Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-09-30
SUlYASNOOL
LESSON
g. REV. r. B. FtTZwATER. D. D..
feacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chieago) 1@g
Ca. 1929. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 3
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

LESSON TE.xT-Matthew lis fs*
GOLDEN TExT-Thou shalt cab his
name Jesus; for he shall save his people
from their sfns.-Matt. 1921.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL.-Isa. 7:i4-1s:
Micah, So; Luke l and 2.
4. PRIMARY TOPIC-The Wise Men Visit
the Child Jesus 91 II es@i III as
JUNIOR sToPIC--The Child Jesus Es-
sapes From a Wicked King.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Coming of the King.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
THE kim Comes as Little Child
Since re now have six months Of
study In the Gospel according to Mat
thew, every teacher should grasp the
| book as a whole and present each les
son In its relation to the central pur-
pose of the book The central theme
Of Matthew is Jesus Christ the King
the fulfiller of the Messianic hope.
I. The Birth Of the King Il 1929.
The Messiah was to be the seed of a
woman--the son of virgin (Gen.
3:15,; lisa. 7:14). This was fulfilled in
the birth of Jesus. The genealogy as
given in Matthew lit shows his
! legal right to- the throne; but had he
been that only, he could not have been
the Savior from sin. He must be both
human and divine lisa. 9:7i. The Mes
stah was begotten by the Holy Ghost
and born Of the Virgin Mary. thus be-
coming Emmanuel, which term means
In all its fitness, God for us; God with
us God In MS.
~ II. The Maai Seek tsraeps King COL,
y.
The King. had most heartless re-
certion. The kingdoa was not ready
for him. His advent was heralded by
star which guided souls from for
eign nation to seek and worship him.
pouring out their gifts to him, These
wise men We're either Arabian or Per
sian astrologers students of the stars.
i The appearance OF an unusual star
attracted their attention. Perhaps they
were acquainted with the famous
prophecy Of Baaam (Nun. PAID.
Doubtless through the influence of the
Jews who remained in ChaIdea, or the
direct influence OF Daniel extending
to this time, they, had become ac-
uuainted with the hope Of Messiah.
The light they had was dim, but they
lived up to the best they had. TO
those who act upon the best light they
have. God always gives more. To those
/ who refuse to act upon the knowledge
given, God not only refuses 70 give
more but brings into confusion that
? which they already possess Matt. %:
sSl ~, ~. ~ - "'"!
I VI. Ncrud Seeking to Kill the King
/ tvv. 3-S). ,saa- - eEe
! The, news brought, by the Magi
struck terror. to Herod's heart. He
/ was not alone In this, for all Jerusalem
was troubled. with him, The news
/ ought to have brought joy. A glimpse
z st the Social customs in and about
Jerusalem at that time, will enable us
, to understand why this news brought
. uneasiness to the people. They were
i, living in the greatest Of luxury Fine
, dresses, sumptuous feasts, fine houses,
etc, led to gross immortality. We can
, thus readily see why Herod and all
| Jerusalem should he troubled. They
Ibid not want a Savior who would
save them from their sins; they want
ed to- continue in them. Herod de-
manded of the priests and scribeS In
formation as to where Christ should he
born. They soon We're able to tell
him. showing that they had a teclni-
cal knowledge Of the Scriptures, but
no heart for the Savior set forth there
in. The righteousness of the wealthy,
/ the frivolites of the fashion-loving,
! they lead make Jesus Christ unwel-
come in many quarters today.
w. The King Found wv. 9-12).
The Magi having obtained the de
sired information, started immediate
ly to find the King. As soon as they
left the city the star which had guild
ed them from the East appeared again
to lead them on. When they found
him, they worshipcd him. Note Gods
| overruing providence in all this. Hun
dredS of years before, the Prophet said
that Christ should come forth from
Bethlehem (Nlicah . :2). God so order
ed that Mary should be brought to the
city to give birth to Christ God or
dered that the Magi should depart an
other way, thereby defeating Herod's
wicked purpose. The gifts of these
wise men. God put into the hands of
Joseph and Mary before going to
Egypt. Doubtless they served good
purpose in meeting their expenses dur
ing their stay there.
v. The King Protected wv. 1850.
To escape Herod's wicked aim. God
directed Joseph 10 take Mary and the
child Jesus and flee to Egypt. In
obedience to the heavenly vision. he
went and remained until Herods death.
N;..n1~ Ala.