story of a crucified Jew. The Cross is an offence always. It means a mee"k and lowly spirit—it means a separated life—it means a surrendered will. The best of all answers to the quibbles con- cerning the Christ is the superb, reeord of splendid achievements of His church. (3) A CLEAN-CUT COMMENDATION. "Jesus began to say, concerning J ohn ." John's disciples go on their way re- joicing and Jesus seeks to correct any misapprehension that may have arisen concerning John. He was not a reed, hollow and pliant, which is a symbol of levity and inconsistency (Isa. 36:6); neither was he a polished courtier, effeminate and fearful, a lover of ease. John was an oak, strong and sturdy; a child of the desert domiciled in a duli- geon for the Truth's sake. John was subjected to tremendous pressure upon his faith; but he was no weakling. He had faithfully confessed Christ before men (Mark 1:7; John 3:28-30), and now his Lord confessed John as one of the greatest of earth's great men (vs. 11). He was a man of convictions. He did not permit the Pharisees and Sad- ducees to be baptized (Matt. 3:7-8). A man of courage. He told the king that it was unlawful for him to have Herodias as his wife (Matt. 14:4). He was a modest man. He confessed his anworthiness to bear the Messiah's shoes (Matt. 2:11). A separated man. He lived a life of self-renunciation. He was a prophet (vs. 9). He was himself the subject of prophecy (Mai. 3:1) and with him the line of prophets ceased. He lived to see the day when the great prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah were fulfilled, lived to look into His face and announce the King at the door. But great as was his privilege, he did not enter into the Kingdom. The Kingdom was not set up, but postponed. The privileges of one who enters the Kingdom will be far beyond that enjoyed by John. He was the friend of the Bridegroom (John 3:39), but the bride has a different place from the friend who acted as an inter- mediary in the plans for the wedding. John had great joy in being the fore- runner and did not hesitate to declare that he must decrease—his light must wane as the light of the Lord Jesus shone forth. Divine Conclusions. Jesus closed His commendation of John with a parable in which Hei condemns the critical Jews.
He likens the Scribes and Pharisees to children, whose comrades have sought to play with them. They have played that it was a funeral, but thé others would not play again; they played that it was a wedding, but still they sulked; they wouldn't play. John came de- manding repentance. He lived f aa aus- tere life and spoke of judgment. They said he was too austere—he. had a demon. Jesus came, mingling with men. He made but little of the ex- actions required by the Pharisees and they said He was a glutton and wine bibber. They would not receive the message of John, neither would they receive the message of Jesus. They would not play, but sulked and grum- bled. The publicans and sinners went out and were baptized of John, and when Jesus came with His message of light and love they believed and followed Him. Thus they set their seal to the truth and by their acts condemned the Pharisees and Scribes. Following this parable comes the solemn note of im- pending judgment for those who had trifled with the truth. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) A prophet in prison is not proof against the power of doubt. (2) Distrust as to the Deity of Christ will be dispelled by a knowledge of His Word. (3) The witness to the worth of Christ is best discovered in the believer and the Book. (4) John made much of Judgment and overlooked mercy. Men now makè mueh of mercy and overlook judg- ment. • (5) The Gospel is designed foT all, de- manded by all, and should be de- livered to all. (6) The wisdom of those Jews who be- lieved in Jesus as the Messiah was justified by His works. Lesson 4—April 24. WARNING AND INVITATION. Matt. 11:20-30. Golden Text—Matt. 11:28. Theme: Condemning and Calling. Outline: (1) Invective Against Impenitence..20-24 (2) Invocation to the Father.... 25-26 (3) Infinite Power of Son 27 (4) Invitation to the Needy 28-30 The lesson for today follows immedi- ately atfer the testimony concerning John the Bfiptist. The final words in
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