Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-04-19

. The womans forgiveness VS. as5O
GOLDEN TEXT-We love him, because he
II rSt loved us--f John 4:l0
CENTRAL TRuTu-To whom much is for
given the same loveth much
LESSON CONNECTION.
When John heard of the miracle at
Main he sent messengers to Jesus TO
inquire whether he was really the
Messiah, or If they were to look for
another. This implied doubt even in
The mind of John rs to the mission of
Jesus. This is not SO much to be won
dered at when we take into considera-
ion the fact of John wearing his life
away in the rigors of prison, without
any promise of release. Christ sent a
reply to Johns message, but not until
after they had witnessed some of his
many MIRACLES, SO that they could tell
John what they had seen, from which
]e was to form his own conclusions.
After the departure of Johns messengers
Jesus addressed the multitudes in which
he gave to John the highest encomium
that could be conferred upon any man,
and ut the same time gave rchuke tol
those who had INDUCED in criticism
and comparison between John and him
self. In Matthew an account is given
Of Jesus upbraiding the cities of Galilee
giving, ending with the tender words,
Come unto me, all ye that labor and
are heavy laden and | will give you
rest" This invitation, 1t is thought,
may have led the woman, spoken OF In
this lesson, TO venture in the presence
of Jesus and perform the repentant act
She did in the house of The Pharisee.
The time of the lesson is fixed late in
the summer of A. ID. %.
The place may have been In the city
of Main. Some name Capernaum.
Others Magdala. There are others again
Who locate the feast at Bethany, with
the idea that Simon the Pharisee" and
''Simon the Leper" were one and the
same person. But this was simply an
impossibility, and has nothing to give
it even the semblance of probability.
The persons connected with the event
are Simon, a Pharisee, II woman who
was sinner" Jesus and other guests
at the table.
The incident of this lesson is peculiar
to Luke. Jesus, by invitation, is at the
table in the house of Pharsee uamed
Simon ii woman who is "a Skinner"
comes IN, and weeping over him, kisses
his feet, nnnoints them, vets them with
her tears and wipes them with her hair.
dent as one of doubtful propriety, and
thinks that Jesus fails as prophet in
discerning the character of the woman,
and allowing her to approach him i'll
the manner she did. Jesus at once
replies most forcibly to Simon in II
parable, enimently applicable To the :
Incident. Jesus at once follows this
reply by addressing the woman and pro-
nouncing the forgiveness OF her sins, and
answering all objections of those present
by dismissing the woman i'll peace, rs
her faith had saved her.
LESSON SUGGESTIONS.
The Pharisee's Surprlse-"A woman
which was in the city, sinner" The
word SINNER" in this instance undoubt.
edly refers to The sin of unchasity, and
on this account Simon deemed it decid-
edly improper for Jesus as a prophet TO
allow the approach of such woman
and permit the liberty she had taken in
amounting his feet. In this very per-
mission, however, the true character of
the Mission of Jesus shines out with
peculiar lustre. He was truly the
friend of publicans and sinners. he
mingled with them. He came not to
call the righteous but sinners. His
mission into the world was TO save
sinners. The woman's attitude, the
wuman's tears, the woman's every act
and movement, kissing his feet and an
nointing them, caresslng them showed
II penitent heart, heart bowed down
with the weight of sin and seeking Tor
giveness. 1t was an offering of love and
gratitude, for she had undoubtedly heard
the teachings and encouraging words of
the Master, and had been so impressed
with them that she had resolved to
abandon her sinful ways, for such "a
resolution is the first step in the act of
repentance. We can not seek repent
ance and at the same time cling to our
SINS. She was truly penitent. All the
depths of her womanly soul were stirred
up, and tears fell profusely as she kissed
the feet of him whose consolatory words
had disclosed to her new revelation
in life. This act without IA rehuke from
Jesus led Simon to doubt whether heI
really was The prophet he claimed to
be. His education AS IA pharlsre pre-
vented his comprehension of such a
mind as that of Jesus He reasoned as
Il Pharisee. A prophet would have AT
once perceived the character of Il.
woman, and would have rejected her
Hence Jesus was NO prophet lhIs WIS
the conclusion oi SImou.
The Lords Response '.o.mon, havr
somewhat TO say unto thee" Jesus
treated his doubt and blindness kindly.
lie desired To present The matter COM
prehensively, and 10 appeal To his own
Aense OF justice. Simon appeared to be
willing To listen To instruction. The
parable re!ared by Jesus was not only
applicable in this instance, but it apti
illustrates general principal. Boh
debtors alike, the small AS well as the
large debtor, were unable To pny the
claims due the creditor This of itselfI
would suggest that the small debtor
stands in IA much need of forgiveness as
the large debtor. IL WAS IL furciblt
lesson to Simon, and one that he should
have protited by if he did not. "lhou
gavtst me no water thou
gavest me no kiss. This is not said to
Simon in any spirit of unkndness, but
10 make clear TO his mind the difference
III the reception accorded him and the
act of the woman. Simon rightly
Judged in the parable OF the debtors
and the conviction of the wonans love
ana sincerity pinnA .lnar 4.