The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
READING FOR THE DAY.
Lesson for Aug. 22, 1886.
WARNING TO JUDAS AND PETER.

Lesson for Aug. 22, 1886.
WARNING TO JUDAs AND PETER.
John xiii. 2I-38.
Golden Text-WLerefore let him that thinketh he
standeth take heed lest he fall.--I Cor, K, II.
Many great leaders and commanders have
been surprised and defeated by the weakness
and cowardice OF their own followers after
having made the most complete and certain ar
rangements for victory The unforeseen, the I'M
accountable, in human nature has thwarted the
wisest and best Of plans. But Jesus was never
disappointed. He foresaw not only His
own death, but His betrayal Matt.
xvii. %; Xxx, 1sl, and now declares the
treachery Of Judas and the denial of
Peter. He foresaw that all through the coming
ages his cause would be betrayed by His own
followers, and that Christians would often be the
fees of Christianity. But the battle was for the
redemption of humanity. and both the objects
and agents of the salvation We're to be weak and
fallbe men. No wonder He was troubled IN
spirit and testified against the sins of two of His
chief disciples. The place, the time, the persons.
are the same as In the last lesson; the disciples
and the Master occupy ''the guest-chamber,"
"the upper room" where they are to celebrate
together the Passover feast on the night before
His cruchxon.
No darker, meaner name blots the pages %
history than that of Judas. VINO ''for thirty
pieces of silver betrayed his Lord. What were
the elements of character and temptation that
resulted in such wickedness9 His final death
through shame and sorrow shows us that ne was
not altogether bad, and that many of us to-day
may really be no better than he, though lacking
his historic opportunity for such al sin. ltseems
fair to believe that his hopes were for great
material kingdom. In which he was to have
high place, as a sort of first lord of the
treasury" The eovetousness which was
buked by the Master at the supper
of Bethany. and every thing tending IN a
different way from that he had expected. He
takes the opportunity to make his peace with
the Pharises by agreeing to betray Christ Tor
price. He had probably made up his mind that
the cause would be failure, and so looks out
for his own future. But he cannot wholly give
up the dream of power he had so long cherished,
and so is present at 1.-The last supper where We
would not expect to find him. The words he
hears from Christ as to His near death and de-
parture not appreciated by Judas and seem
to be sort of confession Of failure on the part
of the Master Then Judas goes forth to COM
plete the plot already conceived.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
/. One of You Shall Betray Me-In almost
every company of disciples there members
who do the work of Judas. By their worldly,
selfish lives they bring the church into con-
tempt They use their religion as cloak for
worldly gain, We may betray the Savior in
ways more cultivated but just as real
2. One Whom Jesus loved-Jesus is divine
person, ana so mas peculiar love Tor tnOSe most
like himself. The sun may shine ali alike,
but love cannot work in that way. What
blessed place to lie in His bosom and have with
Him special communion What an honor to be
among those specially loved by Jesus
3. A New Commandment Given-How many
new things in Christianity! We have a new
birth. we new creatures. we have a new life,
we sing new song, we are to have new heaven
and new earth; He is to make all things new.
We are to illustrate the new life by obedience
to a new commandment. We are to love as
Christ loved US, which is far stronger than low
ing our neighbor as ourselves
4. Lord, Why Cannot l Follow Thee Now9-
Our desire to attempt things for God, for which
He is not ready nor are we it,
SPECIAL TEACHINGS
l. For Relief-The true idea of the glory of
God Moses asked see Gods glory aud he
had wonderful declaration as to Gods love to
forgive niquity, transgresson and sin." Now
'the Father is glorified in the Son. as by His
death He makes possible and real the work of
pardon and salvation. Put the two together, and
what glory. what IAN exceeding and eternal
weight of glory!p
q For RractceA@fhe great lesson for life is in
the way of warning. and to beware of self-trust
There is no such broken reed as this; there is no
such tower of strength and salvation as in the
love of Jesus for u.s.