Middletown transcript., 1914-07-11
LESSON FOR JULY IL
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE.

LESSON TExT-Mark 1O;S2-45.
GOLDEN TEXT-"The Son Of man also
came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life ransom
Tor 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 Luke 9:5D we
read that Jesus "steadfastly set his
lace to go to Jerusalem" Now that
Journey is nearly ended. He had
reached a 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"
". 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-seeI<ins Disciples, w. 81
81. AS Jesus clearly spoke to those
who in amazement followed him he
told Of his condemnation and deliver
Rnce to the Gentiles; his persecution,
death and resurrection wv. 32-3D. It
was then that James and John pre-
sented their request. Matthew tells
US (2O:2O) that they made it through
their mother. 1t was an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what It in
volved ". 3S), nor whose it was to
grant 1t ". 40). He had spoken with
great clearness about his suffering
and death and Immediately they ask
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 selflshness, though
Jesus seems to have ignored It. 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. Je-
Jus had seemingly advanced these
two disciples, Mark 5:37; 9:2 and
14:33. They may have hoped that
the kinship of their families would
be to their advantage. At first their
question was a general one ". 35),
then 1t is more specific ". 80.
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
drink?" ". 3S). It was a 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 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 14:36;
Matt. 26:S9; John 1911; II Tim.
2:12; Rom. 8:17; Matt. 1924. James
and John ". 39) did not stop to meas
ure the meaning of their request.
Even so we today often hear the
people make glib professions of fealty
which likewise fail under the acid test
Of adversely, Matt. 26:56. James was
the first, Acts 1873, and John the last,
Rev. 1:9, Of the apostles to suffer for
IuO 6dk5 VI Luo WOEu VI SOO.
Wanted Places Of Authority.
II. The seIf-renouncIna Master, w.
41-45. In answer to the indignation
". 4D 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 |
1896, this same controversy had |
arisen and was again manifested
Ouke 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 a dis
ciple to write Sin honor prefer one |
another" Rom. 4: 10, Phil. 2:S. This
reply Of Jesus to the Indignation of |
the ten is 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