Lesson 1.—“The Woman of Canaan.” Matt. 15: 21–31. The only time that Jesus went out of the land of the Jews. But as He was filled with the Spirit, and led by the Spirit, there was a purpose in the mind of the Spirit for His going. The Spirit knew that there was one even outside the confines of the land of the Jews who was susceptible to the Gospel call. He knew also that there was one suffering under the personal assault of the adversary, who was in need of physical as well as spiritual aid. Had His disciples fully learned the lesson of this journey, they never would have quibbled about preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. We may learn from this lesson that God knows all hearts, and if there is one in the remotest corner of the earth that will accept salvation, the good news will be made to reach him in some way.
Lesson 2.—“Sufferings of Jesus Foretold.” Matt. 16: 21–28. Jesus labored faithfully during His earthly ministration, knowing all the time what would befall Him,—knowing that, with few exceptions, the people whom He came especially to help would spurn His offers of mercy and pardon. The lesson of consecration, of faithful persistence in labor, regardless of cost or consequences, is most vividly portrayed in this and parallel scriptures.
Lesson 3.—“The Transfiguration.” Matt. 17: 1–9. This scene was a miniature representation of the glorious kingdom of God. Jesus, the coming King, was there; “and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white and glittering.” Moses was there, the representative of those who shall be resurrected from the dead at the Lord’s coming; and Elijah was there, representing those who shall be “changed,” or translated, at that time. See 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17; Jude 9; 2 Kings 2: 11, 12.
Lesson 4.—“A Lesson on Forgiveness.” Matt. 18: 21–35. Where should the spirit of forgiveness end? At seven times?—“I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.” It is not safe for any one who needs forgiveness ever to deny forgiveness to others; for “if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6: 15.
Lesson 5.—“The Triumphal Entry.” Matt. 21: 6–16. Why did Jesus ride on an ass into Jerusalem?—“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” The multitudes then sang, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” When He comes again, those who “love His appearing,” and “look for Him,” will say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” Isa. 25: 9.
Lesson 6.—“The Marriage Feast.” Matt. 22: 1–14. This parable represents the last feature of the Gospel work. The marriage feast is the final union of Christ and His people. For centuries the invitation has been going forth, and men have professed to accept it, but at the last moment, when “all things are ready,” they are interested in something else. In short, they do not believe that the supper is ready. That is just the condition of things to-day, and now the message is, “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.”
Lesson 7.—“Watchfulness.” Matt. 24: 42–51. The injunction here is to watch; “for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” The common idea in the professed Christian world is that because we do not know when He will come, therefore it is fanatical folly to give any attention to the subject. But the Lord has given us signs by which we may know when His coming is near; then because we do not know the hour, is the very reason for watchfulness.
Lesson 8.—“The Day of Judgment.” Matt. 25: 31–46. This lesson is the complement of lesson 6. Here is shown the practical working of the command to go into the highways, and the prominent place such work occupies in the judgment. Men are commended or condemned according as they have or have not ministered to the wants of the poor and afflicted. Two points are especially prominent: (1) The righteous are unconscious of any great merit in their humble ministrations; (2) many, even of those who make loud profession, by neglecting the poor and the suffering, are neglecting their own salvation.
Lesson 9.—“The Lord’s Supper.” Matt. 26: 17–38. This ordinance was instituted while the Lord and His disciples were yet at the Passover table. The paschal lamb which they had just eaten was a type of Christ, the real Passover. A type could no longer be appropriate when the Antitype had come, so a memorial was instituted which would “show the Lord’s death till He come.” The Lord knew that frail humanity would need an object lesson as a reminder of His great sacrifice, after His departure as well as before His advent.
Lesson 10.—“Jesus Condemned.” Matt. 27: 11–26. Jesus was condemned by the very people who professed to be looking for the Messiah—by those whom He had made the custodians of the prophecies of the coming One which had been so minutely fulfilled in Him. By threats and intimidation the Jewish council secured the sanction of the Roman governor to their unjust and illegal trial of an innocent man. And professed Christians who “fall away” do no better, “seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh.” Heb. 6: 6; 10: 29.
Lesson 11.—“Jesus Crucified.” Matt. 27: 35–50. This was the last act in the drama of His humiliation. He drank to the dregs the bitter cup of bearing the sin of the world. Yet He was the same forgiving, saving Friend and Brother unto the end, pitying His deluded persecutors, praying for His ignorant executioners, and saving a condemned criminal while hanging on the cross.
“Was it for crimes that I have done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree.”
Lesson 12.—“The Risen Lord.” Matt. 28: 8–20. The resurrection sealed the victory of Christ over Satan. The prison-house of the adversary could not hold Him. The prophecy had said, “Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Ps. 16: 10. He not only came forth Himself from the grave, but He secured the keys of the grave for all others. “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1: 18. And “thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor. 15: 57.
