Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-05-22

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 con-
limitation of that just given and which
grew out of the hospitality Jesus re-
ceived in the Pharisee's house. The
heart of Jesus was filed 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" wv
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 If
through one we fall, nor minimize the
guilt of the one through 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; 1922; Rom. 14:1S. In
this lesson ". % 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 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-
Il - ,c< xo1r W
Il Tim 5:16). Appealing to his dis
ciples Jesus showed them their true
attitude towards SHINING man was
to rebuke him. Lev. 1877, and If he
repented he should be forgiven. It
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, a movement which
indicated desire to reach higher
moral plane. Understanding this, they
/ would have forgiven them even though
4 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, 7:19; Ps.
1912; 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,
II repent" We are not to wait for
him to give evidences of being re
pentant before we extend our par
DON
Nothing Impossible.
ii. sIncrease Our FAITH" w. $40
Such a 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
taDce, superiority and difficulty of his
ideals AS we come into personal fel
lowship with our Lord that the eyes
of our understanding are opened and
we see our Importance and the neces
sity of having him fulfil in us that
which is lacking of his ideals. Their
petition was a recognition Of ability
4 as well as of their need. In response
to our cry he win supply. Mark 9;
24-27. Nothing is Impossible to him
| ". 60, Phil. 4:13. The illustration Il
one easy to remember. The insignifi
cant little seed of the mustard hal
in it tremendous power of growth and
development, many thousand times
it's own weight and bulk, see Matt
/, 1881, 80, because It is linked will
Gods tremendous laws of life, will
omnipotence. Our Lord contrasts
such power with the removal of I
sycamore tree; small wonder we re
ceive such vivid and lasting lessor
of the power of faith, even the weak
est faith. Faith is principle neces
sary to overcome the obstacles II
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 usel
the parable which follows Tvs. 7-10)
The word but would suggest an ap
parent departure from this subject
1t is, however, correction OF an.
false idea that may have arisen tha
the doing of duty can De the caus
Of boastfulness or create any right
whereby we may expect any specia
reward for service. The disciples
as has been suggested, realized tn
: difficulty of obeying his commands
: yet they knew that such obedienc
would assure them the highest re
wards of faith His words implies
and warranted such conclusion
hence he warns them not to make th
reward the motive of their service
I. John 6:26, 27. In this parable tn
: slave, his masters property, has n
,, rights, no claims upon his master, an
:. Is expected to perform his duties
Jesus is emphasizing the spirit i
which we are to serve God, rathe
than Gods attitude towards his ser'
, ants. This does away with the ide
, of the merit of others prevailing wit
!, God. The flesh is always proud an
x,o,,ld eaok RI hnast ne its worth wa,l1