Mountain advocate., 1914-08-07


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.
I. Sealing, w. t2-14. 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 right
to look for fruit for the fruit Of that
tree comes before the foliage. But
none is found, and Jesus seals its
barremness. His act was a parable
IN action. Hosea 1871. Profession had
superseded possession, and Israel Is
therefore to be judged, set aside, un-
I'll the day when they shall look upon
him whom they have pierced.
CIcansed the Temple.
u. 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 desecration and degrade
ton. Oltwardly n delight, It was in
wardly deceitful, "a den Of robbers
and his anger waXed hot Everything
he saw and banished was in some way
connected with the temple worship.
Even so the most holy things created
by the wisdom of loving God may be-
come the instruments of the most des.
picable degradation. Ostensibly m
the name OF religion these temple mer.
chants were 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 it
from further dissertation.
The temperance application at this
point is very clear. Appetite, men,
tai or physical. is n God given faculty
but must be kept within control. Prop
erly used they are delight, bless
lowed to rule and appetites are terrif
ic task masters. Purify the fountain
of a mans heart, govern his motive
and the stream Of his acts will bless
all, himself included.
~. Forsiving, w. 2o-25. The next
day on the way from Bethany to Je-
rusalem they again passed the fig
tree and It was withered. The dsci-
pies marveled at the swift execution
of his curse and Peter calls attention
to It, V. 81, Matt. 21:12, 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
its trust elsewhere than In God, and
therefore withers from the roots up
ward" Notice that the root is not
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
difficulty can hinder those who have
faith in God, Mark 9:23. Faith grows
upon the word, Rom. 1887, yet love is
greater, Cor. 1872. II 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.
Authority Challenged.
". Challenged, w. 27-33. Upon
again entering the city and the tenn
pie, there came to Jesus the chief
priests, scribes and elders who chal.
lenged the authority by which he
these things, undoubtedly re-
ierring to his triumphal entry and to
his cleansing OF the temple. His
reply is a counter challenge concern
ng the baptism of John. For at least
wo years John had been dead and
lis voice silent with a probable for.
setfulness on the part OF these men,
md a decreasing influence Of his mes.
iage upon their dives. Yet the ques-
ion OF Jesus had projected power as
lie brought John back TO them with
his question as to his authority. was
I from heaven, or OF men?" That
here was keen sarcasm and cold logic
mbodied in his QuestiCL is revealed
" the recorded dilemma OF his enc
nles. W. 81. 32.
This entire passage deals with the
esl onsibility OF privilege. Particu.
lrly is this epitomized in the para.
lie OF the fig tree. Privilege is EN-.
hasized in that the tree vas planted
a the vineyard OF it's owner, 1t lived
n OF his possessions. Its simple re-
was to bear fruit. In
pite OF the patience Of the owner and
no privilege OF its surroundings Il
erished The advantage OF Cody
arents. OF Christian society and the
arftaRa Of fha nOhla marfVra ana .