The Terre Haute Tribune from Terre Haute, Indiana • Page 15

16 TERRE HAUTE TRIBUNE Thursday, Jan. 26, The Messiah and His Mission 57-61, 10 25 42. Golden Text. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the shall save 9: 24. By R.

H. With 104 of Luke 9 and 10 assigned to a single lesson, it again becomes necessary to select but a few for actual study and treat the others briefly. Midway through His ministry Christ realized that if He were to tram the disciples for the monumental task which awaited them, the training had to begin promptly. Accordingly, He them power and authority over devils and disease and sent them out in pairs to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. Lpon then return, Jesus took them to Caesara Philippi, in Ihe northernmost part of Palestine, for a quiet conference.

Because they had been in con tact with great numbers of people. Jesus asked what the people uere saying about Him. The di'iiples answered that some believed Him to be the reincarnation of John the Baptist or Elijah, others believed Him to be a great prophet and possibly one of the old prophets come back to earth. Probing further, Jesus put the question on a personal basis, asking what the disciples themselves thought of Him. for they had been with Him long enough to know or at least have an who He was.

Speaking for the entire group as was his habit Peter answered, "The Christ of With the cardinal truth of His deity acknowledged. Christ solemnly charged the disciples to remain silent regarding it. The people were expecting a politi- cal or military to deliver them from Roman bondage. Unable or unwilling to accept a Messiah who would deliver them from the spiritual bondage of sin. the common people would reject any Messianic claims by Oesus and-or 1 Lis disciples, and His mission would be endangered.

this point Jesus began talking about His coming death. He would suffer many things. be rejected by the elders, chief priests and be killed, and on the third day, bo raised up. Apparently the disciples failed to completely comprehend these incredible statements. for our Iyord changed the subject to the fundamental of true discipleship.

Perhaps the most basic principle lor those who would follow Christ is self denial. earthly existence was a living example of the life He would have His followers lead. Those who live for primarily for the sake of pleasure and happiness never find real joy in living or a full life Instead, thev mit spiritual suicine. it is only when we forget self, renounce self-interest, and put the doing of right and the living of a helpful life before all else that we truly find life here and hereafter. In Luke three would- be followers of Christ appear, each of whom was rejected for various reasons.

The first was overflowing with eagerness, but he was too ardent, too effervescent. Such people are good beginners but poor finishers. They soon exhaust themselves and seldom persevere to the bitter end The second was too cautious, unwilling to abandon his family ties and responsibilities. He wanted to follow Christ, but not at that particular moment. The third was too sentimental, wanting to return home and put his affairs in order first, to ensure his earthly pleasure while indulging his hope of eternal bliss.

None of these people were fit disciples of Jesus. We are all given, to some degree, to such I weaknesses, and we can be sure of mercy and forgiveness for them. However, to persist in such weaknesses, to fail to outgrow them with the passing of time, is a matter of serious consequence. Equally serious is iu accepi ana men desert Him later and return to former way of living. The most famous of our parables is of the Good Samaritan.

Like many others it was given in answer to a asking whai he i should do to inherit eternal life. Unsatisfied by answer, the lawyer persisted in his questioning, citing the law but asking who was his neighbor? The parable of the Good Samaritan leaves no question as to who was obeying the law the lawyer had repeated. OIL LOW! CALL BRUNO! BRUNO'S FUEL Vf T-V Stampi SERVICE OFFICE: 533-2129 HOME: 533 3400 Budget Plan 24-Hour Delivery Service OIL HEAT SERVICE AGENT FOR HUMBLE OIL REFINING CO. Market Swift Premium Semi-Boneless Fully Cooked HAMS Whole or Half GROUND Swift Premium All-Meat WIENERS 49c Emge or Swift Premium SLICED BACON Lb 67c Colonial Reg. 2 for 49c BREAD 2 39c I Bowman Premium ICE CREAM All Fiavors 69c UM Rome Beauty APPLES 3 29c Merchants Bank is proud to announce an affiliation with AFNB Charge Card to bring the Midwest Bank Card service to the Terre Haute area.

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