The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-29

BY REV. JAMES E. GILBERT, ID. d.,
Secretary of the American Society OF Re-
ligious Education.
CONTENT. After raising Jairus's daugh-
ter, Jesus restored sight to the blind men
and cast out a dumb spirit. (Alatt. tx, 1889
The twelve APOSTLES were sent out on their
mission. Sooh afterward intelligence was
received of Johns death in prison, the record
of which has been anticipated. The feeding
of the five thousand at Bethsaida and the
walking on the sea followed. Mark vi, 3o-4So
Returning to Capernaum, Jesus discoursed on
the bread of life. John vi, $500 The oppo-
sition of the scribes and pharisees having
been awakened, He spoke on the subject or
pollution. Making a journey to the north
west and thence easterly across the country,
He healed the daughter of the Syrophenician,
the deaf and dumb man, and many others.
mark vii, 1922 In Gennesaret He fed five
thousand and cured a blind man. Matt. XIV,
1880 Thence he withdrew His disciples into
the region of Caesarea Philippi CIark viii.
90, the most northern section visited by
Him, seeking retirement for meditation and
instruction.
OPINION.-In that distant retreat Jesus
engaged in prayer Verse 49,. according to
His custom duke XII. D. probably alone.
duke xxA 39-4l.) While in the way Mark
tx. 20, He asked His disciples. Whom say
the people that I amp This He must have
known, but he desired an expression as oc-
CASTOR for instruction. Three answers were
returned. He might be John the Baptist, or
Elias. that is, Elijah, or one of the great
prophets These three opinions were all put
| forth from the court of Herod. CCh TX. -
That monarch, having learned OF Christi
wonderful career had called his courtiers 10
Grr, l-aI e.fa TOD
which had gradually gone out among the
masses They were all based upon the doc
trine of the TRANSPORTATION OF souls. doe
| trine which had been brought into Jewish
| thought from the East, through the influence
Of Alexander's campaigns. We see how the
CONFESs sH I learned the popu-
| lar opinion, Jesus sought that of the apostles.
| 1t is probable that He desired this at the
| Christ, the Son of the living Cod GMatt.
xvi, I'D, which confession Luke abbreviates.
| The Christ signified the Messiah, one word
Greek, the other Hebrew-the anointed the
| expected King. This declaration had pre-
| viously been made by Andrew Oohn i, Az,
| by Nathaniel John l. 49), by the woman and
| subsequently by Peter Uohn vi, go, by
| Martha John XII, 80, and by Jesus Himself.
| Matt. XVI, 6S) The statement here Is val
| liable because il is set over against erron-
| eous views. Why was Peter spokesman?
| Some say he had been appointed primate.
| as is evidenced by the order of the names
~
| that because of his strength Of character
| the others instinc tively turned 10 him as
| leader, that on this occasion they conferred
| together, gave their judgment. and let him
| express it. But what satin the Scriptures?
| That Peter spoke under the direct illumina-
| ton Of the spirit of God. CMatt xvi, ID
| He was enabled as all men are to discern
Jesus Il Cor xii, 3D.
SILENCE.-Luke omts the Savior's COM
| mendation of Peters confession CMatt xvi.
17-19), by which it's value is greatly in
creased, but he does not overlook the fact,
| recorded in Matthew and Mark, that silence
concerning it was enjoined. But why not
tell what man most needed to know? For
| three reasons. They were not prepared to
tell. They were yet only pupils, learning the
earlier truths of Christianity. He was not
| prepared to nave the message delivered.
| Many experiences and events must make
| HIM ready for His Messanic kingdom. TIE
nation was not ready for the message. So
gross were the ideas of the Christ and His
mission that He would be greatly embar-
| raised If any considerable number of per-
sons should believe Him the expected SOW
ereisn. Slowly let all advance together
F! Jesus, His apostles, the masses. Let the
prophecies, His, miracles, teachings and
character be studied The day will come
when this great truth may be published
acts TX, ~. the basis of the new system.
PREDICTTON.-The disciples having be-
| come convinced that Jesus was the Messiah
| it was next in order to correct their views
| they had shared the false notions OF the
| nation. regarding Him a temporal prince
| Acts /, 81, a notion which they were slow
| to abandon. But Jesus explains TO them
| raised again. He had not told this before
| He began now and referred TO IL afterward
| Verse 44) on several occasions luke xviii
s syep No PIP 10 He s ss Srgci mae Gke
| suffer II was necessary. Why? Because II
| had been predicted OF Him by the earlier