King's Business - 1934-02

65

T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S

February, 1934

Whenever there are mysteries in our lives which we cannot understand, we need to look at them through God’s mirror, the Bible, for by so doing, we shall find the only safe and sure answer.

good to them that love God.” “The trying of your faith worketh patience.” “ If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” “What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.”

Given FREE W IT H A Y E A R ’ S S U B S C R I P T I O N T O T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S

MARCH 18, 1934 JESUS RESPONDS TO FAITH M atth ew 13:53 to 16:12

"The Partiality o f J E S U S "

The Lord’s reply to the disciples also carried a ray of hope: “ I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” If He would seek the lost—those who were far from Him, who did not desire Him— surely He would have something for even the Gentiles who sought Him. Evidently moved by this conviction, the woman then approached the Lord with a prevailing plea (vs. 25-27). She took the place of one who had no claim except her need and the fact that Jesus Christ, as Lord was able to help her. She stood on the ground o f grace, pleading no merit of her own. Not to the “ Son of David” did she appeal, but to the Lord o f all the earth who had blessing for all. The Lord had a final test for her, and He applied it in the reference to “dogs” (v. 26). Even the use of this word helped the woman’s faith, because the Lord did not use the word descriptive o f the fierce, homeless, outcast dog, but one which meant a “little home dog,” a pet in the house­ hold. The woman evidently sensed His meaning, for she took the place He gave her and secured what she desired. As long as there is any claim whatsoever, grace cannot and does not operate. This woman’s appeal should be carefully considered because o f its teaching on how to get things from the Lord. She came to Christ with deep earnestness, she was definite in her request, her appeal was di­ rect and simple, she was filled with ex­ pectancy, she was persistent even in the face of seeming rebuff, and finally she was rewarded with the blessing she sought. It is worth any one’s time and effort to master this lesson on prayer. The commendation o f the woman’s faith (v. 28) would encourage her in all future times of distress and difficulty. She would not soon forget this incident. Likewise, we should not forget that He who spared not His own Son will give us all necessary things, if we stand upon the ground o f grace alone, presenting no claim except our great need. II. D ealing w ith I srael (29-31). When the Lord Jesus returned from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, He repaired to a mountain, and there great crowds came unto Him (vs. 29, 30). He was in their midst as their Messiah sent from God, but to them He was nothing more than a wan­ dering Rabbi with "power to heal. They were eager for physical help, but they re­ jected the spiritual blessings He had for them. But, by doing exactly what the prophets had said Messiah should do when He came, the Lord would give the people every op­ portunity to know that He was the fulfill­ ment o f the law (v. 30). He gave them proof that the kingdom was at hand in the Person o f their King. Here there was no question concerning the right o f the Gen­ tiles; the “ Son of David” was acting un­ hindered and unasked. The Messiah was treating the children o f Israel, even in their rebellious condition, as the people of God, which they were. They were impressed with His power and “wondered” when they saw the heal-

Lesson T ex t : Matt. 15:21-31. Golden T ex t : “Ask, and it shall be given y o u ; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). Outline and Exposition I. R esponding to th e G entile (21-28). The Canaanitish woman was “a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation” (Mk. 7:26). This fact explains the seeming indifference o f Jesus toward her when she made her first request for help. In Matthew’s Gos­ pel, Jesus is presented as Messiah, the King of the Jews, and in this capacity, His min­ istrations excluded the Gentiles. The woman was in deep trouble. Her daughter, being possessed by a demon (v. 22) times, we too often look upon demon pos­ session as merely some mental derange­ ment. The Bible teaches very clearly that demons are intelligent beings controlled by Satan and ever seeking to inhabit human bodies. Both the woman and the Lord recognized the reality o f demon posses­ sion—the woman because o f her own bitter experience and the Lord because of His omniscience. The woman was helpless in her trouble and nearly hopeless because of her inability to combat Satan. No known power could deliver from his bondage, but she had heard of the wonderful things Jesus had done elsewhere, and she grasped at the hope that He might do something for her. “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David,” was her cry. Direct and definite in her approach, she eagerly awaited His answer. However earnest her appeal was, it was made on improper grounds. She took the place which, at that time, belonged only to Israel, im­ plying that there was no distinction be­ tween herself and the others who had been helped. She approached the Lord as the “ Son o f David” but, as such, He had nothing for her. Hence “he answered her not a word” (v. 23) sympathized with all human woe and had the power to assuage it seemed extraordi­ nary. But the very silence was an encour­ agement to the woman to persist in her re­ quest. It even emboldened the disciples. They, too, evidently thought the Lord’s ac­ tion was strange, for they said to Him, “ Send her away; for she crieth after us.” Or, in other words, “Grant her request and be rid of her.” The Lord’s silence, together with the attitude of the disciples, would awaken hope in the woman. BLACKBOARD LESSON

Read this Unusual Offer A N D A C T A T O N C E

T h a n k s to the courtesy of the author, Rev. E. C. Comfort, Pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky, we are enabled to OF­ FER FOR FREE D ISTRIBU TIO N the book entitled “ THE PARTIAL­ ITY OF JESUS” and will send it postpaid to any ad­ dress, if requested, with the first 100 annual subscriptions to THE KING'S BUSINESS, pai d for at the regular price of $1.50. “ THE PARTIAL­ ITY OF JESUS” is a book that is hard to describe, but very easy to appreciate. It is the plain and en­ thusiastic recital of a disciple, f r e s h from the Master’s companionship, fill­ ed with His Spirit and is thus evangel­

, was in bondage to Satan. In modern

istic to the highest degree. It abounds with new and very reverent observations; and its theme, the partiality of Jesus for sinners, is never lost sight of. Perhaps, however, it is better to allow recent readers of this masterful book to tell the tale of its compelling power in their own language. A Texas Sunday-school teacher said that she read it awhile, then cried and then she prayed. A former wanderer in a Southern state wrote: “ You will never know what the first chapter in that book has done for me in showing me and leading me to accept the Saviour who is partial to sinners.” From a Mississippi public school teacher came this: “ I have just finished reading your 'Partiality of Jesus,’ and I feel like I have been off to a two weeks’ camp meeting.” Clergymen and Christian leaders are equally enthusiastic. Dr. H. A Ironside, Pastor, Moody Church, Chicago, writes: “ My soul has been refreshed by reading that unique book ‘The Partiality of Jesus.’ ” F. C. Chaffin, Pensacola, Fla., writes: “ I have dis­ tributed twelve copies among my friends. It is a wonder­ ful book and I am sure was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit." Moody Bible Institute Monthly, Chicago, 111., re­ viewed the book in these terms: “ These meditations are refreshing, as they breathe the vital spirit of a new born soul with its Lord." Occasionally a book has had the influence of a revival. “ The Partiality of Jesus” is such a book. Write for your copy today. Its regular price is $1.35.

. This silence on the part of One who

TH E K IN G ’S B U SIN E SS 558 So. Hope St., Los Angeles, Calif.

You may send me T he K ing ’ s B usiness for one year, beginning with the_______________issue, and free therewith a copy of ‘‘THE PARTIAL­ ITY OF JESUS,” postpaid to the address below. Please find enclosed $1.50 which pays for both.

Nam e.

Address

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker