The Brinkley argus., 1914-07-10
INTERNATIONAL SOllDNYSQIO0L
 LESSON By B. O. SELLERS, Director ef Evsnins Department. The Moody Bib1s Institute. Chicarul
LESSON FOR JULY 12
THROUGH SERVICE.

4
 GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE.
 LESSON TExT-Mark lo:s2-H.
 GOLDEN TExT-''The Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. and to give his life . ransom for many" Mark 10:45.
 l This is . 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 (Luke s:51) we read that Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" Now that journey is nearly ended. He had reached place near Jericho. Know ing the antipathy of the rulers. those who journeyed with Jesus were amazed" and some as they followed him on this journey were afraid" (v. 32). Jesus. therefore. and for . 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.
 l. The seIf.seei<ing DiscIpies, w. 32. 41. As Jesus clearly spoke to those who in amusement followed him he told of his condemnation and deliver ance to the Gentiles: his persecution, death and resurrection (vv. 32-34). It was then that James and John pre- scented their request. Matthew tells us (2O:20) that they made 1t through their mother. It was an ignorant re- quest, for they knew not what 1t in- volved tv. 38). nor whose 1t was to grant it (v. 4O). He had spoken with great clearness about his suffering and death and immediately they ask a position in his glory. This may in- dicate the assurance of their faith in him. but 1t certainly intimates 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 8 degree, for the Mas. ter. addresses his reply to the dis ciples. In that reply he does say that to occupy such . position was denied them. or might be quite pos- eible. What he does lay stress upon was what. was involved and that this was not the time or place to lay em- 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 ye able to drink the cup that l drink?" (v. 3S). It was a heroic but ignorant answer they made. 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 a life could not command any We- eminence on that account. Their re- quest was otherwise 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 14:36; Matt. 26:39; John 1911: II Tim. PIP: Rom. SIT; Matt. 16:24. James and John (v. 3s) did not stop to meas. ure the meaning of their request
 Wanted Places of Authority. II. The esif-renouneine Master, w 4146. In answer to the indignation l lv. 41) of the other ten disciples Je gus without any manifest impatience calls the disciples unto him" and sets
 before them their absolute equality 1 and yet at the same time q way of ex | altation. ". 43. Jesus is ever calling us unto him." for he desires to lead us out of lives of selfishness into l those of fitness and service. These l ten were not altogether without self
 ishness; they wanted the places of au l thority also. Once before. chapter l 9:SS.36. this same controversy had l arisen and was again manifested
 (Luke 22:24) and that, too, ct . sol
 emn occasion. as he announced his ap preaching death and instituted eht
 supper. It was not till after Pente
 cost that 1t became possible for . dis l ciple to write fin honor prefer one another" Rom. 4: 10. Phil- 2:S. Thfl Il reply of Jesus to the indignation o tha ten ia a teaching by contrast ant