The Green Forest tribune., 1917-01-26

birth and DOyhOod, John pIunSeS lntC the work and ministry of our Lord Our previous lessons have taken uI 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 SkippeC over without much considerations vel the teacher should review them briefly The wedding at Canaan probably oc cured in March, A. D. ?, and the events of this lesson in April of the Passover week of that year, both events occurring early in the first veal of the ministry of our Lord. Jesus went to the wedding for he had many things to teach by means of it. 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 evi. dence of his office. This miracle is an allegory. It also throws light upon Jesus relation to the home.
 l. Jesus Applies the Word of God (vv. 12-1D. As the 'Son of the Law Jesus observed all of it's requirements and therefore went to the Passover Deut. 16:16; Luke PAD. 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 filled his spirit with indig. nation as he entered the temple (v 14). Great numbers of oxen and sheep and doves were required for the sacri' fees. Every family must bring for sacrifice 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 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 HID. This had undermined the power of religion, and turned men away from the truth. This place, made to be q house of prayer (Jer. I'll; Isa. 56:O had be- come a vanity fair; show, and the very object of the temple was sacri- feed to the greed of gain. The de fense often made in our day, of buy ing and selling in the house of God that it has to do with the cause of worship will not bear scrutiny in the light of tRis passage. Into these sur roundings this young reformer enters, and places his finger upon the heart of the matter when he quotes the scrip ture. The reason of his action was what the scripture said about the house of God. Present day followers of Jesus can learn a lesson from these words.
 II. Jesus FuIfills the Word of God (vv. 1S-22). Jesus spake as one hay ing authority, and these merchants knew they were in the wrong. He em- bodied in himself, as proShet, the moral sentiment of the nation, and ex- erted his authority. It looked like high handed usurpation unless Jesus were a prophet sent from God; therefore the demand for his credentials (y. 18). Jesus gave a sign, a sign which they. did not understand at the time (v. 19; :; Matt P :3S-40; 16:1-4). The resur- rection of Jesus is Gods seal to all of the claims of Jesus. He also speaks of his body as a 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 (y. 20), and thought that their argument was ihvincible, but they did not know what was to take place. Not even the dis eiples 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 n,I ,<1, e T. os,,&l, l works can be traced in the Old Testa- ment in type and prohecy. The pres ent day disciples who doubt the scrip lures and the wc"ds which Jesus said have become fools (Rom. 1:22). 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. 23-35 R. V). He did not commit or trust (v. 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. 1 IA K. V. 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.
 He hates the sin, but loves the sin ner.
 His kingdom Is right eousness as well as peace. Jesus was plain and truth telling.
 Zeal adds greatly to the power of a xoon Tho 7aaI If IeSus hurnpd nm oil