The Reformed Presbyterian Standard and also 0\ir ... - Rparchives.org
The Reformed Presbyterian Standard and also 0\ir ... - Rparchives.org
The Reformed Presbyterian Standard and also 0\ir ... - Rparchives.org
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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