The National tribune., 1896-02-20
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for March
l, 1896.

Subject: Opinions of Men and of the Dis
Cfples rs to Christ, and the Crosses to be
Borne by Christians. st. Luke, o: 1927.
Zone reading these notes should frat carefully
study the paragraph from tho Holy Scriptures as
indicated aboyei
/. OPINIONS As TO CHRIST.
Introduction.
We have two subjects They tako 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 whom he was We deal first
with the opinion of the men; then, with
that of the Disciples represented by their
spokesmap, st. Peter. The question in both
cases is: What opinion is entertained as 10
Christ? The replies differ very much. We
notice that it is very important matter to
have correct views as to whom Christ is. Men
must be set right in this prime respect before
they can proceed to deal with the religion of
Christ. Jesus saw this importance and hence
raised the question. He would brush away all
erroneous opinions and cultivate the true. Who
is Christ? The question is still fundamental
Each person should test his views rs to Jesus
This lesson will help him to adjust his position
on this subject.
When wo remember that Christ is omniscient
(St. John, 9: "a, 25), we wonder at his asking
any questions. We may be sure lie did not
seek information. There was, therefore, another
object 1t may have been pedagogic method
He raised the question so as TO insure correct
understanding on the subject He would con-
trast the wrong with the right opinion, so as to
instruct II lis Disciples how to draw exact lines
between the erroneous and the correct. lie
would show how ut sea tho "meB" " were as TO
a question capable of precise definition. lie
would elicit statement absolutely correct, and
then stamp on it his approval.
Christ was not one of that kind who say
they do not care what people think OF them.
He wanted to hold no false opinion IN the
minds Of society. A misunderstood Saviour
could not benefit world. The mission OF
Jesus depended much on tho world forming
an exact idea of his personality and work.
1t is right for people TO have 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
be led TO consider this fact with reference TO
themselves and their usefulness as ministers.
Some have thought Christ was quite indiffer-
cnt as TO the opinion of men" as to himself,
and that his purpose was to develop the views
of the Disciples in regard to his origin and
work that he simply got at this latter fact by
making sort of bridge of the former; that,
instead of bluntly asking the Disciples, he
brought the question about hy frat inquiring
as to tho general, profane, common opinion as
TO himself.
Some see in Christ's method the purely artis-
tic; the first question is q ground work Tor
back. setting out more clearly the front OF the
picture, the second question.
We know, of course, that Christ was conver-
SAINT with the public opinion as to himself
" Men" were not coy in expressing their views
The Disciples did not 90 ont as spies 10 gather
up the consensus OF opinion in regard to the
Messiah and return to tell him. There were,
however, doubtless opinions uttered rs TO Christ
which he never heard. Men often express
themselves more freely in regard to man in
his absence. Such opinions might easily reach
the ears of the Disciples. Christ would know
his Disciples become aware he knew of such
views being held as 70 himself
We see some point in Christ raising the ques-
ton as to the opinion Of "men" " as to himself,
when we see how diverse and how wrong such
opinions were. 1t was heedfnl Jesus set his
Disciples right, and prevent their sharing at
all in the erroneous opinions held about his
person, character and work.
We cannot imagine that VIC have given to Us
in the account all the opinions which were held
by "men" " as to Christ. There must have been
many derogatory views affecting the character
of Christ, but all such are ignored, or entirely
unworthy of consideration. Christ did not
busy himself about mere abuse.
Afford, with many others, render the ques-
ton rs follows: "Who do men say the Son of
man is?" How do they understand the term
Son of man as applying to me?
We SEQ how good man may be misunder-
stood; how even miracles may not effect their
desired end how diverse are human opinions
even OH plain subject; how our Master. was
abused aud how he can sympathze with us
how wanting in unity are hereses; how OPP
poncnts of Christianity are weakened by not
agreeing among themselves.
1t was very important that Cbrists Disciples
should have correct ideas as to his origin, mis-
sion etc, aud hence he from time to time tested
their knowledge of him. lie was admitted to
be n peculiar person, aud there was a variety
of opinions in society III regard TO him. This
fact made it moro necessary for Christ to i'm
press his followers with accurate views, lest
they might share in some of the erroneous
imaginings MS 10 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 Discip pies
the truth of the matter. He asked, therefore,
" Whom do men say |
amp" Receiving reply. he inquired next:
Whom say ye that am ?" This question gave
riso to the famous discussion about st. Peter
being the rock on whom the Church is uilt
See ST. Matt, 16: 1913. The conversation was
strictly an esoterc one. The time had not yet
arrived for too great publicity as to Christs
real personality aud mission. And hence he
asked the Disciples not rs yet 10 give too
emphatic expression to the fact of his Messiah.
shin. An impression existed among the popu-
lace that Jesus was some great parsonage. lie
was bold reformer. He had traits of charac- |
ter reminding them OF st. John the Baptist and |
of Elijah. Some surmised that possibly one or
the other OF those famous prophets had risen |
from the dead. st. John the Baptist had been |
beheaded about TWO months before. Elijah |
had been translated for over 900 years. Sec |
ki., chapter 2.
We see the faith Of the Hebrews as to future |
life. the existence Of the soul after death. and
the possibility of its reappearance after nearly |
] 900 years.
The OPINION OF "MEN" As To CHRIST.
Data.
st. Matt, 16: 13, Ia; St. Mark, s:27, 2s; st. !
Luke, 9:1S, ID.
The scene of this lesson was Cesarea Philinpi. |
In it's vicinity Att. Hermon it is thought; |
and it is generally held that that mountain |
was the furthest point north reached by Christ. |
Answers.
a. John the Baptist Some held to this |
view. IIcrod Antipas, who had put to death
St. John the Baptist imagined Jesus was said |
st. John the Baptist risen from tho dead. st. |
Matt, 14:1, 2. Tho lesson shows others /
shared the opinion Jesus was St John the
Baptist.