The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1943-03-11

Calvary and crucifXion were just
ahead. Jesus gathered His disciples
for a time Of communion and in
struction as they spent their last
evening together. On the morrow
would come betrayal, but now they
and their Lord were together in the
upper room.
But even here strife and dissen-
sion had apparently come in. There
was probably some difference of
opinion as to who should have the
place of honor. To teach them the
virtue of humility Jesus gave them
an example, after which He contin-
ued with the precious counsel and
prayer which are found in John IA
to II.
Our lesson presents three things
which our Lord gave to His disciples
and to US (see John l7:20).
l. His Exam ple-"DO as l Have
Done" Q3:12-20).
The act of Jesus in washing the
disciples feet placed Him, their Lord
and Teacher, on the level of the
most mental servant. 1t was an as
tonishing thing that He did, lower
ing Himself below their level to
serve them.
His application of the object les
son was equally startling. eye call
me Teacher and Lord, and We say
well, >" said He Then as learners
and servants He required of them
the humility which would make
them eager to do lowly service in
His name.
There are more than enough folk
who are willing to do the nice, pleas
ant things in the church, where they
will be given recognition and praise.
All too scarce are those Christlike
folk who will serve in the hidden
places where darkness, suffering,
disease and sin make the natural
man recoil in distress or fear.
II. His Assurance-"If / Go
Will Come Again" U4:l-3).
Following His resurrection Jesus
was to go to the Father He wanted
them to be prepared for that time
by making known to them the fact
of His coming again. In that day
His own shall be received unto Him
self to abide with Him forever.
The second coming of Christ is
not a strange doctrine held by
little groups of people who are rid
ing a theological hobby It is one
of the most blessed truths of Scrip
ture. The hope of the Christian
yes, the only real hope of this dis
ordered worlds the coming of
Christ to reign. The New Tesla
ment is full of plain and helpful
teaching on this subject.
While we await His coming, then,
is there any encouragement for US
as the burdens bear down and the
way seems long? Yes, He says;
Let not your heart be troubled
". y. There is little question that
this passage has comforted more
people than any other word in Scrip
ture.
Countless bewilderod and broken
souls in all lands and times have
here found the steadying assurance
of the one who has the power TO
give them rest and comfort.
There is good foundation for their
composure of heart in a troubled
world. They believe in God, and in
Christ, who is one with the Father
Here is real security-inhnitely SUI
perior to aught the world can give.
Then at the end of the road are
the eternal dwelling places. What
they are like is sufficiently revealed
in the fact that they are in the Fa-
theirs house. How shall we reach
them? That is our last point. We
have
III. His Guidance-"I Am the
Way" wv. 4-6).
To Christ's declaration that they
knew the way, Thomas responded
with a request for definite state
ment. He wanted to be sure, and
Christ responded by reminding him
that He, their Lord, is the way,
the truth, and the life" Surely there
could be no more complete provi-
sion for the guidance of the heavenly
pilgrim.
Christ is "the way" If one takes
the right road he will reach the
right destination though he cannot
at first see it clearly. Perhaps this
is the commonest mistake of the
Christian. He frets too much about
what lies ahead and not enough
about taking the right road Lesson
Commentary
He is "thc truth" He is the final
and complete revelation of God, and
is therefore the One who will lead
all those who walk the way by faith
into the fullness of the truth. To
know Christ is to know God
He is "the life" He is life, and
He alone can give eternal life to
man. There is none other to whom
man may turn for life, but in
Christ it is found, and from Him it
may be received by faith.
We have only touched the brlefest
beginning of what took place on that
remarkable evening in the upper
room. 1t was a time Of richest spir-
itual significance, of dark betrayal,
but also of closest communion. We
continue next Sunday.