The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-25

To the confused and covering authorities
JESUS repeated the question, "whom are you
seeking?" The reply as before, "JEsUs, the
| Nazarine." He answered, 81 told you that
was he; if, therefore, you only seek me, let
these my companions CO." John intimates
that JESUS did and said all this "that the
word which he had spoken might be full
filed" He had declared that he had lost
but one, The betrayer, of all that the Father
had given him (chapter xvii. 12). He prayed
the father to keep them faithful and united
in their dscipleship, and from the evil of the
world xvii. II, 15); and he had just exhorted
| the three that we're near him to "watch and
pray that they enter not into temptation"
| 1t was necessary to the success of his mis-
sion as the Saviour of the world, and for the
establishment of the kingdom of Heaven on
the earth, that his disciples should be pre-
served to continue the work of faith and
righteousness which he had begun in them.
Even though unmolested, they would still
have strong temptation to abandon their
faith and hope in him, when they should see
him delivered to cruel torture and death.
They had not yet fully comprehended his
that was now beginning.
When the officers and their authorities per-
ceived that JESUS was not disposed to make
any resistance, but willingly surrendered
himself into their hands. they proceeded to
bind him. At this, Peter was seized with a
characteristic impulse of indignation and
bravery, perhaps to vindicate his previous
:. - 11t:A
age (chapter xvi. 37)-and having carried a
sword luke xxi. 3S, he drew it and slightly
wounded the slave of the high priest. John
is particular to give the name of the slave,
"Malchus." He was acquainted with the
high priest and doubtless knew some mem
bers of his household, including "Malchus''
oversees Is, 16). Peter was commanded by
his Master to return his sword to the scab-
bard, with the remark, "All who take the
sword shall perish by the sword" (Matthew
XVI. 53). conflict of arms would be an
unequal one, and they would surely perish in
an attack upon so many. Besides, such a
defense of themselves would show dis
trust of the Masters power to defend him
self, or of the Fathers defense of his Son.
The same Divine power that had enabled
him to do his mighty works in attestation of
bis mission as the Son of GoD, could even
now send legions of angels. But the artil-
airy of Heaven is not soldiers and swords,
but the Spirit of truth and righteousness.
"The weapons of our warfare" says Paul,
''are not carnal, but mighty through GoD'
e Corinthians v. A.. The kingdom of truth
and righteousness is always hindered, and
may not be advanced by the triumph and
conquest of victorious armies. GoD may,
and does override the wickedness of war for
the good of mankind. He even causes the
wrath of man to praise him (lxxvi, 10). But by
the victories of peace, and not war, shall the
kingdom of Heaven be advanced to universal
dominion. JESUS said to PLATE, the Roman
governor, before whom he was afterwards
taken for final condemnation, my kingdom
is not of this world: if it were, then would
my officers fight (verse 36) that l might not
be delivered to the jews"
Peters zeal was honest and we'll meaning,
but impulsive, hasty, imprudent, and mlsta-
ken in the selection of means. Hence the
rebuke of our LORD, who here condemns for
all time to come the use of carnal weapons
and physical force in the defense of truth
and promotion of his kingdom.-Schof.
JESUS, to further impress Peter with the
significance of what was transporting, in
quires, "How then could the Scriptures be
fulfilled which say it must be thus, if he
were delivered?" With each new event in
the exciting scene the prophetic testimony of
his Messiahship was accommodating. He was
careful that his disciples should be fully in
formed of all the evidence. They would
need cline upon line" to keep them con-
WINGED that they had not misplaced their
confidence in him (see Luke xiv. 26, 81, 46).
All this was in the Divine purpose, and had
been Enthusiastically foreshadowed in the pro-
phetic writings, which he had but lately de-
clarel unto them: The cup that the Father
has given me, shall not drink it?" He had
prayed that, if possible, it might not be
placed to his lips; and in answer to his
prayer he had been nightly strengthened
from ON high to trustfully submit to his Fa-
theirs will concerning him, and SO hopefully
endure all that awaited HIM in the pathway
of his duty,-Ihe way TO his glory. His dis
ciples, James and John, had previously de-
clared willingness to drink the same cup
| (Matthew xxii). He had provided that they
should not then drink of it (verse 81, but the
| time was coming when one of them should
take it to his lips. James was the first apos-
tohc martyr (Acts xii. p. According to the
most reliable tradition, John endured many
trials of his faith, but died in old age at Eph-
esus. According to Luke, JESUS asked the
officers to delay little l"permit so much'o
before binding his hands; and he touched the
ear of the man that was wounded by Peters
sword and healed it" (Luke xxi. 5O). He
would not exercise his Divine power to mere
| ly save himself, but was ever ready and will
ing to manifest it in behalf of others. He
saved others, himself he could not save"
''He gave himself for u.s." He suffered the
just for the unjust, that he might bring US to
COP.
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