The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-07-04
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNYSC[1OOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR JULY !
MALIGNANT UNBelIEF.
CBy E. o. SELLERS, Director OF Even
ing Department The Moody BIBLE IN
stitute OF Chicago)
! .rssoN TrxT-Mark s:@-@.


LESSON TExT-Msrk a:so-&.
GOLDEN TEXT-'This IL the judy
ment, that light IL come into the world
and men loved the darkness rather than
the light: for their works were evil
John 3.i9.
There are two kinds OF unbelief do
picted in this lesson. the malignant.
cruel, vindictive unbelief OF the Phari-
sees; and the Incredibly. the amaze
ment, the unbelief OF the family and
friends Of Jesus. There are three nat
ural divisions OF this lesson; first
v. 20, 2i) the unbelief OF his friends
who, beholding his marvelously busy
life. so busy as not to take time to
eat, concluded he must OF necessity
be insane on the subject Of religion.
as no other explanation would suffice.
Secondly ". 22-30) the malignant.
malicious, blind unbelief OF the rev
resentatives OF the rulers In Jerusa-
lem who had como down to "investi-
gate" the popular Galilee prophet.
that they might find wherewith to "ac-
cuse him" Third ". 3i-36) the unbe-
lief OF those his nearest OF kin who
also sought to restrain and to turn
him aside II possible from his ardu-
Gus labors. We have In this nrst
section another Of those wonderful COS
pei pictures, Just q touch. but so graph
ic, OF the eagerness OF the multitudes
to see and hear Jesus. simply to
hear him was enough to draw together
crowd Yet notice his response. he
would not even pause to refresh him
self but the compassion Of q great
mission compelled him to minister
unto them. what cared he for rest
or refreshment?
Miracles Explained.
The multitude had studied Jesus as
he performed his miracles and &C
counted him to be the Messiah Matt.
l2-29. but the Pharisees were not
then willing to acknowledge him. for
that would be to condemn themselves.
However. here are these miracles that
demand an explanation. and we must
remember that these men came with
a predetermined motive. viz. that
they might find wherewith 20 accuse
him (see v. 2 and 81 Not accepting
the plain common sense explanation
and his avowed purpose In performing
miracles INK. 2.10) they gave out that
II was by the power OF the Prince OF
Devils. Beelxebub. that Jesus perform
ed his mighty deeds. The utter fall
lacy OF such an accusation Is shown
by Jesus reply. He did not upbraid
them with anger though their accusa-
ton was the utmost limit OF malis-
nifty. Jesus knew that he must needs
endure Just such contradictions OF
sinners lisa 63;8. ~, nevertheless he
exposed their folly ". 23.2D. Jesus
here gives us q fine example Of logic.
which Is simply unanswerable. No
more can a divided Kingdom stand. or
a divided house stand than for Satan
to fight against himself. No more can
the thief capture his booty unless he
FIRST finds or deccives the guard. than
for Jesus to fight Satan and at the
same time be his vassal. Satan is o
came TO break. to overcome. that pow
err. for he is inded the stronger one.
The subjects Of Satan are his slaves.
In the revised version we md
the correct translation for verse 20.
'Whosoever shall blaspheme against
he Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness.
but is guilty OF an eternal SIM" thus
setting al rest any thought
of a future probation after our life
here upon this earth. II when men
love their evil deeds 10 such an ex-
tent that they refuse TO walk In the
light and resolutely set their faces
against the true Light. they commit
he last and irremediabls sin.
Sons Of God by Faith.
Lastly We see the kinfolk OF Jesus,
including his mother. seeking to with
iraw him from his conflict with the
Jerusalem lawyers. or. as has been sug.
yested. II they were among the friends
mentioned at the outset seeking to
protect him after this interruption by
aking him away to a place OF rest
-.e fetSs SSoub vau, uOWtN6T, not
Understood by his nearest and dear.
'st kinfolk; and such has ever been
he bitter grief OF many OF his follow
'rs. grief that 10 even harder to bear
han the denunciation OF his enemies
With all Of their Misrepresentation.
But he who was reviled and rsviled not
gain. who was led as a lamb to the
laughter. answers not this strange
Misunderstanding by any fash Of an
Ter. but In gsntlensss rebukes their
Interference with his plans and points
'ut that his nearest and dearest are
hose who do his viii. Jesus a. orr
treat High Priest IL here speaking not
q the Son Of Mary. but 40 the Son of
Nan.
Tho golden text throws wonderful
isht upon this whole lesson. He.
esus. the Light. came into the world
nd we must account for him. Like
,tlatA Wa hava hin, an o... 49, o.