Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-08-07
LESSON FOR AUGUST 9
THE BARREN FIG TREE AND. THE
DEFILED TEMPLE.
(Temperance)

Event crowds fast upon the heels of
event during the days of this most
tragic week in all the history of the
world. Temperance means restraint
and a constrainingly proper use of God
given appetites and privileges, hence
the significance of this lesson as en-
phasizing the principles of temper
ance.
/. Sealing, w. 1914. The day fol-
lowing his triumphal entry into Jeru-
salem Jesus and his disciples journeyed
from Bethany, his abiding place, each
night, into the city. Seeing leaves
upon the fig trees, he had a right
to look for fruit, for the fruit of that
tree m before the foliage. But
none is found, and Jesus seals it's
barrenness. His act vas a parable
in action, Hosea 10:1. Profession had
superseded possession, and Israel is
therefore to be judged, set aside, I'M
til the day when they shall look upon
him whom they have pierced. Moth
ing but leaves is condemned to per-
petual fruitlessness because of the
sin of fruitlessness. His act was a
ratification of the condition of the
tree.
cIeansed the Temple.
IT.. Cleansing, w. 1919. Entering
the familiar scenes of the city and
temple, whence the 'hosannas had
echoed so loudly the day previous,
Jesus saw it's dissertation and degrade
ton. Outwardly a delight, it was in
wardly deceitful, "a den of robbers"
and his anger waxed hot Everything
be saw and banished was in some way
connected with the temple worship.
Even so the most holy things created
by the wisdom of a loving God may be-
come the instruments of the most des-
picable degradation. Ostensibly in
the name of religion these temple mer-
| chants we're In reality ministering to
self and private gain. AS at the
beginning Of his ministry SO again
Jesus exercised his authority and
cleansed the temple from its pollution
and for a time ". 16) guarded 1t
from further dissertation.
The temperance application at this
point is very clear. Appetite, men
tai or physical, is a God given faculty,
but must be kept within control. Prop
erly used they are a delight, a bless
ing to the man and his friends. AL
lowed to rule and appetites are terrif-
lc task masters. Purify the fountain
Of a mans heart, govern his motive
and the stream Of his acts will bless
all, himself included.
III. Foreiving, w. POPS. The next
day on the way from Bethany to Je-
rusalem they again passed the fig
tree and 1t was withered. The disci-
pies marveled at the swift execution
of his curse and Peter calls attention
Ito it, v. 81, Matt. 21:t2, 20. In reply
Jesus again emphasizes the lesson.
Have faith in God" This does not
mean that this is an explanation of
how he withered the tree, but rather
why it had died. Israel was placing
It's trust elsewhere than in God, and
therefore withers from the roots up
ward" Notice that the root is not
blasted, and q beautiful tree will again
blossom forth from the living root.
So Israel shall once again spring up
into a new and fruitful nation. lisa.
27:6. Jesus teaching by this tree is
an illustration of wherein Israel had
failed. They had not faith in God.
Faith can emove mountains, and no
difficulty can hinder those who have
faith in God, Mark 1928. Faith grows
upon the word, Rom. 1877, yet love is
greater, l Cor. 1872. If We really de-
sire the things we pray for, we shall
have them" We not only expect but
go beyond in our petition and count
as ours the things asked for. The
lack of a forgiving spirit will effect
ually shut US out from God. A warm
breath breathed upon the tense of a
telescope viii effectually shut out the
heavens SO a shadow of doubt or a
breath of suspicion of others in the
kingdom will shut us off from the an.
swer to our petitions ". 25). 1t is
remarkable that Jesus links with his
declarations concerning the POSSIBLE.
ties of prayer the charge that in il
we mus. exercise the grace of forgive
ness. It is here that we learn why
many of our prayers are not an
swered.
Authority Challenged.
w. Challenged, w. 1888. Upon
again entering the city and the tenn
pie, there came to Jesus the chic
priests, scribes and elders who chal
lenged the authority by which he
wrought these things, undoubtedly re
ferring to his triumphal entry and tt
his cleansing of the temple. His
reply is a counter challenge concern
ing the baptism of John. For at leas
.wo years John had been dead ans
his voice silent with a probable for
getfulness on the part of these men
and a decreasing influence Of his mes
sage upon their lives. Yet the ques
ton of Jesus had projected power a.
he brought John back to them witt
this question as to his authority, WA
it from heaven, or of mem" Tina
there was keen arcas and cold logi
embodied in his question is reyeale,
By the recorded dilemma of his enc
mics, w. 81, 80. Their answer wa
one of indecision and a desire to PAL
ley, I'VE know not" BY this Jesu
had revealed their dishonesty and a
the same time their inability to re
, ceive any statement he might Civ
them as to his authority. Their da
was past, their authority lost, an
their opportunity was gone. We mrs
beware of seeking to hinder those ah
are bringing things to pass 5ecaus
they do not have our official stamp c
approval. Jesus convinced these me
! out Of their own mouths of their u
fitness to deal with vital questions.
This entire passage deals with th
responsibility of privilege. Partic1
Iarly is this epitomized in the par;
BILE of the fig tree. Privilege is en-
phasized in that the tree was p1ante
: in the VINEYARD of its owner. it live