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ame； and am set down with My Father in His throne。〃 〃Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God； and he shall go no more out： and I will write upon him the name of My God； 。 。 。 and I will write upon him My new name。〃 Rev。 3：21； 12。 So Paul the apostle wrote； 〃I am now ready to be offered； and the time of my departure is at hand。 I have fought a good fight； I have finished my course； I have kept the faith： henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness； which the Lord； the righteous Judge； shall give me at that day。〃 2 Tim。 4：6…8。
The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self…sacrificing love；love that 〃vaunteth not itself； is not puffed up； 。 。 。 seeketh not her own； is not easily provoked； thinketh no evil〃 （1 Cor。 13：4； 5）；love that moves the disciple； as it moved our Lord； to give all； to live and labor and sacrifice； even unto death； for the saving of humanity。 This spirit was made manifest in the life of Paul。 He said； 〃For to me to live is Christ；〃 for his life revealed Christ to men； 〃and to die is gain；〃gain to Christ； death itself would make manifest the power of His grace； and gather souls to Him。 〃Christ shall be magnified in my body；〃 he said； 〃whether it be by life or by death。〃 Phil。 1：21； 20。
When the ten heard of the request of James and John； they were much displeased。 The highest place in the kingdom was just what every one of them was seeking for himself； and they were angry that the two disciples had gained a seeming advantage over them。
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Again the strife as to which should be greatest seemed about to be renewed； when Jesus； calling them to Him； said to the indignant disciples； 〃Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them； and their great ones exercise authority upon them。 But so shall it not be among you。〃
In the kingdoms of the world； position meant self…aggrandizement。 The people were supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes。 Influence； wealth； education； were so many means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders。 The higher classes were to think； decide； enjoy； and rule； the lower were to obey and serve。 Religion； like all things else； was a matter of authority。 The people were expected to believe and practice as their superiors directed。 The right of man as man； to think and act for himself； was wholly unrecognized。
Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles。 He called men； not to authority； but to service； the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak。 Power； position； talent； education； placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows。 To even the lowliest of Christ's disciples it is said； 〃All things are for your sakes。〃 2 Cor。 4：15。
〃The Son of man came not to be ministered unto； but to minister； and to give His life a ransom for many。〃 Among His disciples Christ was in every sense a caretaker； a burden bearer。 He shared their poverty； He practiced self…denial on their account； He went before them to smooth the more difficult places； and soon He would consummate His work on earth by laying down His life。 The principle on which Christ acted is to actuate the members of the church which is His body。 The plan and ground of salvation is love。 In the kingdom of Christ those are greatest who follow the example He has given； and act as shepherds of His flock。
The words of Paul reveal the true dignity and honor of the Christian life： 〃Though I be free from all men； yet have I made myself servant unto all；〃 〃not seeking mine own profit； but the profit of many； that they may be saved。〃 1 Cor。 9：19； 10：33。
In matters of conscience the soul must be left untrammeled。 No one is to control another's mind； to judge for another； or to prescribe his duty。 God gives to every soul freedom to think； and to follow his own convictions。 〃Every one of us shall give account of himself to God。〃 No one has a right to merge his own individuality in that of another。 In all matters where principle is involved； 〃let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind。〃 Rom。 14：12； 5。 In Christ's kingdom there is no lordly
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oppression； no compulsion of manner。 The angels of heaven do not come to the earth to rule； and to exact homage； but as messengers of mercy； to co…operate with men in uplifting humanity。
The principles and the very words of the Saviour's teaching； in their divine beauty； dwelt in the memory of the beloved disciple。 To his latest days the burden of John's testimony to the churches was； 〃This is the message that ye heard from the beginning； that we should love one another。〃 〃Hereby perceive we the love of God； because He laid down His life for us： and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren。〃 1 John 3：11； 16。
This was the spirit that pervaded the early church。 After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit； 〃the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul： neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own。〃 〃Neither was there any among them that lacked。〃 〃And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus： and great grace was upon them all。〃 Acts 4：32； 34； 33。
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Chapter 61
Zacchaeus
On the way to Jerusalem 〃Jesus entered and passed through Jericho。〃 A few miles from the Jordan； on the western edge of the valley that here spread out into a plain； the city lay in the midst of tropic verdure and luxuriance of beauty。 With its palm trees and rich gardens watered by living springs； it gleamed like an emerald in the setting of limestone hills and desolate ravines that interposed between Jerusalem and the city of the plain。
Many caravans on their way to the feast passed through Jericho。 Their arrival was always a festive season； but now a deeper interest stirred the people。 It was known that the Galilean Rabbi who had so lately brought Lazarus to life was in the throng； and though whispers were rife as to the plottings of the priests； the multitudes were eager to do Him homage。
Jericho was one of the cities anciently set apart for the priests； and at this time large numbers of priests had their residence there。 But the city had also a population of a widely different character。 It was a great center of traffic； and Roman officials and soldiers； with strangers from different quarters； were found there； while the collection of customs made it the home of many publicans。
〃The chief among the publicans；〃 Zacchaeus； was a Jew； and detested by his countrymen。 His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling
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they abhorred； and which was regarded as another name for injustice and extortion。 Yet the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he seemed。 Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine influences。 Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus。 The report of One who had borne Himself wit