The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-13
Sunday School
Lesson
for
October IA.
Parable of the Great Supper
Luke xiv, 1924.

1NTRoDUCTION.-Tn the ministry Of Jesus
| markable than the sudden transitions lie passed
frequently, indeed constantly, from one place to
Another, from one theme to another. lie had
no abiding city, neither did he have any one
line OF thought upon which lie dscoursed. As
lie moved about among men lie allowed them to
thrust i'll upon Him without notice any question
or remark at their pleasure, and lie replied, al.
ways with drcctness and simplicity and lie was
never surprised, never unable to give answer or
to afford instruction. This occasional and Incl.
dental method was the severest possible test upon
His ability. No mere man could endure it and
come forth without mistake. Most men pre-.
mediate and arrange their thoughts, and in our
times the most gifted ministers and lectures re.
ducc everything they say to writing, unwilling
to trust themselves to the hour Of their ser.
vice. Our lesson today contains a passage that
belongs to the spontaneous discourse of Jesus
and reveals His skill
OCCASlON.-While sitting at meat in the
house OF n Pharisee on the Sabbath day (ch
xiv ID, Jesus was speaking on the subject oi
humility Nerses I'D mentioning two instance
es, somewhat related, IL wedding and feast,
in which that excellent virtue might properly
be exercised U'rov. XIV: 33). One of those
sitting at the table at the time, thrust in q
remark quite foreign to the subject in hand.
We have no means OF knowing the name or mo.
tive OF this person, ana the more one studies
words the greater will the surprise he at the
act. 1t has been suggested that he WAS called
out by something omitted from the narrative
Others think he was secret enemy, desiring to
entangle Jesus and prepare for the charge OF
treason, on which lie was subsequently, az.
raigned Quke xiii: 2). Some support for this
last thought ia found In the fact that there
were present Verse u those who were watching
Him with an evil eye. 1t is more probable
that the man was a friend, that he believed
what he said. He may have reached the con.
cluson by series OF reflections, partly upon
what had Just been spoken, partly upon former
utterances OF Jesus (Alatt. viii: 1D, for the ad.
IMPRESSION causing frequent and wide repeti.
tion. sudden outbirst, breaking in upon the
Masters teaching must have awakened surprise.
BLEssEDNEss.-A great truth was uttered by
this unknown person, when lie said "Blessed is
he that shall eat bread In the kingdom of God"
The angel declared substantially the same 10
John in the Island Of Patmos (Rev. xix: o. The
modern church has taken up the expression, Civ
ing it large place in literature. By it believ-
ers now understand that communion which they
enjoy one with another fJohn i: l3), rhe eating
OF bread being a symbol Of fellowship, and the
kingdom of God representing the spiritual house.
hold, a'l OF Whleh was included IN the celebra'
ton OF the Lords supper in the apostolic church
q Cor. x: iG). But it is not probable that
the speaker on this Gee" had any such lofty
ideas lie could not have obtained them from
the word OF Jesus, who had not yet delivered the
parable Of the Kings son Matt. xx: p, or the
speech concerning the thrones (Luke xii: so),
in which such thoughts We're involved Even
the apostles held sordid views of the kingdom
as temporal affair, In which they sought prefer.
ment u!uke Xxx. 2D, and were therefore inca.
pablo OF experimenting the higher spiritual en-
ioyments Il is safe 10 assume that the man
was thinking how fortunate enc would be IN
the kingdom OF Christ II the principle of Christ
were applied to feats.
suPPER.-With a master stroke Jesus turned
the mans remark to q good account. lie did
not dilase on the blessedness OF guests in His
kingdom, which course might have awakened