The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-04-15

guests, great multltudeS TO-
our Lord. Turning, he uttered some
of the severest and yet the most won
derful words that ever fell from his
lips, as we shall see If we follow all
Of this part of our lesson series.
Multitude Rebuked.
!. A Caution, v. 20. On another &C.
casion, John 6:26, Jesus rebuked the
multitude which followed him. This
multitude who pressed about him did
not realize what was involved in a
true following. They were Influenced
by the psychology Of the crowd, and
did not count the cost. Jesus does not
mean that our discipleship will lessen
our love for our kin (Eph. 5:25, 1881;
6:1-4), but as compared with our love
for him it Is aversion. See Matt.
1927; Phil. 3:7, 8; Ps. .73:25, &c. Aver
sion Is to turn aside, and the Master
told us that those who shall turn aside
thus shall have an abundant reward,
see Mark 10:2S-30. Jesus Christ must
be supreme in a Christians affections.
He who freely gave his own self John
1918, Phil. 2:8) has a right to demand
a like devotion to himself, and as
men have approached nearest to such
a conservation he has exalted them.
The Cross means the shame, sorrow,
pain and death Of self and all that lies
in the pathway Of loyalty and devo-
ton to him. II Tim. 1912, Acts 14:22.
Our cross Is that particular thing
which crosses the path into which God
Is calling us. To avoid It that we may
escape the shame is to be disloyal to
him, therefore he cannot be
my disciple" This frequently costs
much, but has an abundant reward,
John 1916.
n. a %chaIIange, w. 27-s2. (1) Tho
instruction, v. 81. AS II to make this
caution more solemn, Jesus sets be-
fore the multitude the name Of his
approaching death and the condition
Of discipleship. He here lays down
the first declaration Of the severe
terms Of discipleship, but explains
the meaning Of his words. There is a
new meaning Of this passage sug-
gested by the Revised Version Of v.
SO, 80 likewise" is rendered, so
therefore" Our Lord does certainly
insist that those who build a tower or
conduct a war must count the cost; so,
likewise, they who follow him. But
by this change the opposite thought Is
suggested, viz, that those who follow
him must do so whatever the cost may
be. (2) The illustrations. (a) The
builder Of a tower, w. 20, 80, and (b)
The King at war, w. 81, 81. Too often
we present to- men what Is to be gained
by Christian discipleship. The gain
does outweigh the cost, but as wise
builders we must present the cost side
Of the transaction. The mar VINO
builds the tower is master of his own
enterprise and the king need take u
sci but of himself. Our Lord as the
Master Builder and the great King can
build his towers or conduct his cam
paigns only through workers and SOL
diers upon whom he a depend aoso-
lutely. This throws light on the con.
Meeting therefore" of verse 33.
Homely illustrations.
III. The Conclusion, w. 1885. We
have already indicated the conclusion
towards which Jesus was leading with
terrific logic, and by looking back to
the first verse of the lesson we see
what it vas he was seeking to impress
upon the minds Of the thoughtless
multitude. Again the Master uses
one of those homely illustrations
gathered from the common expert
ences of life which he employed SO
frequently to amplify or to drive home
a great truth. There aust be quality
az we'll as devotion to this disciple
ship. Salt preserves from corruption,
seasons insipidity, freshens and sweet
ems. These qualities are referred to
abundantly by Scriptural writer's. Salt
lS 0lRQly pTllSu III IAS Hoe"
natural man Is presented also as be-
ing corrupt, Gen. Gil; 1921; Ps. 14:2,
3: Eph. 2:1-3. The remedy for this is
the active presence Of his disciples
among their fellows. The true dis
ciple is like salt with a good savor.
On the other hand, salt that has lost
its SAVIOR ia not even fit for a dung
hill. but Is thrown out and trodden un-
der foot of men. So u Lord sets
aside that disciple Of his who has lost
his usefulness. This expresses our
Lords contempt and scorn Of those
who lack, not merely a certain kind
Of character, but those whose profess
sion and appearance would indicate a
better expectation. Ears are made
that we may hear; happy is that man
who has learned to listen to Jesus.
This lesson presents the severity
of the claims of Jesus. Irresistibly he
drew the multitudes to himself. Wit
ness the crowd following him as he
leaves the house Of the ruler. But he
naused and by his teaching sifted