The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-12-10
: INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSGlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 1a
THE GREAT COMMISSION.
CBy e. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
Sunday School Course)

LESSON TEXT-Matt 2S:i6-2Oi Luke "a:
36-49
GOLDEN TEXT--Lo, 1 am with you al
ways, even unto the end of the world
Matt. 1920.
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 a different phase of
the work he committed to his follow
! consideration two of these aspects
which ought not to be confused.
|. The Appearance in Jerusalem,
Thomas Reing Absent. Luke 24:3649.
% The Resurrected Lord, w. 36-43.
The Emmaus disciples reported to the
disciples, and those gathered with
them in Jerusalem, the things they
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
door and asks them of their thoughts
Once before he had thus searched
them (Luke 9:46, 47), but now the oc-
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-
, tion 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 it before, and
doubtless with. them. Jesus is today
r a 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 overwheim
|. ing that the unbeliever does violence
to his reason not to accept it.
(2) The Assembled Lord, w. 44-49
This coming of Jesus and his message
of peace and assurance brought also
| a commission that this great fact bC
| told to others. The event recorded IL
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 nov
he sets his seal upon the Old Testa
ment, expressly speaking of its book!
under their accepted three-fold divi
sion ". 44). In these there are be
tween three and four hundred direct
not to speak of the indirect, prophe
cies concerning him. What we neeC
is to have the Holy Spirit that we ma.
understand" ". 45), the purpose o
his life and death. Jesus taught hi
disciples what that purpose is ". 47)
viz, the remission of sins" based ol
the sure ground of his finished work
This, and this alone. Is the gospel ant
it is to be preached in his name unit,
all nations-a missionary suggestion
but beginning at home, in Jerusalem
| Verse 40 tells us of that other neede
| preparation to make us effective wit
nesses, the enduement of the Hol
| Spirit.
II
Some Disciples Doubted.
l. u. The Appearance to the EIeve,
In GaliIee, Matt. %: 1920. This even
took place much later than that meT
toned in the first part of the previou
section. AS we carefully read thi
section it suggests that Jesus wa
somewhat removed from the dis
ciples, yet their vision was SO clea
that they worshiped him, though som
doubted. Drawing near to the dis
ciples he first of all emphasizes hi
supreme authority, "all power is give
unto me-" and on that authority h
commissioned them to their work c
discipling 'all nations" Marks rel
dering of this commission Q6:15, 16
is more inclusive, Ito the whole ere;
| tion," including all of mans welfare
social as well as spiritual. For Jesu
thus to claim authority and to sen
forth his ambassadors and still not b
"the very God of the very God" is
stamp him either as an impostor or
mnatic. Because all power is hi
therefore the obligation and the a.
companying Holy Spirit who will eI
able us to teach the things he has cor
manded. There is back of the con
mission "all power" and accompan
ing 1t blessed fellowship, 10, I al
with you all the days"
The sad thing is that after nearl
two thousand years we have carrie
out so poorly the great commission.
| And lastly the disciple is not to {
in his own strength or wisdom. H