The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-07-09

minister. and to give his life a ransom
for many" Mark 10:45.
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 Uuke 9:5D 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 we're "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-
guishirg feature of the lesson Of
the self-seeking disciples over against
the self-renouncing Master.
Assurance Of Faith.
I. The SeIf-seeking Disciples, w. 32-
Al. 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 (vv. 32-34. 1t
was then that James and John pre-
sented their request Matthew tells
us (20:20) that they made it through
their mother. 1t was an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what it in
volved ". 38), nor whose it was to
grant it w. 40). 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 it 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 selfishpess, though
Jesus seems to have ignored it. Was
this request melted by the mother?
Evidently not to a 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
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 l
drink" ". 3S). 1t was heroic but
ignorant answer they made, I'VE 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 pre-
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 1896;
Matt. 80; 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.
II. The SeIf-renouncing Master, W.
Alas. In answer to the indignation
". Az of the other ten disciples Je
sus without any manifest impatience
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 hat
arisen and was again manifested
Luke 22:24) and that, too, at a sol
emn occasion, as he announced his ap
preaching death and instituted the
supper. 1t was not till after Pente
cost that it became possible for dis
ciple to write Gin honor prefer ont
another" Rom. 4: 10, Phil. 2:S. Thii
reply OF Jesus to the indignation o
the ten is teaching by contrast ant
accurately describes the Gentle meth
cd of self-advancement. Over agains
it he sets forth the method of th'
''Son of Man" Till this present da.
such are the methods of those VIII
are of this world only.
In his kingdom it is different, great
ness is inverse ratio until we fin,
the greatest is the one who serve
most perfectly. In emphasizing thi
verse ". 45) 1t is quite common t
omit the last clause, land to give hi
life ransom for many" So to omi
1t is to neglect his work of redemI
tion and overly emphasizes the altrr
istic aspect of Christianity. Men ar
not saved by any such method. j