The Winslow mail., 1923-03-09


suffered for our sins, the just for the un-
just, that He might bring US to God
1 Peter 3:18.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt 4:1-11;
26:2S-46; 1 Cor. 1913; Heb. AIS, 16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-An Angel Helps
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Jesus Prays for
Strength.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
How to Stand the Hardest Test.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Submission to the Fathers WILL
/. Jesus at the Mount Of olives
". 39). He went from the upper
room under cover of night to the gar
den of Gethsemane. Gethsemane
means oil press. 1t is place where
the oil was crushed out of the olives.
There is a striking significance in
Jesus coming to this place. Olive oil
was precious, being used both for food
and lighting The bruising and crush
ing of Christ in this garden has yield
ed the largest blessings in the world.
It has provided food for mems souls
and light for their lives.
II. His Companions wv. 80, 4O).
Peter, James and John, who had been
with Him on the Mount of Transfig
uration. were permitted to go with
Him into the deep shadows of the
garden. He took those who were best
able to apprehend the meaning of the
tragic hour to be His sympathiZing
companions. This was needed to pre-
pare them as His witnesses. Then,
too as a human being He craved sym
pathy.
Jesus Praying (vv. 41-44).
L. He Withdrew From the Dis
ciples ". 4D Even these disciples
of the elmer circle" could not go with
him. He tore himself away from them
for He must be alone in this darkest
hour. He kneeled down and prayed.
2. What He Said (vv. 42-44). IF
thou be willing remove this cup from
me-" The cup did not mean the phys
ical sufferings of the cross, though
they were very great. He did not
now desire to escape from the cross
and thus stop short of His redemp-
tive work, for this was the supreme
purpose of His coming into the world
(Heb. 2 :14). 1t was rather the revela-
ton to Him by the cross which
loomed before Him, Of His identified
tion with sin in becoming the worlds
Redeemer. BY virtue of the holiness
and perfection of His nature, He
could do nothing else than shrink
from it. He saw in this bearing of
the sins of the world the turning
away of His Fathers face. Knowing
what was before Him, He came to
Gethsemane for this hour, and in it
He consciously brought his human
will into accord with the divine will.
Though the cup was bitter he bowed
in submission to the Fathers will.
So great was this agony that His
sweat was as it were great drops of
blood falling down to the ground. In
this crucial hour an angel from
heaven strengthened him.
w. The Disciples Sleeping (vv. 45,
49,. They had boasted of their fldel-
ity, but could not watch with Him for
an hour. He had issued a word of
warning to them, but they were so
benumbed with sorrow that they
failed. He gently rebuked them,
and commanded that they rise and
pray lest they enter into temptation.
v. Jesus Betrayed wv. At, 4S).
/. The Betrayal ". 47). This was
done by Judas, one of the twelve He
had enjoyed the most intimate rela-
tions with the Lord, eating with Him,
listening to His teaching, witnessing
His marvellous miracles and enjoying
His confidence.
2. The Sign of Betrayal ". 40. 1t
was the kiss, the token of the most
tender affection and friendship. He
now degrades it by making it the
token of disloyalty and treason.
Jesus words to this infamous dis
ciple shows the infinite tenderness Of
His heart If Judas had been at all
human this pathetic appeal would
have smitten him to the very heart.
How many protesting disciples have
proven their disloyalty to the Master
and even betrayed Him. All who bear
the name, Christian, and especially
ministers and teachers who deny the
virgin birth, Deity and vicarious
atonement of Christ are following in
the footsteps of Judas. May each one
inquire, Lord, is it ~
vi. Jesus Arrested ". SAY
The multitude around with swords
and clubs led by Judas invaded the
sacred precincts of the garden and
arrested Jesus and brought Him be-
poro tho biOh pripSf