The Nevada County picayune., 1912-10-11


 This lesson deals with the last of those four events that marked tie crisis in the life of Jesus at Caperna um. It occurred just before the third period of his Galilean ministry and his final departure for Jerusalem.
 Lessons H. and VII. of the second quarter of this year showed us Jesus attitude towards the law Here we see his attitude towards rabbinical tra. dition. CD They are the traditions ot men, and not the law of God. @ They were made pretext whereby men evaded the commands of the law.
 We see before us three general divi. sions. I.-The accusation V. 1-5; h. The answer, v. 6-13, and IlI.-The ap- phcation. V. 14-23.
 Ceremonial Neglected.
 The growing hatred of the Phari. sees led them to make the long jour- ney from Jerusalem that they might observe him and find wherein to ac. cuse him. While they were studying him they at the same time revealed their ideal of the kingdom of God They took special notice that the dis ciples of Jesus ate without the careful observance of the ceremonial cleans ing of their hands. We must not un. derstand this to mean so much the removal of actual uncleanness. but rather that the disciples had neglect ed the ceremonial oservance of the washing of hands of which the Phari- sees were so punctilious. Mark (v. 3 and 4) adds illumination by calling especial attention to these traditions to which the Jews adhered so tena- ciously. Thus we can see that their ideal of mans relation to God was largely a matter of external ceremony. Purity to them was an outward mat ter. something largely governed by the traditions Of men and which they had received to hold" V. .. The answer of Jesus reveals very opposite ideal. He begins by calling the Pharisees hypocrites. A hypoerite is a play actor, one who hides behind a mask. Then applying the prophecy of Isaiah, Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are hiding their true character behind the mask of ceremonial cleansing. Such play acting is but poor imi- tation of the real heart condition de- manded by God (Ps. 51:10O. Their hearts were far from God even though with their lips they professed to serve him, and many like things l hn xrsbtnh Ia rlao ing to God is the doing of his will. It consists not in the fulfilling of rit- ual. but in the fulfillment of life, e. g., Q growing character.
 Disciples PerpIexed.
 Jesus takes advantage of this dis upon whom the Pharisees would bind such a grievous burden of cermonial- ism and falsehood (Matt. 23:4) warns them that it is not so much that which enters into a man that detiles him, but rather that which proceeds out of man, V. 15. It seems quite natural that the disciples should be perpleXed and should ask Jesus what was meant by such a statement. Jesus answer, V. 1923. shows us very clearly that these things coming forth. reveal the corruption within. Read Matthew 12:34, So, Gen. 6:5 and James 3:1O-12. Real purity is purity of heart, if the heart be not cleansed, what will 1t avail if we wash the hands? What, then, is the application for this pres ent day? Clearly We are taught the danger of lip service without change of heart. The danger of substituting the good for the best. Forms and ceremonies are good and have their place. They are significant. They are important teaching factors, but they must not be substituted fer pure heart. We must beware lest we hide behind such a mask.
 There is here also the plain teach ing as to Jesus estimate Of the Pen tateuch and inferentially of the proph- ecy of Isaiah. He specifically calls 1t the Word of God" Surely we can accept his estimate as contrasted with the traditions of the elders or the "consensus of modern thought.
 There is here also a great opportu' nity to emphasize filial duty, Ihis is a day and a time that needs'empha, sis upon the fifth commandment. Con eideration of parents sacrifice, coop eration with them in the bearing or burdens, comfort for them in sorrow and diversity. and cheer for them as they tourney down life's pathway. Ell ial disrespect and an iconoclastic IT. reverence Of things holy are two things that are cursing the rising gen eration
 And lastly, there is here lesson to emphasize as to what constitutes real cleansing. The believer IS cleansed "once for all" Heb lo-l.l2' hut needs frequent daily confession that he may abide in unbroken Ter lowship. The blood of Christ not onlv cicanses from the guilt but the defilement also,-Eph. 5;25-27 ana John 5;6.