The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-09
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY l3.

Luke viii, 36-5O-GoIden Text: Luke
vii., 50-Meinory Verses, 44-47-Com'
Inentary on the Days Lesson.
1t is now quite generally believed that
the amounting referred to in this lesson and
the ono mentioned in John 12:1.S, were not
tho sumo, but were different events.
36. zone of the PhnrIsees." After Jesus
had finished His sermon (see last lesson),
one Of the Parisees invited Him to dine
with him. He seems to have received some
benefit from Christ, and to have loved Him
on that account. though his love was far
from ardent. Verse Al. Sat down to
f, meat" Jesus accepted the invitation. but
Simon omitted "the usual ceremonies OF
respect" which Jesus might we'll have ex-
pected. Jesus went with him to do him good.
81. "a woman :. "A sinner" DR.. Clarke
thinks that this expression simply meuns
that this was q heather woman. Although
she was O sinner there seems to be no evil
. dence to prove that she was grossly i'm.
moral woman, rs Is generally supposed.
"When she knew" She had heard Him
preach, and she knew where he had gone
to dine. She was confident that His heart
would beut In sympathy for her; she had
faith enough iu Christ to come to Him for
help. She chine In respectful, humble
manner. 'Alabaster-box." A'sort OF stone
of fine texture, nearly allied to marble.
"Of ointment" Probably spikepard, very
precious and odorous.
J 3S. "Stood ct His feet behind Him." In
taking their meals the Eastern people re-
oiined on one side, the knees being bent
and the feet ttrned outward behind. tBe'
gun to wash His feet with tears" The seu-
dals were put off when He entered the
house. "And did wipe them" Her hair
vas flowing loosely about her shoulders rs
sign OF mourning, and with this she wiped
His feet. "Kissed His feet."".. The kiss Is
an emblem Of love, subsection and suppll.
cation. In Psalm 2:12, ttkiss. the Son, !"
means to embrace afecttonately the oilers
OF salvation made unto you through Christ
Jesus; which commandment this woman
was obeying, both In the literal AMI spirit
ual sense. "And nnoihted them" She did
not. think herself worthy to anolnt His
head.
80. when the Pharlsee. =. saw it." The
arat feeling OF simon was that OF displeas-
ure that u heuthen sinner had ventured to
pollute Ills pure threshold: Gle spake
within himself" He has dissatisfaction
and doubt with reference to his guest. t'It
be were a prophet" The idea prevailed
among the Jews that prophet must
him." Simon, II che had touched him,
would have said, Stand by thyself, como
not near me. I nm holier than thou; and
he thought Christ said so, too. .....a;I
40. "Said unto Him." It Is scarcely to
be doubted that Simon expressed his dis.
pleasure by looks, gestures and murmurs.
'Somewhnt to say" Those whom Christ
hath somewhat against, He hath some.
what to say untc. "Master, say on"
,,,.I, 6alt Ia 1tp ufbak kn ho n
ct, yet he recognizes Hin as teacher:
ii. "a certain creditor" The creditor
Is God and the two debtors are Simon and
the woman. Oar Lord handles this subject
with great skill; He causes the accuser to
appear ns witness against himself, He ex-
plains his deficiency In love, and gives him
to feel that his sin is unforgiven; and yet He
Is not severe In His censure. "Flve hun.
dred pence" Or Denurit, ntlng to
s75. "Flity pence" $3.50. In the appli.
cation the woman owes the five hundred
pence and Simon 1fty.
~. Nothing to pay" Simon, the
Pharisee, was In debt and without the
means OF paying. He could no more pay
pay her five hundred. and II both be not
freely forgiven by Divine mercy both must
perish. "Forgave .hem BOTH" No right-S
sousness OF ours can merit His pardoning
love. Salvation is the gift OF God. "Will
love Him most" Neither OF them would
love Him before He had forgiven them.
An insolvent debtor, until he Is forgiven,
does not love, but shuns bis creditor. :, a
4S. II suppose" With greater modesty
than that with which he had just muir
mured In secret does he give his opinion,
and Jesus proceeds to turn his answer
Immediately as weapon against him.
Jesus asks the privilege Of speaktng' puts
His reproof into parable, and thus makes
Simon administer his own reproof. "Whom
He forgave most" This one would be
under greater obligations THAN the other.
a.. "Seest thou this woman" Afhtcted
and distressed and burdened with SIN, but
longing to be delivered. Do you see the
tenderness and affectionate regard she ls
manlfesting toward Me-? ~ entered into
thy house." As guest, by your invita-.
greutly deficient In not performing the
common ciyilitfos to Christ. The custom OF
providing water to wash the guests feet
was very ancient. It was "one Of the rites
OF hospitality" "Wlth tears" Tears OF
sorrow for sin and OF love for Ne bel
Saviour.
As. "Gavest Ne no kiss" A kiss on the
cheek from the master OF the house, with
the invocation. "The Lord be with you"
conveyed formal welcome. A kiss was
IN expression OF hearty and affectionate
welcome to friend. but this woman"
That you consider 30 far beneath you.
"Hath not ceased." Hath again and again
In q most humble manner kissed My feet!
46. "My heud with OIL" Amounting the
head with oil was as common among the
Jews as washing the fuce with water Is
among US. See Psa. 23:5. To anoint the
head OF u guest was another marx OF hos.
pitality. Simon had omitted all OF these
':My feet with ointment" This woman had
not forgotten my OF these marks OF respect
TINT were generally shown to guests.
At. "Her sins, whlcn are many" II we
cometo Christ In the right spirit ,confesslng
our sins, He is as willing to forgive many,
Us He Is only few. care forgiven" What
precious words! They ure all forgiven,
never to return; the Lord will remember
then no more forever, "For she! loved
much" Or, therefore she loved much. Her
great love Tus the effect OF her being for
given. "To whom lIttlei is fotgiven." a
mans love to God will bein proportion tc
the bounty OF his 3iaket. "Loveth little
The one who thinks his debt Is small fee!s
but little gratitude when 1t is forgiven. 2
43. "He suid unto her." Jesus now tells
the woman what he had already told 81.
mon. While the Pl,nrIsee murmured the
poor penirsnt rejofqed.
40. "Who is this that forRiveth SINS" We
need not credit item with unbeltef; they
were amazed at q claim which doubtless
many OF them SOON oame to see was fully
justified.
so. "Thy faith had saved thee" Christ
ascribes to faith those benefits which are
due TO Himself as the merltorious cause.
Faith Is the instrument on our part by
which His benefits are supplied. $50 in
peace" Literally, "lnto pence"-the state
OF mind to which shs might now look for
ward. Peace Is one OF tho marks Of par
dontrg grace. Rom. 81.