LESSON VI.-SABBATH, NOVEMBER 10, 1894

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 29, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 51.

LESSON VI.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 10, 1894.

WHO IS THE GREATEST?

But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
For the Son of Man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined; but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed!
And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
And there arose also a contention among them, which of them is accounted to be greatest.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called benefactors.
But ye shall not be so; but he that is greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth.
But ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations;
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat;
But I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, stablish thy brethren.
And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.
And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me; And he was reckoned with transgressors; for that which concerned me hath fulfillment.
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

This lesson consists of a conversation between Jesus and his disciples on the evening of his betrayal, in the room where the Passover was celebrated. It might be divided as follows: Christ Announcing his Betrayal, Strife among the Disciples, and Peter's Vain Self-confidence.

Who did Jesus say was with him at the table?
Was it necessary that Jesus should suffer? See verse 22 and Acts 2: 23; 17: 3.
What was said of the man by whom he should be betrayed?
What did the disciples begin to inquire among themselves?
What took place among them?
What did Jesus say about lordship?
How did he say it should be among his disciples?
Who is the chief among God's children?
How was Christ among his brethren?
In what did he say his disciples had been with him?
What did he appoint unto them?
What would they have in his kingdom?
What did the Lord say unto Simon Peter?
For what had the Lord prayed?
What did he say that Peter should do when he was converted?
What declaration did Peter make?
What did the Lord say that Peter would surely do?
What question did he then ask the disciples?
What did they reply?
But what did he say they should now do?
What did he say must yet be accomplished concerning him?

NOTES.

1. It was necessary that Christ should suffer for man, for "without the shedding of blood there is no remission." But it was not necessary that any man should betray him. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This gift was made in the beginning, and not simply when Christ hung on the cross. The plan of salvation was ample enough to embrace every man born into the world. It was not necessary that a few men should be left out, in order that Christ should be betrayed and murdered. Even with all the hatred that men manifested to him, they did not take his life. He laid down his own life. No man could take it from him. John 10: 18. Christ could have laid down his own life as a sacrifice for man, if every soul had loved and obeyed him. So, although it was determined that Christ should suffer and die, and it was foretold that men should betray him and crucify him, they did it of their own free will.

2. In the church of Christ there is to be no lordship. That is left for the world. It is true that the apostate church modeled itself after the fashion of the world, and worldly methods have been brought into the church. But that is not according to Christ. He came as a servant. Matt. 20: 25-28; Phil. 2: 7. The greatest in the kingdom of God will be Christ, and he is the one that will have performed the most and the lowest service. Exaltation is found only in serving.