The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-03-01
Matthew IL: 2-6. 1919. $3.50.


Golden Text-Come unto me,
all YOU that labor and are heavy
laden, and will give you rest
Matthew IL: 20.
JESUS AND HIS FoRERUNNER
Jesus the Messiah fulfilled
prophecy as he proved to his
forerunners. Note seven things:
~ John had recognized Jesus
as the Messiah. He baptized him
and heard the heavenly Voice.
He pointed him out as the Lamb
of God. He led his choicest dis
ciples to accept and follow Jesus;
or John had been prosecuted
for Jesus sake. He had been
true to his mission. He had
stood up against wickedness in
high places. For his reproot OF
the unlawful wedlock of Herod
Antipas and Herodias ne had
been cast into prison and was
now languishing in a cell of lone
ly Machaerus on one of the
frowning heights east of the
Dead Sea. (3) Yet John kept
in touch with Jesus. No one FOL
lowed the Great Teacher ana
Healer with keener interest.
Though in letters the great Bap..
heard of the manifold works OF
Jesus. (4) Still it appears that
John had his fitting shadows OF
doubt about the Messiahship OF
Jesus. After all, was the fore
runner mistaken? Perhaps he ex-
pected in Jesus not the benetl-
cence of gentle shower but the
crash of a violent thunderstorm.
1t may be that like the first
Elijah, his imperial spirit dropped
when he descended from the
heights of popularity to the dun
geon of inactivity. Or, as some
have thought, perhaps the faith
of the Baptist remained firm
while that of his disciples needed
a tonic, for they must have felt
that Jesus could have done some
thing for the relief of their mas
ter. At any rate 50 John sent
to Jesus. His own disciples were
able to attend him. They shared
his spirit. They obeyed his or
ders. Gladly they went to Cali
lee with the inquiry in their
hearts and on their lips-Is Jesus
really the Messiah, or must we
look for another? Thus they
came to Jesus and remained with
him for time, laying their burn
ing inquiry before him, and not
without gracious result. So 3
was that CO. John heard from
Jesus. The disciples went back
to their master at Machaerus
with the words of prophecy
(Isiah 20: 1S; So; 5, 6; 81: 1-9)
ringing in their ears and surg
ing in their hearts, They may
have been present with Jesus
when he healed the leper and
raised the widows son at Main.
Certainly they heard him preach
the good tidings to the multitud-
es. They were convinced that
Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled abb
and unearringl y the
Messianic prophecies of lsiah.
CD John was salts
fled with Jesus. A new light
flashed into his cell with the
word which his disciples brought
back from Jesus. He had made
no mistake. He was ready for
the executioner's sword. Only |
the crown awaited him now.
JESUS AND HIS FELLOWMEN
Jesus the great teacher full
filled his mission with fidelity !
and courage. Criticism of Jesus !
was made by many of his fell
low-countrymen. He arraigned
their ugly spirit in apt similitude. |
He said they were like spoiled
children who in a game on the |
streets got mad whether playing !
dance or funeral. They criti- !
cized the brusque and ascetic
Baptist. saying he had a demon. !,
the fact that Jesus was
not ascetic but lived the life of
an ordinary Jewish peasant did
not exempt him from criticism for |
they falsely called him a glutton
and winebibber. They criticized
also the company he kept, for he
associated with hated
tax-collectors an d transgressors
of ceremonial observance. But
Jesus did his duty despite carp |
ing critics, for he knew that the
path of wisdom lead to vindica-
ton after a while.
JESUS AND HIS FATHER
Jesus the Son of God reveals
the faith. Note five things. %
Jesus had just been rejected as
the Son of God. The cities of
Capernaum and Chorazin and
Bethsaida had been blessed by
his ministry and marvellous works
but remained impenitent. They
refused to recognize Jesus as the
worlds Savior. 1t was cat that