Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-10-01
MRg0vED UMF0RM INTERNATIONAL
SUNA4YS0lO0L
LESSON
(By REV. T. b. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
Co. 1920 Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 8
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 2: Ills.
GOLDEN TEXT--Thou shalt call his
name Jesus; for he shall save his people
from their sins.--Matt. 1.21
ADDITIONAL MATERlAL-Isa. 7:la-16,
Micah. SO; Luke l and 2,
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Wise Men Visit
the Child Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC--The Child Jesus Es-
capes From Wicked King.
TIE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Coming of the King.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The King Comes as Little Child.
Since we 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.
!. The Birth of the King (1:1S-25)
The Messiah was to be the seed of a
woman-the son Of virgin (Gen
s:15; Isa 7;14. This was fulfilled in
the birth of Jesus. The genealogy as
given In Matthew 1:1-17 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. go. The Mes
slah was begotten by the Holy Ghost
and born of the Virgin Mary, thus be-
coming Emmanuel which term means
In all Its fulness, God for us; God with
us; God In us.
II. The Maei Seek lsrae's King (2:1,
y.
The King had most heartless re-
ception. The kingdom was not ready
for him. His advent was heralded by
star which guided souls from n for
eign nation to seek and worship him.
pouring out their gifts to him. These
wise men were either Arabian or Per
sian astrologers, students of the stars.
The appearance of al unusual star
attracted their attention, Perhaps they
were acquainted with the famous
prophecy Of Balaam (Num. PAID.
Doubtless through the influence Of the
Jews who remained in Chaldea, or the
direct influence Of Daniel extending
to this time, they had become ac-
Quainted 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 to give
more, but brings into confusion that
which they already possess Matt. %:
2s).
~. Herod Seeking to XIII the King
wv. 3-S).
The news brought by the Mag
struck terror to Herod's heart. lie
was not alone In this, for all Jerusalem
was troubled with him. The news
ought to have brought JOY. A glimpse
at the socinl customs In and about
Jerusalem at flat time, will enable us
TO understand why this news brought
uneasiness to the people. They were
living In the greatest of luxury. Fine
dresses, sunptuous feasts, fine houses
ETC., led to gross immortality. We caD
thus readily see why Herod and all
Jerusalem should be troubled. They
did not wnnt o Savior who would
save them from their sins; they want.
ed 10 continue in them. Herod de-
manded of the priests and scribes In
formation as to where Christ should be
born Tiny soon were able to tell
him, showing that they had techni'
cal knowledge of the Scriptures, but
no heart fer the Savior set forth there
In. The righteousness Of the wealthy
the frivolitles of the fashion-loving
and the gross immoraIlties to which
they lead, make Jesus Christ unwel-
come In many quarters today.
". The King Found wv. 9-12).
The Mag: having obtained the de.
sired information, started immediate
" 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 worshiped him. Note Gods
overriding providence In all this. Hun
dreds of years before, the Prophet said
that Christ should come forth from
Bethlehem Micah :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''
wicked purpose. The gifts of thest
wise men, God put into the hands OF
Joseph and Mary before going II
Egypt Doubtless they served goot
purpose in meeting their expenses dur
ing their stay there.
v. The King Protected wv. 1879.
To escape Herod's wicked aim, Goo
directed Joseph to take Mary and thu
child Jesus and flee to Egypt. Ir
obedience to the heavenly vision, HI
went and remained until Herod's death