The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-11
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachcds and Pupils
Edited by Charles X. Meyers.
Nov. 15-Jesus and peter.-Mark II

The main points CT this lesson are
familiar to most Of us. Peter the
disciple who denied his Master won
for himself place in bible history
which will ever remain q blot on his
otherwise brilliant career He was
a well meaning man. but impulsive,
over confident, and met the lesson
which so often comes to men and
women OF his character.
1t will be remembered that not long
before His betrayal and death Jesus
foretold that shortly He as shepherd
OF the sheep would be taken by force,
and then the disciples would be scat
tered. Jesus, however, gave them the
promise that He would meet them in
Galilee. When Jesus said that all
would fOrsake Him. Peter entered a
bold denial. insisting that if all others
left he would not The Master there
upon made the prediction that before
the cock Of the barnyard should crow
twice for the coming of the next day,
Peter would have denied Him three
times.
Peter was still bold after the be-
trayal, for it was he who took sword
duu Cut OlI lllc VI Olc VI Tic IllSll
sent out by the high priest to capture
Jesus in the garden Jesus showed
His compassion for even his bitter en-
emies by healing the ear and reprov-
ing Peter for using the sword.
When Jesus was led away an unre-
sisting captive Peter saw all his plans
for the future blotted from sight. No
matter what might come Peter had
confidence that Jesus would in some
way escape from harm and triumph
over His enemies. True to predic-
ton all Of the disciples fell back from
close fellowship with Jesus. John
stayed in the company however and
SO did Peter. Three times was he ac-
cused of being disciple OF Jesus and
each time he denied the fact, and the
last time with much heat of feeling.
Then it was the cock crowed for the
second time and Jesus looked at him.
Then there rushed over Peters mind
the words OF the Master and what he
had done. Crushed and ashamed in
sorrowful. He did not do as Judas,
hang himself Without doubt he
called to mind the forgiving spirit OF
Jesus and held on to life and hope for
the future. His sin was one most
common to people OF impulsive nature.
At heart he was loyal to Christ, and
as we know had the capabilities of
doing the best and most effective work
for the spread of the gospel when he
truly understood what it was. and the
plan of salvation through the death
and suffering of Jesus.
The golden text gives the words Of
the great Apostle Paul in ! Cor 10,
Let him that thinketh he stand.
eth take heed lest he fall" Paul put
expressed sentiments which all of us
know from observation to be true.
Over confidence has been the downfall
of hundreds of men. Weakness and
q humble spirit are most fitting for 4
christian. To the outside world he
may keep bold front. but in com
muning with God there should be
prayer for renewed strength each day.
We all know how tenderly Jesus
treated Peter after the resurrection;
how He sent him special message TO
meet with Him in Galilee, and the
question repeated three times, Lowest
thou me?' We know of the address
OF Peter at the day OF Pentacost and
his fearless preaching OF the gospel
from that time onward. He had been
put in the melting pot and had come
out pure gold Next to the great Pail
stands Peter in the respect and praise
of every christian.
We can certainly learn from this
lesson that it is wrong to give up fol-
lowing Christ because of one blunder
no matter how bad it is. If we gave
up for good the pursuit OF any under
taking in which we met discourage
ments not a thing could be accom-
plisled in the world. If we fall down
in running a race there comes no
thought to the brave in heart to re-
main PROSTATE but the rather to up
and at it again" So in our christian
life a fall now and then should but
nerve us for the stronger endeayor in
the future.
We may at times have had the
thought that Peter was weakling
and that if we had been in his place.
we would have never denied the Saw
iOr. Well let any christian keep count
for week how many times he is
tempted to deny being a lowly follow
er of Jesus and not whether he al
ways comes to the front with an avow-
al of discipleship. 1t is not SO hard
in the company OF christian friends to
confess Jesus, but when among scot
fers at the bible religion it takes
courage to stand forth. We deny
Jesus and His religion when we are
harsh in Judgment, doing deceitful
things, telling nasty stories, laughing
at things which should call for re-
proof instead.
1t is to be hoped that a study of
the, conduct OF Peter at the time of the
trial OF Jesus will warn us Of the evil
OF over confidence in our own abili-
ties to withstand sin. May it lead us
to closer walk with Jesus and daily
call on Him for strength AS Peter
after the denial became one OF the
strongest teachers and preachers for
Jesus. so may our downfalls be the
means OF making us more determined
to stand for Him.