Connecticut western news., 1890-05-28
THE GOOD SAMA RETAIN.
LESSON TX, SECOND QUARTER, IN TERNATIONAL SERIES, JUNE 1


 init vegses S3-36-Golden Text. Lev. xix.
 1s-Commentary by Rev. D. M. stearns. ICompiled From Lesson Helper Quarterly by per
 mission of H. S. Hoffman, publisher, Phiadel
 phia
 All that is recorded between the sending forth of the seventy and the events of to- days lesson is found in the intervening verses of this chapter. Note the power over all the power of the enemy granted to the seventy, with the promise that nothing should by any means hurt them (v, 1g, also the greatness of. having our names written in Heaven (v, 20, and the blessedness of having child like spirit
 25. "And behold, certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him" The word signifies to try or prove, and Jesus was tried, or proved, or tempted, first by the devil himself in the wilderness, then all through His public min istry He was continually tried by scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees, and also by His own followers, but he never failed. He was in all points tempted like are yet with out sin. Having thus suffered He is able to succor them that are tempted We are to count it great privilege to be thus tried, because thus we have fellowship with Him; knowing that we shall not have more than we can bear, and it all adds just so much to our glory at His coming Heb. iv, 15; il, IS; James 1, 3, 12: Cor. x, IS; Peter iv, 12, 18.
 ''Master, what shall do to inherit eternal life" The same question was asked by the rich young ruler Chap. xviii, 10, and virtu- ally the same on another occasion John VI, 29. The answer in each case was given to suit those who asked and to meet their need. The mistake of each was the same that pre- vails at all times, viz, that eternal life can be obtained by some doing on our part. It Is the mistake of all who are wise and prudent in their own eyes. How much can a babe do to help itselfi Try and think of a single thing It must be cared for or perish Just 30 with the sinner. We have no more power to do anything that will save ourselves than babe has to care for itself. Utterly help less is our condition, but we know it not, and it is hard to convince us
 26 "He said unto him, What is written in the law2 how readest thou2' Being law. yer he was supposed to know the law, and to that Jesus refers him. The law is sometimes a general name for the books of Moses and sometimes signifies the ten commandments, or the larger law concerning all rites and ceremonies. The law, the prophets and the psalms is the Saviours summary of all Script ,ure duke xxiv, 27, Al. Is there anything concerning which you would like to ask Jesus a question: See here what He would proba- bly, ysay to you, What is writteni how readest thoup If you would have to reply, "I do not know, Lord. for l have not read the Bible carefully" then begin quickly to read much and carefully, so that you may know what is written. Otherwise those who never saw Bible may rise against you in the 1 judgment
 | 27. "And he answering said: Thou shat | love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as myself" He | was perhaps more ready with an answer | than many of us would have been. 2S And He said unto him, Thou hast an swered right; this do, and thou shalt live" The keeping of the law which God requires was explained by the Saviour in His sermon on the mount, when He taught that hatred in the heart was equal to murder, and a lust full look equal to adultery. Let any one stand forth able to say truly that he has kept the whole law in thought, word and deed, the same would be @ righteous man, having life, needing no Saviour But such an one never lived, for ''all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," and therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justi- fled in His sight"
 29 "But he, willing (R. V. desiring) to jus tify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor9" The sinner convinced of his sin, is ready to condemn himself, plead guilty and humbly seek forgiveness. But this man was | not convicted of sin; he was not truly seek ing life; he was against Christ, and was seek | ing to catch Him in his words, that he might l condemn Him; therefore he asks this ques- l ton, not because he really wanted to know, but simply to try the Saviour still further. l Jesus knew the mans heart and his motives and his sin, yet He patiently hears him and as patiently answers him. The meek and lowly one is patient and long suffering even l II. l. II, |, lS-
 30. And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho" As He had drawn from the lawyer the an swer to his first question, so He will draw from him the answer to His second and send him away confounded
 3l. "And by chance certain priest was go- ing down that way" R. V.) Therewere lots of them on the downward road in the Saviour's time of humiliation, and there are plenty still travelling in the same way. even though called priests.
 And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side" And yet priest was sup posed to live nearer to God than any one else and have more of the Spirit of God.
 32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, 1 passed by on the other side" Here is another | most religious person, next in standing to the priests.
 s. "But a certain Samaritan, as he jour- neyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him." Here is neither a Priest nor Levite, not even a Scribe or Pharsee, but only Samaritan whom all the Jews despised. Type of Jesus Himself treated by His Own as stranger and an outcast, despised and rejected by them, and looked upon by them as justly stricken and smitten of God. Yet even for them, who hated Him without a cause, He had compassion. He would cheerfully have forgiven them and saved them, but in their own estimation they were the righteous peo- ple and did not need Him.
 34 35 "And took care of nim." His com passion manifested, not in words of pity, but in deeds of love, all summed up in this: ''He took care of him." His loving care Is seen in seven hued rainbow of blessing and mercy.
 36. "Which now of these three thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among l the thieves" Jesus has put the matter clearly before him, and now he is to answer his own question as to 'sWho is my neighbor" One's neighbor is not always the one who lives next door or across the street, but the one who acts neighborly. Not words but deeds prove the reality of love or friendship. Mot every one that saith but he that doeth."
 ST. "And he said, He that showed mercy on him." He has answered his own question, l and perhaps this time been compelled to con- demn himself, for He who reads the heart had doubtless read him personal lesson.
 'Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise" The Saviour knew his man, he saw the hard, impenitent heart, and by bringing him face to face with Gods holy law and the spirit of it, He would fain humble him and convince him of sin that he might be saved. -----------
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