The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-24

il unto one OF these my pIetlich'
the least. ye did it unto me.'-Matt'
$40.
The first section OF our lesson text
has no connection with the other two.
II is taken nom a time several months
previous to the time of the Perean
ministry and was undoubtedly chosen
as an indication of the company who
travelled with Jesus and his disciples,
and who provided for his needs. We
must remember that Jesus vas not
supported by board. church, nor by
some philanthropically inclined fellow
citizen. 1t is to the second two Sec
tions therefore that We devote our
chief attention.
Different Glasses.
|. Those who would follow Jesus,
9:57-62 Read carefully Matt. S:19-22.
Three different classes are here repre-
scented: Cd The impulsive follower
". 81, So. This is the man who is
moved by a sudden desire to accom-
pany this marvellous Teacher, but like
the man in the parable, does not SIT
down and count the cost ere he starts
to build his house. This thought Is
emphasized when we read Matt. SID
that this man was a scribe, one who
would not be expected to make such
a resolve He must have been deeply
stirred by what he had seen and heard
in the life of Jesus. Such a resolve
promised well, but it is soon revealed
to him that he did not realize what
was involved in his promise ". $50.
Jesus showed the man that to go
share his experiences, his fare, his
! quarters, and to receive the same
| treatment he received, 2 Tim. 3:12. 1t
is a mistake to tell folk that the road
of righteousness is primrose path.
| The road of disobedience is a rough
one, as the man who went to Jericho
found, still the road of righteousness
| is a narrow one, Matt. 7:13, IA. Every
| follower of Jesus must be willing to
take what he took, and to receive
what he received, John 1920; l Pet.
1921.
This sentence ". $50 has done
more to give us a comprehension OF
the earthly surroundings Of our Lord
than any other in the gospels, Cor.
So 90 The procrastinating follower
". So. Jesus did not forbid the first
| man, he simply showed him what was
involved. This man, however. Jesus
invited to a place as disciple-learner.
That he was willing to accept is evil
dent, only he was not yet quite ready,
II will, but" It is not at all proba-
BILE that this mans father was await
ing burial; had his father but just
died, and awaiting burial, Jesus would
not have prevented. Rather he was
indicating a father about to die and
that he would follow after his fathers
death. Hence the sharp words of the
Master. Let the dead hurry the dead v
A proper duty, a sacred duty, but not
so proper nor so sacred as to have pre-
cedence over the claims of Jesus, Matt
6:33; 1887. Men do not as a rule
miss opportunities to make money, to
serve their ambitions nor to crafty
their desires, by the excuse Of waiting
to look after aged parents. Jesus
would have us bury the dead when
they are dead, not to neglect them
while living by any means, but at the
same time to follow him. 90 The ir
resolute follower wv. 1922. This man
was not troubled so much with going
back as with looking back. Ultimately
he intends to follow, but his desire is
still with others than being set upon
Jesus. Like Lots wife, he is looking
back rather than embracing the op
portunity to follow. This generally
ends in forgetting to follow at all, see
Luke 1882 and Gen. 1926. Such ones
are not fit for the kingdom, e. g., are
not ready to enter, nor are they really
DESTROYS to enter, Phil. 1913; Heb
.10:3S, 80. Jesus reference to the
pillow ". 62) recalls the call of Elisha
He with safety did bid farewell tt
loved ones and returned to worship
with the prophet, Kings 19:19-21. Je
sus intimates that such a step Is APP
to be fraught with fatal consequences
| IL lS III tHlS case, luc Sphlt vi tcSOiu
ton that Jesus commends. No furrov
can be plowed straight, when he WHIT
holds the pillow is looking backward.
Ever Ready to Serve.
II. Those who did follow Jesus
10:3S-42. We now turn to consider
this little company who were eve
ready to serve our Master. From v. 81
We know that not every home wa.
open to receive Jesus as was this on,
in Bethany, John Ill. Though thil
was Martha's home Q0:3s). and there
fore she felt the burden of hospitality
yet she did not hear the word as di,
her sister Mary, Mark 4:19. Marth,
was occupied with duty and Mary
with Jesus. Martha was occupied witt
many things, Mary was occupied witt
the "one thing needful." The result
was that Martha was distracted
(R. W., while Mary was at rest. Jesu
wants his disciples, his followers, t
sit at his feet and to learn OF him. H
knows all about duty's dull demand
but the one thing needful is, first o
all. to learn of him. Martha's Low
prompted the service, but there wa
doubtless much pride that accomps
MED it. Jesus, as we have seen, wa
not numbered with much comfort, an
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