The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-02

BY WILLIAM T ELLIS.
LESS an event than the
Ky founding of the Christian
Church. is the basis of this
weeks Sunday school study
The lesson is a crowded one,
repIete with dramatic fea-
lures and Interpretations OF toody
life but the most important aspect Is
this. that ii marks the formal fOunda-
tfon Of the Church of Christ, which to-
dav exists in all the world. although II
under many names and forms Under
meath the shadow Of Mount Hernon'
I'D in the region of Caesarea Phlhppl'
Jesus had gone with his disciples II
was a retreat" for rest conference.
and instruction. The tragedy OF Cal
vary was imminent Jesus was racing
the end: he must therefore be as
sured that his followers were ready 10
carry on his work after he should leaVe
them So in this frank and secluded
council he talked more Freely thdii
ever before over the situation W hat
did the world think of him ? What did
they think of him2
A News-maIzer Gathers News.
only one of the company realized the
Importance of this discussion Jesus
had been the center of widespread
comment and interest He had made
news for all the region round about
Vow he sought from his disciples to
reported. who do men say the Sof.
of Man is7' This was Of some interest
10 Jesus but principally because II led
uD to another question The answer
vas. some say John the Baptist; some
Elijah: and others. jeremiah or one OF
the prophets. That is to say. the
world. which had beheld the wonder
fuI works Of healing. the miracle of the
multiplied loaves- and the dead
brought to. life again, still thought
that Jesus was one Of the great
prophets come back to earth They
had not arisen to a conception OF his
true character
Then. pointedIy. Jesus put the great
question upon the answer of which Sc
much hinged .But who say ye that I
am 80 This tea cher knew all about
The pain of being misunderstood. The
big world had not entered into his
spirit or puls use; but if these who
We're closest 10 him, who had been
under his instruction for nearly two
years and had shared his very life.
also misunderstood him his sorrow
would be great indeed
A Man Who Saw Straight.
A great many stones have been
thrown at Simon Peter. yet it cannot
be denied that, with one grave excep-
tion he was quick to stand by his
Friend and Master. There was nc
hedging or eqWvocation on his part
when called uDon for word or an ac-
ton HIS warm nedTE saw straight
With loves discernment. he had keen
insight into spiritual things. and he
appraised his Leader at his best. Then
as usual. highest judgments We're
truest
So quickly sharply. unquestionably
his answer rang out. Thou art the
Christ. the Son of the living Cod Tc
us. saturated with twenty centuries of
Christian teaching. that declaration
means little We must recall what its
rr.-sT-
the hone of q coming Messiah. Wrap
ned up in Peters bold affirma ton, was
the belief that the ng-prophesied and
long-awaited Son of God had come and
that He stood here in their presence
their friend. their leader, their lord
lit took stupendous faith and stipend
Gus courage to say what Peter said
that day. Even so. as is to be seer
later. Peter fell short Of a full under
standing Of all that was comprehendec
within his confession.
Friend Who Understood.
Given friend and comrade who un-
derstands one thoroughly, almost any
trial is endura BILE Even the strong
est hearts covet this comfort. Jesus
was delighted by Peters steadfastnes,
and appreciation. It was good to tina
lonely heart to know that bold, impul
sive Peter had reaG him Alright. H,
knew that as the surmises Of the vii
layers concerning the identity Of Jesui
had been wholly incorrect so flesh anc
blood had not revealed this profounc
truth to Peter. Peters opinion wa
an illumination, heaven sent. He haC
been taught of God.
Then. in words about which centur
les OF controversy have ragged, Jesus
after calling Peter blessed" estab
.lished his church. ''I also say unit,
thee, that thou art Peter, and upor
this rock I will build my church. ant
the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it." There are difficulties here
which the fact that Jesus, who wal
playing upon the name Peter. used tw,
different words for rock, do not solve
Upon Peter. as the first of the apostles
10 confess Him as the Messiah JesI
seem to have declared that he voul,
FOUND his church. It may be that upol
Peters confession itself Thou art tn
Christ the church is to be founded
We know that while he called Peter
stone, or little rock, yet it was upol
the rock-the great underlying rocl
of Christ himself. than whom ther
.a9 no other foundation laid that tn
church s structure was to rise. 9TH
PED rock the rock Of ages. is here a
elsewhere, God as revealed in his Sor
ana Peter is the first stone wen an,
truly laid upon it. -
This Is the first use of the vvor,
enurch by Jesus. Hitherto he Ia,
Deen talking about the kingdom. Tb
hlnsuom is greater than the church
aDuG the church is the body Of fbos
called out" as the name implies an,
Established upon the rock, Christ Je
To Peter and the apostles with b,,,-
Jesus gave the symbols Of authorit1
Aney were to be the organizers. and ~
administrators Of the church and fbai
nR ---