The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-01-01

Golden Text: And whos0ever Of
YOU will be the chicfcst, shall be
servant of all.-Mark l0:4i.
We begin today a six months
course of study in Mark under the
general title of THE Gospel OF
Service"
THE WRITER was John Mark,
Levite. He was nephew Cor
cousin) of Barnabas and Peters
son in the gospel. He was the
fellow-hclper of Paul and Barna-
has on their first journey; of
Rarnabas on his second tour; Of
Paul again during his first Roman
imprisonment; of Peter at Baby
lon (probably on the Euphrates,
rather than one on the Nile OF on
the Tiber); and Of Tibothy at
EphesuS just prior to the eXecu-
ton of Paul. 1t is said that he
died at Alexandria and that his
remains were removed centuries
later to Venice.
THE GOSPEL was written
probably at the dictation of Peter
and within the five years proceed
ing the destruction of Jerusalem.
1t was primarily intended for
Gentle readers and hence the
claims of Jesus are presented on
the basis of his work rather than
on his teaching or of his fulfil
ment of prophecy. Concise even
to the omission of preface or con-
clusion, it is the earliest and the
briefest of the four gospels.
THE SERVICE that features
the Gospel of Mark was set forth
and stressed by Jesus when on his
last journey to Jerusalem he
taught his disciples an impressive
lesson of greatness through Sacri-
ficial service.
SERVICE THROU1H
SUFFERING MARK 10:35-40)
The Glory of Service Comes
Through Suffering. % he re-
quest of James and John, init
mate associates of Jesus, was
courteously presented by their
mother, Salome, who was prob
ably a sister of Mary, the mother
of Jesus. They still held a ma
terial view Of the kingdom and
perhaps uninterrupted w h a t
Jesus had just said about the
Twelve on the thrones of the
tribes. Hence their desire to sit
next to him, right and left, in his
coming glory. They sympathized
with his mission and We're willing
to endure privation, but their am
bition was unworthy.
(2) The response of Jesus was
neither in express denial nor a
stern rebuke. To show them they
did not know what they were ask
ing, he inquired if they were able
to drink with him his cup of sor-
row and undergo his baptism of
suffering. Was there a tinge of
presumption in their affirmative
answer? At any rate, looking on
ward to the death of James, first
of the apostolic martyrs, and of
John, after surviving fiery perse-
cutions, he told them that in the
fulness of time they would drink
of the same cup as their Lord.
Let them know that precedence
in the kingdom is determined not
b. any arbitrary appointment on
the part of the Messiah, but as a
matter of reward to those for
whom it is prepared on the basis
of their fidelity and sacrifice. 1t
takes martyrdom to win the
martyrs crown.
SERVICE THROUGH
SACRIFICE MARK l0:41-45)
The Greatness of Service Comes
Through Sacrifice. % The sec
ondary service without sacrifice
was in the mind of the apostles.
So Jesus had not only to rectify
the ambitious two, but also to
pacify the indignant ten. And he
did it by contrasting greatness in
civil and spiritual life. Among
rulers in this world the great ones
are esteemed great simply be-
cause they exercise authority
over their subjects or subordi-
mates. But in the Kingdom he
who becomes and remains great
must do so by being servant and
helper of others. He who is fore
most in the realm of the good
must be first and foremost in
Sacrificial service. No other path
leads to the summit of true great
ness.
(2) The supreme service thru
sacrifice was in the mind of
Jesus. He was himself the eternal
example and illustration of what
ne said. He is the greatest earth
ever knew because by life and
death he rendered the greatest
service. He came to minister and
to give his life. But for that he
might have been great prophet
and teacher and citizen, and
nothing more. With that, he was
the worlds Saviour and Sover-
eign.
LEARN AND LIVE THE
GOSPEL OF SERVICE
Cd Serve by Coming to Jesus.
"There came near unto him."
Come to him for light, for guild
ance, for fellowship, for inspira-
ton. Come ready to serve him
and others. If we fail here, we
are sure to disobey him and de-
Jude others.
(2) Serve by Praying to Jesus.
eve would that thou shouldest
do for us whatsoever we shall ask
of thee" They came with the
wrong motive and request, but
thew came. Not all our prayers