The Carlisle independent., 1918-04-04
LESSON FOR APRIL 7.
JESUS SETS MEN FREE.

LESSON TEXT-Mark 7:1-37.
 GOLDEN TEXT-If the son therefore lhall make you free, ye shall be free dll- ieed.-John 8:36.
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Psa. T2:1-Iz.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR rEACHERS-Matt 15:1-31; II Cor. 3.TT. 1Ss Sal. 5:1-25
 PRIMARY AND JUNIOR ToPIc-Je- gus and the deaf man.
 MEMORY VERSE-He hath done all hings well, he maketh even the deaf to aear and the dumb to speak.-MaTR 1:s1-
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Chrfs- dan liberty.
 This lesson deals with the last or those four events which mark the crisis in the life of our Lord at Caper- naum. It occurred just before the third period of his Galielean ministry and the time of his final departure for Jeru- salem. We have seen what the attf- Jude of Jesus was toward the law Of ais nation. In this lesson We see his attitude toward the rabbinieal trRdh- tions of the people which were the opinions of men and not the law ox God. Just so many today look upon the forms and ceremonies of the church as being verify the law of God Moreover, these traditions were made ] pretext whereby men eyaded the law. So today we find men very reffg- ous and punctilious in their churchiy duties. who fail miserably in their Rp~ plication of the moral code to conduct The analysis falls into four general divisions: One, the accusation lyg. l-5. two, the answer, (yy. 6-13) three, the application, (vv. 14-23)., and foTr'. the illustration, (vv. 24-3D.
 i. The Accusation. (vv. 1-5)- The growing hatred of the Phariseess led them to make long journeys from Jsrn- salem that they might spy on Jesns and find a pretext for accusation While they were studying him, they re vealed their ideas of the kingdom of God. They took special notice thaE the disciples of Jesus ate without washing their hands. We must n0z un- derstand this to mean so much the re- moyal of defilement, as the neglect U& 1 a ceremonial observance over which. the Pharisees were punctihous. fyx. g. 4). Verses three and four nluTninafe i certain traditions to which the Jews adhered tenaciously. Thus exenpli fled we can see that their ideas of mans relation to God were largely 8 matter of external ceremony. Purity to them was an outward matter largely governed by the traditions of men, (v. 4.
 il. The Answer (v. 6-13}. The an swer of Jesus reveals the very 0pp0- site ideal He begins by calling the Pharisees hypocrites. 4 hypOerite is play actor-one who hides behind Q mask. Applying the prophecy Of Isaiah, Jesus plainly tells the Phar1sees that they are hiding their true eharae- ter behind the mask Of ceremonial cleansing. Such play acting is but poor imitation of the real heart con dition demanded of God. (Psa. 51 -I0)- Their hearts were far from God, even though with their lips they professed to serve him. The love we express to- God consists not in ritualistic worship but in doing his will from the heart
 III. The Application, (v. 14-2SB Jesus takes advantage of this discu& sion, and, turning to the multitude, up on whom the Pharisees would hind c | grievous burden of ceremOnialisIp and falsehood (Matt. 23 A, warns them. that it is not so much that which en- ters into man that defles him, as that which Issues from him fy. 15J. T. seems quite natural that in their per ! ,11 ch 1-l- what he meant by that. h his reply (vv. 1S-23), Jesus shows very clearly that "the issues of life" (Prov. 4 :23l, reveal the corruption which is within (See Matt. F :34, 35; Gen. 6:5s James 8:10-12). If the heart be not cleaRsed, what will it avail if We wash the hands? What then is the application for this present day? Clearly we are taught the danger of lip service with out a change of heart. Substituting good for the best is sin. Forms and ceremonies are good and have their place; they are significant for they aPs Important teaching factors: but they must not be substituted for 9 pure heart. We must beware lest we hide behind such a mask.
 There IS here also plain teaching as to Jesus estimate of the Pentate2cn and inferentally of the prophecy o2 Isaiah. He specifically calls fl @the Word of God" Surely we caa accept his estimate as entrusted with the tradition of the elders or the 'con- sensus of modern thought
 Less talk and more walk,
 Less wishing and more doing Less preaching and more praetieing.
 Less organization and more of the spiraG-
 Finally, we have two illustrathonss as to how Jesus sets men free. eaD ] Iesns, silence onnears- to feenan 1niff.