Cleveland County herald., 1919-12-04
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SlJN|IllAYISS0lO()L
 LESSON (Hy REV. P. B. TYPEWRITER, D. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago) Copyright, 1919, Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 7
PETER AND JOHN ASLEEP IN
 GETHSEMANE.
LESSON TExT-Mark 14:s2-42.

LESSON TEXT-Mark 14:32-42
 GOLDEN TEXT-Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Mark 4:SS.
 ADDITIONAL, MATERIAL-Mat. 26:36- e6; Luke 22:39-54; John 1S:1-n.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-An Angel Strength ening Jesus.
 k JUNIOR TOPIC.-Peter and John Fail to Help Jesus.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC = Asleep on Duty.
 SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIC-Jesus Depends upon His Disciples.
 l. chriat's Suffering (vv. 32-34>.
 1. The place (v. 32). The garden of Gethsemane-an inclosure containing olive and fig trees, beyond Kidron, about three-fourths of a mile from Je- rusalem. The name means olive-press. The name is significant of the occasion. Edersheim says it is an emblem of trial, distress and agony. Perhaps the garden was owned by one of Jesus friends.
 ?. His companions (v. 35). He took with him the Il disciples, that they might share, so far as possible, this sorrow with him. Being a real human being he craved sympathy. He bade them watch with him. While he knew that he must tread the wine-press alone," he had a keen appreciation of sympathy so far as those who loved him could give it. The behavior of the disciples shows the utter limitation of human sympathy.
 3. His great sorrow (v. 34). This is the same as the "cup" in verse 36. It was not primarily the prospect of physical suffering that was crushing him. it was the suffering as a sin bearer-the sensations of his pure soul l coming into contact with the awful sin and guilt of the world. Only pure and | refined natures can understand this. Tn addition to this, there was the judg- ment stroke from the holy God as it fell upon his Son instead of the sin her. God caused the iniquities of the world to strike upon Jesus QI Cor. 5 :21; Isa. B :6).
 II. Christ Praying (vv. 35-42).
 Though he prized human sympathy | in the hour of supreme need, his only recourse was prayer. The sympathy of our friends is helpful. but in the | great crises of life we can find help onl. when we go to God in prayer. "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray" Games 5 :13).
 1. The first prayer (vv. 3538). CD His posture (v. 35). He fell on his face, prostrate on the ground. In the hour of our great need we naturally prostrate ourselves before God. This l Is becoming posture. (2) His peti- l tion (v. 36). "Take away this cup from me-" By the cup is meant his death on the cross. He did not desire l to escape the cross. No doubt it was most grevous to him to face its shame but he pressed on. knowing that for this cause he had come into the world | (John 12 pr, 2S; cf. Heb. 2:14). He prayed that the "hour might pass from him." that is, that his life might be prolonged to die on the cross at the appointed time to make atOnement for the sins of the world. The burden was so great that it seemed his life would be crushed out. His prayer was heard l O1eb. SD. When God hears our prayers he grants the petition desired l q John 5:14-15). Angels ministered to him, giving the necessary grace to endure to the end Uuke p :43). (3) His resignation (v. 36) His will was in subjection to the Father He knew that his death on the cross was the win of God the Father; for he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the l T 3O. He singled out Peter, since he had been the most conspicuous in pro- claiming his loyalty (John 13 :3S). Though he would go with him to death, he could not watch one hour. (5) Ex- hortation to the disciples (v. 3S). "Watch and pray. lest ye enter into temptation" The only way to be able to stand in the time of trial is to be watching and praying. Jesus knew that although the disciples meant well, they would fail in the trial unless aid ed from above. The flesh is too weak to stand the strain.
 9 The second prayer (vv. 30. 40). He withdrew the second time from his disciples and uttered the same words in prayer. This was not vain repeti- tion. It Is proper to repeat our re- l quests. He found the disciples asleep again. Their shame and confusion was more marked than at first.
 B. The third prayer (vv. 41, 42).
 He uttered the same words in his third prayer (Matt 26:44). He now tells the disciples to sleep on and take their rest. as the hour had come for his betrayal. There is such a thing as being asleep when wanted and awaking when it is too late. If the disciples had been praying they would