The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-12-10
Sunday School Notes

Dec. IA. Peter and John at the Tria
and CrucifXion Of Jesus. John IS:
1921; 10: 1921.
Our lesson today brings before us the
entire chain Of circumstances connected
with the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
H What tons of books have been written
to set forth, of course cannot be given
even in brief in the space at my con-
troll. The lesson directors have had in
mind the plan of calling attention to
the part played by Peter and John in
the events OF the last days of the life o.
the Savior, and from this point of view
win write this week.
Inc character OF Peter appeals to the
ordinary manFand woman, for he was
SO human, just like the rest of us. Of
impulsiVe, earnest nature, he put into
action and spoke on the spur of the
moment and thus we see such change
fulness in his record He was ready. on
short notice to throw away his fishing
nets and become fisher of men," on
the invitation of Jesus. With all his
brightness he did not understand the
mission of Jesus and how it was to be
fulfilled. The Peter we consider today
is the one who tried to walk on the
water and lacking faith, although in
the very presence of the Savior, called
for help to keep him from drowning.
This is the man who rebuked Jesus
when He foretold that He would soon
be put to death by the Jews. He is the
one who gave utterance to the great
declaration that Jesus was the Son of
God. He is the one who would not have
his feet washed by the Master at first,
and later wanted to be washed all over.
1t was he who made his boasts that al.
though all should leave Jesus he never
would. It was at this time Jesus told
u hot c.t>0 Id Il
Him three times. It was Peter who
went to sleep in the garden when spe.
cially asked to keep awake. 1t was he
who SWhen the soldiers came to take his
Master, drew his sword and cut off the
ear OF one of the number. When the
mass of the disciples fled Peter and
John followed Peter ''afar off" 1t was
this following afar off which led to his
humiliation.
2. 1t will be recalled that Peter did not
go at first into the room where Jesus
was being held until the dawn of day
but stood at the door without John
went in and later WAS the means of
getting Peter through the door. In the
Very presence OF Jesus fear was upper
most on the mind OF Peter, and when
he was asked if he was not one of the
disciples he with even violent words de-
clared he was not. One might have
thought that the words Of Jesus would
have come to his mind after the first
denial, but 1t was not so. After the
third time the allknowing Jesus turn
ed a look on Peter and then it all came
over him, and with remorse he went
out to weep over his unfaithfulness.
Jesus had told him that He would
pray for him." and this could we'll have
held him steady and not caused such
despair to come as that he would do as
Judas, go and kill himself st'.'' .:'
Jesus knew what kind of man
Peter was to be in the future and for
his comfort gave directions after the
resurrection that this disciple by name
should be told Of the great event. After
the death and the non. presence Of Jesus
with him, Peter. said 81 go fishing" his
old Job, and 1t was from his nets he was
called a SECOND, time when, the Master
stood on the shore commanding that the
nets be put out on the "other side"
With the big draught Of fishes Peter
came TO-, realize that the all.poWerful
Jesus was present and plunged into the
water with only a single garment on
JOY and recognition. Peter WAS. given
q lesson lin the words of Jesus as toslov-
1 ing Him and also In being told he must
follow commands without reference to
what John or anyone else had to do.
Jesus knew the nature sof Peter and
what he was capable of doing in due
time, and did not turn him away We
have all often wondered what earthly
good a. certain boy or girl could be in|
the world, only to find after years that
they had been chosen to fill the highest
positions Of trust or to dedicate their
olives to work for the bible religion. The
treatment of the impetuous Peter should
warn us to be patient with the boys and
girls, doing the best to upbiuld them,
hot
when the best will come to the mastery
and a seeming worthless life shine as
. the sun for Jesus and righteousness.
The bible says that boastfulness often
comes just before a fall and this is in
deed true. We can thus take warning
that undue confidence in ones powers
to withstand temptation must not be
INDUCED in. AS Jesus was ready to
take Peter back after grievous SHINING,
so He will overlook what we have done
If there is true repentance.
We have in the character of John
man of a different stamp from the one
we have just been considering. He was
loving, not boastful true as steel, did
not fly off the handle in words or deeds. |
1T is a. blessed Characterization of his
relations with Jesus that he was called
1.-THE disciple whom Jesus loved" What |
"a goal is put before us to so live that |
we can feel that Jesus loves us for our
trial at least to do His will, and that
our fellows can with truth say he or
she is trying to let the right light shine
as worthy follower of the lowly Naz-
Garene. E " II ~ ~
The scene at the cross when Jesus
looked down during His sufferings and
seeing His mother and John near, spoke
the words which put that most worthy
woman in the care of the beloved dis
ciple. No higher compliment could be