The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-12-13

| not perish. but have everlasting life
John 3.-5
Since the lessons of the quarter center
in the lives Of Peter and John IL VIII be
well 10 include in the days lesson the
incidents in their lives from tile Jr!al Of
Jesus 70 lis resurrection. This VIII en-
able Us To use t.e committee alternative
lesson. The Prince Of Peace" for a
Christmas lesson next sunday.
I. Peter Denies the Lord US:15-1S
25-20.
l. Before the servant maid Wv. -
49,. Peters first bIuuGcr was To at
tempt to follow Jesus at tins time.
Christ had told him that he could not
follow now 1880. PresumptuouS
boldne>s ofjentimes places one in an
embarrassing position. In such cases
compromise or cowagdiy denial u>u-
ally follows. Wisdom AZ to our weak
ueSscs should move one to avoid I'M
necessary trials. John, seeing Peter
standing at the door. introduced him
To the house Of the high priest. Here
under the taunt Of a Jewish maid he
openly denied his Lord.
.. Before the servant and officers
". 2J). Peter had not only ventured
where IT was not necessary. but was
warming himself at the enemies fire.
Having qualled before the sarcastic
impudence Of servant maid he open
ly denied his relationship with the
Lord when questioned by the officers
and servants at whose ire he was
warming himself. To have clear and
independent testimony, one should be
separate from sinners III Cor. G:l+lN).
3. Before the kinsman of Malchus
wv. 20. 27). This man mad seen Peter
with Jesus in Gethsemane when Peter
in his raShneSS smote Of the ear of
MalchuS (See verse 10. Hearing Pet
er's denial. this servant Of the high
priest put the question. Did ! not see
thee in the garden with himF When
Peter uttered the third denial the cock
crew, bringing to his attention the
warning words of Jesus mark 14:72).
This is an example of what a disciple
OF Jesus may do in the hour Of great
temptation.
%. Jesus Commits His Mother to
John (19 :25-2O.
Though suffering the understandable
anguish of the cross he tenderly 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
l. thnt
his 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-
ton.
~. Peter and John at Jesus Tomb
GO :1-1O).
When Mary came in breathless haste
announcing the fact of the empty tomb,
Peter and John ran To investigate.
When John came to the tomb he gazed
into y, 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 temperdments. One should not
expect the same behavior from all
This investigation w3s convincing ",
81.
w. 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.
/. His motive-lOve for Christ. Love
is the supreme qualification for service
for Christ; it is the very spring from
which all activity flows. Ii is not
learning and eloquence, but love that
makes a pastor. % Feed my lambs"
The word for feed" as well as lambs"
signifies that the work here is that of
nurturing the babes in Christ. (2)
Feed my sheep" The word here
means to feed, guide, correct, and lead
the maturer class of Christians. II
carries with II not only the RESPONSE
bility of feeding. but correction and
discipline. If this be 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 somev hat TO
the meanins in the first instance where
he says. feed my lambs" 50 that the
ministers responsibility to care for
the aged is equivalent to that of the
young.