The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-04-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, MAY 8.

Text OF the Lesson. Luke xvii. 5-1e-Mem-
DRY Verses. 17-19-Golden Text. Luke
xviii. 5--Commentary by the Rev. ID. NJ.
stearns.
8. Increase our faith" We read In
Rom. x, II, that faith oometh by hearing
and hearing by the word of God. II We
firmly believe one word of God, that Is
faith In God. II we believe two words,
that is more faith and SO on. Faith Is
not feeling nor an emotion, but simply q
firm and steadfast resting on what the
God of truth has said, wholly regardless
of our feelings or circumstances. Faith
says, IT believe God that IL shall be ever
as 1t was told me" (Acts xvii, 25), even
though as In the case Of Paul everything
seems against 1t.
8. And the Lord said, II ye had faith
as a grain of mustard seed" A mustard
seed Is very small seed, but 1t has life In
IL which, when planted in the EARTH will
soon make itself manifest. The life Of
faith is the word of God, and this word
planted in the soul will surely grow, but
1t must be planted. If only on the surface,
like the seed by the wayside, the devil
will catch it away. If on rocky or thorny
soil, 1t will either wither or be ohoked,
but received into an honest heart IL will
bear fruit to the glory of God.
10. This illustration of the servant
doing what he was commanded seems In
tended to enforce obedience, simple and
unquestioning. In verses 3 and our
Lord had said that they should forgive a
brother seven times day If necessary. To
this they said, Increase our faith" when
it was not a matter of faith, but Of simple
and unquestioning obedience. Having
been forgiven millions of offenses by Him,
who laid down His life for us, and need
ing and receiving that forgiveness in
greater or less degree continually, 1t Is
surely small matter that we forgive others
even seven times day.
10. "We are Improbable servants. We
have done that which was our duty to
do" Some who bear the name of Christ
Jesus our Lord are often heard to say, II
ought to do this and that" And the most
of their religion Is doing what they feel
they ought TO do, but really have no heart
for. They would not like TO be considered
Improbable servants, but let them consid-
or this word of our Lord. 1t is SO differ
emit when the love Of Christ constraineth
Oh Cor V, i4). God did not give His Son
and the Son did not give Himself because
He ought to do it, but because He so loved.
II. "He passed through the midst of
Samaria and Galilee." He was on His
way TO Jerusalem to die, and, although
He knew that the Samaritans would not
receive Him duke TX, 5l-53), yet He loved
them enough TO give them the opportuni-
ty. He was, in sense, ever laying down
His life while on His way to Golgotha,
where He actually laid 1t down. He pleased
not Himself. He glorified God. He gave
His life for His enemies. He desires, in
the person Of His followers, to be still
passing through the midst of those who
need Him whether they will have Him or
not.
~. "There met Him ten men that were
lepers, which stood afar off" He knew
that He would meet these lepers. and
probably entered that village that He
might meet them. Ten is suggestive of
one aspect of completeness, as in the ten
virgins, and these lepers may stand for all
the unclean whom Jesus came to heal.
l3 Jesus, Master have mercy on us. "
A cry of real need and of utter helpless
ness. He helps those who have no helper,
not those who can help themselves, as
some say. He came not to call the right
eous, but sinners. They that are whole,
in their own estimation, will not be likely
to call a physician. But sinking Peter,
and unclean lepers, and helpless blind
men, who plead nothing but their great
need and His mercy will always get His
ear, and find His heart full of compassion,
and His arm strong TO save.
IA. "As they went they were cleansed. -
T. - Oh
They asked for health, and He told them
to go and show themselves unto the priests
according to law, as written in Lev. xiii
and xiv, for He came not to destroy the
law, but TO fulfill it and TO magnify 1t. In
chapter V, IA, He first healed the leper
and then sent him to the priest, but here
the lepers are sent without being healed,
and their cleansing came as they obeyed.
There is always blessing in obedience.
Is. lone of them, when he saw that he
was healed turned back, and with "a loud
voice glorified God" His heart is full. He
cannot restrain his joy. He must stop and
thank his Healer before he goes to the
priest. Jesus is God manifest In the flesh.
God in Christ has healed him. He will
first thank God, and then, II still so COM
manded, show himself to the priest.
feet, giving Him thanks, and he was a
Samaritan. Who SO offereth praise glori-
fieth God Cps. |, 23), and 1t Is always q
good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.
How many times we ask Him for mercies,
but not always do we return to give Him
thanks. In trouble we cry unto the Lord,
but in prosperity we oft fail to praise Him.
II. And Jesus answering said, We're
there not ten cleansedS But where are the
miner" He certainly looks for our graft
tude, and In everything we are to give
Him thanks Il Thess. v, 1S). II we only
believed the things that are freely given
to us of God Il Cor. IL, 12) and that we
are blessed with all spiritual blessings In
Christ (Eph. 1, 81, our hearts would be
full of thanksgiving for ourselves and OF
petitions for others less favored. 1t Is our
privilege to be wholly at rest concerning
ourselves once we are in Christ and to live
wholly unto Him to bless others.
IS. There are not found that returned
TO give glory to God save this stranger -
We might ask: Where are all those who
trusted Him TO save themS How many
are In their daily life giving glory to Gods
But more practical question for each one
Is, Has He healed meS And II so am
/ III a.. =