Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-28
Sunday School Lesson
BY
Rev. Hugh r. Stevenson.

ton in the principles and methods
practised by the Lord Jesus. In the
hour Of His greatest popularity the
Master established the Apostolic Col
lege. He opened up this peripatetic
school to teach the men whom He had
chosen to be His apostles how to take
men alive" Although founded to give
instruction in soul winning. the Mas
ter's teaching occupies unique posi-
ton, for in the mind Of modern stu
dents. both Christian and pagan, His
gospel is the only one that contains
the principles that can save the world,
that has almost exhausted its moral
possibilities" The hope for the saliva
ton of the individual, society and the
State can be found in this hour only
in the gospel Of Christ Jesus.
The Masters friendship for sinners
aided in developing His popularity. for
all men have sinned and come short Of
the glory Of God. His heart beat in
sympathy with the Borrowing and He
extended practical aid to them, meet
ing them around the banquet table AS
a social friend and defending the SIM
ful woman who had anointed His feet
at the feast of a Pharisee. He recog-
nized the approaching peril that He
was facing when He dared to take the
sinners side and condemned His host
for neglecting to do his duty to Him
as his guest.
Approaching Peril.
Jesus had come as missionary to
bring the tidings' of Gods love and SAL
walton to men. The fact that He was
unwilling to accept political leadership
and become Their King had aroused
opposition in Galilee. Els gospel was
one of spiritual freedom that is the
basis Of all other forms of liberty. He
pointed out to the masses that heard
Him preaching from the boat at the
seaside that His success depended upon
the way that they heard His gospel.
While passing through crowd He felt
the touch Of timid wcman's hand
that drew virtue and healing from Him.
He would not permit her to go without
making confession and giving her as.
surance that her sins were forgiven.
During the last six months in Galilee,
Jesus appears to have devoted himself
almost exclusively to the training of
the apostles. From Peter, while he was
with them in CaeSarea- Phillipi, He
obtained the evidence that the twelve
possessed spiritual vision for Peter con-
fessed that they believed that Jesus was
the Christ, the son of the living God.
He sent them forth as missionaries
to prepare for His coming. Their sue
cess was so great. that He appointed
20 to evangelize Perea and prepare for
His coming.
The efforts OF these missionaries
stirred up Perea 50 that Jesus had a
warm welcome from the religious lead
erS and the people. While the eccles-
iastical authorities were trying to en-
trap Him, Jesus boldly selected the
parable Of the good samaritan to teach
them, who was their neighbor. This
extension of the Old Testament teach
ings to take in all classes, countries
and creeds served to increase the eppo-
sition that the religious leaders ex-
hibited toward the Master. He coura-
geously journeyed to Jerusalem at the
feast Of the dedication ana proclaimed
that He was the Messiah. It was al
this dark period that He found a well
come in the Bethany home, where He
loved to be. While a guest there the
two sisters, Mary and Martha, took
different ways to show their hospitality
to Christ. He defended Mary, who
was listening in a sympathetic manner
to His teaching, by pointing out "a
Martha that she was thinking too
much about the food, when they only
needed q simple meal.
In His conflict with His enemies. who
had claimed that He performed His
miracles through the power of satan.
Jesus pointed out their peril. The
same was true in last weeks lesson
when we learned of the folly Of con-
sidering material possessions without
realizing that they belong to God.
Let us follow "Jesus Of Nazareth
who went about doing good, and heal
ing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him" and He
win be with us If we obey Him.