The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-09-30
IMPROVED uMfoaN INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMSO1OOL
LESSON
tby REV y, h. FiTzwATER. y. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF ChicagoD
GO 1879. Western Newspaper union)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 8
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF
JESUS.

LESSON TEN1-MatthcW q LIS
GOLDEN TENT-Thou shalt call his
name Jesus, for he shah save his people
from their sins.-Matt. i:2l.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAIs-Isa. 7:lt-is;
Micah, 90. Luke 1 and @
PRIMARY TOPlC-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 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 fultiller of the Messanic hope.
I. The Birth OF the King q 1925.
The Messiah was to be the seed Of
woman-the son Of a virgin (Gen.
3:15; Isa. 7:lI). This was fulfilled in
the birth Of Jesus. The genealogy as
given I'm 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 Elsa. $50. The Mes
siah was begotten by the Holy Ghost
and born Of the Virgin Mary. thus he
coming Emmanuel. which term means
in all its fulness. God for US; God with
us; God in us.
H. -. u
p.
The King had most heartless re-
ception. The kingdom was not ready
for him. His advent was heralded by
a star which guided souls from for
elgn 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
were acquainted with the famous
prophecy Of Balaam (Num. 24:1O.
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 Kill the King
wv. 3-S).
The news brought by the Mag
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. \ glimpse
at the social customs in and about
Jerusalem at that time, will enable "
to understand why this news brought
uneasiness 10 the people. They were
living in the greatest Of luxury. Fine
dresses. sumptuOus feasts. fine houses.
etc, led to gross immorality. We can
thus readily see why Ilerod and all
Jerusalem should be troubled. They
did not want a Savior who would
save them from their sins; they want
ell 10 continue In them. Herod de-
manded Of the priests and scrihes in
formation as to where Christ should be
born. They soon were able to tell
him, showing that they had a technl-
cal knowledge OF the Scriptures but
no heart for the Savior set forth there
I'm. The NERVOUSNESS Of the wealthy.
the frivolities of the fashion-loylng,
and the gross immorallties 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
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
overruling providence in all this. Hun
dreds of years before, the Prophet said
that Christ should come forth from
Bethlehem (Micah ~. 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 IIerod'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 a 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