Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-03-02

Mark !, 9-11--Dedicadon to God
The Baptist had startled the moral
lethargy of the nation, so that the re-
suits of his work became known even
In the out of the way village of Naza-
reth. Probably some of the villagers
had attended his ministrations- Jesus
realized that his ministry was now to
begin. And where should be go first
but to the prophetic reformer of Israel
and identify himself with this radical
movement? "Was baptized of John"
The details Of the interview between
Jesus and John are furnished by Mat
thew and Luke. Mark merely men
lions the significant fact in his brief
and picturesque style (a) He saw
the heavens opened "Rending asun-
der" This was a vision of the mind
and heart of God given to Jesus in re-
Spouse to his surrender '-to fulfill all
righteousness" Cb) 1.-THE Spirit like a
dove ascending upon him." The dove
is a symbol of the meek and gentle
operations of the divine Spirit which
were Enthusiastically experienced by
Jesus (1att. II, 29). (c) There came
voice from heaven" 1t was heard by
the attentive ear of Jesus, and 1t gave
him the Strengthening sense of init
mate fellowship with the Father,
whose presence was now manifested to
him more inspiringly than ever during
the years of happy obscurity' in Naz-
areth. This threefold experience on
the threshold of his ministry was eli
max of what had gone before, and 1t
was an earnest of what was yet to
come during the eventful days that
were to be filed full with abundant
labors for the redemption Of the world.
Matt. tv, 14.-Reliance on God
At his baptism Jesus became con-
scious of the possession of superhuman
powers, and he at once retired into the
solitudes to perfect his plans for his
Messianic ministry. 1t was a season Of
intense conflict, but he entered into this
severe struggle lied up of the Spirit"
under divine guidance, and he came
out Of it victorious, with the assurance
Of worldwide conquest 1.-THE wilder
ness" This was a monotonous region
above the plain of Jericho, tenanted by
wild beasts and the hiding place Of
brigands. when he had tasted" Mat
thew records that the temptations
came at the close Of his long vigil.
which was spent in absorbing medita-
ton. Mark and Luke state that he was
tempted during the "forty days" Both
meditation was broken by physical
hunger feeling of weakness overcame
him. Command that these stones be
made bread" Why not exercise his
miraculous powers and provide for his
Immediate need? mot by bread alone"
Comfort must not be purchased at the
cost of character. Compare John vi,
81 Why may he not rely on the divine
ctr OIL m Srraf tai mr.
itual and material necessities7 The
promise is clear Oeut. viii. 81, and
he would exercise trust In God In a
true filial spirit rather than dishonor
his Father by self qualification. The
spirit of self denial was here nlustrat-
ed, and It was frequently enforced in
his teaching duke tx, 23).
Verses 5-7.-Faith in God.
Would he use spiritual weapons In
spired by love or material weapons
charged with force in advancing his
kingdom7 It would be a rare oppor-
tunity to capture the Jewish hierarchy
by an extraordinary display Of signs
and marvels. 1.-The pinnacle Of the
temple" the roof of one of the porches
or the apex Of the temple proper. From
this height let him fling himself down
into the court below, for instance, when
the multitudes have assembled to cele-
brate some festival. His safe descent
would at once recall the prophecy con-
corning Messfanic protection ops. xci,
IL, 12), and he would be instantly
hailed by priests and people as Gods
anointed Here Is a case Of Scripture
perversion when a passage L. taken
out of It's setting and grossly misap-
Piled 1t IS a principle worth remem-
bering in Interpreting the Scriptures
that 1t is not the words, but the thought
and the spirit of the Scriptures, that
must be considered first The reply of
Jesus is in the words of another Scrip
ture Oeut. vi, 16). mot tempt mot
make trial Of" To test God is not the
same as to trust him. He would ac-
cept the divine viii and not force an
unwilling and unconvinced people into
his kingdom
Verses S-11--Service of God
Since he is the Messiah and it Is his
purpose to win the world, why should
he not do so by an easy way? "Au
these things" The pomp and glory. the
wealth, culture and prizes Of the world
how animatfng the thought of their
being transformed and possessed. By
what means "Worship me-" Enter into
an alliance with the world, compromise
with its spirit OF worldnness, occupy
some middle ground; it will then be
easy to win the allegiance of the world
But such a course can never be con-
sistent with the honor of God, who