261 signifies to deny utterly. The threefold denial makes it the more aggravated. This prediction by Jesus shows His di vine foreknowledge. V. 35. Even i f I must die. A more em phatic protestation of his fidelity. Yet w ill I not deny. In the Greek there is a double negative, equivalent to, “I will cer tainly not deny.” L ikew ise . . . the disciples. The other disciples would not be behind Peter in expressions of cour age. They must say something in self- defense, III. Jesu s in Gethsemane (36-46). V. 36. Gethsemane. Located on the slope of the Mount of Olives, on the east ern side of Jerusalem. It is called a gar den (Jn . 18:1). The word means oil press. Sit ye here. Apparently He left eight of the disciples outside of the gar den enclosure. Vs. 37-38. P eter and the two sons o f Z ebe- dee. These were the three disciples who had been alone with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and when He raised Jairus’ daughter to life. B egan to be sor- sow ful. The tense indicates a continuous state. The sorrow was upon Him for some time. He made no attempt to con ceal His grief. Rather, He told it out freely. Watch with me. In this hour He looked for human sympathy and help. V. 39. Went forw ard a little. Luke says “about a stone’s cast.” Jesus sought the most solitary place in the garden to fight His battle alone. My F ather. Evi dently uttered aloud. Probably this is the time when He prayed “with strong cry ing and tears” (Heb. 5 :7 ). T his cup. A very common expression for suffering (cf. 20:22). What that cup meant has been a question much discussed. Two main views may be mentioned: First, that Jesus, in His human nature, shrank from death gnd all that His death involved; second, that Jesus in the garden was in such weakness of body that it seemed as if He would die there and be unable to complete His work on Calvary’s Cross. The latter view is supported by the state ment that He prayed “with strong crying and tears,” and “he was heard in that he feared” (Heb. 5 :7 ). Whatever the trial was, there was no refusal of the Father’s will, but complete submission. V. 40. Cometh unto the disciples. Not necessarily at once,, for the agony and prayer must have occupied some time. Saith unto P eter. Peter had promised the most and therefore is first taken to task. Could ye not watch. These disciples who had professed such great strength and courage, were chided because they were unable to share His sorrow for a brief time, “Watch” primarily means “to keep awake,” suggesting mental and spiritual alertness. V. 41.. That ye enter not. These words may be connected with both “watch” and “pray” or only with the latter. They are exhorted to pray, not merely that they may overcome temptation or be strong to endure, but that they may avoid being tempted. There are some temptations too hard for a frail disciple. From these he may rightly ask to be relieved (cf. Matt. 6 :1 3 ; Lk. 22:31). The flesh is w eak. Not simply the body as opposed to the mind. Paul frequently uses a similar contrast between flesh and spirit. It may be an other way of saying, in the language of Paul, “The good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise” (Rom. 7:19).
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rpade their final plans to destroy Him (27:3-5). Mary anointed Him in prepara tion for His burial (27:6-13). Judas con cluded arrangements with the authorities for delivering Him up (27:14-16). At the farewell meeting with the disciples, Jesus again foretold the betrayal and gave a final warning to the traitor (27:20-25). Finally the Lord’s Supper was instituted (27:26-30). After that there remained only the night of prayer in the garden, the arrest, the trial, and in a few hours— Calvary. * * * H eart o f t h e L esson I. The Shepherd and the F lock (31, 32). V. 31. A ll ye shall be offended. Lit erally, “shall find in me occasion of stumbling” (cf. 5:29 ; 11:6). This was an intimation that they would all forsake Him (v. 56). This night. For m o r e than six months He had been predicting His death and res urrection (cf. 16: 21; 17:22; 20:18; 26 :2 ). Now the ap pointed time had come. It is written. A quotation from Zechariah(1 3 :7 ). The words of the prophet had a primary reference to the scattering of Israel; therefore, some in terpreters believe that Jesus referred to another scattering of the people, of which the desertion and flight of the Twelve was the beginning. V. 32. A fter I am raised up. In every prediction of His death except one (26: 2 ), He added the promise that He would rise again. B efo r e you into Galilee. Lit erally, “will lead you forward.” The fig ure of a shepherd seems to be still in His mind (cf. John 10:4; Matt. 28 :7 ). Galilee had been the principal field o f His min istry. Possibly it was there He met the five hundred disciples at one time (1 Cor, 15:6). II. The Self-C onfident Disciples (33-35). V. 33., I f all shall be offended. The lan guage implies that all will be offended. This is the beginning of Peter’s fall. He assumes that he loves the Master more than the rest (cf. Jn. 21 :15). I w ill never be offended. This very emphatic language was well meant and sincere, but Peter did not know himself. V. 34. B efo r e the cock crow. Peter had said he would never be offended. Jesus, with solemn emphasis, says “this night’’ he will deny his Lord. Mark gives the added word, “before the cock crow twice.” The second cock-crowing indicated the approach of morning. Deny. The word
way we can. And as we are faithful in the little, everyday, common -tasks and duties, we grow able to do larger, more important ones, and become more worthy to be trusted with them. The servant who received one talent, buried it in the earth, which in those days was the only bank known. Perhaps he thought it too small to be of any use; perhaps he thought it not worth while to use only one talent. He may have felt that if he had been given the five talents, he would have done something with them that would please the master. Just as many now say: “I f only I had some real gift, some special talent, how gladly I would use it for God!” But He has given to each at least one talent, and as we look to Him in loving confidence and desire to please Him, He will show us how to use this one gift for His glory. All He asks or expects is that we do our very best with what He gives us, and serve Him faithfully, whether in small or large things. When a boy or girl is faithful in the duties of every day, God is pleased. And as we use even the small resources, op portunities, and powers, our ability to serve Him increases; neglect or refusal to use the little gifts we have will mean that we will lose them. The seeds which are planted multiply and are useful, but those which are hoarded are useless. Shall we not give ourselves and all we have and are to Him, and then shine for our dear Lord Jesus, “you in your small corner, and I in mine” ? P rayer. —o— June 8, 1930 Jesus in the Shadow of the Cross L esson : Matt. 26:1-75. ( Lesson T e x t: Matt. 26:31-46.) Golden T ex t: “He went forward a lit tle, and fell on his face, and prayed, say ing, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39). * * * L esson in O u tlin e I. The Shepherd and the F lo ck (31,32). 1. The smitten shepherd. 2. The scattered flock. 3. The Shepherd “raised up.” II. The Self-C onfident Disciples (33-35). 1. Peter’s boast (33). 2. Peter’s failure foretold (34). 3. All disciples pledging faithfulness (35), III. Jesu s in Gethsemane (36-46). 1. His companions (37). 2. His overwhelming sorrow (37, 38). 3. His prayers (39,42,44). (Note the progress in the three petitions, from heavy sorrow to calm repose.) 4. The drowsy disciples (40,41, 43), 5. The traitor at hand (45, 46). * * * A pproach to t h e L esson '"P HE closing incidents of the earthly life of Christ are graphically described by Matthew. Jesus had finished His les sons to the disciples (2 7 :1 ). The rulers
V oices F r o m O th er L a n d s C entral A merica . Your maga zine is a great sou l-refreshing stream. B r itish W est I nd ies . It is a spiritual tonic and a' spiritual fe a st: C h in a . I certainly prize the .monthly visits o f your valued magazine and appreciate the strong tonic o f the “upward look” which your paper gives.
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