Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-06


Event crowds fast upon the heels Of
event during the days Of this most
| tragic week in all the history of the
world. Temperance means restraint
and a constrainingly proper use of God
given appetites and privileges, hence
the significance of this lesson as en-
phaslzing the principles of temper
ance.
l. Sealing, w. 12-14. The day fol-
lowing his triumphal entry into Jeru-
salem Jesus and his disciples journeyed
from Bethany, his abiding place, each
night, into the city. Seeing leaves
upon the fig trees, he had right
to look for fruit, for the fruit of that
tree comes before the foliage. But
none Is found, and Jesus seals it's
barrenness. His act was a parable
in action, Hosea 1911. Profession had
superseded possession, and Israel is
therefore to be judged, set aside, un-
til the day when they shall look upon
him whom they have pierced.
cleansed the Temple.
II. Cleansing, w. 1919. Entering
the familiar scenes of the city and
temple, whence the hosannas had
echoed so loudly the day previous,
Jesus saw it's Dissertation and degrada-
ton. Outwardly a delight, it was in
wardly deceitful, "a den of robbers"
and his anger waxed hot. Everything
he saw and banished was in some way
connected with the temple worship.
Even SO the most holy things created
by the wisdom of a loving God may be-
come the instruments OF the most des-
picable degradation. Ostensibly m
the name of religion these temple mer-
chants were in reality ministering to
self and private gain. AS at the
beginning of his ministry so again
Jesus exercised his authority and
cleansed the temple from its pollution
and for a time ". 16) guarded it
from further dissertation.
The temperance application at this
point Is very clear. Appetite, mem
tai or physical, is God given faculty,
but must be kept within control Prop
erly used they are a delight, bless
ing to the man and his friends. AL
lowed to rule and appetites are terrif-
lie task masters Purify the fountain
Of mans heart, govern his motive
and the stream of his acts will bless
all, himself included.
III. Forgivlng, w. POPS. The next
day on the way from Bethany to Je-
rusalem they again passed the fig
tree and 1t was withered. The disci-
pies marveled at the swift execution
of his curse and Peter calls attention
to it, v. 81, Matt. 21:12, 20. In reply
Jesus again emphasizes the lesson,
Have faith In God" This does not
mean that this is an explanation Of
how he withered the tree, but rather
why it had died. Israel was placing
it's trust elsewhere than in God, and
therefore withers from the roots up
ward" Notice that the root is not
blasted, and beautiful tree will again
blossom forth from the living root.
So Israel shall once again spring up
into a new and fruitful nation, Isa
27:6. Jesus teaching by this tree is
an illustration of wherein Israel had
failed. Whey had not faith in God.
Faith can remove mountains, and no
difficulty can hinder those who have
faith in God, Mark 9:23. Faith grows
upon the word, Rom. 1917, yet love is
greater, Cor. 1872. If we really de-
sire the things we pray for, we ''shall
have them" We not only expect but
go beyond in our petition and count
as ours the things asked for. The
lack of forgiving spirit will effect
ually shut US out from God.
Authority Challenged.
w. Challenged, w. 27-33. Upon
again entering the city and the tenn
pie, there came to Jesus the chief
priests, scribes and elders who chal-
lenged the authority by which he
wrought these things, undoubtedly re-
ferring to his triumphal entry and to
his cleansing of the temple. His
reply is a counter challenge concern
ing theibaptism Of John. For at least
two years John had been dead and
his voice silent with probable for
getfulness on the part Of these men,
and decreasing influence of his mes
sage upon their lives. Yet the ques-
ton Of Jesus had projected power as
he brought John back to them with
this question as to his authority, was
it from heaven, or of mem" That
there was keen sarcasm and cold logic
embodied in his questica is revealed
by the recorded dilemma of his enc
mics, w. 81, 80.
This entire passage deals with the
responsibility Of privilege. Particu-
larly is this epitomized in the para
bic of the fig tree. Privilege is en-
phasized in that the tree was planted
in the vineyard of it's owner, it lived
off Of his possessions. It's simple re-
sponsibility was to bear fruit. II
spite of the patience of the owner and
the privilege of its surroundings It.
~f,-t. n Il. - -