The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-04-08
An EASTER OUTLOOK.
International Sunday school Lesson
for April 10, 1898.

1f1E Observation-Disclosures OIL Jesus lOFS-
told Matthew 16:21-2s. Read Matthew 16:
1-22. See also Mark 1919; /; Luke 9:22-27.
GOLDEN TExT.-He was bruised for
our iniquitfes.-Isa. 5S:5.
EASTER TEXT-Now is Christ risen
from the dead--1 Cor 1920.
TIME-Summer of A. D. g.
PLACE-On the way from the Sea of
Galilee to Cesarea Phiiippi. a city situated
lee. : - $3.50 - - =
COMMENT.
|. Christ and His Cross, and His Vic
tory.-Vs. 21-23-"From that time
forth began Jesus to shew unto His
disciples, how that He must go unto
Jerusalem, and suffer many things of
the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and be raised again the
third day" The fact of the resurrec-
ton is stated in each of the three ac-
counts, and is emphasized for the sake
of the faith and hope of the disciples.
The announcement of Jesus death SO
shocked and astonished Peter that he
did not notice the promised resurrec-
ton, or thought of it as some figure
of speech. So Peter began (notice he
only ''began') to rebuke Jesus: BE it
far from Thee, Lord; this shall not be
unto Thee" The plan of redemption
outlined by Jesus was so contrary to
all Peters expectations and hopes, so
completely opposite tohis picture of the
Messiah as glorious triumphant king,
that Jesus saying was inconceivable
to Peter. 1t was absurd, ruinous,
death blow to their own hopes, and
triumph TO their enemies.
But Jesus turned and said unto Peter,
.sGet thee behind me, SATAN" He did
not call His apostle satan, a devil, but
he looked for the moment through
Peter. and saw behind him His old
enemy, cunningly making use of the
prejndices and impulsive honesty of the
undeveloped apostle. In this sugges-
ton, that He might gain the crown
without the cross, and attain king
dom of this world, the Christ saw the
recurrence of the temptation which had
offered Him the glory of those king
doms, on condition of His drawing back
from the path which the Father had
appointed for Him Matt. 4:1-1D.
Thou art an offense:'' A stumbling
hindrance by placing the temptation be-
fore me, by your blindness in not un-
Outstanding the true nature and work of
the Messiah. Thou savorest not (mind-
est mott the things that be of Gods"
Gods plan of salvation and work of
the Messiah, as just before revealed by
Jesus ". 21). but those that be of
|, - r Ia.a
Messiah, worldly kingdom, riches,
honor, glory and triumph.
II. The Disciples and Their Cross, and
Their Victory.-Vs. 24-26. These verses
contain an often-quoted saying of Jesus
1t is very terse utterance and means
no more and no less than anyone can
read upon the surface, but perhaps it
may be set forth a little more at length
and better impressed on the mind and
heart by paraphrase. Then said
Jesus unto His Disciples, If any man
will would, wishes to- come after M.
(be my follower, my disciple, seek to-
attain to my character and reward), let
him deny himself (renounce self as mas
ter, and accept me as MASTERY, and take
up his cross daily and voluntarily, not
merely endure what is laid upon him,
for the cross is the symbol of doing
duty at any cost-even at the cost of
the most painful DEATH, and follow
me (take me for master, teacher, ex-
ample, believe my teaching, uphold my
cause, obey my precepts, and to do this
though ii lead by the way of the CROSSE.
For whatsoever win save his life (by do
ing wrong, by avoiding hard duties and
self-denial, by gaining worldly good at
the expense of religion and righteous
ness) shall lose bit (that is, his life, his
soul, the man himself and his eternal
an d whosoever will wills
lose his life Aby giving up those out
I'd things ar5ich are desirable and
themselves, which worldly
hiefy, and which seem to
fe on earth happy and worth
lors, riches, pleasure, power)
he (multitudes of people lose
q for gain, for pleasure, for
Ind each of these has more
han my cross ever required;
mere loss Of life has no prom
sing-it is only loss incurred
of me, for the sake of preach
advancing the Gospel-who-
does this) shall save it"-shall
blessedness and glory eternal;
is small, the gain infinite; the
pr outward things, the gain is
itself. "For, land this is the
argument) what is man
he shall gainIthe whole world
j. us own soul or what shall
in exchange for his soul ?"
st Coming inl His Kingdom.
Then Jesus turned to the
of the picture. The time is
IA. tells His disciples, when all
IF humiliation and the cross
ay, and Jesus shall be a tri-
81 be-. He shall conquer death
surrection. The kingdom
so feeble then shall rule