Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-08
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
SION-Matthew, 16.13-34.
| Golden Text.-Simon Peter an
swered and said, Thou art the
| Christ. the Son of the living
| God.-Matthew, 1916.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON

BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.
Christs championship of the rights
of the people was revealed by the
popular opinion of the Masters char
acter. The disciples reported to
Jesus who the people believed Him
to be during their conference in
Caesarea Philippi. Christ saw the
crisis rapidly approaching, so that He
apostolic college to the picturesque
region near the base of Mount Leb-
anon. so that He might test their
progress in an atmosphere free from
contention and controversy that had
developed in Galilee as result of
the Masters successful ministry. The
bitterness of the opposition proved
that the gathering clouds meant a
serious clash. Jesus had led them
across the source of the Jordan and
brought the apostles within sight of
the snow-capped heights of Mount
Hermon, SO that they could be made
ism and be prepared for the coming
tragedy that would test their faith.
While the masses were shifting in
their opinions of Jesus, being inspired
by political motives and personal de-
SlreS for the loaves and fishes. the
popular opinion of Christ was based
on few superficial facts. yet there
was common agreement that the
Master was not only a great religious
teacher. but also an opponent of au
tocratic power. They saw in Jesus a
resemblance to the prophets who had
opposed the kings of their day John
the Baptist and Elijah were, like
II in loo L.
study. great patriots, whose hearts
beat in sympathy with every nation
alistic aspiration of their countrymen
Each one of them possessed some of
the characteristics that the people
anticipated in the prophet-hero that
they looked for in the coming Mes
siah. 1t is evident that the people did
not see in the Lord Jesus anything
that would mark Him as the King of
Kings. The disciples replies to
Christ's question gave the Master the
psychological moment to ask the
apostles the question that all His pre-
vious ministry and teaching had been
preparing them to answer. The des-
tiny of the world awaited their reply
to the personal question Whom say
we that | ann" just as the destiny of
the world depended upon America S
entrance into the world war, and the
answer that we will give now in our
industrial and reconstruction crisis to
the cry of the stricken, suffering
world for help. 1t was personal
question which Jesus asked His fol-
lowers and one that we will all have
to answer. The worlds pressing
problems can only be solved when all
men come to see in Jesus what Peter
revealed that he saw in his great
confession. and adjust the affairs of
life in accordance with rule, of the
Messiah.
Peters response spoke the judg-
ment of the twelve when he answered
Thou art the Christ. the Son of the
living God" He confessed that Jesus
in their judgment was more than a
mere man-in fact they believed Him
to be divine as we'll as human. Christ
has pointed out that 1.-The 1owly ORR
gin of the Carpenter, the familiarity
of daily intercourse, the shocks of
disappointment. the delay of hopes
reputation of Jesus by the author
lied teachers of Israel and the ebbins
tide of His popularity in Galilee
might have almost justified the fish
erman's inability to answer this mo-
mentous question" but Peter. without
realizing the consequences of his re-
ply answered courageously in ac-
cordance with the facts in the life
of Jesus. He with others more than
once had wondered what sort of a
man. the Master really was, but
through divine revelation he came to
see that there was only one salts
factory answer concerning the char
acter of Jesus. and he did not hesitate
to confess his faith in Jesus as the
Messiah.
Peters confession contains the sum
and substance of the Christian the
ology 1t has been the subject of
comment and exposition by men of
every faith. In this weeks study
it will not be possible to take up the
subjects that have been the themes
of controversy among Christians.
Only hints of the profound truths
are possible in this lesson, which in
wolves the subjects that separate not
only Christians but the 'unbelieving
world from the forces of the Church
no doubt as to his view of the char
acter of the Master. The religion of
Jesus differs from all other faiths in
that it rises and falls with the char
acter of it's founder. Peters confess
sion is clear that he and his fellow
disciples, for he spoke for the twelve.
believed that Jesus was not only the
chosen anointed Messiah, but also that
He was not only the son of man but
also the Son of the living God, who
partook of Gods eternal and self
existent nature.
This first public Acknowledgement
of the Savior was not the result of
human instruction or meditation. but
was due to divine revelation. Men
may by lips recite the various creeds
of Christendom, but only through the
revelation of 1.-The Spirit of Cod can
men say that Jesus is Lord" In
Peters confession there was the con-
firmation of what Andrew had first
told him about Jesus. 1t is evident
that Peters belief concerning the
Messiah was not free from the ira
ditional hope of the nation. Christ's
commentator of Peter shows that He
was filled with joy at the dawning
faith in His apostles. He knew that
when the faith in His personal char
acter was finally established they
could be trusted with the work of in
augurating His kingdom among men.
This caused the Lord Jesus to COM
mence His instruction concerning the
nature of the church and the cost of
salvation.
Christ saw in the confession of
Peter the commencement of the
church, the spiritual organization