New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-10-01
IMPROVED UMfoRN INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMSQlO0L
LESSON
By REV. p. b. FITZWATER. d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
re. 1890. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 3
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

GOLDEN TEAT-Ihou shalt cali MS
name Jesus; for he shall save his people
from their sins.-Matt. 1:21.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL~Isa- 7:i4-l6;
Micah. So; Luk l and 2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Wise Men Visit
the Child Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Child Jesus Es-
capes From a Wicked King.
INTERMEDIATES 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 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 C..rist the King
the fulfiller of the MeSsianic hope.
]. The Birth Of the King Il 1929.
The Messiah was to be the seed of a
wOman-the son of a virgin (Gen.
S:15; lisa. 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. 9:7). The Mes
siah was begotten by the Holy Ghost
and born Of the Virgin Mary, thus be-
coming Emmanuel, which term
in all its ~fulness. God for us; God with
US; God In us.
u. The Masi Seek Israeps 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
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 a 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. 2-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 I'm and about
Jerusalem at Il at time, will enable us
to understand why this news brought
uneasiness 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 a Savior who would
save them from their sins; they want
ed TO continue in them. Herod de-
manded of the priests and scrlbes in
formation MS to where Christ should be
born. They soon were able to tell
him. showing that they had n techni-
cal knowledge of the Scriptures. but
no heart for the Savior set forth there
in. The righteousness of the wealthy.
,he frivolities of the fashion-lOving,
and the gross immoralities TO which
they lead, make Jesus Christ unwel-
come In many quarters today.
~. The King Found wv. 9-12.).
The Magi having obtained the de-
sired information. started immediate
Iy 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 w~orshiped him. Note Gods
overriding providence In all this. Hun
dreds of years before. the Prophet said
that Christ should come forth from
bethlehem micah 5:2). God so order
ed that Mary should be brought 10 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 n good
purpose In meeting their expenses dur
ing their stay there.
v. The King Protected wv. 1870.
To escape Herod's wicked aim. God
directed Joseph to take Mary and the
child Jesus and flee TO Egypt. In
obedience TO the heavenly vision. he
went and remained until Herod's death.