The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-01-01
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson First Quarter, For
Jan. 4, 1914.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES
Text of the Lesson, Mark tx, 30-37:
x:13-16 - Memory Verses, x:14-16.
Golden Text, Mark x:1+Commen
tary by Rev. D. M. Stearns.

13-16- Memory Verses, x:14-1o.
Golden Text, Mark x:1+Commen
tary by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
The first part of our lesson is found
also in Matt. xviii, 1-6; Luke tx, 46-4S;
and is in each place, as here, preceded
by the record of the TRANSPORTATION.
the casting out of the demon from the
boy and the prediction of His death
and resurrection; then the account of
their dispute by the way as to which
Of them should be the greatest in the
kingdom. Matthew says that they
came to Him with the question, Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven? but Jesus had perceived the
thought of their heart before they ask
ed Him Matt xviii, 1; Luke tx. 40.
The sequence of events is not often
the same in the gospels, but where 1t
is the same, as in the case Of these
four or five different items, there must
be a connected line of teaching. Here
it seems to be something like this
three of the disciples were privileged to
see a foreshadowing of the kingdom on
the mount. At the foot of the mount
the other disciples were baffled by the
devil, and the enemies of Christ were
having the laugh on them. When Jesus
came He cast out the demon and re-
buked their unbelief and spoke Of the
necessity of prayer and fasting; then
He spoke of His approaching suffer
ings and death and resurrection, Of
which Moses and Elijah had talked
with Him On the mount duke tx, 81.
but they understood not what He
meant. for they had other thoughts.
They were not like little children
who were helpless and dependent and
believe what they are told. Had they
not all wrought miracles. and had not
three of them seen Moses and Elijah,
and did they not know something Of a
kingdom foretold by the prophets,
when all nations should be blessed by
Israel. Had they not heard repeatedly
that the kingdom was at hand, and, al
though He had not yet told them of a
throne, a place Of authority, for each
of them Matt. xix. %; Luke xii, 30),
might they not reasonably expect, be-
ing such favored men as to be chosen
by Him that they might be near to
Him and constantly with Him, that
they would be Of some special impor-
lance in His kingdom?
One might be higher than another.
and might not the recently favored
three be excused for thinking that they
would have a preference? Possibly
they said to the others. If we had been
there We could have cast out that de-
mon. How great the contrast between
Him. who was thinking of His ap-
preaching sufferings and death, and
these ambitious men who carried their
strife up to His last night with them
duke xxi, 24), and had no ears for
the story of suffering and rejection.
They were not like babes to whom
things can be told. but more like the
wise and prudent in their own estima-
ton, who fancy that they know all
things.
He would doubtless have told them
more than He did had they been able
to bear it. but they were not humble,
not teachable, not ready to receive
Him as a Messiah about to be cut off
and have nothing at present-cut off
because of our transgressions dan
tx. &c, margin; lisa. lii, s..
What Il specially blessed little child
to be taken in His arms, but He will
take you. He will take any one who
will let him, any one who will come to
Him, for Him that cometh, He will in
no wise cast OUT John vi. 80.
The second incident of our lesson
has different setting. This also is
found in Matt. xix. 1915: Luke xviii.
1911. Placing the three accounts to-
gether we read that little children
were brought to Him that He might
touch them, put His hands on them
and pray. 1t is just possible that His
taking that other little child of the
first part of our lesson up in His arms
may have led other parents to desire
that He would do for their children
what He had done for that child. and
therefore they brought them.
But these important men who were
DESTROYS to have prominent places in
His kingdom would not have Him
troubled with these little ones, evident
ly forgetting such words rs these.
"Your little ones which had no knowl-
edge between good and evil. they shall
go in" "Out Of the mouths of babes
and Stockings hast Thou ordained
strength" THE streets of the city
shall be full Of boys and girls
The disciples rebuked those who
brought the children, but Jesus re-
buked the disciples and uttered those
memorable words of our Golden Text,
Suffer the little children TO come
unto me. and forbid them not. for of
such is the kingdom of God" Then he
took them up in His arms. put His
hands upon them and blessed them.
and if you cannot see Him smiling
upon them as He did so you must be
as much out Of sympathy with Him as
were these disciples.
The incident which follows in each
of these gospels of the rich young
ruler who went away sorrowful be-
cause his possessions were more to
him than life eternal. sets forth the
teaching concerning the little children |
They were empty. dependent humble, |
teachable. but the disciples were self |
sufficient. ambitious. inclined to strife, |
and the rich ruler was full of his |
earthly goods and unconsciously break |
ing the first commandment.