The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-02
THE sUNDAY-sCHoOL LESSON.
March 3, 1901; John xviii, 1-1f-
Jesus betrayed.


1t is inconceivable that Jesus. in the organi-
cation OF the apostolic college. deliberately Sc
lected a wicked man to be a member OF II. And.
further. that He made this choice in order that
His betrayal might be accomplished. II is easier
to believe that when first called he was not bet
ter or worse than the other disciples. But Judas
had a ~covetous nature, just as Thomas had a
doubling one. That was his biological pull"
He started in hs discipleship and ministry with
zeal. like the rest. He was one who. returning
from an evangelical tour, cried with JOY. M
Lordl even devils are subject to U.S." At first
blush 1t would seem that Jesus put him in the
way OF temptation by making him the apostolic
treasurer. Not a bit OF 81! That was the very
bloody angle at which he must win or lose.
John Ruskin speaks OF his own boyhood as be-
ing by protection innocent rather than by prac-
tice virtuous.' An undue sheltering leads to a
negative style of goodness that is Of little ac-
count. Deliberate and continuous resistance at
that point where one Is consciously weak Is
what makes roundness and solidity OF charac-
ter. Judas might have conquered his c%ovetous-
| ness, he might have done his Master good serv-
ice by his very aptitude at accounts and his
| readiness with money. Instead OF throttling his
| vice, he fondled II, until II grew TO be a hideous
| and monster demon. AS Jesus began 10 unfold
the unworldly character of His kingdom. found
cd as Il was TO be on love and suffering, Judas
was disappointed and resented It. When that
great secession Of disciples occurred on the
shore OF Galilee. Jesus may have had His eye
upon Judas when He said. "Wil we turn from
me also ?' IL may have been then that he made
the evil choice. Resenting more and more the
self-sacrifcing character of discipleship az Jesus
| disclosed II, he began his populations upon the
| treasury, and his vice grew apace and became
| more and more tyrannical. until he could en-
| dure with complacence, and even pleasure, a
| suggestion that would have filled him with hor-
ror at the beginning OF his discipieship; namely,
| selling his Master for a price. Jesus was go
Ing 20 be put to death anyway; why not realize
n little cash on the AFFAIR." so he argued. He
had become so indurated by harboring his vice
that Jesus last gentle words OF protest could
no more enter his heart than penetrate an ar
NOR plate. He kept seeking an opportunity In
those last days 10 betray his Master. And that
for SIS! Price OF n slave. "A goodly price," as
the prophet In irony called II. And so the case
| FORCES ahead TO it's denouement Of blood and
shame. . . Gethsemane, the olive orchard.
perhaps the property OF a disciple. was one OF
Jesus's trysting places. and as such well known
10 the traitor. Here the arrest could be made
without tumult or danger OF attempted rescue.
| For knowledge OF this resort. the way 20 IL. the
| hour when Jesus would likely be there. the
| chief priests were under obligations 10 Judas.
. . II was no Insignificant band OF consta-
bles, however. that came out 10 make this ar
rest. but a full cohort (60O OF Roman soldiers.
| With these were the temple police and n rabble
| armed with swords and sticks. clubs and
torches. George Herbert quantity says: with
| lanterns did they seek the sun" All this was
TO Offset any counterplot OF attempted rescue
on the part of the mercuriai Galieans. . . .
in this dread crisis Jesus bore himself with a
| sublime dignity and courage which EFFORTS the
| admiration OF all. " . He had just returned
from His third and last prayer In the depth OF
the garden. He had found His distraught dis
ciples overpowered again with sleep. and was
| considerably bidding them continue their rest
when. catching a glimpse OF the approaching
lights and the murmur OF The throng. lie sud
| denly changed His order and cried: Rise! Let
| us be going,' Not in the sense Of emecting an
| escape. but 10 advance toward His would-be
captors. In a lofty spirit He challenged the
armed throng In the words. Whom seek ye-"
| And when they replied, Jesus the Nazarcne."
He instantly acknowledged His identity. Be
| fore that He had allowed the traitor TO salute
Him, Hail. Masteri' and 20 kiss Him not once.
but to cover Him with kisses. as the word sig
nihes, only demonstrating In the words, Judas.
| with a kiss deliverest thou up the Son Of man? 20
. No imperiled leader ever shielded his
| followers more considerably. He thought not OF
| himself. but OF them. asking that they might
Il Dt alONtA ~ AtNN~ -
those nearest the person Of Jesus need not be
considered miraculous. Parallels are not want
ing. as. for example. in the case OF Mark An
tony and Avidius Cassius. " . . In the al
most riotous moment that followed Jesus con-
siderately Offset for Peter the disastrous con-
sequences Of his rash deed In wounding the high
priests servant. IL was. perhaps. on account Of
| this piece Of sword practice that Jesus was Ssh
| jected TO the further indIgnity Of being bound
| ike a common felon-"And 80 they led Him
away"
/. Character OF Jesus analysed.
Cd Not a wicked man originally.
CD His biological pull toward consciousness.
90 Jesus did net tempt by making him
treasurer.
| (D At that point He was 10 win or lose.
CD Offended at unworldly character of
| Kingdom.
90 Peculations.
Cd Betrayal for money.
III. Jesus arrest.
Cd Place. G~ethsemane.
90 Band: cause Of it's great size.
I'D Jesus admirable bearing.
THE STUDY LAMP.
or all historical leaders Jesus had the most
/ unfalthful followers. Thomas doubted Him. Pc
| ter denied Him. Judas betrayed Him. and an. AZ
the crucial moment, forsook Him and fed.
But II admits OF question-conslderinx
their Increased advantages. the clearer percep-
ton Of the nature and glory Of Hls kingdom.