The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-01-06

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| GOLDEN TEXT-"Gird yourselves with
humility, to serve one another; for God
resisteth the proud. but giveth grace to
the humble.'--I Pet. SIS.
We now return to the New Tesla.
ment, and during this year finish those
studies on the life of Christ which
were followed during the year 1912.
Almost as though it were an answer
to the question, who are for him, and
who are against him?" that was asked
in the last lesson for that year, we
have presented for our study today,
the relations of Jesus with children. In
his teachings about children, as about
so many other things, Jesus stands
unique among all religious teachers
| The events of this lesson occurred
during the summer of A. D. 20, dur
ing the time of his Perean ministry,
which extended from his final depart
ure from Galilee until his triumphal
entry into Jerusalem.
Lust for Power.
]. A Wayside Dispute, w. ao-37.-As
though by way of contrast, the lesson
committee has given us this side-light
as to the effect, up to this time, upon
the hearts Of the disciples of those
great truths Jesus had been teaching
them, about the method whereby he
was to establish his kingdom The
disciples lusted for power, a wrangling
which had not yet ceased. Jesus wait
ed until they had arrived at Caper-
naum, and Their heat had cooled some
what before taking any notice of the
dispute. In response to his question
ing they held their peace, for, after
reflection, they were ashamed of what
had taken place, v. "a. Jesus then pre-
sented to them a concrete example of
what is to be required of all of those
who shall seek to enter into this new
kingdom. That was more pertinent
question than the one they had just
been discussing. duke 1S:15-17) tells
us that these disciples desired to send
the children away hence the words,
Suffer them to come" Ever after,
when this mean, low, ambition to be
the greatest" came up, there must
have arisen before them, in memory,
this picture. His appeal to children
meets a well nigh universal response
in the hearts of men. The fact that
the child was so near at hand is sug-
gestive of the attractiveness of Jesus.
The disciples were seemingly afraid
Of him ". 32), not so, however, the
child. For US to receive one who per-
fectly trusts him is to receive Jesus
himself, and to receive Jesus is to re-
ceive the Father, for he came as the
representative of the Father, the full
revelation of God, Col. 2:9. To en-
ter the kingdom is of course prelim-
mary to any question of precedence
in that kingdom. Jesus taught these
disciples that as little child is
teachabIe (Matt. 1879, so must ell be
who are to follow him.
Thus Jesus contrasts the spirit of
humility with that of pride which they
had just shown. The lower we put
ourselves the higher God will exalt US.
Shil. 2:6-11. Jesus rebuked his disci-
sles and taught them that rather than
seek the place of authority and leader
ship, they ought to take the place of
: child, that they may be taught and
be ruled.
II. Authority Denied, w. 38-41. The
spirit manifested by these disciples
; ". 38) is far from having been re-
moved from the earth after all of these
years. The ability t. cast out devils
in the name of Jesus was evidences
enough in his mind that such persons
were for, and not against, him, Wv. 80
, 40, 1t is not, however, the ability to
L. hut -of he
fact that service had been perform
ed Gin his name," which bulked large
| in his mind. Such is the service that
, has its reward, v. ii and Matt. 1890
Set Good Example.
/. I'll. Angels in Disguise, 1o:13-16
This attitude of Jesus towards those
children about him (9:36) led others
, to bring their children to him, AMI
) among these were the babies, Luke
I 1915. Try and picture the scene al
! Jesus extended his hands in blessed
3 benediction. What effect this blessing
may have had upon baby's heart W.
), are not told, but we can imagine
. that sense of responsibility for Chris
|, tian nurture must have remained witt
4 these parents, Eph. 6:4 Those Il
charge of these children have set u
; good example in bringing them thu
J, early to Jesus. To allow children t
. reach the years of understanding" be
9 fore teaching them the way of life
is as unreasonable as is neglect teach
!. ing children the habits of physica
cleanliness, until they are old enoug
r to understand sanitation, hygiene, o
|. the laws of medical science.
d AS we look back over these inc
( dents we are impressed by the fac
n that those who engage in such a silly
d nay, even wicked a discussion as t
4 the matter of pre-eminence-w hethe
a it be that they had spiritual or ten
q poral idea of that kingdom-stoo
dumb before him when called upon
, Justify themselves. Those who fai
+ would send the children away are n
r buked, and it is revealed to them tina
4 these stool nearer to the Christ tina
4 did the disciples themselves. Eve
those not socially nor personally a
4 tractive may be received sin 10
! name" l. O.. for his sake