Evening star., 1918-06-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

will confess the Lord by following His
precepts and practices.
The revelation of Christ as the Son
of God that the three disciples beheld
was given to encourage the Lords fol-
lowers TO live life of self-denal and to
endure the days of trial. trouble and
tribulation. The failure to cast out
demons and destroy sin, with its at
tending consequences. has been due to
the failure of Christ's professed fol-
lowers having a vision of their Lords
glory that would help them to con-
quer. The revelation of Jesus as King
was seen in the manner of His en-
trance into Jerusalem upon the Sab
bath. preceding his crucifixfon. 1t
brought forth popular welcome. The
power of Christ over nature and men
was seen in the condemnation of the
fig tree that put forth leaves and
brought forth no fruit. which was
prophetic Of the destruction of Jeru-
salem. whose officials had refused to
heed the warning against their sin and
selfishness in the Masters cleansing
of the temple. The disciples did not
they had seen His power manifested
among the sick and suffering of the
nation.
The Masters power was not in the
words which He taught. but in the
life that He lived among men. He
won men as their emancipation. BY
HIS power He gave liberty to men
from their false traditions. doubt and
sin. Jesus is still the great emanci
pator of men and nations. Autocra-
cy is founded upon a false tradition
that hinders individual and national
development Christianity has given
to the world its great democracies
that today are defending the princi
pies of Jesus-justice. righteousness.
love and peace-that are fundamental
principles in their national life
against the autocratfc Huns false
claims of divine power.
The greatest freedom which Jesus
secured for men was as their Savior
from personal sin. Three lessons have
emphasized the Masters work of re-
demption. although it is found in all
of the lessons, for all Scriptures lead
to the cross. Jesus humbled Him
self to enter humanity upon His mis-
sion as the redeemer of men. This
was seen in His experience of be-
trayal, denial and death. In the dark
hour of Christ's sacrificial death.
when He paid the cost of freeing men
with His own blood. the Roman CEN
turton recognized that the man whom
he had placed upon the cross was the
Son of Cod
The victory that Jesus won over
the forces of death. when He burst
the bondage of the grave. triumphant
ever al! His foes. has been the source
OF the worlds hope for a future
life beyond the grave. 1t is faith in
the reality of future life that
fills our men with courage. confidence
and conquering power as they "go
over the top in their battles for the
preservation of democracy and the re-
demption of humanity. The power Of
Jesus Is still influencing the modern
man to realize the value of the spirit
ual life and practice the precepts Of
the Masters preaching.
Mark made little of the preaching
of Jesus. He graphically recorded
with the instinct of a modern news
paper man the leading human inter
est events in Christ's ministry. Three
of the lessons contained messages of
the Master that still appeal to men.
Jesus proclaimed principles that arc
eternal, but the application of which
changes with the current of civiliza-
ton and the needs of men. He does
not ask of men what He did not do
as man. He calls today, as when in
the flesh, for a life of unselfshness,
as was seen in the temperance lesson,
and for men to live life completely
consecrated to God. who demands our
all. When the world comes to prac-
tice the new standards of living"
which Jesus taught marriage will be
sacred and all rulers will be guided
by Gods will rather than the desire
for rule and riches; then all will ssek
to live for the glory of the Lord and
the welfare of humanity.
The motive for service. sacrifice and
self-denial. that the Master commend
ed. is love. He will never turn His
back upon those who seek to prove
their affection for Him. like the one
did in Bethany: She proved her love
by sacrifices which Jesus appreciated
MS He does every effort made for Him.
He will remember the deeds of mercy
and love performed in His name. even
If we forget them.I He will recall
Inent seat in eternity. Let us follow
His example by trying to live with His
aid life of suffering. sacrifice and
service that will help win the world
for the enthroned Christ.