The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-05-28
Lesson for May 81
JESUS IN GETHSEMANE

GOLDEN TEXT-Saying, Father, II
thou be willing, remove this cup from
lme: nevertheless not my will, but
thine, be done.
LESSON sTEXT-Luke 22:39-54.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus in the Car
den.
/! JUNIOR ToPIc-Jesus in the Gar
den.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Obeying God at Any Cost.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
iIC-The Meaning of Gethsemane.
!. Jesus at the Mount of olives.
Nv. 39).
He went from the upper room under
cover of the night to the Garden of
Gethsemane, a favorite resort on the
slope of the Mount of Olives, a short
distance east of Jerusalem Matt.
l26 BOY. 1t is a place where the oil
was crushed out Of the olives. Geth-
Semane means "oil press" 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 to the world.
II. His Companions wv. 80, 4O).
Peter, James and John, who had
been with him on the Mount of Trans
figuration, were permitted to go with
him into the deep shadows of the Gar
den (Matt. &c 80. He took those who
were best able to apprehend the mean
ing Of the tragic hour to be his sympa-
thizing companions. This was needed
to prepare them as his witnesses
Knowing the peculiar trial through
which they would soon pass when the
Shepherd should be smitten, he needed
to prepare them for it. They needed
TO taste the bitter cup of which he
drank and of which they, too, later
should drink.
Ill. Jesus Praying wv. 41-44).
1. Withdrawal from the disciples
". 41). Even these members of the
inner circle could not now 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 ". 42). 'If thou
be willing, remove this cup from me-"
The cup did not mean primarily the
physical sufferings of the cross, though
they were exceeding great. He did not
now desire to escape from the cross
and thus to stop short of his redemp-
tive work, for this was the supreme
purpose of his coming into the world
.(Heb. 2:14). He was so completely
identified with SHINING race that the
Judgment Of holy God which right
fully would have fallen upon it was
about to strike him-the Fathers face
was actually turned from him. The
cup, therefore, meant his death as the
bearer of sin. He came to Gethsem-
ane with the full knowledge of what
1t meant, and consciously brought his
human will into accord with the d.
vine will. He bowed in submission to
the Fathers will. So great was his
agony that he sweat, as it were, great
drops of blood. In this crucial hour
an angel from heaven strengthened
him. He won the victory in submis-
sion to his Fathers will, and from
henceforth went with unfaltering steps
to the cross.
Nv. The Disciples Sleeping wv.
As, 46).
They had boosted of their fidelity
Matt. % :35), but could not watch
with him for an hour. He had issued
a word Of warning to them duke
% :3G, but they were so benumbed
with sorrow that they failed to keep
awake. He gently reprimanded them
and commanded that they should arise
and pray lest they enter into tempta-
ton.
v. Jesus Betrayed wv. Al, 48).
1. The betrayer w. Az. It was
Judas, one Of the twelve He had en-
joyed the most intimate relations with
the Lord: eating with him, listening
to his teaching, witnessing his mar
yelous miracles, and enjoying his
countenance. These privileges inten-
sify the horror of the deed. He even
guided the mob to arrest Jesus.
2. The sign Of betrayal ". 40. It
was a kiss, the token of the most
tender affection and friendship.
8. Jesus tender words to him ". 49,.
These words to the infamous disciple
reveal the infinite tenderness Of the
Lords heart. Many protesting dis
ciples today are proving their disloy.
atty to Jesus and even are betraying
him. All who bear the name of Christ,
and especially ministers and teachers,
who deny the virgin birth, deity, and
vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ,
are following in the footsteps Of Judas.
VI. Jesus Arrested ". 54).
The multitude led by Judas invaded
the sacred precincts of the Garden and
arrested Jesus and brought him before
the High Priest. Peter followed him
afar OFF. Peters downfall may be
traced to his self-cOnfidence.