The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
READING FOR THE DAY.


o.
JESUS TEACHING HuMsLrTY.-John xiii, l-17
Golden Text--If We know these things happy are ye
if ye do them. John xiii. IL.
It was a most unseemly strife at such time
for the disciples to contend with each other for
still filed with the ideas of an earthly kingdom;
they had no conception of the fact that they
were so near great tragedy and tt at the chief
est places in Christs kingdom were for those
who should suffer most in establishing it in the
hearts of men.
AS this was the night before the crucifxion,
it makes the lesson and its teachings all the
more important The 'feetwashing" of the
disciples. occurring just before the institution
of the Lords Supper, is supposed by some to be
part of that sacrament. The Pope of Rome is
accustomed each year to wash the feet of certain
beggars gathered from the streets of the city.
The kings of England observed this yearly
service as late as the time of James H. The
religious sects known the Mennonites and
the United Brethren for long time kept up the
custom of washing each others feet at certain
church feasts. but it has fallen into disuse The
duty OF humility remains and could as well be
illustrated in other ways, but the Master choose
for them this impressive method. But to OBJ
serve it with the pomp and circumstance of the
sinful pride rather than to enforce q lesson of
genuine humility.
SPECIAL LESSONS
l. He loveth them to the end, to the last. to
the uttermost. His mind might have been en-
gagged in His own approaching sorrows, and He
might have demanded their sympathy. But he
keeps on loving them, showing His pure sweet
affection to the last; and it was love that finally
won them, and. conquering their selfishness.
made them like the Master. The love of Jesus
has ever new revelations to the end of our lives.
Thou kuowest not now, but shalt know
hereafter There are many commands and
teachings that we cannot now fathom and feel
that we know. We must take such on faith,
and walk by faith rather than by knowledge.
If we could understand all from the start, we
might well suspect the teacher and the lesson.
But we shall know.
.. have given you an example How are we
to understand the example of Christ! Some say
literally, and that we are to do the very things
that He did. But this cannot always be true,
and would not be wise. The spirit is more than
the form. True humility is much more than
feet-washing. We may discourage good man
by demanding close copy of the example Of
Jesus. We may be like him in spirit.
SPECIAL TEACHING.
/. For relief. He that is bathed is clean
every whit. In our Christian life there is so
much of SHINING and repenting that sometimes
we know not where we are and whether we are
His children or not. This text may we'll help
US to clear ideas. Our conversion, our
regeneration by the spirit, is the great
Washing or bathing that makes us clean in
the sight of God Now, the many faults and
weaknesses do not make the soul itself so un-
clean as to need a new regeneration, but are
rather as the dust that collects upon the feet,
and needs the washing of penitence and pardon.
The heart itself remains right until we willing
ly and knowingly sin and depart from Jesus.
Then we become unclean in the original sense,
and need again the new birth.
2. For practice Half our troubles come
from fixing our thoughts so much upon self and
self-interest. Blessed, happy, is the man who
follows Christ in self foagetfulness, and thinking
how he can do good to others. Begin each day
with that aim and purpose Do not think
whether you are getting your fair share of hon
or. Live for others, and your life will be happy
and your heart pure and strong