April 1930
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7. Only the truly born-again Christian is able to appreciate the dignity and honor of lowly service, for he alone has eyes to see “the things that are not seen” (2 Cor. 4:17-18). 8. The Apostles were very faulty men, but remember what the grace of God made them. 9. Some foolish parents would rather have their children great than good. They would rob them of an eternal crown and give them only transient earthly, rewards. 10. We may have what we will if God’s will is our will (John 15 :7 ; 1 John 5:14-15). 11. If our Lord came to earth to be a servant and a sacrifice, who are we that we should refuse to emulate His exam ple? (Phil. 2:5-8.) * * * G olden T e x t I llustratio n A gentleman who was traveling in Nor way tells of a noted church in one of its towns. Upon the tower near its top is the Carved figure of a lamb. Inquiring the reason for this strange figure, you are told that a workman fell from a high scaffold while the church was building. His fellow workmen hastened down, ex pecting to find him dashed to death. They found him almost unhurt. A flock of sheep was passing the church at the time of his fall and as they were crowded to gether he fell among them, lighting up on a lamb, which was crushed to death. And so they carved the figure upon the church tower in memory of his rescue. We think with admiration of the grati tude of this rescued one, .taking this form in which to express itself. There is another lamb, the Lamb of God, whose life, crushed out, saves the falling sinner. What memorial shall we chisel or lift on high to express our grati tude? * * * How to Become Great Matt. 20:17-28 Memory Verse : “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt, 20:28). Approach.—Ask the children what their ambitions are : what they wish to do and be “when they grow up.” Tell of the truest and best ambition—pleasing Jesus.
Their great ones. Magnates, as we might say—the highest rulers. Authority over them. The pronoun might seem to refer to their rulers, i.e., the magnates lord it over other rulers; but probably the idea is simply that of despotic exercise of au thority over any and all who are under them.. . . . ... V. 26. Not so shall it be. A possible reading is, “It is not so. ' In a~sense, that reading is contrary to fact, for at this moment the Twelve .were acting much like heathen. It is to be understood as the establishing of a new rule for their future guidance. Your minister. Great ness by service is the new law. The word “minister” is often misused. Christian “ministers” may “lord it over” their flocks and belie their names (cf. 1 Pet. S:3). V. 27. Whosoever would be first. That is, highest in honor. Such an one must become a bondservant, becoming the last in humble service. III. Jesus the Servant and Sufferer (28). V. 28. Even as. Jesus Christ is the great Exemplar. As they had observed Him in His ministry they had failed to catch the meaning of it all. At times they had been too proud to serve Him (cf. John '13 :l-6). Give his life a ransom. He had often spoken of death, but now for the first time of His vicarious death in order to redeem. The word “ransom” E from a root meaning “to loose, release.” The noun signifies the means or instru ment of release. Christ gives His life to redeem men from captivity to sin and death. Our English word “ransom” comes from the Latin by way of the French. From the Latin we get the word “redemption.” For many. The preposition rendered “for” means “instead of,” and clearly involves the idea, of substitution, or vicarious death. Christ’s death was. a ransom for all in the Sense that it _made it possible for all to be saved (1 Tim. ,2:6; Heb. 2:9; 1 John 2:2). Salvation is pro vided for all; it is received by those who believe on Jesus Christ. * ’ * * L esso n Q u est io n s V. 17. To what place was Jesus jour neying with His disciples ? What was their state of mind (Mark 10:32) ? Why did Jesus take them apart? Did He some times tell them things He did riot .tell to others (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:34)? Vs. 18-19. How many things did He say would be done to Him at Jerusalem? Had He ever before predicted His cru cifixion and resurrection (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; Luke 9 :22) ? Did He give more detail this time than on former occasions? What did He say the Jews would do? What would the Gentiles do? V. 20. Who came to Jesus with a re quest? What is meant by the word “wor ship” ? Did they tell at once what they wanted (Mark 10:35)? V. 21. What question did Jesus ask? Is it possible for us as Christians to have from God whatsoever we ask (John 15: 7, R. V.)? Were James and John meet- ing-the condition at this time (cf. James 4:3)? What request was made by the mother of James and John? Was it an unselfish request? V. 22. What did Jesus answer? May we know how to pray and what to ask for (Rom. 8:26)? What question did Jesus ask? What was their answer? Were they really able to meet His condi tions (Matt. 26:56)?
V. 23. What prediction did Jesus make concerning them? Was it literally ful filled for both James and John (Acts 12:2; Rev. 1:9)? Who determines who shall have honors in the Kingdom? To whom will they be given? V. 24. What was the feeling of the ten disciples? What reason had they for in dignation? Was this a suitable time for a quarrel in the' company of the apostles? V. 25. Why did Jesus call the disciples to Him?' How did He describe the dif ference between the ’methods of worldly kingdoms and His own kingdom? Vs. 26-27. What new rule did He lay down? Will His disciples who attempt to be 'great by worldly methods succeed (Luke 14:7-11)? V. 28. Who is the best example of true greatness? In what senses did Jesus Christ “minister” when upon earth? What is meant by a ransom? From what has Christ ransomed us (Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:18; Titus 2:14; etc.)?. For whom did He give His life as a ransom (1 John 2 : 2 ) ? * * * P ractical P o in ts 1. Private interviews, with Jesus are profitable, if not always pleasant. The woman of Samaria, in such a meeting, saw herself as she never had before, recognized Jesus Christ as her Saviour, and as a result became a missionary. Peter had a profitable private talk with Jesus after the Resurrection, which meant his restoration to fellowship. We might recall many others. The lesson is, if things have gone wrong with you, have a little talk with the Lord Jesus about it. 2. The emphasis upon the Cross by the Lord Jesus was in order to make it the central thing in the thought of the dis ciples. They preferred to put the empha sis upon the future glory as they antici pated it. Today many prefer to_ stress the events of our Lord’s earthly life, but that, too, is wrong. The important thing to be first assured of is that Jesus Christ came to earth to be the suffering Ser vant, bearing the sin of the world. 3. Selfish ambition has always been the prolific source of discord and warfare in the Church. Why not accept God’s ap pointed place? He knows best. 4. Someone has said that the greatest sin of the Church is prayerlessness. The next greatest offense might_ be the offer ing of prayer, so-called, which is prompt ed by selfish desires (James 4:1-3). 5. Much foolish, ignorant praying will be ruled out when the life is yielded to the control of the Holy Spirit. He knows what to pray for (Rom. 8:26). 6. The cup of suffering is offered to all who would reign with Christ (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12). ’
Working m e r e l y for the reward or p r a i s e of others does not bring true greatness. Speak of Lindbergh’s a i m , of D a v i d Li v - ingstone’s. The hap piest, most satisfy ing life is t h a t which is most use ful to G o d and others.
Lesson Story. —The earthly life and ministry of Jesus was drawing to a close. In this lesson He was on the way from Perea to Jerusalem, followed by His loyal disciples. He knew what faced Him in the Holy City. Because He wished His disciples to know what would take place there, He took them apart from the crowds, ahd told them more about His
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