The Green Forest tribune., 1917-05-04

Will De the CIlleIeSt snail De servant O1 l an.-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- seltishness whereby he wrought out re demptiOn for mankind.
 l. Selfishness Amid Holy Surround lngs (vv. LID. 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 reflected him to one that appreciated him (Heb. l-6). The development. Verse 2 tells of the Satanic suggestion that came to the heart of Judas. In it was personal desire, and connected with 1t, human conspiracy. The coming to this upper room has been pointed out py a man bearing a pitcher (Mk. l4 :l2-l6), 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 a sug- gestion as to the power of environment. Environment is an aid. but if 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 1t 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 p :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 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 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. S) 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). It also brought out the fact (v. 10) that Jesus Knew that all present were not clean inwardly though he may have made the application outwardly, for he knew who should betray him (v. ID. There fore, said he, "Ye are not all clean" Christ, himself, had confided the knowledge to John especially as to the one who was about to betray him (See John 13 22-3O).
 II. Service, the Evidence of Divine Humility (vv. 12-15). CD This service was tender. Jesus had all things (v, 5, yet he became the servant of all CD It was for all All needed a 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) It s1gnified 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 and service. (6) It was for "his own" The disciples did not know what it was he had done to them. Little do we understand oftentimes what it is the Lord has done to us. Jesus set them an example whereby he would remove the dirt of crime, self-seeking and every manifestation of selfshness from their sin-stained souls. We may call Jesus Lord and Master, and 1t 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 Christi by Thomas q 'Kcmpis, is the most popular book in the world next to the Bible. No mod ern book has had the sale that has Sheldon's "1n His Steps," William Stead wrote, If Jesus Christ Came to Chicago Still we ask not only what did Jesus do nineteen hundred years ago, under circumstances widely diff ferent from our own, but what would Jesus do if he were in my place to- day? It is the remembrance of what Jesus has once done, and the living experience of what he now is, can and would do if formed within us," that will give us power to live and act like him.
 "Verily, verify, I say unto you" (v 16). This introduction shows how im- portant Christ considered his teaching at this point. "The servant is not greater than his Lord" (See Matt. 1O: : 24; Luke GAO; 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 Gan apos- | tle) consider himself greater than he that sent him. John. who wrote this eplstle, 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 acknowl- | edge and follow Jesus, but he became | marvel of love and tenderness.