The Jones County news., 1920-09-30
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 3
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

LESSON TExT-Matthew 2: lis
GOLDEN TEXT--Thou shalt call his
name Jesus; for he shall save his people
from their sins.-Matt 1871
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI1-Isa- 7:l4-ls:
Micah, So; Luke I and 2
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Wise Men Visit
the Child Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Child Jesua "a
capes From Wicked King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Coming OF the King.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The King Comes as a Little Child.
Since we now have six months OF
study IN the Gospel according to Mat
thew, every teacher should grasp the
book as 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 fultiller of the Messianic hope.
!. The Birth OF the King q 1925.
The Messiah was to be the seed of a
woman-the son of a virgin (Gen.
B 8:15; 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 Elsa. 9:7). The Mes
siah 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 Israel's King (2:1,
p.
The King had a most heartless re-
ception. The kingdom was not ready
for him. His advent was heralded by
a star which guided souls from a 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 an unusual star
attracted their attention. Perhaps they
we're 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 a Messiah.
The light they had was dim, but they
lived up to thei best they had. To
those who act uppn the best light they
have. God alwaysi gives more. To those
VINO refuse to acJ upon the knowledge
given, God not only refuses to give
more, but brings into confusion that
which they already possess (Iatt. 25:
2s).
III. Herod Seeking to XIII the King
(vv. 3-S).
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
at the social customs In and about
Jerusalem at that time, viii enable us
to understand why this news brought
to the people. They were
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 be troubled. They
did not want Savior who would
save them from their sins; they want
ed to continue In them. Herod de-
handed OF the priests and scribes in
as to where Christ should be
born. They soon were able to tell
aim, showing that they had techni-
cal knowledge of the Scriptures, but
10 heart for the Savior set forth there
~ 0vho f,.w,.rfonopoee - tt, ,,.o,f<l-
he frivolities of the fashion-loving,
ind the gross immorallties to which
hey lead, make Jesus Christ unwel-
some In many quarters today.
w. The King Found wv. 9~12.).
The Magi having obtained the de-
'ired information, started Immediate
y to find the King. As soon as they
eft the city, the star which had guild
ID them from the East appeared again
o lead them on. When they found
lin, they worshiped him. Note Gods
'verruling providence in all this. Hun
lreds Of years before, the Prophet said
hat Christ should come forth from
Micah 5:2). God so order
ID that Mary should be brought to the
ity to give birth to Christ. God or
ered that the Magi should depart an
ther way, thereby defeating Herod's
wicked purpose. The gifts of these
vise men. God put into the hands of
oseph and Mary before going to
Egypt Doubtless they served good
urpose in meeting their expenses dur
ng their stay there.
v. The King Protected wv. 1870.
To escape Herod's wicked aim, God
lrected Joseph to take Mary and the
hild Jesus and flee to Egypt. In
bedience to the heavenly vision. he
rent and remained until Herod's death.
In Giving Aims.