Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-25
Sunday School Lesson for April % Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
JESUS TEACHES HUMILITY. John. xiii :1.I7.

CONTEXT-Having rested in the
home of Martha and Mary over the Jew
ish Sabbath. our Saturday, Jesus pro-
ceeded with His disciples on the first
day Of the week. Sunday. to Jerusalem
The triumphal procession. formed spon-
taneously by the enthusiastic people. an
nounced his coming to all. Monday and
tuesday he taught in the temple during
the day. repairing each evening to the
beautiful home at Bethany. Wednesday
he remained in this retirement, while
Peter and John. at his direction. went
into the city to prepare for the Passover.
Thursday. which introduced the sixth
day of the Jewish week, He again visited
Jerusalem. accompanied by His disciples.
and sought the upper room for the OBJ
servance Of the Paschal Supper. &C
cording to the national custom. AS He
entered the room Jesus expressed His
great satisfaction in being permitted
once more to celebrate the feast duke.
xxii:15).
LovED-our lesson present. to us.
first. a brief statement of the thoughts
and feelings Of Jesus as He approached
the Passover. Verse H. He came to 1t
knowing that His hour had arrived when
He should depart out Of this world. He
had long anticipated that event, and had
striving to make his followers also aware
of His crucifxion, but that had always
been represented as future. But now He
saw that only one day remained for the
which had all along been directed to-
ward those whom He had called ito Him.
seif continued with peculiar tenderness
and solicitude. Dull pupils they have
John, xvi:12) but after His departure
they would herald His gospel (Matt
xxviii:19, and build His church Matt.
xvi:10. and for these reasons He cherish
ed them as near and dear friends. 1t
was the love that grows sweetest and
strongest in the dying hour.
BETRAYED-Over against this af
lection of Jesus we have the attitude and
disposition of His disciples. Satan had
previously entered into one Of them.
Judas Iscariot. Simon's son. who had al
ready conferred with the chief priests and
bargained for the sale of his Lord. duke,
xxi $3.50 While the supper advanced this
mans thoughts were engaged with the
would be forever clothed with infamy.
Verse p Nor were the other apostles
free from fault in that hour. AS they
sat down at the table duke. Xxii:14-2D a
contention arose among them which of
them should be accounted greatest" II
has been presumed that they disputed
concerning their proper places. desiring
to be nearest Jesus. a position accorded
finally to John. John, xiii:25) Thus
had come up. even in this most sacred
much agitated Matt. xviii:D, exhibiting
the quality of the men whom Jesus loved
and trusted.
WASHED-That was dreary out
look for the cause of Christ. After his
three years ministry He was surrounded
worthy a place in the church-one
treacherous. the others ambitious. With
infinite patience He determined to give
another lesson. Rising from the table,
laying of His loose garments and grid
ing Himself. He proceeded to wash the
disciples feet. VERSES 4-5) This serv-
ice was usually rendered to guests by the
lowest household menials Gen, xviii:4).
designed to bring both comfort and
cleanliness, made necessary by the heat
of the country and the character of the
shoes worn. With what spirit Jesus per-
formed the act we are distinctly inform
ed. Verse 81 He was fully conscious
of His dignity and right. He knew His
His destiny-expecting to return to God.
He knew His authority-all things had
been committed into His hands. (Heb..
lisp He had. therefore. voluntarily
humbled Himself to serve men unworthy
DECL1NED-That some of the dis
ciples allowed Jesus I'd wash their feet
without objection is a proof of their
coarser nature. But when He reached
Peter the improperly Of the act ap-
peared to the stern fisherman. who on
previous occasions had acknowledged the
worth of Jesus and had confessed his
own sinfulness. duke. v:s) "Dost thou
wash my feet?" he exclaimed (verse 81,
with emphasis on the pronouns. feeling.
doubtless. as John the Baptist did. (Matt..
iii .14D Persuasively. Jesus replied that
He was doing what Peter did not then
understand. but what afterward would
be made plain (verse - as the apostles
advanced in the spiritual life. II Cor.
ii:14-15) Here was wholesome counsel.
proper to all the followers of Jesus in
every age-submit to His requirements
even though they seem to be unreason-
able, and expect explanation in after
years But Peter could not grasp the
force of this remark. He was not pre-
pared to surrender his Judgment and his
will He could see in the Lords humili-
alton no evidence of His glory. and he
shrank from accepting what seemed in
congruous. saying. Thou shalt never
wash my feet" Verse g.
YIELDED-Jesus did not abandon
His purpose because of this reply. but He
presented an alternative. Peter must be
washed. or he would have no part part