March 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
148
acter of His reign was secular rather than spiritual. So keen was their rivalry and so unseemly their disputing, that Jesus was compelled to take them in hand. By an object lesson, as well as by almost stern exhortation and rebuke, He gave them a new portrait of the true citizen of the Kingdom. * * * H eart of the L esson I. Instructions abo.ut True Greatness. V. 1. Came the disciples. Mark says that they had disputed as they journeyed and that they were silent when Jesus asked about it. Perhaps this incident led ileges, they may have assumed that they wrere entitled to the highest places in the Kingdom. Yet their question was very strange and inopportune, coming so soon after Jesus had announced His death. They did the same thing on later occa sions also (cf. 20:20; Luke 22:24). The Master’s call for 'self-renunciation (cf. 16:24) had fallen on deaf ears. Conten tion and self-seeking continued right up to the very shadow o f the Cross. V. 2. A little child. It appears that Jesus did not at once give an answer to their question in words, but called a child to be used as an object lesson. V. 3. Verily I say. “V erily” is■ “Amen” in the Greek. It gives emphasis to what follows. Except ye turn. The word “con verted,” used in the Authorized Version, is misleading. The question was not one of conversion in the theological sense. After their conversion, the disciples needed many times to turn from ambi tion, jealousy, and self-seeking. Become as . . . children. The illustration can not be safely pressed too far. Children are not without envy and jealousy. Yet they are proper examples of humility, docility, teachableness, etc. Ye cannot en ter. The disciples had asked who should be greatest. They were told how to enter the' Kingdom. V. 4. Humble himself. Those who would be high, must become lowly, fol lowing Jesus’ example (cf. 11:29; 20:28; Phil. 2:5-8, R. V .). Exaltation comes only after self-abasement (cf. Phil. 2:9-11). II. Instructions about Duty to “Little Ones.’’ . ■ V. 5. Receive one such. It is a question whether Jesus meant here a child in the literal sense or a childlike believer. The lesson would fit either case. To “receive such an one” means to welcome to friend ship, companionship, etc. In my name. Literally, “upon my name” ; i.e., upon the ground of His name, not upon the ground of any personal attractiveness they may have (James 2:1-5). Receiveth , me. Christ identifies Himself with His hum blest representative. V. 6. Cause . . . to stumble. At this point there was an interruption. John told of one who had been found casting out demons in His name whom they had refused to “receive” (cf. Luke 9:49). After this incident, Jesus went back to to the conversation m e n t i o n e d here. Who then is great est? In a temporal kingdom there are higher a n d lower officials. Since some of the disciples had h a d special priv
low Him?: Have you said to Him: “I believe; I will follow” ? If you have, you know the happiness it brings. If you have not, make Him glad by saying it today. (Sing or repeat in unison very softly the chorus: “Where He leads me I will follow, I’ll go with Him all the way.” ) f Prayer. —o-— April 13, 1930 The Child and the Kingdom Lesson: Matt. 18:1-6, 12-14; 19:13-15; Matt. 17 :22-27; Mk. 9:33-50; Lk. 9:46-48; 17:1, 2; 18:4. (Lesson Text: Matt. 18:1-6, 12-14; 19: 13-15.) Golden Text: “ Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). sjs J|i sjs L esson in O utline I. Instructions about True Greatness (18:1-4), || The question—“Who is greatest?” 2. The object lesson— a little child. 3. The lesson. a. Be converted (turned)— from ambition, etc, b. Become as children—humble, docile, etc. II. Instructions about Duty to “Little Opes" (18:5-6). 1. “Receive”, them. 2. Guard them from stumbling. III. Instructions about Love for the Erring (18:12-14).' 1. The Father loves them. 2. The disciple must lave them. IV. Children Brought for a Blessing (19:13-15). TV CC'.'CAi
knew they not only refused to own Him as Saviour, but plotted constantly how they could kill Him. Jesus is always grieved when a hard, proud heart will not believe in Him. He had done many won derful things, and yet the Pharisees re fused to admit that He was the Son of God, and on this day they again sought to snare Him, and find some excuse for arresting Him. When Jesus and His disciples came to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Jesus warned them against the “leaven of the Pharisees” ; but the dis ciples, thinking He said this because they had brought no bread, did not understand until He explained. Lesson Story .—When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi (find this on map), He asked the question with which our les son begins. His disciples told Him what some people had called Him; then He asked'- “ But who say ye that I am?” He had been with them, they had heard His teachings, seen His beautiful life, witnessed His miracles; now He wished them to answer this question, not be cause He could not read all their hearts, but doubtless for their own sakes He wanted them to confess Him as the Son of God, the Messiah for whom they had longed, the Saviour they needed. Peter answered: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter believed in Jesus, loved Him dearly, followed gladly. What joy it must have brought to Jesus as this answer came from Peter! Nothing so delights Him as a loyal',' faithful heart that wit nesses to others: “I believe the Lord Jesus is God’s own Son; I believe in Him as my Saviour.” (Make personal applica tion.) Peter was spokesman that day for the other disciples who loved and followed Jesus. If you had been there, would he have answered for you? The time had not yet come when Jesus would yield to the death on the Cross. The disciples did not always understand His teachings and commands, but later all became clear to them. They knew it was all done that Scripture might be ful filled. Peter preached a wonderful ser mon about it afterward (Acts 3). Peter was an “out-and-out” Christian. “I believe !” he said. This is the first thing for us to say: “I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.” Just as Jesus called His disciples long ago to follow Him, He calls to us today; and none are so happy as those who do follow Him. He says: “Follow Me ,"—not just, “Fol low My example.” As we give ourselves to Him, He will help us to obey His commands; He will show each one just what it means for him to “take up his cross, deny himself, and follow.” If you wish to be a musician, you I“deny your self” to give time and thought to this. In any ambition, any life work, this is true. While it is not by any effort of our own that we are saved, yet"there are things which Jesus wishes us to do—and not do 1 —if we love and follow Him. And to follow Christ is the most joyful and won derful thing any boy or girl can do! Jesus said He would come again some day, and then if we belong to Him and are ready, it will mean untold joy for us. He wants us to tell others about Him, that they too may be saved when He comes. You know about Jesus, but do you really know Him? Do you love and fol
1. The expectant parents. 2. The annoyed disciples. 3. The Master’s attitude.
a. For the parents—a welcome. b. For the babes—a blessing. c. For the disciples— a rebuke. 3|C
A pproach , to the L esson ' TESUS was near the end o f His ministry J in Galilee (cf. 19:1). The disciples, now certain that He was Messiah, began to strive among themselves about who should have the highest honors in His -kingdom. Their conception of the char
Real Pleasure “I am one o f the oldest sub scribers for T he K ing ’ s B usi ness . It has been truly a very great blessing to me and my f a m i l y . I t e l l others about the good, things it contains, and it is one of those great pleasures for me to send it each year to others who do not get such read ing. It truly is one of. the best Bible magazines published." Es-From a friend in New lersey.
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