The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-08
In the Religious World
What the Church Folks IRE Thinking
AboUt and Doing. Religious NeWS
From Everywhere.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON AND YOUNG PEOPLES ToP1o

eremy of the new; things as they
are are the worst foe of things as
they should be. The ossified reIigios-
ity OF the ruling class among the Jews
could not understand or tolerate for
an instant this fresh, vital spirit from
the hills. The browning act that evok-
ed PhaTisaical enmity was the rails
ing Of Lazarus from the dead. For
this they hated both lazarus and the
Lord since ii increased the lattsr's pop
ularity. There is direct connection
between the triumDhal entry and the
fact that the Bethany home had Civ
en- of its hospitality and friendship to
Jesus
So popular had the Master become.
for the moment, al least. that ali the
snarling dogs of envy and bigotry had
to stink ba ok, bafied into obscur'ty
Behold, how We prevail hotnhgs 10,
the world is gone after Him, they sald
among themselves. For in front OF
their eyes. as they gathered in sui
len groups, was this tremendous ova-
ton which meant that Jesus was the
idol of the hour. He could even pc
crowned king should he SO desire. The
danger of popularity in which Hood
many promising hero has been en-
quilted beset Jesus in full tide.
But He was not disturbed There
was not an extra beat TO His pulse
because OF it. and not the slightest
flush of exaltafiOn upon His cheek-
"I1a knew what was in man, and
He appraised the demonstration at its
true value. He accepted exultatlOn as
He accepted humiliation, merely IS a
part of the work which the Father had
umphai entry must have been I'M
speakably sad. for He realized thar
the tickle mulHtude-many OF these
very same persons who were shouting
themselves hoarse with 'Hosanna
would within the week be crying as
Justify Cruelty Himi cruelty Him
The palm branches We're but prelim-
mary to the tree upon which He would
shortly suffer. All, heavy was the cross
that the gentle Jesus borei
Shouting o. Service.
This great Jewish feast brought to-
gether multitudes of all sorts of peo-
pie from far removed places. Among
the visitors we're some Greeks-curl-
Gus, alert, novelty loving people. They
mad heard of this wonderful man, and
from what motives. trivial or serious,
we can only imagine, they now in
quired of Philip: Sir, we would see
Jesus
For answer came the words of Je
sus, so deep that perhaps the Greeks
did not catch their significance: Elk
cept a grain of wheat fall into the
earth and die, it abideth by itself
alone: but if it die, it beareth much
fruit" It was as if He said: I'm
this central object of a shouting, fren-
ZleQ, aCcldllllHS nululuue you 90 HOL
see Jesus Enthusiastically He IS not
a mere popular idol and leader, the
triumphant focus of mems praise. To
see Jesus as He is-to see Him as He
wishes to be known to the wor1d-you
must behold Him crueifed. It is in
His great sacrifice that the son Of Man
reveals Himself"
In again enunciating his greatest
doctrine of self-sacrifice and service.
Jesus made plain that no one discerns
Him Alright except on the cross. It is
not enough to behold Him as a leader.
a philosopher. physician a friend
and a model man; He must be seen in
the great sacrificia1 act of atonement.
as the Saviour of mankind We do
not truly know Jesus until we meet
Him at Calvary.
In this reply Jesus also gave His
idea Of what He considered honor for
Himself; and His words have added
point in the light of the fact that they
were spoken While the multitude's huz-
zas were still echoing. IF any man
serve Me. let him follow Me" Service
is above shouting. Endurance is bet
ter than enthusiasm.