The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-21
INTERNATIONAL
SUNMSQlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER %
By E. O. SELLERS, Director of I've
ming Department The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago)
FOR AND AGAINST HIM.

luis lesson naturally ldllS lHCo
three divisions: l. The mistaken zeal
of the disciples of Jesus, w. 1850; ii.
The intrepid zeal of Jesus, Wv. 51-56.
and III. The lack of zeal on the part
Wv. 1852.
Evidently monopolistic ideas are
not modern development. The de-
sire to control all religious authority
has given rise to the most damnable
blots on the history of the Christian
church. Christian intolerance is one
of the DEVILS sweetest morsels.
And John answered not the i'm
petuous Peter. Who it was that had
spoken we do not know, but evidently
1t was Jesus. Two things are without
dispute: % The unknown one was
doing the work, and CD he was giving
Jesus the glory, Luke 1917. Whether
he ceased at the command of John
We cannot say. 1t has been suggested
that could We have heard the tone OF
Johns voice perhaps we should have
gathered that John was not quite sure
he had done the right thing, but he is
frank and tells Jesus why he gave his
command, viz, because he followed
not with u.s."
Work In Christ's Name.
This spirit has always been one of
the serious drawbacks in the advance
ment of the kingdom. Belong to our
party, follow our methods, or else
quit working. There are, of course,
wrong methods which will never pro-
duce right results. but If man is do
Christ's name we need to beware OF
allowing selfishness, the traditions of
men, or the fact that I'VE never saw
1t on this wise" to allow us to hinder
that mao N his work, see Mark 9:39-
Al.
Scholars are divided as to the in.
terval Of time bstween verses so and
81, but the second section IL a won
derful illumination of the sort of zeal
Jesus desires in his followers. Verse
81 is one Of the most sublime in the
entire Bible. Where can we find any,
erings Of the disciples as to place and
power; he saw not the sights cast
upon him by both Jew and Samaritan;
Jesus saw Jerusalem and beyond that
Calvary, and as steadfast as a flint
he set his face to go to Jerusalem"
All Of redemption, all Of Pentecost,
all Of this age" and the glorious con-
summation of this age" is bound up
in that intrepid zeal of him who when
"the days we're well nigh come that
he should be received up" set his face
"steadfastly." AS Jesus began this
journey he sent messengers before
his face" v. So. That same glorious
privilege is ours today, Matthew 2S:
10. 1t is a great opportunity and
solemn duty.
Certain of the Samaritans refused
to receive him and his party. This
time John has another to speak with
him, James. They again show the
spirit Of intolerance and to it they
add that Of vindictiveness. AS we go
before him to prepare the way are we
entirely free from making a similar
mistake? These Samaritans acted in
ignorance. Perhaps, as revealed in v.
SO. they saw that he did not intend to
go to their village anyway (see also
John 4:40-42). Jesus this time re-
buked in the disciples this spirit of
consciousness and pride We need
to remember his constant emphasis
upon humility. Many a personal work
er becomes angry with those who
fail to accept Jesus and exhibit this
spirit. Let him remember that he
will not receive commentator for his
zeal, but rebuke. And they went to
another village" The day of final
judgment had not yet arrived. These
people simply did not receive him;
the day of opportunity was not yet at
an end. What q contrast is here
shown between the spirit of Jesus and
that Of his disciples. 1t is our privi-
lege to be his heralds. Let us be very
careful not to assume authority which
rightfully belongs to him.
Stories of Three Men.
In the third section we have before
us the stories Of three men whom
Jesus met, each of whom lacked suf-
floient zeal to become his true follow
ers. The first impulsively answers
some emotion Of his heart and as
sures Jesus that he will follow width.
ersoever: thou goest." Jesus did not
rebuke him, for the man had but little
realization Of what was implied. "Tll
60 with him through the garden" we
sing glibly. Let us pause and honest
ly answer the question, will l go?"
Am l willing to pay the price?"
John 1920 and l. Peter 2:31) He
who had set his face steadfastly sim
ply opens as 1t we're the deep loneli-
ness of his heart and gives this man
faint suggestion of that poverty of
him who was rich, yet for our sakes
became poor" e Cor S:9l. This is
one of the few references Jesus made
as to his own condition. The second
man seems to be Of more Importance.
theoretically, at least, for Jesus COM
mands him to follow" Notice Jesus
does not say admire me, nor even
worship me, but follow me-" This
man seems to have a very high sense
of duty, his obligation to his parents
and to the amenities of society. This
mans mistake was in placing any
thing, no matter how important, In
the place Of the kingdom. Jesus does
m