The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-07-09

for many. MAIN We.
This IL q time In the life OF our
Lord that vibrates with interest as
we rapidly approach his last tragic
week upon earth. AZ the beginning or
his Perean ministry Luke s:bD We
read that Jesus "steadfastly set his
face TO 20 TO Jerusalem" Now that
Journey is nearly ended. lie 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 II about to take place In Jeru-
salem.
The contrast OF self Is the dlstin-
gushing feature Of the lesson OF
the self.seeking disciples over against
the selfrenouncing Master.
Assurance OF Faith.
I. The seitseekins Disciples, w. 81
~. As Jesus clearly spoke to those
who in amazement followed him he
told OF his condemnation and deliver
ance 20 the Gentiles. his persecution.
death and resurrection (vv. $3.50. II
was then that James aud John pre-
scented their request Matthew tells
us go: 2Ol that they made II through
their mother. II WAS an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what II In
yolved ". ISL, nor whose II wac to
grant II ". 40l. He had spoken with
great clearness about his suffering
and death and Immediately they ask
a position In his glory. This may In
dictate the assurance OF their faith
In him. but II certainly intlmates that
they did not comprehend the suffering
OF which he had been speaking. We
need 10 remember, however, that they
believed In that approaching hour OF
his glory They desired. though, 10
have an association with him In his
power and authority. thus showing
their mixture OF eelhshness. though
Jesus seems 10 have ignored H. Was
this request melted by the motherf
Evidently not 20 a 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
eible. 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 ]
drink" ". 3s). II war 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 10 martyr.
| dom. He told them they should be
/ baptized into a strength To do and live
this life OF abandonment. but that such
life could not command any pre-
eIninence on that account Their ~
quest was otherwise correct one. In
order TO share with Christ In his glory
we must share his cup and his hap
tism OF shame and suffering; see Il &c:
Matt. 20: 80: John 1911: II Tim.
2l2: Rom. SIT: Matt 16:2A James
and John ". 39) did not stop 10 meas
ure the meaning Of their request
Wanted Places Of Authority.
n. The seIf.renouncino Master. w.
AIS. In answer TO the indignation
". Az OF the other ten disciples Je-
sus without any manifest impotence
calls the disciples unto him and sets
before them their absolute equality.
and yet at the same time way OF ex-
altation. v. IS. Jesus Is ever calling
us unto him." for he desires to lead
us out OF lives OF selhshness into
those OF fitness and service. These
ten were not altogether without self
ishness; they wanted the places OF au-
thority also. Once before. chapter
933-36. this same controversy had
arisen and was again manifested
luke 22:2D and that, too. at a sol.
emn occasion. as he announced his ap-
preaching death and instituted the
supper. II was not till after Pente-
cost that II became possible for dis
ciple to write in honor prefer one
another" Rom. 4: 10. Phil. 2:3. This
reply OF Jesus to tho indignation OF
the ten In a teaching by contrast and
accurately describes the GENTLE meth
cd OF self,advancement Over against
II he sets forth the method OF the
Son OF Man" TIL this present day
such are the methods OF those who
are OF this world only.
In his kingdom II Is different, great
ness Is inverse ratio until we hnd
the greatest is the one who serves
most perfectly. In emphasizing this
verse ". i5) II Is quite common 10
omit the last clause, "and TO give his
life ransom for many" SO TO omit
II is TO neglect his work OF redemp-
tion and overly emphasizes the altru-
istic aspect OF Christianity. Men are
not saved by any such method. Je-
sus is the greatest example of a per
feet servant because he did give his
life. Let us also remember that he
gave that life and that no man took
Il from him. John l0:1&