The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY 22.

on tine Days Lesson.
I. An ambitious request Tvs. 35-37). 35.
"James and john" According to Matt.
20: 20, they made this request through
their mother, Salome. She was one of
the constant attendants Of our Lord. and
now failing on her knees, made her re-
quest. Nothing could have been more i'll
timed than this selfish petition when He
was going forth to His death. Sons of
Zebedee.") The father, though named.
never appears in gospel history after their
discipleship; from which it is inferred that
sarsete either SeSa Of OF HoweSef asnsitt at
the conduct of Salome appears on this oc-
casion. she manifested a true, undying
love for the Saviour in the most trying
times of His subsequent sufferings. She
was not solely attracted to Him by the
ties of self-interest or hopes of royal boun-
ty. She stood by Him to the last at the
cross, and was among the earliest who
cssle to embalm Him at the grave. Mas
ter" Matthew says that Salome came
worshiping Him. She recognized Him as
the divine King-the Messiah. Her rev.
erence was none the less real from the fact
that she came desiring favor at His
hand.
36. what would ye?" He could not
promise in general way to grant their re-
quests; they must state definitely what it
is they desire Here is an argument in ia
vor Of special prayer. 81. Grant unto
u.s." This request. l. Displayed their ig-
norance of .Christ's plans. They were
looking for kingdom of this world and
temporal Messiah. 2. Was marked by for
wardness and presumtion. 8. Was charac-
terized by worldliness; 1t apparently
looked no further than the present life
II. Christ's reply Tvs. 3S-4O). 3s. "Ye
know not" You do not know the nature
You suppose that if granted it would be
attended only with honor and happiness;
whereas, it would require much suffering
and trial. How often is it that our de-
sires, and perhaps even our prayers, would
ruin US if granted? Hence Christians are
generally, with much justice, careful how
they specify before God in PRAYER the par
ticular blessing they desire. They may in
their ignorance ask things that God sees
not best. "The cup" To drink Of a cup
often. in the Scriptures, signifies to be at
81: II, %; Psa. 75:. 81. The figure is. TAX
en- from a feast. where the master of the
household distributes to his children and
servants their allowance. The "cup" is
used to represent the dispensation of
providence; the Almighty as our common
Father appointing to each of US our share
u g. }C' I'VE " se ean" This was the decision of
the two brothers. The half unconscious,
yet presumptuous reply was no doubt ut
tered under the impression that the strug-
gle was to take place at Jerusalem, IN
which, perhaps, they were to fight by His
for the trial. Their reply was simply, the
Language of human frmness. "Ye shall,
indeed, etc." You shall undergo sufferings
patterned after Mine. They had yet to
learn how serious their words were; after
wards they were enabled to drink of that
cup and to be baptized with that baptism.
To st. James was gwen strength to- be
steadfast unto death and to be the first
martyr of the apostolic band .(Acts II: p.
Although John survived all of the apostles
and died a natural death, yet all antiqui-
ty ascribes to him the glory of living in
the spirit Of martyrdom lRev. l: 81.
vor. This must not be understood to
mean that Christ does not reward His fol-
lowers, for such a statement would be at
variance with the uniform testimony OF
the Scriptures Matt. %: 3l-4O; John 5:
22-30). Rewards and punishments will be
given in accordance with certain fixed
rules and principles. In the distribution
of heavenly honors no favor or parAaIIty
is shown. "For whom; prepared" The
true meaning is that such distinction could
not be given except to those for whom
it is prepared" And for whom is heav-
enly honor prepared? Not to every, one
who saith Lord, Lord; but to the holy in
heart, to the '1sraelite indeed" to the
81, to the one who enters in at the strait
gate" Matt 7: l3, ~ and who presses
Stoward the mark" Phil. 8: l4).
III. "a lesson in humility Tvs. 4l-45).
Al. "The ten" The other ten apostles.
Heard it." Heard of this bold request
made by Salome and her sons. Much dis
pleased" Moved with Indignation. Tie
sons of Zebedee had been in a better social
position than most Of their brethren, and
this attempt to secure pre-emlnence OF
honor kindled storm OF Jealousy. AZ;
Saith unto them" Our Lord soothed
their jealousy by assuring them that IN
His kingdom there were no lordships. "Ac-
counted to rule, ETC." That is, those who
are in a position to exercise authority and
dominion, such as princes and governors,
use their power to crafty their worldly
ambitions and their love of ruling. 43.
"Not so among you" (R. W The princi-
Piles of My kingdom are entirely different
and are peculiar to themselves. There are
to be no ranks and no high sounding titles.
All are to be on level-the rich, the poor,
the bond, the free, the learned ana the un.
learned. He will be the most distinguished
who shows the greatest humility. Our
Lord does not here mean that there shall
be no orders in the Christian Church, or
even in heaven. But these church orders
are founded on the principle of service
rather than lordship. The officer Of the
church is truly the servant of the church,
and if he exercise authority from any other
motive he is guilty of worldly ambition;
He is repeating the misdoingss of James and
J ohm. twill be great" There is a holy
ambition which every true Christian should
possess, an ambition not for place, but for
ability to serve. :,
"A. "The chiefest." The only superiority
here 10 be sought is a superiority in labors
and suffering for the common good. Ii
any would be great let him be the great,
est servant. 45. Game; to minister"
Jesus points to Himself as an example for
them to follow. He was. not a selt-seeker
and came not to be ministered unto; but
He came to minister-to serve. This was
the character of His life. The Son of Man
ministers to the sons of men. ITO give
His life" The Son of Man showed Him
self the greatest of all by enduring the
greatest suferings and making the great
est sacrifice of all "a ransom" The lit
eral meaning is price paid for the re-
demption Of captives. Christ died in the
place of sinners. For many" This does
not always mean many. All the great
noets of the world are not many. But the
persons for whom Christ died are many
incalculsbly numerous; not one has been
left out.