229
MAY, 1946
SUNDAY
Lesson material is based upon outlines of International Sunday School Lessons, copyrighted by the International Council of Re ligious Education; used by per mission.
SCHOOL
LESSONS
For the Children A l l i s o n /4 r r o w o o d
Points and Problems H o m e r A . K e n t
Outline and Exposition B. B. S utcliffe
precious body, and from that breaking there issued a fragrance that has been wafted around the world. Infinite grace and full salvation were in that outpouring. In its motive, cost, and influence, the Bethany experience is a striking picture of the Supreme Sac rifice. 3. "Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet" (Luke -10:39). The little word “ also” sheds light on the true charac ter of Mary. Not only did she live a life of service; she also sat the Lord’s feet. This is w h y she was com mended, whereas Martha was re buked. Martha did not seem to realize that both service and devotion are needed to make one acceptable to the Saviour. For the Children L u k e 10 :3 8 -4 2 ; J o h n 1 2 :1 -3 MEMORY VERSE: “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Can you imagine what excitement there would be in your home if the Lord Jesus Christ were to be your guest? One day the Saviour visited in the home of three of His dearest friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Because Mary loved to- hear the wonderful things that the Lord said, she sat at His feet and listened as He talked. Martha spent her time preparing a meal. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sis ter hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the best thing, for His words would always be in her heart to bring her joy and peace. Another time Jesus visited in the city where these friends lived. A man named Simon made a supper for the Lord. While the guests were seated at the table, Mary took some costly J e s u s V is it s in t h e H o m e o f F r ie n d s
III. E x p r e s s io n by A p p e a l (J o h n 1 1 :1 - 3 )
LESSON FOR JUNE 2 Expressing Our Friendship for Christ LESSON MATERIAL: Mark 14:3-9; Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-3. GOLDEN TEXT: “ Let us love one an other: for love is cf God" (1 John 4:7), Outline and Exposition I. E x p r e s s io n o f D e v o t io n ( M a r k 1 4 :3 - 9 ) In the opinion of this woman, the most precious thing she had was not too valuable to bestow upon her Lord. In anointing His head with the costly ointment, she was expressing Tier full devotion to Him; and wherever the Gospel is preached, this continues to be the outstanding example of the kind of wholehearted love that pleases Him. Objection was made by the disci ples to what was termed a “waste of the ointment,” on the ground that it might be used to help the poor. Whether the object rose from any real interest in the poor or not, the Lord reminded the disciples that, while He would not be with them long, there would always be the poor to whom they could minister. This anointing had a greater signifi cance than that of a compliment to a distinguished guest; it was a pro phetic act: a preparation for Christ’s approaching burial. II. E x p r e s s io n b y S e r v ic e ( L u k e 1 0 :3 8 -4 2 ) Both . Mary and Martha expressed their friendship for Christ by what they did, but in different ways. One gave her service and herself,,the other only service; one was mainly occupied with His Person, the other with His service; one served and then found delight in His presence,/ the other en gaged only in much service and was distracted. The Lord approved of Mary’s choice. Yet He does not make a Mary of Martha, or a Martha of Mary.
Mary and Martha were in trouble because of the imminent death of their brother, and t h e y appealed to the Lord in their difficulty. Relying upon the Lord, appealing to Him in time of need, and confidently expecting to receive help, are expressions of friendship with Him. His help may come in a different manner than ex pected but, even where His way is not understood, the very turning to Him delights His heart because it manifests a reliance upon Him for which He eagerly waits. Points and Problems 1. "And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper" (Mark 14:3). Surely this man was no longer a leper. Doubtless he had been healed by Jesus at some previous time, but his old title lingered. This must be so, because otherwise he would not have been inviting guests t o ' his home, which would have been contrary to the instruction^ of the law ■(Num. 5:2,3). Furthermore, if he had still been afflicted with leprosy, the Lord would have healed him, for death and disease did not remain long in His presence. Since his healing, his home was a, place where Jesus was always welcome, 2. "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached . . . this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memo rial of her" (Mark 14:9). Here a defi nite connection appears between the Gospel and the t h i n g that Mary did. With prophetic foresight, she anointed the Lord’s body for His burial. Calvary was only a few days removed. The whole experience of breaking the alabaster box is beauti fully suggestive of what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. There He broke the alabaster box of His
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