The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-10


lected and copyrighted by International
Council of Religious Education; used by
permission.
JESUS BETRAYED, DENIED
AND CONDEMNED
LESSON TEXT: Mark i4:io. II. So. 81,
66-72; 15:12-15.
GOLDEN TEXT: He is despised and re.
jected Of men; a man of sorrows, and &C.
quainted with grief.-Isaiah 1873.
The time had comet Jesus was
about to be condemned and cruel
fed; and though sinful men thought
thus to rid themselves of the One
who had pierced their hypocrisy and
unveiled their unrighteousness, His
death was, in the providence of God,
the giving of Himself for our sins.
What He endured as He went to
the cross is enough to break ones
heart, for here we see the denial,
betrayal and compromise of men.
1. Christ Sold for Money (14:10,
~.
When one sees the awful things
which have been done and are be-
ing done for money in this world,
it becomes clear why the Bible re-
peatedly calls it Filthy lucre."
Money! How many awful things
have been done for money. How
many dishonest officials have Sc
cured high places in government by
money! How many people have lost
their lifesavings because some
shrewd, crooked broker schemed to
take their money away, because he
wanted it. How many millions of
people have been kept in poverty
because men cared more to increase
their wealth than they did to relieve
the distress of those who worked for
them Money is what keeps the
dance halls going; lust for money
is what keeps our breweries and dis
tilleries open; it is money that
makes men want to produce lascivi-
Gus plays and motion pictures" wv.
M. Snith).
Fundamentally, it was the love Of
money that made Judas betray his
Lord. "What will We give me?" was
his question (Matt. 26:15).
But money is not the only price
with which men may be paid. We
find next
III. Christ Deserted for Comfort
(14:53, SAY.
Peter would not have risen to the
suggestion that he sell his Lord for
money, so Satan was too smart to
stir his loyalty by such a suggestion.
He used another method with Peter.
Things had become very difficult
for our Lord. He was led away to
be falsely accused and subjected to
persecution. It was no longer COM
Portable to be at His side, as it had
been when He fed the multitude and
healed the sick, and silenced His
enemies.
This was cold unpleasant business.
Why should Peter get mixed up in
it? After all he could just as well
keep safe distance, and besides it
was warm at the fire. Oh, yes, the
enemies of the Lord had kindled it
and stood around it, but that didn't
need to make Peter an enemy of
His-or did it?
How many Christians who would
meet with hasty and courageous de-
NAL the suggestion that they sell
their Lord, have betrayed Him by
warming themselves at the fires of
this world.
III. Christ Denied for Fear IA:
66-72).
Peter, the staunch defender of our
Lord, who had assured Him that no
matter how cowardly the others
might be, he would stand fast mark
1920, now quails before servant
maid. He curses and swears to try
to strengthen his words of denial.
( What had happened to Peter? He
had become so at home by the fire
of the enemies of his Master that
he was afraid to confess his rela-
tionship to Him. He had followed
so far off that He had lost touch
with the Lord, and was again like
the Peter who on another day looked
away from the Masters face and
feared the boisterous waves (Matt.
1880.
Peter was afraid, and he denied
his Lord. How many there are who
are like him. They tremble before
an unbelieving world, and fearing
the scoffing of poor, weak, sinful
men, they deny their Lord.
1t is time that Christian people
took courage and stood up for the
Lord in all times and circum-
stances.
Nv. Christ Condemned for Con-
venience (15:12-15.
Plate found no fault in Christ. He
had no desire to condemn Him. He
wanted to set Him free. But it
proved to be politically inexpedi-
ent. To stand by his convictions
concerning this innocent person
would have greatly Inconvenience
him in many ways. So wishing to
content the multitude" he delivered
Jesus to be scourged and crucified.
Men and women today are will
ing to condemn Christ anew because
IN SIrhYnif IN Him and hear Hic nav,a