Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-01-22

25-40
The first section of our lesson text
has no connection with the other two.
1t is taken from 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 was not
supported by board, church, nor by
some philanthropically inclined fellow
citizen. 1t is to the second two sec
tons therefore that we devote our
chief attention.
Different Glasses.
|. Those who would follow Jesus,
9:57-62 Read carefully Matt. 1892.
Three different classes are here repre-
sented: Cd The impulsive follower
w. 81, 58). 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. 8:19)
that this man was scribe, one who
would not be expected to make such
a resolve. lie must have been deeply
stirred by what he had seen and heard
in the life Of Jesus Such a resolve
promised we'll, but.it is soon revealed
to him that he did not realize what
was involved in his promise (v. 58).
Jesus showed the man that to go
"whithersoever" with him means to
share his experiences. his fare, his
quarters, and to receive the same
treatment he received, 2 Tim. 312 1t
is a mistake to tell folk that the road
of righteousness is primrose path.
The road OF disobedience is rough
one, as the man who went to Jericho
found, still the road of righteousness
is 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; 1 Pet.
2:21.
This sentence (v. 5S) has done
more to give us a comprehension OF
the earthly surroundings of our Lord
than any other in the gospels, Cor.
SO. ca 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.
Will Int = ;s 81 al
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 bury the dead"
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: 1927
Ever Ready to Serve.
H. Those who did follow Jesus.
10:3S-42. We now turn to consider
this little company who were ever
ready to serge our Master. From " SIS
we know that not every home was
open to receive Jesus as was this one
in Bethany, John Ill. Though this
was Martha's home Q0:3S), and there.
fore she felt the burden of hospitality,
yet she did not hear the word as did
her sister Mary Mark 4:19. Martha
was occupied with duty and Mary,
with Jesus. Martha was occupied with
many things, Mary was occupied with
the 'one thing needful" The result
was that Martha was distracted"
Or. W, while Mary was at rest. Jesus
wants his disciples, his followers, to
sit at his feet and to learn of him. He
knows all about duty's dull demand,
but the one thing needful is, first OF
all, to learn of him. Martha's love
prompted the service, but there was
doubtless much pride that accompa
MED it. Jesus, as we have seen, was
not numbered with much comfort, and
it is doubtful that he was DESTROYS OF
a big dinner. Jesus does, however
commend communion with himself as
being. that good part" Afterwards
when death invaded that circle, it was
Martha that had the most intimate
dealing with our Lord, see John, chap
ter II, hence we conclude that she
learned on this day the lesson Jesus
sought to teach, viz, that in the life
of quiet communion Qsa 30:15) we
shall receive that strength that is alb
solutely essential, If we are to serve
him acceptably. We must not allow
the daily, legitimate demands of duty
to interfere with life of full, free, fell
lowship with the Master
Summary-It has never been re-
corded that Jesus ever complained of
the hardships of life, yet he had his
intimates who were glad to minister to
his reeds The call to companionship
with Christ. the call, follow me- Is
the most stupendous program yet pre-
sented to man. The perfect disciple,
as well as the ideal woman, is the one
who is a blend of the divergent char
acters of Martha and Mary. 1t is at
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