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The Sunday School
THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION
OF JESUS.
Feb. 25, 1012. Mark 1:9.13; Matt. 1:1.11.
Golden Text: "For In that he himself
hath suffered being tempted, he Is able
to succor them that are tempted."?
Heb. 2:18.
HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS.
Monday: Mark 1:9-13; Matt. 4:1-11.
The Baptism and Temptation of .Tesus.
Tuesday: Matt. 3:13-17. Fulfilling all
Righteousness.
Wednesday: 2 Pet. 1:16-21. A
Heavenly Voice.
Thursday: Deut. 6:1-19. Tempting
God.
Friday: Jas. 1:12-18. Enduring
Temptation.
Saturday: Heb. 2:5-18. Able to Succor.
Sunday: Heb. 4:14-16; 7:26-28.
Tempted IJke Ourselves.
LESSON COMMENTS.
The Time: About six months after
John's ministry began, and in the early
part of A. D. 27, when Jesus had Just
attained the age of thirty.
The Place: At Bethabura, east of the
Jordan, probably a little way north of
a point opposite Jericho: and 'n the
nrnhnhls tlio MiHnn tnnUi
of Jericho. It Is only tradition that
locates the temptation definitely on
Mount Onarantanla. near Jericho.
The Themes: The lesson contains
three themes, each one Important
enough for a lesson by itself, and all
given with greater or less fulness by
Matthew, Mark and Luke, with John
adding his testimony also to two of
them. The three are the baptism, the
descent of the SpirU and the voice from
heaven, and the temptation.
Differences In the Record: There are
some differences in the accounts, and
especially as to the words spoken from
heaven and as to the order of the last
two temptations. They are not vital,
however, and are easily explained by remembering
the different view-points of
the Gospel writers. Matthew, for Instance,
puts last, in the place of preeminence,
that incident which appealed
strongest to the Hebrew mind, and Luke
that which would most attract the
Greek thought.
Christ's Baptism: it was not to him
literally a baptism of repentance, unto
remission of sins, for he knew no sin.
John himself testified to Christ's exemplary
character. It could not have
been a setting of Jesus apart to a
priesthood. He was of the Tribe of
Judah, not of Levi, and he exercised the
utmost care to observe the law. It
could not have been an anointing to his
work. That would have been a misuse
of the Levitical ceremony and
aould not have been an honest applica
uou oi juun a OHpiiBm. me uapimm 01
Jesus was just the same baptism as
that admin'stered to the rest. It was
the Lord's public and formal identification
of himself with those whom he
came to save. He put himself amongst
them, the same In the eyes of the law
as any sinner. He was taking our sins
upon himself.
Obedient to the Law: He was "made
under the law." He manifested his appreciation
of th's fact by every outward
act. John hesitated to baptlve him, and
he Insisted upon its belrg done, "for
thus," said he, "It becometh us to fulfill
all righteousness." "He hath made sin
for us who knew no sin. that we might
be made, righteous of God In him."
Chr'st's Identification with his people
was complete, from the very beginning.
Ills first public set eras one In which ha
Wlted fie be baptised of Jobs the same
a* tf be were gnOti as the went ale
THE PRE8BYTKB!
ner to whom John preached.
Testimony from Heaven: Three times
in Jesus' life a voice was heard from
heaven testifying to him. It was the
Father speaking so that the world might
hear and believe that Jesus was his
Son. The occasions were all crises in
the Saviour's life. The first was at his
baptism, just as he entered upon hla
public ministry. The second was when
that ministry culminated and the Redeemer
turned his steps toward the
grave. Third was in the last week,
when the shadows were falling and the
cloud gathering thick and lowering, and
he was soon to enter the dark valley.
Satan's Loose Rein: For his own
wise purpose God sometimes lets Satan
loose. This occurred in Moses' exhibition
to Pharaoh. It occurred again in
the trial of Job. It was distinctly the
case in the special demoniacal posses
sions in Christ's day. It was the same
In Christ's own experience. Satan's departure
from Christ "for a season" also
Indicates that he may have retnrned
later to the effort to Indnce Christ to do
some wronr. Tt may be that Satan la
let loose sometimes now, that we mav
be dulv tested. Our safety l'es In
watchfulness, prayer, and the Word of
God.
Typical Temptations: Had ChrlBt
never suffered another temptation than
the three named In this lesson. It could
properly he written of him that he was
"In all points" tempted as we are. A
later scrlptnre embraces all temptations
under three heads. "The lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eves, and the prld*
of life." .Tesns endured one of each of
these kinds. Had no other temptation
ever occurred 'n his career, he would
h?v?? been our representative In full In
this matter.
The Use of the Bible: Each time that
Jesus was tempted, tt was by a keen
thrust of "the sword of the Spirit which
is the word of God" that he foiled his
adversary. "It Is written," were the
words with which he drew that sword
from <ts scabbard. Satan tried It, too.
just as his minions seek Bible authority
or excuse for many of their evil
deeds. The same word is a "savor of
life unto life" to those who use It
aright, and of "death onto death" to
those who use It for their own ends In
an evil life.
Angel Ministration: After the temptation,
"angels came and ministered unto
him." Angels are "messengers." What
special ones were sent to Jesus we do
not know. We only know that some
came. And we know also that the
Word says, "Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister to
them that are the heirs of salvation?"
There is some unknown, unexplained,
but none the less close and beautiful
connection between God's people on
earth and the spirits of those who have
already entered into (lory.
Lessons: Christ is completely identiA.J
?lit. Lt. T * _ ^ ^
lieu wua uib peupio, ne uure tueir >uib
from the beginning, and took on him
t^e'r sorrows. He would not let John
decline to baptize bim. He wished to
"fulfil all righteousness." He was cheerfully
obedient to law. God testifies to
his people when the need conies, and
his Spirit witnesses with their spirits.
Trials and growth are clearly connected.
Test'ngs are for the good of God's
people. No temptation will befall them
that they will not be able to bear. There
is a "real devil to meet and a real battle
to wage." Satan can quote Scrip
tore. The "sword of the Spirit" la the
Christian's best weapon. Christ's sole
answer to Satin, In each temptation,
was in the words of the Bible. One
temptation, or even three, successfully
passed does not insure against others.
8atan only "departed from him for a
season." Ood sends forth t?l* angels as
ministering splrtta. They are "artntateta,"
mi latarsaassrs eg aartears.
k N OF THI SOUTH
Young People's Societies
HOME MISSIONARIES.
Topic for 8nnday, February Si: The
Home Missionary Whose Life lias Most
Inspired Me. Acts 10:2&-86.
DAILY READINGS.
Wn?.4o.>. * ? " -
> A CUUIOUBBIOU. HiZeKiei ~L\
1-8.
Tuesday: The Missionary's aim.
Matthew 18:10-14.
Wednesday: His passion. 1 Corinthians
9:1-5.
Thursday: His danger. Matthew 14:
3-12.
Friday: His deliverance. 2 Corinthians
1:8-11.
Saturday: His reward. 2 Timothy
4:5-8.
The average man. devoted, earnest,
self-sacrificing. modest, who has been
content to "bury himself," as men sometimes
put It, in the humblest home field,
that is the home missionary who has
inspired me most.
He does not need a name His work
is enough. There are too many of him
to allow any such invidious distinction
to be made. Nor Is It of the composlt
man that we speak, but the flesh and
blood individual who gives himself to
this work.
The home missionary of the humblest
type. In tbe obscurest corner. Is the
true hero of tbe church. Tn the estimation
of worldly ambition he brands him.
self when be enters the work. Tn the
estimation of Christ he puts Ms name
among those at the top of the roll of
honor.
A man of this tvpe Is bound to Influence
others. They take knowledge of
h'm that he has been with Christ. The
number be influences is greater than
be thinks or knows. All men admire
self-abnegation, heroism, devotion to a
cause, and the lowlier the work the
greater the admiration.
But the home missionary work Is not
lowly, evcept as the foundations of the
palace are lowly, or as the hidden steel
frame of the sky-scraper Is lowly. It
la the foundation work of the church,
the frame upon which its casing or
wall has been placed. Take It away
and see what would bannen.
It IB a pity that In Its thonrhtlessness
the church and the world have drawn
the dletlnctlon between home and the
forelm missionary, and that the distinction
has been to the disparagement
of the former. The latter deserves all
the honor Riven him, and the former
should be put by his side.
Where would our church be to-day
but for the willingness of men a few
decades ago to cut themselves loose
from comfort and ease and home ties
and ro out Into the wilderness or to the
frontier? Some Synods now rive more
every year to forelrn missions than five
rears support of home missionaries cost
them.
These noble workers are to be found
In every part of the church, hn|idln??
up the waste places. But In Arkansas.
Florida. T/onlslana. Oklahoma and
Tevas, recornlred hv the church a?
larve as Its rreat hrrmm mlnalnn S?M
thev are fonnd In largest numbers. And
It la In these eeet'ons that nnr church
In e-meHencIng Its greatest growth and
develonment.
Our oldest sections are not too fsr removed
from their early development to
foreret the splendid work. In lavlnr
foundations of Henrv Patll'o, Hurh
McAden, Oldeon Blackburn, Daniel
Baker and others of the same splr't end
consecration. In North Carolina Booth
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and else-,
where.
Tn the broader field, no names are
more exalted than those of John 1Cllot,
David Bralasid, Matrons Whitman.
(February 14, 1912
The Prayer Meeting
T1IE VALUE OF THE WORD.
Week of Feb. 18. Fs. 119:105.
The Bible loses none of its value as
time passes. Its value increases in the
estimate of those who know it best. Its
power and charm will never decline as
long as the heart craves to know the
only true Ood, whom to know aright is
life eternal. Let us consider some of its
values as the expression to us of God's
thought and the record of his will and
works.
The Bible is a means of soul-satisfaction.
The language of such a soul
is, "As the heart panteth after the water
brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O
v?uu. .?iv soui tnirsteth Tor God. for the
living God. When shall I come and
appear before God?" "He satisfleth the
longing soul and fllleth the hungry soul
w'th goodness." There is an Instinctive
craving in human nature which
only God can satisfy. To the thirst**
soul who comes to the fountain of livint
waters he promises In his Word to give
that which will be in him a well of
water spring'ng up unto everlasting
life.
The Bible reveals the source of power.
"He giveth power to the faint and to
them that have no might he Increaseth
strength. "They that wait on the T^ord
shall renew their strength: they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they
snail run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint." "Ye shall be endued
with power after that the Holy
Ghost Is come upon vou." "With great
power eave the apostles witness."
The Bible Is the means of prosperity.
"This book of the law shall not depart
out of thy mouth, hut thou Shalt meditate
therein day and night that thou
mavest observe to do according to all
that Is written therein: for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt have good success." "He
shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that brlngeth forth h!s
fruit in his sear.on; his leaf also shall
not w'ther and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper."
The Bible Is the means of making life
effective. "He that flndeth his life shall
lose It and he than loseth his life for
my sake shall find It." "Whosoever will
he chief among yon let him he your
servant, even as the Son of Man rame
not to he ministered unto hut to minister
and to give his life a ransom for
many." "Inasmuch as ye have done It
unto one of the least of these my
brethren ye have done It unto me."
The Word of God Is the revealer of
m*>t "Qor./.?!?" At. At - .? -
........ uuu>iHT luviu niruiiKn my
truth: thy wor.1 's truth." "For this
cause came T Into the world that I
mlaht h?>ar witness to the truth."
"Search the Scriptures for In them ye
think ve hare eternal life and that they
are they which testify of me." "If ye
continue In my Word then ve are my
disciples Indeed and ye shall know the
truth and the truth sha'l make you
free." "Fverv one that Is of the truth
heeretb mv voice."
The Word of God promisee triumph
over sin. "This Is the rletory that
overcometh the world even our faith."
"God la faithftfl who will not suffer *
you to he tempted above that ye are
able, but will with the temptation also
make a way to escane." "Where sin
tthAtinffod o ? J ?
-. ... .? .. e blc uiu uiucn more
abonnd."
The Word of God la the meana of wlnnlnr
aonla. "Ta not tot Word tike aa a
Are. aalth the T^ord. end like a' hammer
that hr??aketh the rock tn pieces?" "For
the Word of God la quick and powerfn!,
sharper than any two-edred aword,
plereln* even to tht dMdln* aennder
of son! and spirit agd of the Jo'nts and
ma row and Is a d'aeemer of thl
thonghts and intasU of Us kaati"