Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21

the Pharisee, who had prided himself upon
his superior virtues, and who had beheid
the woman with aversion. Our Lord then
proceeded to contrast the conduct of the
two The woman had washed HIS feet. a
service usually performed upon guests; she
had bestowed upon Him an affectlonats
kiss; she had anointed Him with precious
ointment All this had been done out OF
the pure promptings OF the heart on the
other hand. the host, who was under some
obligations to his guest. had RETAINED from
all such expressions. Hers was, therefore.
the greater love. justified by the greater sin
and the greater forgiveness.
PARDON-tverses 4T-4s) A practical
turn In the affair was then given In two
directions. one to the Pharisee and one 10
the woman. to each OF whom Jesus spoke In
becoming words. To the former He ex-
planned what had already taken place. say
ing that the woman had been n great sin
ner and that she had been forgiven The
proud man did not appear to know that
pardon blotted out sins and restored to IA
vor q John i:g), doctrine taught under
the old dispensation psalm xIxil:5) as well
as under the new. Had he known this he
would not have objected to her act prompt
ed by her gratitude. In a most delicate
manner Jesus alluded to the little love re-
sniting from little forgiveness, evidently
with the Pharisee In mind, explaining bis
attitude. Then. turning 70 the woman He
declared. Thy sins are forgiven thee" as
surfing her of an accomplished pardon. Hap
py woman she must have been to hear such
words from the gracious Lord what above
an else she desired. The burden of sin had
oeen heavy and arievous TO be borne. Now
IL was rolled away and her heart was glad
SORPRlSE-tverses 1870 Jesus did
not himself pronounce pardon upon the
woman. He only declared that She was
forgiven. 1t is probable that He meant
no more than that she had met the re-
quIements and was therefore free from
quit and blame. Whoever complies with
the prescribed conditions of spiritual reia-
lions Is accepted and any one who knows
tarta n,zl
plfance has been fully met is authorized 10
announce the result. But the other guests
al the table were surprised at the asser-
llon, thinking that Christ had transcendai
HIS right. and. while they kept still on tho
subject, they began to think who is this
that rorEiyeth sinsT was their question
the same raised on another occasion Mark
mo. And the Lord heard their Thoughts
ana answered them by putting the case on
It's rightful basis. making the woman know
that she had not been pardoned by an arIi-
trary act but because OF her faith. the
ohiS one condition OF salvation (Acts xvf:3ll
SUMMARIZE is probable thar ~
Fhafisee mad been impressed by what he
had heard from Jesus whom he tnvitad 20
ms mouse. That he might have opportunity
10 determine whether He was a prophef
and. IL SO, to learn more OF His doctrins
But, having no proper sense OF the real ex-
cellency and dignity of his guest be dI6
aot SNOW him the customary tokens of re-
spect. what had been thus neglected had
been performed by a woman who GA me u,i,t,
sorrow Tor her past life and with profound
aHection for the one who was the friend
oL sinners. Her act awakened suspicion in
the mind of the Pharisee thar he ba6 ~
slowed hospitality upon one who was nm
worthy. But Jesus interposed by showing
.hat the spiritual state OF the woman enti-
e, n her 10 consideration and made her deed
one 10 De approved: that, in fact her course
was more TO be commended than that on
1he man who esteemed her lightly Tbe
i i closed with declaration concern
Of til
which brings one into favor with God ana
secures pardon and peace u anu