Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

RRY YHEN Jesus healed the servant
of the Roman centurion tMat-
NM thew. SID He warned the
wv Jews that many shall come
from the east and the west.
and shall sit down with Abraham, anu
Isaac and Jacob. in the kingdom of
heaven. But the children of the kingdom
shall be cast out into outer darkness
The warning was given because the faith
of the Roman far surpassed that OF
the children Of the kingdom. We are to-
dav to have another illustration of this
truth.
1t is incomprehens.ble to the writer that
the committee in arranging this lesson,
has omitted the first twenty verses OF
this chapter. They are Indispensable 10
the study of the incident, and the teacher
should insist that they be carefully con-
sidered.
Historians have observed and dwelt
upon the fact that the hero's greatest dan
ger comes at the time of his greatest
popularity As the highest bi!low OF the
tide is followed by a decline, so the Wild
est huzzas of the multitude may give
place to mutterings and plots that endan-
ger, if they do not overturn the throne.
Christ had now touched the high-water
mark OF His popularity. His miracles had
lifted the multitudes into a very frenzy.
They believed that the time foretold by
the prophets had come. Jesus was the
Messiah: and the hated yoke of Roman
oppression would be speedily broken The
Jewish rulers became thoroughly alarmed.
Jesus was not such Messiah as they
expected or desired. This movement upon
the part of the people might bflhS upon
them the Roman armies and subject them
TO Illuminating penalties. But they feared
the people. They dreaded a movement that
might overthrow their authority and con-
vulse the nation.
Their uians were soon formed Spies
from Jerusalem were sent to dog the Mas
ters steps. and 10 report any departure,
N word deed from their estabnsher
customs. Apparently there was but ltt!e
10 report. The disciples had transgressed
the tradition of the elders by eating with
unWashed hands. No criminal offense IT
would seem. But the spies must needs
make the most of it. They complained
to the Master: and the complaint brought
a whitening rebuke from Christ. The law
of Israel and the law of humanity re-
auired the son to care for the poor and
aged father. But their traditions per
United the son, by pronouncing the word
Corban, i. e., & gift to God-though 1t
was not really given to God-to leave his
parents III helpless poverty. The scath-
ing denurciation that followed widened
the breach between Christ and the
rulers. Not FOR His own sake, put
for the sake of His disciples. it became
necessary TO leave Capernaum and go to
a place of greater quiet. The place Sc
lected was the coast of Tyre and Sidon.
This was outside of the jurisdiction of
Herod.
The territory which embraced Tyre and
Sidcp was inhabited principally by
Gentiles The division line separating
| 1t from Galiiee was a mountainous ridge.
which commanded beautiful view of
distant
sea 1t is not probable that Jesus really
passed beyond the confines of Gallee: as
that would have ~been an objectionable
| offense to the Jews. He was. however.
on the border seking a much needed
quiet for Himself and His disciples.
Mark says: He entered into a house
| and would have no man know it; but
| He could not be hid 1924.