The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-11-12
INTERNATIONAL
SUNlAISOIOOL
LESSON
CBy e. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Sun
day School Course, Moody Bible Insti-
tute. ChicagoD
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER IS
JESUS AND PETER.

LESSON TEXT-Mark 14:27-31, SO, "a. &C.
70.
GOLDEN TEXT-Let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall.-I Cor.
1912.
The record of Peters failure Is a
sad story. Mark, who received his
Gospel from Peter, gives it in clear
outline. This suggests that Peter did
not spare himself.
!. After Passover Feast, w. 27-31.
On the way to Olivet Jesus warns the
disciples that all would be offended"
was about to occur. Not one escaped,
| Matt. 26: Sc, Zech. 1871. Peter, assured
| In his own mind, denies that this
| should be true of him, 80 confident
was he of himself and of his devotion.
| over against this warning Jesus
| sounds the note of his resurrection,
and it was chiefly in their inability
to catch, or comprehend this note, that
they stumbled. Particularly is this
| true of Peter. That Jesus could found
a church on the vulgar tragedy of
criminals death was beyond the range
OF his understanding. This self-con-
fldence was the beginning of his fall,
Prov. 1918. 1t is pride like this
which men have in their own strength,
that is the chief reason why they are
not saved II they are able to care
for themselves, why do they need the
help of another?
Peters Denials.
Peter trusted his own heart. A man
is a fool who will trust such deceitful
member, Jer 17:9, Prov. 2S:26.
Peters loud profession is answered by
a definite prophecy of his utter fall
ure, v. 80 Before the cock shall
crow twice, thou shall deny me
thrice" Again Peter contradicts the
Lord, "T will not deny thee" Peters
later denial Of the person Of Jesus IN
the judgment hall is prefaced by a
denial of his masters assertions on
the way thither. He had to learn wis
dom and humility in the bitter school
of experience. Peter is quite like us
all but he did learn and profited there
by U Peter $3.50, which cannot be
said of all of u.s.
u. Following Afar Of, w. So, 54
Peter followed afar" into the court
of the high priests palace. We have
suggested 6esson of Nov. 1sD that
zeal and affection prompted Peter, yet
he was expressly forbidden and fore
warned. John 13: 36-3S. Some one has
said that the development Of Peters
weakness began in the garden when
he ceased to pray. That courtyard
and it's brazier of Goals was a danger
GUS place for any disciple Of the Lord
The servants and soldiers of the pow
ers against Christ were congregatec
about that first 1t is never safe tc
warm oneself at the enemies fire
though we see 1t constantly being
done, Matt. GLIB; Ps. IL.
III. "a Know Not This Man." w. 66
72. While at the fire, serving maio
looking at Peter said, Thou also wast
with the Nazarne, even Jesus" I'm
mediately and without any seeming
hesitancy Peter denied, and declared
his ignorance both of the man and Of
understanding what she said. Peter
did not sympathize with what was be
ing done to Jesus but at heart he was
not brave enough to separate him
, celf from the enemies of Jesus thereby
to draw upon himself some sort o.
censure or condemnation. Thus con
forming to the world about him made
1t easy for Peter to utter his frs
note of denial Having done so ht
passed on into the porch and heart
the first growing Of the cock. The
apparent contradiction between Marl
and the other writer's over the ques
ton of the number Of maids seems
to be solved by John 1925, where
reference is made to several whC
spoke at the same time. Doubtless
the words of the first maid are re
enforced by those of another on the
second occasion; they both brought al
accusation against him.
Speech Betrayed Peter.
This second maid addressing thu
, unlocking spectators said, This is ont
of them," and again Peter denies th'
: accusation. He had escaped one pre-
dicament only to be plunged into an
, other and perhaps more dangerous
one. To deny afresh seemed to b'
the only way of escape, James 4:4;
Cor. 1922 r. V. A few words of ;
Y serving maid filled Peter with dis
may but a second denial did not de
liver him from his predicament. Afte
little those standing with him de
:. clared he must be one of the follow
q ers Of Jesus, for his speech betrayed
him to be a Galilean. Then Pete
touched the bottom, for he accom-
panies his denial with curses.
. From his high and exalted state o
). mind. his high hopes as to Jesus, h
!. sees himself a traitor and Jesus abou
. to be crushed by the hand of man
= Peter was passionately devoted t.
Jesus and had felt that he could g
'' with him to the limit Once befor