The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-07
The
INTERNATIONAL LESSON CON-
MENTS FOR AUGUST IS.
Subject: Jesus Entering Jerusalem,
Matt. 21:1-17-Commit to Mem-
DRY Verses 10, II.

in the highest" Matt. 21:9.
TIME. - Saturday and Sunday,
April l and 2. A. D. 80.
PLACE.-Eethphage and Jerusa-
lem.
EXPOSITICN.-I. Jesus Entering
Jerusalem as the Son of David, Ill.
AS Jesus drew near Jerusalem He
sent two Of His disciples on a trying
errand. 1t was a trial of faith. These
disciples proved themselves to be dis
ciples indeed ,rby doing precisely what
the Master told them to do ". g..
This is the supreme test OF disciple
ship (Jno. 15:14I. They found every
thing Just as Jesus said it would be
(Luke 1882. In putting their own
garments on the colt for Jesus to sit
upon they proclaimed their W ac-
ceptance of Jesus as king tcf. = x.
9:13). Thus Jesus entered Jerusa-
lem in literal fulfllment Of Zecha-
riah's prophecy (Zech. 500. Those
who protest against a literal interpre-
tation Of prophecies as yet unfulflled,
would do we'll to note carefully with
what minute literalness Christ has
fulfilled the prophecies that have been
fulfilled. The crowd as we'll as the
disciples proclaim Jesus king. The
enthusiasm was tremendous Ono.
1919. AS they turned the corner
Of the Mount and Jerusalem rose be-
fore their view the people began to
rejoice and praise God. They sang
one Of the Messianic psalms FPS. lis:
25, 26), and uttered like shouts. 1t
seemed out of place to the Pharisees
for them to so forget their dignity
and get so excited in Christ's service
(Luke 1899, 40). Unfortunately
the enthusiasm of the people for
Jesus was short-lived. But as short
lived as their enthusiasm was it was
more thorough-going and hearty asd
less calculating while it lasted than
that Of many modern %professed Chris
tians. 1t is q beautiful sight to see
people throwing the best they have
at Jesus feet to pave the way for the
kingdom. But Jesus did not join in
the joy. He wept while others
shouted (Luke 19:41-44). All the
city was stirred as Jesus entered. No
one causes such a commotion as Jesus
in any city which He enters. Wher-
ever He goes there is a shaking up
and a questioning and O. division.
The question the people asked was an
important one. 1t was asked again
and again comp. Luke 5:21; 7:49;
$50. We do we'll to ask il, too.
"Who is this" that so nightly stirs
the hearts of men? The multitudes
replied: This is the prophet" But
we have a better answer: This is in
deed the Son Of God, the Saviour Of
the World"
II. Jesus Cleansing the Temple as
the Son of God, 1914. A second time
Jesus cleanses the temple (Jno. Pip
10. The first cleansing had not
prove permanent, nor did this, but
1t expressed the mind of God n OF
Christ. His mind is just the same
to-day. When He looks at the build
ing dedicated to the service of God
transformed from "a house OF
prayer" into "a den Of robbers" His
anger wakes hot. All these things
He found in the temple were con-
nected somehow with worship. They
we're sacrificial animals they were
selling and buying. 1t was money to
use for the offering which they were
exchanging for the Roman coin. But
though it was o~stensibly in the name
of God. it was really for the sake of
private gain. He cleansed the whole
thing out. But suddenly there Is a
different scene, the blind and the
lame draw nigh. How swift is the
transformation from terrific indigna-
ton to gentlest compassion. we
have men to-day who are fearless in
their denunciation and mighty in
their overthrow of evil entTenched in
high places. We have also men full
of gentleness and love toward the I'M
fortunates. How seldom are these
two opposite factors Of moral
strength found united in one nan.
But so it was with Jesus. 1T pleased
the Father that in Him should all
fullness dwell" (Col. 1:9). And we
can be made full in Him (Col. 2:10,
R. W. The eyes that had blazed a
moment before, as He looked upon
those VINO had made His Fathers
house a den Of robbers, now beamed
with a gentleness and compassion
that n.ver shone in other eyes. He
healed them" He is just the same
to-day (Heb. 1879. o, suffering one,
come to Him; He will pity and He
will heal.
III. Jesus Criticised by the Eccle"
siastics and Praised Ey the Babes and
Stockings, 1917. The chief priests
and scribes were sore disp!aased."
Of course they were. Such are al
ways displeased when any one gets
any praise but themselves, and they
are not happy when good is done IN
less their hands do it. The blessing
upon the work in the church around
the corner is a reflection upon them
selves, and can't be tolerated. The
offending party must be destroyed
Comp. Luke 19:4O. Alas, this
spirit is not dead yet. And alas
again. mos. OF us have some of it in
ourselves. It's a thoroughly bad
leven. 1t murdered Christ. Envy
lies at the root Of it Comp. Jno. IL:
1850, 81; 1910; Acts 4:1G-1S).
But while the priests were sore DIS
pleased at the children's praise. Jesus
was greatly pleased with it. He said
it was most scriDtural. And He is
pleased to-day when childrens voices
raise their sweet, pure hos2nnas to
Him. At the close of the busy, weary,
trying day He returns t. the rest OF
the dear home in Bethany.