The midland journal., 1946-04-05
FRIENDS OF JESUS

LESSON TExT-Mark 10: 10, IA: Luke
| 6:13-16; 8:1-3; 1871. 2; John 81. Ia.
| MEMORY SELECTION = Ye are my
| friends, II ye do whatsoever I command
| you.-John 1874.
Jesus is our friend. We may be
| His friends. Simple words thus pre-
sent the most profound and satisfy
ing experience of life. There is moth
ing more wonderful than friendship
with Jesus.
We may become the friends OF
| Jesus and make Him our friend SIM
ply by putting our faith in Him as
Saviour and Lord and thus doing
what He commands. He said, "Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever
command you" (John 15:14).
What kind Of friends did Jesus
choose? Did He limit His interest
to select circle of very religious
| people, or to the cultured and edu-
Gated folk of His day? It may sur
prise some Christian people who
have made the church sort Of ex-
elusive club to learn how wide were
the interests and the love of the
Lord whom they profess to serve.
I. Children Were Welcomed mark
1913, 14).
Observe that the disciples had
fallen into that strange mode Of
thought which excluded the chill
dren. They were undoubtedly we'll
meaning in their desire to keep the
| Master from the intrusion Gas they
thought) of little ones. He was en-
gagged in dealing with profound spir-
itual matters and they felt that He
should not be disturbed.
Jesus was displeased. He seldom
showed such feelings. Usually He
bore silently with their mistakes,
but this was so serious that they
must be rebuked.
Little children belong with Jesus.
Let US not forget it, and let US not
fail to make it easy and attractive
for them to come to Jesus in our
churches and Sunday schools.
II. Witnesses Were Chosen Nuke
6:1316).
When Jesus left this world to re-
turn to His Fathers throne, He left
witnesses behind.
1t is significant that these men
were of simple childlike spirit, un-
learned in the formality Of their day,
but with a real genius for friendship
both with the Lord and with a needy
world.
The close fellowship of our Lord
with these men was their course Of
training for service, and His blessed
friendship was the burning fire
which kept their hearts warm
through the difficult years ahead.
III. Women Were Helped (Luke 8:
1-3).
Yes, and they became the Lords
willing helpers, just as multitude
of their sisters in the faith have
been down through the ages.
Women responded readily to the
Lords message of redemption and
to many of them He was able to
look for loyal and sacrifcial serv-
| ice.
| Women were not highly thought Of
in His time on earth. They are little
more than useful creatures in heath
en- lands today. Christianity set
womanhood free, raised it to its glo-
rious place of dignity and useful
ness. Every woman ought to love
Jesus with deep devotion.
Note that some Of the wealthy
women gave of their means to serve
| Jesus 1t is one of the effective
ways in which women carry on
work for the Lord today.
Nv. Outcasts Were Received
(Luke 1871, q.
Publicans and sinners-who would
they be in our day? Drunkards,
thieves, gamblers, prostitutes, GRIM
inals Of all kinds.
A beautiful and touching word by
@. Campbell Morgan is quoted in
Pel0ubet's Notes. Listen sinner,
Jesus "receiveth unto Himself sim
ners. He takes them into His COM
radeship, makes familiar friends of
them, takes them to His heart. That
is the gospel. He is not high-seated
on throne bending down to you
and offering you pardon if you will
kiss His scepter. He is by you in
the pew, He is close to you in your
sin, and He will take you as you
are with the poison and the virus
within you, put His arms about you
and press you into great comrade-
Ship" Will you let Him do it-now?
v. Rulers Were Converted (John
81, 2a).
mot many mighty, not many no
BILE, are called Il Cor. 1920, but
thank God, it does not say mot
any," Some there were in high
places who set aside their pride,
their position and all, to come hum
bly, to Jesus.
Nicodemus was one Of these. It
is true that he came by night, but
he came; and that is wonder enough
for man in his nocifiop Paod