Quiet Talks about Jesus Part 21

18:16-19:38.--Jesus really tempted--no wrong here in inner response--every temptation--by the devil.

_Waiting the Father's Word_: the tempter's skill--acting divinely--a stone for hunger--not wrong in itself--recognizing temptation--"man"--waiting the Father's word--the trained inner ear--not our power but G.o.d's through our obedience.

_Love never tests_: a more agreeable setting--touching tender chords--the religious temptation--only through consent--bad scripture quoting, Psalm 91--a helpful dust-cloth--using power only to help--a true quotation, Deuteronomy 6:16.

_The Devil acknowledges the King_: a dazzling scene--a.n.a.lyzing the tempter's proposition--a common cunning trap--Jesus' kingly conduct--the devil obeys Him--but to return--a coward--our safety in Jesus--lead us not into temptation.

3. The Transfiguration: An Emergency Measure. Matthew 16:28-17:1-8. Mark 9:1-8. Luke 9:27-36.

_G.o.d in Sore Straits_: the darkest hour save one, fugitive, John 7:1. ban, John 9:22, 34. pus.h.i.+ng, Matthew 15:1. Mark 7:1.--the danger zone, "withdrew," Matthew 4:12. 12:15. 14:13. 15:21. Tabernacles, John 7:32.

8:59.--Galileans desert, John 6:60-66.--the inner circle infected, John 6:67-71.--G.o.d needs men.

_Fire and anvil for Leaders_: mental strength--seasoned leaders.h.i.+p--Simon and Peter.

_An Irresistible Plan_: alone with the twelve--the changed plan, Matthew 16:18-21.--Peter's stupid boldness, Matthew 16:22, with Mark 8:32.--the best available stuff--to see the Jesus within--getting Paul, Acts 9:1-9.

22:6-11. 26:12-18.

_The Glory of that Light_: while praying--changed from within--absorbed with Jesus' master-stroke--the jarring human note--the glory obscured--through an opened door--the kingdom.

_A Vision of Jesus_: gleams of light--the purpose secured, John 20:19, 24, 26-29.--an indelible impress, John 1:14. 12:41. Mark 9:3 with 1 Peter 1:16-17. Acts 12:2.--changed while looking, Acts 22:11. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

4. Gethsemane: The Strange, Lone Struggle. Matthew 26:36-46. Mark 14:32-42. Luke 22:39-46. Hebrews 5:7.

_The Pathway in_: messengers ahead--Jesus _felt_ the cross drawing near--the look of His face, Luke 9:51-55.--His disciples afraid, Mark 10:32.--indignation against sin, John 11:33, 38. marginal reading American Revision.--the Greeks, John 12:20-28.

_The Climax of Suffering_: the darkest shadow--why the struggle is strange--shock of extremes--His purpose in yielding--separation from the Father--Matthew 27:46. Mark 15:34 margin.--the superlative degree of suffering.

_Alone_: a full evening, Matthew 26:17-19 with parallels. John, chapters 13 to 17.--for prayer--on knees and face--the changed prayer--ready for the worst.

5. Calvary: Victory. Matthew 26:47-27:61. Mark 14: 43-15:47. Luke 22:47-23:56. John 18:1-19:42.

_Yielding to Arrest_: the betrayal--protecting the disciples--checking Peter's violence--the arrest--the disciples forsake Him--except two, John 18:15, 16.

_The Real Jewish Ruler_: Annas the intriguer--an unrebuked insult--the case settled at once--before Caiaphas--difficulty in fixing a charge--the dramatic question and solemn answer--second condemnation--gross insults.

_Held Steady by Great Love_: Peter gains entrance through John, John 18:16.--the stammering denial--the bolder--with oaths and curses--Jesus'

look--Peter's tears.

_An Obstinate Roman_: before the senate--trying to make a case--the formal condemnation--before Pilate--an unexpected set-back--alone with Pilate--acquitted--shrill protests--off to Herod.

_A Savage Duel_: before Herod--no word for him--more insults--a second acquittal--back to Pilate--his character--his summing up--their protests--his wife's message--Barabbas or Jesus--Pilate weakening--the scourging and coa.r.s.e mocking--Pilate's surprise--a new charge--the governor startled--alone again with Pilate--the use of Caesar's name--renunciation of national hopes--the defeated governor's small revenge--the duel over.

_Victory_: out to Calvary--the pitying women--crucified--praying for the soldiers--pitching dice for His clothes--the inscription--coa.r.s.e taunts and jests--winning a man at the very last--providing for His mother the darkness--the agonizing cry--the shout of victory.

6. The Resurrection: Gravity Upward. Matthew 28:1-15. Mark 16:1-8. Luke 24:1-49. John 20:1-21:25. 1 Corinthians 15:4-7.

_A New Morning_: early visit to the tomb--Mary Magdalene's alarmed call for Peter--the message of the angels--Peter and John come--another group of women get an angelic message.

_Jesus seeking out Peter_: Mary Magdalene meets Jesus--He meets other women--the soldiers' story--alone with Peter.

_Made Known in the Breaking of Bread_: the Emmaus travellers--the Stranger's explanation--the evening meal--the Master!

_Even so Send I you_: the meeting in Jerusalem--the Master's unexpected presence--the sure proofs--breathing on them--Thomas' stubborn doubts--a week later--a second great catch of fish--to James--to five hundred--on Olives' top--the Bethany home not represented.

_Gravity Upward_: the resurrection not expected--fully a.s.sured--the new victory-day--Jesus was raised--He rose at will--His dying voluntary, so the rising--man's true gravity--sin's gravity--Jesus' gravity upward.

_The Life Side of Death_: bodily changes in Jesus--personal ident.i.ty unchanged--limitations gone--the Leader of a new sort of life.

7. The Ascension: Back Home Again Until----

_Tarry ye--Go ye_: the Jerusalem meeting--the walk to Olives--not Palestine only, but a world--the last word--upward--seen no more.

_Coming again_: gazing upward, Acts 1:10, 11.--a continuation upward--the Olivet outlook.

Footnotes

[1] Genesis 2: 25.

[2] Schiller.

[3] "An Indian Priestess." Published by Hodder & Stoughton.

[4] Mary A. Lathbury.

[5] Nathaniel Parker Willis.

[6] Arthur Peirce Vaughn.

[7] So the best ma.n.u.scripts.