The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-05-21

him glory in the Lord" 1 Cor. 1:3l.
This lesson is closely connected
with that of last week; while spoken
especially to his disciples it was most
probably at the same time and in
the same atmosphere as that Of the
other lesson. The teaching is a con-
tinuation of that just given and which
grew out of the hospitality Jesus re-
ceived in the Pharisees house The
heart of Jesus was filled with compass
sion for the needy multitude. He,
the Good Shepherd, was seeking the
lost sheep. His anger was kindled
against the men whose love of money
and of show had calloused them in
the presence of this multitude. 1t
was in this spirit that he turned and
taught his disciples.
A Special Warning.
!. take Heed to Yourselves" w.
IA. 1t is inevitable that occasion Of
stumbling shall come. Satan is not
going to lose his spoil without putting
forth his best endeavor to hold, to en-
snare, to trap men. God, however,
has taken this into his plan and makes
them to work out for the good Of his
people, Ps. 1910; II Cor 1877. Why
does God permit evil in the world?
He uses these stumbling blocks to
test US and we who are approved are
made manifest, Cor. 11:10. This does
not mean that we are guiltless 1t
through Ole we fall, nor minimize the
guilt of the one thu ough whom they
come, see Matt. 1877. We as follow
ers must go to every possible length
to avoid being an occasion to another,
l Cor.S:9, 13; 1882; Rom. IA: l3. In
this lesson ". p Jesus sounds spe-
cial warning against those who cause
one Of his little ones to stumble, e. g.,
those weak in faith, this hungering
multitude who follow him, these
babes in Christ" as well as children
of tender years. Particularly, how
| ever, is this doom pronounced upon
those who divert from paths of right
| eousness the course of childhood. Not
only men who prey upon those Of ten
der years, who exploit their labor
or cause their moral corruption but
careless and Indifferent parents should
ponder these words. To hinder child
from accepting Christ or cause it to
stumble through a sinful example will
reap an awful retribution. The word
these as here used is another in
dication of the nearess of childhood
to our Lord in his earthly life.
To avoid such danger each indi-
vidual life must take heed ". 81,
Il Tim 5:16). Appealing to his dis
ciples Jesus showed them their true
attitude towards a SHINING man was
to rebuke him, Lev 1917, and if he
repented he should be forgiven. 1t
was here that the Pharisees and rulers
had failed. They were blind leaders
of the blind and failed to see the
eagerness Of the sinners and public
ans to hear Jesus, movement which
indicated a desire to reach a higher
moral plane. Understanding this, they
would have forgiven them even though
it to be unto seven times in the day
Forgiveness here means to dismiss or
to send away as though the offense
had never occurred; thus God for
gives us, lisa. 37:17; Micah, 1913; Ps.
lO3:12; Matt. 6:12. The use of the
perfect number seven indicates that
there is to be no limit, but that our
forgiveness should always be ready
for the man who who comes saying
Il repent" We are not to wait for
him to give evidences of being re-
pentant before we extend our par
don.
Nothing Impossible.
II. increase Our Faith" w. 5: 10
Such program as that just outlined
must have staggered the apostles as
they thought of their own inability sc
to conduct their lives. This exclama
ton reveals their sense of the impor
lance, superiority and difficulty of his
ideals. AS we come into personal fel
lowship with our Lord that the eyes
of our understanding are opened ant
we see our Importance and the neces
sity Of having him fulfil in us tina
which is lacking of his ideals. Thei1
petition was a recognition Of ability
as well as Of their need. In response
to our cry he will supply, Mark g
"a 81. Nothing is impossible to hin
". g., Phil. Alb. The illustration Il
one easy to remember. The insignifi
cant little seed of the mustard ha
in 1t trem endous power Of growth an,
development, many thousand time
it's own weight and bulk, see Matt
1881, 80, because it is linked witt
Gods tremendous laws of life, witt
omnfpOtence. Our Lord contrast
such power with the removal of
sycamore tree; small wonder we re
ceive such vivid and lasting lessor
of the power of faith, even the weak
est faith. Faith is a principle neces
sary to overcome the obstacles i
' the way of measuring up to his ideal
if it is Of the right quality, it is equa
to the doing of the most mighty things
: Passing from this contrast Jesus use
u the parable which follows Tvs. ITO
The word but would suggest an al
parent departure from this subjec
. 1t is, however, correction of an
= false idea that may have arisen tina
. the doing Of duty can be the caus
of boastfulness or create any right
whereby we may expect any specis
! reward for service. The disciple
> as has been suggested, realized tn
8 difficulty of obeying his command
YER fhov Enom c,,ob