Evening star., 1914-08-08
# Buaoap @fbool lesson 4
Nj Bp Reb. ,Rugb a. @tenenson:
The Barren Fig Tree and the Dehled Temple
Golden Text-By Their Fruits le Shall mo" lhei-
Matthew z.oo Lesson-Mark, II I2-S5.

nonopoIy which made its gains by snort
weights and other forms of trickery. Z
It must be remembered that the whole
business was in the hands OF the soiS'
of the High Priest Annas. and the priest
hood was profiting by the eNoroitant
charges The worst that has peeh saiu
against some of our present day cor poi
tions and political combinations canllo'
be compared 10 this hrazen ana CONF eol,e',i AZ
tuous mulcting of the people under M .ne
g,,isa of religion. No wonder that the
Christ drove them out ~,
Rut note His unerring Judgment ie'
drives out both those that SCI! ana thcsf
that buv: He makes no distncuon De-
tween the wrongdoers BY the force oh0
his character. He has again cleansed .he
temple this time not even heenine -
scourge which He used before ne nag
taken at their word the people VINO M"
proclaimed Him the Messiah
Nov indeed has Christ infamed to
white heat the hostility OF the chlst :
priests and scribes. To have the people
give Him an ovation was a cdust %
chagrin. but to have Him strike al tneif
pefariols source of revenue was "A DION
that had sunk deep. even as it u"eN
today when the spot light Is turileu ufo''
greed and avarice. II IS not TO pe Won
even came. Went out "f the CITY. y Nas
not cowartlice: the CITY was overcroWdf"- :
with the pilgrims who had cone 70 IN
feast of the Passover
puisive Peter calls Chrisf's attention 70
the Withered fig tree. Perhars. there va
a tone of surprise in his voice or i up'r
OF wonderment. How beautiful ana SIM
ple is Christs eXhortation 10 falth IA
God.
As was His wont, He goes to nature for
His illustration.
How soon will Peter and the others
learn that there are mountains OF preJu-
dice and ignorance that must be re-
moved.
AS we look about today, with the
great social problems before US. can We
not find in this illustration source oi
comfort and good cheer. bidding US ~
faith believing and with malice toward
none 10 carry forward our share Of the
work?
The enemies of Crist now seize upon
the first opportunity TO insna:e Him
AS He is walking in the temple they
approach with a question a. to His
authority There was no questioning
of His works or deeds. but OF their
source.
Now. Christ replies with counter
question He is a witness. and as such
assumes the prerogatives of one. With
out parley or delay He goes to ;he
very heart of the matter with HIS ques- .
tion as to the baptism of John.
AS the full significance of the quss-
tion dawns upon them. they take re-,
uge in an evasive answer SO. of COURSE
the Christ refuses to be further cross
tSIlIntu tN ltIffIbSditIS 81 piAPhbiN
insincere.
How parallel is the action of those
who TODAY deny Christs authority.
There is no science or religion villa
out its mysteries. Vet every day we
are guided by truths that can never
be proved. in the sense Of the physical
But let us apply the lesson TO our
daily life.
Is there not a danger that Christians
will resemble the II g tree?
We may cultivate all the outward ap-
pearances. and to men may seem gem
uinc. but in the sight Of God. who
judges by the fruit. are un- =
worthy of reW..rd the cursed tree.
And can we not copy from Christs in-
1ignation?
Our anger arises from petty causes r
and our energy is spent in fighting
shadows. yet on every hand are abuses
and wrongs colossal
Have our voices been lifted in favor
Of the oppressed?
Do we grow indignant when we see
might triumph over right"
Have we tried TO wipe out the traffic
hat destroys homes and blights souls?
If such evils have not aroused us. let %
Is search our hearts. for we must re 90
member that we will be judged by tn"
'ruit of our lives, and woe unto US if
ike the fig tree the Master finds moth
ng but leaves. -