T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
526 (cf 2 0 :3 1 ), and p regn an t w ith th e gospel message. Indeed our salvation will be consummated when th e last enemy, death, is destroyed, and our bodies, are redeemed, in th e first resu r rection. According to the Scriptures, Christ raised th ree persons from th e dead. The raising of L azarus’ putrifying body seems a g reater victory th an th e re animation of Ja iru s’ daughter, and even th an the raising of th e young man from th e funeral bier. The resu r rection of Jesus H imself in a glorified body was a different and transcendent m iracle, far surpassing even th e quick ening of Lazarus. Jesus was declared to be th e Son of God w ith power by th e resurrection. But Jesus Christ is THE RESUR RECTION. He not only raised Lazarus and H imself became th e “ first, fru its from th e dead,” He himself is death- conquering L IFE . F aith affords the contact whereby men become p artakers of th e Divine nature. M artha sensed th is when she ex claimed, “Lord if thou h ad st been here my b ro ther had not d ied !” The king of terro rs operates only by His tem porary permission. It was not possible for Him to be holden of death. Christ said, “I AM.” M artha con ceived of Jesus as potentially absent for a time. She was w illing to believe th e Saviour could save in th e far dis ta n t future. This “ I AM,” qf our Saviour God, implies th a t He is w ith us, though unseen, and th a t He is th e same yesterday, today and for ever. D ispensationally He is absent, bu t in power and fellowship He is w ithin th e saint. Bereaved h earts like M artha should ta lk w ith Jesus ra th e r th an wrap themselves in th e ir m ourning like Mary. If He denies healing and ra th e r perm its death, He is neith er forgetful nor impotent, bu t ra th e r planning a more gracious m anifestation of God’s
glory. When Christ commands, He expects in stan t obedience in spite of th e pu tre faction of „flesh and te rro rs of th e grave. Such obedience of faith affords Him the condition for working w ith signs and wonders. Christ weeps w ith th e sorrow ing and adm its the fact of death. He is touch ed w ith a feeling of our infirm ities and tasted death for each of us. His voice th a t called th e universe into being said, “Lazarus, come fo rth .” “He spake and it was done. He com manded and it stood fast.” He who gave us new life would have us free also. None of th e shrouds of the o ld ’life’s habits should remain. Let us assist the new-born children of God to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of th e flesh and th e spirit. THE JUNIORS (N o te: T h e J u n io r L esso n s fro m J o h n do n o t in a ll ca se s fo llo w th e te x t o f th e A d u lt L esso n s, a s w e h a v e se le c te d fo r th e J u n io r th o se in c id e n ts w h ich seem ed m o st s u ita b le fo r te a c h in g c h ild re n o f th is a g e .) HONORING JESUS Jo h n 13:9-19 Review: W hat was the lesson about last week? In whose home was th e dinner served? Who were th e guests? W hat did M artha do? Wfiat did Mary do? Would you have been glad to be there? Would you be glad to serve Him? W hat can boys and girls do fo r Him? The Lesson: Today we are going to be w ith Jesus in a wonderful procession. Who knows what a procession is? Did you ever see one which was so nice you will never forget it? This was such a wonderful procession th a t I am sure any little boy or girl who saw it never forgot it. Thousands
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