Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-09-11

The paragraph mark separating
verses 81 and % should rightfully be
removed for that portion is but a con-
tinuaton and a contrast with what
has gone before. AS we see from
Lukes account, Jesus has sent out
the seventy who return Boosting Of
what had been accomplished in Jesus
name, only to receive his reproof that
they are not so much to rejoice in
that as that their names were written
"in heaven"
Jesus had made his appeal to Judel
only TO be rejected: he has done a
marvellous work in Galilee only to be
rejected there also. and thus it leads
to his appeal to the individual. Jesus
knew that every problem of the
church. financial or otherwise. every
problem of the body polite, is in its
final analysis one Of the condition Of
the individual heart
We have before us a twofold divi-
sion of this lesson:
I. Those Who Reject. One can
scarce reconcile the speaker of this
first section with him who spoke the
last words, but is any denunciation
more awful than that of outraged
love- There is no contradiction here
for his invitation is extended to the
very people whom he has denounced.
Chorazin and Bethsaida. laden with
sin, are urged to break off their yoke
Of bondage. be reconciled with him.
become yoked with him whose burden
is light.
Judgment Inevitable.
These cities had their day of oppor-
tunity. In like manner we notice that
the measure OF the judgment is the
measure Of opportunity. The fate Of
Tyre and Sodom was awful. but more
terrible is to be the fate. in the day
of Judgment, of Chorazin and Beth
saida. because they sinned against the
greater light. The possible exaltation
OF Capernaum as shown by the ques-
ton asked In verse %.
Again we need to note that judg-
ment is inevitable. 1t is the lot and
portion of us all Jesus created a
wonderful opportunity for those cities
and in a like manner has created one
| for US as individuals of the city, what
will be our accounting in the judg-
ment? We as citizens are being illu-
] minated by a wonderful revelation Of
truth and righteousness. Shall New
| York. Chicago and other large cen
tiers became as ancient Capernaum or
| Babylon. Nineveh and Tyre?
IL Those Who Come to Jesus.
Coming now to the second section Of
our lesson, one can feel the tender
pathos of the voice of Jesus as he
turns from the whole to the individ-
uals who comprise the whole and
cries-"Hither TO me-" Not alone
those who are burdened by ceremon-
ialism or guilt but a more wonderful
scope than that. All who labor" His
invitation is. however, limited, for It
is to the laboring. thus excluding the
wilfully idle, whether they be idle ma.
terially or spiritually.
Offers Life.
Jesus knew the rest of harmonious
relation to the Father. the rest of
service, and so the climax of his in
vitation is the test of experience. V.
so, For my yoke is easy and my bur
den is light" Notice that our labor
is to be fruitful, heavy laden" but
the joy of service far outweighs any
thought of its becoming a duty and
therefore onerous. 4 yoke implies =
being attached to Il load and with an
other. How may we know If his
words be true? There is but one con-
ditiOn, Come" Jesus meant just
what and all that word implies. The
babe sitting upon the knee of its nurse
knows what IFS mother means when
she calls Come" and so Jesus ex-
tends his arms to sOrrowful, laden
humanity as we'll as to ceremonially
laden Israel and says Come" Not
, to a church or to some religious lead
, er. but to Jesus himself The invita-
tion is very personal both as TO the
one who shall come. and the one to
whom we are to come.
There is in this lesson q luminous
suggestion of Jesus method of deal.
ing with the ills of our great cities.
He does not propose a lot of mega
tions, but offers a life. an energizing
power that shall enable a company OF
his believers to change these condi-
lions OF ILL., Some one has called at
tention to Jesus attitude towards the
Roman empire. Not one word OF
specific rebuke nor denunciation, yet
in approximately three hundred years
there was a Christian emperor upon
that throne.
These words of Jesus thrill with
music. They have been a solace
throughout the ages. They have
brought into his kingdom countless