The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-14
LESSON STORY.

According to Luke it was at this
period that Jesus was charged by the
scribes with being in league with Beel-
zebub, pagan name for Satan. This
may have been a renewal OF the
old charge made against Jesus in Ca
pernaum. His reply luke IL: 1923
was approved by the multitude, but it
must have stung his accusers to the
quick.
Soon afterward Pharisee, in no
friendly spirit, invited Jesus to dine
with him III 80. No sooner had Jesus
sat down to meat than the malice of
the Pharisee became manifest. This
moved Jesus to pronounce the most
scathing condemnation of the Pharisees,
This speech Q1:39-52) has been pro-
nounced the most remarkable after-din-
ner speech on record.
Many thousands of people had gath
cred about the Pharisee's house. To
this multitude, according to Luke, Jesus
delivered lengthy discourse. 1t was
DdrLly duQr6b66Q W LIS di5CipiOp aA0
partly to the general multitude.
In this discourse we have the repro
duction of some sections of the Sermon
on the Mount. 1t is the opinion of some
scholars that in the report of this dis
course Luke "places together different
admonitions and warnings Of the Sa-
viour which actually, according to the
other Evangelists, we're at least in part
delivered on very different occasions"
(Oosterzee.) Our lesson passage certain
ly bears striking resemblance to
section of the discourse which Matthew
reports as having been delivered by the
Saviour on the Mount of Olives during
the last week of his ministry Matt. "a
43-51). Other scholars believe that
Jesus here repeats some things which
he had said before, and afterward re-
peated words which were now first ut
tered.
The propriety of the lesson passage in
this place, to which Luke for what
ever reason assigns it, is logical il not
chronological. Jesus had been speak
ing of the need of divine trust and utter
freedom from anxious care. His follow
ers we're admonished to live in freedom
from care like the ravens and the lilies.
That such heroic trust might not be
mistaken for mere idle waiting, the
counter message of the lesson passage
was needed.
The preceding words Of our lesson
passage should be brought to mind,
Let your Ioins be girded about. and
your lamps burning. AS the long gar
ments Of the Orientals had to be girt up
at the waist il they were not to hinder
rapid walking. 30 Jesus would have his
disciples always in a state of prepara-
ton for spiritual journey. AS they
we're to be presently like the servants
of lord absent at his marriage feast,
he would have them, metaphorically
speaking, keep their lamps burning.
ready every moment for his arrival. Be
ye yourselves like unto men looking for
their lord. tchen he shall return from
the marriage feast; that ,ohen he cometh
and knoeketh, they mag Straights1ag
open unto him.
1. Blessed are the Alert,-vs.
37-4O.
Blessed are those servants l0hom the
ford tohen he conaeth shall find aoatch-
ing. The lord here spoken of is the lord
previously mentioned, the owner Of the
bond servants, the lord who is now alb
sent at his marriage-feast,-the ancient
substitute for the modern wedding
journey. The servants who are in his
absence faithful to their individual
trust, which Of course none could fulfil
by mere idle waiting, will be rewarded