The National tribune., 1888-02-02
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


BE CHLDLIEE
We shall give attention to St Matt, SIS
inclusive, finding in this paragraph study suf-
ficient for the entire Sunday-scho0i session.
Read also st. Marx, Q 33-i2, and So. Luke, 9
1850 with II /, ,. These notes presume each
has read the above references.
Christ had been at Caesarea Pbilippi. s..
Matt, 10 10; ST. Mark, 81 H5 did not
care to make any conspicuous stir. st. Mark,
9 30 Leaving Caesarea Philippi nc went into
Galilee, (Idem,) reaching Caperuaum, Verse
SO and St Matt, II :2i) He stopped az q GER
tain house, probably st. Peters st Matt. s
II: St Mark ! Do The word way I'm st.
Mark, Q So refers to some part Of the route
from Cacsarea Philippi to Capernaum.
great trouble with the Apostles was their
not eomprehendiug the meaning Of the King
DOM" lSt. Matt, Is IL On the use Of the
expressions Kingdom Of God and Kingdom
of Heaven" see st. John, 3 8; Acts 1922;
St. Matt. g. II, p; 3:2; 4:17; 1877; -: .;
IL: repeatedly; y 43; st. Marx, Is e; St.
Lu. II - 20, 81 1t is clear we are TO under
stand by the Kingdom Of Heaven the purely
religious realm set up by Christ. having moth
ing to DO with political divisions Of the earth,
possible Of existence under any form of Gov
eminent, an imBeTl1im az imperiD. See Article
of Religion, xxxyii, of the Church of EnglaDd.)
But the Apostles imagined Jesus was going to
set up temporal Government and that they
were to be bis Ministers Of State or Cabinet
So they got to quarreling among themselves as
to which would probably be selected rs Secre-
tary Of State, etc.
1t is possible the discussion may have risen
from our Savior having selected SITS. Peter,
James and John to be chosen witnesses Of the
| TRANSPORTATION. And, further, it may be the
TRANSPORTATION, 50 glOriously magnifyiug the
Messiah, led the Apostles more fully TO realize
the wonderful character OF their leader, and TO
/ expect most magnificent results under his Gov
| eminent. 1t Is probable that Christ's request
/ of the three Apostles Co maintain secrecy as to
/ the events on Mount HeTmOn, lSt Matt II 81
I extended even to keeping the matter secret
/ from the other nine Apostles. This very mys-
/ terry would lead to discussion. The nine knew
| something wonderful had happened 1t is also
| possible our Sayiors eucomium Of st. Peter
/ had some bearing on the discussion. (St. Matt,
i 16 1919. But Y. % obscured all certainty as
] to St Peters rank) 1t may be that after the
! honor conferred on them by being chosen as
/ witnesses Of the TRANSPORTATION SIS. Peter,
/ James and John made themselves somewhat
! overbeariug, thus leading to the question as to
relative greatness.
/ 1t is evident the Apostles had INDUCED in
very animated discussion. st. Mark. 9: So
/ says Christ styled it a dispute In their inner
/ consciousness they knew their petulant talk
would not be agreeable to Christ, aud so they
/ Jagged behind. But when all had gathered at
] i1g. GcJeF S mouse, Jesus determined 10 IeDuhe
/ their selfish spirit and ambitious presumption.
1 Hence he raised the question as to the subject
| over which they had become so excited, and in
discussing which they had probably manifested
something of ill-feeling (St. Mark, 9: 49,
They were ashamed at their conduct and spec
tally chagrined to find that Christ had OBJ
served their verbal quarrel. (V. 81; st.
Matt, p :12.) But Jesus pressed the question,
which the Apostles would gladly have dropped.
Then they admitted that they had been led
into warm dispute as to which of the Twelve
would be selected for the highest appointment
in the cabinet which Christ should form when
he took the temporal throne as successor OF
David and Solomon. We notice that, ashamed
as the Apostles were at their worldly ambition,
and thoroughly as Christ discoun tenanced their
conduct they did not become fully rid of the
idea of the civil governmental theory until the
descent of the Holy Spirit after Christ's death,
/ resurrection and ascension. The same spirit
cropped out repeatedly afterwards. st. Matt,
20 POPS; St. Lu., % "a Acts, g. We
notice also, the spirit in which Christ dealt
with the Twelve He was perfectly cool de
did not fly iRto rage. In kindly voice he
inquired into the trouble, and learning its ma
tHFe reprimauded them IN dignifed and au
thoritative way. He gathered them about
him and instructed them. He kaew which
was most at faultin originating the discussion
but he made no discrimination discrimina-
ton which, in some degree, would have an
swered their question: for had he shown
which were least worthy, he would likewise
have indicated which was most deserving
which one tor ones) in this particular case al
least was greatest. Our Saviors method o.
dealing with the erring is to be commended t
teachers, parents, ministers.
The question raised among the Twelve wal
practical one, and had it been discussed with
out any personal, selfish reference, would have
been harmless. All cannot be equal There
must be officers, and even these must be graded
The Church is no exception to the call for or
ganzatiOn and governors of varied classes
Even had the Apostles simply made problem
OF the question, each being willing to take any
position in the Kingdom, whether high or low
there could be no room for adverse criticism
2 but it is clear they were quarTeling each 70
! the supremacy over the others. Here was TIT
sin. Ecclesiastic wire pulling, clerical schem
ing for the fat places unholy ambition to lori
it over Others, is offensive to Christ, aud ht
wanted to teach said fact as a warning to tn
ages in advance
Let us study Christ's answer. He IS abou
2 to tell the Twelve which shall be greatest. II
! is their teacher. They must for little go {
school as children aud learn grand principl
2 of the new Kingdom.
In St. Matthew's account o. 81 we have
9 part of the answer Be converted" Thi
/ does not probably mean they should becom
3 Christians as SIC understand that word TIL
reference is specially to their ungodly ambi
r tion and unbrotherly spirit shown in the dis
0 pute as to which should lord it over the Others
3 St Mark, 8 : So, gives another item of Christ
Q | reply" If any desire to be first the sam
e shall be lest, and servant of ALL" Two mean
7 ings may attach to this statement 1. If on
desire to be first-if he be moved by unhol
ambition if he want to gain position simpl
: for the mastery-he shall turn out to b
), last. "WhOsoever shall exalt himse
shall be abased" ST. Matt, % 12) 2 ]
one want to be eminent as Christian; wan
to do the most good; wish TO please th
( Heavenly Father To the greatest degree;
r ambitious to serve most effectively in Christ
: Kingdom, he must be willing to condescend {
Y lowest Offices; to be servant, waiting on other
0 instead of ruling them. 'Whosoever shall b
t great among you, let him be your minister
|. and whoever shall be chief among you, let hil
b be your servant" (St. Matt, 20 90, Pr Th
e was Christ's way of becoming greatest. Il
}. humbled himself. (St. Matt, 20 Is; st. Johl
1874, 5; Phil, 2:5-s) He was exaIte,