The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-05
Sunday School
Lesson
for
January 6.

TIE 0RDER--It will be seen that our less IN
has two topcs-.the amounting oI Jesus, and Ills
betrayal by Judas-presentins in striking contrast
the characteristics OF two disciples. One might
suppose that the latter followed Immediately
upon the former. This was not the case. John
asserts (Chapter ali: - that the amounting oc-
cured six days before the Passover; that is, on
Saturday, April l. In this chapter Verse p
learn that two days before the Passover, Tues
day, April 4, after an extended address. Jesus
predicted His crucidvion. The chief priests and
the scribes then consulted how they might put
Him to death, and Judas, doubtless learning OF
that interview, entered into bargain TO sell His
Master The matter Of the sixth TO the thirteenth
verse is retrospective IL relates what has occur
red at Bethany as shedding light upon the troaeh'
erous conduct OF Judas in Jerusalem. lie was un.
doubtedy Influenced by the amounting, but he
did not act without considerable time for reilee-
tion. During all those intervening days the
virus was in his heart, corrupting his secret
thoughts and preparing for infamous deeds.
THE. OCCASION (yerses @ and 1).-While on
His last Journey to Jerusalem Jesus came to Beth.
anv, a little hamlet on the northeast. distant
only two miles. While there resting feast
was prepared for Him and the apostles, given
probably by all His disciples in the community.
1t was held in the house Of Simon, the leper, one
Who had been cured OF leprosy, as no one af'
Ricted with that disease might entertain guests.
The occasion was one OF rare interest because
this little village contained some who were dear
to the sayiour's heart, whom lie had often Wis.,
tied Matt. xxi: I'D. Lazarus, who had been
| raised frcm the dead (John xi: Az, supposed to
have been q relative of Simon, sat at the table
with his illustrious benefactor, and Martha, his
sister, served Uobn xii; %. While the feast
progressed, Mary John xii; -, the other sister,
| whose name is suppressed in our lesson, came
quietly to the Saviour with a box Of alabaster,
containing spikenard mark xiv: %, which, har.
ing broken the bcx, she poured on the head Of
Jesus, and the delightful odor (song i; i2) filled
| the apartment (John xii: 81.
THE CRITICISM (verses S and 0.--MaIy's
| deed, performed unostentatiously attracted first
the attention Of those nearest to her, and their
surprise soon changed TO criticism, OF which
| Mark az the amanuensis Of Peter (Nlark xiv: y,
took note, as II the feeling was not general But
the spirit spread until al Of the disciples were
| Indignant, as shown in our lesson. This Is an
| interesting case OF the diffusion Of sentiment
| from heart TO heart, illustrating the fact that
| the thoughts Of one are contagious among his
sociates, ard that a body OF men may uneon.
scousy move along course marked out by one
| of their number. Shortly Judas lsCarot voiced
the opinion OF all, saying there had been a great
| nnd unnecessary wste, that the ointment might
| have been sold. There was pound Of il (JGhn
| xii: 81, and 1t was valued at 800 pence, or $40,
| which could have been iudiciously given TO the
poor. While Judas spoke for the companions lie
| really and secretly had motives which no one
shared with him. He was the treasurer Of the
party, and at heart a thief (John xii: o.. so
that he thought not Of the poor, but Of him
self, He was moved by avarioe and not by
] charity