December 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
788
the home would be for Mary and Martha when they got back, and could not see the dear brother any more, or hear his voice. There was one thing that helped them to bear their great sorrow, for the brother, like themselves, loved Jesus, and they knew they would meet him again in heaven. Now Jésus came to the town of Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus, and heard that Lazarus had lain in the grave four days.. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she ran out to meet Him, and these are the words she, spoke to Him: “ Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Jesus told Martha her brother would rise again. Martha said to Jesus that she knew; he would rise on the great resurrection day. Then Jesus said something very wonderful, and I want you to always remember it, for He is saying it to us too: “ I am the resurrection and the life.” She was speaking to the one who had the power to raise Lazarus to life again. Jesus asked Martha if she believed this, and she answered and said: “ Yes, Lord, I believe thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” Then she went and called her sister, Mary, who came at once and fell at His .feet. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the friends with her, He wept also, and asked where they had laid the body, and they asked Jesus to come and see. The grave, or tomb, where Lazarus was laid was a cave with a great stone rolled in front as a door. Jesus asked some of the people to take away the stone. Martha told Jesus he had now been dead four days, and that the body would be in bad condition. Jesus answered by saying that if she would only believe she would see the glory of God. (Finish the story, emphasizing the resurrection for all in Christ, who is the resurrection, showing them death in a beautiful light,-just going to sleep here and waking up in heaven with Jesus. Teach memory verse.) Golden Text: “ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Lesson Text: John 1:14-18;; ,3:16-21. Devotional Reading: John 1:1-9. G i f t o f O D ’ S R A C E “ God so loved—He gave” . The character of Christ can not be explained apart from His Deity. He could not have been the product of His age. Like can only produce like. His age was narrow, selfish and wicked. He was broad, unselfish and good. As well attempt to prove that the Rocky Mountains LESSON were piled up by the spades of the Mexican EXPOSITION peons who graded the railways as try to F. W. Farr establish that Jesus Christ was the product of His time, John declares that Jesus was God incarnate. In the old catechism the question “ How do you prove that the Bible teaches that Christ was God?” is answered in the following way: “ The Bible teaches that Christ was God in that it ascribes tq Him the names, attributes and works of God.” In the prologue of his Gospel, John ascribes to Christ per- DECEMBER 21, 1924 GOD’S GIFT TO THE WORLD John 1:14-18; 3:16-21
Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” (John 11:45). Down through the centuries many of His followers have experienced those “ Love’s Delays,” and have been grateful for them. Some reader of these lines may now be going through the same experience. In the heart questions arise -—“ Why does He not bring speedy deliverance in this time of great need? Why does He. delay when disaster is so near at hand?” O soul, hear Him who loves you saying: “ Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (v. 40). “ Underneath His watchful eye Are the flames that purify; I shall understand their meaning, by and by.” “ The leaves of the aromatic plant must be crushed ere they will emit their fragrance; the ore must be plunged in the furnace ere the gold is set free; the pebble must be polished on the lapidary’s wheel ere its brilliant colors are apparent.” Jesus Comforts A Family In Trouble John 11:1-44. Memory Verse.— “ Behold, how he loved him.” John 11: 36. Approach.—The children know what death is, and doubt less have already gained, a horror of it, or at least a per plexity regarding it. This lesson affords an unexcelled opportunity to show them death in a beautiful light that will never leave them. With little sticks ELEMENTARY for men and women, .little pasteboard Mabel L. Merrill houses, and a sand table in which the grave can be excavated, the entire story may be acted out very vividly. . (Peloubet). (It is refreshing in these days to find writers like the above, who believe ' in making the truth about death real, especially to children. The Bible does.) Lesson Story.—What is this l hold in my hand? A rose. What color is my dress? White. Now T know by the way you have answered these questions, that you can see. Who will tell me about a man who was born blind? (Always plan to get the attention of the children in some such manner; then they will not realize it is a lesson and get restless before you start). When Jesus lived on earth He did not have a home of His own, but the home we are to hear about this morning was always open to Jesus, and He was a frequent visitor there. Our story tells us Jesus was away, and that Lazarus, the brother of the two sisters in this home, was very sick. Of course they sent for Jesus to come, but He did not get there for some time, and Lazarus died. We know how sad Mary and Martha were, for they loved their brother, Laz arus, dearly, and now he is dead, and they are alone in the home. What a dreadful thing death is,' that comes into homes and takes our loved ones from us. Did you know, boys andl girls, there would never have been any death in the world if sin had not come? Now we know'how Mary and Martha watched for Jesus, and then the day came for the funeral, the time when they with their friends followed the dead body as it was carried to the graveyard, and put away in the tomb. How lonely “ This leaf, this stone— it is thy heart: It must be crushed by pain, and smart; It must be cleansed by sorrow’s art, . Ere it will yield a fragrance sweet; ■ Ere it will shine, a jewel meet To lay before the Savior’s feet.”
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