LESSON VII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 17, 1894.
39. AND he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. 40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41. And he was parted from them about a stone's cast; and he kneeled down and prayed, 42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43. And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. 45. And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, 46. Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. 47. While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss? 49. And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50. And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. 51. But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52. And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, which were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves? 53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54. And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off. 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. 56. And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking steadfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him. 57. But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58. And after a little another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. 59. And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean. 60. But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62. And he went out, and wept bitterly. THIS portion of the story of the last night of our Saviour before his death, may be divided into three parts, thus: The Temptation in the Garden, The Betrayal, and Peter's Denial of Christ. 1. After the supper, where did Jesus go with his disciples? 2. When he arrived there, what did he say to them? 4. In what words did he pray? 5. How was he strengthened? 6. How great was his agony in striving against temptation? 7. When he rose up from prayer, how did he find the disciples? 8. What did he say to them? 9. While he yet spake, who came to him? 11. By what means did Judas point out Jesus? 12. What did Jesus say to him? 13. When the disciples saw what was about to be done, what did they ask? 14. What did one of them do? 16. What did Jesus do for his wounded enemy? 17. What did he say to the chief priests and captains? 18. Why did they not take him when he was in the temple teaching? 19. To what place did they lead him? 20. Who followed afar off? What did he finally do? 21. Who saw Peter as he sat by the fire? 23. What reply did Peter make? 24. What further took place after a little while? 25. What did Peter do the second time? 26. About an hour afterward, what happened? 27. What did Peter do the third time? 28. What then took place? 29. What did the Lord then do? 30. How did this affect Peter? 1. "WHEREFORE, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Heb. 12: 1-4. Christ did resist unto blood, striving against sin. "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." There was the temptation for him to refuse to go on with the work assigned him. No man can ever realize the strength of the temptation that beset Christ in the garden. If he had failed then, Satan would have triumphed as surely as he would if he had overcome Christ in the wilderness. Christ endured the cross, despising the shame, and we may also expect to pass through severe suffering, but it will be with him. An angel strengthened him, and we have the assurance, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10: 13. "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin." 1 Peter 4: 1. 2. "AND the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. . . . And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." There is power in a look of the Saviour. There was no condemnation in that look, but love and pity. It melted the heart of Peter to repentance. People often use the words, "Thou God seest me," as a means of frightening children into obedience. They are taught to think that it is a terrible thing for the Lord to see them. Not so would the Lord have us regard his looks. There is salvation in his look. The Lord says, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 66: 2. "Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." Ps. 80: 19.