Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-02-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON FOR MARCH Sd.
JESUS THE MEssIAH-MAaK VIII. YIN

! JESUS THE EMESSIAH.-MARK VIII, 27-IX, 1.
NOTES.-"CeSarea Philippi-
were two Judean cities called Cesarea.
One was on the coast of the Mediterra-
an Sea, while this was situated near the
headwaters of the Jordan at the foot of
Mount Hermon. 1t was magnifeently
improved by Herod the Great. His son
Philip enlarged it and called it after
Caesar and himself.-"IntO the OIL
IGges"-The country places outside of
the city where he could teach without
interruption.-"John the Baptist"
Returned to life.-"One Of the prOph-
etS.'-Jeremiah, Moses, or any one of the
famous leaders of the peOple.-"Ye."
An emphatic plural, addressing him
self directly to the ples.-'.P Peter
aIasICereth. AS usual taking the lead,
not only on account of his seniority but
his impulsiveness. Matthew adds, in
his great answer, "T'he Son Of the Lici1lg
Cod" His divinity, as well as his Mes
siahship, is thus recognized after two
years of ministry.-''TeU9 no man of
him"-His death and resurrection
proved conclusively his claims. 1t was
not yet time, the people were not ready
for the stupendouS announcement that
the Messiah had cOme.-"A7ld after
three days rise again" how SIM
ply, and as matter of course this great
est miracle of all was foretOld. We
blame Peter for his rebuke, but not for
the astOnishment that occasioned it. In
their state of mind, before they had
fairly gotten used to the idea of his di-
vinity, utmost credulity could hardly
take in such facts to come. We must
transport ourselves into their places to
sympathize with all their doubts and
fears.-"Get thee behind me"-Peter's
mistake was also natural one in an
other direction. 1t was that of all the
Jews; to expect temporal instead of a
spiritual kingdom. He could not bear
the idea of the King of the Jews dying
like a malefactOr.- cross"
cross was the symbol of the most igno-
minious suffering and death. The hight
of self-abnegation was thus flashed be-
fore the minds of his followers.
InStIuction.-There are degrees Of
faith that lie potentially in the heart.
They have the power of activity, but
need to be drawn forth. The keen,
question, that must be an
swered without evasion, may prove just
what is needed. Spiritual torpor and
blindness often require shock from
without to be changed into the ardent
confession.
The great mass of humanity has ac-
cepted Christ with reverence, and has
assigned to him position as lofty as
their intelligence permits. There are
thousands everywhere about US who ac-
cept Christ as they would preeminent
teacher. The true disciple, he who has
had a personal experience and knowl-
edge of him, goes far beyond limited
acceptance and says: "Thou art the
Christ, the Son OF GOD"
The day is past when none shall be
told. He that gives the message to most
men has in him the largest spirit of
Christ.
The tendency of the Church toward
temporal power has always been mis-
directed. Social power, the power
of influence, these are sinful abuses of
the Church. Her true power is to raise
by self-denial and suffering the spiritu-
al standard of her constituents.
True followers of Christ are too few.
Self-denial is bore that few dare face.
The cross is a hardship few would lift.
To follow him is to travel on too rough
a road: few have fit constitutions We
are enthuiastic about being Christians
in the modern fashion; it is a different
thing to be the spiritual martyr.
What is the world? Pleasure without
stint; honor without limit; wealth with
out exhaustion. That is high eSti-
mate of it; that is all. What is the
soul? 1t is the only part of US that is
immortal, l. e., that is worth keeping.
To gain soul is to gain eternal happi-
ness and usefulness. To lose soul IS
10 gain but mite of the world and
lark hereafter.
The world is a good servant and a
ruthless master.
After a life has been spent what can
1ne give as ransom to have it back? The
Christian gladly yields it up at the end.
The sinner is never ready to.
Few are ashamed of the life of Christ,
put many are ashamed to lead the life
he commands. Timidity may lead TO
shame Leaving aside the respect that
S always paid to bold stand for Christ,
lie who respects his faith by standing
Ip for it when it is in peril will have
Christ appear as his advocate when his
Judgment comes. None need die igno-
ant of the kingdom of God; it is at hand
With ever increasing powers.