Middletown transcript., 1917-05-05
LESSON FOR MAY 6
JESUS THE SERVANT OF ALL.


JESUS THE SERVANT OF ALL.
LESSON TEXT-John 13:1-15
GOLDEN TEXT-And whosoever Of you
will be the chiefest, shall be servant Of
all.-Mk. 1914.
This lesson is really continuation
week, for the glory of Jesus is his un-
selfshness whereby he wrought out re-
demption for mankind.
I. SeIfishness Amid Holy Surround.
ings wv. LID. The world does not
appreciate Jesus. 1t never has. Ellis
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 it was
personal desire, and, connected with it,
human conspiracy. The coming to
this upper room has been pointed out
by a man bearing a pitcher (AIk.
IA 4:12-16), 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 Uuke % :24-2S).
Doctor Bonards 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-
Grafton 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 ". 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. SOY.
II. Service, the Evidence of Divine
Humility wv. 12-15). ~ This service
was tender. Jesus had all things (v.
-, yet he became the servant of all.
(2) 1t 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) It
signified 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) 1t 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 selfishness
from their sin-stained souls. We may
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.
"Verily, verify, I say unto you" ".
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:
"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 Gan apos-
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 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.
Knowing and doing are the twin pill
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-
riority Of Christianity over all the re-
Iigions Of the world.
If we seek to do service for others,
then we have the right to call Jesus
Master and Lord, h;1t IL we seek honor
rather than to be humbly useful, we
shall have no right to call him thus.
This instance made q deep impress
sion upon Peter, as can be seen from
the striking illusion In has first epistle
q Pet. IS r. w.
Speed Of Carrier Pigeons.