Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-04-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL 10.

Subject: Peter Confesses the Christ, Mark
will, ~ 1-3s-Golden Text, Matt. xvi. 10
Memory Verses, "a, 35-Commentar,
on the Days Lesson.
| l. Different opinions concerning Christ
| Tvs. 27-30). 'Caesarea Phiippi.' IL seems
that Jesus did not enter this city, but
taught in its vicinity. 1t was a populoua
and prosperous region, and the people were
not SO much under the influence OF the
scrihcs and Pharisees as they were further
| South. Whom do men say" Christ did
not ask thiS question (D for information,
or (2) because He desired the applause OF
men, or (3) because He intended to form
| His course according to the reply; but a.
pes in the deepest faith. 2s. Some say,
etc" The people held different opinions
| concerning Christ. Some said John the
| Baptist returned to life. Some Elias, who
was to be the forcrunner of the Messiah,
others, Jcremias Matt. Is: N, in ac
cordancc with the tradition that Jeremiah
was to come and reveal the place where
the sacred vessels were concealed and
others. one of the prophets.
30. Whom say ye?' This was the dc.
| cisive moment in which the separation OF
the New Testament from the Old TeSta'
ment thcocracy was 20 be made. The hour
had come for the uttcrance OF distinct
He spoke for all of the apostles. Thou
are the Chr ST The Messiah, The An
ointed One. Messiah is the Hebrew. and
| Christ is the Greek for "anonted." jesus
was the One who was anointed by the
Father as Prophet. Prizes and King. The
apostles thus confess their Master to be
the Son of the living God-the divine One
for whom the world was looking and wait,
ing. 80. Tell no man. The time hat
not come to proclaim Him publicly. Got
ilean enthusiasm might now cndeavor to
make Him king if this announcement were
made openly.
The account given by Matthew. is. r'uch
fuller than this one given by Mark. In
Matt. 1G: IS. 49, we have the verses whCs
have crouscd as profound and as di,turh
ing a discussion rs any passage III the
Word of God. Jesus is reported as saying,
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock !
will build My church, The Greek wori
here for Peter is 'petrGs.' meaning q
stone or piece Of rock. This name had
been given Peter by, Jesus at, the drSt
(John l. 42l. The Greek word ior rocR
j. "rctra.' meaning rock in mass. Regard.
ing tins there are four. leading views. af
of which are supported by good authori
ties: l. That Peter was the rock on Wh'rt
Christ was to build His church. >. That
Peter and all true believers are the rock
3. That the confession Peter had Just made
Is. =.
ence to Himself when He said 'upon TIN:
rock The true view Is without doubt.
| the last one stated. Christ is the loundt
| ton Of His church,
II. Christ forctcls His death Tvs. 3l';;i3)
| 81 Began to teach. Heretofore He had
spoken obscurcy. but now for the first
| time He speaks p,ainly OF His coming sui
fcrmgS and death. ''Son OF Man, ms
was a title He frequently arnhed to HIM
sell. hut it was never applied to Him hy
the apostles. 1t expressed fllS hunanity
"Oi the elders. etc" The >anhedriH. The
detailed enumeration OF thcs2 parties
proves that there was a general conSplra
cy on the part OF AL the Jewish authorr
| ties" -. "Onenly.' That is. not public
ly, but plainly and without disguise. ''Petet
took Him" Aside; apart from the, rest.
"ro rehuke Him. The idea oI suffering
Messiah was abho1ent to Peter and tu
all the apostles. He would set our Lord
right and Danish this dismal conception OF
death instead ot throne. lms shows
Peters bo'dncSs.,
33. ''RcbuECd Peter Christ perceived
that He WAS not boldly nttcring what the
others felt. and this rehnke was belorG
| them all. Get thee behind Me, satan
| Satan means adversary Jesus did not
call His apostle devil, but tie saw IN this
suggestion a repetition of the o'd temPta'
,on by which He was offered the glory
| OF lIc klNStbIllH bl lHc WI ii ll'lNhl -"
coming to the cross. The words Of the
tempter are in Peters mouth, and CHRIST
uses the very words which Tie had used tc
the devil in the wilderness. Thou mind
est not" R. W Thou dost not undcr
stand or discern the things Of God; thoH
art wholly taken up with the Thought that
NY kingdom is of this world. Men would
| like ease. distinction and wealth bur God
| looks at peace of conscience and the JOY
OF the soul. TO His eye the cross Is the
way to the crown
III. Conditions OF discipleship Tvs. -
81. 81. Had called" Even in thcsc
! lonely regions considerable numbers would
seem 10 have followed Him, apparently 1T
,ome little distance. These lie now called
to Him and made them sharers in this part
Of His instruction. "Whoso"vrr will.
That is, whosoever i, resolved at all cost.
60 be My disciple Deny Himself.
| Christ shows the apostles the nature ni
Ills kingdom. They must abstain from all
indu!gcnccs which stand in the way of
duty" "Takr up His cross Nhosoevct
would follow Christ must be ready to en-.
dure atflctiou and even death Tor Ills srhc.
This was the first intimation Of His own
sufferinrs upon the cross"
35, "Whosoeyer will save. etc" Nho4o
over succeeds in obtaining the lie Of world
" comfort and pleasure. by avoiding the
life of sclf-denlal and at the expense OF