The Key West citizen., 1952-11-15
Citizen Staff Photo

be apathy and indifference and
disregard for the Church of Jesus
Christ.
In the lesson for today we find
that Jesus called the disciples and
started a training school. Industry
has learned the value of a thorough
course of training before giving
their personnel too much respon-
sibility. Jesue restricted the work
of his disciples to their own people.
Without further training and ex-
perience they might become dis
couraged with the cynicism and
bitter opposition of the Samaritans
and pagans or Gentiles.
Our lesson is here outlined In
that it is better for us to help and
save those near us first. The dis
ciples were given power over un-
clean spirits and were Empowered
to heal all manner of diseases.
They were in training and even
with all these instructions and
power, they had much to learn.
The first lesson came in the form
of a warning. They would meet
hardship and difficulties and be
maligned. Since Jesus the Teach;
er would endure all this too, the
disciples were told they could ex-
pect the same thing. The house of
Beelzebub is ever active and finds
fertile field within the church.
If he can focus attention on some
Insignificant habit or practice, it
can be magnified to become a
serious error. Jesus found that out
when he sought to minister to the
needy by eating with publicans and
sinners. Like the Pharisees, too
many have logs of wood in their
own eyes and imagine others have
Specks in theirs. Jesus saw fit to
warn his disciples of clever prac-
tice of Satan.
Jesus emphasized the ever need
ed message in that "the kingdom
of heaven is at hand" Later they
would explain the kingShip of Jesus
His atoning work and the resur-
rection. There would be sneering
doubters and cynical hypocrites
who would cloud the brightness and
beauty of their services.
Jesus does hint that they viii be
more successful than He has been
since He had not been so well re-
ceived even in Palestine. The dis
ciples would proclaim the Light
from the housetops in oriental
fashion, and to the world, Antioch,
EpheSuS, Corinth,. Alexandria and
even 10 Rome. So the wonderful
message spoken in darkness, would
become the light of the world as
the truth sparkled in the lives of
saints down through the years.
People have ever sought peace
and yet Jesus admits that he came
not to bring peace, but a sword.
This does not mean that we are
to engage in mortal conflict with
our neighbor, but in q spiritual ap-
peal using the sword of the Spirit
which Is the word of God, and
VIII bear crosses on his back. In
this bitter struggle his prediction
has come true, brother against
brother, son against father and
daughter against mother. This is
the first mention made Of the cross
which has played such an impor.
tant role In the redemption of the
world.
DR.. Charles Leber tells Of his
visit to Panama city where he
witnessed a religious parade. There
were many people, priests, city
officials. boys and girls all carry
ing Bibles, roSaries. candles. torch
es, flags and images. This was the
Via Dolorosa as he plodded along
representing the Panamanian
ChrlStus with . heavy cross on his
back. People gasped and in solemn
reverence stood mute.as the figure
passed. The practical minds of the
American visitors however could
not but notice the pillow On the
shoulder Of the ChriStus to ease
The burden Of the cross. Then Or.
-e6er says. Elm silence We watch
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