The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1914-12-10


LESSON
(By q. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
Sunday School Course.)
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LESSON FOR DECEMBER 13
THE GREAT COMMISSION.
LESSON TEXT-Matt. 2s:1s-2o: Luke a:
$3.50.
GOLDEN TExT-Lo, am with you al
ways. even nntn the end OF the world
Matt $3.50.
This lesson consists of two para
graphs which constitute what might be
termed two commissions or two parts
Of the Great Commission. There are
four distinct accounts Of the final COM
mands of our Lord to his disciples,
each presenting different phase Of
the work he committed to his follow
ers. In this lesson we have for our
consideration two Of these aspects
which ought not to be confused.
| 1. The Appearance In Jerusalem,
Thomas Being Absent. Luke 24:364e.
~ The Resurrected Lord, w. 36-43.
The Emmaus disciples reported to the
disciples, and those gathered with
them in Jerusalem, the things they
had experienced, especially in the
breaking of bread. This occurred late
In the evening (see Luke 24:29, 33).
While they, and the others, were re-
hearsing the many things that had Ia
ken place on that first eventful day,
Jesus himself suddenly appears in
their midst without the opening Of q
door and asks them of their thoughts
| Once before he had thus searched
| them duke 9:46, 40, but now the &C.
casion is quite different Fear of the
Jews had crowded them into this room
but no closed door except that of the
human heart can keep out the risen
Lord. Simon's report (ch. 24:34) and
that Of the Emmaus disciples were not
sufficient to allay their fear. Fear at
this visible evidence of the supernat-
ural is true of US ALL, but when Jesus
truly is present there is peace no
matter what may be the turmoil with
out, or the fear within.
Man Of Flesh and Bone.
This appearance was a demonstra-
ton that it was he himself, and to add
proof upon proof he first showed them
his pierced hands and feet, and then
called for fish and ate 1t before, and
doubtless with, them. Jesus is today
man Of flesh and bone as much as
when he walked Galilee's hills. His
blood he poured out upon Calvary.
The evidence of the literal. physical
resurrection Of Christ is SO overwhelm-
ing that the unbeliever does violence
to his reason not to accept 1t.
1{2) The Assembled Lord, w. 4449.
This coming of Jesus and his message
Of peace and assurance brought also
q commission that this great fact be
told to others. The event recorded in
these verses did not occur In Jeru-
salem but upon Mount Olivet and con-
stitutes the final appearance of Jesus.
AS he had done often before, so now
he sets his seal upon the Old Tesla
ment, expressly speaking Of its books
under their accepted three-fold divi-
SONY. ~. In these there are be.
tween three and four hundred direct,
not to speak of the indirect, prophe-
cies concerning him. What we need
is to have the Holy Spirit that we may
understand" ". 49,, the purpose of
, his life and death. Jesus taught his
disciples what that purpose is ". 40,
viz, the remission of SINS" based on
the sure ground Of his finished work.
This, and this alone, Is the gospel and
It is to be preached In his name unto
I all nations-a missionary suggestion
but beginning at home, in Jerusalem.
Verse 40 tells us Of that other needed
preparation to make us effective wit,
nesses, the enduement of the Holy
Spirit.
Some Disciples Doubted.
, II. The Appearance to the Eleven
In GaIiiee, Matt. 2s:f6-20. This event
: took place much later than that men
toned in the first part of the previous
, section. AS we carefully read this
section it suggests that Jesus was
somewhat removed from the dis.
T ciples, yet their vision was so clear
, that they worshiped him, though some
doubted, Drawing near to the dis.
: ciples he first of all emphasizes his
, supreme authority, "all power Is given
, unto me-" and on that authority ne
. commissioned them to their work OF
: discipling "all nations" Marks rem
dering of this commission q6:15, l6)
is more inclusive, "to the whole crea
tion," including all of mans welfare
) social as well as spiritual. For Jesus
: thus to claim authority and to send
Z forth his ambassadors and still not be
! "the very God Of the very God" is to
: stamp him either as an impostor or
lunatic. Because all power Is his
: therefore the obligation and the &C
4 companying Holy Spirit who viii en-
: able us to teach the things he has com
| manded. There is back OF the com