The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-07-10
LESSON FOR JULY II
GREATNESS THRouoA SERVICE.

minister, ana 10 klfc nls me q tnAseaa
for many" Marx 1915.
This Is a time In the life of our
Lord that vibrates with interest al
we rapidly approach his last tragic
week upon earth. At the beginning or
his Perean ministry Luke s:5l) we
read that Jesus "steadfastly set his
face TO go to Jerusalem" Now that
journey In nearly ended. He had
reached q place near Jericho, Know
ing the a~ntipathy Of the rulers, those
who iourneyed with Jesus wera
amazed" and some az they followed
him on this Journey we're afraid"
", 32) Jesus. therefore, and for u
third time, plainly tells his disciples
what Ia about to take place In Jeru-
salem
The contrast Of self Ia the dlstln-
gushing feature of the lesson OF
the ~self.sceking disciples over against
the self renouncing Master.
Assurance Of Faith,
|. The selt.seeking Disciples, w. 81.
~. As Jesus clearly spoke to those
who In amasement followed him no
told OF bis condemnation and deliver.
ance to the Gentiles; his persecution,
death and resurrection wv. 32-84). 1t
was then that James and John pre-
sented their request. Matthew tells
us (20:20) that they made II through
their mother. II was an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what It In
volved ". 3s), nor whose II was to
grant 1t ". 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 1t 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 s~elnahness, though
Jesus seems TO have ignored IT. VA
this request melted by the motherf
Evidently not to a degree. for the Mas
ter addresses his reply to the dis.
clples, In that reply he does say
that to occupy such a position was
denied them, or might be quite pos
.ibt1 fRhat bn Aaag loy ntroau anon
WAS what was involved and that this
was not the time or place to lAy en-
phaais, In this new kingdom, upon any
other idea than that Of equality. Je
sus had seeningly advanced these
two disciples, Mark 5:37; Oh and
1873. They may have hoped that
the ktuahip OF their families would
be to their advantage. Az first their
question was a general one ". 49,,
then II Ia more specific ". 81.
Jesus then clearly declared Ill that
was involved in his pathway d suf.
fering and propounds his question,
Are ye able to drink the cup that ]
drink" ". 38). 1t was a heroic but
ignorant answer they made. I'VE arc
able" Their language reveals the
character. however, OK those who did
enter into that fellowship with him
which eventually led them 10 martyr
dom. He told them they should BE-
baptized into q strength to do and 1--we
this life Of abandonment, but that such
a life could not command any pro
eminence on that account. Their re-
quest was otherwise a correct one. n
order to share with Christ In hk glory
we must share his cup and his hap
tism OF shame and suffering; see 1895;
Matt. 20. 80; John 1911; II Tim.
2:12; Rom. SIT; Matt. 16. "a. James
and John ". 3S) did not stop TO meas
ure the meaning Of their request.
Even 10 we today often hear the
people make glib professions Of feaity
which likewise fail under the acid test
Of adversely, Matt. 1856. James was
the frst, Acts 1873, and John the last.
Rev. 10, Of the apostles TO suffer tor
the sake OF the Word, Of God.
Wanted Places " Authority.
u. The seifrsnounclng Master, w.
41AB. In answer TO the Indignation
". ~ OF the other ten disciples 10.
sus without any manifest impatiencs
calls the disciples unto him" and sets
before them their absolute equality.
and yet at the same time q way OF ex.
altation, ". 40. Jesus 10 ever calling
us unto him." for he desires to lead
10 out OF lives OF selishness 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
duke 22.24) and that, too. at q SOL
emn occasion, as he announced his ap.
preaching death and instituted the
supper. II was not till after Psnte-
cost that It became possible for q dis
ciple to write in honor prefer one
another" Rom. 4: 10, Phil. 20. This
reply OF Jesus to the indignation Of
the ten is q teaching by contrast and
accurately describes the Gentle meth
Cd Of seif.advancement. Over against
II 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 II fl different, great
ness Is inverse ratic until we find
the greatest Is the n who serves
most perfectly. In Emphasizing this
verse ". 45) II 10 quite common to
omit the last ~clause. "and to give bis
life i ransom for many So to omit