The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-07-04

LESSON TExT--Mark 3:2o-35
GOLDEN TEXT--t.This W the judg-
ment. that light Is come Into the world
and men loved the darkness rather than
the light: FOR their works were evil
John 3:19
There are two kinds Of unbelief do
picted In this lesson, the malignant.
cruel. vindictive unbelief Of the. Phari-
sees; and the incredulity, the amaze
ment. the nnbe.ief OF tho family and
friends OF Jesus There are three nat
ural divisions OF this lesson first
y. 20. 2l) the unbelief of his friends
who, beholding his marvelously busy
life, SO busy as not to take time to
eat, concluded he must OF necessity
be insane on the subject of religion.
as no other explanation would suffice.
Secondly ". 22-30) the malignant.
malicious, blind unbelief Of the rep
resentatiyes OF the rulers In Jerusa-
lem who had come down to 'investt-
gate the popular Galilee prophet.
that they might find wherewith to "ac-
cuse him" Third ". 31-35) the unbo-
lief of those his nearest of kin whc
also sought to restrain and to turn
him a.ide II possible from his ardu-
Gus labors. We have In this first
section another of those wonderful gos-
pei pictures, just touch, but so graph
ic. of the esgerness Of the multitudes,
&c see and hear Jesus. Simply to
hear him was enough to draw together
crowd. Yet notice his response, he
would not even pause to refresh him
self but the compassion OF great
mission compelled him to minister
unto them. What cared he for ros:
or refreshment?
Miracles Explained.
The multitude had Studied Jesus az
he performed his miracles and &C.
counted him to be the Messiah Matt
1929, but the Pharisees were not
then willing to acknowledge him, 10.
that would be to condemn themselves
However, here are these miracles that
demand an explanation. and We must
remember that these men came with
a predetermined motive, viz, that
they might find wherawith to accuse
him (see v. 2 and 81 Not accepting
the plain common sense explanation
and his avowed purpose IN performing
miracles INK. 2-10) they gave out that
it was by the power Of the Prince %
Devils, Beelzebub. that Jesus perform.
cd his mighty deeds. The utter fal.
lacy OF such an accusation Is shown
by Jesus reply. He did not upbraid
them with anger though their accuse.
ton was the utmost limit OF malig.
nifty. Jesus knew that he must needs
endure just such contradictions Of
| sinners lisa. C3..3. a.. nevertheless he
exposed their folly (v. 23-27). Jesus
here gives US a fine example of logic,
| which Is simply unanswerable. No
more can divided kingdom stand, or
! divided house stand than for Satan
to fight against himself. No more can
the thief capture his booty unless he
| first finds or deceives the guard, than
| for Jesus to fight Satan and at the
game time be his vassal. Satan Is o
strong" man ". 22) and he, Jesus,
came TO break. to overcome, that pow.
er, for he is inded the stronger one.
| The subjects of Satan are his slaves,
but Jesus came to set zen free from
the power Of this. strcrg man" We
have said that Jesus was grieved. he
gees on to tell US why. The one and
| only sin for which there Ia no pardon
Is that blind, malignant unbelief that
sscribes to Satan the work OF the Holy
! -tcst. When one reaches that stage
Of calloug-eSs there .e.. ains no fur
Their testimony to move his heart n,
however, one cones to Jesus for for.
] giveness, 1t Is proof positive that he
/ mas not such a heart OF stony unbenef,
he very fact Of asking forgiveness
| proves that one has not committed the
objectionable sin''
] IN the revised version we find
/ - correct TRANSLATION for verse 60
/ whatsoever shall. blaspheme against
! Ike Holy Spirit bath never forgiveness
but Is guilty Of an eternal sim" thus
effectually setting at rest any thought
Of future probation after our life
love their evil deeds to such an ex-
4 tent that they refuse to walk In the
/ light and resolutely set their faces
against the true Ligat, they commit
he T.. I'D tr.e.aes,aa,c s.a.
Sens Of ecd by Faith.
Lastly we see the kinfola OF Jesus
Including his mother, seeking to with
draw him from his conflict with the
Jerusalem lawyers, or, as has been sug.
Z, gcsted. II they were among the friends
mentioned at the outset seeking to
protect him after this interruption by
taking him away to place of rest
snd quiet. Jesus was. however, NOT
Understood by his nearest and dear
est kinfolk; and such has ever been
Inc bitter grief OF many Of his follow.
ers. grief that is even harder to bear
nan the denunciation of his enemies
With all Of their Misrepresentation
j But he who was reviled and revived no,
again, who WAS led as lamb to the
slaughter, answers not this strange
misunderstanding by any fash of an
ger. but In gentleness rebukes their
Interference with his plans and points
out that his nearest and dearest are
those who do his will Jesus as our
Great High Priest Is here speaking no,
as the Son Of Mary. but as the Son Of
Man.
The golden text throws wonderful
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