The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-30
DAILY HOME READINGS.

M.-Matt xvi. 1928. Th.-John xx. 1929
T.-Alatt. xvi LIP. F-Luke tx 1927
W.-Mark viii. 22-3O. S.-NIark viii lO2l
Our lesson in the last half of the third year
of Christ's ministry after last lesson.
After the miracle Tyre, Christ returned to
Galilee and to hara work, after his little season of
rest, working many miracles. In lesson he has
withdrawn from the demands of the crowds and the
opposition of the Pharisees and is seeking little
seclusion, with the opportunity it will give for
thorough instruction of his disciples. He
realizes that his ministry is nearing its end and that
his disciples very slow in understanding the
nature of the kingdom he has to establish and
that must be left their hands to carry forward
He was in the country district Caesarea Phil
ippi, at the base of Mount Hermon about twenty
five miles northeast of the Sea of Gaiee This Jour
ney is Chrsts most northerly one reaching to where
from cavern in high limestone cliff, the Jordon
springs in a wonderful gush of water ll-blown
river" Christ begins his instructions by asking
his disciples, Whom do say that l. the Son
of Man, ann" We do not know why he asked them
whom others took him to be- when he wanted to know
whom they believed him to be, unless, as Maclaren
suggests to make the disciples feel more distinctly
the chaotic contradictions of the popular Judgment
and their isolation by their possession of the
clearer light.
The Son of Man " is title the Jews often gave
to the expected Messiah and when Christ used it he
understood making Messianc claims
After their reply he says " But whom say We that
| ann" And that is question that comes to each
of and is the most momentous question in life
The question asked the disciples and was an
swered by Peter who often their spokesman
Chou art the Christ the Son of the living God"
Son of Man, Son of God made the atonement posi-
BILE; and all hope for sinful rests upon it. Jesus
answered g Blessed art thou Simon, for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father
which is in heaven. Then Christ explains unto them
the greatness and Importance of that confession
1t is the foundation when his church, the entire
body of believers, is built. The word 60 church, is
here used for the first time in the New Testament.
1t means 90 called out" He tells them that nothing
shall prevail against tit shall live forever.
The Romanists have made Christ's words to Peter,
upon this rock I will build my church. the basis
of their claim for the supremacy of the Pope. That
may be sure that the rock foundation of Christs
church is not Peter, the man. but his confession we
at shown the leader of the apostles a very
fallible man, making tremendous blunder and
ceiving tremendous rebuke, says Peloubet The
oriental phraseoogy and symbols of the nineteenth
just mean that powers given to the
apostles for wisely administering the affairs of the
church. Spurgeon says: To-day the Lord continues
to back up the teaching and acts of his servants
those Peters who pieces of the rock
Christ tells his disciples that they should tell no
that he the Christ at this time it would
interfere with his spiritual work. they would begin
to think of national independence. He tells them
what must happen to him-how he must suffer and
be killed. Then is the time when Peter rebukes
his Lord, whom he had confessed the Son of the
living God; and Christ had to rebuke him for being
the mouthpiece of Satan, bringing the old
temptation that Satan had tried before-the tempta
ton to seek the glories of earthly domain rather
than the invisible kingdom in mems hearts. Then
Christ explains to them and us lat in being his true
disciples they must leave al to follow him
which is the only rational thing to do-he is our
Saviour-God.
John Newton says:
If asked what of Jesus think