The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-17

many pubicans and sinners came, and sat
down with him and his Disciples" (St Matt,
o: 10) Hero was the OCCASION What does
this mean? Can it be that a person thus free
with outcast classes is the Messiah, the Son of
God2 Jesus was challenged to explain. To do
so he uttered the three parallels. We notice
that large part of Christ's teachings was sug-
gested by remarks or questions of his enemies.
We are led to consider the principle which
prompted Christ to come to our world to seek
and save the lost Let us study the mystery of
Christ's humanity--the wonder of the incarna-
tion Why do we find tho Son of God among
men? IL Jesus be indeed the Messiah, how
does it happen he condoscends to notice publi-
cans and snuers2 Why is he not more select
as to his society? Why does he not court in
particular the association of the righteous? It
was singular to meet so great Parsonage in
our world-sngular he left Heaven and an
gels to wander about this earth. The only
explanation is that he is looking for the lost
This fact explains his passing angels and all
such righteous beings as had no sins of which TO
repent; his searching over earth for the stray
ing lost and prodigal. On this principle Christ
tries to make plain the mysteries of His advent
to earth, and His associating and eating with
sinners. He shows He was acting on the very
same impulse as ~ prompts shepherd to seek
a lost sheep. or ~ leads q woman TO look for y
lost coin, or 81 prompts father to expend
every energy in behalf of wandering, way
ward son. The principle set forth is that 1t IS
natural to have an extra care for any being or
thing when it is in peril. No ono eensureS "A
shepherd il for the time being he apparently
forget his 80 sheep, which he knows are safe,
and shows much anxiety for q lost one NO
one blames poor woman who, having several
pieces of money, loses one, and putting IN q
safe place those that remain, goes about eagerly
to find the one missing coin. We do not think
l. E.kI. - Egf NtNa
safety of one of his sons he is i'll great distress
about the other who becomes dissolute, and
tries his utmost to save him. Let the man
look for his sheep, even If he soil bis apparel
and besmear himself with the dust of the road
and the mire of the boys. Let the woman seek
her coin with broom aud candle.
5. The Speaker.
The person referred to in St. Luke 10 2, by
"man," was Christ He was the person
criticised, and hence the one TO answer. A
favorite style of address OF his was parabolc.
IL shows his conduct is as reasonable az that
of the shepherd, woman and father supposed
in his three parallels. There was general as
sent that it WAS very proper to look up the lost
sheep, coin and son, aud exceedingly fitting to
rejoice in each case of finding.
6. Hearers
The needy classes were drawn toward our
Savior. Publicaus and sinners loved to hear
him. Such were present listening, and they
heard the three parallels. But Pharisees and
scribes were also in the audience. They always
kept aioof from publicans and sinners, aud did
not feel comfortable when they found them
selves in such miscellaneous and questionable
company. But If they heard Christ they were
obliged TO mingle with the masses. 1t is plain
they had formed erroneous ideas as to the Mes
| siah. They imagined he was 10 be very select
in his associations, and somehow contracted
the impression they were TO be the said select
hearers Christ did not change his attitude as
to hearers but explained clearly to the Pharisees
and scribes how ii happened he had publicans
and sinners in his audiences. and did oil be
could to interest and improve them.
Z. The Parable.
Christ was anxious to correct an error as ia
his mission and work. He wanted to show why
he mingled so freely with all classes OF society
| He used au illustration very familiar to people
| in Palestine. Something like what he sup
! posed was a frequent occurrence. Something
similar will always recur wherever shepherds
| aud ilocks are found. IL shows how natural il
| is to have special rejoicing over the lost when
! it is Tegained. In family Of six children, that
| one which is very sick engages practically all
| attention. The son who Is IN the army when
| fierce battles nre being fought will preoccupy
| almost exclusively the minds of father and
| mother And just AS there is increased anxiety
| over tho lost or endangered so there will bt
special congratulations when that one is again
out OF danger.
II. PARABLE OF LOST PIECE OF SILVER.
| /. Data
| We have only one account Of this PARABLE Il
| wit, Sc. Luke, IS: Si0
2. Time, Place. Circumstances, Speaker, Hearers.
| These also agree with the parable Of the Los
/ Sheep as stated above.
3. The Parable.
| The parable of the lost piece of money is only
| another illustration used by Christ TO explain
| 10 the PLarsees aud scribes why he lthC
! Messiahl ate with publicans and sinners.
woman would be quite thoughtless as to nine
/ pieces OF money which she knew to be safe
| but much concerned over lost piece. though
| valued at only one penny, siuee IN those days
/ in Palestine n penny represented the pay for q
| whole day swork. Isl. Matt. 20: 81 We notice
| a sheep has power OF itself TO stray from the
| flock Possibly it could find its way back
| 1t could be conscious of its loss and become dis
tressed and excite pity. None of these facts
/ are true Of tho coin. 1t is moro hopelessly
/ lost as less easily found. Then its loss may be
| greater, as being one of 10 instead of one Of
| 100.