Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-05
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

proved that he was not worthy of the
! Masters affections. Jesus determined
! to crush the spirit of selhsnness anu
| self seeking that filled the atmosphere
| of the upper room He did not ques-
| ton concerning His pre-eminence. for
| He was conscious of His unlimited
| power. due to His divine origin. III Is
| only the one whose position Is uncer
| self -abnegation- The Masters near!
craved to change Judas and NIL az
with the attitude of mind that would
! enable them to stand the strain OF tne
them memory of devotion that would
teach them the principle or service
that is the highest and truest express
sion of the Christian life.
The "suppertfme having arrived, ,he
Lord, conscious that His power de-
manded expression. filled with unlimit,
ed love TO: the silent. deeply agitated
apostles, determined to act. The ne
cessity for immediate action, SO that
they could partake of the waiting
| meal. that with joy He had long desired
to eat with them IN spirit OF ieiioW-
ship, called for the Master, who had re-
preached the pharisee for his breach
| of courtesy when he had neglected to
have the water poured over HIS feet, 70
assume the position of the servant OF
all He arose from His place of honor
at the table. cast aside the loose COW
ering robe. rolled up the sleeves of HIS
tunic took a towel and girded Him
self. Then He poureth water into the
basin and began to wash the disciples
feet and began to wipe them with the
towel wherewith he was girded.
Christ wanted them to understand
the message that He illustrated when
He washed His disciples feet. me
apostles did not grasp IT, Many OF ms
present followers do not understand
its meaning. Some think that He was
instituting an ordinance perpetuaily
binding upon His followers. and oy
their literal Interpretation and obser.
walton of His act they are in danger of
missing the spiritual significance OF
what Jesus had done. While not hold
ing to II as establishing the ordinance
OF foot-washing. one is competed 70
admire the spirit of those who prac-
tice the same in their desire to obey
Christ Jesus pointed out that all who
called Him, as He is. Lord and Master
ought to follow His example of trying
to serve men.
Men have not learned that the SUI
preme thing in life is to follow Christs
example of service. The Red cross.
missionary and social service work that
is prompted by passion for men IS
being carried out along the lines of
the Masters plans. The one who out
of love for the Lord Jesus is Wiling
to do the secret and unseen service mas
caught the message Jesus tried 10
teach His followers Judas lacked splr-
itual vision and stands out as fail
ure because he did not grasp the les
son Jesus taught.
The establishment of the Lords sup
per was to keep before His people the
message that the Lord had enacted In
the washing Of the disciples feet me
American flag. because OF Its asso
iation. history and symbolism. stands
for the spirit of the nations life;
love and liberty. The bread and
wine to which Jesus pointed. making
them symbols of His death and love.
have come to have for His followers
an expression of organized fellowship
The life of service is needed today
among men to prove the symbols
meaning. The Christian is called 70
follow his Lord by life of humble
service for Christ and his fellow men