Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-08-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson W.-Third Quarter, For
Aug. 7, 1910.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text of the Lesion, Matt. xix, I, 2. 49,
26-Memory Verses. 13-f5-Goiden
Text, Matt. xix. 14-Commentsry
PREPARED by Rev. D. M. Stearns.


Prepared by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
We have but one lesson i'm 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 2SI.
According TO the harmony, there
should come in the sequence Of events
between the last lesson and this one
the whole of Luke Y TO xvii and John
vii to xi, but the opening verses OF our
chapter give Il suggestive summary IL |
taken in connection with Mark Y. l,
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 |
nature OF kingdom i'm which the in-
habitant shall not say. | am sick. and
the people that dwell therein shall be
forgiven their iniquity lisa. XxXiii. 24.
Christendom of today. however. has
no more use for kingdom teaching than
it has for our Lords teaching on di-
vorce oversees 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
as stated by our Lord in verses 4, D
Why profess 70 honor Jesus even as a
good man and set aside His plain
teaching as If He knew nothing? Sure
~ this evil age must be fast drawing
to a 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
drst lesson since that on the trahsng-
uration which is recorded by the three
To see the force of this we must con
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
contrast I'm 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 a
comfort to multitudes of mothers
hearts, suffer the little children to
come unto me and forbid them not, for
Of such is the kingdom of Cod" And
He took them up in His arms. put His
hands upon them and blessed them
: mark Y, IA, l6l. like TO associate
with this act and these words of His
the words Of Zech. viii. 3. 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 it shall have become 4
holy city. is It not true that all true
earthly joy is but a faint suggestion
Of the joys of the kingdom! Receive
His word, receive Himself, as simply
and unQuestioningly rs little child.
Now mark the contrast. Here Is ;
young man. a ruler very rich, having
great possessions. morally very good
for he thought he had kept the com
mandments from his youth up, an'
certainly very earnest, for he cam
i running and kneeled to Jesus with hi
question. Good Master, what ZOO
thing shall do that | may have eteI
nal ife?" That he might see hmscl
and his real need the Lord set befor
him the commandments. for the inter
ton OF the law is 20 bring us all /
guilty before God (Rom. iii, 19i tina
!. we, seeing our guilt and our helpleS,
ness. may be willing to be justlie
freely by His grace. The law as
whole not seeming to affect him. f.
Q in his self Righteousness he fancied Ii
had kept all. our Lord brought hi
face to face with the first one. Tho
shalt have no other gods before Me
by suggesting that he give all that /
had to the poor and thus transfer h
~ treasure TO heaven. then die to Sc
. and follow Jesus, for. as one has sal
=. lie who bears his cross is on his wa
- to his execution" That ended the i
~ terview, and he went away sOrrowfu
~ He was uncOnsciOusly an idOlate
r. his wealth and his morality and pro
ably his standing among men we
Sts more to him than Jesus Christ and p
taS eternal; hence our Lords Siaten'y
II. that 1t was next to impossible for Su
:. to enter the kingdom. Ri y leui
~ such as Abraham. David Zacchc
~ and others have been saved. so til
IL literal poverty is not esscnt ial To ;
y. walton. but poverty Of spirit, G,
~ seriousness of guilt and hclpleSSn,
II. md unthinnrnoSs Lnfnro God cnrin !,