40
The Sanctified Life
one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall
receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me” (
verses 36, 37
).
What a precious lesson is this for all the followers of Christ! Those
who overlook the life duties lying directly in their pathway, who
neglect mercy and kindness, courtesy and love, to even a little child,
are neglecting Christ. John felt the force of this lesson and profited by
it.
On another occasion his brother James and himself had seen a
man casting out devils in the name of Jesus, and because he did not
immediately connect himself with their company, they decided that
he had no right to do this work, and consequently forbade him. In the
sincerity of his heart John related the circumstance to his Master. Jesus
said, “Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in
my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against
us is on our part” (
verses 39, 40
).
Again, James and John presented by their mother a petition re-
questing that they might be permitted to occupy the highest positions
of honor in Christ’s kingdom. The Saviour answered, “Ye know not
what ye ask” (
Mark 10:38
). How little do many of us understand the
true import of our prayers! Jesus knew the infinite sacrifice at which
that glory must be purchased, when He, “for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame” (
Hebrews 12:2
). That joy
[57]
was to see souls saved by His humiliation, His agony, and the shedding
of His blood.
This was the glory which Christ was to receive, and which these
two disciples had requested that they might be permitted to share.
Jesus asked them, “Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto
him, We can” (
Mark 10:38, 39
).
How little did they comprehend what that baptism signified! “Jesus
said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and
with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 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” (
verses 39, 40
).