The Raymer enterprise., 1920-09-30
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 3
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

PRIMARY TOPIC-The Wise Men visit
the Child Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Child jesus E.
sapes From a Wicked King
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Coming Of the King.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tho King Comes 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 fulfiller Of the Messlanic hope.
!. The Birth Of the King (1:18-25).
The Messiah was to be the seed Of
woman-the son Of a virgin tGen.
S:15; lisa. 7:14). This was fulfilled in
the birth Of Jesus. The genealogy as
given in Matthew 1:l-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.
slab 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.
u. The Ma0l Seek lsraeI's King (2:1,
y.
The King had a most heartless re-
ception. The kingdom was not ready
for him. His advent was heralded by
q 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.
The appearance Of an unusual star
attracted their attention. Perhaps they
were acquainted with the famous
prophecy Of BALKAN mum. 24:17).
Doubtless through the influence Of the
Jews who remained In Chaldea. or the
direct influence Of Daniel extending
to this time. they had become &C.
quainted with the hope Of q 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. IS:
2S).
~. Herod Seeking to XIII the King
wv. 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. 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
cd to continue In them. Her0d de.
handed Of the priests and scribes In
formation as to where Christ should be
born. They soon were able to tell
him, showing that they had a techni.
cal knowledge Of the Scriptures, hut
no heart for the Savior set forth there
In. The luxuriousness of the wealthy.
the frivollties Of the fashion-loving,
and the gross immorallties to which
they lead. make Jesus Christ unwel-
come In many quarters today.
". The King Found wv. 9.l2.).
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 worshiped him. Note Gods
overriding providence In all this. Hun.
dreds Of years before, the Prophet said
that Christ should come forth from
Bethlehem tMlcnh Spy. 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 tvv. 1875.
To escape Herod's wicked aim. God
directed Joseph to take Mary and the
child Jesus and fee 10 Egypt In
obedience to the heavenly vision. he
went and remained until Her0d's death.