The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-09

CONTENT.--Our last lesson covered
events connected with the tenth journey
which Jesus made in Galice, Capernaum
being the point of departure and return.
Today we are in His eleventh circuit sup
posed to be in the autumn of the year ~.
The intervening history is full of interest.
The feeding of the four thousand, tho
journey to MaEdala the encounter with
the Pharisecs and SaduCces who sought
sign the warning against the false doc
lrne of the PhariSces, the healing of
blind man, the testimony of Peter to the
Messiahship of Christ, the remarks OF
Jesus concerning the founding of His
VhurCh-thesc were the chief incidents, all
deserving careful study. our present les
son. recorded also in Mark and Luke, but
most circumstantial in Matthew, finds
Jesus and the apostles in the region of
'acsarca philirpi the extreme northern
part of the land. a mountainous region
probably fifty miles from home. He was
still in the unpopular period of His min
istry stunning the multitudes because
they did not appreciate Him, and because
tie desired privacy in order to instruct
Ills disciples.
FORECAST.--Jesus deemed il import
ant to begin at this time "A disclosure of
His future. The apostles. while they aC-
Veptcd His divinity and believed in Him
as the one forctod in Scripture CMatt.
xvi, 16D, did not understand His mission.
They looked for a temporal kingdom with
Him at its head and with them in import
ant stations. MARK y. 81 lie desired
them to know that He came for spiritual
purpose to be achieved 10y method on
tirely different from that which they had
expected. That mrthuu involved suffer
ing, death and resurrection. For that
purpose Tie must go up to JCrusdlcm--lle
9
the chief priests and SCrihrS This was
necessary because it had brCn predCter-
mined and predicted. lisa. lii. a. As
the lamb was slain to make dtOncmnn
Tor the sins of the people so must lie, S
the Lamb of God, bc sacrificed DOhn /.
~ 1t was not TO hu expected that this
thought would be Immediately received.
Hence lie began AT this time as our les
son says Ncrsr ~ To untold il, and con-
tinucd from time to time thereafter
Nlatt NX. Isl to make reference to it, and
to enforce it. tNark iN. #lD
R1GRl KE.--As might ho expected, The
apoStle les worc lot prepared for such an
nounccmcHt, II may be that they thought
uur Lord looked gloomily upon the situa-
tion. Tho impulsiVc Peter doubtless
voiced the sentiment Of all when he said.
re it far from thee, lord" Verse 22D
What Law behind those words no one
knows. Did he think of the goodness OF
Jesus, as Of one who deserved better
treatment? Did h" think of His power
rs of one abundantly able to defend Him
self against all enemies? or. did he
think of his devotion, his willingness to
stand in defense of the Master Luke xxi
49J as he afterward proposed to do.
should occasion require? Or finally did
he have in mind. what many cherished.
the MessianiC glory of Jesus, coupled with
the expectation that lie would assert
himself aud subduC all adversaries and
ascend the throne of David? psalm H.
- Whatever consideration may have in
tluenced the apostle it is evident that he
assumed an earnest manner. He TOOK
Jesus. probably drew Him aside. remOn-
Strated with Him. disapDroved of the
statement, and declared that nothing Of
the sort could occur 1t is fair to assume
that he was sincere in this matter for