The Carlisle independent., 1917-05-03

| all-Mk. 10:44
 This lesson is really a continuation
 of the latter part of the lesson of last
 week, for the glory of Jesus is his un- selfishness whereby he wrought out re- demption for mankind.
 l. Selflshness Amid Holy Surround. ings (vv. 1-11). The world does not
 appreciate Jesus. It never has. His
 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 this upper room has been pointed out by man bearing a pitcher (Mk. l4:l2-16), the pitcher being suggestive of the Holy Spirit which was about to come in the place of the visible Christ. and it is in the midst of such sacred surroundings as this that Satan enters the hearts of students. This is sug- gestion 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 his hands, still it was necessary for him to teach the disciples once more and finally, the lesson of humility. He knew and remembered the strife among the disciples Ouke % :24-2S). Doctor Bonard's famous dream. analyz- ing zeal as being made up of ambi. ton, pride and elements other than the love of God is worthy of consid. eration in this connection. We need to realize the danger of selfshness even Tn 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 lowliest of services, it is time for Gods children to recall this scene. and remember that ''the servant is not greater than his Lord" Peters strong protest (v. 8 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. S:9).
 II. Service, the Evidence of Divine " was tender. Jesus had all things (v. 5, yet he became the servant of all. @ It was for all. All needed wash. ing. All the disciples needed to learn, and all servants must learn, to obey, (3) It 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 need of renewed cleansing. New light re- veals new need of cleansing. (4) IL slgnifled deity. Jesus read the thoughts 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 to come they remembered his knowledge II. The disciples did not know what if was he had done to them. Little do we understand oftentimes what 1t is the Lord has done to us. Jesus set them an example whereby he would remove the dirt of crime, self-seekfns and every manifestation of selfishness from their sin-stained souls. We may T arI 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 Christi by Thomas a'kempis is the most popular book in the world next to the Bible.
 "Verily, verify, I say unto you" (v. 16). This introduction shows how i'm. portant Christ considered his teaching at this point. "The servant is not greater than his Lord" (See Matt. 10: 24; Luke $40; 22-27). If the Lord bent to this lowly service certainly they, the servants, should not think 1t beneath them to do likewise, nor should the one that is sent Gan aposr tle) consider himself greater than he that sent him. John, who wrote this epistie, was one of the apostles guilty of an unhOly strife for power and po- sition, and desirous of bringing fire down upon those who did not acknowI- edge and follow Jesus, but he became marvel of love and tenderness.
 Knowing and doing are the twin pil- lars of the Christian faith upon which the house of happiness Is built. Such service Is not egotistical.
 It is this that has proved the supe- rfority of Christianity over all the re- ligions of the world.
 If we seek to do service for others, then we have the right to call Jesus Master and Lord, but if we seek honor rather than to be humbly useful, we shall have no right to call him thus.
 This instance made deep impress