Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-05-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,,
Lesson VlI.-SecOnd Quarter,
For May II, 1908.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Matt. XVIII EZ-Commentary TTePdTou
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
Copyright, 1905, by American Press Association
We have just this one lesson to COW
er all the events of that night from
the time they left the Passover room
until the next morning when He was
led forth to be cruciied. There was
never a night like that in the history
of the world. when the Son of God was
treated worse than the vilest criminal
by the creatures whom He had made
and who depended on Him, or, rather,
were indebted to Him, for every
breath they drew. Comparing the ac-
counts in the four gospels. we gather
the following outline of events: The
discourse being ended, and the prayer,
they sang hymn. probably some
portion or all of Ps. cXiii to cXviii,
which. considered in this light, is full
of wOndrous Significance Leaving the
city and crossing the brook Kedron,
He entered Gethsemane. and then fol-
lowed the prayers and the agony on
His part. and on the part Of the disci-
pies the stupor of sleep. Then follow
ed the arrest, Judas betraying Him by
kiss to the band which he led to take
| Him prisoner Simon Peter would fam
have delivered his Master from their
| hands, and, having a sword, he drew
! 1t and did cut off a mans ear, but this
was not the way, and Jesus. having
remedied Peters blunder, surrendered
Himself into their hands and suffered
them to bind Him and lead Him away
as their prisoner. Then all the disci-
pies. even the brave Peter. forsoOk
Him and fed They never could have
taken Him unless He had permitted 1t, |
for just word from Him sent the SOL |
diers backward to the ground. but this
was their hour and the power of dark |
ness. and He yielded They led Him |
to Annas, the father-in-law to Caiaphas, |
first and then to Caiaphas, the high |
priest, where the scribes and elders
were assembled. Here many false wit
nesses testified against Him, but no
two agreed, yet they struck Him,
blindfolded Him, spit in His face end
treated Him most shamefully. Cd,
what night it was of cruel treatment
of the Creator by His creatures
One of the worst things that night
was the conduct of Peter. who, stand
ing without in the palace and warming
himself at the servants fire. denied
with Oaths and curses that he ever
knew the prisoner. After they all for
sock Him Peter and John returned,
and John. being known to the high
priest. went in with Jesus into the pal
ace, but Peter stood with the servants.
1t was so that Jesus could see Peter
from where He STOOD and as the cock
crew Immediately after Peters third
denial the Lord turned and looked
upon Peter. and that look broke him
up and sent him out to weep as prob
ably he had never wept before.
In the morning they led Jesus. still
bound. to PLATE the Roman governor,
for they had determined that He must
die, and they came to compel PLATE to
execute Him PLATE. having examined
Him, testified repeatedly that he found
no fault in Him. His wife also, be-
cause of 4 dream which she had, urged
him to have nothing to do with Him.
Learning that Jesus was from Galilee
and HerOd being then in Jerusalem, he Z
sent Him to Herod. but because Jesus
would not work some miracles for him |
HerO1 set Him at naught and Knocked
Him and returned Him to PLATE, who, I
finding Him again on his hands. made |
D last effort to release Him by offering
to release the worst prisoner he had or i
Jesus. for it was customary TO release q
one prisoner at this feast TO Pilates t
lmazcment they demanded the release Il
Of BarabbaS. and then PLATE delivered t
Him to their will to be Knocked and C
and spit upon and crowned
with thOrnS and killed. He bore it all, y
lnl for ne. that | might not perish, t
md how much do ! care? Does my s
lie show that care, and to what eX- Il
ent do hate sin because it made my L
Saviour suffer so? Turning to our les 4
son chapter. we note that, as David's |;
;On AbSalom rebelled against him and a
caused him to flee for his life across Il
his same Kedron, so Jesus, Son Of Il
David. is now driven forth by the re- p
)elliOn of His son Israel. but as truly
Is David returned and sat on his Il
hrone Jesus will return and reign on 6
)avid's throne forever lisa. tx, 6, Z; RI
luke i, 50. 33). fl
Jesus knew all things that should p
ONE upon Him, and that made it all a
he harder. What a mercy it is that L
We do not know what day may bring
Orthl Let us leave it all in His hands
Who loves us and never try fortune
cling. Every cup which the Father II
ives us to drink is cup of love, how No
yer bitter it may taste. We are call a
d to follow His steps who when He ii
vas reyiled reviled not again, but COM al
nitted Himself to Him who judgeth HI
ighteously q Pet. ii, 21-23; iv. 1919. al
When our hands are tied, as we say, h'
y those who love Him not and we W
re seemingly hindered from doing az
THAT we would like to do for Him, let h(
s not chafe or fret but meekly sub ca
lit to bearing all He permits to come tn
nd ask only that He may be seen in al
S and His beauty be upon US. Even st
the guilty go free and the innocent
uffer. consider Him.
If falsely accused and all manner
evil be said Of US, remember tn
Iatt. Y, 1912. Let US never on any sp
ccOunt be found warming ourselves It'll
the enemy's fire lest we grieve Him fr
nd need such look as He gave Pc To-
r. dr