The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-12

LESSON TEXT-Matt. 11:2-1s.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Among them that
are born of women there Is none greater
tina John; yet he that Is little In the
Kingdom Of God is greater than he
Luke 7:25.
This Is the last lesson with the ex-
ception Of one that We are to have
upon the character of John the Bap.
list. 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 a similar testing
Il Kings 10: 3, ~; 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. 2-6. This doubt Is so natural
that 1t 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 g~enuineness Of his
miracles, nor any question but that he
vas sent of God, but still he ques-
toned, rs this the Messiah" "Is this
the one whom all the prophets from
Moses tc Malachi said was to come.
or do We look for another? | frankly
disclaimed being the Messiah, you are
q truthful man, and I am willing to
accept your word, are you the Christi
John was not envious John 3:27-36).
he was too great a man to he that.
but yet Jesus had not welded the ak
as he had expected, hence the mes
senger to Jesus and this frank ques-
of taking his doubts to Jesus. and
Jesus in a most tender way ~ers
his doubling and at the same time
turns 1t to his own advantage IN con-
frming his claims as the Messiah.
John Sought Net HIS Own Glory.
The second half Of the lesson is the
tribute Of Jesus tG 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
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 a 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 sump-
tuously duke 7:25). No, John was a
prophet, a mar sent, commissioned, in
spired Of God. He had authority to
speak for God duke lis, 26) in de-
claring Gods will to mar. 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 a highway
In the minds and hearts Of Israel over
which Jesus the Messiah might enter
and begin the establishing Of this new
kingdom. It was in performing this
service that John filled one of the
highest offices ever filled by man. In
this eulogy We need to recall the diff
ference in the miraculous births Of
these two men. John super
naturally born Of natural ~parentage,
Jesus systematically 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:
Il have told you these things about
John and about my kingdom, now you
who have ears have an obligation rest
ing upon you because of what have
told YOU" There was need Of their
understanding and accepting an i'm
portant teaching, but the unreasonable
Scribes and Pharisees would accept
neither the austere John nor the more
social Jesus. John would not join In
their gaity. Jesus mourned not but
led a more joyous life, yet they re-
jected him also. This "Son of Man"
not Of a man nor the man but son OF
man. of humanity, known as friend OF
the needy and the oltcast, is himself
cast out by the religious leaders of his
time. Nevertheless In the wisdom OF
God (Luke 11:49) both John the Bap-
list, and Jesus the Son Of man and of
Mary, have been sent and the results
of their lives and Of their teachings
prove them to be a part Of Gods wise
plan. Gods wisdom Is justified ".
1917 by it's workings or as some trans
late it by it's "children."
Great as was John the forerunner,
vet he that Is In this newer kingdom