The Elbert County tribune., 1917-06-01


the younger classes, emphasis might be
placed upon the dramatic scene in the
garden of Gethsemane, and Peters de-
NAL Mt the fire. In some of the inter
mediate classes the scholars might be
asked to write short, one-minute es-
says. describing the scene MS though
they, themselves, We're present. For
the ndult 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.
I !. 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 ". ~ TO the garden,
there to bear the awful weight of
agony that was crushing him (Matt.
26 :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. 1t was
sanctuary in which Jesus met the
Father, and those who knew him
knew it as a place of prayer, and the
most likely place to find him at that
time of night ". 81. Rebuffed at
Mary's prodigallty, 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
gradually hardened his heart.
II. Protecting and Protesting wv.
AID. (See Matt. 90; Mark IA; Luke
22). Jesus went forth In order to con-
centrate the attention of the soldiers
upon himself and to prevent general
attack upon the disciples. In answer
to his question, they said they We're
seeking Jesus, the Nazarene," a term
of contempt which Jesus answered by
saying. al am he" John adds, "and
Judas also which betrayed him stood
with them" Greed for money, grow
ing into theft and falseness of life,
ended with the blackest crime the
world has ever known. His salutation
sent them backward ". 81. Perhaps
among the officers were some who had
failed to arrest him on a former occa-
sion (ch. :46), and who were now
overawed by his marvellous words and
majestic bearing. Again he answered.
"Whom seek ye?" ". y, and they
said, "Jesus of Nazareth" the same
words as before, but probably in
changed tone, showing that they were
prepared to listen with respect though
certainly not with reverence, to what
he might have to offer. What a dra-
matte picture-the brazenness of sin,
Judas who stood among the enemy,
and the fearlessness of virtue, Jesus,
facing his accusers. Augustine. COM
menting on this verse, says, "What
will he do when he comes as guest,
If he did this when giving himself up
as prisoner?' His act, however
shielded his disciples, for not one Of
them was to be lost ". r. W, and
he knew they were not strong enough
yet to stand the test of arrest and
trial. At this point Peter attempts to
defend Jesus ". 10).
III. Peter Denying wv. IBID. AS
Jesus was led away his disciples for
sook him. They all left him, and fed,
but Mark adds that certain young
man followed Jesus. 1t is conjectured
that this young man was Mark. With
quickness of action we are now trans
ported to the judgment hall. There
we see him bound. with his hands
shackied behind his back, and led
first to Annas w. 13), which was an IL
legal transaction, "as though some
reformer should be tried Mt Tammany
hall in New York" (Robert f. Speer).
Annas was now very old. From him
he was taken to CaIaphas. followed by
Peter "afar Off" now In different
mood than when he smote the high
priests servants ear With him was
that other disciple (John's way of re-
ferrlng TO himself). Now John was
known to the high priest and he went
in with Jesus into the palace. but
Peter was standing without at the
door. Notice the steps of his failure !;
First, he slept in the garden; sec
ond, he followed "afar off" Uuke
% 30 third, he "stood" without /;
fourth, he 'sat'' in the midst.
Then notice the denials. the last ac-
companied by cursing. Attempts to
compromise with the world meet with
the same measure of failure today as
when Peter was in the Judgment hall.
Bad company is good thing to keep
out of unless gone into to witness for
Christ. Peter did not have that pur-
pose. The Lord had only to look" at
Peter Uuke % :6D and he "remem-
bered'' We may deny Christ by our