ST
February, 1944
LESSON T E X T : Wk. 14:10, 11, 53, 54, 66- 72; 15:12-15. GOLDEN T E X T : “ He is despised and re jected of men; a man of sorrows, and ac quainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not’’ (Isa. 53:3). . DEVOTIONAL READING: Isa. 52:13 to 53:3, ■ Outline and Exposition I. T h e P lo t of J udas (10, 11) ■ HE READINESS of men to con other than he did. Judas did not have to act Sgainst his will. God, who is omniscient, simply declared before hand what He knew would occur, but that declaration in no- wise affected the act of betrayal. Judas did what he did by his" own free w ill arid volition, and he bears forever the ignominy and shame—as well as the eternal consequences of his action. What men do, even in obedience to their inherent hatred of God, is made to bring to pass y/hat God desires. Thus God causes that all that Satan does, as well as what is done by na tions and by individuals, shall fu lfill ,’His holy will. Hence, while the plot of Judas Was hidden from the disciples, it was transparent to God, who used it tor fulfill thé eternal purpose for which Christ Jesus came to this earth. II. T h e D e n ia l of P eter (53, 54, 66-72),; Pride; and curiosity are dangerous foes to the believer. The pride of Peter caused him to' declaré he would never deny his Lord (v. 29), and his curiosity led him into the place and opportunity for that denial (vs. 53, 54). Peter self-confidently put himself within the range of Satan’s power by following “ afar off,” in company with the Lord’s enemies. Three times Peter declared he was not one of the disciples of Jesus. He .denied that he even knew who Jesus was (vs. 66-71). The traps that Satan uses are so subtle that his victims scarcely know they are entangled un til the trap is sprung and the damage done. We cannot doubt that Peter meant what he said when he .declared he would rathec die than deny his Lord. However safe the Christian may feel, he is never beyond the funda mental need of guarding against pride (2 Cor. 10:17, 18) and of watching lest he fa ll (1 Cor. 10:11-13). It is Christ’s power that keeps the believer, but the child o f God must keep himself “ in the love of God” '(Jude 21)., Two disciples denied their Lord: Judas wept with remorse; Peter wept with repentance. Judas thought of the consequences of his wickedness; Peter
fold, making half of a circle, ending at-the top with half of the stem and chain ring. Open one fold, and you will have the watch.! On the front, put figures and hands. In the back half, cut a hole % inch wide from near the top to near the bottom., in this slot, on the back of the front,7print the word “WATCH.” Open and by using the letters of the Word, “WATCH,” com plete the following words, “WORDS,” “EARS,” ‘'THOUGHTS," “ACTIONS,” and “HEART.” Crease the front of the watch in order that it w ill fold down just below each of the -Words.) LESSON: This represents a watch. As wé turn it, around, we see the word “WATCH” prirjfed on the back. This piece of paper ■reminds us of the words of .Christ. “Watch ye therefore: for ye kqow not Vhen the master of the house cometh” (Mk. 13:35). He was referring to His return. Do you think Christ intended that people should watch the sky for His return? “ No, I think He wanted them to w itch their conduct.” ' •" Let us open the watch, and see whether it has anything more to tell us about watching. First, we see, “WORDS.”- It is easy to speak idle and sinful words. Opening the watch a little farther, I find the word, “EARS.” We must watch lest we hear unclean things. N e x t a p p e a r s t h e word, : “THOUGHTS.” If we want to keep our words clean, We must guard agáinst unclean thoughts. The word, “ ACTIONS” also appears in the watch. We should live every day just as if we were expecting Jesus to come that day. The last word is “HEART.” The de sires of the heart need to be watched, as well as our words, ears, thoughts, and actions, if we are to be pleasing to Christ when He comes. 70 And he denied It -again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to'Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know hot this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he-.wept. 15:12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King 'of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the tnore exceedingly. Crucify him. 15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Topics for Children’s Division In the Children’s Division for this month, there are four lessons that follow the general theme: What Jesus Would Like Us to Do. March 2—Jesus Wants Us to Do Our Best. March 12—Jesus Wants Us to Watch Our Words. March 19—Jesus Wants Us to Love Him. March 26^—Jesus Wants Us to Tell Others About Him. “Well done,” : he said to these two servants. But he was displeased with the man who had not even tried to help. He said the one talent should be taken away from him, and that the lazy servant should be punished. The Lord Jesus is our Master. He gives us everything we have. We should be willing to do anything for Him, and be happy doing it. 1 OBJECT: A paper watch. (Make'this by using a piece of paper 8%xll inches,’ or larger: i f visibility requires. Fold to make the size 414x11 inches. Fold again, making the size 414x5% inches. With the single fold to your left, and the double fold nearest; you, begin cutting Vz inch from the single Object Lesson W a t c h in g A W a t c h
demn God is shown by what frequently is said concerning Judas—that he had no choice to do
> MARCH 12, 1944 JE SU S B E T R A Y E D , D E N IE D , A N D C O N D E M N E D M a r k 14:10 to 15:20
Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard It, they were glad, and promised to give him money, 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and wlthTiim were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 66 And as Peter was beneath In the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And Ire went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them-
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