The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-19
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SUNlAlSOOM
J LESSON
LESSON FOR APRIL "
IJEsus AnoINrED AT HErnAS


JESUS ANoINTED AT BETHANY.
LESSON rExr-John Bin
GOLDEN TExT-She hath done what
she couId.-Mk. A:S
This q a lesson Of Jesus I'm the
home. It occurred at the beginning of
passion week. We have before as the
master; the worker, Martha; the wor-
shipper, Mary; the witness, Lazarus;
the traitor, Judas, and the people with
out. An unconscious bit of wisdom
fell from the lips OF that good house
wife who exclaimed, "How much bet
ter my neighbors' houses look when I
have my windows clean" Too much
we are looking through the eyes Of
sel6shness. Out OF this lesson let US
learn to look through unselflsh eyes.
!. Unjust Criticism wv. 1-6). It Is
six days before Jesus last Passover.
The accounts Of Matthew and Mark
suggest IL to have been within two
days, because they mentioned this
feast after telling of the conspiracy Of
the chief priests and elders with Ju-
das, who came to his determination to
sell his Master after the reprimaAf
given him ON this occasion.
CD The Value Of Coed Deeds. Je-
sus did not forget, In the supreme
hour OF his life, the friends whom he
loved. To bring them some further
spiritual gifts. he had come to their
home In Bethany. Doubtless he also
had In mind the desire to nourish the
faith which had been kindled In the
hearts Of all by the resurrection Of
Lazarus, Just az he returned to Cana
after having performed his first mir
acIe John 4:54). Jesus was Very
God Of Very God. Jet he was very
much OF q real man: therefore he en-
5oyed the pleasures OF home as much
as other men, and the joys Of knship
and brotherhood.
(2) The Wealth Of Coed Deeds. Out
OF her love Mary expended 81, prob.
ably her whole treasure, I'm the pur-
chase OF this alabaster box, and put
It aside to use it upon him at the
proper time. We do not think that she
stopped to calculate the cost Of this
ointment. Love never estimates value.
Her deed proved q safer guide Of con-
duct than the calculating prudence Of
Judas and the other disciples (see
Matt. % 81. Such deeds are always
looked upon with suspicion. The Isca-
riots usually are the leaders I'm criti-
Ching the actions Of others. Envy lay
at the bottom of their criticism, but
good deeds are unconscious, for we
read that ~the house was filed with
Odor."
CD a Standard Of Coed Deeds
OZARK 49,; ~she did what she
could" and We have also the record
Of good deeds, q memorial to her
Ozark 14:eD. A large number Of peO-
pie who never give Of their own to the
poor nor to the kingdom Of God are
willing to criticize others who do give
out Of the gratitude Of their loving
hearts.
%. Gracious Commentator wv.
I-11). Jesus praised where his disei-
pies and Judas criticized. The poor
they always had with them ozark
l4:D. This must have been a chal-
Ienge that evidently they had not at
tended 20 the poor a. they should
Jesus also tells them frankly that
whatever they do for him they must
DO speedily. Jesus Judgment upon
Judas II q rebuke Of the disciples; his
exposure OF the sophistry of-the crit
les and Of their subtIety In suggestive.
Upon Mary's act ne bestowed the
highest possible praise. "She hath
done what she could" That Is all that
q asked Of anyone Oh Cor. SIP. Such
commentator as Jesus bestowed upon
Mary he bestowed upon no other, and
his wonderful predictions concerning
her Matt. 28:18D have been literally
fulfilled Jesus judgment upon Mary
II also suggestive. He shielded her,
~1et her alones" he approved her
works as being good, and he inter-
preted her innermost purpose In ths
act which she had performed. This
outward act was literally the pouring
forth Of her hearts alteration and wor-
ship. Martha was I'm part taken MP
with her household service. Lazarus
was I'm part taken up with his enjoy
ment Of the presence % Jesus, but
Nary was wholly taken up with Jesus |
himself Does the record surprise MS:
~WheresOever this gospel shall be
preached throughout the whole world. |
fh1s also which she hath done shall be /
spoken Of for q memorial OF herr
Judas. under the Judgment Of Jesus,
Was stung Matt. 26:1zl and hurries /
at once 70 the enemies Of Jesus to /
strike . bargain with them for the be- ]
trays1 Of his Lord though he did not |
secure from these enemies the equiFa-
lent Of what she had poured upon hfm !
Christ win b. no mans debtor. He
takes the poor offerings we lay before
him, and crowns them with the rich /
est reward Mary's gift Of ointment
received words Of cOmmendatI0n Of
which she never dreamed, and q re-
ward far beyond her fondest hope. and
has been the fo1nt Of countless deeds
nch with love Many people had gath
cred, net only for Jesus sake, But /
that they might see LAZARUS also. He
drew people because Of what Jesus had /
done for him, jet he drew them to
Jesus his brOaght him also under
eondemnatlOn. for NE must share the
kGttsFness q the foes Ct JeszA