The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-12-23
The
Sunday school
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DECEMBER 26.

MENTS FOR DECEMBER 26.
Subject: The Birth of Christ, Matt. .:
1-12--GoIden Text: Matt. ~1:21
Commit Verses II, Com.
mentary on the Lesson.
TINE B. C.
PLACES.-Jerusalem Bethlehem.
EXPOSITION.-I. The Wise Men
Seeking Jesus to Worship Him, 1. 2.
The certainty of Gods Word comes
out remarkably in this passage Seven
nundred years before Micah had pro-
phesied that He that was Ito be Ruler
in Israel, whose goings forth have
been from old, from everlasting" was
TO come forth out OF Bethlehem (Mi-
cah SGD. But she that was chosen
to be the mother of Jesus did not live
In bethlehem, but far away Nazar-
eth. But men who were utterly un-
conscious of Gods purposes and pro-
phecfes, by many DEGREES and ways
worked together so that Mary was
brought to Bethlehem at the time of
our Lords birth. and thus Gods
Word was fulfilled and His eternal
plan carried out (cf. Luke 2:1-6: Ps.
io:io). The sure word Of prophecy
by man who was borne along by
the Holy Spirit" was thus fulfilled to
the very letter, in spite of all the cum
ning or great men. Through their
very wfckedness, Gods purposes and
words were fulfilled. These wise men
from the East were the ancient magi.
They were students Of the stars. as
trologers; they sought to live up to
the best light they had, and God met
them where they were and gave them
more light. 1t is always so; he that
- ght that he has will
cts 10:1-5. 30-32),
, n-s '." I.' refuses to live up to
''. ~. r' 'ta ' has will lose even
.'t. -'.. 20: Thess. 2:1l,
died the stars, God
led them by star. The bright light
that led them on was dim, only star
light, but 1t was the best they had:
and, as they followed it faithfully.
COD gave them fuller light, that Of
HIS revealed Word. and following
that they find Him who IS the Light
OF the world" (John S:12). In their
earnestness to find the King. they
took long, weary Journey, but their
LABOR was abundantly rewarded.
Ihey made far better use of their
little light than the chief priests and
scribes did OF their fuller light.
III. Herod Seeking Jesus to Kill
hlm' S-S. The tidings that came to
Herod that the King was come should
have brought him joy, but in reality
they troubled him. for he wanted to
De King himself. So many a heart to-
Gay that ought to welcome Christ as
hlng with Joy is troubled at the dec
iaraton that Christ is King, for we
wish to be king ourselves. But NOT
only Herod was troubled, but al Jeru-
salem. as well. Jerusalem. the city
OF the great King, whose whole glory
was to centre in Him, was UNWILLING
10 receive Him when He came: was
troubled about His coming instead of
rejoicing at 1T (John 1:11. How
many In the church would be trou-
oIea II they knew Jesus was coming
tomorrow Herod thought the pro-
per pace 70 go Tor Information about
the Christ was to the Scriptures In
that he was right (John 5:39). Jf
ne had studied the Bible rs he Ought
Ior hfmself 1t would not have been
necessary for him to go to the chief
priests and scribes to tell him: but
many kings and many common peo-
pie instead of searching the Scrjn-
lures for themselves, depend unon
the theologians for their information
Herod was very thorough in his
search to find out about the Christ:
ne gathered all the chief priests and
an the scribes; he inquired diligently
or the wise men; he told them to go
and search diligently. He laid his
plans with great skill: he was bound
10 make sure. He thought he had
left no loophole in his schemes hut
he had left God out of his calcula-
tions, so in spite Of his thoroughness
they all came to nothing.
III. The Wise Men Finding Jesus.
o-1S. AS soon as the wise men have
received the desired information thew
started Immediately to find the King
Whom they sought. Again God leads
them by the star. and leads them to
the very spot where the young child
was. They were more accustomed to
pelng led by stars than any other
way and God adapts His leading to
our necessity. While Herod and Je-
rusalem had been troubled at the
tnought that Christ was come, the
wise men or the East rejoiced with
exceeding great joy to find Him
Those who enjoy tbs largest nriviI-
eges, oftentimes least appreciate
them, and those who have the least
ISnt are most eager for more (cf
Matt. $40, III. There Is an eager
ness to hear about Christ to-day in
heathen lands that is sometimes lack
Ing in so-called Christian lands. There
Is no greater Joy to the true heart
tnan that of finding Jesus. When
they entered the house they fell down
and worshiped Jesus. They saw Mary.
His mother. but they did not Worship
her. Worship may not have meant
TO them all that it means to us, but it
is right TO worship Jesus Heb. 1:6).
When they had worshiped they pre-