The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-10
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 10.
CLEAN AND UNcLEAN.

God ts not eating and drinking. but right
eousness and peace and Joy in the Holy
ohost"-Rom. 1911 r. v.
This lesson deals with the last OF
those four events that marked the
crisis in the life Of Jesus at Caperna-
um. II occurred just before the third
period OF his Galilean ministry and his
final departure for Jerusalem.
Lessons II. and VII. OF the second
quarter OF this year showed us Jesus,
attitude towards the law. Here we
see his attitude towards rabbinical ira
dition. Cd They are the traditions OF
men. and not the law OF God. (2) They
we're made pretext whereby men
evaded the commands OF the law.
We see before us three general divi-
sions, 1.-The accusation, v. IT.; H.
The answer. v. 6-13. and IlI.-The ap-
plication, v. 1923.
Ceremonial Neglected.
The growing hatred OF the Phari-
sees led them to make the long Jour-
ney from Jerusalem that they might
observe him and find wherein to ac-
cuse him. While they we're studying
him they at the same time revealed
their ideal OF the kingdom OF God.
They took special notice that the dis
ciples OF Jesus ate without the careful
observance OF the ceremonial cleans
ing OF their hands. We must not un'
derstand this to mean so much the
removal OF actual uncleanness, but
rather that the disciples had neglect
ed the ceremonial observance OF the
washing OF hands OF which the Phari
sees were so punctilious. Mark ".
and a adds illumination by calling
especial attention to these traditions
to which the Jews adhered SO tena
/ cIously. Thus we can see that theil
/ ideal OF mans relation to God wal
largely a matter OF external ceremony
| Purity TO them was an outward mat
ter, something largely governed by thu
traditions of men and which they ha'
received to hold" v. s. The answer
OF Jesus reveals very opposite ideal
lie begins by calling the Pharisee'
hypocrites. A hypocrite Is pla!
actor, one who hides behind a mask
Then applying the prophecy OF Isaiah
Jesus tells the Pharisees that the!
are hiding their true character behin'
the mask OF ceremonial cleansing
Such play acting is but a poor I'M
tation OF the real heart condition dc
manded by God FPS. 5l:10). Thei
hearts were far from God even thoug
with their lips they professed I
serve him, "and many like thing
we do" The service which is pleas
ing to God Is the doing OF his will.
consists not in the fulfilling OF ri
ual. but in the fulfllment OF life. Q. 9
growing character.
Disciples Perplexed.
Jesus takes advantage OF this dill
cusslon and turning to the mutitud
upon whom the Pharisees would bin
such a grievous burden OF cermonia
ism and falsehood Matt. 23:D warn
them that IL Is not 30 much that whic
enters into a man that defiles him. bu
rather that which proceeds out OF
man, v. Is. 1t seems quite natural tha
the disciples should be perplexed an
should ask Jesus what was meant b
such a statement. Jesus answer.
1929, shows us very clearly thi
these things coming forth, reveal II
corruption within. Read Matthe
1894, IS, Gen. 6:5 and James 3:lo1
Real purity is purity Of heart, II th
heart be not cleansed. what will
avail II we wash the hands? Wha
! then, is the application for this pre-
ent day? Clearly We are taught II
danger Of lip service without chang
OF heart. The danger OF substitutir
, the good for the best. Forms ar
! ceremonies are good and have the
| place. They are significant. The
. are important teaching factors. b.
/ they must not be substituted for
, pure heart. We must beware lest v
= hide behind such a mask.
D There is here also the plain teac
ing as to Jesus estimate OF the Pc
. tateuch and inferentially OF the prop
; ecy Of Isaiah. He specifically calls
!. the WORD OF God" Surely We ca
. accept his estimate as contrast'
D with the traditions Of the elders
! the Consensus Of modern thought"
I There IL here also great opport
i nifty to emphasize filial duty. Tn
is a day and a time that needs emph
0 sis upon the fifth commandment. Co
o sideration OF parents sacrifice. coo
0 Grafton with them In the bearing
burdens. comfort for them In sorro
and adversely. and cheer for them
they journey down LIES pathway. +
. ial disrespect and an iconoclastic
reverence OF things holy are "
. things that are cursing the rising &c
: Grafton.
!; And lastly. there is here less
to emphasize as to what constitut
. real cleansing. The believer
. cleansed "once for all" Heb. lo-l-l
= but needs frequent daily confessi'
q that he may abide In unbroken 4
iowship. The blood OF Christ n
only cleanses from the guilt but 4
defilement also.-Eph. 6:26-27 and
u John SIS.