THE KING’S BUSINESS
499
H EA R T O F T H E LESSON
By T. C. Horton.
U NDER the heads— The Crisis, The Cruse, Thé Critics, The Commendation, the heart of this lesson will he found. The crisis must come in every' life. Slowly but surely the events in the llife of Christ have been moving toward the climax! The Jewish rulers, outwardly religious, scrupulous, sanctimonious, cor rect in conduct, hellish in heart, were per fecting their plans to put the Son of God to death. The momentous movements of God and men are striking. The rulers feared not God, but feared the people. They will take Jesus by subtlety. He must be put to death. And so He must. “He must be lifted up.” It was the time of the Passover feast; the time for the offering of the Paschal lamb, and God’s Lamb is now ready to be 'offered. While the hearts of the Jews are filled with hate, the hearts of Jesus’ friends are filled with loving-kindness. There is a company in the home He loved. The cruse of spikenard is there, and the anointing for the burial is to take place. You cannot think of this scene in Simon’s house without the odor of the ointment reaching you. The presence of Simon and Lazarus and Martha is forgot ten; you are absorbed with Mary. . What a difference there is in disciples ! All are saved; all have the privilege of the table; all are dear to Him, and yet one is so different. Mary finds her place at His feet. You never think of Mary but you think of the feet of Jesus. At His feet you see her first, choosing the better part, never to be taken froni her. At His feet you find her when Jesus comes to the grave of Lazarus. At His feet you find her now—not empty-handed, but full- hearted. Mary has a heart that loves and love is intuitive. It has a keen perception. She had had no special message, but her
heart tells'her that He is to be put to death. She could not tell how she knew this any more than any other woman—than the woman who touched the hem of His gar ment could tell how shé felt the life-giving healing coming into her body. Love is inventive. You don’t have to have rules and regulations for love. It finds a way to express itself. It moves in no ruts. It finds new ways. It is a law unto itself. Mary is not talking about her devotion; she is acting. Love is inexpress ible in words. There are no words to tell the story of His love for us. The Cross tells it. Words'seem so shallow, but a life has a voice that can speak âbove the clamor of humdn tongues, “I love Him.” Love is independent in action. There is no fear in love. There is no hesitancy. No thought or care for cost or criticism. Laz arus was occupied with fellowship and with the strange experiences which had come to hini ; Martha with her service ; Mary with her Lord. The critic is ‘there.* He is always there. No matter what you do or don’t do, there he is ; the Pharisees ; fault-finding Judas with the brand upon him, “Why was it not given to the poor?” as though he cared for the poor, or loved them! Is anything wasted which is lavished upon Jesus? There is no waste in service ren dered to Him. No waste in the Gospel given to the heathen, even though there are so many poor at home. The taint of Judas is upon those selfish grumblers who Would withhold the priceless ointment of the Gospel from the unsaved. *The poor are a heritage of the church. The poor are a blessing to the world. The poor are a test to the church. Note the commendation of the Lord : “Let her alone.” What, a blessed proph ecy! Wherever the Gospel goes, this gracious act of Mary goes in story. It is an illustration of the Gospel itself. It is love’s devotion manifested in sacrifice. Have you done what you could ? Are
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