T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
April 1928
240
very definite line. What would He do with churches today where even prayer meetings have given way to .lectures, movies, socials, suppers and bazaars? Some church officials become very in dignant at the suggestion that business should not be done in God’s house. The scribes and chief priests felt likewise “and sought how they might destroy Him” (v. 18). The people were getting their eyes open. This would never do. “Destroy Christ!” How astounding these words sound to us as we survey the world after 2,000 years ! H e is indestruc tible! The banding together of all the atheists o f the world, with all the reli gious hypocrites and followers o f false religions, could not stay His march across the centuries. . —o— P ith and P oint Man is the only creature who has too little sense to submit to Jesus (v. 2; cf. Jn. 1:11). : . What a rebuke to the pride of creature superiority that the Lord never said He needed a man, but did say He needed an ass! (v. 3). If the Lord could use an ass, could He 'not use you—however obscure may be your position? Jesus preached from a borrowed boat; ate the Passover in a borrowed chamber; rode to Jerusalem upon a borrowed beast; lay in a borrowed tomb. Christ comes to men, as He came to the fig tree, hungering for the fruits o f faith, and often finds creed without character, profession without piety. A man may be a successful hypocrite for a time, but the day will come when he will “April-fool” no one else forever (v. 14). Divine justice is bound to clear the universe o f the useless (v. 14). . S uggestive Q uestions Did kings ever ride mules? (Jud. 5:10; 10:4; 1 Sam. 25:20; 2 Sam. 17:23; 19:26.) When our Lord comes in power to reign, is He represented as riding uponl an ass ? (Rev.. 19:11.) What is suggested as to their hopes, in the disciples casting their garments upon the colt? (V . 7; cf. 2 Kgs. 9 :13.) What was the attitude of Jesus toward the idea o f His being made an earthly monarch at that time? (Jn. 6:15.) Did the disciples think o f Zechariah’s prophecy at the time o f the triumphal entry? (Jn. 12:16.) What is peculiarly suggestive in a curse coming upon a fig tree? (V . 21; cf. Gen. 3:7.) O f what does the fig tree stand as a type in the New Testament? (Lk. 13: 5-H .) - o - G olden T ext I llustration Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is just, and having salvation (Zech. 9:9 ). A great Russian Emperor once went among his people in disguise to test them. He begged from door to door one wintry night in Moscow. In many places he was repulsed with harshness. At last a humble peasant welcomed him, offering him a crust o f bread and a straw bed. The peasant explained that he could not give more, as his wife was ill and a babe had just been born. The Emperor left at dawn expressing his thanks. That afternoon a royal company swept up to the door. The Emperor stood before the peasant, who was terrified. The Emperor told him that
The Easter Story B y M rs . H. P. D unlop
“My Lord was here. Where • is ■He gone ?’’;,: She asked in troubled tones. “ I see no form Within the' shroud. Where are His precious bones ?” Then one in white . Came near to her; From heaven he seemed to be.. “He isr not here, He is risen; From death l ie. is set free.” She turned away With tears of g rie f; But One approached her then And spoke to her In tones o f love. ’Twas Christ, who died for men. At His: request She touched Him not; . He had not gone above: He stayed in hell For those three days To preach, e’en there, God’s love. He sent her out To tell to His Disciples. everywhere The news that He Had risen again, To banish their despair. Then Peter came, And John with him, To that illustrious tomb. They bent them down And looked inside And saw there Hope, Not Gloom; he was the man who had slept in his house. He left a large sum o f gold arid promised that when the child should at tain the proper age, he should have a place o f honor. The Lord Jesus, the King of kings, comes to men, having salvation. He gives all a chance to entertain Him and in return inherit eternal life. How many there are who shut the door in His face. Some day He is* coming riding upon a white horse. Then, those who have re jected Him, will be willing to give the uni verse, could they only do so, for one smile from His face.
For He was gone. Then they believed That it was God’s own Son , Who left the tomb On that third day, O’er, death the victory won. When all were there Within a room The Lord Himself appeared
And said to them, “ I am the Christ.” They wondered, though, and feared.
Then He, in love, Revealed to them His wounds in hands and feet. And when they knew That He was God, His victory was complete.
and Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, together with the Kidron valley and the
Jerusalem eminence with the temple on its eastern promon tory. Bring in the children’s hosannas, and show the boys and girls that Christ needs them today, even as he needed the colt for which he sent.—Peloubet’s
Lesson Story. — (Matt. 21:15 gives the children’s hosannas.) Now last week we learned how it grieves our Lord Jesus when those who belong to Him are self ish, and want to have their own way. The happiest people in the world are the ones who forget about themselves, arid are al ways watching for a chance to help or make others happy. This morning we are going to take a trip over to the Holy Notes.
Hailing Jesus A s King Mark 11:1-10
Memory Verse, —“ Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:38. , Approach.— The younger classes may use the sand map, constructing Bethany
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