The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-10
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


We have but one account Of tho incident
about which wo now study. II is given by st.
Luke. lie wrote in Achaia Greece, A. ID. 81.
We cannot explain why il is that i'm some cases
all four Gospels mention an incident, while in
all others we have but n single account. SITS.
Matthew and John must have witnessed tho
scene of our study, and yet it remains for n
person to give the report who was not present
and who, perhaps, never saw Christ. We
may, in reverential sense, say there arc
freaks in divine revelations. We count these
pecuiarities among the mysteries. They
do not initiate against tho veracity of the
record, nor do they cast doubt at all on the
statements.
g Time
We put the incident of this lesson in June,
A. ID. 81, or 1868 years ago. 1t occurred 30
years before st. Luke made tho record. Jesus
was in his 32d year of life and tho second of
his ministry.
3. Place
This case Of amounting took place somewhere
on way from the neighborhoOd of Main while
our Savior was on way to Capernaum. Il: H.
Verse 81 leads us to think the scene was in
some city. We know it was within some house.
(Ys IS and 81 We do not know what city is
referred to in verse 81.
a. Circumstances.
We would think Christ lott Capernaum on
purpose to meet tho funeral procession leaving
Main. 1t seems he was on his way back to
Capernaum when he stopped over at some city.
Prior To the incident of the lesson, Mt some
point on the route two of the followers of st.
John Baptist presen ted themselves, having been
delegated by their leader to ascertain the par
ticuars as to Christ and in special to satisfy
themselves as to whether Jesus were indeed
| the Messiah. Christ then commended the
faith of st. John Baptist, comparing it in con-
trast with the skepticism and hard heartedness
of certain cities of Galilee. A Pharisec-want-
ing it may be- to learn more intimately as to
Jesus-perhaps curious to learn more of those
qualities which gave Christ such popularity
possibly with n view of entrapping him into
unfortunate admissions or into utterances of
criticisms adverse 10 Jewish national customs,
beliefs, etc.-invited Jesus to he his guest ut q
meal. The invitation. accepted and we
find our Savior on couch about % Pharisee's
table. We think the Pharisee failed to ex-
hibit cordially all the characteristics of po-
lite host? Why was he little cold2 Prob
ably he personally had a more kindly senti-
ment, but he shared in some sympathy with
other Pharisees present, who as a body were at
enmity with Jesus
8. The Host
He was one Of the Pharisees. The Pharisees
were the principal religious c0terio of their
day. They assumed great sauctity and inn
agined themselves superior 10 the ordinary
grade Of Jews. They were proud of their So
called goodness, and made all persons not Of
their ranks very uncomfortable. They thrust
out their superior claims aud held in contempt
the professions or non professions Of other peO-
pie. The host of Christ had seemingly ten
der side inclniug him 10 be Mt least respectful
to Christ. Ho invited him to a meal. but yet
omitted some OF the attentions expected by
welcome guest rs, e. e., the kiss at meeting,
tho washing and the amounting OF the feet of the
invited person. The host was of course, jew.
His name Simon. His age, vocation,
domestic and political relations are unknown.
lie was probably in good financial condition.
He possessed home aud was able TO be hOspi.
table. In the parable recited by Christ he was
the one who owed the creditor 80 pence. AS n
rule tho Pharisees were so set against Jesus as
to be unwilling to have any relations whatever
with him. but this one had sufficient respect
for Jesus TO invite him to become his guest at
"a meal.
g. The Guest.
He IL called Jesus in the lesson. Simon, in
addressing him, said Master" lie is the cred
itor mentioned in verse IL. He was very pop
uiar with the masses. He was a brave person
lie had courage TO treat an ontcast with cour-
tcsy aud kindness in the faces Of a sncerng
aud disApproving company. He had nerve to
defend himself whom uujustly charged with an
apparent wrong. He must have had 4 very
Impressive and dignihed manner 10 have been
able to maintain his position aud to demand
respectful hearing. We remember he WAS only
II years Of age and was probably dealing with
persons quite in advance of him in years. lie
even bravod theological prejudiccs aud pro-
nounced the sins of the woman forgiven.
z. FellOw-guesis.
Verso 10 shows Jesus was not sole guest. We
do not know the number present. We do not
know who the associate guests were. They
were probably Pharsees. Pharisoos as 4 rule
l.
specially the case at religious and social gath
ernga. Then the nature of their criticism as
Ia Christ forgivng sins shows they were per-
sons conversant with theological questions.
Jesus was not daunted by their presence nor
by their unfriendly expressions lie answered
their question rs To his right to absolve from
sin by saying outright to the woman: Thy
faith hath saved thee" ". 50)
s. The AnointiHg.
Ointment was much used in Oriental lands
by way of hospitality. 1t was perfumed
lquid-an oil resulting from the mixing Of
various aFomatics. Tho od0r was delightful
aud refreshing. To ono wearied and dusty
from travel the amounting after washing was
very grateful in its effects. The ointment was
preserved in TASKS, more or less elaborate, ac-
cording to the richness Of the fluid The more
costly quality cHme in aabaster boxes or
TASKS Aabastcr is beautiful white species
OF gypsum, more soft than marble. Ii is much
used for making perfume vases, unguent boxes
Amounting was the pouring upon tire head of
some Of the richly prepared perfume.
The author of the amounting was q woman
| in tho city which was a sinner" She was
guilty of many sins tV.47.) Some understand
| by sinner ". 81 II heather. The general
| impression is that she was a woman quite no
| torous for evil dongs. She was the debtor
who owed the creditor 500 pence ". Al
| 4 penny was equal to 10 cents-50 pence (or
pemnies) were equal to $3.50. aud 500 pence
were equal to $50 The word debtor is used
| in the sense Of sinner. Some are greater sinners
| than others. In point of evil doing Simon was
| so while the woman was 500. She was 10 times
worse than he Jesus had forgiven him 30 and
the woman 500 pence. She was tho greater
| debtor. She had been forgiven most. There
was reason for greater demonstrations ON her
| part.
| Notice the processes in the amounting. The
woman ~ wopt; (2l humbied herself; (3)
washed Christ's feet with her tears; (I) wiped
his feet with her hair; (5) kissed his feet; l6)
| anontcd them.
1t was a singular want of hospitality on the
| part OF Simon not to show the usual attentions
Simon did not furnish even water. while the
| woman shed tears; he did not kiss Christ's
| check, while the woman pressed the feet Of
| Jesus with her lips.
| The word "toucheth (V. 39) is developed,
| Cha tnuchp1 lis feet with her feara and har