Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-06-13

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kingdom Of God is greater than he - -
Luke 7:2S.
This Is the last lesson with the .v.
ception of one that we are To bayn
upon the character of John the Ran,
fist. Following the imprisoumert -
John by Herod, Jesus, for diplomats
reasons. made Capernaum his hesd,
quarters, and 1t was in Galilee THAI Nj.
great popular ministry was performed
Meanwhile John is shut up in the sort.
ress at Machaerus, on the east side =,
the Dead sea- For one who had baan
so intensely active to be Obliged 10
sit idly by and wait while another.
name and fame increases daily wes
severe test OF faith. His prototyna
Elijah, had to meet a similar testirs
Il Kings 10: 3. ~; why. therefore
need we wonder that doubts sbou,S
arise in the mind OF the creates,
born Of woman" Not one OF ne a,
all familiar with the experiences q,
life and the subtility of Temptation
will be surprised when under tbese
ton. v. 20. This doubt is SO natural
that 1t bears upon its very face tbs
stamp OF being genuine and that the
record was not fabricated II Is M.
ticable in the form of Johns question
that he had no doubt as to the char.
acter of Jesus, the genuineness of hs
miracles, nor any question but that he
was sent of God, but still he cues.
toned, "is this the Messiah"
John was not envious (Johr G.2-aN
he was too great a man TO DO that
| but yet Jesus had not welded the AK
as he had expected, hence the mes.
senger to Jesus and this frank aues.
! ton. John sets us the good examine
of taking his doubts to Jesus and
! Jesus in a most tender way answers
his doubling and at the same tine
turns it to his own advantage in con.
firming his claims as the Messiah
John Sought Not His Own Glory
The second half of the lesson g., the
tribute Of Jesus to the life and char
acter of John the Baptist. Jesus has
as we have Just seen, sent his word o.
comfort and cheer TO John when be
turns to the multitudes with a high'y
eulogistic testimony as to Johns work.
his worth and his greatness. True. bis
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 7:25). No, John was a
prophet, man sent, commissioned 10.
spired OF God. He had authority 10 |
speak for God duke 1916, 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 90 be-
fore his face and to prepare a highway
in the minds and hearts of Israel over
which Jesus the Messiah might enter
and begin the establishing OF this new
kingdom. II was in performing this
service that John filled one Of tbe
highest offices ever filled by man. 10
this eulogy We need to recall the dill
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 treme1'
dous with import. Literally he SAYS
II have told you these things abou'
John and about my kingdom, now you
who have ears have an obligation res
Ing upon you because of what nav
told you" There was need OF TN
understanding and accepting an III
portant teaching, but the unreasonaN
Scribes and Pharisees would accep
neither the austere John nor the MOI
social Jesus. John would not join
their gaity. Jesus mOurned not O'
led a more joyous life, yet they
jected him also. This "Son of Man
not of a man nor the man but son
man, of humanity, known as iTlehu
the needy and the outcast, Is hiIuSe
cast out by the religious leaders OF
time. Nevertheless in the wisdom
God duke 11:49) both John the n't
list, and Jesus the So1 Ct man anu
Mary, have been sent and t. Ttsu
of their lives and of their teacD|
prove them to be part OF GOD
plan. Gods wisdom is jusu"eu
49, by its workings or as some "''
late 1t by it's children"
Great as was John the toTeI "npy
yet he that is in this newer N.'su
Jesus came to establish is ya-.l s''
er than the old Hebraism.
One of the six Panama coAl-',
ers was, a few years ago, GU
porter at five dollars per "'rN,
during that time was much re.Ps
over the problems of the Christian, =,
and tormented by his doubts
successive nights he discusseu Va
ter with his pastor; on the pro
came with radiant face 10 lhl.
pastor that all his questorin-s ~;
settled for, said he. 81 vent " y"
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