Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-04-14
Teachings.

Place in the life of Christ: Just before the
middle Of the Perean ministry. At the close OF
the third year of his public ministry, A. u.
90 or early in the fourth.
Time: Probably in December, A. d. 20, or
January. A. d. go
Place: In Pharisees house in Perea, on
the way to Jerusalem by the fords OF the
Jordan. near Jericho.
The full text of the lesson is as follows:
H. And when one of them that sat at meat
with him heard these things he said unto him,
Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the king
dom of God
16. Then said he unto him, certain man
made a great supper and babe many:
IT. And sent his servant at supper time to
say to them that were hidden, Come; for all
things are now ready.
49, And they all with one consent began 10
make excuse. The first said unto him, l have
bought piece of ground and l must needs
go and see it: pray thee have me excused.
10. And another said. I have bought hve
yoke Of oxen and go to prove them: pray
thee have me excused.
20. And another said. have married wire,
and therefore cannot come.
81. So that servant came, and showed his
lord these things. Then the master OF the
house. being angry, said to his servant, 20
out quickly into the streets and lanes OF the
city and bring in hither the poor. and the
MANNED. and the halt. and the blind.
%. And the servant said. Lord, it is done
thou hast commanded, and yet there is
room.
%. And the lord said unto the servant, Go
out into the highways and hedges and compel
them to come in. that my house may be niied.
"a. For I say unto you, That none of those
men which were hidden shall taste of my
supper.
The explanations to some Of the passages
above follow:
Is. lone of them that sat at meat with
him." reclining on couches around the table.
as was the custom. Heard these things.
about the blessings of those who invited the
poor and neglected to their feasts. Said unto
him." moved by the delightful feast they were
at, suggesting the nobler feast, and by the
blessing Jesus had just uttered. Perhaps ne
felt assured that himself and the other Jews
were sure of the blessing of him that shall
eat bread" partake of feast 'in the king
dom of Cod either in the future after death
or the Messianic kingdom.
1s. "Then said he unto him." to show him
that while his thought was right yet that
he and others were unconsciously refusing to
join in the feast; II by any means some might
be persuaded to accept the invitation. "A
certain man." Corresponding to the king in
the parable Of the wedding feast Matt. xii, p.
made a great supper" corresponding to the
wedding feast Of Matthew xii, where the
best Of everything is provided in abundance.
II. "And sent his servant" 1t is still GUS
tomary in the East, not only to give an invi-
tation some time beforehand but to send
round servants at the proper time to inform
the invited guests that all things are ready.
"At supper time" At the appointed hour for
the feast. This undoubtedly represents the
"fullness Of time" (Gal. iv. a. when the
Messiah came.-Riddle. Say to them that
were bidden." Who had been previously in
vited to the feast and had had abundant OPP
portunity to be ready. Come, for all things
are now ready" Historically, the fitting time
had come for the appearance Of the Messiah.
IS. ''They all with one consent" They
agreed in spirit and motive while they diff
fered in the form OF excuse. Began to make
excuse" The Greek word is the exact equiv
alent of our Ito beg off'-Cambridge Bible.
Not to give the real reasons for their con-
duct but to render the most plausible ex-
cuses they could find. 81 have bought
piece of ground" Ia farm. land must needs
go" (ouD land see it, not to look it over, but
see to its cultivation. He lived, as do all in
that country, in village, and had to go out
into the country to reach his farm. He was
man of property, of capital.
10. 81 have bought FIVE yoke Of oxen" etc.
His oxen could have waited but he made
his plans so as to have an excuse
20. 81 have married wife and therefore
I cannot come" He is so positive because
he thinks he has a good excuse. HE relies
doubtless on the principle of the exemption
from war granted to newly married BRIDE
grooms in Deuteronomy xiv, s." for year.
Cambridge Bible.
q. 1.-THE master being angry
Al
essarily arises in every holy being against
sin, against those courses of conduct which
are bringing ruin upon men. Go quickly"
There was need for haste. for the feast was
waiting. Streets" the broader streets and
squares Bring hither the poor and the
MANNED" 1.-THE picture is one impossible for
US to realize in our land. In the East rich
In beggars, opulent in misery, without poor
houses, or hospitals or other organized means
Of caring for and lessening misery. and with
laws and social organism multiplying it, such
throng is here described may be often
seen In the city streets or squares. Abbott.
%. "And yet there is room" No one will
over be shut out of the kingdom OF heaven for
want of room. The atonement is large enough
for all: the love of God is nexhaustible the
invitation is limitless. II any one stays away.
II will be simply and alone because he will
not come.
20. go out into the highways ana hedges.
These are without the city walls and refer,
to the calling of Gentiles. The highways arel
1.-THE broad, weii-trodden ways Of the world "l
where are the active and notorious sinners.
And compel them to come in" Not by
force, by persecution, which is contrary to the,
whole spirit OF the gospel. but by arguments
by persuasion, by the force OF love and en-,
treaty. THAT my house may be flled.",
Heaven will not stand empty because some
refuse to enter.
"a. None" Of those who refused the invi-
tations shall taste OF my supper"