Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1914-09-25

this years cycle chiefly present Jesus
as the great teacher. Those Of the
second quarter principally concern the
aspect Of his saviorhood, whereas dur
ing this present quarter we see him
mainly as the great Judge. These les
sons have dealt with matters which
occurred during the last months. We
may almost say the last weeks, Of his
life. During that year Of opposition"
he is met with the most determined
hostility and persecution. Neverthe
less he proceeds against it all with
calm assurance, in strict justice and
without a shadow of faltering.
This reading lesson contains the
most celebrated and familiar verse in
the bible. In It we see:
A mighty God-"For Cod"
A mighty motive-"So loved
A mighty scope-"The world"
A mighty sacrifice-'So gave His only be-
gotten Son.
A mighty escape-"Not perish"
A mighty gift-"Eternal life"
We here see Jesus set forth in grace
and while it does not declare that he
came to judge, yet in the passage are
set forth those principles upon which
he is constantly the Judge, and where
by he will eventually act in the last
and final judgment.
Gods Right.
In the first lesson, that OF the labor
ers, Jesus taught his disciples the SOW.
ereignty of God. God has a right to
do as seemeth best to himself. In this
parable we see the true motive in serv-
ice, viz. fidelity and not for hope OF
reward. Jesus thus prepared the way
for his denunciation and judgment o:
the rulers.
Lesson two, which deals with the
self-seeking disciples and the self-sac.
rificing Savior. is intended to teach
that there is but one path to true ant
lasting greatness, and that is the path
of sacrifice and service.
The story of Bartimaeus, lesson
three, is a beautiful and touching ex.
hibition of his activity of mercy even
in the midst of the approaching judg.
ment.
In the fourth lesson is presented the
parable Of the pounds and the talents.
Both are spoken to the disciples and
both deal with their responsibilities to
himself in the coming days. Our eter.
nal reward depends upon our acts and
attitudes in the life that now is.
Lesson five presents Jesus as the
Messiah prophesied of in the Old Tes-
lament. 1t deals with the story of hia
coming into Jerusalem. Entering thus
IN such a manner demands our atten-
ton for it foreshadows the time of his
judicial activity with reference to the
people and the nation.
The next five lessons may be said
to deal with this ministry of judgment
In lesson six we see some of the
preparatory signs and teaching. The
blasting OF the fig tree and his cleans
ing of the house OF God are both sym
bolical.
Lesson seven teaches US that IL we
fail to be faithful in the kingdom
which has been entrusted to us 1t will
certainly be taken from us.
Lesson eight presents the parable OF
the marriage feast in which Jesus un.
folds the plan of Gods invitation and
It's human rejection in three stages.
Gods KlnshIp.
The ninth lesson is a political in.
quiry which our Lord answered by
setting forth all OF the important state !
relationships according to the funda. |
mental fact OF the kingship OF God. |
Render unto Caesar the things that |
are Caesars, and unto God the things |
that be Gods" No other answer OF |
his better reveals the infinite wisdom. !
skill and tact OF our Lord.
In lesson eleven. the parable OF tho |
virgins, We are taught that the Lord |
Jesus is coming again and we must |
watch and be ready against that immi. |
ne mt event. This lesson also suggests |
the possibilities of his people dur
ing his absence.
The twelfth lesson is a prediction OF
the judgment OF the nations and re-
We ais the way by which he is to begin
the administration which will ensue
when that Kingdom Is established.
There is a kingdom prepared from the
OF the world for the right.
eous and a punishment prepared for
the devil and those who willfully
choose to do mis- will. Those who cast
their lot with his must go with him
to spend eternity, They themselves
sit in judgment upon themselves, Judge
not worthy.
The chief value OF these lessons dur.
ing this quarter is in the revelation
which they give us OF the fact that
when our Lord made that last journey
10 Jerusalem It was not to the death
of victim. one who was mastered by
who could not escape;
but as a king. AS he marched along
hat pathway setting his face stead.
'astly." he perfectly understood. and
faced q passion by means
,f which he was accomplishing the
purposes OF God and beyond the DARK.
"A. 49, - A. - a. |