LESSON XIII. - September 27. REVIEW.-JESUS THE JUDGE OF MEN. READING LESSON ONLY: John 3:14-21. GOLDEN TEXT. —/ come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy Crown. REV. 3:11. The movement of the story of the Life of Christ, that part which we have been studying this quarter, extends over only about two weeks. The first four lessons belong to the close of his journey through Perea beyond Jordan. He and his disciples cross the Jordan at the ford opposite Jericho, walk a few miles to that city, where Jesus opens the eyes of the blind Bartimæus and another blind man. They climb the steep road up to Jerusalem, and somewhere on the way Jesus teaches his disciples and the crowd They branch off from the road of pilgrims, by the story of the silver minæ, or pounds. to Jerusalem and journey over the Mount of Olives to Bethany. The following chart will show more clearly than any words can do the place of this quarter's lessons in the Life of Christ. Note that we are approaching very near to the close of the three and a fourth years of the ministry of Jesus, and of his life. He had spent about a year in Judæa, then a year and nine months in Galilee and vicinity, and nearly six months in Perea beyond Jordan, the three great provinces of Palestine. The chart shows us the two divisions of this quarter's studies, both as to the country he was in, and the kind of work he was called to do. The first four lessons belong to Perea; the others belong to Jerusalem and vicinity. The first four were spoken to the disciples and the multitude; the next five belong to a last effort of intense earnestness to persuade the Jews to accept him as the Messiah and his principles as the basis of the kingdom of God. The summary of the fourth quarter is given on the chart in order to show more fully the relation of our quarter's study to the life of Christ. HOME STUDY, AND ITS RESULTS BROUGHT TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SESSION. This quarter's lessons are peculiarly adapted to an interesting and profitable Review. They are very dramatic and full of action. They are composed of 7 SCENES AND 5 STORIES. Two weeks before review Sunday assign one of these to each scholar; or, if there are not enough scholars in the class, to some of them both a Story and Scene. Persuade each scholar to read and study one of these twelve each day during the two weeks, and decide in what respects its truth applies to us and our times. But each should make a special study of the one or more of these particularly assigned, and come prepared to tell the story or picture the scene, and to tell in what ways it applies to us. In the class, when the story is told or the scene pictured by one member, let the others make corrections or additions. Then let the class discuss its practical applications, which may be summed up by the one who gave the story or scene. For Almost any one can make a word-picture of scenes like those in this lesson. instance: I see an ancient city, surrounded with high walls; near it is an ancient spring. I see a great crowd following a humble man who is leading a special band of friends, and by the wayside I see a blind man begging aid from the pilgrims. He cannot see, but hears people talking about Jesus as if he were near. He cannot tell which one of the crowd is Jesus, but he has heard of the wonderful cures this man has wrought, and he cries out with eager voice, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." No one answers. He keeps on crying louder and louder, more and more earnestly a great deal, and interferes with the progress of the procession. They are in a hurry to get to the Passover at Jerusalem. I hear well and strong men saying to him: "Hold your peace! Keep still! You beggar, will you interrupt the prophet? The people want to hear him talk." I see Jesus stand still; the people stop. I hear Jesus say, "Bring the man to me." They go to the blind man, saying, “Be of good comfort; rise, he calleth thee." I see him rise, throw away his outer garment, and guided by some kindly man find his way to Jesus. "What can I do for you?" Lord, that I might receive my sight." "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Immediately he receives his sight, and I see him following Jesus. 66 Will the class now tell me what there is in this story that helps, or inspires, or comforts them? |