The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-06

have shown that because OF His nature dignity
and office, as Divine being, the Saviour Of
men, lie had undoubted authority to do accord
ing to His within fact that His will was the
law of the new dispensation, doctrine which
would come out later on. Or He might have
interpreted the law OF Moses, showing that it
was no hard and fast regulation, and that was
probably His intention when He asked the qucs'
tion prior to the miracle. lie resorted to an
entirely different method, appealing to another
statute (Ex. xiii: 81, in the light of which
the Sabbath law must be understood (Deut. xii:
a. He had previously used the same quotation
(Matt. xiii: l5). with good effect. The special
point in the reference was that it related to u
practice then common. Every man would help
his beast out of pit How much more proper
was it to deliver man from disease. Every
critic was silent and Jesus had gained another
victory for the cause OF truth.
EXALTED Verse O.-This episode ended, the
guests were seated at the table, An opportunity
was then presented for Jesus to take the place
OF critic, and introduce another and more i'm
portant topic. lie observed that those present
sought the places (not the rooms stated In
the texD, that were considered most honorable,
the seats nearest the host. None OF them waited
to learn the purpose of the host-none inquired
whether in his estimation some OF the invited
persons were to be particularly recognized. II
i, possible that Jesus was the one of special
distinction, and that the feast was largely pre-
pared, on His account. But lie stood aside and
saw the men with much dsrespect crowd by Him
and seek their positions, while He was allowed
to find the most obscure spot. 1t was time
OF pride, self-seeking and unseemly striving for
a shortlived honor, sadly out Of harmony with
the propretes Of the occasion, great breach
Of good manners A somewhat similar scene was
witnessed at the last supper Quke xxii: 24,
the disciples being the actors.
REBUKED VERSES and 0)-It was not to be
| expected that "the meek and lowly' Jesus
| (Matt. xi: 2s) would allow such a circumstance
| TO pass without comment, lie needed to say
nothing because OF any personal slight sustained
| for lie sought no honor from men (John V: 4D.
| But lie could not permit such action ANA dispo.
| sition in His presence without expressing disap
proyal, as in that case lie would have beer
| party to it, and His after teaching as well as
| His earlier teaching would have been without
| force Matt V: 81. Besides, some OF His dis
ciples We're probably present and lie was training
| them TO be His followers and eSpoHnts. This
was a favorable time to give them lesson
| Ills words of rebuke were delivered IN an ex'
ceedingly gentle manner. He showed not the
evil of pride aud ambition which had been dis
PLAYED, but the possible danger to whih II OK,
posed the guests They might be removed to a
lower station to give place to one OF more honor
| and then they would be covered with shame, the
outcome OF all self.seeking.
ADVISED (verses 10 and lD This very prac
| tical direction must have secured a ready hear
| ing, for all present might see the wisdom OF the
] remark, Jesus was therefore prepared to give