Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-04-26

THOUGHTS WORTHY or CALM
ngFLEoT'oN.

| y Pleasant Interesting and Inoeruce'
I've Lesson, and Where IL May h
Found-A Learned and Concise Re
view Of the same.
"Jesus and John the Baptist is tn
subject. of the lesson for April 20. Th'
portion of Scripture selected Is Luke Z
1928. The Golden Text Is Mark q: ~
After the healing of the centurion's ser
want Jesus raised the son OF a widow al
Main luke 7: Hid. This miracle caus
ed fear and wonder among the people
and the reports Of Jesus deeds spread
more widely than before. The rumors
reached even John the Baptist in his
prison at the fortress of Machaerus on
the eastern shore Of the Dead Sea. he
had been confined there by Herod the
| tetrarch on account of his bold denuncia-
| ton Of that monarch's sinful marriage
1t appears that during the earlier months
of his Imprisonment he was allowed ia
| see visitors, and some Of his faithful dis
| ciples who had chung by him through
| thick and thin brought him word Of the
increasing fame of Jesus.
The question, what did John the Bap-
fist think Of Jesus at this time, will new
er be entirely answered. We know that
at an earlier time the Baptist had no
doubt that Jesus was the Lamb of God
who taketh away the sin Of the world"
Whether grave, doubts had arisen, or
merely suspicious, or still more likely the
inevitable wavering of a man left long in
loneliness and looking death in the face,
we cannot tell. John may have retained
his full confidence in Jesus and yet have
desired an unmistakable and concrete con-
| frmation of his faith. Certainly there
was nothing dishonorable or weak in his
temporary uncertainty, If we may Judge
by the lofty praise bestowed upon him
by Jesus Tvs. 24-35).
Explanatory.
The frankness of Johns inquiry must
have been attractive to Jesus. There
was nothing about John that was not
straightforward. If he had doubt he
expressed it uneQuivocally to the one per-
son who could dispel it. How few doubt
ers are willing to do that! When doubts
about divine things come to us, we are
apt to shut our eyes to the little light
that is left, and to grope in darkness for
some new support. 1t is always a safe
rule to carry ones questionings to the
Master. He has never yet been known
to turn away an honest doubter.
With what keen interest Johns messen-
gers must have watched the work Of
healing as it went on before their eyes.
1t is at any time sight that touches
ones sympathies and arouses ones en-
thusiasm to stand with the skillful physi-
clan or nurse by the bedside Of one suf-
ferer after another, and to see the pain
soothed, the wounds dressed, the strength
revived, and this even with the slow pro-
cesses of medical science. How much
more wonderful to stand beside Jesus in
the midst of a crowd of the manned, the
diseased, the leprous, the afflicted of ev-
cry sort, and to see that crowd melt away
as one after another goes gladly away in
health and strength.
The blind have their sight restored, the
lame, the lepers and the deaf are healed,
the dead are raised, and good news is
heralded to the poor; these are the proofs
of Messiahship, the answer 10 Johns
question:. the fulfillment Of prophecy.
1t may be that John had expected from
Jesus more Of the sterner and more pro-
phetic teaching, something like warn
ing Of judgment; Johns own preaching
had been of that sort, and 1.-THE king
dom" was in his mind associated with
a stirring of human consciences, a search
ing of hearts, an abasement before God
and change of life. All these things were
found in Jesus preaching, but not in just
the form that John may have expected;
and at this particular time healing was
most prominent. Jesus seeks, therefore,
not merely to answer the question of his
forerunner, but to broaden his thought of
the Messianic kingdom.
Jesus was not given to praising men.
Few cases are recorded in which he took
occasion to commend publicly any of his
disciples. He showed his constant appre-
citation of their fidelity in many ways, but
seldom by what could be called praise.
But here he spoke of John the Baptist in
terms of loftiest praise, as men speak of
their heroes. There is a peculiar charm
in the incident a glimpse into the win
some character Of Jesus, which was alb
solutely incapable Of anything approach
ing jealousy or harsh judgment. He de-
tends John from even the suspicion of
weakness. He stands up for a man that ,
cannot stand up for himself. John he
says to the people, lis all that you sup
posed him to be. You did not go off in
the WllueTueSS U isteu " ~ hh"h "AAO
was tickle and weak, bending like the
reed, or gorgeously clothed like cour-
tier; he was and still is Of another mold
IA prophet"
"This is he of whom it is written, Be
hold | send my messenger before thy
face, which shall prepare thy way before
thee" The prophecy is NAL. 3: l. The
Jews expected Elijah to return in per-
son before the coming of the Messiah.
Jesus declares unequivocally that John
is the prophet or messenger promised in
prophecy.
Not greater prophet than John;
because John stood nearest TO the Mes
siah, and was most intimately connected
with the advent of the worlds Savior;
as well as because his personal character
was so strong and noble. Yet in privi-
lcgc and opportunity, The that is least
in the kingdom of God is greater than
he.'
The verses that follow are important
See Matt. IL: 1919 and Luke Z: 29-35.
In Matthew appears the obscure saying,
From the days of John the Baptist I'M
til now the kingdom Of heaven suffereth
violence, and men of violence take 1t by
bo