The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-04-18
THE :. SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL ~.
Subject Jesus tho Sinners Friend,
Luke vii., 3G.50--Goiden Text. Luke
VIII, 50-Memory Verse, 45-Com-
rnentary on the Days Lesson.

fnentary on the Days Lesson.
1. Jesus anointed in Simon's house
Tvs. 3G-39). 80. zone of the Phar.
isees." Simon, by name. This was a
common Jewish name. There were
two by this name smong the apostles,
nine are mentioned in the New esta-
ment and twenty In Josephus. "Sat
down to meat" "Reclined at table"
The custom was TO recline on a couch,
on the left side, the head toward the
table, and the feet outward. But 81.
mon omitted the usual ceremonies Of
respect which Jesus might well have
expected.
81. "a woman--a sinner" There is
a difference of opinion as to the char
acter of this woman. Some think that
she was a notorious woman of the
street, while Clark. Whedon and 9th
ers think the term simmer" Is used
here, as in many other places, merely
to designate a heather. There is no
evidence to prove that this woman
was Mary Magdalene OF that she
was a grossly immoral character.
80. "Stood-behind." The knees
were bent and the feet turned out.
ward behind. The sandals were put
Off on entering the house. wash
wipe" She wept profusely: her hair
was flowing loosely about her shoul-
ders as a sign of mourning, and with
this she wiped His feet. Kissed"
The kiss is an emblem of love, subjec-
ton and supplication. Amounted
them" She did not think herself
worthy to anoint His head. 80. "Phar-
isee-saw it," The first feeling of 81
mon was that OF displeasure that
heather sinner had ventured to pollute
his pure threshold. within himself"
He had doubt with reference to his
guest, but he dare not speak his
thoughts. "A prophet" The idea
prevailed among the Jews "that a
prophet must know everything secret"
THAT toucheth him" Simon, If she
had touched him, would have said,
Stand by thyself, come not near me.
l am holfer than thou" and lie thought
Christ should say so, too.
III. Jesus speaks a parable Tvs. 40
49, 40. "Jesus-said." Simon prob
ably expressed his displeasure by his
looks. Simon did not see through his
guest, but Christ saw through him.
Somewhat to say" A courteous way
of asking permission to speak. Those
whom Christ hath somewhat against,
He hath somewhat to say unto. MAS
ter, say on" Although not believing
Him to be prophet yet he recognizes
Him as a teacher Al. "a certain
creditor" The creditor Is God and
the two debtors are Simon and the
woman. Five hundred pence" Or
denaril. Silver denaril were worth
from fifteen to seventeen cents. AZ.
Nothing TO pay" Simon, the Phar-
isee, was in debt and without the
means of paying. He could no more
pay his fifty pence than the poor wo-
man could pay her five hundred, and
If both be not freely forgiven by divine
mercy both must perish. "Forgave
them both" No righteousness Of ours
can merit His pardoning love.o Saliva
ton is the gift of God.
43. 81 suppose" With greater mod.
esty than that with which he had just
murmured in secret does he give his
opinion, and Jesus proceeds to turn
his answer Immediately as a weapon
against him.
III. Jesus reproves Simon Tvs. Al
40. "A. ''oeest thou this woman"
Afflicted and distressed and burdened
with sin, but longing to be delivered.
Do you see the tenderness and atfec.
tionate regard she is manifesting to.
ward Me? 81 entered" As a guest,
by your invitation. mo water for NY
feet" Simon was greatly deficient in
not performing the common civilities
to Christ. The custom of providing
water TO wash the guests feet was
very ancient. 1t was one OF the rites
of hospitality. with tears" Tears
of Sorrow for sin and of love for Me
her Savior 45. mo kiss" A kiss on
the cheek from the master of the
house, with the invocation, "The Lord
be with you" conveyed a formal wei.
come. A kiss was an expression of a
hearty and affectionate welcome to a
friend. "My feet with ointment"
This woman had not forgotten any
of these marks of respect.
AT. Her sins, which are many"
If we come to Christ in the right spirit,
confessing our sins, He is as willing
to forgive many as He is only a few,
care forgiven" What precious words!
They are all forgiven, never to return;
the Lord will remember them no more,
for ever. For she loved mucn." Or,
therefore she loved much. Her great
love was the effect of her being for
given. ITO whom little is forgiven"
a mans love TO COD VIII be in proper
ton TO the obligations he feels himself
under to the bounty OF his Maker.
"Loyeth little" What Simon lacked
was a dep sense of his sinful heart
and life. The one who thinks his
debt is small feels but little gratitude
when it is forgiven. Those forms of
theology which treat sin lightly always
belittle Christ's divine nature and the
necessity of the atonement.
". Jesus forgives the woman Tvs.
1880. As. said unto her" Jesus
now for the first time speaks directly
to the woman. Forgiven" A prec-
ious word 10 a sin-burdened soul. and
doubly so when spoken by Christ.
While the self-righteo:.: Pharisee MUIR
INJURED the poor penitent rejoiced.
40. "Who is this" etc. He need not
credit them with unbelief; they were
amazed at claim which doubtless
many of them soon came to see was
fully justified. 80. "Thy faith hath
saved thee" Christ ascribes TO faith
those benefits which are du, to Him.
self as the merltorlous cause. Faith
is the instrument on our part by which
His benefits are supplied.
Peculiar Hobby.