The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-22

INTRODUCTION topic given to
this lesson by the International commit
tee is appropriate to the sixth verse only.
Another topic, as above, is believed TO
TO better suited to the whole passage by
reference to the context 1t win appear
ihat after the feet Washing, Jesus re"
suned Ills place az the table and con-
cldded the Paschal supper. While eating,
In answer to Johns question, Judas was
pointed out as the one who should betray
Him (Johu Kill: 26), and Immediately hs
went forth into the darkness to complete
his agreement with the chief priests.
Afterward Peter was warned and the me-
moral feast was instituted of which
John makes no meLtion mark xiv: 22.
The sacrament and the words in con-
nection with 1t brought the death Of
Jesus before the little company in most
solemn and impressive manner. A feel
Ing of sadness possessed all hearts, and
the Saviour at once offered consolation
(John xvi: @, In 10 part of His whole
ministry did lie utter more kindly words.
ANTIDOTE.-He began by Offering q
specific against every form OF trouble
(verses and y, a compound of two ele-
ments sufficient to support any heart
under all circumstances. The first of
these was faith, that firm reliance upon
love and power. but faith of two kinds.
AS good Jews, they had always believed
In God-now they are asked to believe
also in Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour
of the world we'll nigh the last require-
ment before His cruciflxion, destined to
be the prime condition Of pardon and
peace afterward CRom. V: u. The Sec
ond ground Of soul rest and freedom
from trouble was hope, an outlook De-
yond the present, an anticipation of fu-
ture good. Jesus endeavored to awaken
this hope in the hearts of His disciples
by saying what He had never said ia
them before, that there were many man.
sionS in His Fathers house. q home for
all who loved Him. OF this they might
be assured by the fact that He had never
stated to the contrary This truth, brought
in at the hour of separation, must have
been very full of comfort to men who
knew that their Master would soon leave
them, but knew not what then might be-
fall them.
PROMISE.-But hope is not to be kim
died by the mere statement of a fact.
What If there is a home beyond, a man
sion for the saints with many apart
ments suited to each. how shall these
| humble fishermen find their way thither?
| The thought may have struggled in their
minds unspoken until Jesus heard II and
| answered One purpose OF His depar-
ture from them was to prepare a place
| for them, to fit up and make ready the
eternal home into which they will enter
| beyond the grave. Precisely what that
! meant no one knows--no one needs to
know. 1t is enough that the Lord of
Life, after adjusting the disturbed rela-
| tions of time entered into the realm of
| spirits to make habitations for His own
| But what was especially cheering. He
will come again and receive His own,
that they may be forever with Him
| (verse 81. When and how will He come?
! No man can answer There Is but slight
hint of the manner (Acts i: IL, and less
| suggestion Of the time (Matt. xiv: 36),
! and we may therefore conclude that He
intended to leave men In ignorance on
| those points. But the promise is mono
| the less precious. It sustained the apos-
ties in all their trials q Tim. vi: ~, and
| and believers all ages have rested in 1t.
| DIRECTION.-Then followed a state