The National tribune., 1895-01-17
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Jan.
81, 1895. 49,,
Subject. Who was Chris. said to be9 Peters
Answer. st! Matt, 18:I3-2O.
tone reading these notes should first carefully
study The paragraph ffom tho Holy Scriptures as
indicated above-l
INTRODUCTION.
We have two subjects. They take the form
of questions and answers The first question
was intended to draw out what was the popular
opinion as to Christ. The second question
solicited the view held by the Disciples Of
Christ as to who he was. We deal with the
opinion Of the men," then with that of the
Disciples represented by their spokesman. st.
Peter The question in both cases is. What
opinion is entertained "a to CHRISTI The re-
plies differ very much. We notice that it is
very important matter to have correct view as
to whom Christ is. Men must be set right in
this prime respect before they proceed to
deal with religion of Christ. Jesus saw this
i'm por,ancc, aud hence raised the question.
lie would brush away all erroneous opinions
and cultivate the true. Who is Christi The
question is still fundamental. Each person
should test his view to Jesus. This lesson
will help him TO adjust his position on this
subject.
hen we remember that Christ is omnis-
cent. (St John, 2: "a PSI we wonder at his
asking any questions. He may he sure he did
not seek Information. There was, therefore.
another object. Ii may have been pedagogic
method. He raised the question so as to insure
c0rrrct understanding on the SUBJECT he
would contrast the wrong with the right Cpn-
ion, so as to instruct hi Disciples how to draw
exact lines between the erroneous and the cor
rect. lie would show how at sea the men
were as to question capable of precise defiui
ton. He would elicit statement absolutely
correct, and then stamp on it his approval.
Christ WINS not one oi that kind wh0say they do
not care what people think of them. lie wanted
TO hold 10 false opinion in tbs minds OF society.
misunderstood Savior could not benefit our
world. The III ssion OF Jesus depended much
on tho wofld forming exact idoa of his per-
sonsliiy and work.
1t is right for people to have q concern as to
how they stand in the public mind. 1t was
well the Disciples be taught that Christ at
tached significance to his status. and thereby DO
led to consider this fact with reference to them
selves aud their usefulness as ministers.
Some have thought Christ was quite indiffer-
ent AS to the opinion OF the men " as to HIM
SELF aud that his purpose was to develop the
views OF the Disciples in regard 10 his origin
aud work; that he simply got ut this latter fact
by making a sort Of bridge OF the former; that
instead of bluntly asking the Disciples. he
brought the question about 10y first inquring
as to the general. profane, common opinion as
to himself.
Some see in Christ's method the purely ar
tstc; the first question is ground work Tor
back setting out more clearly tho front of the
picture, tito second question:.
We know, OF course, that Christ was con-
versamt with the public opinion rs to himself
Men " were not coy III expressing their views
The Disciples did not go out as spies to gather
up the consensus Of opiAisn in regard To the
Messiah and return thtell him. There were.
however dou btcss. opinions uttered as to Christ
which he never heard, Men often express
themselves moro freely in resard To- a man IN
his abse nee. Such oI,fuiorrs light easily reach
the ears Of the Disciples. Christ would know
OF sncb by omniscieiiee. and he desired that
his Disciples becomef awaFc he knew Of such
views being held To himself.
We see some point IN Christ raisng the qnes-
ton 10 the opinion &C linen " to himself
when we see now diverse apd how wrong such
opinions 1t WAS ueedful Jesus set his
Disciples right and prevent their sharing at all
in the. erroneous opinions held about his per-
son. character and work.
in tAe account all the opinions which were held
by men" as to- Christ. There must have been
many deTogatory views affecting the character
of Christ but all such ignored entirely
unwor ny OF consideration. Christ did not
busy himself about mere abuse.
Afford, with many Others, render the Ques-
ton as follows: Who do men say the Son of
man is ?" How do they understand the term
Son OF man applying to me?
We see how good man Day be misuuder-
stood; how even miracles may not effect their
desired end how diverse are human opinions
even plain subject; how Master
abused, and how he can sympatnize with us;
how wanting in unity arc hercsies; how OPP
ponents OF Christianity are weakened by not
agreeing among themselves.
]. THE OPINION OF men" Al TO CHRIST.
Data.
ST. Matt, 16: ID, ID; st. Mark g. 81, %; st.
Luke. 8: IS. -.
The scene of this lesson was Cessrea Phlippi.
In its vicinity was Mt. Hcrmon it is thought;
aud IL Is generally held that that mountain was
the iurthest point north reached by Christ.
AnsUers.
a. John Baptist. Some held to this view.
Herod Antipas who had put TO death ~. John
baptist imagined Jesus was said John Baptist
l., -.
lesson shows others share the opinion Jesus
was St John Baptist.
b. Elias. Some held Jesus was the old
prophet returned Elias is form for Elijah
St. Mark. :l5. 1t was held that the prophecy
of Malachi o.: 81 meant that III ijah would pre-
cede the Messiah. But ST. John Baptist had
fulfilled that prophecy. st. Mark. 8: l3. lie
came in the spirit aud power of Elijah" st. |
Luke /: II.
C. Jeremiah Tor Jeremias). Only st. Matthew
mentions this verse. IL was a tradition that |
at the destruction of the temple under Nehu- |
chadneZzar. Jeremiah concealed the ark and the |
altar o. incense IN Of Mount Sinai to |
remain till God should gather his people in
mercy y Mace, 2: -; and some might !
naturally expect jeremiah to reappear and re-
store these treasures"
4 One of the prophets. st. Matt, 10: IA;
ST. Mark. 8: %. ST. Luke. 8: 10, says: "One |
OF the old prophets has risen again."
III. THE OPINION OF THE DISCIPLES AS TO
CHRIST.
Data
St. Matt, 16: 1920; ST. Mark, 6: 90 30; st. |
Luke, .: 20, 81.
The Question.
The question is the same, ,ony now it is ap-
piled specially TO the Bisciplcs and they in con-
trast with the " men" Who is Christ? Whom |
do you Disciples hold Christ to be2 What is |
your opinion of him? 49,,
Many accept the answer given by st. Peter |
rs practically that of the entire body of bis
cples. he acting simply as their spokesman.
But whom say ye that | amp" Never
III