The National tribune., 1889-02-21
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

I. Christ the Messiah.
We shall consider these two subjects separate
~. The first is covered by verses 81 to 30. To I'M
derstand them the better one should also read
st. Matthews account (16: 1920 and st. LUke'S
70: 1920. 1t was very important that Christs
Disciples should have correct ideas as to his ORR
gin. mission, ETC., aud hence he from time to
time tested their knowledge of him. He was
admitted to be peculiar person, and there was
avariety of opinions in society III regard to him.
This fact made it more necessary for Christ TO
impress his followers with accurate views, lest
they might share in some of the erroneous i'm
aginings as to his work and character. The
aim of Jesus was not so much to find out what
men in general thought of him, but in special
to develop in the minds of his Disciples the
truth of the matter. He asked, therefore,
Whom do men say : = / : ann" Receiving
reply, he inquired next, "Whom say ye that L
ann" This question gave rise to the famous
discussion about st. Peter being the rock on
which the Church is built. (See st. Matt,
Is: 16-18.) The conversation was strictly an
esOteric one. The time had not yet arrived
for too great publicity as to Christs real per-
sonality and mission. And hence he asked the
Disciples not as yet to give too emphatic ex-
preston to the fact of his Messiahship. An i'm
preston existed among the pOpulaee that Jesus
was some great parsonage. He was bold re-
former. He had traits of character reminding
bHUHi VI o. cOhH OdpttSS anu Ok EIijdus OOLnS
surmised that possibly one or the other of those
famous prophets had risen from the dead. st.
John Baptist had been beheaded about two
months before. Elijah had been translated for
over 800 years. (See XII, chapter p
We see the faith of the Hebrews as to q
future life the existence of the soul after death,
and the possibility of its temperance after
nearly LOGO years
Suggestions.
1. It is right to have a regard for public
opinion. Men cannot be careless about their
standing in society. Gee, z: IL
2. We must study to have correct views as to
Christ. Our religious life will depend on how
we regard Jesus.
3. We must teach an accurate theology We
cannot afford to be ignorant of Christology.
A. Faith is an Individual matter. We are
not to be so concerned as to what opinions
others hold as to Christ, but be most of all anx-
ious to entertain exact and correct sentiments
as to our Savior
5. Take comfort in the fact of the resurrec-
ton. We are to live after death.
8. Teach by questions. This is the true idea
OF education, which is a drawing out Use the
catechsm.
II. The TaEbse Of the Soul.
This is an important study. Each person
must realize he has priceless soul. Reading
Flavel lately we met the following: "Two
things master commits to his servants care
the child and the child's clothes 1t will be a
poor excuse for a servant to say at his masters
return: Sir here are all the childs clothes,
neat, clean, but the child is lost Much so
with the account that many will give to God
of their souls and bodies at the great day ::
Lord, here is my body. l am very grateful
for it. l neglected nothing that belonged to
its content and welfare; but for nay soul, that
is lost and cast away forever. l took little
care and thought about it,"
/. Time.
Our lesson carries US back $50 years, to wit,
to May a. d. % That was in Christ's 34th
year OF life and the fourth of his ministry.
2. Place.
We find ourselves in Caesarea Philippi Perea
Palestine, ASIA about 120 miles northeast of
Jerusalem, the extreme northeast corner of
Palestine. Another name was Paneas. 1t was
the place where it is said st. Veronica (the
name by legend of the woman cured by our
Savior of II years sickness builta brass monu-
ment, out of gratitude to Christ
g. Data.
The account which we study is given by St.
Mark, but one should also read what st. Mat
thew says ZIG 21-28; 10: 80 SO, 80, 39l, and
also che record by st. Luke. g.: % 27; II: 25 }
SITS. Matthew and Mark wrote at Rome, and
ST. Luke at Achaia, Greece. The accounts
were written about A. D. S. and therefore,
after an interval of about IS years from the
time of the events.
4. Preliminary.
Verses 31-33 give an ideal of the value of the
soul. Its salvation cost our Savior great sacri-
ice-incredible outlay of suffering. One who
most comprehends the Deity of Christ is least
inclined to believe that he would submit to
such iudignities. We have to wrestle with
tran aoa iutlio in. 70 hall
the Son of God would be brought to such ex-
tremes. Then one who is most conscious of
mans depravity and ingratitude is least likely
to admit that Deity would condescend to such
lowlineSs and degradation and suffering. St.
I Peter grasped both thoughts and could not
! tolerate the idea Christ should be abused. The
great theologic trouble of to-day is the effort
| to explain Christ's condescensiOn. st. Peter
made very natural mistake, and it was nee
essary Christ should Offset it by an unmistaka-
| BILE and eternal emphasis. The value of the
| soul explains all-the infinite possibilities of
humanity-the grand outlook for man re-
! deemed. No one reading the account fairly
! can imagine st. Peter meant any indignity to
! his Savior. The Day of Pentecost had not vet
ened the Apostles st. Peter had many things
! yet to learn.
s. HoO to Sare the Soul
L Deny self (v. 34.) Notice verse 81.
Christ set the example. Not only must the
Son of Man suffer many things, but every fol-
| lower of his will have a similar experience.
Self.denial is not good in ITSELF but as means
to the development of characterit is precious.
| If self employ us, whatsoe'er is wrought,
| We slorify that SELF not Him ought"
Satan suggests ease. Such thought is the
| conception of demons, or it comes of men "
| ". 49, who are moved by the lowest impulses.
One thing is certain, it does not SAVIOR of the
| things of God.
2. Cross bearing (V. 34) Literally the
bearing of a cross means struggle, sweat, shame,
and at length crucifxion. 1t was attended by
pain. 1t could not be relished. Hence any
act required of us contrary to our wishes for
calmness, serenity, quiet and peace may be
called a cross No man who would become a
Christian can have his own selfish, unregener-
ate will. He must make many sacrifices; do
things not most easy; go to places not most in
yiting The expression take up his cross 4"
refers to the ancient custom of compelling q
criminal to carry his to the place of his exc
cution. Many Christians in early days were
forced like Christ himself to take up the literal
cross and to be executed thereon.
3. Following Christ (V. 34.l Our Savior
always goes ahead. He never asks us to do
anything which he would not himself do.
Christ is our Captain and as such leads us. Cesar
never said, "Ite!" (go), but &" venite!" (comel.
| Not only are we to come unto Christ, but to go
| after him follow him). st. Luke, 8: %, gives
/ Ill Iaff hon IIs,,r a