The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-09
Matt. xvi, 21-2S.

otherwise he would never have presumed
TO contradict his Master.
REPROOF. Tho reply Of Jesus to Pet
ers remarks were descrvcdly severe.
Verse 2S) 1t was important to make the
man know his place, especially after the
previous commendation Matt. xvi, il
49, 1t was also necessary to maintain
Christs first statement. There were tour
points in the rcproof: l. Jesus ordered
Peter to got behind him, to take the place
of a learner for all teachers were fol-
lowed by their disciples, (Matt. iv, 19)
.. He called him Satan, meaning not the
chief spirit of the evil world, Job l. 6)
but an adversary. 0I Sam. kin. 22D one
who opposes. 3. lie declared that Ictcr
was an offence to Him. that his state
mcnt was calculated to defeat the pur-
pose of our Lord 4. He said that Peter
was not moved by heavenly and Divine,
but by earthly and human considerations,
that he spoke without II knowledge of
Gods purpose and plan. These four
points show that the apostle was on
low plane, that he did not comprehend
the Gospel His mind had not been SUI
flcicntlY Illuminated. He is a fair sample
of a large class of men who. IN every age,
attempt to construct systems of thought
and to institute measures that are out of
harmony with the methods ordained by
lllInltc WISDOM.
DISCIPLESHIP.-Th teaching of Jesus
concerning Himself, re-afirmed to Peter,
was calculated to reDcl the little band
chosen to represent His cause. Strange
thoughts must have entered their minds
concerning their place ana work. what
can they do, why should they follow, if
Jesus Is to be put to death? Perhaps
Jesus disccrncd or anticipated such af-
81 l..
by showing that the men must share His
fate. They must deny themselves, take
up their cross and follow Him. Ncrse
2lD If they attempted to save their lives
they would lose them. Nerse 2J.) This
He had previously said. Matt. y. 3S-39D
So important was it that He repeated it
duke xiv. 26-20 more than once. JuIn
Nil 25-2GD lie is putting forth the high
law of His kingdom, hard then to re-
ccivc. but destined TO bc elevated into a
doctrine, Gl Tim. iii. ~ and proclaimed
i'm distant parts Il Cor. NV. 81, the law
Of Self-saCritCe. That law was directly
opposed then, rs it is now, 10 the popular
conception OF life. as period of self
seeking, of gain and pleasure. oil Tim
iii, -
BARTER.--A measurclesS Gulf yaWnsd
between Jesus and His disciples. when
these last words were uttered. He had
declared what to them was not only a
mystery. but also a hopeless representa-
ton of the cause to which they had com
mittcd themselves. lie destined to die by
cruel hands! They destined to follow on
and lay down their lives for His sake!
TO complete the absurdity this is de-
clarcd to he the way to His glory and to
their salvation! To bridge over the dit
nculty and regain His control Jesus ad-
NanCCS to tn" subject Of personal profit.
suppose, instead of what He predicted,
they could gain the whole world (ot
course impossiblo) what profit if they
i lose their souls? (Ncrse 26). In this lie
cndeavored to bring their minds to con-
slider the relative value of temporal and
heavenly things, that they might MAKE
choice 0leb. Xi. 25D How can any man
barter away his COul for any earthly
good? To some extent by this question
Jesus conveyed to the disciples a slight