With Illustrative Anecdotes and References.
APRIL 16th.—Jesus Teaching Humility.
To read—St. John xiii. 1-17. Golden Text—Ver. 15.
So far have had Christ's active life coupled with His teachings. Come now to His passive life just before the close. To-day's lesson—a sort of active parable—teaching His giving up Himself for man.
I. The Washing (1-11). The time. Just before Christ's last Passover. Supper being "at hand" (Revised Version); washing taking place before a meal (St. Mark vii. 3). Always known as the "Last Supper" or Passover Feast. His "hour" for showing Himself fully as the Saviour was now come.
The cause (ver. 1). Love passing all knowledge (Eph. iii. 19). Shown by its greatness—loved to the uttermost; its comprehensiveness—including even Judas; its lowliness—doing a servant's work.
The act. Disciples began to dispute which should be the greatest (St. Luke xxii. 24). Christ shows by His action what His opinion is. The greatest in His kingdom are they who serve most. Takes towel, water, basin; washes feet of each in turn. Who declines to accept the act of service? But unless Peter submits to Christ, can have no part with Him. He dreads separation from Him, therefore is eager now to be wholly washed. Christ tells him two things—
(a) He cannot understand meaning of this act but will hereafter—will add to his faith, virtue (or valour), and knowledge (2 Pet. i. 3).
(b) He who is washed, i.e. bathed (Greek), in Christ's atoning blood (Zech. xiii. 1) needs only to "wash" or be washed from daily sin to be kept clean and holy.
II. The Meaning (12-17). Equality in Christ's service. He is their Master, but delights to serve them. Followers must copy His example.
Service. The spirit of His example to be followed—feeding hungry, teaching ignorant, visiting the sick and sad (St. Matt. xxv. 35, 36).
Knowledge. Life's mysteries to be cleared up hereafter. Duties now, rewards future.
Lesson. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
Kindness to the Poor.
The great general, Sir William Napier, once met a little girl in a country lane sobbing over a broken bowl. She had dropped it after taking her father's dinner, and expected to be beaten for her carelessness. Suddenly a gleam of hope seemed to cheer her. "You can mend it, sir," she said, "can't you?" Sir William explained that he could not mend it, but could give her sixpence to buy another. It chanced, however, that he had no money with him, so he promised to meet her at the same time and place the next day with a sixpence. On his return home, he found an invitation to dinner the next day to meet someone whom he specially wished to see. What was he to do? He could not do both; but the child had trusted him. He must do his duty to the poor before thinking of his own pleasure. So he declined the invitation and helped, as he had promised, Christ's little one.
April 23rd.—Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life.
To read—St. John xiv. 1-14. Golden Text—Ver. 6.
Discourse with disciples at Last Supper continued. Peter, boasting of his steadfastness, been warned of his coming fall, that very night (xiii. 38), but comforted by thought of heaven to all who come to God by Him for pardon.
I. The Many Mansions. What they are? Abiding places (Greek). This world passes away—heaven endures. They are many in number—room for all. Also prepared by Christ for all who believe in Him. Christ by His death opened heaven to man, and waits there to receive His people.
II. The Way to Heaven (4-7). Christ the Way. Came to reveal this. None else could make atonement. God's holy Son alone could, by dying for sin, open way to heaven for sinners. He alone lifted up, gives eternal life (iii. 14, 15).
Christ the Truth. Yet charged that night with blasphemy, worst of all falsehoods, making Himself God (xix. 7). Yet was the perfect truth. Exposed hypocrisy of chief priests, hollowness of Scribes and Pharisees (St. Luke xi. 39, 44). Taught the spirit of the commandments in Sermon on Mount (St. Matt. v. 21, 22, 28, 39, etc.). Acted truth in His own perfect life. Taught God's truth to men.
Christ the Life, though put to death day following. Author of life; the world made by Him. Gave natural life once more to three dead persons. Gave spiritual life to Nicodemus, who became disciple; Samaritan who accepted His teaching (iv. 42). Raised Himself from the dead, and gives eternal life to as many as believe.
Lesson. He that believeth in Me shall not die.
III. The Father Revealed (8-14). Cannot be seen by mortal eye (i. 18), but is seen in person of His Son. Christ reveals the person of the Father full of love and pity to those in need; full of anger against hypocrites, liars, etc. (viii. 44). Christ also reveals works of God, miracles of mercy. Same, and even greater, power of working miracles promised to His disciples after His departure. Also answers to prayer made to the Father in His name.
So the revelation of the Father shows Him as a loving Person, a Giver of power, a Hearer of prayer. What more can Philip need?
Lesson.
"Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring."
"Is that All?"
A wounded soldier in a hospital was visited by a clergyman, who saw that his life was fast ebbing out. "Young man," said he, "you are soon to die; are you saved from sin?" "No, sir," was the reply; "what must I do?" "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.'" "Say that again," said the soldier. It was repeated. Steadily looking at the minister, the soldier said, "Is that all?" "Yes, that is all. No man goeth to the Father but by Him." Closing his eyes for a few moments, the young soldier opened them again and, raising his right hand, exclaimed, "Lord Jesus, I surrender." Instantly his face shone with brightness, and in a few days the new-born soul went home to God.
April 30th.—The Comforter Promised.
To read—St. John xiv. 15-27. Golden Text—Ver. 16.
Christ continues to comfort and teach His disciples ready for the time when He must leave them.
I. The Comforter (15-17). See the order in the spiritual life. First faith to believe in Him (ver. 1), then love to cling to Him, then obedience to work for Him. He will help them. He must leave them, but will not forget them. Will send Another to be with them always—the Comforter.
His person. Divine in nature; equal to the Father and Son (Acts v. 3, 4).
His name. Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit of God.
His work. To aid Christ's people. How does He do so? By helping their prayers (Rom. viii. 26). By giving counsel, e.g. showing how to speak to adversaries (St. Matt. x. 19, 20), of which Stephen is an example (Acts vi. 10). By strengthening their souls to do right; hence called the Comforter or Strengthener. Also by revealing the things of God.
11. The Result (18-27). Consolations of Christ's people. Comfort by His continual presence. Life present and future because of union with Him.
Lessons. 1. Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.
2. If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
May 7th.—The Vine and the Branches.
To read—St. John xv. 1-16. Golden Text—Ver. 5.
This parable one of two only in this Gospel. Spoken in court of Temple after leaving Passover Feast.
I. The Parable (1-8). The Vine itself must be good and true, planted in soil prepared for it. Husbandman places, cares for, and watches over it. Unfruitful branches must be cut off, fruitful ones purged—to produce more fruit—dead ones burned. Much fruit redounds to glory of husbandman.
The meaning. Christ Himself is the true ideal Vine, doing always such things as please God. The husbandman is God, who placed Him in the world (iii. 16) and watched over Him (St. Matt. iii. 17). The branches are believers joined to Him by living faith. Fruit—the graces of a Christian life.
What are results of union with Christ the Vine? Life to the soul from life of Christ. Fruit outward result of inward life. Answers to prayer. Christ and His people alike heard. Glory to God the Father.
II. Results of Union (9-16). Metaphor dropped. Christ urges disciples to continue in His love. Then they will have full joy; love to all arising from love to Him; friendship of Christ as evidenced by His death for them; knowledge because of revelation of Father. Permanence of results.
Lesson. Are we truly joined to Christ? What fruit is seen in our lives?
Joy through Faith.
Bunyan, in "The Pilgrim's Progress," pictures Christiana as saying to Mercy, "What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep last night?" And Mercy said, "But are you sure I laughed?" When she told her dream, Christiana said, "Laugh, ay, well you might to see yourself so well." She laughed because she dreamed that she had been welcomed into glory. To faith this is no dream. Saved by grace, adopted by the Father, united to the Son, taught by the Spirit, we have joy in the soul now and a good hope of glory hereafter.
May 14th.—Christ Betrayed and Arrested.
To read—St. John xviii. 1-14. Golden Text—Is. liii. 3.
Christ's hour now come—has finished teachings—must go forth to die. Path of sorrow to be trod—He does not shrink.
I. Christ Betrayed (1-11). The place. The garden or olive orchard of Gethsemane. Note that Christ went forth of His own will, knowing all before Him. Also He went not for concealment, but for prayer.
The band. Judas, His disciple, their leader. A band of Roman soldiers to prevent a tumult, and officers of the Temple police supplied by chief priests. Also chief priests and elders, and a mixed rabble (St. Luke xxii. 52). All had common hatred of Jesus of Nazareth.
The incidents. Jesus comes forth with His three disciples, Peter, James, John. He asks, "Whom seek ye?" Soldiers fall back in surprise. He asks again—they answer. He asks that disciples may go their way. Request granted; He lost none. St. Peter with sword wounds Malchus. Christ heals his ear (St. Luke xxii. 51) and rebukes Peter. Note the forbearance and majesty of Christ; the loving impetuosity of St. Peter; the malice of Judas and the gratified hatred of chief priests.
II. Christ a Prisoner (12-14). The soldiers close in. Prisoner bound because of attempt to rescue. The captain secures Christ, leads Him to Annas, chief of priests and president of Jewish Sanhedrim.
Lessons. From Judas. Beware of covetousness.
From St. Peter. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
From Christ. He loved me and gave Himself for me. What have I given Him?
Christ Loved Best.
A martyr was going to be burned for Christ's sake. His friends brought out his wife and young children, and made them kneel in a long row and ask their father, for their sakes, to deny the faith and live. But as he kissed them one by one he said, "I would do anything for your sakes that I might live with you, but since it is for Christ my Lord's sake, I must tear myself away even from you." So he went to the stake.
