Middletown transcript., 1914-05-23

] especially to his disciples II was most
| probably at the same time and in
the same atmosphere as that Of the
other lesson. The teaching is con-
tinuation of that just given and which
grew out of the hospitality Jesus re-
ceived in the Pharisee's house The
heart of Jesus was filled 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.
l. "Take Heed to Yourselves" w.
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. 1871. 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. 1871. We as follow
ers must go to every possible length
to avoid being an occasion to another,
1 Cor8:9, 13; 1922; Rom. 14:13. In
this lesson ". p Jesus sounds a 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 a 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 a danger each indi-
vidual life must take heed" ". 81,
Il Tim. 5:16). Appealing to his dis
ciples Jesus showed them their true
attitude towards a shining man was
to rebuke him, Lev. 1917, and If he
repented he should be forgiven. 1t
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 a desire to reach a higher
moral plane Understanding this, they
would have forgiven them even though
it to be unto seven times in the day"
Forgiveness here means to dismiss or
to send away as though the ofense
had never occurred; thus God for
gives us, lisa. 37:17; Micah, 1913; Ps.
1O3:12; 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,
Il repent" We are not to wait for
him to give evidences of being re-
pentant before we extend our par
don.
Nothing Impossible.
II. "Increase Our Faith" w. $50.
Such a program as that just outlined
must have staggered the apostles as
they thought of their own inability SO
to conduct their lives. This exclama-
ton reveals their sense of the impor-
lance, superiority and difficulty of his
ideals. AS we come into personal fell |
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 !
as we'll as of their need. In response
to our cry he will supply, Mark g.;
2427. Nothing is impossible to him
". g., Phil. Alb. The illustration is /
one easy to remember. The insignif- |
cant little seed of the mustard has /
in it tremendous power Of growth and
development, many thousand times
its own weight and bulk, see Matt.
1881, 80, because it is linked with
Gods tremendous laws of life, with
Our Lord contrasts
such power with the removal Of
sycamore tree; small wonder we re-
ceive such a vivid and lasting lesson
Of the power of faith, even the weak
est faith. Faith is a principle neces-
sary to overcome the obstacles in
the way of measuring up to his ideals
If it is of the right quality, it is equal
to the doing of the most mighty things
Passing from this contrast Jesus uses
the parable which follows Tvs. 7-10).
The word but" would suggest an ap-
parent departure from this subject
It is, however, a correction of any
false idea that may have arisen that
the doing of duty can be the cause
Of boastfulness or create any rights
we may expect any special
reward for service. The disciples,
as has been suggested, realized the
difficulty of obeying his commands,
yet they knew that such obedience
would assure them the highest re-
wards of faith. His words implied
and warranted such a conclusion,
hence he warns them not to make the
reward the motive of their service.
John 6:26, 27. In this parable the
slave, his masters property, has no