Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-16
Sunday School Lesson for May ~ Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education
JESUS BETRAYED AND DENIED. john. xvii! IL, 2...
AgA0N
IMaT

Lamb slain and marvel AZ tla deep ; e
Titicance of His death.
DEFENSE Embroidered ID, the SELF
surrender. the officers laid hands on Jesus
mark. @iF:4t,. which aroused the spirit
Of defense il His disciples Luke Nyii 81.
Peter with his usual i:lpetuosity drew
his sword. there being bot one other IN
the company luke. Sxi!:3S suffered %
ne brought doubtless fer this purpose.
and al one blow struck of the ear Of
Maicius Verse lm. the high priests serv-
ant. In relating TINS incident the other
evangelists omit Peters name Mari
Niy:io. But Jesus ordered III" sword 10
he sheatlied. and healed tiie servant luke.
XXyll:Jn. explaining at IN. same time II
Peter that lie could no1 refuse a death
which the Father had appointed (vers.
~. and that IL He desired tn escape II
He might have legions Of angels for de-
tense MATT. xxvi:,Ii,. Follcwing these
words. Jesus reproved His enemies FOR
coming against Him with such warlike
de monstrati"ns duke. NNii:52-5O. when
He hSd taught daily In the temple and
might lave been taken without resistance
PETER-Wi,h bold impridence Pc
ter walked into the courtyard aud sa'
down IN the midst Of the servants WHO
gathered about a fire Luke. xNii:.a0.
Fixing steady gaze upon him. tie por-
tress inquired whether la were not dis
ciple III Jesus. and Peter ae.iieL (veTs. IL.
For moment his words may
have been accepted as truthful. But
him was again aroused. and in palmer
terms he WAS accused OF being with Je-
sus Matt. ANvi:tN. Having once fa,si-
fled. lie felt himself compelled - main
tain his position 'verse 80. But now. 70
give emphasis 10 his utterauce. he declared
that he did not even comprehend the sub
ject Of their conversation: ii Was Il
they spoke In an unknown tongue. \
whole hour passed Luke. NNii:5a,. and
once more the accusation was made by =
kinsman Of the servant whose ear Was
cut of in the garden More than ever a
lie seemed 10 be necessary. ard. 10 Sc
cure himself against further annoyance.
Peter began to curse a. Il 10 show thai
he could not he an associate of Jesus
Verse 2iJ. The man had completely
broken down under temptation. and the
filled mark. xiv::a). Soon after the cock
crew Verse %, and lie went out to weep
duke. XXii:69.
REFLECTIONS-Ti stud .nt vii
find ii profitable TO conduct several lines
of reflection upon the persons mentioned
| in this narrative. AZ follows: !. Judas.
who had conspired with the enemies OF
Jesus through the night. who came lead
/ ing the procession ard made known his
Master with kiss. =. The priests who.
through malice. had long sought oppor
tunity to destroy the innocent. 3. The SOL
diers. emissaries of the Roman govern
meat. instruments of priest'y Intolerance.
4. The high priests. past and present. one
debauched by wealth. the other holding
! office to condemn the great High Priest of
our faith. ;. The disciples. ignorant and
timid ready to fight. yet quick 10 nee.
unable to comprehend Him whom they
had followed. q. Jesus. teaching. pray
! ing. journeyins. watching. betrayed,
/ bound. led away. arrafgned. What va
/ ried passions stirred in these hearts! HUI
/ man weakness and sin are set over
| against Divine wisdom and resignation.
| The central figure in the group appears
snost glorious as the story advances
I John. i:14.