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T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
April 1928
■These two were probably still under the impression that it was Jesus’ inten tion to set up a glorious kingdom on the earth at that time. They could not grasp the words' recorded in vs. 32-34. Very different were those who were soon to occupy places at His right and left. How little did they realize what they asked or what they would be called upon to suffer before they should be with Him in His kingdom! “ Can ye drink the cup that I drink o f? " He asked. And they said: “ W e can.” They forgot even to add “by Thy help.” Yet, through all their ambition and blind ness to the future, we cannot overlook their deep attachment to the Master. There are still those who fervently sing “Where He Leads Me I Will Follow,” without considering what may be in volved. The places of honor are not for favorites but for, those who are fit (v. 40). “ When the ten heard it they were much displeased with James and John” (v. 41). Jesus nipped it in the bud. He called them to Him and reminded them that ambition for power over men belongs to the world, but in His kingdom ambition is to be for ministry, not dominion. The world may measure greatness by pomp, but God measures it by true humility. “ Whosoever o f you shall be the chief- est, shall be servant o f all” (v. 44). Even the Son o f man Himself cared “ not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give His life a ransom fo r many" (v. 45). Some declare that such doctrine is de grading, yet what wise man will care to take issue with Jesus? The greatness of lowliness and service is the greatness of Christ Himself. Who is greater?- Let us pause at the close o f our lesson to reflect upon the teaching that He came “ to give His life a RANSOM ." His death was not a misfortune. It was not just a confirmation o f His teaching. He was not just one more in the list o f mar tyrs. It was vicarious death. He laid down a price for the souls o f all who should believe and follow. This and num erous other passages, show that His death is proposed to us as the means o f recon ciling men to God. P ith and P oint The man who is wrapped up in himself will freeze to death (9:35). To sink is the way to rise; to serve is the way to rule (v. 35). It is the child spirit which opens the gates of enduring service (v. 36). There’s many a Christian worker who delights in using the “veto” (v.38). They especially dislike these “ unattached work ers.” • Not all the saints valued in heaven gather around my own denominational banner (v. 39). If you’re not sure others are against Christ, don’t say so (v. 40). If you’re not sure that you are on His side, you can be sure you are against Him (Mt. 12:30). Our own faults are, the ones we most condemn when we see them in others (10:41). S uggestive Q uestions With whom is the man o f Mk. 9 :38 in contrast, and what was the difference in the two? (Acts 19:13-16.)
What difference do you note in the rule given in 9:40 and Mt. 12:30? (The rule in Matthew is for judging ourselves; the one in Mark, for judging others.) What could Paul say about the preach ing even o f some whose motives he con sidered unworthy? (Phil. 1:18.) Who had right and left-hand places in relation to Christ, not long after the requests o f James and John? (10:37; cf. 15:27.) ' .. What “cup” did James drink for the Master? (V . 38; cf. Acts 12:1-2.) What was John’s “cup” ? (Rev. 1:9.) If we would be sharers o f Christ’s glory, o f what must we be willing to be partakers? (2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:17.). —o— G olden T ext I llustration The Son o f man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom fo r many (Mk. 10:45). Who of us has not been made to feel that the true greatness o f a man’s nature comes out in his humble and sympathetic service to others? When Abraham Lin coln was in Congress and was at home in Springfield, Illinois, he was going down the street one morning when he saw a little girl standing at a gate crying. The tall congressman paused to inquire what the trouble was, and learned that she was to have taken her first trip on the cars that day and the drayman had failed to come for her trunk. “How big is it?” Lincoln asked, at the same time pushing through the gate. She led him to her room. “ O-ho” he cried. “Wipe your eyes and come on." Before she knew what he was going to do, he had shouldered the trunk and was striding out with it. Down the street he went, the little girl trotting along behind. They reached the station in time and Lincoln waved to her and smiled as the train pulled out. Did it not reveal something o f the meaning of Jesus’ words: “H e that will be greatest* let him be the servant o f all” ? Doing as Jesus'Did Mark 10:35-45. Memory Verse .—“ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Mark 12:31. Approach .-—Recently I was watching some boys and girls at their play. They had been' playing games together, and were enjoying themselves. Then they
no, but she finally persuaded them to let the other girl be the teacher. O f course the other girl was very selfish. (Prayer.) Lesson Story .— In our story last week, the people were putting in their offering to thè Lord, and the Lord Jesus was sit ting close by, watching each one as they walked by and dropped their money in. (Review, emphasizing 2 Cor. 9:7.) The same Lord Jesus saw us as we dropped our money in this morning. Oh, boys and girls, is it not wonderful to have such a loving Saviour who loves us so dearly that He never leaves us for a single mo ment, but watches and sees all we do, and hears every .word we' say? Today in our story the disciples were all together with Jesus, and He was. tell ing them how .He was soon to suffer and die, and how cruelly wicked men would treat Him before His death. Two of the disciples, James and John, came to Jesus and asked Him if He would do fqr them whatever they wished. Then Jesus asked them what they wished Him to do for them. O f course we know how much these two disciples loved Jesus, but you know, boys and girls, these disciples were very human, and sometimes selfish ness crept in. They wanted Jesus to let them have thè Seat on either side of Him in heaven. Now what do you think Jesus did? He told James and John they could share in all His joys in heaven and be with Him, but to sit on His right hand and on his left hand was not His to give, but a place would be prepared for each one o f us. When the other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were much displeased at their action. What did Jesus do? He called them about Him and talked to them, telling them how other folk who did not believe in Jesus (Gentiles) sought to have the best of everything, and wanted to rule over others, and often acted in a very selfish manner, just like the little girl who would not play unless she could have her own way and be the teacher, as they played school. Then Jesus told them that those who loved Him ought not to act in that way, but should be willing to take even the lowest place, and serve others if necessary. If we live our memory verse, we will never act in a selfish way, for love will give up what we want to do and let others have the first place or first choice. Do you want to be “it” in the games? Then Jesus closes the story by saying He came to work and labor among them and help wherever He could, and even give His life to save us from our sin. And Hè was the Lord and maker o f all. (Prayer.) You’ll be Beautiful Some Day In heaven all the blessed will have a natural beauty, as Adam had in Paradise. For as a painter makes a pleasing like ness, softening down what is harsh and rugged in a man’s appearance, yet pre serving a true resemblance, so Almighty God will know how to bring each to the perfection o f which He is capable. Each beautiful form will differ in some re spects from all others, just as in a garden we are pleased with various scents and various colors o f different flowers. In the Garden of Paradise the plants and flowers are the children of the human race. — H. Collins.
d e c i d e d to play school, and what do y o u t h i n k hap pened? One o f the o l d e r girls w a s chosen for teacher. T h i s s e e m e d to please all the boys and girls but one girl. S h e looked displeased and did
not clap her hands with the rest. Then she walked away from the rest o f them, and said she was going home, and when they asked her why she did not want to play, what do you think she said? “ If I cannot be the teacher I will not play at all.” Now, listen/,; for something very lovely happened. The one who had been chosen,' went over to the other girl and said, “You come and be the teacher in my place, and I will be a scholar in your place.” At first some o f the others said
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