The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-30
LESSON STORY.

We recall that, nine or ten months
before our lesson-date, sharp contest
existed among the disciples for the chief
place. Their question then was,-Who
among US shall be recognized as the
primate, the greatest? The circum-
stances are memorable. Under the
shadow of Hermon he had, short time
before, made his central claim that he
was the Amounted Son Of the Living
God. The disciples were, by this an
nouncement. against all the precautions
of the Master, quickened into selfish
Messianic hope. Soon afterwards their
dispute began; it continued during their
journey to Capernaum. But they had
no sooner entered their house in Caper-
naum than Jesus asked,-his question
showing that he had been silently OBJ
serving his disciples while they walked
apart MARK 9: 1884: What were ye
reasoning in the way? But they held
their peace; for they had disputed one
with another in the way, who was the
greatest" 1t is creditable to them that
they were then ashamed of themselves
We recall how Jesus at that time taught
his disciples humility and sought to
chasten their hope. He sat down and
called the twelve; and he saith unto
them, II any man would be first, he
shall be last of all and minister of all.
And he took little child, and set him
in the midst of them; and taking him in
his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever
shall receive one such little child in my
name. receiveth me; and whosoever re-
ceiveth me. receiveth not me, but him
that sent me-" Mark 9:33-37.) Thus i'm
pressively did he teach them that the
real greatness is to be conscious child
of the Father, and the exhibition Of true
greatness is to render service to some
other child of the Father.
But the strife was only quelled. 1t
was not exterminated. 1t had been but
recently revived when in Perea, Salome.
the mother of James and John, had
asked OF Jesus that her two sons might
have the chief places in his kingdom.
when the ten heard it," we are told,
''they were moved to indignation toward
the two brethren" Matt. 20:20-28.)
Jesus again repeated the Gospel lesson
of self abnegation; he declared that the
Son of Man, their Example. came not TO
be ministered unto. but to minister. and
to give his life ransom for many. The
disciples were rebuked and silenced once
more. But they were not completely
fashioned into the Divine image.
L. The Striving Disciples Cor
rected,-vs. 24-30.
The strife among the disciples at the
Supper was therefore but the tanning of
smouldering fire. To Jesus the sight
of his disciples clamoring for the best
places at the table. was decorating
grief. To see them in hot contention at
the time he was taking his final leave of
them. was an added burden to his al
ready sorrowful heart.
Once more he teaches the Gospel les
son that it is not the visible place one
occupies that makes him great. but the
spirit in him whatever his place; that it
is not the conspicuousness of his work,
but the spirit in which it is done, that
the Divine Eye regards. The walk from
Bethany had been along dusty road.
To battle the hot feet OF the company re-
clining at the table would be real SER
vice. Who would do it? Into their
privacy Of course no household servant
could intrude. Was there brother of
the Twelve who would do this service
for his brethrea? The one among them
who had the most exalted view Of ais
own greatness, the most far.reaching
vision of his own mission, will do the
lowly service. Jesus, knowing that the
Father had given all things into his
hands. and that he came forth from
God and goeth unto God. riseth from
supper, and layeth aside his garment;
and he took towel and girded himself.
Then he poured water into the basin,
and began to wash the disciples feet.