Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-14

During His ministry in Perea, the
Lord Jesus made two short visits to
Judea. On His first trip at the time
of the Feast of Dedication. that COM
memorated the national deliverance by
the Maccabees from the oppression OF
the Syrians, He appeared publicly in
Jerusalem, claiming that He was the
expected Messiah. During His minis
try the Master had no place that He
could call home. 1t was at this mo-
ment of approaching doom that the
home at Bethany, where Jesus loved
to be. was opened to Him.
While a guest of these hospitable
friends the Master was called upon to
settle a difference that developed In
the home between the two sisters who
Guest in different ways Martha sought
to honor Christ with an elaborate
meal. Mary. having performed some
task assigned TO her, had commenced
to listen in a sympathetic way to the
Lords teaching. Her close attention
to His messages pleased the Master to
that extent that Martha became irri-
tated and, wrought up by Mary's cons
tinuouS efforts to hear the words OF
Christ Jesus, approached their Guest
and complained that He had permitted
this attitude on the part of Mary.
without being offended at her because
she registered the protest, the Master
defended Mary's action by pointing
out to Martha that the cause of her
"brainstorm" was due to the fact that
she was fretting over the details OF
serving the meal, when they did not
need more than one thing. Although
Jesus appreciated the extensive prepa-
rations that Martha was making. He
commended to her the courtesy of her
sister, who had shown a spiritual SYM
pathy with His message and program.
Both attitudes were needed, but In the
approaching darkness our Lord appre-
ciated an intense interest in His teach
ings more than He did food. He loved
them both and especially their brother,
Lazarus.
Among His Disciples.
Spiritual life Is contagious. The
disciples, who were with the Master,
had observed His habit of going alone
to pray They requested Him, after
He had been praying in certain
place, that He would teach them how
to pray. They evidently had detected
a difference in the petitions Of their
Teacher from those of John, who had
taught his disciples some form OF
prayer. NO ETedJeT LSQuCSI COu1u nave
been made of the Lord Jesus. Prayer
is our greatest privilege and power.
In reply to the petition Of His dis
ciples, Christ gave to them model
that should guide our prayers. It has
been popularity called the Lords Prayer
because He taught it, but strictly
speaking it is the disciples prayer. 1t
is concise, yet comprehensive. 1t is so
simple that child could understand
it, yet 1t Is so universal in its appli-
cation that men of every faith can use
it in their devotion. In this model
prayer we learn that we should place
God first in our worship. Frequently
we fail in our prayer life because we
approach the throne of grace seeking
not the glory of God, but are moved
by some selfish desire or ambition. Our
Lord taught us that we should put first
the things that belong to God-His
name, His honor and His cause. He
taught us not only to show reverence
for our heavenly Father, but to realize
our absolute dependence upon Him to
supply all our physical, mental and
spiritual needs He teaches US to look
to Him for the remission of our sins
or our failures to come up to His stand
ards. We should seek strength from
Him to master the trials and tests Of
our life.
Jesus encouraged His disciples to
pray by a parable that makes the