The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-12-05
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDGYSC[1OOL
LESSON
By n o. SELLERS. Director OF Eve
ming Department The Moody Bible In
stitute OF Chicago)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 8
THE CHILD IN THE MIDST.

LESSON TExT-Matthew n.i-iI
GOLDEN TEXT-"1n heaven their an
gels DO always behold the face Of my
Father which IL in heaven."-hatthew
1910 r. v.
Like two mighty mountain peaks
there stand before us In this lesson
two Tremendously vital lessons. The
first and the foremost 10 that Of dis
cipleship as suggested by the ques-
ton in verse one, who Ia the great
est in the kingdom" And the second
lesson 10 that Of Christ's attitude to
wards children. Jesus again reveals
himself as the worlds greatest teach
er. He teaches by example-setting
a child before them. and by exhorta-
ton. Except ye become as children"
by contrast, etc.
The very form OF the disciples
question revealed their coarse ambi-
ton for power and clearly indicated
that they were as yet far from com
pretending the principles OF his
kingdom. One OF the most insidious
temptations that comes to the Chris
tian worker ia the ambitious desire
for place and power. II Is hard to
reconcile church politics with the
principles OF the kingdom OF God.
Jesus answers their question by
the use OF objective teaching that
always has such an advantage over
the purely metaphysical method OF an
swering such question. Placing
child in their midst he answered In
the words found In verse two OF the
lesson.
What He Meant.
The word verify" is tremendous
with emphasis. Il say" again re-
veals his authority to answer. "Ex-
cept ye turn" what does he mean7
To become childish No. but to be
come childlike; there Is vast deal
OF difference. There the child stands,
trustful. obedient, submissive. unself-
ish, pure. potential. imperfect, ready
10 receive impressions as wax and as
tenacious TO retain those Impressions
as granite. Pride. self-confidence.
disobedience. selfishness. impurity
assumed perfectness, and an unwill-
ingness TO learn will effectually keep
us out OF the kingdom OF heaven
What a rebuke his answer implied.
viz. not who is greatest but rather,
are you sure you sre really In the
Kingdom" The true disciple who
really comprehends the essence OF
Christ's teaching is far less con-
cerned with his rank in the kingdom
than he is to know him" and thus
make sure OF a place in the Kingdom.
Ever after this, when wrong ambi-
tons arose. these disciples must have
recalled that sweet child and Jesus
saying. be like that"
Does this lesson then teach us that
all children are by nature children OF
the kingdom7 Hardly. though we GER
tainly do not believe that a child dy-
ing In infancy is lost. Rather we In
cline TO the belief that they have
that spirit OF teachableness and trust
that fits them to ENTER" ". 81 the
kingdom (see John $50. Therefore,
the added Significance OF verse six.
The responsibility OF parents and
teachers TO lead them into the king
dom at this early age when their
trustfulness has not been destroyed.
Let us look at some OF the oondi-
lions whereby we enter the kingdom.
John 1879. II am the door, by me
shall ye enter" John ga. Except
We be born again" Heb. 3:i9, They
could not enter because of unbelief."
/ Read also Q Peter 1;5-11.
How to Become Great.
Having thus struck at the primary
question involved. Jesus then tells
them how, once being in the kingdom
TO become great. whose humbleth
himself etc" To humble yourself Ia
voluntarily to choose the humble, the
iowly, place for yourself; that place
removed from the admiration and the
adulation OF men. Paul learned this
lesson and constantly refers to him
self as the bond slave" and wishes
that he might be accursed for the
sake Of his brethren Israel. Moses
found this place when he pleaded with
| God TO blot him out Of the book OF
his remembrance but TO save the chill
dren OF Israel. Jesus is himself the
greatest illustration of this principle
(See Phil 2:6-11)
Jesus goes on TO teach by con
trast what Is to be our attitude to
ward those who are in the kingdom
There 10 an Incidental illumination
| OF the attitude Of little children to