The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-06-14

Kingdom OF Gou IL greater tndn No.
Luke 7:2S.
This Is the last lesson with the ex.
ception Of one that we are to have
upon the character of John the Bap-
fist. Following the imprisonment of
John by Herod, Jesus, for diplomatic
reasons, made Capernaum his head
quarters, and 1t was in Galilee that his
great popular ministry was performed.
Meanwhile John Is shut up in the fort
ress at Machaerus, on the east side OF
the Dead sea- For one who had been
so intensely active to be obliged to
sit idly by and wait while another's
name and fame increases daily was a
severe test of faith. His prototype,
Elijah, had to meet similar testing
Il Kings 10: 3, A.; why, therefore,
need we wonder that doubts should
arise in the mind Of the greatest
"born of woman" Not one Of US at
all familiar with the experiences OF
life and the subtility of temptation
will be surprised when under these
circumstances we read of Johns ques-
ton, v. 20 This doubt is so natural
| that it bears upon its very face the
stamp of being genuine and that the
record was not fabricated. 1t Is no
ticable in the form of Johns question
that he had no doubt as to the char
acter of Jesus, the genuineness Of his
miracles, nor any question but that he
was sent of God, but still he ques-
toned, "is this the Messiah?"
John was not envious John 3:27-36),
he was too great man to be that,
but yet Jesus had not welded the ak
! as he had expected, hence the mes
senger to Jesus and this frank ques-
ton. John sets us the good example
Of taking his doubts to Jesus, and
Jesus in a most tender way answers
his doubling and at the same time
turns it to his own advantage in con-
tirming his claims as the Messiah.
John Sought Not His Own Glory
The second half of the lesson is the
tribute of Jesus to the life and char
acter of John the Baptist. Jesus has
as we have Just seen, sent his word OF
comfort and cheer to John when he
turns to the multitudes with a highly
e eulogistic testimony as to Johns work,
his worth and his greatness, True, his
faith seemed to be shaken for the mo-
ment, but John was not reed sha'
ken of the wind" indeed not. John
was not a man seeking his own glory
duke 3:16) nor his own comfort
Matt. 81, ~. He was not clad stump
tuously Duke 1920. No, John was a
prophet, man sent commissioned, in
spired of God. He had authority to
speak for God duke 1:16, 26) in de-
claring Gods will to man. Yes, John
is all of this and more, for he was him
self the subject of Old Testament
prophecy (Mal. 81, etc.. This John
was chosen among all men to go be-
fore his face and to prepare highway
in the minds and hearts of Israel over
which Jesus the Messiah might enter
and begin the establishing Of this new
kingdom 1t was in performing this
service that John filed one Of the
highest offices ever filed by man. II
this eulogy we need to recall the dif
ference in the miraculous births Of
these two men. John super
.. naturally born of natural parentage
Jesus supernaturally born Of woman
but conceived of the Holy Spirit, hence
the words of Jesus are to be under
stood that among purely human beings
none greater was born of woman
Went to Christ Himself.
? Jesus words in verse Is are tremen
dous with import. Literally he says
1 81 have told you these things abou
John and about my kingdom, now yol
> who have ears have an obligation rest
ing upon you because Of what l have
Q told you" There was need OF thei
1 understanding and accepting an I'm
+ portant teaching, but the unreasonable
8 Scribes and Pharisees would accep
neither the austere John nor the NOR
8 social Jesus. John would not join II
r their gaity. Jesus pourned not blu
o led a more joyous life, yet they re
jected him also. This "Son Of Man,
I not of a man nor the man but son o
/ man, of humanity, known as friend
1 the needy and the outcast, is himsel
l. cast out by the religious leaders OF nj
time. Nevertheless in the wisdom o
+ God Ouke 11:49) both John the Bar
fist, and Jesus the Son of man and
+ Mary, have been sent and the result
n of their lives and of their teaching
8 prove them to be part of Gods Wis
Il plan. Gods wisdom is justified "
=, 49, by its workings or as some trans
o late it by its children"
r. Great as was John the forerunnel
v yet he that is in this newer kingdoI
II Jesus came to establish is vastly greai
er than the old Hebraism.
o One of the six Panama commission
q ers was, few years ago, a cub II
Q. porter at five dollars per week, an
II during that time was much perplexe
"a over the problems of the Christian III
and tormented by his doubts. Fou
d successive nights he discussed the ma
ter with his pastor; on the fifth b
n came with radiant face 70 inform hi