Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-06-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson XII. Second Quarter,
For June ID, 1908.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text of the Lesson, John xxi, 1-2e.
Memory Verse, 15-eolden Text,
Matt. xviii, 2o-commentary Pre-

|
pared by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
Copyright, 1908, by American Press Association
All the Bible classes and those who
gather at our Wednesday evening
service have been memorizing during
the season of 1906-7 these last two
chapters in John. from two to four
verses a week, with brief meditation
from week to week upon the new por-
ton. We have found 1t most profta-
Bile, and it has led at least some to
know Him better as the Risen One,
having all power and speaking peace
to His own. In our last lesson we
dwelt upon the necessity and the re-
suit of believing, and 1t seems to me
that we have here an evidence Of the
lack of that faith which is so essential
In a life unto Him. 1t would seem that
they had not seen Him for some time.
They were evidently hungry, food was
probably scarce, and money, too. and
Simon Peter, who is always first in
some things. says. 81 go a-fshing."
(3) Six others readily join him, and
they spend a night in fruitless toll.
They caught nothing. He said on that
last night, without Me ye can do
nothing" XIV, 81, and our utter help
lessness apart from Him is strongly
set forth in the saying mot that we
are sufficient of ourselves to think any
thing as of ourselves, but our sufi-
cheney is of God" QI Cor. Iii, 81. There
Is a possibility of q Christians life be-
ing lost. mean his works, his service
and he himself saved as by fire, be-
cause he has been accomplishing
nothing" in his own wisdom and
strength q Cor. iii. 1879. However
lawful and commendable thing may
seem, if it is not of God 1t will prove
fruitless effort, nothing.
He had never lost sight of them. He
had seen them toiling fruitlessly and
pitied them and loved them, and in the
morning He stood on the shore with the
question. "Children"-margin, "sirs"-
"have We any meat?" They confessed
their emptiness, and then at His COM
mand they cast the net again, and he
caused it to be filled with 153 great
fishes He has power over all crea'
lures. A little fish brought piece Of
money to Him; great fish took care
of Jonah: ravens brought bread and
flesh to Elijah. The other day in
Egypt q converted sheik who is work
ing with a missionary friend of mine
was like to perish of thirst out In the
desert. He cried to Him who has said,
"Ask and We shall receive" and was
soon called by name by friend Of his
who on q donkey was chasing another
donkey which had run away. This
friend had not only water, but bread
and eggs Thus the prayer for water
was answered by this exceeding abun- |
dainty and q donkey to ride on. Let
those laugh who please. We also will |
laugh and rejoice in the Lord our God. |
Who prepared the fire of cOa4s and |
the fish and the bread which the disci- |
pies saw when they came to land? |
Even the same One who prepared the |
meal for Elijah in the wilderness |
Il Kings xix. 8, g. When the disciples |
broke their fast 1t was not upon the
FISH which they had caught. but upon
the meal prepared for them. They
might have waited and trusted, have
PRAYED more and toiled less. See the
Lord ministering to them Verse 13),
for He is ever ministering. He said, 81
mn among you as He that serveth.'
He is still our miniSterlng High Priest
ever living to make intercessiOn for us.
Let us trust Him fully and never
doubt or question or be offended at
Him
In verses and IA note that Jesus
showed Himself. for 1t is always Him
self we need knowing that having
Him we have all. If any one should
say or think | wish He would reveal
Himself to me. let such remember
Sam. iii. u. THE Lord revealed Him.
;elf to Samuel by the word Of the
Lord" There is no revelation of Him.
of heart, as when Isaiah,
having seen Him, cried, "WOe/is me,
or am undOnew Job, having seen
Him. said. Il abhor myself" Daniel
md John were similarly affected by
he sight of Him. lisa vi. 5; Job Kill,
}; Dan. x, s; Rev. |, ~ So now ST.
non Peter is searched by the thrice
epeated Lowest thou MeW and the
hreefOld commission. Feed my lambs,
: feed my sheep" 1t did him
rood ever afterward, and he wrote in
lis first letter, Feed the flock of God"
| Pet V. p. There are many flocks
oday who are but poorly fed, although
here is such an abundance of living
read and strong meat and pure milk
nd living water But the Chief Shep-
lerd will see to it in His time, and He
las already pronounced woe upon
he pastors who feed themselves and
lot the flock. AS He looks upon us
nd upon the millions who never yet
asted living bread, can we not hear
lin say: "Lovest thou Me? Give ye
hem to eat" He has put every believ-
r in trust with the gospel and has ap.
ointed us stewards of the grace OF .
Iod and of the mysteries of God, and
or these things we must give account
t His judgment seat. Then shall 1t be
cen how much He has wrought In
nd through us and how much has
cen mere "nothings" In His sight
7ood. hay and stubble to be burned
p as dross.
When our thoughts turn to others
nd His way with them, may we hear
lin say: what is that to thee2 Fol-
wv thou Mep' Verse 22.) {