Americus times-recorder., 1919-12-10

LESSON TEXTS-JOhn lS:l5-Z7; l9:23-2t'
3l-l0. u: l5-l9.
GOLDEN TEXT-For God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever beAeveth in him should
not perish but have everlasting life
John 3.l6,
Since the lessons of the quarter center
in the lives Of Peter and John it viii 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, 1.-The Prince of Peace" for a
Christmas lesson next Sunday.
|. Peter Denies the Lord QS:15-18,
25-2O.
/ Before the servant maid wv. Is
1S). Peters first blunder was to at
tempt to follow Jesus at this time.
Christ had told him that he could not
follow now (13 :36). Presumptuous
boldness 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 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 Jewish maid he
openly denied his Lord.
2. Before the servant and officers
". 25). Peter had not only ventured
where it was not necessary, but was
warming himself at the enemies fire.
Having quailed before the sarcastic
impudence Of a servant maid he open
ly denied his relationship with the
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 I'll Cor. 6 :14-1S).
8. Before the kinsman Of Malchus
wv. 26, 27). This man had seen Peter
with Jesus in Gethsemane when Peter
in his rashness smOte off the ear of
Malchus (see verse 10). Hearing Pet
er's denial, this servant of the high
priest put the question. ''Did l 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 Il :72).
This is an example of what q disciple
of Jesus may do In the hour Of great
temptation.
n. Jesus Commits HIs Mother ts
John (1S :25-27).
Though suffering the indescribable
anguish of the cross he tenderly re-
membered his grief-stricken mother
and charged JohQ 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
his mother would have better care al
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.
III. Peter and John at Jesus Tomb
(20:1-10).
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 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
expect 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 ne again entered the serviEe
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 ChrAt. Love
is the supreme qualification for service
for Christ; 1t is the very spring from
which all activity flows. 1t is not
learning and eloquence, but love that
makes a pastor. Q) Feed my lambs"
The word for feed" as we'll as lambs
signifies that the work here is that of
nurturing the babes in Christ. (2)
Feed my sheep" The woNi here
means to feed, guide, correct and lead
the maturer class of Christians. 1t
carries with it not only the RESPONSE
bility Of feeding, but correction and
discipline. If this be attempted with
out love, failure win 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" 50 that the
ministers responsibility to care for
the aged is equivalent to that of the
young,