The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-22


Chese lessons constitute the Sunday
school extension department of the above
named society. All who study them are
requested TO send their names, postoffice
address and denomination, mentioning
this paper, to the author at Washington,
ID. c., for enrollment)
INTRoDUcTIoN.-The incidents at the
sea of Galilee. recorded in our last lessen
John xxi. 4-17J, served to win the apostles
again to their Master. Shortly after they
retired 10 the mountain which He lad ap-
pointed Matt. xviii. l6), there, in the very
place where He first set them apart for
the holy office Matt. V, u, He renewed
their commission. enlarging the field of
their service Matt. X. 5, 81. and making it
worldwide Ozark xvi, 15-1s) 1t is believed
that at that time. or possibly little later,
He was seen of five hundred brethren,
mentioned by Paul q Cor. XIV. g. The
whole band returned TO Jerusalem once
more hopeful OF an important mission
Without doubt the appearance Of Jesus to
James occurred Il Cor. XIV. . after the ar
rival in the sacred city.
The passage set for our present study may
be divided into two great parts. The first
part, verses A to 40. inclusive. relates TO
the instructions delivered by Jesus to the
apostles in Jerusalem, His last words to
them deserving on that account most care
full consideration. In the second part,
verses 80 to 50. we have an account of His
ascension. For all this We are indebted to
Luke Mark makes only a slight reference
CIark XVII 10, 2O, liable to be misunder-
stood. Matthew closes his gospel with the
commission and John with the scene at
Galilee. But the beloved physician, the
companion of Paul. lets the world know
how and where Jesus terminated His earth-
ly labors, giving in his records of the
apostles (Acts 1, 4-12) much information not
contained in his gospel.
THE TEACHING JESUS.-Beng assem-
bled once more in the city Of Jerusalem,
probably in the upper room where they had
often met Mark xiv, 10, Jesus proceeded
10 deliver His final words to the apostles.
Forty days since the resurrection and be-
fore another day dawns His bodily pres
ence will be removed forever from their
sight. He first recalled His statements,
made before the crucihxion Matt. xvi 2D,
that the predictions concerning Messiah
must all be fulfilled in himself. He de-
sired them to know that what had trans
pired. affiictive as ii seemed 10 be, was
necessary to support His claims. In doing
this He honored all the sacred writings,
mentioning them under the three heads,
Moses. Prophets. Psalms. Thereby He laid
the basis OF the new dispensation. Chris
tianity must be biblical, not a reform, not
a new beginning. but an expansion and
fulfillment. In after years the apostles went
to their countrymen with this teaching
(Acts xvii, 81
sought TO prepare the apostles TO study
Scripture Alright. He knew how they, as
well as the whole Jewish nation, had Stun
bled over certain parts Matt. xxi, %
He therefore opened the understandings of
the apostles, applying the direct energy OF
the holy spirit psalm cxix, 49,. as after
IL Anta xrx-t
This spiritual quickenng granted Q'Cor.
ii, I'D, He explained certain passages that
referred to the suffering, death and resur-
rectiOn. showing that those events were
foretold OF the Christ. From that He adj
vanced to unfold the ultimate purpose OF
Messiah as religious and not political, and
were called to be Witnesses that they were
to preach among all nations. beginning at
Jerusalem; that the themes of their preach
ing should be repentance and remission of
sins in His name. This constituted a very
concise statement Of the apostolic function
and of the spirit and scope of the gospel
Qsa. xix, g.; Hos. ii. 23.)
This last instruction was doubtless re-
ceiyed with misgiving- How. could these
apostles begin such word in Jerusalem
and continue ii 10 distant cities and lands?
Oh Cor. II. g. Jesus did not long leave
them in doubt. 'Tarry we in Jerusalem
until We be endued with power from on
high" (verse 49, He intended that they
should go not in their own name and
strength, but by that help which comes
from above Gil Cor. Nv. - Had they been
attentive to His former words they might
have known that Jesus would build His
own church Matt xvi, 49, Had they duly
considered the lessons of other days they
would have known that feeble instruments
in Gods hands become mighty Judges vii.
-, truth which afterward was learned
and applied with much force Il Cor. |, 10
1t is difficult to say what impression the
foregoing made upon the minds of the apos-
ties. But one matter dear TO their hearts
and to the hearts of all their people the
Master ha6
power may have brought il up. And so
they inquired wilt thou at this time
Shall the Roman yoke be broken and the
! people of God delivered? Shall this be
preliminary to that preaching? Shall the
promised power be used for governmental
purposes? How strange the question seems
to US. But the people had not learned to
separate between church and state, The
long training of centuries had fixed the
| throne as the foremost object Of interest
| in their minds. Jesus very gentle with
| His dull pupils. 1T is not for you to know
| the times" He said. Then quickly He re-
turned to their work of preaching. Let
| politics alone. Wait on your ministry
| (Rom. xii. -
that all the foregoing was in Jerusalem,
| others that in whole or part II occurred
| as the company walked forth from the city.
Be that as it may. Jesus led the apostles
| (verse 500 out through the eastern gate, the
| same through which He passed to Geth-
| semane, across the little valley. up the
| ably along the way by which the triumphal
| procession entered the city, and came at
| last to the brow of the hill where He had
wept and lamented duke xix. 41O There
| they paused. Behind them was the great
| city Before them the little village of
Bethpage and the town of Bethany, the
| home OF Mary. appeared. That was the
| spot selected for the closing scene in the
| life of Jesus. Thence He purposed to re-
| turn to His ancient home Dohn Xxx, H.
Lifting His hands toward heaven, an atti-
| tude of reverence and divine communion,
| Jesus prayed for the apostles and invoked
| and promised aye. and impaired blessings.
| Sweet and precious moment. If on the way
| TO Emmaus duke XIV. So two OF them
| found their hearts burning within them be-
cause of His words, If al the mountain OF
| transformation three rejoiced in His pres
ence Matt. xvii. a. II one at the sound Of
His voice braved the deep to meet Him
| John xxi. ~. how must they all have been
| inspired and encouraged when the Master
| bore them aloft in His prayers. The gentle
dews of divine grace descended on their
! heads and hearts. heavenly atmosphere
| gathered about them. and they seemed
! while to live in another realm Already
| foretaste of that which would come in
| the day of power (Acts ii. p
| That scene of blessing gradually changed.
and another more impressive followed.
| While the Savior was speaking His form
| became altered and was slowly lifted. They
saw Him rising and removing from them.
| An unearthly glorv was revealed in Him.
| And they instinctively fell down to WORKSHOP
| Verse 5), the old conception of His divinity
| having returned TO their minds. Shortly
"a cloud received Him out of their sight
| (Acts /, 81 For time, wondering and be-
| wildered., they look steadfastly toward
| heaven, il expecting to catch some
| further glimnSp of his glorious form Rut