The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-08-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson W.-Third Quarter, Fol
Aug. 7, 1910.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text Of the Lesson, Matt. xix, l, 2. 10.
26-Memory Verses, 13-15-GoIden
Text, Matt. xix, 1+commentary
PREPARED by Rev, ., NJ. S.earns.

Text, Matt. xix, 1+Commentary
Prepared by Rev. D. NJ. s.earns.
We have but one lesson in this far
reaching chapter which also looks on
to the kingdom. when the twelve apOs-
ties shall sit on twelve thrones judging
the twelve tribes of Israel (verse 2S,.
According to the harmony, there
should come in the sequence of events
between the last lesson and this one
the whole of Luke X to xvii and John
vii to ri, but the opening verses Of our
chapter give a suggestive summary il
taken in connection with Mark K. 1,
Great multitudes followed Him, and
He healed them there: and as He was
wont He taught them again." He was
ever teaching them Of the kingdom
and showing them by His healing all
manner Of disease something of the
habitant shall not say. / am sick. and
the people that dwell therein shall be
forgiven their iniquity lisa. xxxiii, "a.
Christendom of today, however, has
no more use for kingdom teaching than
it has for our Lords teaching ON di-
vorce verses 3-12), and can this be
wondered at when from so many pull
pits it is declared that there never was
literal Adam and Eve, completely
setting aside the Adam and Eve facts
of n1 Inv T <,D.f1 in, 4 =
Why profess to honor Jesus even as u
good man and set aside His plain
teaching as if He knew nothing? Sure
ly this evil age must be fast drawing
to close, and the kingdom must be
drawing nigh. Will you be there?
From the story of the little children
onward this lesson Is also found in
Mark and Luke xviii, and it is the
first lesson since that on the transfig-
uration which is recorded by the three.
slider what we have just noted con-
corning the large portion recorded only
by Luke and John. In very recent
lesson we had some teaching concern
ing the children, but now we have a
contrast in the little children and the
rich young ruler between such as en-
ter the kingdom and such as cannot.
They brought these little ones-in
Luke they are called infants-that He
might put His hands on them and
pray. The apostles are SO out of har-
mony with the mind Of Christ that
they actually rebuke those who
brought them. Jesus was much dis
pleased and uttered the memorable
words which have ever since been Il
comfort to multitudes of mothers
hearts, Suffer the little children to
come unto me and forbid them not, fer
of such is the kingdom Of God" And
He took them up in His arms. put His
hands upon them and blessed them"
Mark X, IA. 16). like to associate
with this act and these words of His
the words of Zech. viii. 5. '.The streets
Of the city shall be full of boys and
girls playing in the streets thereof"
For. while that refers to Jerusalem on
earth when 1t shall have become a
holy city. is it not true that all true
earthly joy is but faint suggestion
Of the joys of the kingdom? Receive
His word, receive Himself, as simply
and unquestioningly as little child.
Now mark the contrast. Here il
young man. a ruler, very rich. having
great possessions, morally very good,
for he thought lie had kept the COM
mandments from his youth up. and
certainly very earnest. for he came
running and kneeled to Jesus with his
question, Good Master, what good
thing shall l do that may have eter-
nal life:" That lie might see himself
and his real need the Lord set before
him the commandments. for the inten-
ton of the law is to bring us all in
guilty before God (Rom. iii. 10, that
we, seeing our guilt and our helpless
ness, may be willing to be justified
freely by His grace The law as
whole not seeming to affect him, for
in his self Righteousness he fancied he
had kept all, our Lord brought him
face to face with the first one. Thou
shalt have no other gods before Me-"
by suggesting that he give all that he
had to the poor and thus transfer his
treasure to heaven, then die to self
and follow Jesus, for, as one has said,
HE who bears his cross is on his way
to his execution" That ended the ill.,
terview, and he went away sorrowful
He was unconsciously an idolater:
his wealth and his morality and prob
ably his standing among men were
more to him than Jesus Christ and life
eternal; hence our Lords statement
that it was next to impossible for such
to enter the kingdom. Rich people
such as Abraham, David. Zaccheus
and others have been saved, so that
literal poverty is not essential to sal
walton. but poverty of spirit. con-
seriousness of guilt and helplessness
and nothingness before God certainly
is lisa. Xvi, 2; Luke xviii, 13. II: Matt.
V, 3; Tit. iii. 5. G.. This stirs aues-
ton in Peters mind: Behold. we have
forsaken all and followed Thee. What
shall we have. therefore?'' Verse 81,
Then comes our Lords reply concern
Ing the kipgd0m. with which: we began
the lesson. Compare His words in
Luke xii, $3.50, "Ye are they who
have continued with Me in My tempta-
lions. And ] appoint unto you king
dom. as My Father hath appointed
unto Me: that We may eat and drink at
NV table in NV kingdom and sit n,