The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-07-10
LESSON FOR JULY IL
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE.
LESSON TExT-Mark 1o:s2.h.


came not to be ministered unto. but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom
for many" Mark 10:45.
This is a time in the life of our
Lord that vibrates with interest as
we rapidly approach his last tragic
week upon earth. At the beginning Of
his Perean ministry duke 9:51) we
read that Jesus "steadfastly set his
face to go to Jerusalem" Now that
journey is nearly ended. He had
reached a place near Jericho. Know
ing the antlpathy of the rulers, those
who journeyed with Jesus were
amazed" and some as they followed
him on this journey were afraid"
". 32). Jesus, therefore, and for a
third time, plainly tells his disciples
what is about to take place in Jeru-
| salem.
The contrast Of self is the distin-
gushing feature Of the lesson of
the self-seeking disciples over against
the self-renouncing Master.
Assurance Of Faith.
!. The seIf-seekIng Disciples, w. 32-
ii. AS Jesus clearly spoke to those
who in amazement followed him he
told Of his condemnation and deliver
ance to the Gentiles; his persecution,
death and resurrection wv. 32-34). 1t
was then that James and John pre-
scented their request. Matthew tells
US (20:20) that they made 1t through
their mother. 1t was an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what 1t in
volved ". 3S), nor whose 1t was to
| grant 1t ". 40). He had spoken with
great clearness about his suffering
and death and Immediately they ask
a position in his glory. This may in
dictate the assurance Of their faith
in him, but 1t certainly intlmates that
they did not comprehend the suffering
of which he had been speaking. We
need to remember, however, that they
believed in that approaching hour Of
his glory. They desired, though, to
have an association with him in his
power and authority, thus showing
their mixture of selfishness, though
Jesus seems to have ignored 1t. Was
this request melted by the mother?
Evidently not to degree, for the Mas
ter addresses his reply to the dis
ciples. In that reply he does say
that to occupy such a position was
denied them, or might be quite pos
sible. What he does lay stress upon
was what was involved and that this
was not the time or place to lay EN-.
phasis, in this new kingdom, upon any
other idea than that of equality.
Jesus then clearly declared all that
was involved in his pathway Of suf-
fering and propounds his question,
Are We able to drink the cup that
drink" ". 3S). 1t was heroic but
ignorant answer they made, 1--WE are
able" Their language reveals the
character, however, Of those who did
enter into that fellowship with him
which eventually led them to martyr
dom. He told them they should be
baptized into strength to do and live
this life of abandonment, but that such
life could not command any pre-
eminence on that account. Their re-
quest was otherwise a correct one. In
order to share with Christ in his glory
we must share his cup and his bap-
tism Of shame and suffering; see 1895;
Matt. 26:39; John 1911; II Tim.
2:12; Rom. SIT; Matt. 1924. James
and John ". 39) did not stop to meas
ure the meaning of their request.
Wanted Places Of Authority.
n. The self-renouncIng Master, w.
41-45. In answer to the indignation
". Az of the other ten disciples Je-
sus without any manifest impotence
calls the disciples unto him" and sets
before them their absolute equality,
and yet at the same time way of ex-
altation, v. 43. Jesus is ever calling
us unto him." for he desires to lead
us out of lives of selfishness into
those of fulness and service These
ten were not altogether without self
ishness; they wanted the places of au-
thority also. Once before, chapter
9:33-36, this same controversy had
arisen and was again manifested
duke 22:2Q and that, too, at SOL
emn occasion, as he announced his APP
preaching death and instituted the
supper 1t was not till after Pente-
cost that it became possible for a dis
ciple to write Gin honor prefer one
another" ROM 4: 10, Phil. 2:9. This
reply Of Jesus to the Indignation Of
the ten is a teaching by contrast and
accurately describes the Gentle meth
cd of self-advancement. Over against
it he sets forth the method of the
Son of Man." Till this present day
such are the methods of those who
are of this world only.
In his kingdom it is different, great
ness is inverse ratio until we find
the greatest is the one who serves
most perfectly. In emphasizing this
verse ". 45) it is quite common to
omit the last clause, land to give his
life ransom for many" So to omit
it is to neglect his work Of redemp-
ton and overly emphasizes the altru-
istic aspect of Christianity. Men are
| not saved by any such method Je-