The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1934-01-18
Lesson for January 81
JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

GOLDEN TE&T-F'rom that time
Jesus began to preach, and to say. Re-
pent: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand. Matthew 4:17.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Finds Some
Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-uow Jesus Began
His Work.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Jesus Begins His Life Work.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Threefold Ministry of Jesus.
Matthew'S purpose was to present
Jesus the Messiah as king. Strictly
speaking his official ministry began at
his baptism. So far as his preaching
was concerned the present lesson is
properly designated Jesus Begins His
Ministry"
|. The King His Own Herald wv.
12-1T.
l. The reason for this ". 12). The
news Of the Imprisonment Of John the
Baptist caused Jesus to forsake Judea
and go into Galilee. The fate of John
was accepted by Jesus as foreshadow-
of prudence on his part. When the
people reject the truth and attempt to
do violence to the messenger, there
should be turning from them unless
specifically directed otherwise.
2. To whom the proclamation was
made wv. 1916. 1t was to the peo-
pie at Capernaum in fulfillment of
Isaiahs prophecy lisa OIL, .. This
is section of the country most over
run by the warning nations and there
fore most exposed to the blighting eff
fectS of war. Thus we see that the
darkest and most corrupt of the prov
inces was first in getting the light
In this we see a foreshadowing of the
present age when the gospel of the
grace of God is being preached to the
Gentiles. 1t is just like Jesus our
Lord to extend his grace to the low
est and most despised peoples. He
came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.
3. His message ". ~. Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
This is the same kingdom which John
the Baptist and the Old Testament
pAODAClo II LuSdllS Tic
messianic earth rule of Jesus Christ.
The time is coming when heralds will
again announce the coming of the king
dom and the King himself will come
forth from the heavens to establish
his mediatorial kingdom 1t is for
this we pray when we lntelligenrly
Sa. "Thy kingdom come"
II. The King Calling to Himself AS
sistants wv. 1S-22).
l. His command of authority wv.
is, 19). He did not try to persuade
them by the use of arguments but is
sued mandate. To command is the
prerogative of a king.
2. The station of the servants
called wv. IS, 2D. They were men
of lowly birth and occupation-fsher-
men. These men were busily engaged
in service when the Lord issued the
call.
3. To what they we're called ".
19). They were called to definite
service. II will make you fishers OF
men," He had previously called them
to be disciples (John ;36-42). He now
called them to service. The qualities
which made for good fishers of fish
patience, bravery to face the storm
and the night, the perseverance which
toiled all night though no fish were
caught-would make them good fishers
of men,
4. Their prompt obedience wv. 20.
22). They put their trust in him who
called, believing that he was able to
supply their needs. When the king
commands there is no time for delay.
III. The Kings Triumphant Prog
ress. wv. 1920.
He went the whole rounds of Galilee
teaching the Scriptures, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom and healing all
manner of diseases. He did a three
fold work.
l. Teaching the Scriptures in the
swmlgogues ". 23). The revelation of
God needed to be explained This is
what he was doing in Nazareth duke
4:16-22). Such is the primary bust
ness of every Sunday school teacher
and minister.
2. Preaching the glad tidings Of
the kingdom ". 23). The king who
was then present and was heralding
his own mission, was ready to estab-
lish his kingdom if they had been
willing to receive him.
8. Healing all manner of diseases
wv. 23-25). There was no form of
disease which he could not cure, and
so abundant was his success that Ibis
fame went throughout all Syria: and
they brought unto him all sick people
that were taken with divers diseases
and torments, and those which were
possessed with devils, and those which
were lunatick, and those that had the
palsy; and he healed them"