Mexico Missouri message., 1917-05-03
LESSON FOR MAY 6
JESUS THE SERVANT OF ALL.

LESSON TEXT-John BILE.
GOLDEN TEXT-And whatsoever of Won
will be the chiefest, shall be servant OF
all.-Mk. 10:A
This lesson is really continuation
or the latter part of the lesson of last
week, for the glory Of Jesus is his UNI
selhshness whereby he wrought out re.
demption for mankind.
!. seIfshness Amid Holy Surround
ings wv. 1-11). The world does not
appreciate Jesus. 1t never has. 'sHis
own" the Jews, did not appreciate
him. We are considering him today
as he was about to depart from the
world that had despised and rejected
him to one that appreciated him (Heb.
1-6). The development. Verse 2
tells of the Satanic suggestion that
came to the heart of Judas. In 1t was
personal desire, and, connected with It,
human conspiracy. The coming to
TINS upper room has been pointed out
by a man bearing a pitcher INK,
14:12-16), the pitcher being suggestive
OF the Holy Spirit which was about to
come In the place of the visible Christ
and 1t Is in the midst of such sacred
surroundings as this that Satan enters
the hearts Of students. This is q sug.
gestion as to the power of environment
Environment Is an aid, but 1t does moi
produce effective safety. No moment
is too holy for Satanic suggestion
Jesus knew that the hour was come
when he was to depart out Of the
world. Having loved his own, he
loved them to the end" Even though
the Father had given all things into
his hands, still it was necessary fol
him to teach the disciples once more
and finally, the lesson Of humility. He
knew and remembered the strife
among the disciples duke % :24-2S)
Doctor Bonard's famous dream, analyz
Ing zeal as being made up of ambi
tion, pride and elements other thar
the love of God Is worthy of consid
Grafton in this connection. We need
to realize the danger of selfishnes:
even in our service for God. Have we
examined our motives? If the con.
sequences of our superiority, either OF
rank or ability, tempts us to shirk the
0wliest Of services, it is time fol
GODS children to recall this scene, anC
remember that "the servant is moi
greater than his Lord" Peters strons
protest ". 81 brings out the fact thai
the washing by Christ of the dis
ciples' feet was deeper thar
merely the outward application
of water (See Rom. 500.
II. Service, the Evidence of Divine
Humility wv. 12-15). ~ This service
was tender. Jesus had all things "
81, yet he became the servant of all
(2) 1t was for all. All needed a wash
ing. All the disciples needed to learn
and all servants must learn, to obey
90 1t signified sanctification. We are
saved once for all, but we are con
stantly being stained by our contact
with sin In the world; hence the neet
OF renewed cleansing New light re
veals new need of cleansing. (4) ].
signified deity. Jesus read the thought,
OF his disciples. He became their serv
ant that in years to come they might
know the meaning of service. He be
came their example, and in years t.
come they remembered his knowledge
and service. (6) 1t was Tor This own. >
The disciples did not know what 4
was he had done to them. Little d.
we understand oftentimes what 1t /!
the Lord has done to us. Jesus Sc
them an example whereby he woulC
remove the dirt of crime, self-seekin,
and every manifestation of selfishnes.
from their sin-stained souls. We MAJ
call Jesus Lord and Master, and 1t /.
well that we do so, for Master anC
Lord he Is indeed, but, If we call hin
so, let us not do aught than make hin
in our lives what we call him with ouI
lips. The idea here emphasized hai
given rise to much religious literature
1.-THE Imitation of Christ" by Thomas
attempts, is the most popular book IL
the world next to the Bible.
"Verily, verify, I say unto you "
16). This introduction shows how i'm
pOrtant Christ considered his teachinj
at this point. 'gThe servant is no
greater than his Lord" (See Matt. 10
"a; Luke $40; 22-27). If the Lor,
bent to this lowly service, certainl,
they, the servants, should not think 1
beneath them to do likewise, no
should the one that is sent Gan apos
tle) consider himself greater than h
that sent him. John, who wrote thi
epistle, was one of the apostles guilt
of an unhOly strife for power and DC
sition, and DESTROYS of bringing fir
down upon those who did not acknowl
edge and follow Jesus, but he BEGAN
a marvel of love and tenderness