The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-09-18
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS
BY REV. F. b. HARGREAvEs.

Lesson 70. September 19th.
JESUS INTERcEDiNG.
John II, l-3, 11-21. Golden Text,
Heb. Z, 25. Time and Place, the same
as the last lesson.
The remarkable scene in the upper
room draws to close. The disciples
are still standing around JESUS, who has
now finished His discourse, Before
parting Prayer. 1t is the second Lords
Prayer, and is especially rich in thought
and beautiful in the grand simplicity
of its language. This prayer stamps
the master with Divinity and clearly
portrays Him as the very Son Of God.
1t must have been an occasion of great
solemnity. The disciples are filled with
sadness because Of the discourse they
have just listened to; they are oppressed
with the shadow of coming disaster;
their hearts are burdened with sorrow;
an indeIinab!e fear possesses them as the
night advances. Il Is now nearly mid
night, and standing there, as was the
custom of their nations, Jesus offers the
prayer which forms this lesson. The
prayer is the more remarkable because
Jesus was Divine, and knew what was
about to transpire. Standing on the
threshold ofdeath, death of shame and
obloquy, lie prayed. AS we turn to
this prayer now after 1900 years of Cos
pei light, IFS thought, its expression, its
simple yet majestic beauty, is exceedingly
impressive. Mark it we'll 1t is the
utterance of Him who was about to give
His lifea sacrifice for the world,
He asks His Father to glorify Him,
thus man ifesting His own glory, as they
are one. Then He prays for His dis
ciples. He knows the trials they will
have toundergo, the difficulties they will
have to pass through, the obstacles they
will have to overcome, and He specially
prays for them. First, for their unity.
That they may be one in principle, one
in heart, one in harmony with the pur-
posses of God. And not for the disciples
only, but for all Christians this unity is
asked. That all Christians may have
unity of purpose and principle, though
differing in methods. We should be one
in Christ as He is one liz God. Jesus
prays for this oneness of feeling, and as
the years go by tits becoming more and
more a part ofour Christian life. There
is more fraternity ondliberali,y between
religious denominations to-day than
ever.
He prays that they may be kept from
evil. Not That they should be taken
out of the world, but that they should be
kept from evil. Evil is ever present
with us in this world, but the Holy
Spirit can keep us from falling into it.
Christ wants His disciples to live up
right lives, and set godly example to
their fellow men. And He asks that
they may be sanctitied so as to properly
fulfill the mission upon which He has
sent them forth into the world. "And
for their sakes," He says, 81 sanctify
myself, that they also might be sanctifed
through the truth"
The Master closes his ihtercession by
pleading for all His followers in all ages.
Looking down the long vista of time, He
pleads for His children in the days to
come. And so we also havean interest
to-day in this parting prayer of our be,
loved Lord.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
l. Cultivate Christian unity.
2. Avoid evil; learn to Dogood as well
as BE good.
3.Jesus Is the fountain of truth. Learn
OF Him.
4. 1t is our privilege to be one with
Christ and God.