THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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take in this lesson just a few brief pas sages of scripture, dividing them under three headings: Who Christ was; Why Christ came; What Christ Does. Who Christ Was. John 1:35-51. Christ’s entrance upon His ministry was marked by a declaration of His nature and character by John the Bap tist, the great herald of Christianity. Preaching and baptizing at Bethany, east of the Jordan, he saw Jesus whom he had baptized the day before, and turning to his disciples, John uttered the memorable words “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” One of those who heard John’s words and followed Jesus, was Andrew and he went out and found his brother and declared to him “We have found the Messiah.” To the Jews this meant that Jesus was the incarnation of Deity which was symbolized by the Passover Lamb, the brazen serpent and the Jewish sacrifices; foretold by the prophets, and eagerly looked for, for centuries by the Hebrew race. Not only was Christ the Lamb of God and the Messiah but we read in verse 45 that He was the Theme of the Old Testa ment. No one can read the Old Testa ment honestly and reverently without becoming convinced that those ancient writings describe the life and character of Jesus Christ. In verse 49 we find^ Nathanael calling Christ “The Son of God,—the King of Israel.” Thus early in the ministry of Christ, we see those ideas of an earthly, political kingdom which did so much to hinder His work and bring it to a tragic end. Christ calls Himself “The Son of man” in verse 51. It is His favorite name for Himself, bringing out in a most stria- ing way His union with humanity, though He is Divine. No mere man would ever need to emphasize his humanity. What a variety of names we have in this brief passage of scripture. The Lamb of God, the Theme of the Old Testament, the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel and the Son of man.
Times. Don’t fear to put Christ for ward and let people look at Him, and trust Him to produce His own impres sion. We may argue around about Him forever, and we shall never convince as surely as by simply holding Him forth. —Maclaren. Don’t stand arguing with people. It usually increases the diffi culties. Get them to keep in touch with Jesus and all is settled.—Sel. v. 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming. His scruple is not from obstinate pride; his doubt is not a perverse clinging to pre-conceived notions.—Saphir. Israel ite in whom is no guile. Note that Jesus did not say, “on whom is no guilt” (Rom. 3:23).—Pettingill. v. 48. When under fig tree I saw thee. Retirement for meditation and prayer under fig trees was not uncom- mon.^-Blackfoot. We do not take Jesus by surprise. He does not come in late and find the performance half over. He is at our beginnings when grave issues are being born.—Jowett. v. 49. Thou art the Son of God. He who understands the incarnation of the Son of God has a surer ground of faith and a richer hope and a straighter access to heaven than if the ladder of Jacob stood at his bed-head and God’s angels were ministering to him.—Exp. Bible. Christ, Our Saviour. There seems no greater need today than a clear idea of who Christ was and what He came to do. We may have in our heads the story of His wonderful birth and the details MY CLASS \ of His life, but that is OF GIRLS not enough. Let us Clara Silliman get into our hearts the realization of Christ as a living, loving Friend, saving us from sin, helping in every trouble and giving us fullness of joy. Though Jesus Christ is the theme of the whole Bible, we
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