Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-27
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
JESUS REBUKES SELFISH
. NESS.
Mark, s.30-50.
!. Golden Text-"If any man would
be first, he shall be last OF all
and servant of ALL"
Mark, 9.35.

and servant of all"
{ Mark, 9.35. I
By Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.
Differences had developed among the
disciples during their last Journey to
! Capernaum. Their disputes over per-
sonal desires for place. prestige and
power proves that the green-eyed mon
ster Of jealousy had entered the school
Of Christ and created discord and d.
| visions among the apostolic band. Even
| the marvellous experiences OF the Mas
ter's TRANSPORTATION had failed to as
sist them in graspfng the teachings
of Jesus concerning the kingdom OF
God. Christ's last days in His final tour
of Galilee were given over to teaching
the disciples the lessons they needed
to fit them for the coming trial at
Jerusalem, but they failed to under
stand the spiritual, immaterial and I'M
mortal truths that He expounded unto
them. The Lords efforts to fit them for
the coming crisis filled them with sor-
row because they did not comprehend
it's sublime end, and they were afraid
to question Him. az they had in times
past, concerning the meaning Of 1t all.
They preferred to remain in the dark
so that they might continue to enjoy
their dreams of temporal power.
1t is possible that spirit OF protest
special privileges that had been ex-
| tended to Peter. James and John by
giving to them the vision of Christs
majesty upon the Mount Of Transfig-
| uration. It may have developed out
of the fact that Jesus delegated Peter
to secure by fishing the means with
which to pay the tribute for the main
tenance Of the temple-worship. which
Peter had assured the tax collector the
Master would pay without consulting
Christ.
Jesus believed that the religious work
He was doing ought to have exempted
the disciples and Himself from paying
taxes toward supporting the religious
prompted BY a desire to avoid at that
hour q conflict with the temple author
tiles. This may have caused the pro-
test against personal preference being
started by some one Of the subordinate
members Of the twelve who was will
ing to be chosen out Of the millions to
be a member Of Christ's college, but
objected strenuously to any special
privileges being granted to even one
not understand the Christ. He BY His
questions revealed to them that He
knew what questions they had been
considering when left alone to them-
selves. The man who disputes about
ness. Jesus waited until they were
alone in tho house. possibly Peters.
to gently yet forcibly condemn their
unholy ambition by pointing out the
One Of the fundamental teachings Of
the Lord required that every ono who
followed Him should live life of self
denial. sacrifice and surrender. The
recollection Of His teachings made the
| self-seeking apostles ashamed and ST.
| lent when Jesus requested an explana-
ton of their disputes. In an effort to
restore unity among His followers the
Master requested them to be seated so
that He could point out to them the
way to true greatness. He had no de-
| sire to crush any permissible aspira-
tiens Of His followers to use their tai
| ents for the glory Of God and welfare
Of men. He tried to destroy their SELF
that greatness was due to a mans con-
| quest Of himself and to his helpfulness
put forth for the benefit Of Others The
one who serves all with his all il the
l greatest. He will not seek "the lime
| light" for only the little soul seeks to
push himself ahead Of others.
| Jesus surprised the disciples by call
ing child that was in the midst to
4
it as the standard Of greatness and
true Christian character. He rebuked
| their selfish spirit by His insisting on
| the necessity of conversion by making
the spirit Of the child the basis Of
membership In the kingdom. 1t is only
| as men take their imperfect lives in q
! spirit of trust, love and obedience to
the Father. seeking through divine IA
| vor to be made what they ought to be
that any soul can hope to become q
child standing there in its simple faith
| submissive spirit. free from all desire
for greatness or ambition, was SYM
bolical not Of the child's conversion
converted to the spirit Of the child
Life from above Is implanted through
Gods grace, or unmerfted favor, in all
those who seek to be born again
in ana confession Of Jesus Christ az
/ their personal Savior.
The childlike attitude was, according
to the Master. essential to being ad-
vanced in the kingdom Of God. The Sc.
cret OF greatness is found in the spiri,
that prompts men to humble them
selves SO that they can best serve their
fellow men. for He that humbleth him.
self shall be exalted" The lower one
descends for Gods glory to do His
work. the higher will he rise in the
realm Of glory. This the Master point.
ed out In the golden text. when He
! said: II any man would be first, he
shall be last of all. and minister Of all. ,
The great sociological law Of the king.
dom calls for men to use their God.
given talents for the Masters glory In
serving others. When the motive thai
prompts such service. even when per
formed for a child. is for Gods glory
the Master considers that the effort has
been made for Him. It 10 this motive OF
spiritual service and the imperative
needs Of coming generations that has
summoned the nations Of the world tc
save the childlife Of the world that ha,
given the great impetus and success 10
recent temperance advancement. The
only way to make the world complete.
" safe Tor democracy calls not only fol
the crushing Of the Hun. but for the
placing In the arms Of the Lord Jesu,
the children of the world SO that they
might receive His blessing.
4 The illustration filled John with con.
viction of his sin. SO he presented the
case of the wonder working stranger
who was not member Of their or.
ganfzation. Whom they had forbidden
to continue the work of casting ont
devils because He followed not with
us. The men. who had failed to do
what the unknown Worker did In
Christ's name condemned the stranger
who had succeeded. The men. who
themselves had not followed the Mas.
ter. claimed that the miracle worker
} was not a follower of Christ. Cn,r
Judgment OF others frequently reveajs