The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-08
Sunday-schoo1.
THE JUDGE, THE PHARISEE AND THE
PUBLICAN


august 10. Luke xviii. LA
GOLDEN TEXT.
God be merciful to me, sinner"-Luke xviii. IA.
DAILY HOME READINGS.
M.-Luke xviii LA. Th-Ephes vi. i,
T.-Mark vii. 24-3o Fl These
W.--Luke xi. I-I3. Sat-Jas. " IL.
Sun.-Psalm cxvi
Our last lesson the great and precious
parable of the two sons, and the contrast between
the elder son and the younger and prodigal SON
ne lesson to-day has two parallels, and the teach
ing again is in the contrasts between the lust
Iod and the unjust ruler and then the selfright-
eous Pharisee and the pentent Publican
L. Always to Pray. VS.. I-8. This parable be-
gins with the announcement of the lesson to be
taught He spake parable to this end that
men ought always to pray and not to faint" In
the chapter preceding Jesus has spoken of the
absence of the Lord for time from the Church
The Church, like desolate widow, poor and
helpless, should cry "day and night unto God"
God will avenge her speedily" So, MEN ought
always to pray" The parable which illustrates
this lesson is the story of hard -hearted judge
who feared not God, neither regarded him." A
troubled, prosecuted widow came praying for his
protection and for time he would not hear Yet
after awhile, because she troubled him. with her
continual coming, he as last granted her request
How much more will God, the just Judge the
loving rather, the compassionate Friend, hear the
cry of his people Though he bear long with
them," and has much to try his patience toward
them Il tell you that he will avenge them speedi-
ly. God delights to answer prayer. He is pleas
ed with the faith that will not shake. No! He
seeks to develope and strengthen our faith by
withholding until we have asked again and again.
2. The Pharisee and the Publican vs. OLA A
second parable is spoken, and this also is intro
duced with statement of its object 1t was spok.
en- especially for the instruction and warning of
certain which trusted in themselves that they
were righteous and despsed Others" A large
class called Pharisees were the professedly re-
llgious, whose religion formal and ceremonial.
and made themselves righteous and then cere-
monious and hateful towards their fellowmen.
There are still many of this kind in the world
even among protesting Christians Self-right-
eousness leads to sectarianism and alterations and
unchartable spirit and conduct. The man who
always despises everybody else is always bad
at heart himself
Here is Pharisee at prayer in the temple His
prayer is wholly taken up with extolling his own
virtues There is almost thought of God
no confession, no dependence, gratitude &C
is concerned only with his own virtues, and the
delinquencies of other But the Publican
despsed by his fellowmen standing afar
off" not much as lifting his eyes unto heaven,
shifting upon his heart, his whole attitude and
manner showing the reality of his prayer. He
is wholly taken TIP with Gods holiness and mercy
and his own sin. God be merciful to me a sim
HeT. All tnat ne nad 10 say or himself was that
he "a sinner" He confesses and deplores
it all. He pleads merit nor extenuation of
any kind He takes the lowest place of all men,
he is "the sinner" And his only plea was the
mercy of God" Great offender as he had been
he went home Justified" pardoned and accepted,
rather than the Pharisee He had taken the only
right place before God, the sinners place. and
God exalted him. Every one that exalteth him.
self shall be abased," that was the story of the
Pharsee; "And he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted" And there is the story of the Pub,
lican, and the of his prayer.