The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-12-30
Lesson for January 2
THE GOSPEL OF MARK:
A PREVIEW

LESSON TEXT-Mark l0:35-45.
GOLDEN TEXT-And whosoever of you
will be the chiefest. shall be the servant of
all.-Mark 1914.
PRIMARY ToPIc-what Two Brothers
Asked Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIc-who Are the Great?
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
A Look at the Gospel of Mark.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Marks Gospel: Author. Origin. Theme.
Beginning a New Year is always
a thrilling experience. The thought
of an unwritten record is a pleasant
one and at the same time most SOL
emnizing. We must take heed, you
and l, what we write upon that page
which lies before us with the invit-
ing caption-"1938."
Next TO having New Years day
fall on Sunday, it is most appropri-
ate that the Lords day should come
between the holiday of yesterday
spent with our family and friends,
and the work-day on the morrow,
when we begin the years labors.
Today we tarry in Gods house to
pray and counsel together in the
light of his Holy Word regarding
the new year of grace and oppor-
tunity.
We begin today a six-month study
of the Gospel of Mark, which pre-
sents Christ as the Servant of God.
1t is the Gospel of the mighty acts
of divine power, rather than of
words. 1t is characterized by
energy and spontaneity. 1t moves
rapidly. The characteristic words
are "straightway," Immediately"
and forthwith" which are used
more than forty times.
Before considering our lesson for
today, we would undoubtedly like to
"meet the author" John Mark was
the son of the Mary in Jerusalem in
whose home was "the upper room"
where so many important events
took place. He was a cousin of
Barnabas and went with him and
Paul on the first missionary journey.
For some reason he lost heart and
went home, much to Paul's distress.
Happily we find that the young man
redeemed himself in PauIs estima-
ton and was later we'll spoken of
by him (Col. 4:10, Phile. "a, and I
Tim. AID.
The lesson text chosen for our
'preview" of the Gospel is one
which shows the weakness of human
ambitions as contrasted with the
true spirit of humble service which
characterized Christ.
I. Selfish Ambition Rebuked wv.
35-4D.
Ambition is not in itself wrong,
but when it becomes so extreme
that it projects self forward at the
expense of others it becomes selfish
and destructive. The fact that these
men were evidently earnest and
were, indeed, seeking a place with
the Lord in his glory does not
change the situation. They were
selfish even in dealing with holy
things.
James and John had asked for a
great honor in the kingdom, but had
not sought to share in the suffering
that preceded it.
Their own ignorance of what was
involved, their own weakness, their
observation of Gods hand in the
carrying out of his own plans,
should have deferred them. There
is such a thing as holy boldness,
but there is also such a thing as
unholy temerity.
II. Sacrificial Service Defined
wv. 42-45).
Christianity is not organized after
the manner of secular government
". 42). Much of the mischief that
has come to pass in the church is
the result of running the church"
as an organization, when it should
be allowed to develop as a living
organism.
Anyone who observes with even a
little care knows that the church of
Jesus Christ is hindered most seri-
ously by the presence of pride and
selfish ambition. Some people will
not work unless they can rule. Their
money is withheld unless it buys for
them a dominating interest. The
pastor is persona non grata unless
he recognizes the desires of the
fright" people. None of these things
are done as obviously as our words
would suggest. There is much care
full fixing" and "wire-pulling' be-
hind the scenes. But it amounts to
exactly the same thing, and it is
all entirely foreign to the spirit OF
Christ.
Are there then no Christians who
humbly serve the Lord? Yes, praise
his name, there are many, and wher-
ever they are found they are the salt
of the earth. God uses and blesses
them to his own glory. They may
not be (and often are not) in 'posi-
tons of leadership" but they are
actually the leaders of the church in
its true work on the earth.