Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1904-01-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,,
INTERNATIONAL. LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JANUARY is.
subject: Jesus Wins His First Disciples,
John l., 35.51-Golden Text, John j.,
49-Memory Verses, 40, 41-Commen.
e~, ara ~

disciples Tvs. $3.50. "John stood" WAS
standing" R. v. 1.-TWO of His disciples"
Andrew ". 40) and John, the author of
this book, who modestly avoids using his
own name.
upon Him, singing Him out and regarding
Him with special attention. Behold the
Lamb of God" (The r. V. puts a comma
after behold; an intersection, not a verb).
All the lambs hitherto offered had been
furnished by men; this one was provided
by God, as the only sufficient sacrifice for
the sin of the world. His words would be
to them equivalent to a command to fol-
low him. How faithful John was in his
office as forerunner! He did not think Of
his own honor or popularity, but, conscious
that he must decrease, he is nXlou to
have his followers become true disciples
of Christ.
81. "They followed Jesus" They I'M
derstood Johns meaning and Immediately
did as they were directed. It would be
we'll il all would Immediately follow Christ.
We should follow Him as our R~edeemer,
Pattern, Guide and Shepherd. They may
not have intended to leave Johns leader
ship permanently. 80. Jesus turned"
He was ready to give them a hearty well
come. "What seek ye:" What is your
desire or request? Jesus knew they were
seeking Him, for He knows all hearts, but
He desired some expression from them.
"Rabbi." A Jewish title of honor for men
OF learning, meaning teacher, master"
linus they at once recognized His super
lorlty and their ignorance. Where dwell
est Thou?' "NVhere art Thou staying?"
He had no permanent place Of abode in
this locality.
80; Come and see A kind invitation
to them to go with Him to His place of
abode. The tenth hour" St. John was
so impressed with the first interview with
Jesus that he remembered the hour.
IL. Several other disciples called Tvs.
4O-46).
40. "One-was Andrew" A name of
Greek origin signifying man. He be-
longed to Bethsaida ". Az, and was a
disciple Of John the Baptist. He resided
other was John, the writer of this account.
Peters BROTHER And the elder of the
two. The bestowment Of this designation
on Andrew shows that this gospel was
written when Peters name was widely
recognized. Al. He tindeth first Or.
W 1t is supposed that at the same time
Andrew went to find his brother Simon,
James and brought him 10 Christ, but An
drew found his brother first. This was y
true missionary spirit. Gods salvation is
SO good that those who experience His love
are always anxious TO bring others into the
sane holy relation. found the Messias."
tie speaks eNultlngiy. Aroused by Johns
faithful testimony concerning the coming
Messiah they were ready to receive Him
when they saw q few true marks of His
Messiahship. Being Interpreted Mes
slas is the Hebrew word and Christ is its
Greek Interpretation.
a.. brought him Andrew thrice
brings Others to Jesus: |. Simon. ,. The
lad with the loaves (chap. 6:s, 81. 3.
Certain Greeks (John l2:20-22). In these
three incidents John gives the key to his
character. "Behe.d him" Jesus at once
knew Simon better than Simon knew HIM
self. "Cephas-stone." PetEos, or Peter,
has the same meaning i'll Greek that c.
phas has in Syriac. The name was given
him to describe his character, which was
stiff, hardy and resolute." Thenew name,
referring to character, is a promise that
ftfulness shall be changed to steadfastness.
-. The day following" This, according
to Farrar, was the fourth day after His
return from the wilderness. jesus started
on His return to Ga,ilee. and "on the jour
ney fell in with another young fisherman,
Philip OF Bethsaida." "Foliow Me" This
command, issued only by our Lord Him
self. was addressed to but one outside the
circle of the apostles, the rich young man
whom Jesus loved Mark l0:2D.
A. 'Bethsaida." The house of nets"
so called because inhabited by fishermen.
There were two places by this name. IS.
'Nathanaei." Elsewhere called Bartho,o-
new. He lived at Cana in Galiice. where
our Lord performed His first miracle. of
whom Moses-and the prophets did write
See Gen. 3:l5: 22:ls: Deut. 1918; Jsa. Az;
ia; Jer. 1875; Eek. 34:23: Dan. 9:oo4;
Micah SO; Zech. G:l2; Nal. 81. As.
"Good-out OF Nazareth The question
sprang from mere dread Of mistake in a
matter so vital. He knew that Beth,e-
hem (alcah SO and not Nazareth was to
be the birthplace of the Messiah. 1t mas
usually been considered that His answer
was proverbial, but it MAJ merely have i'm
piled. Nazareth. that obscure and Hire
puted town IN its little, untrodden valley
can anything good come from thence?"
Nathanaefs objections arose from ignor-
ance. Come ard sce.' The same reply
given by Jesus ". 39). Philip could not
so,ve the difficulty, but he could show Ma
thanael how to get rid of it.
Tvs. 475l). At. mo guile" The expires
sion implies a true heart, a really convert
ed man, a genuine son of Abraham by
faith, as well as a son according to the
flesh. 48. Under the fig tree" The
Jewish writer's often speak Of the shade
of the fig tree as the place of meditation
and prayer. Probably it was in some such
epoI, eStluueu from lne human eye OF
Jesus, that Nathaniel won his title of
lsraelite, by prevailing prayer with God.
40. "Thou art etc. These words are
the outburst OF a heart convinced at once
that Jesus was the Messiah. We can
hardly suppose that Nathaniel clearly I'M
d%erstood the nature Of Christ's kingdom
at this time. but that he saw that Jesus
W2s the Christ We cannot doubt 50.
"Greater things" thou shalt see far
greater proofs of My divinity and Messiah
ship. 81. ''Verily, verify" The double
VERIFY used twenty-five times in this
gospel and nowhere else, intro luces truths
Of great Importance. "Heave1 open,' etc.
The ladder which jacob saw Gen. 2S:l2)
was a symbol of the intercourse which
would be opened between heaven and
earth in the new djsDensation. Prayers
and holy intercession should ascend;
blessings and holy communions, reveal
tions, miracles, powers and gifts of the
Holy Ghost should descend; blessings of
which angels are but the messengers and
symbols. "Son Of Man." This expression
is used about eighty times in the four COS
pels by Christ Of Himself as the Messiah.
..'lpnls 10 6sJnoo IeInS9d