Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-04-20
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LESSON
(By REV..P P. B. F1TZWATER, d. D..
Teacher, or English Bible "a the
Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago)
(copyfisfat, 1918. Western Newspapsr Union.
LESSON FOR APRIL121

IeSSUW run AT nI1lZJ
JESUS TRANSFORMED, OR A
PORCELAIN OF THE KINGDOM
OF GOD.
LESSON TEXT-Mark $50
GOLDEN TEXT-This Is my beloved
Son: hear ye Him.-Mark 81.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL For
TEACHERS Matthew n:1-2o; Luke S:zS-
PRIMARY TOPIC-with Jesus ON the
mountain.
INTERMEDIATES ToP1C-Meetins DIFF
dculties with prayer.
ADDITIONAL MATER1AL-James 6:lS-
Is.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToP1c-visior
and service.
The hopes Of the disciples were
crushed when Christ announced his
death on the cross. They were unable
to see how victory could issue from
death. Jesus took with him Peter.
James and John, and went into tine
mountain apart by themselves. Ac
cor1ing to Luke. they went there 70
pray luke 9:2S). While. doubtless
he longed for fellowship and sympathy
as the shadows of the cross were 1ali-
ing upon him. his chief desire was 70
get the disciples apart and into state
Of receptivity. so that he might snow
them the methods of the kingdom. Be
fore going into the mountain, ne de-
clared that there were some stanc.2g
in his presence who would not taste or
death till they had seen the Kingdom
of God come with power ". ~. That
their dropping spirits might be revived
and their confidence restored. he was
TRANSPORTED before them. The discl-
pies sorely needed such a vision. II
the faith of the disciples was to De
kept through the dark hour of the
cross which was looming large before
them the light Of the eternal must
beam forth. The disciple now, as
then, needs a glimpse of the glory be-
yOnd the cross in order to face the Is
sues of the hour. Two men from the
upper world were sent to converse with
Jesus about his approaching death at
Jerusalem-thc very thing about which
the disciples refused to talk. men,
too. Gods own voice was heard IN
words of approval of Christ's course
directing them to hear the Master.
With a fore-gleam of the coming king
dom, and the approving words OF Goa
himself, the disciples cannot doubt the
ability of Jesus to carry into execu-
ton his kingdom plans. That this is
true is not only shown by the context
and circumstances. but by the inspired
Interpretation Of one who was there
with him and knew all that transpired.
Peter said: "For we did not follow
cunningly devised fables. when we
made known unto you the power ana
coming of Jesus Christ. but were eye
witnesses of his majesty. For he re-
ceiyed of God the Father honor and
glory, when there came such voice
to him from the excellent glory. This
is nv beloved Son, in whom am well
pleased. And this voice we ourselves
heard come out of heaven. when we
were with him in the holy mount. And
we have the word of prophecy made
more sure, whereunto We do well that
We take heed. as unto lamp shining
in a dark place. until the day dawn
and the day arise in your hearts" &
Peter 1919 r. w.
I. Jesus Christ GIorified on the
Mountain wv. 2, -. He took his dis
ciples "by themselves" and was trans
figured before them" This shows the
purpose terminated upon the disciples
and not upon himself. Christ's rebuke
of Peter for his unwillingness to hear
! concerning his death apparently for
time cstranged the disciples from him.
To heal this breech. an unusual trans
action was required. His shining raj
ment" was typical of that glory which
shah be manifest when he comes back
to the earth.
II. Peter, James and John Repre-,
sent Israel in the Flesh in Connection
With the Kingdom ". p. Christ Is
peculiarly the King of Israel. Accord
ing to Ezekiel 81 :21-27, they are to be
the central people in the kingdom
This people shall be gathered from
among the nations. united as one In
that kingdom in their own country.
III. Moses and Elias Appeared II
Glory With Jesus wv. 4-13). These mel
in the gloriified state are typical of thu
state of the saints in glory. Moses
who was once denied an entrance tt
Palestine. appears now in glory, repre-
senting the redeemed of the Lord whit
shall pass through death into the king
dom. The thousands of the Lord wit
have fallen asleep. at Christ's COMING
shall be awakened and pass into tn
kingdom through translation. Man.
shall be living upon the earth whel
the Lord shall come, and they, with
out dying, shall be changed and pas
into the kingdom Il Cor. Is :5O-53
Thess. 4:14-18).
1. Peters foolish proposal wv. 5. 81
Moses and Elias, who had been
long time in glory, would be i'll a
home in a tabernacle on the mountain
side, It would have been to Peter
credit to have been silent, since b
knew not what to say.
2. The Divine voice out Of the clou
wv. Z, 81.
II He is declared to be the beloved So
In whom God is well pleased. Whe
one desires to know what pleases Coo
look at his perfect Son. Jesus Christ.