The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-08
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
MAY II.
Lesson Text: "Jesus Before the High
PRIEST" Mark xiv, 53-64-
Golden Text: Isaiah ill.,, 3
commentary.

commentary.
So. And they lei Jesus away to the hiGl:
priest, and with Him wero assembled all the
chief priests. and the elders, and the 3c-:bes. !"
After the darkness and agony OF the
garden. being strengthened by an angel. He
went forth to lay down His life Of His own
accord (John x. 49,. The boastful disciples
all forsook Him and fed Oversees 81, 5O). The
young man Of verses 81. 50 was probably
Mark himself. as in other cases the unnamed
one was doubtless the writer OF the gospel
Ouke XIV, 1S; John H. 40). Jesus being
bound (John xviii. 12). is led as lamb to
the slaughter CT all ill.,, y, for those be-
fore whom He was brought had long before
determined to kill Him (Math. xii. "a; John
XII, 53r
ST. And Peter followed Him afar off, even
into the palace OF the high priest. and he sat
with the servants and warmed himself at the
fire." The result OF Peters following afar
off and being in bad company is seen in
verses 66 to 72 following the lesson. Self
confident boasting is very apt to lead to rash
conduct. bad company and many wc-se
things, as in the case of Peter. We mua=
have no confdencein ourselves, but be strCnS
in the Lord and let Him perfect His strength
in our weakness phil. ILL.,. 3; Eph. vi. 10 II
Cor. xii. 81.
IS. "And the chief priests and all ::he ooun-
ell sought for witness against Jesus 10 pat
Him to death, and found none.' Their
minds were fully made up, and God was 60
ing to let them have their way and accom-
plish what He foresaw would surely come to
pass (Acts iv., 27, 2S). They were now seek
ing some reason for their conduct but could
find none except in the wickedness Of their
own hearts. Testimony in His favor they
could have readily obtained in abundance, but
against Him, none. See John xviii. %;
Heb. vii, 26; Matt. ill.,, II; xviii. S.
Sc. ''For many bare false witness against
Him, but their witness agreed not togeth-
er." 1t had been written that it shoald be
50. :'False witnesses are risen up against
Me, and such AS breathe out cruelty"
"False witnesses did rise up. They laid to
My charge things that knew not FPS.
xvii, II: xxxv.. ~. SO every true follower
Of Jesus may expect to suffer wrongfully for
conscience toward God may expect to suffer
for we'll doing, and if under such circum-
stances we can take it patiently God Is well
pleased Q Pet. IT,. 10. 2O). As His follow.
ers we must walk as He walked q John
H., g..
81, SO. Sand there arose certain and bare
false witness against Him. saying, We heard
Him say will destroy this temple that is
made with hands. and within three days l
will build another made without hands. y
Just what He did say. out Of which they
made this accusation, is found in John H.,
I9. and If YOU compare His words with what
they made Him say you may not feel so bad
about some sayings Of yours which have
come back to you somewhat perverted. The
fact is that we have no time to waste on
feeling bad about ISLANDERS and false accusa-
lions. Such things will continue till the
Lord comes, and when He permits them to
come our way we must at once thank Him
for the privilege of such fellowship q Thess.
v 1s; Phil. j., 29). and referring the whole
matter to Him Just leave 1t with Him to be
adjusted Elsa. liv.. ~.
SO. 'But neither so did their witness agree
together" Consequently there was no case
free, for their laws said plainly that one wit
ness could not condemn; there must be two
or three CDeut. xviii, 6; XIX. 15). How can
we expect Righteousness in world which
through its most religious leaders thus treat
ed the Lord Himself? His meek submission
Is our example and makes US think OF the
admonition. Take wrong, be defrauded"
Q Cor. vi, y.
60. "And the high priest stood up in the
midst and asked Jesus. saying: Answerest
Thou nothing? What is it which these wit
ness against Thee?" He knew there was no
case against the prisoner, perhaps felt the
placed, and allowed his feelings to overcome
him. According to the law, the witnesses
had testified nothing against Him, for no
two agreed.
81. "But He held His peace and answered
nothing. Again the high priest asked Him
and said unto Him, Art Thou the Christ, the
Son of the Blessed2" There was nothing to
answer, and in the calmness Of conscious
innocence He was quiet. When people seek
our hurt. speaking mischievous things and
imagining deceits all the day long, let US
have grace to be as the deaf who hear not
and as the dumb who open not the mouth,
but just hope in the Lord (Ps. zzxviii.,
12-15.)
62. 'iAnd Jesus said. AM. and ye shall
see the Son of Man sit on the right hand OF
power and coming in the clouds Of heaven.
This reply takes us back to the name he
used when He sent Moses to deliver lsrae!
(Ex. ill.,. 14). He often used it in the days OF
His humiliation, for in many cases where we
read, "I am He" the He is in italics. so
that He really said Il am" as in John w.,
26; viii, a. 2S; xiii. 10; xviii, 5, 6,8, etc.
When He shall come in power and glory, as
He said, It will be bringing His saints with
Him according to Zech. xiv S; Judg. xiv;
Thess. ill.,, IS, and II will be for the re-
demption of Israel and for vengeance upon
her enemies (Deut. x1xii.. 43; Isa. xSxiV., 81
xxxv., 4; xiii, 4.
g. Then the high priest rent his clothes
and saith. What need we any further wit
ness?" This apparently holy wrath was all
OF the devil in the name.of religion. 10 this
day it may be seen. Weshould not be moved
by it. It is often seen. even in religious
people, in connection with this very truth OF
the second coming of Christ in power and
glory. Let one insist that Jesus Is coming
with all His saints (Col. ill.,. 4) for the con-
version of the Nation of Israel. and to set up
the Kingdom promised to David with a
throne at Jerusalem. according to Jer. ILL.,,
II; Luke j., 80, SO. ETC.. and he will probably
be accused of perverting the truth to the de-
struction Of his soul.
e.. aye have heard the blasphemy. What
think We? And they all condemned Him to
be guilty of DEATH And began at once,
like so many barbarians. to iltreat their
prisoner. They spit on Him, and mocked
Him, and struck Him. and He meekly bore
tall. Jesus, Saviour. what have we ever
borne for Thee? May we deeply ponder it
and have grace to bear for His sake with
meekness wnatever He may let us endure
for Him. Because we are here in His stead