The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-06
Sunday School
Lesson
for
October Z.
Jesus Dining with PhariScc
Luke xiv, l.l4.

INTRoDuCTloN.-Thc act Of our Lord in
accepting an invitation to a Sabbath dinner at
the home Of an influential Pharsee has been
quoted by some as opposed to the strict observ.
ance of the day. Rut it should be remembered
that He was travelling, that lie needed refresh
ment, that He did not go on purely social
grounds, that lie used the occasion to do good.
Jesus entered into the life of His time always for
one purpose--lic sought to show what was
wrong, to instruct in the way OF righteousness.
The narrative OF His deeds presents Christianity
in the concrete, which is the most impressive
and instructive form, vastly better than any
abstract reasoning upon general principles Our
passage Is in two parts In the first (Verses
to % lie encounters the spirit Of legalism
which stood in the way of his purpose to help
the unfortunate. In the second part (Verses
TO 1D lie beholds an unseenly display of pride
which prevented the host from making proper
recognition of Forth, and this lie rebukes and
then offers hlesome advice.
WATCHED (Verses and 2).--As Jesus entered
the house lie saw man afflicted with dropsy.
1t has been thought that this man was located
in n conspicuous place by friends who knew the
Masters love and power. displayed on so many
similar occasions. The very sight of physical
suffering always moved Him TO compassion (Alatt.
M: 3D, and He was therefore constantly sought
certain enemies Of Jesus had effected this an.
rangement as a snare. They had seen Him per-
form several acts which We're contrary 10 the law
as they interpreted il, and were anxious to arrest
and arraign Him on that account before the
proper tribunal when suitable opportunity was
presented. But whether they set up the ease
with malicious purpose or seized this as an op,
perfume moment, they stood near watching for
the outcome. viii lie heal and so break the
Sabbath and trample the law Of Moses under
foot? (Ex. xx: I, l0). Or will lie go contrary
to the custom Of His ministry and pass by the
unfortunate9 So they queried,
HEALED Verses 3 and D.--Jes,is was not in.
timidated by the searching, scowling gaze fast.
ened upon Him. lie was able to read the
thoughts Of His enemies either as expressed in
their faces uneNpressed in their wicked hearts,
and lie let them know that He was aware of their
attitude toward Him, by asking them the ques.
tion which probably more than any other dis.
tinguished Him from them: "Is 1t lawful to
heal on the Sabbath Day?" That question had
been raised before (Matt. xiii lO). II sounded
the depths of human thinking in interpretations
of the moral law (Matt. xii: l2), and made
| mans welfare more important than mere con.
formity to the letter OF a command 1t is sig.
| nifcant that they did not answer-they dared
| neither affirm nor deny. While they stood in
| silence Jesus took the unfortunate man, probably
by the hand and wrought the cure, and sent
! him away. The mode OF the miracle, whether
by word or touch, is not mentioned and we need
| not speculate, as 1t is a matter OF no concern.
DEFENDED (yerses o and 6).-There were sew.
eral ways by which Jesus might-have defended
| His act in healing on the Sabbath. lie might