The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-06-02
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNl4XSQ1O0L
LESSON
(By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course of the Moody
Bible Institute.)
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JUNE 3
JESUS BETRAYED AND DENIED

the younger classes, emphasis might be
placed upon the dramatic scene in the
garden of Gethsemane, and Peters de-
NAL at the fire. In some of the inter-
mediate classes the scholars might be
asked to write short, One-minute es-
says, describing the scene as though
they, themselves, were present. For
the adult classes of course the central
theme Is the way that Christ's follow
ers neglect him today even as the dis
ciples slept in Gethsemane, and be-
trayed him like Judas or denied him
like Peter.
]. The Place of Retreat wv. 1-3). In
his emphasis upon the spiritual gran
deur of the deity of Jesus, John does
not dwell upon the agony in the gar
den. He, however, gives us that nOblest
passage in the New Testament (chS.
HID, the like of which cannot be
found anywhere else in the worlds
writings. Having spoken these words,
Jesus and his disciples went over the
Brook kedron ". y to the garden,
there to bear the awful weight Of
agony that was crushing him Matt.
70 :3S), while at the same time he must
strengthen his disciples, and fortify
them against the coming trials. That
this place was place of frequent re-
sort for Jesus, Judas was aware. It was
a sanctuary in which Jesus met the
Father, and those who knew him
knew 1t as place Of prayer, and the
most likely place to find him at that
time of night ". 81. Rebuffed at
Mary's prodigality, Judas had consort-
ed with the priests, and now covetous-
ness is to reap its reward. Judas was
not hardened in day. His greed for
money, while at the same time listen
Ing to the teachings of Jesus. had
hardened his heart. Notice
there were two bands that came out to
meet Jesus that night, Gods band and
the DEVILS. Judas had provided him
self with large company of soldiers
". r. W. There Is evidence Of great
fear of this humble man. Gods band
was the disciples who, though they
slept, were still "his own" Had Jesus
seen fit to resist (Matt. &c: 53) there |
would have been a different history |
recorded. His hour, the time appointed |
IF God, had come, and he went forth |
to deliver himself into their hands
". -.
II. Protecting and Protesting wv.
t1D. (See Matt. %; Mark IA; Luke
,2). Jesus went forth in order to con-
,entrate the attention of the soldiers |
lpon himself. and to prevent a general
attack upon the disciples. In answer
% his question, they said they were
seeking Jesus. the Nazarene," term
If contempt which Jesus answered by
saying, 81 am he" John adds, "and
Judas also which betrayed him stood
With them" Greed for money. grow
ng into theft and falseness of life,
'nded with the blacklist crime the
eOrld has ever known. His salutation
ent them backward ". g.. Perhaps
mOng the officers were some who had
allied to arrest him on a former occa-
ion (ch. 7:46). and who were now
verawed by his marvellous words and
majestic bearing. Again he answered,
Whom seek ye?" ". y, and they
aid, "Jesus of Nazareth" the same
TordS as before, but probably in
hanged tone, showing that they were
repaired to listen with respect, though
ertainly not with reverence, to what
e might have to offer. What q dra-
latic picture-the brazenness of sin,
udas who stood among the enemy,
nd the fearlessness of virtue, Jesus,
acing his accusers. Augustine, COM
renting on this verse, says. "What
ill he do when he comes as q guest.
he did this when giving himself I'D
s prisOner?" His act, however,
hielded his disciples. for not one of
hem was to be lost ". r. W, and
e knew they were not strong enough
ct to stand the test of arrest and
'ial. At this point Peter attempts to
efend Jesus ". 10Y.
III. Peter Denying wv. 15-17). As
esus was led away, his disciples for
,ok him. They all left him, and fed,
Mt Mark adds that a certain young
AN followed Jesus. It IS conjectured
lat this young man was Mark. With
thickness of action we are now trans
orted to the judgment hall. There
e see him bound. with his hands
hacked behind his back, and led
rst to Annas ". 13), which was an H.
gal transaction, "as though some
former should be tried at Tammany
Ill in New York" (RObert F.. Speer).
mas was now very old. From him
: was taken to Caiaphas, followed by
eter "afar off" now in a different
God than when he smote the high
tests servants ear. With him was
at. other disciple (Johns way of re-
rring to himselD. Now John was
lOwn to the high priest. and he went
with Jesus into the palace, but
eter was standing without at the
'or. Notice the steps of his failure:
rst, he slept" in the garden: sec 9
I'd. he followed "afar off, nuke
:54); third, he stood" without. ,
urth, he "sat" in the midst. 8
Then notice the denials, the last &C.
by cursing. Attempts TO
with the world meet with /
e same measure of failure today as