Learning the Love of God

Mark 3:14-17; Luke 9:49-56; I John 4:7, 8

GOLDEN TEXT: “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”—I John 4:21

CAREFUL students of our Lord’s life and ministry have confessed their inability to trace the consecutive order of the events given in the four Gospels. It is possible, however, to place many of the incidents approximately; and, accordingly, it is thought that the principal events of today’s lesson occurred about the time our Lord began his last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, a few months before his crucifixion. By this time quite a number had become his disciples, and he was able to send out seventy in addition to the twelve, to announce his coming in the cities and villages he was to visit en route.—Luke 9:51; 10:1

The first incident in our lesson is recorded in Luke 9:49,50. In their journey the disciples met one who evidently was also a disciple and who had received power to cast out demons in the Master’s name. Impressed with their own close relationship to the Lord, they felt that this one should associate himself with them, and unless he did so should not undertake to represent the Lord and do his work. When the disciples reported this to Jesus, he told them that they had erred, that they were not to feel that other disciples must necessarily join them and become of their company or else discontinue their service. The intimation is that the ability of this other disciple to cast out demons in the name of Jesus was to be considered a credential; and this thought is emphasized in Mark’s account.—Mark 9:38-40

In this connection, we note how often this disposition has been found among the Lord’s followers. The idea of a “channel,” an exclusive association to which one must join himself if he wishes to have a part in the ministry of the Gospel, has been one of Satan’s especially successful and misleading delusions all down through the age. It has become a snare even to many who have enjoyed present truth in the harvest period, causing them to abandon the “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,” and again to assume a yoke of bondage.—Gal. 5:1

In Luke 9:51-56 we have the record of an incident which gave the Master an opportunity to teach a lesson in meekness and gentleness, by word and also by example. Two disciples entered a village of Samaria as representatives of the Lord and those who journeyed with him, and endeavored to make arrangements for them to stay over night. Owing to a feeling of animosity toward the Jews, and because this group of pilgrims was en route to Jerusalem, the residents of this Samaritan village refused to receive Jesus.

Their refusal incensed James and John, and, remembering that Elijah had called down fire on those who opposed him, probably in this same vicinity, they asked Jesus if it would be in accord with his wishes that they command fire to come down from heaven again, this time to consume those who had refused the hospitality of their village to one of so much greater dignity and power than Elijah.

Here we have an evidence of the change of dispensation, a difference both in the methods and the purpose of the two ages. The Jewish age was to develop the “house of servants”; but in the Christian dispensation there was to be developed the “house of sons” of which Jesus is the Head and the Exemplar. (Heb. 3:5,6) The Master’s response was a definite statement that the action proposed by James and John was not in accordance with the Holy Spirit, but rather was suggested by the human minds of these disciples. Jesus had come, “not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

The closing statement of this account is well worthy of consideration: “They went to another village.” How simple the solution of the problem! It was not necessary that they enter the village where they were unwelcome. There were other villages, and they went to one where they were received. How many incidents in our lives could be solved in a similar manner: not by engaging in controversy, but, where, our disposition is good and we do not find opportunity to exercise it, merely seeking another suitable place or occasion. Our Lord said of himself, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” And it requires meekness and heart-lowliness to follow successfully the Lord’s example here given in the many and varied experiences where it would be appropriate. Hence the importance of our heeding the accompanying exhortation, “Learn of me.”—Matt. 11:29

Our Golden Text is a profoundly beautiful statement of the character of the Creator—“God is Love.” How blessed it is to be assured that, notwithstanding the presence of sin, suffering, and death, the Almighty, whose will shall ultimately be done perfectly on earth as in heaven, is best described by the sweetest and most inspiring word in our language—Love.

QUESTIONS:

Of whom must Christians be followers if they would share in His service?

What was the occasion and lesson contained in our Lord’s reproof to the Apostles James and John, “Ye know not what spirit ye are of”?

Who are our brethren referred to in the Golden Text, and how are we to manifest love for them?

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