February, 1937
T H E K I N G S B U S I N E S S
63
just as children’s hearts are when they are born. Hearts do not stay clean long, for all are sinful by nature, and soon sin enters the heart of every one. I will take this crayon and write the word “ SIN” in the heart. The Bible tells us: “ All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Now that sin is in the heart, what shall we do to get rid of it? People often try to be free from sin by covering it. We will take this attractive purple cellophane and see whether it covers the sin satisfactorily. No, it does not cover sin. This reminds me of those people who are rich, and who by their gifts of money are trying to rid them selves of sin. Gifts to the poor do not take away sin. Lesson Text: John 20:19-29; 21:20-24. Golden Text: “ I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Rev. 1:17, 18). Outline and Exposition I. R emoving F ear (20:19-23) I N seclusion “ for fear of the Jews” (v. 19), the disciples were gathered together. Naturally speaking, they had every reason to be fearful. Their Leader, for whom they had left their homes and vocations, had been despitefully used, un justly condemned, and crucified. These dis ciples were known in their communities as being followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and if their Leader were thus treated, what could they expect for themselves but sim ilar treatment? From a human point of view, the Lord’s followers could not count themselves safe as long as the enemies of their Leader were still abroad with deter mination to stamp out what they claimed was blasphemy and rebellion. Into the midst of these troubled disciples came Jesus. For His resurrection body, barred doors presented no hindrance. How comforting were His words, “Peace be unto you” (v. 19) I He “showed unto them his hands and his side” (v. 20). There could be no mistake; this was the very same Jesus whom they loved and worshiped. Death had been conquered, the grave had been overcome, and the resurrection, of which He had informed His hearers so often, was now a demonstrated fact. “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Their fear was removed, their minds were set at rest, and joy abounded. In any age, BLACKBOARD LESSON
We will try this blue one. It stands for loyalty. Some people think that if they are loyal to friends and country, God requires nothing more of them, and that their sins are covered. You can still see the sin through the blue. Let us try this green one. It reminds us of good deeds. No, it does not take away sin. It is well to do good deeds, but the doing of them does not take away sin. As I place the red cross over the word “ SIN,” it is entirely gone. This cross is red to remind us of the blood of Christ which was shed for our salvation. When you accept Christ as Saviour, the blood of Christ takes away all sin. Now we have the answer to the question, “Why did Christ die?” such an effect as this should follow true belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The doctrine of the resurrection is not a cold, formal teaching, but the presentation of a living, present Lord. “ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (v. 21). It was a memorable moment when “ he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (v. 22). The words which follow, “Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained” (v. 23), have to do with the exercise of power im parted by the Holy Spirit for the work of dealing with governmental, not moral, con ditions; with temporal, not eternal, fellow ship. II. R emoving U nbelief (20:24-29) Thomas was of a most cautious cast of mind, and, whatever the other disciples might believe, he would demand material proof before his doubts could be dissolved (vs. 24, 25). He was an honest doubter; he wanted the fact of the resurrection to be true, but it was a fact too tremendous for his small faith at that time. His hon esty is revealed by the alacrity with which he did believe when he had the proof before him. His doubt was caused by his absence from the former meeting of the Lord and the disciples (v. 24). But after eight days had passed, he was with the disciples when the Lord appeared again (v. 26). The same word was spoken by the Lord as at His first appearance: “Peace be unto you.” Knowing the reluctance of Thomas to ac cept the truth, Jesus said to him: “Reach hither thy finger . . .” (v. 27). This invitation is an indication of the Lord’s patience with His own, however slow in faith they may be. Ten men had testified, yet Thomas would not accept their testi mony. But the Lord was still patient with him. God’s children are sometimes weak in faith, but He bears with them all. If we would learn of Him, we too would be more patient with stumbling believers, less ready to condemn the weak ones, and ever willing to support those who fail. When Thomas at last knew that the Lord was risen, his utterance, “My Lord
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