The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-05-21

last lesson, crowded with the labors
and teachings Of Jesus. During this
time the Bethany sisters sent ACROSS
the Jordan for Jesus to come and
save their sick brother Lazarus. Jesus
went TO Bethany, found Lazarus dead,
and raised him tO life. This aroused
such intense opposition that Jesus re-
tired into the mountains Of northern
Judea, and after a time crossed the
Jordan again, and was now proceed
ing southwark toward Jerusalem
IA Splendid Example of Heroic
Greatness.-Vs. 1924. Jesus himself,
with clear vision Of all that was be-
fore him, was moving steadily on,
with majesty and heroism," to the
terrible scenes Of mockery. rejection
and crucifxion, which We're close at
hand.
II. A False Idea Of Greatness
vs. 35-41.
First. The Request Of the Two
Brothers. 35. "And James and John,
the sons of Zebedee, come unto him"
with their mother SaIome, who pros
trated herself before Jesus MAT
thew. II is quite probable that the
ambition of the sons was encouraged
and perhaps prompted by their moth
er, though we know that the thought
Of high position in the kingdom OF
God had been in their minds before,
and been reproyed by Jesus mark
9:3s-36).
I'VE would that thou shouldest do
for u.s." They would test his willing
ness before making the request. They
were not quite sure OF its propriety.
The homage and the petition show
| that they came to Jesus as a King.
able to grant their request if he
would.
SO. What would ye?" It was best
for them TO spread out in the clear
light their secret thoughts and hopes.
Such a statement is often more than
hall a cure.
81 That we may sit one on thy
right hand, and the other on thy left. y
Not in the trial and by the cross, but
"in thy glory" as the Messiah King.
That is, in the two chief places OF
honor The first place OF honor was
the right hand Of the sovereign; the
second the left hand.--Josephus'
Ant, vi. IL. 9. They doubtless still
expected an outward kingdom Of
worldly splendor.
Motives for Their Request. These
two disciples were good men, but still
imperfect. and their motives we're Of
mingled good and evil Close beside
each wrong motive was a better one
which largely concealed from their
eyes the partial selfishness of their
aims Cd One motive was selfish
ambition. They wanted great things
for themselves. It seemed like a
family attempt to steal a march on
their associate and competitor. Pc
ter" CD They had some reason foI
thinking that Jesus regarded them as
especially fitted for these places. They
had been named Sons OF Thunder
MARK Bid. They had been chosen
with Peter more than once to accom-
pany Jesus where the others were left
out. CD There were better motives
intermingled. What they desired
would keep them very near the Mas
ter they loved. It would give them a
more intimate acquaintance with
Jesus, and higher knowledge of his
truths. 1t would give them more EN-
ployment in the kingdom and a wider
usefulness. It showed faith in Jesu:
and his promises. 1t showed cour
age; that they would go with Jesus tc
the cross in order to wear the crown
with him.
Second. Jesus Answer. 3S. Jesus
said Ye know not what VI
ask" They knew not the greatness
Of the favor they asked-how blessed
beyond their highest dreams It was tC
sit on the right hand of the Son ol
God, how radiant the glories of thai
kingdom were to be. They knew not
how hard the way. nor how difficult
the conditions on which alone they
could have their desire
"Can ye drink of the cup that
drink of" Have you counted the cost
Can you pay the price? The cup i.
an Old Testament image of a man.
lot, or portion, as holding what of lif,
God pours out for him.-Jacobus. BE
baptized with the baptism that | an
baptized with?" Baptism was ths
ordnance, the necessary condition
by which one could enjoy the priv
| ileges of the visible church. COull
these disciples endure the conditions
the agony, the humiliation. tn,
cross-through which alone Chris
could enter his glory, and become the
king of the world? Are ye able ans
fit to be dipped or drenched in thOs,
deep waters Of afliction, pains ans
miseries in which I must shortly b.
drenched?"
80. They said We can.
I'VE are able" Perhaps they fel
more assurance than they would i
they had known more But they werl
not wholly mistaken in their judg
ment Of themselves. They weri
among the very bravest OF the apos
ties. and many a time did they drinl
Of Jesus cup, as Jesus said, -Ye shal
indeed drink" etc. James was thi
first OF the apostles to suffer martyr
dom (Acts 1871, y. and John had
long life Of labors. prosecutions an'
banishment
40. But to sit on my right han'
IS not mine I'd give" Honor
and place cannot be given in such
way as your request implies. I can
not determine by any personal pref