Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-04-18
LESSON FOR APRIL a.
JESUS REQUIRES CONFESSION
AND LOYALTY.

0:S-1O; Hebrews 12-1-2. 12-l5-
TEACHERS-Luke s:ls-27; 57-62-
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR TOPIC
Jesus and the Blind Man
LESSON MATERIAL-Mark S:22-26-
PRIMARY MEMORY vERSE-He hath
done all things well--Mark 1871
The time has now come for Jesus
to take account of his ministry. Hav-
ing been rejected by the rulers, he
goes into retirement with his disciples
His primary object in his teaching
during this time is to prepare the dis
ciples for the tragedy of the cross,
which he knew was so near. His
teaching gathers around the great
cardinal doctrines of the Christian
faith. He instructs them touching his
person, atonfng death, resurrection
and glorious coming again He knew
that in the measure that they intelli-
gently apprehended these things they
would be able to pass through the
ordealS before them. The same is
true today. Those who clearly appre-
bend the Divine Person, the vicarious
atonement, the glorious resurrection,
and second coming of Christ. are I'M
disturbed by the world tragedies of
the present hour.
I. Peters Confession of Christ wv.
27-3O).
Two questions of Christ provoked
this confession:
1. Whom do men say that / am?"
wv. %, 2S).
This question referred to the opin-
ions of the people regarding Jesus.
Some believed him to be John the
Baptist, some Elijah, and some one of
the prophets. They all recognized him
to be teacher or prophet with more
than human authority and power. To-
day, as then, there is diversity of
opinion among people as to Jesus
Christ Some think that he was only
a man. others that he was IL great
teacher. but nothing more. Jesus was
not content with this acknowledgements.
Had he been satisfied with this, he
would not have been molested in
Jerusalem, for the Jews willingly ac-
knowledged him as much more than Il
human teac,.er.
.. whom say We that 1 am?" wv.
%, 3O).
H. Jesus Teaching Concerning the
Cross wv. 31-S3).
Christ charged the disciples not to
make public his Messiahship, as that
would precipitate the crisis. The dis
ciples needed much instruction vet to
prepare them for the crucial hour of
| the cross.
l. What he taught ". By.
ID The Son of Man must suffer
many things
| He suffered physical WEAKNESS and
| hunger, ridicule and contempt, and
| even misunderstanding and lack of APP
| probation on the part of his friends
/ and disciples.
CO BE rejected OF the elders. chief
priests and scribes''
These We're the nations official rep
resentativeS. the very ones who should
| have known and received Christ and
recommended his reception on the part
of the nation. Truly. he came to his
own. and his own received him not
John Ill. To be rejected by ones
own friends and relatives is doubly
| painful.
(3) BE killed"
This announcement was startling to
| the disciples. They had not yet come
| to realize that redemption was to he
accomplished through the passion and
the cross. Jesus now states with
definiteness and certainty that he
must die on the cross. This necessity
| was due primarily to the fact that it
| was the GlE1ne purpose to make the
death of Christ the heart and core of
| the atonement; and also. to human
hatred and opposition.
ca Rise again
Though this was utterly .ncompre-
henSibie To the disciples, he shows
them that this would be the glorious
issue of his death
!, III. The Cost of DiscipIeship ". 34)
The law of the Christian life is
| suffe.SlG. To follow Christ means to
turn ones hack upon the world To
| repudiate the world means to incur
the hatred of the world. To be Chris
tiaDs. therefore. means to share
| Clirist'S sufferingS.
1. There must be denial of self {. 34)
This means the sufferings and shame
which lie in the path of loyalty TO
God To live the godly life means
suffering e Tim. 8 :12).
8. Christ must be followed (v. 34).
This means to have the mind of
Christ (Phil. 2 :5) and to perform the
service of Christ.
~. The Issue of DiscipIeship wv.
$3.50.
The blessed issue of following Christ
| is life of freedom here and now and
| eternal life hereafter. Such sacrifice
enriches the life that now is. and pre-
pares for the enjoyment of the life
which is to come. To barter the flu
ture life for present enjoyment is most
foolish. for the choices of life are