p. 13 | JESUS THE MESSIAH

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 13, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 7.

Read the full edition

JESUS THE MESSIAH

“Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine;” “that thy profiting may appear to all.”

Lesson IX.—Sunday, March 1, 1896.

JESUS THE MESSIAH.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 9:18-27.

18. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

19. They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22. Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

23. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

27. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

(Memorize verses 23-56.)

Golden Text: “This is my beloved Son; hear him.” Luke 9:35.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) When Jesus and his disciples were alone, what question did he ask them? Verse 18. Note 1. (2) What was the answer of the disciples? Verse 19. (3) What further question did Jesus ask? Verse 20. Note 2. (4) What was Peter’s reply? Verse 20. (5) Then what did Jesus straitly charge them? Verse 21. Note 3. (6) What did he say would befall him? Verse 22. Note 4. (7) What must any one do in order to be a true disciple? Verse 23. Note 5. (8) What is the result of carelessness for his life? Verse 24. (9) What is the result of carelessness for the cause of Christ? Verse 24. (10) What is a man advantaged if he gain the whole world and finally be cast away? (11) What will finally be the result of being ashamed of Christ in this life? Verse 26. Note 6. (12) What glory will be displayed when

Christ comes again? (13) What would some of his disciples see before tasting death? Verse 27. (14) To what event did this statement refer? See note 7.

NOTES.

1. He was alone praying.—Nothing so emphasizes the necessity of personal communion with God as the example of Jesus. When he took upon himself our weak, sinful nature, he humbled himself in recognition of the fact that man must needs have the help of God in order to overcome both the inner temptations and the outward conflicts incident to life in human flesh and in a sinful world. If such an one as he must be often in secret prayer in order to be a personal overcomer and to carry on the Gospel work, surely no one else can expect to succeed without such help.

2. Whom say ye that I am?—This is the all-important question with each individual. No one can believe for another; no one can do another’s work. The question was probably asked as an introduction to the instruction the Lord was about to give concerning his coming, rejection, and crucifixion. The disciples held the erroneous view, common to all the Jews, that the Messiah was to be a temporal ruler; therefore they did not understand in whom they believed. Their belief in him was a false belief which he was desirous of correcting. There is to-day a prevalent idea among professed Christians that Christ must be recognized as a temporal ruler, thus making it clear that they do not really know him, and in their ignorance of who he is they stand just where the then ignorant twelve did. Thus the question is still pertinent, “Whom say ye that I am?” Are you sure that your belief concerning the Christ and his second advent is the true doctrine? It is not enough that we believe in a Messiah—the Jews all did that; but it is essential that we believe the truth concerning him.

3. He commanded them to tell no man.—Why?—Because they were not yet competent to do so intelligently. With their understanding of him they would no doubt misrepresent him. Even after his resurrection, he did not permit them to begin the promulgation of the Gospel until they were endued with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Notwithstanding his declaration that his kingdom was not of this world, on the very day of his ascension they asked him, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. It is only by means of the Holy Spirit that men can understand the Scriptures, from which they must get a knowledge of the truth. Without the Holy Spirit to give an understanding of the truth, no man can intelligently preach the Gospel.

4. The Son of man must suffer.—This was the one thing the disciples did not understand. They were unable to comprehend the idea of the death and resurrection of the One who was to redeem Israel. They had not yet learned that the true Israel are the children of faith. Gal. 3:7. In the earlier part of his ministry Christ sent his twelve disciples and seventy others before him to prepare the people for his coming, and to work various miracles for the relief of the distressed. But the time had now come for them to be taught concerning his rejection, death, and resurrection. This they would not receive (Matt. 16:22), and therefore could not properly tell of his mission as the Christ.

5. Take up his cross daily.—There can be no high and noble character without daily self-denial. Whoever makes self first is necessarily mean and low. Hence God has made life full of opportunities to deny self for others. “Take up his cross daily, not merely on special occasions. The cross is the symbol of doing our duty, even at the cost of the most painful death. It is the emblem, not of mere suffering, but of suffering for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. Each one must take up his own cross. He must take it up voluntarily, not merely endure what is laid upon him. This is what changes the cross into a glory. The cross is a test whether we are disciples in deed and in truth or only seekers after the loaves and fishes.”—Peloubet.

6. Ashamed of me and of my words.—From a sense of common gratitude it would seem almost impossible that any human being could be ashamed of one who had given his life for him. It would seem almost impossible that the Saviour could contemplate such a possibility on the part of any of his creatures with other than feelings of loathing. But evidently he was moved with sorrow and pity that any could be so ungrateful. Yet such a condition is prevalent even among his own professed followers. This is shown on all sides by the desire to appear like the world, and the manifest dread of any distinguishing mark. However, while probation lasts, the loving Mediator is not ashamed to have the vilest sinner come to him and claim his notice, his friendship, yes, even the kinship of brother. But there will come a time, and that time “is near, even at the door,” when in the glory of his majesty he will be ashamed of all,—of every caste,—who have been ashamed of him, of his law, or of service in this world of sin.

7. In verse 27 reference is had to the scene on the mount of transfiguration, which took place about a week after the incident and instruction recorded in this lesson. During the time of the interview here recorded, Christ and his disciples were (according to Matt. 16:13) in the vicinity of Cesarea Philippi, which was situated at the eastern and principal source of the river Jordan. It was the most northern point in our Lord’s travels, and somewhere in this region, no doubt, was the mount of transfiguration, where was shown to Peter, James, and John a miniature representation of the kingdom of glory. Christ, the King, was transfigured before them, and there was Moses, a representative of those who will be resurrected (Jude 9) at the coming of Christ, and Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-12), representing those who will be translated at that time (see 1 Thess. 4:16, 17).