The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-06-11
AGONY FOR THE TEST OF
SUBMISSION Mark l4:35-42)

THE PRAYER OF SUBMlS-
SION was offered by Jesus in the
midnight solitude Of Gethsemane.
The drowsy disciples could hear
the Masters prayer and see his
PROSTATE form quivering with an
guish. Thrice he fell on the chilly
earth and thrice uttered his fer
vent appeal, rising step by step
to composure and victory. ~
There was the natural physical
shrinking from the bitter cruel
fixion cup, though his soul assent
ed to the vicarious suffering and
his will was submissive to the Fa-
Their. The strengthening angel APP
peared to him, but it must have
added a pang when he found his
watchers asleep. He demonstrated
with Peter because he could not
watch one single strenuous hour,
commanded him to escape TEMP
tation through vigilant prayer,
and condoned his dfowsiness be-
cause the weak flesh overcame
the willing spirit. Then back again
he went into the darkness alone.
(2) The second prayer seems
! distinct advance beyond the first;
the letters of the flesh became
weaker and the spirit emerged to-
ward triumph, for he wished the
Fathers will to prevail regardless
of his own personal suffering and
loss. He returned to the disciples
and found them sleeping again;
but though they reused, he turn
cd without a word and went once
more and finally into the shadowy
solitude to pour forth his soul in
prayer. 60 He used the same
words as before but in them he
arrived at the stage of complete
victory, for the preliminary bat
tie of Calvary was fought IN
Gethsemane. He was therefore
ready for the vile betrayer and
the ensuing cross when he rejoin-
ed the disciples only to find them
again asleep and to bid them get
such snatches of slumber as they
could before the next scene in the
tragedy.
ARREST FOR THE TEST OF
SURRENDER (Mark 14:43-46)
THE PERFFDY OF BETRAY-
AL was endured by Jesus as he
was going from Gethsemane. Ju-
das appeared almost Immediately
leading an armed squad and4
struggling rabble in order to de-
liver Jesus into the hands of the
authorities. With consummate
hypocrisy he kissed the Master to
identify him. The ill-timed resist
ance of Peter was checked and
the hostile company conciliated.
Then Jesus was seized, shackled,
and led back to Jerusalem.
FACE THE TEST OF SERVICE
| (D Face the Test of Disciple
Ipleship. "They came to a place
he taketh with him--he went for
ward little" The, discipleship
that slumbefs at a8crisis is GER
tainly not dependable and may be
dangerous. Hardly anything
should be more alert than disci-
pleship. 1t is well also to watch
for occasions for sympathy.
(2) Face the Test of Danger.
ga place which was named Geth-
semane." The Master was in his
greatest peril that night. So in
/ deed were the disciples. But they
| slept! "Watch thereforew
CD Face the Test of Snrrow.
My soul is exceeding serrowful."
| Sorrowful unto death, he pene-
trated the shadows of Gethsem-
ane. He wanted the disciples to
watch with him (not for him).
How his sorrow was saddened by
the disciples drowsiness!
(4) Face the Test of Submis-
sion. mot what l will, but what
thou wilt" Remember that Satan
would poison our prayers or drag
4 US from the Mercy-Seat. There
fore watch while praying. But also
,ywatch by praying. i"Watch, and
pray" NJ ag
CO.. Face the Test of Fellow
snip. "Tarry We here, and watch"
Ten thousand foes arise. Then
certainly the soul must be on
guard. The tempter is alert; the
tempted cannot sleep and be safe.
~ Face the Test of Fidelity.
He cometh, and 'findeth them
sleeping" We can do some good
things and yet miss the best