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September 1930
told Simeon that this was the Gift prom ised long before. Taking the Baby in his arms, Sipieon rejoiced, and thanked God
mSpake o f .him. There were a few pious people, keen students of prophecy, who en couraged one another in “looking for the redemption of 'Jerusalem.” For fear of the Roman authorities they would be un able to say much publicly concerning their hope of the coming of Messiah, the King of Israel. IV. Return to Nasareth (v. 39). V. 39. When they had, accomplished all things. Matthew tells of the return to Bethlehem, the visit of the wise men, the flight to Egypt, and the return to Pales tine after the death of Herod. Luke passes over this record in silence. They returned into Galilee. They went directly to Galilee, avoiding Judea, doubtless be cause a cruel son of Herod was reigning in Jerusalem. They prudently avoided danger. * sjs * L esson Q uestions V. 25. What is said o f Simeon’s char acter? For what was he looking? What was “the consolation o f Israel” ? May every Christian, like Simeon, have “the Holy Spirit upon him” ? V. 26. What revelation had Simeon re ceived ? Through whom did he receive it ? What promise had been given him? What is meant by the expression “the Lord’s Christ” ? V. 27. Who led Simeon to enter the temple at this time? Why were the par ents bringing Jesus into the temple? What rites were required at the redemption of a firstborn son? Vs. 28, 29. Why did Simeon take Jesus in his arms? What is meant by the ex pression “blessed God” ? In what sense was Simeon about to “ depart” ? What gave him peace? Vs. 30-32. How did Simeon know he had seen God’s salvation ? Is there salva tion for anyone apart from Christ? For how many has this salvation been pre pared (cf. John 3:16; 1 John 2:1, 2 )? Were the Gentiles in great darkness? Could they have any true light apart from Christ? Have Israel been promised through their prophets that they shall have glory ? Has this promise been ful filled? V s .. 33-35. What caused Joseph and Mary to marvel? Why did Simeon give a special message to Mary? In what sense did Jesus Christ cause some in Israel to fall? Have some been lifted up by Him? Has He often been spoken against? What sorrow for Mary did Simeon foretell? Are human hearts always laid bare when they come in the presence o f Christ? Vs. 36-38. Who was Anna? What was her probable age? Where was she most often found? What did she do there? How did she recognize Jesus Christ? What did she say concerning Him? V. 39. How many incidents between the events in this lesson and the return to Nazareth are told by Matthew, but omit ted by Luke? Why did the family return direct into Galilee and not go to Judea? P ractical P oints 1. In times o f spiritual declension, when the appointed leaders have departed from the faith, God has frequently raised up unofficial preachers and prophets to give His message. Very often they come from the humble classes of society. God will never lack true witnesses.
BLACKBOARD LESSON
for His great good ness in permitting him to see the Mes siah in w h o m he had believed and for whose c o m i n g he had long watched. He p r a y e d f o r G o d ’s blessing on the Baby and His parents. The words he spoke were trea- s 'u r e d by Mary,
2. There were three classes in Israel: Pharisees, who expected a political de liverer ; Sadducees, who had abandoned all hope of Messiah’s coming; and a few devout souls like Simeon and Anna who were constantly looking for a Saviour. Which class was right? 3. The eagerness of Simeon, and Anna as they watched for the first coming of Messiah is an example to Christians who look for His second coming. 4. Simeon did not fear death after he had seen Christ. No Christian need fear death (Heb. 2:14). 5. Simeon proved himself a son of God because he was led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). 6. The purposes and plans of God are wholly unknown to those who do not have the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:9-11). 7. The salvation which God has pro vided in Christ is intended for the whole world. It is the duty of the church to evangelize all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). 8. The Gentiles who were in almost total darkness were promised light through Christ. To the chosen people, who had some light, there was given a promise, o f deliverance from their long centuries o f reproach, beyond which shone the glory foretold by their prophets. 9. The shadow of the cross followed Mary all the way. No Christian can es cape it. Yet we may glory in the cross (Gal. 6:14). — o — G olden T ext I llustration A girl in Sunday-school had read the beatitudes in Matthew and was asked which of the things mentioned there she would most like to have. She said: “A pure heart.” When asked why she prefer red that, she said: “ If my heart were pure, I believe I would have all the other virtues mentioned in this chapter.” And she was right. — o — Simeon and Anna Luke 2:25-39 Memory V er.se.—“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Approach. —Many of the older people understand and sympathize and believe in young folk, and in the life of usefulness for God that may be theirs if they belong to the King and serve Him. Lesson Story.— According to the custom of the Jews, the parents o f Jesus took Him to Jerusalem to dedicate Him to the Lord. He was forty-one days old at this time. In the temple were two old people, Si meon and Anna. Simeon was a devout worshiper of God. He had been looking for the long-promised Messiah, and when the Babe was brought in, the Holy Spirit
pondered upon, and hidden in her heart. Anna is the last prophetess spoken of in the Bible. She was very old, and a widow. She was accustomed to worship at the temple, and without doubt she often had prayed that the Messiah might soon come. Looking up, on this day, she saw coming into the temple a man and woman, with a tiny Baby. At once she knew that God had indeed sent the promised Saviour into the world, and her heart leaped with joy and praise! How glad it must have made her, to see the dear Baby boy for whom she had looked and prayed! After leaving the temple, she told others about this Baby, spreading the news everywhere she .vent. We may well understand the joy Si meon and Anna must have known, as they actually saw Jesus! We can see how they could not -keep the glad news to themselves, but must share it with others. So, although we never saw the Saviour, while He was on earth, we, too, love Him, and when we know Him we long to tell others the glad tidings. Boys and girls in some lands have never heard of Jesus. They do not know that He came into the world to live and die and rise again to save them. What can we do to send them the story o f Jesus and His love? Prayer. • sjc 4s ^ October 26, 1930 World’s Temperance Sunday Lesson: Galatians 5:13-26. . Golden Text: “Every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things” (1 Cor. 9:29). * * * L esson in O utline I. The Law o f Love (13-15). 1. Gives true “ freedom” (13). 2. Makes one a bond servant to others (13). - 3. Fulfills, “the whole law” (14). 4. Is inconsistent with factions and strife (15). II. Works and Fruit (16-24). 1. Uncompromising hostility between flesh and spirit (16-18). 2. Works of the flesh (19-21). a. Sins against self—-fornication, uncleanness, lasci viousness (19). b. Sins against G o d—idolatry, sorcery (20). c. Sins against “neighbors”—en mities, strife, j e a l o u s i e s, w r a t h s , factions, divisions, parties, envyings (20, 21). d. Sins against society—drunk enness, revellings (21).
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