The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-04-26
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL %.

Subject; Jesus and John the Baptist. Luke
viii, 1S-2S-Goiden Text, Mark VIII, 81
Memory Verses, ~, 23-Cornmentary
on the Days Lesson.
1S. Disciples OF John showed him {"
John was confined In prison In the fortress
OF MachRrus, on the southern border of
PerHa. His confinement was not of the
closest kind, as his disciples were allowed
interviews with him. "Of all these things"
The miaacies which Jesus had performed,
and, perhaps an account Of some OF His
public discourses.
10. "Art thou He that should come"
Some suppose that John sent this message
Tor his own Information, others think that
his purpose was to confirm the faith of his
disciples In Jesus as the Messiah, while all
agree 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 hayo
been under strong temptation relative to
the Messlahship OF Christ. II He were the
Messiah why would He allow His forerun-
ner to laugulsh so long in prison2 WHY
did He not openly declare Himself? Those
were questions that might seem mysterious
to John. But he took the proper means to
get rid o! his doubts, IL doubts he had; his
message Is straightforward and open, aud
~ addressed directly to Jesus cor look
we for another" John had confidence i'm
the integrity OF Jesus, and believed that II
He, after all, were only forerunner, like
himself He would say so plainly.
20. "The men were como unto Him."
These disciples OF John needed encourage
ment. lt was n severe test to them to see
John in prison so long.
21. "In that same hour He cured mnny."
They find Jesus In the midst OF His miracu-
al al.
disciples only remained with Jesus one
hour. And OF evil spirits" In the nc
count OF the sick here healed, Luke. the
physician, distinguishes tho demoniacs
from naturally sick persons.
%. go your way and tell John" Jesus
kept them long enough to show them the
remarkable cures which lie was perform
ing. CHRIST would have men Judge Of Him
and OF others, by their works. This Is 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 pretensions are not
vain. Jesus answered Johns inquiry sim
ply by II clearer presentation OF the great
truths OF His gospel, and more miracles
performed, each one OF which was typical
OF the spirit and power Of the gospel. 1t
was precisely the same evidence that con-
vinced the apostles and the multitude of
believers. The argument Is rs potent now
as in the time OF Christ. "The blind see !"
In His reply Jesus combined the highest
wisdom with the highest power; He APP
pealed TO His works bv which John could
not fail to recognize Him as tho Messiah.
THE dead nre raised" They probably
witnessed the raising OF the widows son
at Main. "To the poor the gospel is
preached" This.is the browning proof OF
His Messiahship. The preaching Of tho
gospel to the poor Is the highest 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 II now light, so we
need expect no new truths, but the same
old truths and promises, with new depths
of meuning-the old Bible In new light.
23. "Shall not be offended in Me.'
Christs education ut Nazareth, His resi-
dence in Galiee the humble lifo Of His
family and relations, His poverty, and the
lowliness OF His followers-these and the
like were stumbllng-blocks to many; he
Is blessed that is not overcome by these
things. See / Pet 2:7. 8.
"a. "He began to speak unto the peo-
pie" In answer to their thoughts and Sc
cret questionings. They might imagine
from Johns message that the Baptist wa
Nered In his faith, and that his imprison-
ment had shaken his constancy. Our Lord,
therefore, reminds them Of what John
was. "What went ye out for to see?"
This Is a reference to Johns early ministry.
see him. Matt. 3:5. "a reed shaken with
the wind" The reed OF Palestine Is Il very
tall cane, growing twelve feet high, with
magnificent blossom at the top, and so
tender and yielding that It will lie per-
fectly Aat under u gust of wind, and imme-
diatey resume its upright position. SO
far from being a reed shaken by the wind
of popular opinion, or ailliction, john was
rock-a man OF inAeXiblo resolution and
invlnclble courage. that stood unmoved
though beaten by many storms.
%. "a man clothed in soft raiment." 4
second eXcellency OF John was his sober,
self-sacriiclng life Gorgeous rament
was the mark OF elfeminato persons; John
was clothed with camel '5-hHir garment
A preacher OF the gospel should have moth
ing about him that savors of worldly pomp.
"Are in kings courts" If YOU desire to SEQ
gorgeous apparel and delicate living, 20 to
Herod's palace. Chrlsts forerunner did
not resemble any of the great persons that
lived In kings courts. Tho Wilderness
prophet was entirely separated from the
worldly spirit of his time.
26. Much more than a prophet" /.
Because he was himself the object of
prophecy. 2. Because he pointed out tho
Messiah, whom others foretold, and saw
Him whom kings and prophets desired to
see. 3. He was forerunner as we'll as
prophet. 1t was his mission, not merely to
foretell the coming OF the Lord, but to pre-
Pbip Aho popINo W IcctlNc llllus ne WIS n
prophet, teacher, n man divinely COM
missioned to point out Jesus and His sal
walton, and he was more excellent than any
OF the old prophets, because he had the
honor of dying for that sacred truth which
hc SO boldly proclaimed.
2I. "0f whom it is written" In Nal.
81. An alluslon to one vino went before
king to remove all obstacles out OF the way
and prepare for His coming. (See third
lesson of first quarter) John was the in
strument in the Lords hands of preparing
the hearts OF the people to receive Jesus.
%. "Not greater" See on verse 90.
No one in any age has been superior to
John in greatness of soul, In self-denial, in
disinterested and herocal devotedness to
the service Of God, and to the interests OF
the kingdom of God. "He that Is least in
the kingdom Of God" By the kingdom of
God Is meant tho fulness OF the blessings
Of the gospel of peace, which was not
known till after Christ had been cruciled,
and had risen from tie dead. Now the
least in this kingdom who preaches u
crucined, risen and glorined Savior, is
greater than John, who was not permitted
TO live to see the fulness or gospel grace.
He is greater than John not in personal
character, but he lives In better dispensa-
tion and has creator privileges.