February 1932
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
88
thieves was saved, and the other was lost. Their crimes were equal, but one of the criminals exercised faith in Christ, while the other rejected Him as Saviour. It was not the character of either man that determined his eternal destiny, but whether or not he had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In accordance with the custom o f that day, Jesus’ accusation was written over His cross. The accounts in the other gos pels should be carefully read. The charge was written in the three languages which were in common use at that time, so that all who passed by could read it. The death of Christ was not merely a local event; it was universal in interest. The Jews objected to what Pilate had written, but he would not alter it. They wished him to write that it was the claim o f Jesus that He was the King o f the Jews. In this they were right, because He did make this as sertion. There are some today who teach that Jesus never claimed to be the Mes siah, but the Jews who heard Him speak certainly knew that He claimed this. It was true that He claimed to be the King of the Jews, but that was not all the truth. He declared Himself to be the God whom they should worship, the Saviour in whom they should trust, the Prophet to whom they should hearken, and the Lord whom they should obey. He is all this and much more, and whoever rejects Him today places himself among those who crucified Him. II. T he F riends at the C ross (25-27). The courage of the friends at the cross is seen in their faithfulness to One who had been condemned as a criminal, hated by the rulers and influential persons of the nation, and executed by the Romans. It took a high grade o f moral courage, as well as a great deal o f physical bravery, to stand there. These early disciples put mod ern Christians to shame. W e might well ask ourselves how our testimony compares with theirs. The members o f that sorrowing little company were equally His, and they were equally in need of what He was doing for them. Mary herself required His aid. She was by nature a sinner, even as the rest. While we must not forget the high and holy place that was hers as the mother of our Lord, and while we recall her simple and full surrender to Him, we also re member that He died for her, just as He died for other sinners. The Catholic idea of exalting Mary to a place of worship is contrary to Scripture. What an honor was bestowed upon the Apostle John when Mary was given into his keeping by the dying Lord! Why did not the Lord com mit her to the charge o f His own brothers? Because His brothers did not as yet be lieve on Him. This again reveals that Mary’s supreme blessedness did not consist o f her unique relationship to the,Lord in the' flesh, but through faith. In the same way, disciples today are joined to Him. In these verses, the Lord reveals His tender affection and sympathy; He honors the fifth commandment; and even in His deepest agony, He remembers others—His mother, His disciples, His fellow sufferers on the other crosses, and even His mur derers. III. T he C haracter of H is D eath (28-30). He did not die until the last minute
heaven. He explained this to them, and it made them feel very sad. They couldn’t
Vs. 4-6. T o what is Jesus the way? In what sense is He more than a way-shower, a truth-teller, or a teacher about life? What are some o f the false ways by which men seek to enter the kingdom? Vs. 7-11. Show how Jesus Christ re vealed (1 ) the Father’s character; (2 ) the Father’s teaching; and (3 ) the Father’s works. Vs. 12-14. What do you think is meant by the “greater works” which the disciples would do ? How were they, to be accom plished? When unlimited resources are placed within the praying believer’s reach, should the Christian be condemned for prayerlessness ? Why is it important to pray in Jesus’ name? Vs. 15-18. What is a mark o f true love? What is the meaning of the word “ Com forter” ? Why cannot the man of the world understand the ministry o f the Holy Spirit? Golden Text Illustration In some old castles are found deep wells, meant to supply the garrison in time o f siege. An aqueduct bringing water from without would be at the enemy’s mercy; but the foe has no power over the well inside. The peace the world seeks depends on one’s surroundings; in time o f trouble, its sources are cut off, like a spring outside the castle walls. But the peace Christ gives is that o f the spring within, most precious in hours of need. Jesus Plans a Home in Heaven John 14:1-4, 12-15 Memory -Verse: “In my Father’s house are many mansions . . . I go to pre pare a place for you” (John 14:2). Approach: Jesus knew that very soon He was to leave His disciples and return to
think of anything else but that He was go ing a w a y . T h e y weren’t thinking so much about the fact that He was going to suffer and die for them as that He was leaving them, a n d they were thinking of how l o n e l y t h e y would be. L e s s o n S t o r y :
° ' V l S l O * So Jesus began to tell them about heaven. He said, “Don’t feel sad, you be lieve in God, believe also in Me.” Then He explained to them that heaven was a beautiful home which He was going on ahead to prepare for them. The disciples wanted to know the way to heaven. They were afraid that, after Jesus had gone, they wouldn’t know how to follow Him. Jesus told them that He was the Way, and that He would be waiting in heaven to receive them. He told them another thing, too. He said, “ He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” What a wonderful promise that was, and what a responsibility, tool If a person has the power to do great things and doesn’t do them, what a pity that is! And Jbsus made them another promise. He said, “Whatsover ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” That is a very big promise, isn’t it? And we know that Jesus was making these promises not just to His fol lowers who were living at that time, but to all people of any time who should believe on Him. And finally, He said to His dis ciples, “ I f ye love me, keep my command ments.” for the temple was quarried and cut. Looking out over the wall from the em inence upon which we are standing, we see the city lying upon its five hills. It is in almost the same position that it occupied in the days o f Christ, and doubtless looks almost the same. As we gaze upon that city, teeming with life, we wonder what change would come if they understood the meaning o f Golgotha. To think that they look upon this mount every day, and it means no more to them than any other hill in the vicinity o f Jerusalem! The in habitants o f that city, nineteen hundred years ago, crucified the Lord o f glory upon this hill. Oh, that the inhabitants of the present city fully realized the meaning of that crucifixion!
MARCH 20, 1932 JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS J ohn 18:1 to 19:42
Lesson Text: John 19:17-22, 25-30. Golden Text: “ Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3). The Place of a Skull ust outside the north wall o f the city o f Jerusalem is a low hill. It is Gol gotha, “the place o f the skull.” Its south side rises abruptly in a rocky cliff to
its summit about fifty feet below. In the rocky wall are some holes which any one with a good imagina tion can form into the likeness of a human skull. Upon the top o f the hill is -a Mo hammedan cemetery, which the natives do
Outline and Exposition I. T he C ircumstances (17-22).
not like to see desecrated by foreigners. I f we wish to climb up the rocky side o f the hill and scramble over the fence at the top, we shall enjoy an inspiring view. As we stand upon the brow o f that sacred mount and look toward the south, we have an excellent view of Jerusalem. In the immediate foreground rise the weather- stained towers and battlements of the north wall of the city. Beneath the wall, which at this point is built upon the top o f a high ledge o f rock, is the entrance to Solomon’s quarries. It was here, far be neath the busy, bustling city, that the stone
The place was called Golgotha in the Hebrew ( “the place o f a skull” ), and Cal vary in the Greek. It was so named be cause, when viewed from a certain angle, the hill upon which the cross was erected had the appearance o f a skull. With the Lord- Jesus, two thieves were crucified, and thus the Scripture was ful filled : “He was numbered with the trans gressors” (Isa. 53:12). One o f these
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