The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-05-03
LESSON FOR MAY 6
JESUS THE SERVANT OF ALL.

LESSON TExT-John 131-15.
GOlADEN TEXT-And whosoever Of you
VIII be the chiefest. shall be servant Of
all.-Mk. 1914.
This lesson is really continuation
OF the latter part Of the lesson of last
week, for the glory of Jesus is his un-
sel1shness whereby he wrought out re-
demption for mankind.
!. Selfshness Amid Holy Surround.
'ngs wv. 1-1D. The world does not
appreciate Jesus. 1t never has. "IIis
own" the Jews, did not appreciate
him. We are considering him today
rs he was about to depart from the
world that mad despised and rejected
MIN to one that appreciated him (IIcb.
l-O. The development. Verse 2
tells of the Satanic suggestion that
came to the heart of Judas. In It wns
personal desire, and, connected with 1t.
human conspiracy. The coming TO
'his upper room has been pointed out
ny man bearing pitcher (NIk.
lf:l2-lo), the pitcher being suggestive
OF the Aoly Spirit which was about to
come IN the place of the visible Christ
ana 1T is In the midst of such sacred
surroundings rs this that Satan enters
the hearts Of students. This is q sug-
geStlon as to the power of environment.
environment is an aid, but it does not
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
ms hands, still 1t was necessary for
MN to teach the disciples once more.
ana finally, the lesson Of humility. He
knew and remembered the strife
among the disciples (Luke % :24-2S).
Doctor Bonard's famous dream, annlyz-
ing zeal rs being made up Of ambi-
ton, pride and elements other than
lhe love of God is worthy of consid-
Grafton In this connection. We need
10 realize the danger Of selfishness
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 shirll the
lowliest of services, 1t is time for
Gods children to recall this scene, and
remember that "the servant is not
greater than his Lord" Peters strong
protest ". 81 brings out the fact that
the washing by Christ of the dis.
ciples' feet was deeper than
merely the outward application
of water (See Rom. 8:o).
IL Service, the Evidence Of Divine
Humility wv. 12-15). (1) This service
was tender. Jesus had all things ".
-, yet he became the servant of all.
~ 1t was for all. All needed q wash
ing. All the disciples needed to learn,
ana all servants must learn, to obey.
t5) 1T signified sanctificntion. We are
saved once for all, but we are con-
stantly being stained by our contact
with sin in the world; hence the need
or renewed cleansing. New light re-
'eals new need of cleansing (4) 1t
significd deity. Jesus read the thoughts
or his disciples. He became their sery-
ant that in years to come they might
Know the meaning Of service. He be-
came their example, and in wears TO
come they remembered his knowledge
ana service. (G) 1t was for "his own"
The disciples did not know what It
was ne mad done to them. Little do
we understand oftentimes what II ia
the Lord has done to us. Jesus set
them an example whereby he would
remove the dirt Of crime, self-seeking
ana every manifestation Of selfishness
from their sin-stained souls. We NAV
call Jesus Lord and Master, and It is
well that we do so, for Master and
Lord he Is indeed but If we call him
so, let us not do aught than make him
IN our lives what we call him with our
lips. The idea here emphasized has
given rise to much religious literature.
The Imitation Of Christ" by Thomas
attempts, is the most popular book in
the world next to the Bible.
"verlly, verify, say unto you" ".
lo). This introduction shows how i'm
portant Christ considered his teaching
at this point. "The servant ia NOT
greater than his Lord" (See Matt 10.
"a; Luke $40; 22-27). If the Lord
bent to this lowly service, certainly
they, the servants, should not think It
beneath them to do likewise. nor
should the one that Is sent (an amos.
tle) consider himself greater than he
that sent him. John, who wrote this
epistle, was one Of the apostles guilty
OF an unholy strife for power and no.
sition, and desirous Of bringing fire
down upon those who did not acknowl-
edge and follow Jesus, but he became
marvel Of love and tenderness.
Knowing and doing are the, twin nil
lars or the christian faith upon which