Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-04-17
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson Ill.-Second Quarter. For
April q, 1912.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

memory Verses, W. tc-ooluou 'oSt,
John Nv, 10, r. V.-Commentsry Pro-
pared by Rev. D. NJ. Stesrns.
The frst part of this lesson is found
In Matt. xii 1921. as well as in Mark.
and the record of the choosing OF the
twelve is found IN Matt K and Luke Vi
and In our lesson verses. Our medita-
ton Is upon the record as found In the
several gospels. When Jesus knew that
they had determined to kill Him He
withdrew with His disciples to the sea.
When people resist the gospel and will
not hear Of our Lord Jesus our in
structions are to let them alone and
withdraw from them Matt. K, IA; Acts
Kill &c: II. John X, ~. AS then multi
tudes followed Jesus because they
needed what He had to give. so there
are multitudes now hungering for they
know not what. but It is Himself they
need. In those days they heard what
great things He did. and they came TO
Him from all parts. even from Tyre
and Sidon. as we'll as from beyond
Jordan. and He healed them all and
cast out unclean spirits Matt. xii. 15l
and charged the healed ones not to
make him known. The crowd so
thronged Him that He babe his disci-
pies to bring Him a boat that from 1t
He might be able the better to teach
them. We are vessels also. and He de-
sires from and through us to make the
glad tidings known. but few seem
willing to give Him the vessel The
quotation from lisa. Kill. IA. in Matt.
XII 1921. must be understood in the
light Of the context, and thus 1t Is
plain that the bruised reed and smok-
| ing fax represent His enemies. whom
He might easily break in pieces. but
/ the time is not yet. Compare II Kings
| xviii. 81 Some see in the reed and max
1 a suggestion Of the weakness OF His
own people with which He will not
deal severely. That phase Of the truth
is found in Heb. ". 10, 16. but here we
are pointed onward to the time OF
Judgment upon His enemies. and after
that the winning of the nations to
Himself through Israel. now meekness
and submission and suffering, and then
the glory
Luke vi. 10. 13. tells of His spending
all night in prayer TO God and then.
when it was day. Of His choosing
twelve Of His disciples. whom He
named apostles. / often wonder II We
understand prayer as practised by
Him. Think of our prayers. few mo
ments of confession and petition. and
contrast this continued all night in
prayer to God" He had nothing of sin
to confess, so 1t must have been an =
night OF communion with His Faith .
concerning the things Of the Kingdom
and concerning these men whom He
was about TO set apart specially for
Himself Verse 13 Of our lesson say
that he called unto Him whom H.
would and they came unto Him. O.
the last night before he was crucif
he said to them. I'VE have not ChoS,
me. but 1 have chosen you and or
, dained you. that ye should go ar'
bring forth fruit and that your fr''-'
should remain" When be called tn
J men He had In mind not merely
: few years Of ministry in a mortal body
with much weakness and failure OF
= their part but He saw the kingdom
{ and the twelve thrones on which the,
|, would sit ruling the twelve tribes O
I Israel Mat. xix. 2S; Luke xxi. S0l
e It was not the time to talk with then
e OF that: but. though He did speak OF
y before He left them. He also said. "
n have yet many things to say unto yo'
d but We cannot bear them now" doh
" Nv. 16: xvi lo). He called them tina
e they might be with Him" He want
y ed them not only IN His company. bu
a to be wholly one with Him. secin
II things as He did. having His min
{ about things. as far as such mortal
could: but oh. how they failed. an
e how we fail. and how we must griev
Him by our unbelief and our ow
Il. thoughts instead OF His! He wante
" them with Him that he might sen
s them forth TO preach and to hea
Is Whom He blesses He desires to max
e. q blessing TO others. and He has lie
Up US here in His stead. saying to II
Father. 81 am no more in the worl'
but these are in the world" He ais
prayed thar through us the vori
lie might believe and know Oohn xvii. 1
n xxi. 23l. He not only prayed for II
Id apostles. but for all who should b
er lieve on Him through their word tJot
re xvii. oO,. so we are included in II
pryyer, and He ever liveth to make l
= tercession for US In the order in whi'
we have them in our lesson. the oil
who denied Him IS first and the OF
who betrayed Him is last. and it Is 4
same in Matthew and Luke. while Il
4 order OF the others varies just HIT
- 1t must be for q purpose that &