It was his mission, not merelyte
foretell the coming OF the Lord, but to pre-
pare tho people to receive Him. He,Has .
prophet, a teacher, u man dlvinelys COM
InissIoned to point out Jesus and HE sale
yattcn, and he was more excellent than any
OF the old prophets, because he had the
honor OF dying for that sacred truth which
he so boldly proclaimed.
q, "Ot whom 1t Is written" In Nal
81. An alluslon to one who went before
king to remove all obstacles out OF tho way
and prepare for His coming. (See third
lesson OF first quarter.) John was the In.
stru ment in the Lords hands OF preparing
the hearts Of che people to receive Jesus:
%. "Not q greater" See on verse 26.
No one In any age has been superior to
Jobn In greatness OF soul, In self-dental, In
disinterested and heroical devotedneSs 20
the service OF God, and to the interests q.
the kingdom of God. "He that is least in
the kingdom OF God" By the kingdom o..
God Is meant the fulness OF the Eblesstngs
Of the gospel OF pence, which was NOT
known till after Christ had been cruclaed.
and had risen from tie dead. Now the
least in this kingdom who preaches a
cruclfied, risen and Sorided Savior, fs
greater than John, who was not permitted
tc, live t. see the fulness or gospel grace
He Is greater than John not In PERSONA
character, but he lives In better dtspensa-
ti5n and has greater privileges.