Catoctin clarion., 1906-04-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL ~.

Subjects Jesus ths Sinners Ffie""'
Luke W.T., SO. .5O-Golden Text, Luke
VIII, 5O-Mem0ry Verse. 47-Com-
mentary on tho Days Lesson.
l. Jesus anointed in Simon's house
Tvs 3G-39). 3G. zone of the Phar'
Isees." Simon. by name. This was
common Jewish name. There were
two by this name among the apostles,
nine are mentioned In the New tsta-
ment and twenty in JOSephus. sat
down to meat" "RecIined Mt table"
The custom was to recline on couch,
on the left side, the herd toward the
table, and the feet outward. But 81
mon omitted the usual ceremonies or
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 tilat
she was notorious woman or tne
street, while Clark, Whedon and oth.
ers think the term "sianer' Is used
here, as in many other places, merely
to designate heather. There is no
evidence to prove that this woman
was Mary Magdalene or that she
was grossly immoral character.
3S. "Stood-behind" The knees
were bent and the feet turned out
ward behind. The sandals were put
off on entering tie house. "Wash-
wipe." She wept profusely; her hair
was flowing loosely about her shoui-
ders as a sign of mourning. and with
this she wiped His feet. "Kissed."
The kiss is an emblem of love, subjec-
ton and supplicatOn. "Anointed
them" She did not think herself
worthy to anoint His head. 30. "Phar-
isee-saw it," The first feeling of ST.
mon was that of displeasure that n
heather sinner had yentured 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, II 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.
ii. Jesus speaks parable Tvs. Az
43). 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 teacher. Al. "a certain
creditor" The creditor is God and
the two debtors are Simon and the
woman. give hundred pence" Or
dcnaril. 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. Saliva.
ton is the gift of God.
A. 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 Il weapon
against him.
Ill. Jesus reproves Simon Tvs. Al
40. H. '.,eeSt thou this woman"
Afflicted and distressed and burdened
with sin, but longing to be delivered.
DO you see the tenderness and alfec.
tionate regard she is manifcsting to-
ward Me? II entered" AS n guest,
by your invitation. mo water for My
feet" Simon was greatly deficient in
not performing the common civilitles
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 3orrow for sin and of love for Me
her Savior. 45. "No kiss" A kiss on
house, with the invocation, "The Lord
be with you," conveyed formal well
come. A kiss was an expression of Il
hearty and affectionate welcome to a
friend. my feet with ointment
This woman had not forgotten any
of these marks of respect.
Al. 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 few.
"Are forgiven" What precious words!
They are all forgiven, never to return;
the Lord will remember them no more,
for ever. "For she loved much" 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 God will be In proper.
ton to the obligations he feels himself
under to the bounty Of his Maker.
"Loveth 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 1t Is forgiven. Those forms of
theology which treat sin lightly always
belittle Christs divine nature and the
necessity Of the atonement.
~. Jesus forgives the woman Tvs.
4S-5O). 4S. "Said unto her." Jesus
now for the first time speaks directly
to the woman. Forgiven" A prec.
ious word - sin-burdened soul. and
doubly so when spoken by Christ.
While the self-righteo : Pharisee mur-
mured the poor penitent rejoiced.
40. "Who is this" etc. He need not
credit them with unbelief; they were
amazed at claim which Coubtless
many of them soon came TO see was
fully justified. so. "Thy faith hath
saved thee" Christ ascribcs to faith
those benefits which are du" to Him
self as the meritorious cause. Faith
Is the instrument on our part by which
His benefits are supplied.
SensIrlve-
rhe pompous gentleman with the