Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 3, Number 3, DeMotte, Jasper County, 1 June 1933 — IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson [ARTICLE]

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson

By REV. P. B. FITZWATER,

D. D., Mem-

Lesson for June 4 JESUS FACES BETRAYAL AND DENIAL LESSON TEXT--Mark 14:10-72. GOLDEN TEXT--He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3. PRIMARY TOPIC--Jesus and Peter. JUNIOR TOPIC--The Lord’s Supper. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP-IC--Loyalty in Times of Testing. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP-IC--The Fellowship of His Sufferings. I. Judas’ Bargain With the Chief Priests (vv. 10, 11). This black crime was committed immediately following the beautiful act of devotion by Mary (John 12:1). II. The Last Passover (vv. 12-25). 1. The preparation (vv. 12-16). In reply to the Inquiry of the disciples as to where they should prepare the Passover for him, Jesus told them to go into the city where they would meet a man bearing a pitcher of water, whom they should follow. In the house, to which they would be led, would be a guest chamber, a large upper room, where they should make ready the Passover. 2. The betrayal announced (vv. 1721). The betrayal was to be by one of the disciples who was eating with Jesus. 3. The sacrament of the bread and cup (vv. 22-25). These were symbols of his broken body and shed blood by which he made atonement for man’s sins. III. Jesus Foretells the Cowardice of the Disciples (vv. 26-31). In spite of their turning from him, Jesus assured them that after his resurrection he would go before them into Galilee. Peter assured Jesus that he would not forsake him. IV. The Agony in Gethsemane (vv. 32-42). 1. Jesus Christ’s agony (vv. 32-34). a. The place (v. 32). The Garden of Gethsemane, an enclosure containing olive and fig trees, beyond the brook Kidron, about three-fourths of a mile from Jerusalem. Gethsemane means olive press. Edersheim says it is an emblem of trial, distress, and agony. b. His companions (v. 33). He took with him the eleven disciples, that as far as possible they might share his sorrow with him. c. His great sorrow (v. 34). This is the same “cup” as in verse 36. It was not primarily the prospect of physical suffering that was crushing him; it was his suffering as a sin-bearer--his pure soul coming into contact with the awful sin and guilt of the world. God caused the iniquities of the world to strike upon Jesus (II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:6). 2. Jesus Christ praying (vv. 35-42). a. The first prayer (vv. 35-38). (1) His posture (v. 35). He fell on his face prostrate to the ground. (2) His petition (v. 36). By the cup is meant his death on the cross. While it was grievous to endure the shame of the cross, he pressed on knowing that for this cause he had come into the world. (John 12:27, 28; cf. Heb. 2:14). (3) His resignation (v. 36). He knew that his death on the cross was the will of God the Father, for he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (4) The disciples rebuked (v. 37). He singled out Peter, since he had been the most conspicuous in proclaiming his loyalty (John 13:38). (5) Exhortation to the disciples (v. 38). He said, “Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation.” b. The second prayer (vv. 39, 40). He withdrew the second time and uttered the same words in prayer. c. The third prayer (vv. 41, 42). He uttered the same words in his third prayer (Matt. 26:44). He now told the disciples to sleep on and take their rest as the hour had come for his betrayal. V. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (vv. 43-65). 1. The sign to the mob (vv. 43-47). With the basest of hypocrisy Judas designated Jesus to the mob by a kiss, the token of love. 2. Jesus forsaken by all (vv. 48-52). One of the disciples attempted to defend Jesus by resorting to the sword (Matt. 26:51). At Jesus’ rebuke for this act the disciples all fled. VI. Peter Denies the Lord (vv. 6672). His failure was due to: 1. Boasting self-confidence (vv. 2931). 2. Lack of watchfulness (v. 37). 3. Neglect of prayer (v. 38). 4. Service in the energy of the flesh (v. 47). 5. Following Jesus afar off (v. 64). 6. Seeking company among the Lord’s enemies (v. 67).