The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-12-12
IMPROVED UNIFokM INTERNATIONAL
SUND6XSCHOOL
LESSON
tBy REV. p. b. FITZWATER. D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
copyright, 1919. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER "a
AT THE TRIAL, CRUclFixlON AND
RESURRECTION OF JESUS.


LESSON TEXTS-John lS:l5-27; ls:25-27
@:1-l0. 81: 1913.
GOLDEN TENT-For God so loved the
world. that he gave his only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life
John 3l6
Since the lessons of the quarter center
In the lives of Peter and John it will be
well to include in the days lesson the
incidents in their lives from the trial OF
Jesus to his resurrection This will en-
able us to use the committees alternative
lesson, The Prince of Peace" for a
CHRISTMAS lesson next sunday.
|. Peter Denies the Lord (1S:15-1S
25-27)
/. Before the servant maid (yv. 10
lS}. Peters first blunder was to at.
tempt to follow Jesus at this time
Christ had told him that he could not
follow now tl3 :36). Presumptuous
holiness oftentimes places one in an
embarrassing position. In such cases
compromise or cowardly denial usu-
ally follows. Wisdom as to our weak
nesses should move one to avoid un-
necessary trials. John. seeing Peter
standing at the door introduced him
to the house of the high priest. Here
under the taunt of Jewish maid he
openly denied his Lord.
,. Before the servant and officers
". 25). Peter had not only ventured
where it was not necessary. but was
warming himself at the enemies fire.
I IL. al hnf hn 10
inlpu1ence of servant maid he open
ly denied his relationship with rhe
Lord when questioned by the officers
and servants at whose fire he was
warming himself. To have clear and
Independent testimony. one should be
separate from sinners UI Cor. :14-1S).
8. Before the kinsman of Malchus
wv. 26, 2I). This man mad seen Peter
With Jesus in Gethsemane when Peter
in his rashness smote off the ear of
Malchus (see verse 1G). Hearing Pet
er's denial. this servant of the high
priest put the question. Did | not see
thee in the garden with him?' When
Peter uttered the third denial the cock
crew, bringing to his attention the
warning words of Jesus mark IA :T2).
This is an example of what a disciple
of Jesus may do in the hour of great
temptation.
II. Jesus Commits His Mother to
John t19 :25-27).
Though suffering the indescribable
anguish of the cross he tendefiy re-
membered his grief-stricken mother
and charged John to care for her. Mary
had other sons who should have cared
for her. but they were unbelievers till
after Jesus resurrection. He knew that
mis- mother would have better care at
the hands of the beloved disciples than
at the hands of her own children who
did not believe in and love Jesus. Love
to Jesus is stronger than human affec-
tion.
III. Peter and John at Jesus Tomb
t20:l-1O).
When Mary came in breathless haste,
announcing tile fact of the empty tomb
Peter and John ran to investigate.
When John came to the tomb he gazed
into 1t. but when Peter came he went
in. John with holy reverence hesitated
TO enter. but Peter through his impul-
siveness entered at once. The difference
does not lie in the fact that one loves
more than the other, but in their differ
ent temperaments. One should not
eXnect the same behavior from all.
This investigation was convincing ".
81.
". Peters Restoration and Com.
mission (21 1919.
Peter had thrice denied the Lord
SO before he again entered the service
he had thrice to confess his love for
Jesus. In this commission to Peter
is set forth the motive and nature OF
service which is incumbent upon all
Christian ministers and teachers.
l. His motive-love for Christ Love
is the supreme qualification for service
for Christ; IT is the very spring FROM
which all activity flows. 1t is not
learning and eloquence but love that
The word for feed" as we'll as lambs v
signifies that the work here Is that Of
nurturine the babes in Christ (2l
Feed my sheep" The word here
means to feed. guide, correct. and lead
the maturer class of Christians. II
carries with it not only the response
bility of feeding. but correction and
discipline. If this he attempted with
out love, failure will inevitably ensue
(3) Feed my sheep" This relates
to the care of the aged Christians
The word feed returns somewhat TO
the meaning in the first Instance where
he says, feed my lambs SO that the
ministers responsibility to care for
the aged is equivalent TO that of the
young.