The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-11
SUNDMSGIOOL
LESSON
(By REV. p. B. F1TzWATER. D. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible in the
Mnodv nIhIa TpgffttNa ~ Tbfoa-o
LESSON FOR MAY IL
JESUS FACES THE CROSS.

the death OF the Cross.-Philippians 2:S.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Isaiah 42:1-
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
Observation-Disclosures SO:2O-2s; Luke %:
1927.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Jesus and the blind
beggar.
LESSON MATERIAL-Mark 1o:4s-52.
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR MEMORY
VERSE-Be Of good cheer, rise; He csl-
leth thee.-Mark 10:49.
JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE
TOPIC-Jesus teaches how to be great.
I. Jesus Foretells His Passion and
Resurrection wv. 32-34).
This is the third time he makes this
prediction. The circumstances are
most tragic.
1. Jesus going to Jerusalem ". 32).
He was going with the full conscious
ness Of the awful tragedy Of the cross
before him-the treachery of Judas,
the fiery prosecutions of the priests
and scribes-the unjust judgment.
2. The disciples following after ".
32).
They were in dread bewilderment.
His utterances and demeanor filled
their minds with p%erpleXity, and their
hearts with awe. In this state of con-
fusion, Jesus called them to him and
patiently instructed them.
3. what needs should happen unto
him" wv. SO, 34)
~ Delivered unto chief priests
and scribes."
(2) They shall condemn him to
death, and deliver him to the Gen-
tiles"
(3) "They shall mock, scourge, spit
upon, and kill him."
a. "The third day he shall rise
again."
II. The Ambitious Request Of James
and John wv. 35-45).
1. The request wv. $3.50.
1t was for a place of prominence in
the kingdom. According to Matthew,
their mother was the ~intercessOr.
Many mothers have been used by chill
dren to carry out that which they
were themselves ashamed to do. 1t
is very desirable for mothers to get
places for their children near to Jesus,
but unfortunately many are seeking
the ~pinnacles of the world and for
getting the nearness to Christ.
2. Jesus reply wv. 3S-45).
G) To Peter and John wv. 3S-40)
He speaks directly to the men, de
claring that they know not what they
ask. The Lord many times has to re-
prove and rebuke us for our blind re-
quests. He showed them that the way
to this position of glory was through
suffering. The cup which they were
to drink was all that was embraced in
the agony on the cross. He comedies
that the positions which they craved
were obtainable, but in a very differ
ent way from what they apprehended.
The way to places in glory in the
Kingdom of Christ is through the path
of lowly, ~self-forgetful service.
(2) To the ten wv. 41-45).
The ten were displeased with Peter
and John, but doubtless they were not
free from the same selfish ambitions.
Christ showed them that to give is
greater than to receive; that to serve
is greater than to be served. The
standard of his kingdom Is to forget
self and serve others, even to give
ones life. Christ is the supreme ex-
ample to be initiated by all who would
follow him.
III. Jesus Cures Bartimaeus Of
Blindness wv. 46-52).
Though the weight of the cross wa:
upon him, he had time for graciou:
deeds. Blind Bartimaeus receives hi:
sight.
1. Bartimaeus' request wv. 46, Az.
He cried to Jesus for mercy. The
fact that he addressed him as the Sor
of David. shows that he recognized
his Messiahship. Though he was
blind, his faith enabled him to take
hold Of Jesus. AS soon as he heart
that Jesus was passing by he cried tC
him for help. Jesus not only can heal
our cries, but he can even tell wheI
q soul yearns after him, and will re
spOnd to that yearning.
2. Rebuked by the multitude ". 49,
This rebuke provoked a more earn
est cry from Bartimaeus. He he
lieved that Jesus could and would hell
him, and knew that il was now o.
never with him. The fact that Goo
has brought salvation within our reacl
should convince us that 1t is time fol
Us to cry for help. Therefore, W.
should not allow the opposition o.
men to keep us from Christ.
8. The blessing granted wv. 1882
Though Jesus knew his desire, he
wished him to definitely commit him
self. God is pleased when we come tG
him with u definite needs.
When his eyes were opened, he a
many interesting things, but the su
preme object was Christ, for he fol
lowed him. Note experience of Barti
maeus:
az A blind beggar ". 46).
(2) His cry for mercy ". Az.
(3) Persistence in his cry ". 49,.
El Raanondad tO the call Of Iacus