The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-05-05
Lesson for May 8
PETER AND THE RISEN LORD

PETER AND THE RISEN LORD
LESSON TEXT-John polio; 21:15-
GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
which according to His abundant mer-
cy hath begotten us again unto lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead.
PRIMARY TOPIC Jesus Forgives
Peter
JUNIOR TOP1C-Jesus Forgives and
Restores Peter.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Risen Lord Appears to Peter.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Fellowship With the Risen Lord
!. Peter and John at the Empty
Tomb John 20:1-10).
John does not enter into descr!p-
ton of the resurrection of Christ or
attempt proof other than that the
tomb was empty and that Jesus had
disciples after the tomb had been
found empty.
1. How they came to know wv.
1, q.
The information was brought by
Mary Magdalene out of whom Jesus
had cast seven demons Mark 1919,
Luke S:2). Prompted by love for Him
she went early to the tomb, "while it
was yet dark" "she was last at the
cross and first at the grave, she stayed
longest there and was soonest here"
Her love for Jesus was genuine,
though her knowledge of His resur-
rection was defective She could not
rest till she had done her utmost for
Him because she realized that great
good had come to her from His hands
The reason we work so little for the
Lord is that we have such a dim sense
of His saving grace.
2. Their investigation wv. 3-10).
The news of the empty tomb, which
Mary brought with breathless haste,
so moved John and Peter that they
both ran to investigate. Upon arrival
at the tomb John gazed upon it, but
Peter entered it. John, with holy rev.
erence, hesitates. Peter, with impul-
siveness, enters the tomb at once.
Their respective actions are not to be
explained on the basis of degrees of
love for the Lord, but to temperament.
The investigation convinced them. The
removal of the stone from the sep
ulcher, the arrangement of the grave
clothes all convinced them that it had
not been done by an enemy.
II. The Charge of the Risen Lord to
Peter John q IBID.
Jesus put to Peter the thrice repeat
ed question, Lowest thon me?" Then
He gave him commission. This shows
that supreme love to Christ is the one
essential qualification for serving Him.
Love is the spring from which all
Christian activity flows. He asked,
also, to show that there are three
classes in the church which demand
care and attention. These three
classes need special care and food.
1. Feed my lambs ". 15.)
This first charge relates to those
who are beginning the Christian life
the babes in Christ. The word
"feed' means more than instruc-
ton. 1t means in addition to in
struction that proper surroundings,
influences and examples should be
provided. AS Christian minister,
Peter was to be an example, provide
the proper surroundings and do the
proper teaching for the young Chris
tians, those just beginning the Chris
tian life.
2. Tend my sheep ". 16).
This charge shows a different class.
1t means to shepherd the sheep. It
has application to the mature class
of Christians The duty enjoined
therefore Is to care for those who
have passed out of their childhood in
to maturity. He must feed the sheep,
give them proper instruction, guide
them, lead them and discipline them.
For this ministry the essential quail
f1cation is love.
8. Feed my sheep ". ~.
The implication here is that Peter
was charged with the responsibility
of caring for aged Christians. The
word feed is much the same as in
the first case, 1t means that for the
aged Christians the instruction ought
to be such as will be suited to their
needs. This needs special emphasis
today because much attention is given
to the young people, but in many in
stances the old people are neglected.
III. Follow Me wv. 1929.
In verse IS is given a clear proph-
ecy concerning Peters DEATH 1t was
to be by crucifxion. Peter once
shrank from the cross, but now the
Lord holds it up before him. 1t is not
the Lords death on the cross, but
Peters own. He teaches here that
the Christians death is for the glory
Of God. Whatever may be before US,
even the cruel cross, the Lords COM
mand is to follow Him.