The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-12
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Feb. 1a. 1ses-Matthew ix, e-17.

Likely some sullen Jew was casting down the
odious Roman tax to the revenue officer, whom
he esteemed a traitor to his country for serving
as it's collector, when Jesus passed by and ut
tered those taismanc words. Follow me-" That
dollhouse was instantly closed Accounts were
balanced settlement made and the publican
became the apostle. In honor of his
found Master Matthew gave reception. Il
was such an one as his ample house and means
enabled him to give. 1t an opportunity for
him to introduce Jesus to his set" and for the
Master to unfold. under these social auspices
the principles of His kingdom to a class severely
ostracized. The sanctimoniouS objection
Of the Pharisees to Jesus mourning ceremonial
pollution by eating with sinners. served Him as
a text 1t was manfestly justifiabIe to contract
a technical deflement, If by doing so one couia
do a merciful kindness. Loving heipfulness is the
thing God delights in Ia comparison with II
ceremonials are the dust in the balance. This
reveals the Savior's motive in accepting Mat
thews invitation His presence is no austere
curb to lest and iollity. lie with the real
zest Of a healthfu nature. upon the amenities
of the occasion But his dominating purpose.
wthal is to act physician to those who were
conscious of their soul7sickness. 10 the
disciples Of John the ascetic the festivity Of the
occasion incongruous. Their covered protest
leads Jesus to affirm the essential joyousness OF
the new dspensaton, which finds its analogue
in the superlatively happy Oriental occasion OF
the bridegroom and his companions seeking the
bride. Even at this early date there Is a prepar-
atory hint Of the brief eclipse of this JOY when
violent separation shall take place.
Jesus closes this post prandial discourse with the
admission of the hopeless antagonism Of the
dspensation with the old-not indeed as the latter
had originally been given, but.as men had made
il vain through their traditions. The alignment
Of the system Jesus with that OF the Pharisees
is shown to he impracticahle as patching ola
cloth with trying to keep fermenting wire
in old bottles. The tattered garments Of the old
dispensation to be entirely discarded. The
believer is TO array himself in wholly new
robe. The lively spirit OF the kingdom OF grace
must find forms in which TO enshrine itself.
MosAICS FROM COMMENTARIES.
Matthew sitting In the very height of his BUSH
| ness.--Weslcy. Actually employed at his calling
| -Bengel While he sinks his family name GevD.
| he is careful not to sink his occupation. the OBJ
| noxious associations with which he would place
| against the grace that called him from It,
| At receipt of custom: r. V, the dollhouse
| Matthew touches his call to the apostolate
incidentally, without making himself personally
prominent lshausen.
| Follow me: Witching words those.-J. r. Il.
Sat at meat: Modesty of Matthew apparent
| Luke says that Levi made him great feast, at
which there great company. Matthew says
| I'm the house, Mark and Luke say in his own
| household Compassion for old friends led him
to gather them that they might hear Jesus
words-Ibid.
Publicans and sinners: Unpopularity of pub
licans indicated by associating them in common
speech with characterization.
Why eateth: Unsuitable for rabbi to eat with
commonaty-Ibid. Sanctiiy of Jesus held in
highest esteem by all, even his adversarics.
--Bengel.
Whole need not physician: Fundamental prin-
cipe of benevolence which He proceeded.
I: Jehovah win have: win require OF
men. Mercy: The benevolent disposition
of soul toward our fellow-men Not sac
rifce: Instead of the right disposition of heart.
Ibid
Disciples of John: Their master in prison-con-
sequent sorrow With their ascetic views, incom-
prehensible Jesus should be feastng. Same crit
icsm Pharisees. Standpoint differen.-lbd.
Children of bride-chamber Theirs not the part
OF Old Testament tarriers for his coming; belong
to the gladder dispensation; proclaim a Savior
New cloth. old garment The two dispensations
do not admit of being compounded: new spirit
requires new form. -Olshausen.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
Jesus showed fearless independence. JIe broke
with the prejudices of His people, when Tie called
Matthew TO be His apostle. He practically he
clared that man was Il man in spite of the
accident of his vocation.
Matthew proved himself entirely worthy OF
Jesus confidence and honor. He is ideal
nalist. Witness his prompt obedience His mod
esty. also, is apparent. He keeps his personality
in background His sympathy with his fellow
publicans prompts him to bring them under the
influence of his new-found Master.
Jesus adorned and beautihed with His presence
the social functions of His day. one OF the chief
diversions of the Oriental fete puzzle putting
Jesus condescended to it when He spoke Of new
cloth and old garments; of fermenting wine and
old wine skins.
A practical principle is here irradiated. Phss
iSeeiSm. ancient and modern, the eNpOnenC OF
which is that word sacrifice. gathers up its
robes and spurrs the sinner, Christness, the
other hand. seeks the leverage of social contact
in order to uplift him. The principle can, how
ever, be overworked
The inutile and unhandsome character of
religion of rote is indicated by Savior's
parison. 1t Is a threadbare garment. dry wine
skin, unsafe and best discarded
Bengel affirms that Jesus style of quoting the
Scriptures (as in this instance II will have
mercy and not saerfce'), is full of decorum and
majesty, His differs from that of His
disciples. He does il, not as If He depended upon
it for authority. but TO convince His hearers by
IT, He quotes il more to His enemies than to
His disciples; for the latter believed in Him.
The attack of the Pharsecs upon Jesus through
His disciples cowardly in the extreme. They
sought to ciandestinely undermine and ALLEVIATE
His followers. But Jesus overheard their mutter-
ing. His answer, like scalpel, laid open the
thoughts and intents OF their hearts.
Seemingly sudden metamorphosis of publican
into apostle may not have really been so. In the
of Matthew. in several OF the apostles
there may have been preceding anticpatory
CALL and dismission to the old environment
where final preparation could be made for
life enlistment.