The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-01-22
LESSON READING NOTICE

ss LESSON READING NOTICE
Mr. Meyers:
cannot attend Sunday School and
intend to read the lesson notes for !,
month beginning with the first week
in February, 1908.
If you intend to study the notes at home fill out
the above notice and send it Mr.. Meyers.
Jan. 26. Jesus Cleanses the
Temple. John 2:13-22.
The lesson tells of how Jesus went
up to Jerusalem and entered the great
Jewish temple. There he found the
large court or space surrounding the
more holy portions of the temple
used by those having animals for sale
as sacrifices, and those who exchanging
Jewish coins for those of other ma
tiohs.
1t should be remembered that the
Jews were still worshiping after the
instructions given them by Moses. and
as modified by the customs which had
grown up in the years since. They
had the priest kill for them an innu-
cent animal as sacrifice for the sins
of the owner. The magnificent Solo
mons temple had been destroyed
many hundred years ago. Later it
had been rebuilt when the Jews came
back from captivity. but not in its
original splendor. 1t was the rule
that all good Jews must go to Jerusa-
lem to worship and sacrifice. although
there were synagogues scattered
about where the sacred scriptures
were read and explained. There was
a temple offering which must be made
in Jewish coin. So in time. those
having animals fit for sacrifice had
crowded in. by custom. ready to sell
these to Jews coming from distance
or from the city having no animals
with them. The court had in the
time of Jesus. became loud market
place. and shrewed money graspers
charged goodly fee for giving Jew
ish coin which could be used at the
temple. in exchange for foreign coin.
1t was upon such a scene as this
that Jesus came. and he rightly
showed his Indignation by ordering
and driving out the hucksters and
overturning the tables of the money
changes. He said that Gods temple
should not be made house of mer-
chandise.
We shall speak of two of the great
thoughts which the lesson verse set
forth. 1t is one of the serious things
which confront those wishing to have
the world generally. and the church of
Jesus. grow better. that the spirit Of
gain and graft is constantly being
met. where holy and religious en-
beavers and thought should have full
sway. Many hold to the idea that
the church building and certainly the
room where the minister or priest
officiate should never be used for
any but strictly religious exercises.
Certain it is. that many have been
shocked at things which are done in
the room. sacred TO them by partak-
ing of the holy communion. and
scenes and time when it seemed as it
Gods Holy Spirit was in the midst.
This is question for each church
to decide for itself. but it were we'll
to be on the conservative side.
The great Apostle Paul wrote in
Cor. 6: l6 eye are the temples of the
living God" adding "God hath said /
will dwell in Them" In the begin
ming of things God breathed His spirit
into man. Thus it appears that our
bodies are temples in which God S
spirit dwells. If so. should they not
be kept clean. Should we commit
sins which are nasty, which wrecks
our bodies9 Again Gods spirit
should be in our hearts. How can we
expect it in neart full of wicked,
thoughts So let this lesson in par
ticular determine US to have clean
bodies. pure hearts. fit places for
Gods spirit to live in.
Let ali interested in better Sunday
schools remember that the state sec
rotary. Rev. Fitch will speak at Den
ison ON Tuesday Feb. 18th. At the
same time there will be held town.
ship convention for Denison. There
has been strong program arranged.
and every superintendent and teacher
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