The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-11-25


GOLDEN TExT-Corps unto mo all -
that Ia Dor ana arc heavy laden, and vita
give you rest.-Matt u:A
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Luks y:lS-
=; O:la-H. "a. y; 11:l<-as. ., n
PRIMARY ToPIC-Ths Kind Deeds Of
Jesus. = ~
JUNIOR ror1c-Fr,end. and Enemies
INTERMEDIATES AND snNIoR TOPIC
Choosing Jesus A. Our Teacher.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
of jesus -,
The teacher should keep in mind
the progress of thought In Matthew
and present these lessons accordingly.
In chapters to we have the laws
Of the kingdom; chapters 8 and 8, the
mighty works to demonstrate the
Kings ability to administer the affairs
OF the kingdom; chapter 10, the prop.
agation Of the kingdom through the
sending forth Of the twelve; chapters
II and II, how tho kingdom was re-
ceived.
J. Four ciasses 81 Hsarsro (ch. III.
!. Perplexed hearers like John the
Baptist I'll :2-11). John believed that
Jesus was the Christ ". -, but was
somewhat perplexed as to the manner
OF the establishment OF the kingdom.
In the Old Testament predictions there
were two lines In the Messianic
prophecies; the one set forth Christ
as the suffering one, as in Isaiah IS,
and the other, as the invincible Com
queror. as in Isaiah 63. Indeed, in
Isaiah 6O:1. 2 we have the two id
vents In one view (see Matt. 8 :1O-12).
He said that the ak Is laid unto the
root Of the trees and that there was
to be separation of the chafr from
the wheat and burning of the cnaff,
but now the King was occupied mere
~ with the opening Of the eyes of the
blind, etc. John saw Christ as tho
one who would remove the sins Of tho
people by the shedding Of his blood
(JOhn :29), but he failed to see this
interval between the time of his suffer-
ings and the time Of his triumph.
Since this interval between the first
and second cOmings-the nature Of the
age In which we live-was not known
until Christ revealed 1t in the parallels
Of the thirteenth chapter, we do not
wonder at Johns perplexity. Johns
faith was not failing him. neither did
he send this deputation to Jesus for.
the sake Of his disciples. He was q,
true prophet and q faithful man. but
he was perplexed.
2. Violent hearers III :12-19). These
were willing to receive the kingdom
or In tn khoj~ xH,0v hut
unwilling to conform to its laws. Their
ears were closed to everything but
their own carnalIty. They would not
repent when called upon to repent BY
John, nor rejoice when called upon BIZ
Christ to rejoice wv. 17-19).
8. The stout-hearted unbellevers
1:2O-24l. In Chorazin. Bethsaida.
and Capernaum, Christ had done most
Of his mighty works. but the people
deliberately set their hearts against
him and his message. It was not fJsc.
lack Of knowledge and opportunity
that they were unsaved. but for their
purposeful rejection Of Christ. Tyre
and Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah were
filled with immoral profligates and
idolaters, but they will be more toll
erably dealt with In the day Of judy
ment than those who wilfully reject
Christ.
4. Hearers, who are babes In spirit
I'll :25-3O). There were some among
those who heard Jesus with childlike
faith who believed that Christ was the
Messiah, and they opened their hearts
to receive him. Christ invites those
who have the babe-like. spirit to come
to him, and to all who come to him
and receive him he gives rest.
u. The Antaaonism Of the Kingdom.
Och. 12).
IN chapter IL we saw the shameful
Indifference of the Jews to their King.
In this chapter we see positive and
bitter antagonism manifesting itself
against him. They are not only with
out heart for him. but do their best
to destroy him. The Immediate oc-
casion OF their wicked determination
was Christ's relation to the Sabbath.
because the hungry disciples plucked
corr, and Jesus healed the withered
.hal.a Oh tie Sabbath day. they sought
10 des.rGy HIN. They accused him OF
hei.il IA league with the Devil. Jesus
With u.IunsWerable logic showed them
that they had blasphemed against the
Holy Ghost, and were therefore guilty
Of an objectionable sin. They did not
deny the miracle but sought to account
for it without Owning him as the Mes
slab. al.
What Tenderness Is.
Tenderness Is the extreme susceptt-
bility OF the softer emotions and pas.
sions. It implies the refinement OF
pity. the sensitive delicacy Of love. the
culture Of sympathy, and the most
complete embodiment Of a fervent,
deep-seated, and impulsive gentleness.