The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1917-01-25


the work and ministry of our Lord.
Our previous lessons have taken up
the matter of his eternal Godhead, the
word made flesh, the witness of John,
Jesus and John the Baptist, his first
disciples and the wedding at Canaan.
Some of these events have been skipped
over without much consideration, yet
the teacher should review them briefly.
The wedding at Canaan probably oc-
Cured in March, A. d. q, and the
events of this lesson in April OF the
Passover week of that year, both
events occurring early in the first year
of the ministry of our Lord. Jesus
went to the wedding for he had many
things to teach by means of 1t. The
story is familiar, and yet God is per-
forming the same miracle every year
except by somewhat slower process.
John lays strong emphasis upon the
"signs" which Jesus performed as evil
dence of his office. This miracle is an
allegory. It also throws light upon
Jesus relation to the home.
!. Jesus Applies the Word Of God
wv. 12-17). AS the "Son Of the Law"
Jesus observed all of its requirements
and therefore went to the Passover
(Deut. 16 :16; Luke 2:41). We would
suggest the reading of Edersheim's
Life of Christ" at this point, especial
ly his description of the feast. Jesus
found much of interest, and also saw
that which filed his spirit with indig-
nation as he entered the temple ".
1D. Great numbers of oxen and sheep
and, doves were required for the Sacri-
fees. Every family must bring for
sacrifice q lamb, the sacrifices being
lain in the inner court near the great
altar. Those living nearer the city
could bring their own sacrifices, but
those who came from far distant points
found it more convenient to purchase
their sacrifices nearer the temple. Thus
q business had grown up within the
courts, which gave rise to an immense
amount of covetousnesS and selfish
ness. The yearly tax due from every
Jew could not be received except in
the native coin; hence the money
changers within the courts The re-
suit was that the temple had become
"den of thieves" mark IL ~. This
had undermined the power Of religion,
and turned men away from the truth.
This place, made to be q house OF
prayer Ger. 7:11; lisa. $3.50 had be-
come vanity fair; show, and the
very object of the temple was sacrf.
feed to the greed of gain. The de-
Tense often made in our day, of buy
ing and selling in the house of God
that 1t has to do with the cause of
worship will not bear scrutiny In the
light of this passage. Into these sur.
roundings this young reformer enters,
and places his finger upon the heart
of the matter when he quotes the scrip
tire. The reason Of his action was
what the scripture said about the
house of God. Present day followers
of Jesus can learn lesson from these
words.
II. Jesus FulfiIs the Word of God
wv. 1929. Jesus spake as one hav-
ing authority, and these merchants
knew they were in the wrong. He en-
bodied in himself, as prophet, the
moral sentiment of the nation, and ex-
erted his authority. 1t looked like high
handed usurpation unless Jesus were
prophet sent from God; therefore the
demand for his credentials ". 1S).
Jesus gave a sign, sign which they
did not understand at the time ". 10;
Matt. Il :3S-4O; 1919. The resur-
rection of Jesus is Gods seal to all of
the claims of Jesus. He also speaks
of his body as symbol and type of
what is to take place in their national
temple, an event which occurred some
forty years later, though they at the
time did not understand it. Jesus fore
saw that these leaders would destroy
his body on the cross, and that for the
same reason they were at the present
time opposing him in what he had
done. The Jews, thinking only of their
temple, In whose courts they were
standing, referred to the time spent in
the erection of the building ". 2O),
and thought that their argument was
inyincible, but they did not know what
was to take place. Not even the dis
ciples of Jesus understood his words
at the time, but after his resurrection
they remembered them and their full
fillment. The death and resurrection
of Jesus was in accordance with the
word of God. His whole life, birth and
works can be traced in the Old Tesla
ment in type and prohecy. The pres
ent day disciples who doubt the scrip
tures and the wo-ds which Jesus said
have become fools (Rom. :22). The
miracles (signs) of Jesus at this time
led many to believe on him, but Jesus
saw the superficial character of their
faith. and did not believe in them (vv.
1886 r. W. He did not commit or
trust ". 24); literally, did not believe
them. When men believe in Jesus with
true and saving faith, they will commit
themselves to him. Then and only
then does he commit himself to them.
Note also that the "body Of Jesus" was
the temple of God (ch. ia II. ".
Marg.). These two signs express the
opposite sides of our Christian life.
We are necessarily in an evil world,
but the loving kindness and gentleness
of Christ are also intensely hard set
against all that is evil