The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-29
Jesus THE MESSIAH
SUNDAF-sCHooL
LESSON FOR TOMORROW.
A Highly Interesting Discussion by Rev.
Edward l.. Peii-The Messicnic Char
acter OF Jesus.

March t.-Jesus the MessIah.-Luke tx,
lS-z7.
The time had come for Jesus to unfold
more clearly TO his disciples his messlanic
character. All along he had been teiiihs
them a little about himself, and his WORKS
had taught them more, but what tney
had learned had been picked up IN a
desultory sort OF way, and their knowl-
edge was very vague. In beginning MS
more direct teaching, II was necessary Tor
Jesus to clear up their minds, 10 oflns
order out OF chaos, and enable them 10
see Just wlere they STOOD Ihis is the
meaning OF he question he asked tntm
when he was alone praying ana MS ais
ciples were with rim. Whom say the
people that / am?' lie did not ask ior
informatioh. he knew what the people
said about MIN, but the question would
easily lead TO more personal one, ana
would also suggest contrast which would
bring out the faith Of the disciples In a
clearer light. rhe people were divided In
their opinions-some thought he was John
the Baptist. some Elias. some Jeremas
or one Of me other prophets risen again
But whom say We that / ann The
question turned their minds from ;he
public opinion TO look into their own
hearts, and they realized as never before
the sharp contrast between what their
hearts felt and what the outside world
believed. Peters answer was "A heart cry:
Thou art the Christi IL was not a
matter Of logic. 1t was . revelation. and
the very utterance strengthened his faith
as no argument could have done.
When Jesus had gotten these men TO
say from their hearts that he was the
Christ he knew that the foundation was
well laid. and he could safely begin to
build thercupon. We can never be sure
of the foundation OF the man who has
never confessed Christ: nor can the man
himself feel sure Of it. We never know
what we know until we make an effort to
express what is In our hearts
That Jesus should have charged HIS
disciples TO tell no man that thing
means nothing less than that Il is time
enough TO point out a star when IL comes
within our range of vision. The people
were hot IN condition TO see what the
disciples saw and a proclamation OF his
Messiahship would only add fuel to the
fire that was already kndling and pre-
ciptate the catastrophe Of Calvary
Hoylng settled the matter Of the founda-
tlon, Jesus began 20 build thereupon
Among other things. he told them he
must make atOnement by his death lie
would save by losing. and he would come
elders and chief priests and scribes-the
very mel who were supposed 10 be most
anxious 10 welcome The Messiah and the
only men who were thought 10 be quail
fed to interpret the messianic prophe-
cies arignL This was too much for Peter,
who did not see why Jesus should not go
on as he had been going. and win his
way to the throne by the exercise Of mi
raculous power. He was rot prepared to
accept the new doctrine that man must
save his life by losing H. BUT Jesus not
only insisted upon 1t for himself, he in
sisted upon It for Peter and the other dis
ciples and for any man who would come
after him. The way OF the cross was
the only way for HIM: 10 is the only way
for MS ii We would be like him We
must take mp our cross daily and fol-
low him. II is hard for ms TO receive this.
and we try TO content ourselves with
taking mp our cross only occasionally.
And yet the requirement is not hard.
ship. but mercy. il is easier for ms TO
bear our cross every day as he requires
than 10 pick n up only when our con-
scious drives as 10 H.
For whatsoever will save his life shall
lose it," If Jesus had saved his life what
would he be TO the world to-day? II John
the Baptist had saved his life. what
would he le TO AS to-day? Where ~
Hcrod VINO spent his life and the lives OF
others saving his own or Alexander
or Napoleon Selhshness is FUN of the
seeds of death II is only by getting out
OF ourselves that We save ourselves. \
man may lose his life and not save {
There are men who lose their lives in
q selfish cause-who lose all the enjoyment
OF life. all IT'S privileges and blessings In