Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-14
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR MAY II.

HoAs NAfAA
Subject: Jesus Betrayed and Denied,
John 1921 - Golden Text,
Matt. 17:22-Commit Verses e.
documentary.
TIME.-Wednesda morning early,
April s, A. d. 80. PLACE.-Geth-
semane and Courtyard of Annas.
EXPOSITION.-I. The Perlidity of
Judas, 1-3. Jesus longed to meet the
Father in prayer. The awful weight
of agony was crushing Him Matt
26:38). But He must strengthen the
disciples and fortify them against the
coming trial. To this He attended
first. But now this work was done.
The necessary words had been
spoken, the wondrous prayer that
made their safety sure had been Of
fered, and Jesus goes forth to the
garden where He shall meet the
Father in prayer and get the strength
needed to insure Him victory In His
last great conflict. This garden was
a place of frequent resort for our
Lord. It was chosen sanctuary
where He met the Father. Those who
knew Him best knew that this retired
place of prayer was the likeliest place
to find Him at that time of night ".
81. Judas had often been there. In
that hallowed garden beneath the old
olive trees he had seen Jesus inter-
ceding with God. But his heart had
become so hardened by covetousness
that the sacred sight had made little
impression upon it. His principal
thought seems to have been that the
garden of prayer would be good
place to capture Jesus unawares.
Judas had not become so hardened
lowing the greed Of money to usurp
a larger place in his heart, and by
hardening his heart more and more
against the truths that he heard con-
stantly falling from the lips of the
Son of God, Judas had become what
we here see him. Two bands were to
meet that night in the garden, Gods
band and the devils. Judas had pro-
vided himself with large company
of soldiers (v. 3, p. V. marg.). Evi-
IDENTIFY a great fear of this humble
man, Jesus, had taken possession of
them, and they feared the multitude
also. If Jesus had seen fit to resist,
their preparations would have proven
totally inadequate Matt. 26:53).
They did not have to search for Jesus.
Jesus fully realizing His peril, but
knowing also that Gods appointed
time had come, went forth and deliv-
cred Himself into their hands ". 4;
comp. ch. 1917. 1S).
ii. Jesus Protecting His Own, 40.
Jesus knew that at last the awful
hour that He had so long looked for
ward to with sorrow unspeakable had
come He knew all that was coming
upon Him. but He did not shrink. He
event forth" with steady step and un-
daunted heart. He put to Judas and
his band a question that had more in
it than appears on the surface.
"Whom seek ye?" Jesus of NaZa-
reth," Is tho quick response. Little
did they realize who He was whom
they sought to capture and destroy.
There are five words of awful sadness
in this fifth verse. Judas was stand
ing with them" Think of it, he who
had been a chosen apostle standing
with the enemies of his Lord! So to-
enemies of Jesus whom one would
naturally expect to be standing by the
side of Jesus. Judas standing there
is an illustration of the brazen ef-
frontery of sin. But Judas does not
long remain standing. With majestic
calmness and dignity Jesus simply
says, Il am He," and Judas and his
hellish crew go backward and fall to
the ground.
lost ". 8, r. W.
III. Peter Denies His Lord, 24-27.
Peter following his Lord at this time
got him into trouble. Further
more, he had followed his Lord afar
off MAT. 27:5S). If we follow Jesus
at all we should follow close. Jesus
had warned him of his weakness and
his coming fall (ch. 1889. Further
more, Just before this He had given
His disciples hint that they were to
go away (v. 81. He had told Peter
on the preceding evening that he
could not follow Him at this time, but
that he should later (ch. 1880, but
Peter had turned deaf ear to all
this. He had asked why cannot /
follow Thee now?" and started out to
do so against the Lords warning. He
had boasted, II will lay down my life
for Thy sake" (ch. 1880, and now
undertakes to make good his boast
and prove his Master mistaken in His
estimate of him, but our Lord knows
us all better than we know our
selves. We next see Peter standing
with Christ's enemies and warming
himself at the enemies fire. The end
is now sure. OF course he does not
sympathize with them and what they
are saying about his Master grieves
his soul, but he is not protesting. He
ought to have stood separate from
them Cps. IL; 26:4-10; 2 Cor. Ga
10, but that would have attracted
too much attention to him and would
have made him appear singular and
exposed him to danger. The same ar
guments for conforming to the world
are advanced to-day and are of as
little value as in Peters day. He
after all escaped none of the danger
he sought to avoid. He only got away
by denying his Lord, and that is the
only way anyone can escape who
seeks to make friends with the world
Gas. 4:4; Cor. 1888, r. "; Prov.
1920; Eph. 5:11, 12). Bad company
Is a good thing to keep out of unless
one goes into 1t to win them for
Christ and keeps that purpose In his
mind every moment Peter had nc
such purpose in his mind.