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September 16, 1914.<br />

A FAMILY PAPm.<br />

Inthe Sabbath<br />

School<br />

TTTSSniN I. OCTOBER 4, 1914.<br />

CHRIST ANOINTED FOiR BU.RIAL.<br />

By Rev. Owen F. Thompson.<br />

Golden Text—She hath done what she could.<br />

Mark 14:8.<br />

" Lesson Text—Mark 14:1-11.<br />

Time—March, A. D. 30. Place, Bethany.<br />

Suitable Psalm.s—89, 92, 42, 34.<br />

Exposition.-In tbe actions of the chief priests<br />

<strong>and</strong> the scribes as it is given in the flrstverse<br />

I<br />

<strong>and</strong> tlie actions of the woman who anointed<br />

Jesus you see the contrast between hatred <strong>and</strong><br />

love <strong>The</strong> one tries to destroy him because he<br />

is hindering their wicked work. <strong>The</strong> other tries<br />

to honor Christ <strong>and</strong> to give him the highest place<br />

because he is Savior <strong>and</strong> Lord <strong>and</strong> dearer than<br />

all else in life. -<br />

It is a pity that there is not more of a contrast<br />

between professing Christians <strong>and</strong> worldly<br />

people. Almost every person that I have ever<br />

spoken to about their soul <strong>and</strong> their need ot a<br />

Savior has given as an excuse that there are<br />

so many bad people in the church <strong>and</strong> that they<br />

are as good now as the most of church members<br />

<strong>The</strong>y do not need to go to 'church or make<br />

a profession of faith when they can live as well<br />

without it. Why make the effort to get in when<br />

I would be no better off<br />

It is not true altogether, of course, that those<br />

in the church are no better than those outside<br />

of the church, but it is a sad thing that it is<br />

even partly true. <strong>The</strong>re is not nearly enough<br />

contrast between church members <strong>and</strong> those who<br />

do not belong to the church. It is not hard to<br />

see wherein those who are outside of the church<br />

are not what they ought to be but it is very<br />

often hard to see how Christ could say of us,<br />

"You have done what you could."<br />

Have you done your best Have you never<br />

missed an opportunity to speak for Christ Have<br />

you never refused to perform a service that<br />

Christ asked of you Have you given to the<br />

Lord all that you were able to give Has your<br />

example been such as always to lead otners to<br />

Christ And all that you have done has it been<br />

the hest that you could have done In that thing<br />

To give to Christ "Our Best Service" may<br />

means self denial. <strong>The</strong> value of this box of ointment<br />

was perhaps equal to the wages of a man<br />

laboring in the fieldfor a year. That was a large<br />

sum for a woman to give at one time. We often<br />

begrudge an amount that would not take nearly<br />

the sacrifice to give.<br />

Is it right to say that the self-denlal or the<br />

sacrifice necessary to make a gift to the 'Lord is<br />

the measure of our love in making it <strong>The</strong> gift<br />

may be money or it may be something else. It<br />

may he the gift of your heart to God <strong>and</strong> sometimes<br />

the greatest self denial is necessary to<br />

give the heart to God.<br />

I read of a father <strong>and</strong> mother wno had such<br />

love for their son that they dressed in threadbare<br />

clothing <strong>and</strong> ate the poorest food that they<br />

misht send the money to their son who was at<br />

college preparing to .fill a large place aniong<br />

men <strong>and</strong> to help raise the world nearer God.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y eould not serve the world themselves but<br />

they did what they could <strong>and</strong> that was to deny<br />

<strong>and</strong> the world is to st<strong>and</strong> firm for the unpopular<br />

truth that has been given to her. Others do<br />

often misunderst<strong>and</strong> our reasons for not going<br />

in with them but some day they will be glad that<br />

one church was willing to st<strong>and</strong>.<br />

To give to Christ "Our Best Service" often<br />

means apparent failure. As the woman heard<br />

the unkind words from- the woman sitting there<br />

she must have felt that her 'mission had failed.<br />

She must have felt that she had made a mistake.<br />

She had been too bold. <strong>The</strong> Master would be<br />

displeased with her. She had better not have<br />

come.<br />

It is that way with all those who do their best<br />

for Christ <strong>and</strong> are not moved bv the praise of<br />

men or the selfish claims of their own heart.<br />

Robert Moffat labored for nine years among the<br />

black men of Africa before he had a single convert.<br />

Many times he must have felt that the<br />

work was a failure. Paton worked for seven<br />

years on the isl<strong>and</strong> of Tanna <strong>and</strong> then had to<br />

leave to save his life. He felt that his work<br />

there was a failure. Many a pastor has worked<br />

hard for many years in his charge <strong>and</strong> has felt<br />

that his work was a failure beecause Satan put<br />

discouraging thoughts in his mind or because<br />

there have been some to murmur about the wasted<br />

time <strong>and</strong> effort or misdirected labor.<br />

Perhaps Christ's work more than anv other<br />

was an apparent failure. When He cried at the<br />

end "It is finished,"all looked to be lost. He<br />

had worked so hard. He had sacrificed everything.<br />

He had not spared his strength or the<br />

love of his heart He had made himself nothing<br />

<strong>and</strong> worse than that for his people, <strong>and</strong> the<br />

end of it all was death on the cross between<br />

thieves. At the time it was considered failure<br />

by the world. <strong>The</strong>y did not know that the greatest<br />

victories often -come through defeat.<br />

Friends, when you have done your best <strong>and</strong><br />

your struggle seemis to be a losing one, then<br />

remember the Savior who died on the cross for<br />

you. Apparent failure does not always mean<br />

defeat.<br />

To give to Christ "Our Best Service" always<br />

means the Master's blessing. It may mean self<br />

denial. It may mean misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing. It may<br />

mean apparent failure. But it always means the<br />

Master's blessing, "Well done, good <strong>and</strong> faithful<br />

servant."<br />

How this woman's heart must have burned<br />

within her as she heard his words of protection<br />

<strong>and</strong> praise, "Let her alone, why trouble ye<br />

her She hath done what she could."<br />

<strong>The</strong> anointing of Christ was an honor to him,<br />

<strong>and</strong> it made him attractive to others. It drew<br />

the attention of all to him because of the odor<br />

of the perfume which arose from his head <strong>and</strong><br />

filled the house. You can make Christ attractive<br />

today <strong>and</strong> draw the attention of all to him<br />

hv living <strong>and</strong> talking so as to show an attractive<br />

Christ to others. Let him live a beautiful life in<br />

you. That is your best service.<br />

Many are indignant at all honor done to Christ<br />

because they are jealous of him. Others because<br />

all honor done Christ shows themselves<br />

off to bad advantage. Others through selfishness.<br />

Personal devotion to Christ is one' of the most<br />

acceptable things that we can give. He prizes<br />

it most highly.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is no promise in the seventh verse of<br />

themselves that another might go to serve m a so'cialistic age when every one will have plenty<br />

their st63:(i<br />

<strong>and</strong> there will be no need to care for those<br />

Did the Father in heaven not deny Himself who are in want.<br />

when He sent His only son into the world to die In the ninth verse we are taught that Christ<br />

for you <strong>and</strong> me He "did his best for men but will surely honor those who honor him. Do not<br />

it meant self denial. If you do your best for be afraid of losing out bv taking the side of<br />

Christ it will mean self denial. You can not Christ <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing with him..<br />

give away your best <strong>and</strong> keep it.<br />

It would seem from readins: the last verse that<br />

To give to Christ "Our Best Service" may .iealousy was the cause of Judas' betrayal. He<br />

mean misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> even persecution. thouerht that Christ was getting more than was<br />

(See verses four <strong>and</strong> five.) How her heart must comins to him. How man of us have that sort<br />

have sunk as she heard those words. How great of spirit How many of us are in danger of betraving<br />

her love was <strong>and</strong> how selfish those others who<br />

'Christ throu,gh that spirit of jealousy.<br />

begrudged her gift to the Lord.<br />

How manv times in the history of the world<br />

of the who taow ing right liest Bised, lar scorn senice many <strong>The</strong> them to truth. greatest service were to they <strong>and</strong> years men give Covenanter persecuted that tell were for financiallosses were up who misunderstood our men that ago. many their even are church great. a how <strong>and</strong> of Church It man years. lives recognized killed the often even can <strong>The</strong> rather be world has <strong>and</strong> because It means killed render today. free. reformers meant stood now despised.<br />

than were Very to mockery men But give persecution<br />

the an have to were often the unpopu­<br />

did be up nation Many men been aud best will-<br />

des-<br />

not the Lesson h<strong>and</strong>ling will vour has Glorv than did is Do about the barter anvone love'' L CHRIST you with very October LESSON a Savior it. Bv woman "I love a their best else FOURTH do Anna kiss ANOINTFD 4, been T your thing thines Mark FOR soul who know." 1914. for Pritchard betrayed THE she mother. 14:1-11. <strong>and</strong> money. loved for QUARTER. knew How FOR betray her," CHILDREN.<br />

Jesus Georse.<br />

Robert do It for BURIAL. Today's you is the so money. him. dangerous<br />

much show Lord "More lesson Men she her of<br />

Here on the s<strong>and</strong> table we will lay out the<br />

town of Bethany. What three friends of Jesus<br />

live in Bethany, Charles "Lazarus <strong>and</strong> Mary <strong>and</strong><br />

Martha." This box is for their home. Who was<br />

the man whom Jesus raised from the dead<br />

"Lazarus." Not far away, use these two boxes<br />

for the home of Simon who once was a leper,<br />

but was cured by Jesus. Does Simon love Jesus,<br />

Bud "Surely." And he wants to show his love.<br />

So Simon prepares a big feast for Jesus. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

sticks are the men of the town <strong>and</strong> these clothespins<br />

the women.<br />

Simon goes over to the home where Jesus loves<br />

to stay—the home of Lazarus <strong>and</strong> his sistei s—aud<br />

asks Martha to serve at dinner. Would you like<br />

to wait on Jesus,. Helen "Yes, indeed." So does<br />

Martha, <strong>and</strong> I suppose Mary <strong>and</strong> some of the<br />

other women help.<br />

In Simon's house, in the large box, make a<br />

table in the shape of three sides of a hollow<br />

square, with these blocks of wood. Did people<br />

use chairs in Jesus' time when they were at dinner,<br />

Mary No,, they reclined on couches. Lay<br />

these small pieces of matting around the table<br />

for the couches. Here are the women in the next<br />

room preparing the food.<br />

Here come the men in to the feast. Who is<br />

among them, James "Jesus." Yes, <strong>and</strong> his<br />

disciples, <strong>and</strong> Lazarus, <strong>and</strong> other friends. Simon<br />

is at the head of the table. Where does he place<br />

Jesus "Next to him.' Would Simon's friends<br />

<strong>and</strong> neighbors wish to see Jesus too,. Mittie <strong>The</strong>y<br />

come in <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong> around listening to the talk,<br />

while the guests are eating. Here come Martha<br />

<strong>and</strong> Mary waiting on the guests.<br />

While they are eating, Mary looks at Jesus,<br />

<strong>and</strong> oh how she loves him. Who sat at Jesus'<br />

feet one time, learning of him, Alvin "Mary."<br />

Mary has a great,, large heart <strong>and</strong> it is all full<br />

of Jesus. She underst<strong>and</strong>s him <strong>and</strong> sympathizes<br />

with him when others make him suffer. And -then<br />

Jesus brought her brother Lazarus back to life<br />

again when he had been dead. Now Mary wants<br />

to do something for Jesus to show her love <strong>and</strong><br />

gratitude <strong>and</strong> faith. She slips out when no one<br />

is looking, maybe goes all the way home. Soon<br />

she returns with a beautiful white flask of alabaster.<br />

It has a long narrow neck <strong>and</strong> is closed<br />

at the top. Inside is precious ointment—an ointment<br />

that is worth as much money as a workingman<br />

in Jesus' time would earn in a whole year.<br />

Mary takes this beautiful white flask fllledwith<br />

this clioice ointment, <strong>and</strong> slips around the table<br />

behind Jesus. <strong>The</strong>re she stops <strong>and</strong> all look up.<br />

Mary breaks the neck of the flask <strong>and</strong> pours the<br />

ointment over Jesus' head <strong>and</strong> then his feet. A<br />

delicate fragrance gradually fills the room. It<br />

is delightful. Now Mary takes her long, beautiful<br />

hair <strong>and</strong> gently wipes Jesus feet with it. She<br />

cannot tell Jesus how much she loves him <strong>and</strong><br />

wishes to work for him—she has not words<br />

enough. She just had to do something to show<br />

her faith in him, <strong>and</strong> it had to be something special.<br />

Here is Judas over on this side of the table. He<br />

is one of Jesus' disciples but only on the surface.<br />

His heart is bad. .Tohn, what kind of a Christian<br />

is a man who is only a Christian on the outside<br />

but is wicked in his heart, like a rosy apple with<br />

a rotten core "A make-believe Christian."<br />

That is what Judas is. He grumbles <strong>and</strong> says,<br />

"Why was this waste of the ointment made Por<br />

it might have been sold for more than three hundred<br />

pence, <strong>and</strong> have been given to the poor."<br />

Would you think anything too fine for your<br />

mother, Ellsworth "No." <strong>The</strong>n is anything too<br />

precious to give to Jesus <strong>The</strong> trouble is we give<br />

too little to Jesus. When you have done the<br />

hest you could <strong>and</strong> then someone scolds you for<br />

it, how do you feel, Louise "Like crying." Mary<br />

has done the best <strong>and</strong> only thing she could for<br />

Jesus,, <strong>and</strong> now a bad man findsfault.<br />

Jesus says about Mary, "Let her alone: why<br />

trouble ye her She hath wrought a good work<br />

on me." Are there always poor people around.<br />

help. Buster them than do know him She what mv beautiful "Wheresoever hatii her." throughout about such body just <strong>and</strong> a done she all how Mary And But week—<strong>and</strong> "Lots a sees tn thing could: does kindness shall big here the annointing Jesus can, Continued of it. this Mary a burying." whole she are them." opnortunity thing <strong>and</strong> is Mary for Jesus spoKen is yon gospel soon has we Jesus world, come him on she might bovs And done. says. to always <strong>The</strong>n of page again. is shall aforeh<strong>and</strong> be to this it <strong>and</strong> never today's Jesus doing crucified—in "She 9.<br />

is a have something <strong>also</strong> -iris right She be show memorial be tells hath for lesson. to preached that them studying does able to what Jesus. anoint them. done help she less for<br />

to not of a

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