The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-20
Sunday School Lesson for May 2l.
Christ Before the High Priest.
JOHN xviii, 1927.
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. D., L. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education
JOHN xviii, 1927.

NIT the keeping of his mother to such
a friend John xix:2O. The act was
all the more beautiful because in re-
lating the incident afterward he with
held his name.
PETER AND JOHN.-Simon Peter
was not as fortunate as his young col
league. lie was unknown. 1t may
be that he was not in Johns company,
that he followed at greater distance
mark xiv:5D, and came UP to the
gate after the others had entered, only
to be denied admittance, If, indeed
he made any request whatever The
language indicates that he stood out
side hardly expecting, possibly not
desiring to venture further (verse 16).
But the tender-hearted John saw him
and interceded to bring him in. 1t
was a brotherly act, expressive of
sympathy John may have been
prompted by a desire for companion
ship, for under such circumstances it
is trying to stand alone. He may
have thought that he was rendering
service to the Master, who had both
manifested and declared his solicitude
for the impetuous apostle duke
that He had regards for Peters feel
ings and safety, knowing as he must
have known, that this man was de-
stined to act an important part in the
cause of Christ for which he greatly
needed preparations (Acts HID.
PETER AND SERVANTS. - With
bold imprudence Peter walked into the
courtyard and sat down in the midst
Of the servants who gathered about a
fire uuke, xxii:56). Fixing n steady
gaze upon him the FORTRESS enquired
whether he were not a disciple of Jesus,
| and Peter denied (verse 10. For the
| moment his words may have been ac-
| cepted as truthful. But a little later
! the suspicion Of those near him was
! again aroused and in palmer terms he
| was accused of being with Jesus
| Matt, Xxvi:69). Having once falsi.
| fed he felt himself compelled to main
! tain his position (verSe 25). But now
! to give emphasis to his utterance he
| declared that he did not even compre-
| hend the subject of their conversation
1T was as If they spoke in an un-
! known tongue A whole hour passed
| duke, XXii;59), and once more the ac-
| Cusation was made by q kinsman of
the servant whose ear Peter cut off
in the garden. More than ever lie
seemed to be necessary. and. to secure
himself against further annoyance
| Peter began to curse as if to show that
he could not be an associate of Jesus
(verse 26). The man had completely
broken down under temptation, and the
words of Jesus concerning him We're
! fulfilled Mark Xiv:30). Soon after the
cock crew, (verse 20. and he went ou'
to weep Uuke, Xxii:62).
JESUS AND CAIAPHAS.-While ul
this transpired in the outer court {
| far different scene was enacted within
the palace. The synoptists refer to the
| examination by the Sanhedrin at the
| dawn of day Uuke, Xxii:66) Johr
describes in our lesson Werse l9 e
seq.l, an earlier interview in which tn,
| High Priest sought information to bt
laid before that high court. His de
sire was to frame some charge Of Sc
| diton or of unOrthodoX touching, tn,
| former being an offense against tn,
! state, the latter an offense against th,
A.