The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-07-07
LESSON FOR JULY IL
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE.


LESSON TExT-Mark 10:S2-45.
GOLDEN TEXT-''The Son of man also
came not to be ministered unto. but to
minister. and to give his life ransom
for many Mark 10:45-
This is 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 9:51) We
read that Jesus "steadfastly set his
face to go to Jerusalem" Now that
journey is nearly ended. He had
reached place near Jericho Know
ing the antipathy of the rulers, these
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-seeking Disciples, w. 80
Al. AS Jesus clearly spoke to those
who in amazement followed him he
told of his condemnation and deliver
ance to the Gentiles; his persecution,
death and resurrection wv. 32-34). 1t
was then that James and John pre-
scented their request. Matthew tells
us (20:20) that they made it through
their mother. 1t was an ignorant re-
quest, for they knew not what it in
voIved ". 3S), nor whose it was to
grant it ". 40). 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 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
|
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.
Jesus then clearly declared all thai
was involved in his pathway of suf
fering and propounds his question
'Are we able to drink the cup that
| drink" ". 3S). 1t was heroic bu
ignorant answer they made, 1--WE are
able" Their language reveals the
character, however, of those who diC
enter into that fellowship with hin
which eventually led them to martyr
dom. He told them they should b.
baptized into strength to do and liv'
this life of abandonment, but that sucl
life could not command any pre-
eminence on that account. Their re
quest was otherwise correct one. Il
order to share with Christ in his glor
we must share his cup and his bal
tism of shame and suffering; see 14:3 6
Matt. 26:39; John 1911; II Tin
2:12; Rom. SIT; Matt. 1924. Jane
and John ~ 39) did not stop to mea:
1L1 90 noc
Wanted Places of Authority.
II. The Self-renouncing Master, W
4145. In answer to the indignatio
Nv. ALL of the other ten disciples j
l sus without any manifest impatienc
calls the disciples unto him" and sci
I before them their absolute equalit.
!, and yet at the same time way of e,
altation, v. 40. Jesus is ever calm
us unto him." for he desires to lea
us out of lives of selfishness int
those of fitness and service. Thes
ten were not altogether without sci
ishness; they wanted the places of a
v thority also. Once before, chapte
1896, this same controversy ha
| arisen and was again manifesto
I (Luke 22:24) and that, too, at sc
4 emn occasion, as he announced his a
! preaching death and instituted tt
supper 1t was not till after Pent
n cost that It became possible for di
o ciple to write Gin honor prefer OF
another" Rom. 4: 10, Phil. 2:S. TIL
reply of Jesus to the indignation
a the ten is teaching by contrast al
r accurately describes the Gentle met
cd of self-advancement. Over again
- it he sets forth the method of Il
g "Son of Man" Till this present d;
r such are the methods of those WI
. are of this world only.
- In his kingdom it is different, gres
IS ness is inverse ratio until we fl
a the greatest is the one who serv
~ most perfectly. In emphasizing tn
= verse ~. 45) it is quite common
omit the last clause. "and to give /
life a ransom for many" So to on
it is to neglect his work CT REDEEM
ton and overly emphasizes the altl
istic aspect of Christianity. Men a
Ie not saved by any such method. .
If sus is the greatest example of a p,
1 feet servant because he did give
! life. Let us also remember that
y gave that life and that no man to