The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-09-28


is, God with us.-MattheW 1928.
Looking forward to an experience
in life which promises to be both in
teresting and profitable always
brings glow of expectation. Some
thing of that spirit should pervade
the Bible schools of our land as
they begin a siX-months study in the
Gospel of Matthew.
Consideration of our Lords life
properly starts with the story of His
birth, but we reserve that for our
Christmas lesson. Today we stress
the manner in which the Child Je-
sus was received into the world
Men then as now, were either for
Him or against Him. God had only
one attitude, that of loving protec-
ton and preparation of His Son for
His ministry.
/. Christ in the World of Men.
The world of today is far differ
ent from that of the first century,
but the difference is all on the out
side. Almost breath taking have
been the developments of modern
civilization, but these have not
changed the heart of man. He still
fears and hates and fights and sins.
His attitude toward Christ is un-
changed. There are still only two
classes of people in the world-those
who have received Christ and are
saved, and those who have rejected
Him and are lost.
l. Against Christ.
How do men show their rejection
of Gods Son? Just as they did at
His birth, by: a. Fear. Herod was
afraid lest the coming of this one
should result in the loss of his i'll
gotten gains. His anger and fear
made all Jerusalem afraid. b. In
difference. When the Wise Men
asked where Christ was to be born,
the priests and scribes knew exactly
where to find the facts in the Holy
Scriptures, but having done so, they
relapsed into utter Indifference.
They had no interest in the fulfill
ment of the prophecy. C. Hatred.
Herod poured out the violence of his
heart by killing the frst-born. He
was the first of many who have ragged
against the Christ in futile anger.
d. Sorrow. The tears of the mothers
of Jerusalem but foreshadowed the
weeping and wailing which charac-
terizes Christ-rejection both in time
and eternity.
2. For Christ.
Thanks be to God, there were
those in that day who were for Christ
and, like those who follow Him to-
day, they showed: a. Spirituality.
Men have marveled that the Magi
knew of the birth of Christ. They
must have studied the prophecies of
the Word and been responsive to the
teaching and moving of the Holy
Spirit. Can we say as much for
ourselves? b. Interest. Not content
to know and to marvel, they shamed
the priests of Israel by their per-
sistent interest in this great thing
which had come to pass. C. Love.
They brought themselves in worship
and they brought rich gifts from
their treasures. You can give with
out loving, but you cannot love with
out giving. d. Action. They came.
They persisted until they found the
Christ. Then they listened to God
and protected His Son by not re-
turning to Herod.
III. Christ in Gods World
Men had brought sin and ruin into
the world. They had rejected His
Son, but God still ruled and we see
Him protecting, preparing, and full
filling prophecy through His Son.
l. Protecting. Men may hate and
seek to destroy Gods Son. Satan
may inspire them with ingenuity and
cunning, but see how the Eternal
One speaks to Joseph in dreams,
how He prepares place of refuge
in Egypt and ultimately in Naza-
reth, where the boy Jesus may in
crease in wisdom and stature and
favor with God and man.
2. Preparing. God knows of the
days of public ministry which are
ahead and above all, of that day
when on Golgotha's hill Christ was,
in His own body, to prepare saliva
ton for you and for me. God is not
taken by surprise. He moves for
ward to the completion of His plan
with the stately tread of eternity.
3. Fulfilling. God also sees to it
that prophecy is fulfilled. We read
in verses Is and %, that it might
be fulfilled" and in verse II, "then
was fulfilled" Gods Word is always
sure, for He makes it 80. His in
finite and eternal faithfulness guar
antees the fulfllment of every proph-
ecy, yes, and of every promise of
His Holy Word.