The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-01-02

we now return to the New Tesla
ment, and during this year finish those
studies on the life of Christ which
were followed during the year 1912
Almost as though it were an answer
10 the question, who are for him, and
VINO are against him." that was asked
IN the last lesson for that year. we
nave presented for our study TODAY
the relations of Jesus with children. In
MS teachings about children, as about
so many other things, Jesus stands
unique among all religious teachers.
The events Of this lesson occurred
during the summer Of A. D. 20. dur,
ing the time Of his Perean ministry,
which extended from his final depart.
ure from Galilee until his triumphal
entry into Jerusalem.
Lust for Power.
l. A Wayside Dispute, w. 30-37.-As
though by way of contrast, the lesson
committee has given US this side-light
as to the effect, up to this time, upon
the hearts of the disciples of those
great truths Jesus had been teaching
them, about the method whereby he
was to establish his kingdom The
disciples lusted for power, a wrangling
which had not yet ceased. Jesus wait
ed until they had arrived at Caper-
naum, and Their heat had cooled some
what before taking any notice of the
dispute. In response to his question
ing they held their peace, for, after
reflection, they were ashamed of what
had taken place, v. "a. Jesus then pre-
sented to them concrete example Of
what is to be required Of all of those
who shall seek to enter into this new
kingdom. That was more pertinent
question than the one they had just
been discussing. luke S:15-17) tells
US that these disciples desired to send
the children away, hence the words,
Suffer them to come" Ever after,
when this mean, low, ambition to be
the greatest" came up, there must
have arisen before them, in memory,
this picture. His appeal to children
meets a we'll nigh universal response
IN the hearts Of men. The fact that
The child was so near at hand is sug-
gestive of the attractiveness of Jesus
The disciples were seemingly afraid
Of him ". 32), not so, however, the
child. For US to receive one who per-
tectly trusts him is to receive Jesus
himself, and to receive Jesus is to re-
ceive the Father, for he came as the
representative of the Father, the full
revelation of God, Col. 2:9. To en-
ter the kingdom is of course prelim-
mary to any question of precedence
in that kingdom. Jesus taught these
disciples that as a little child Is
teachabte Matt. 1879, so must all be
who are to follow him.
Thus Jesus contrasts the spirit Of
humility with that of pride which they
had just shown. The lower we put
ourselves the higher God will exalt US,
Phil. 2:6-11. Jesus rebuked his disci-
pies and taught them that rather than
seek the place of authority and leader
ship, they ought to take the place Of
child, that they may be taught and
be ruled.
il. Authority Denied, w. 38-41. The
spirit manifested by these disciples
". 3S) is far from having been re-
moved from the earth after all Of these
years. The ability t. cast out devils
In the name of Jesus was evidence
enough in his mind that such persons
were for and not against, him, w. 80,
40. 1t is not, however, the ability to
cast out the devils, but rather the
fact that q service had been perform.
ed lin his name, . which bulked large
In his mind. Such is the service that
has it's Aaward, v. Al and Matt. 1890.
Set Good Example.
Ill. Angels in Disguise, f0:t3-16.
This attitude Of Jesus towards those
children about him (9:36) led others
to bring. their children to him, and
among these were the babies, Luke
1915. Try and picture the scene as
Jesus extended his hands in blessed
benediction. What effect this blessing
may have had upon a baby's heart we
are not told, but we can imagine
that sense of responsibility for Chris
tan nurture must have remained with
these parents, Eph. ga Those in
charge of these children have set US
good example in bringing them thus
early to Jesus. To allow children to
reach the years of understanding" be
fore teaching them the way of life
is as unreasonable as is neglect teach,
ting children the habits of physical
cleanliness, until they are old enough
to understand sanitation, hygiene, or
the laws of medical science.
AS we look back over these Incl.
dents we are impressed by the fact
that those who engage in such silly.
nay, even wicked a discussion as to
the matter of pre-eminence-whether
it be that they had spiritual or TEN
poral idea of that kingdom-stood
dumb before him when called upon tc
justify themselves. Those who fair
would send the children away are re
buked, and it is revealed to them thai
these stool nearer to the Christ thar
I'D tho diScinlas thamsolEnS E1n1