The Sabbath-School by C. P. B.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1889

The Sabbath-School.

By C. P. B.

Notes on the International Lesson.

JESUS THE MESSIAH.

It is not to be supposed that Jesus asked his disciples the question, "Whom do men say that I am?" simply from a desire to hear repeated what they had heard concerning him, or because he did not know how men regarded him, but it was, evidently, that he might call forth from them a confession of their faith in him as the Messiah. It sometimes strengthens a man's faith to avow it, and the time was not far distant when the disciples would need decided convictions.

ANOTHER object of the question seems to have been to secure an opportunity to give them some much-needed instruction relative to himself. In common with their nation the disciples had imbibed wrong ideas of Christ's mission; they supposed that he would within a short time restore the kingdom to Israel, that he would deliver Israel from the Roman yoke and himself take the throne of David, but they were to be bitterly disappointed, and Jesus desired to prepare them for the severe trial of faith which awaited them when he should be crucified.

IN reply to the Saviour's question, they answered: "John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? and Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ." "And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." It was these things that were to try the faith of the disciples.

WHAT a sad and touching sermon must Jesus have preached to his disciples on that occasion! But they could not understand it, and the impetuous Peter "took him and began to rebuke him." Little did Peter know of the path which his Master was to tread, and of how he was himself to follow him. How the disciples could fail to comprehend the truths which Jesus taught them concerning his death, we can scarcely understand. More than once he told them plainly that he was to be put to death, but they refused to believe that it was possible. Their minds were so full of the popular idea of the Messiah that they could entertain nothing else; and this is probably the reason that Jesus charged them that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.

THE disciples were entirely unfitted to preach Christ, because of their erroneous view of his mission, and the Lord would not suffer them to teach error; they would one day tell men that he was the Christ, but not till after he was risen from the dead, and not till they had been endued with power from on high. Then, and not till then, could they preach "Christ and him crucified."

ANOTHER truth that Jesus sought to impress upon his disciples was that the reward of those who follow him is not given in this life. If they would be his disciples indeed, they must in this world share a cross, not a crown. And as the Master was to give his life for them, so they must willingly give up their lives for others. This does not always mean dying for others; it may mean more; it sometimes means spending and being spent in the cause of God. The Christian and all that he has, his property, his family, his life, are his Lord's; his life is given up to the service of his Master, and like Paul, his sole wish should be to glorify Christ whether by life or by death. By thus giving our lives to him, we save them; for no matter what may be our lot here, we know that eternal life awaits us in the kingdom of God.

MANY, however, are not willing to thus give themselves up to the service of God. They desire ease, comfort, and all the good things of this life; but to such the question comes, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" No man can gain the whole world, and if he could, the whole of it would not suffice as a ransom for his soul, or life, for that is the meaning of psuchē, the Greek word here translated soul. There is but one way to save the life, that is by hiding it with Christ, giving it to him to be used for his glory and for the good of our fellows. We may be called to lay it down, or it may be his will that we shall use it in his work; but it matters not, if we are indeed the Lord's, our life is hid with Christ in God; and when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory. Col. 3:3, 4.

SOME may question the statement that "soul" means life in this text, but it is not a matter that admits of doubt. The same Greek word, psuchē, is used in both verses, namely, Mark 8:35, 36, and in the one is translated life, and in the other, soul. The same is true of Matt. 16:25, 26. And in his comment on the latter verse Dr. Clarke says: "On what authority many here translate the word psuchē in the twenty-fifth verse life, and in this verse soul, I know not, but am certain it means life in both places." But even aside from the fact here stated by Dr. Clarke, it is manifest that the word psuchē must be understood to mean life, since to render it soul in Matt. 16:25 and Mark 8:35 would make nonsense of these texts.

THIS lesson teaches us that if we would be saved through Christ, we must not be ashamed to confess him before the world and to proclaim our faith in his words and in his work. The world denies the Saviour, but the Christian must confess him at all times, by his words, by his acts, by his life, and by his death. His daily walk and conversation should be a living testimony for the truth and for Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

ANOTHER important thought in the lesson is the coming of the Lord, at which time, rewards will be given. In Matt. 16:27 we read these words: "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." And to the same purpose is the whole tenor of Scripture. Said the Saviour to his sorrowing disciples when he was about to leave them: "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14: 1-3.

And when about to submit himself to the hands of the executioner, the apostle Paul wrote: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. And in that day it shall be said by the redeemed host: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. 25: 9.