Notes on the International Lesson.
By C. P. Bollman
[For suggestion on the part of this lesson which relates to the miracle of healing the leper, the reader is referred to the article on the first page of this paper, entitled, "An Impressive Miracle."] THE few glimpses which the Gospels afford us of the private life of Jesus reveal to us the fact that his life was one of prayer. Upon at least one occasion he "continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12), and in this lesson it is recorded that "rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place to pray." Thus it appears that often while others were asleep, he was engaged in communion with his Father. WHY prayer was necessary for the Saviour we cannot understand. We know, because the apostle tells us so (Phil. 2:7), that he "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men," but we cannot comprehend such self-abasement. We can, however, believe that this is true, and praise God that it is so; that he by whom the worlds were made (Heb. 1:2) divested himself of those things which belonged to him of right, that he was "made under the law" (Gal. 4:4), and stood forth as the representative of sinners, taking their place under the law—under its condemnation—"and became obedient to death [the wages of sin, Rom. 6:23], even the death of the cross." IN thus humbling himself the Son of God did not lay aside his divinity; he was not less divine while upon earth than while in Heaven before the worlds were made; but that he might rescue fallen man from the pit of destruction "he clothed his divinity with humanity," and "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." He laid aside his divine prerogatives, and felt to their full human weakness and human dependence. Had he not done this, how could he be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities"? Had he never felt the need of prayer how could he enter fully into the petitions of those who agonize before God? Had he never felt the power of temptation, how could he "succor them that are tempted"? There is in the life of our Lord probably no more important lesson for us than that of prayer. In this, as in all things else, he should be our example. If he had need of prayer how much more do we need to seek earnestly the divine blessing? And if we have the Spirit of Christ we will pray. Prayer is the natural language of humility. Self-sufficiency is the greatest foe of spirituality, and to everything which promotes it. Only those who feel their need can offer real prayer. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength," is the divine promise; but this renewing can come only to those who feel their need of it. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Therefore "humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." C. P. B.