The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-01-15

LEAN MINISTRY.
Matt 4: Ie-25.)
Golden Text: THE people which sat
in darkness saw great light Matt
4: 10.
The story of the ARE It OF John the
Baptist is not here told. The sad mar
rative is given in detail by Mark (chap-
Herod might lay hands on him also,
and our lesson begins with the story OF
his cautious action.
VS.. IL. John was apparently arrest
ed in Judea in the midst of his minis
try But his work was done. He had
prepared the way for the coming OF the
Messiah. There was no more for him
to do. He was not compelled to preach
until his popularity had waned. and the
crowds had left him TO hear another
man. He was in that happier than
some ministers now. Perhaps it is
better to be cast i'll prison than to have
broken heart.
Jesus Withdrew to Galilee out OF
Herod's easy reach. Evidently he
went first to Nazareth, which had been
his home. But it was too small and de-
spised. He soon sought larger
sphere.
vs.. 10. Capernsum was an import
ant town on the Sea OF Galilee by its
northwestern coast, at point where
the boundaries OF the two old tribes OF
Zebuun ard Naphthali met 1t was a
rich town garrisoned by the Romans,
and had at least one fine synagogue
that Roman officer had built and
given to the Jews of the city. 1t was
the metropolis OF the region, and a
point where Jesus would be in contact
with large numbers OF people
Nss. I4-I6 Matthew announces that
the action OF Jesus was in order that
the Scripture might be fulfilled. 1t
does not seem possible that Jesus de-
liberateiy attempted to fulfill the Scrip
lures and make prophecy come true.
it seems rather that Matthew, looking
it did fulfill prophecy, and SO he re-
corded as he has The Scripture is II
be found in Isaiah 9: I-3. Zebulun and
Naphthali touched. Capernaum was on
the border OF each. Ga;lee was de-
spised province a mixed people dwclt
there. The blue blooded Jews were for
the most part IN Judea Galilee was in
darkness. because it was far from the
Holy City and the center OF light
which was the Temple But when
Christ went t" Capcrnaum the Light
% the World" shone there
VS.. Y. The preaching oi Christ be-
gan in Capcrnaum, not in Jerusalem.
His message was exactly the same IS
that OF John the Baptist. No preacher
ever rose higher than that message
The one cry necessary for men to hear
is repent. That word means. Think
again" Think the other way"
Think better OF it, Are YOU tempted
to steal, swear. lie, deceive? Think
better OF it Are YOU living an I'M
worthy lie. fraudulent life? Think
better OF it.
Gods kingdom is at hand \ king
dom OF the heavens is at hard. An ex-
allied kingdom. holier kingdom. bet
ter kingdom III which only that which
is noble. good and true is the law Get
ready Tor it, Think about ii. Repent.
vs.. IS Jesus finds Simon and An
drew. This was rot his first acquaint-
ancc Thcy had been at the Jordan
when John bantizcd They had talked
with Jesus there. They had gone back
to -Galilcc with him. They had evidently
returned to their business after the
we lding i'll Cana of Gailec. Perhaps
the TACT that they and James and John
lived in Cape "naum made Jesus choose
that city ior his home
Nss. 10 go The call and the respoi sc
0f the two who became very influential
IN the new movement is here given.
4, L, 4