The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-11-24

Department SuperintendcMs
s----.Mrs. a. FL. Harper, Dow City
Intermediate --Loyicie Morris, Deloit
Educational----- Nicholas Lund, Kiron
Supervisional, Chas. X. Meyers, Denison
NOV. 49,; How .Jesus Was .Receiv-
led. Matt. 2.6, 1926, II, H. ~.
The lesson of today has in it great
possibilities for usefulness. As, q foun-
|dation for what Gould be said, IT may
be best to set forth the substance of
the verses Of scripture reference, which
have just been given. 1t will be re.
membered that John the Baptist was
the forerunner Of Christ. He appeared
on the banks of Jordan announcing
that he came to make the way straight
for the coming of one greater than he,
the latches of whose shoes he was not
worthy to undo. Finally Jesus came
and was baptisedrby John and there
upon began His career as a preacher.
Because John had the courage to de-
nounce wrong doing both among the
lowly and in the palace of the king, he
was placed in prison and remained
there until his death by being behead-
ed In his seclusiOn John was not fully
informed of what Jesus was saying and
doing, and from what he did hear he
was not satisfied that Jesus was car
rying out the ideals which he had in
mind. John therefore sent certain dis
ciples to Jesus asking whether He
truly was the promised Messiah or
should one look for another. Jesus
made reply, standing upon His record,
He said to tell John the things they
had seen; how the blind received their
sight the lame walked the lepers were
cleansed, the dead raise and the poor
had the gospel preached to them.
After the disciples of John had gone
Jesus gave utterance to words relating
to the way the people We're attending
to the gospel He' preached. He said
that opposition met Him everywhere.
John had been found fault with because
he was seclusve, and when Jesus came
He was opposed because He entered in
to, social relations with the people.
Then calling to mind the wonderful
works which had been done before the
of certain cities, Jesus said
that if the residents of the long ago
destroyed cities Of Tyre and Siden had
been granted the chance to know
things, as those of these cities of the
present day, they would have repented.
This being SO, there would woe come
to those who rejected the gospel mess
age SO strongly presented.
The early popularity of Jesus came
in part from the hope that under His
leadership the Jews would be able to
overthrow the Roman government OF
the country, and set up an earthly
like earthly kings. John,
and even the disciples of Jesus, We're
with this feeling and the com.
mon people confidently expected it.
When it was shown that Jesus had no
ambitions Of this kind, there was dis
and His popularity began
to Wane Again His teachings UNDER
mined the customs of the Jews as held
to by the religious. leaders, which GUS
toms gave power to the Pharsees to
take the money of the people and hold
them down.
There thus comes with force the sit
uation as to why 1.-THE people then and
now, do not believe in masses on Jesus.
First, The reason is given that the bible
religion is not along the lines of the
notions of the Individual objecting. He
would have it efficient. If it were to
his suiting, he would withtwhole heart
edness believe. and work for it. Sec
ond, The religion as it is, strikes at
the selfish and evil practices of men,
The christian church in it's stand on
the liquor question was denounced
without stint by every man who
thought he was benefited in purse by
the traffic. TO do justice by your
neighbor is not to the notion of the
orofiteers of this day. and the business
world says "Religi9n and business do
not mix" The Pharisees Of the oden
lays saw their profits about to be cut
off by the carrying out in practice of
the teaching of Jesus, and the same
class of men now line up in opposition
when it runs counter in practice to