January 16

Mark x.—35. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and he baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39. And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized with shall ye be baptized:

40. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41. And, when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43. But so shall it not be among you; but who-soever will be great among you shall be your minister,

44. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all.

45. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

46. And they came to Jericho; and, as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway-side begging.

47. And, when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!

48. And many charged him that he should hold his peace; but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me!

49. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called: and they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort; rise; he calleth thee.

50. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Our Lord's allusions to his coming glory had revived in his disciples the dear location of a Messianic kingdom, with worldly pomps and honors. Once they had contended among themselves who could be greatest, now two of them sought to forestall the others, and secure the places next the throne. Jesus, who already felt in his own soul the foreshadowing of his great agony, tenderly reminded them of the cup of sorrow which he must drink, and the baptism of blood which he must receive: that, in his kingdom, sacrifice would be the measure of greatness; self-denial, of reward; and he distinctly announced that he would offer his life a ransom, the redemption-price of a

siniing world. The disciples drank the cup. Jesus was the first martyr among his apostles. John lived a long life of persecution and exile, witnessing for his beloved Lord.

In contrast with the momentary weakness of these disciples in seeking worldly distinction is presented the simple, earnest, importunate faith of Bartimeus, who, feeling that his moment of opportunity had come, hastened to beg of the Son of David the mercy of healing.

How the heart of Jesus went forth to meet every cry of real faith! How ready is his word of mercy still for the humble, believing suppliant!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.

Prayer.

[Nos. 21, 58, 187.

Thou blessed and glorious Redeemer, who didst give thy life a ransom for us, grant us grace, we beseech thee, to follow in thy steps, and be baptized with the same baptism of devotion and sacrifice for the glory of the Father and the good of men. O Thou who art the light of the world! enlighten our minds, we pray thee, that we may truly know and rightly value the things of thy kingdom. Keep us from the absorbing power of earthly things. May we live under the powers of the world to come, loving thee now with a sweet and blessed foretaste of that love with which we shall love thee forever!

We commend to thy gracious providence all in whom we are interested. Sanctify them by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit; prosper them out-

wardly and inwardly. Bless our own immediate circle: may God be their Father, and Jesus their elder Brother, and heaven their everlasting home! [May the children of this family make thee their portion and their hope! May they early learn to do thy will; to wish for and to do only that which will please their Father in heaven!]

May thy kingdom come! Support and strengthen all missionaries in heathen lands. Sanctify affliction to all in sorrow; and satisfy the poor with bread. Grateful for the mercies of the night, we pray thee to direct, control, suggest, this day, all our thoughts, purposes, designs, and actions, that we may consecrate soul and body to the glory of thy holy name. And all that we ask or hope for is for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.