Sunday School
triumph in both instances: in the tri umphal entry, attention was cen tered upon the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” and in the crucifixion, the complete destruction of sin was accomplished. * * * “Certain Greeks . . . came there fore to Philip . . . saying, Sir, we would see Jesus” (vs. 20, 21). Per haps the reason the Greeks sought Philip was because he had a Greek name and may have had a better understanding of the Greeks than the other disciples. But the main consideration here is that Philip was a disciple of Jesus, and then as now, a disciple ought to be able to bring inquiring souls into contact with the Saviour. * * * “ The people . . .said that it thun dered: others said, An angel spake” (v. 29). It is the same today. When God’s Word is declared, to some it is only a noise; others find in it a message from Heaven to their souls. * * * “Now is the judgment of this world” (v. 31). This is the most im portant of several judgments set forth in the Word—the judgment for sin at Calvary whereby man might find salvation and perfect standing with God. For the Children J esu s R ides I n t o J e r u s a l em ( J o h n 12:12-14a) M emory V erse : “Hosanna; Bless ed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9). Have you ever taken a long trip? When you returned to your home, probably you were met at the sta tion by some of your friends and relatives. How happy they were to see you again! One day, the people who lived in the city of Jerusalem, heard that the Lord Jesus (jhrist was planning to return to their town. The Saviour had sent two of His disciples ahead of Him, saying, “Go . . into the village over against you: and . . . [imme diately] ye shall find a colt tied . . . loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, why do ye 35
MARCH 2, 1947 THE DRAWING POWER OF CHRIST J o h n 12:12-16, 20-32.
lifted up (that is, upon the cross) would draw all unto Him. All the world has been, is being, and will be, drawn unto Jesus either in judgment or peace, by law or by grace, for eternal doom or eternal glory.
Outline and Exposition T h e F u l f il l e d P r o p h e c y (vs. 12-16)
On the way to Jerusalem, the peo ple actually acclaimed Jesus as Mes siah (vs. 12, 13). But it was only the result of emotion. The people were stirred by the material help Jesus had given them, and their interest in Him was soon dissipated. It was a strange presentation of a king: no regal trappings, only an ordinary man riding upon a young donkey. |But it was a prophetic fulfillment (Psa. 118:25, 26; Zech. 9:9). Even the [disciples did not understand what it [all meant until Jesus was glorified. T h e U n c h a n g e d P urpose (vs. 20-28) When the Greeks came seeking iJesus, the time for manifestation was (past, and the hour for Him to be ¡glorified had come (vs. 20-23). Jesus ¡was aware that He, like a corn oi i ¡wheat, must die if there was to be ¡any harvest. So also for His dis- Iciples, laying down their lives is the ¡only path to fruit-bearing. But He ¡promised that those who did thus' ¡bear fruit would, like Himself, be ¡honored of His Father (vs. 24-26). “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?” Did He a s k to be spared that hour? Nay, rather He affirmed: “But for this cause came unto this hour. Father, glorify thy lame.” With His purpose thus fixed ind unchanged, He received the as surance that His prayer was heard [(vs. 27, 28). T h e W orld ’ s J u d g m e n t (vs. 29-32) Some of the people thought it Ihundered, others that an angel had lpoken to Jesus, but He stated that It was a voice which came for their lakes, not His (vs. 29, 30). Then He feclared that the world’s judgment lad come and its prince would be fast out, while He Himself, being fEBRUARY, 1947
Outline and Exposition B . B . S u t c l if f e Points and Problems H om e r A . K e n t For the Children A l liso n A rrowood
Lesson material is based upon outlines of Internation al Sunday School Lessons, copyrighted by the Interna tional Council of Religious Education; used by permis sion.
Points and Problems “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him” (v. IS). In the Scriptures, the palm tree is ever associated with victory. “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree” (Psa. 92:12). In the seventh chapter of Revelation, there is a de scription of a vast number of Gen tiles to be saved during the great tribulation. It is stated that they will stand before the Lamb, “clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (v.9). In both of these pas sages, victory is suggested, and there are other similar verses. On the oc casion of the first Palm Sunday, the palms symbolized triumph. Prophecy had been fulfilled and attention was now focused upon the King of kings (Zech. 9:9). In a sense, it was a vic tory for Christ, but how short-lived! A few short hours later, the crowd that would have made Him king was calling for His crucifixion as a com mon criminal. What seemed to be vic tory turned into apparent defeat, but in reality in God’s plan there was
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