The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1906-04-20

The Message or JOnn the BapllsC
nuke 7:1S-35). The report of the
resurrection miracle at Main, and OF
Christ's other miracles in Galilee,
spreading to Judea and Perea reach
ed John the Baptist in his prison at
Castle Macherus, beyond the Jordan
Johns reproof of Herod's crimes had
brought this Imprisonment upon him,
and now the great prophet was evil
IDENTIFY discouraged. But the news of
the great miracles arouse new hope
and John sent to Jesus two of his
faithful disciples. asking, art thou
he that cometh, or look we for an
other?" Christ's answer was to con-
tinue before them preaching the Cos
pei and working many miracles OF
healing.
Christ did not upbraid John, but
when the messengers had departed
he praised him as the greatest of
men, adding. however, that the least
man who enjoyed the full light and
privileges of the kingdom of God
which was then being preached was
greater than he.
Continuing, Christ contrasted
Johns ministry, severe and ascetic,
with his own. "eating and drinking,
friend of publicans and sinners" And
yet with neither of them were the
scribes and Pharisees pleased. This
saying leads Luke to relate a con-
spicuous instance Of the Lords
friendship for sinners-our present
lesson.
|. Two Types of Sinners.-Vs. &c.
81. First Type: Simon the Pharisee.
SO. And one of the Pharisees,' ST.
mon by name ". 40).
Desired him" Was asking. "The
tense implies that the request was re-
,peated -Expositors Bible "And he
went" Jesus was like the sunlight,
glad to go wherever he might carry
light and publication, and no more
receiving defilement from such a
course than the suns rays do. Even
so Christs disciples may go safely
wherever they go in his spirit of help
fitness And sat down to meat"
Rather. reclined at table.'-Cam-
bridge Bible.
Carefully distinguish this incident
from the amounting of Jesus feet by
Mary Of Bethany, at the house of ST.
mon the Leper Matt. 26:6-13), which
was a year and half later.
Second type: The woman that was
a sinner. 81. Behold" THE open
ing words imply that her presence
created surprise. Int. Crit. Com "A
woman in the city" Probably Caper-
naum; perhaps Main or Magdala.
(which was a sinner" A notorious
character, as the Greek implies.
when she knew that Jesus sat at
meat" Her presence there is ex-
planned by the Oriental custom of
strangers passing in and out of
house during a meal to see and con-
verse with the guests. Trench cites
a description of a dinner at consul's
house in Damietta. Many came in
and took their places on the side
seats, unlimited and yet unchallenged.
They spoke to those at table on bust
ness or the news Of the day, and our
host spoke freely to them para
bles) Prof M. r. Vincent an the
Pharisee's house" "A formidable
place for one like her to go to; but
what will love not dare?"-Expos.
Greek Test.
II. Two Ways of Treating Jesus
VS.. 81, 3S, 44-46. First: The Woman's
Way. 81. Brought an alabaster
box" Flask Literally, an alabas-
,1rfn To-
made of glass glass. Pliny COM
pares these vessels to a closed rose
bud."-Vincents Word Studies in the
n. T. Alabaster is beautiful form of
white gypsum. 1.-THE alabaster boxes
mentioned in the Scriptures were pre-
sumably of travertine. standard
Dictionary. "Of ointment" The ONT
ment with which Mary of Bethany
anointed Jesus feet was worth 300
.pence, Roman silver denarii, worth 10
TO II cents each, or $50
SO. and stood twas standing) at
his feet Thanks to thee, most
blessed sinner; thou hast shown the
world a safe enough place for sim
ners-the feet of Jesus, which spurn
none, reject none, repel none, and re-
ceive and admit all."-Bernard.
Weeping" In gratitude and peni-
tence Began to wash Or w., ito
wet'') his feet with tears" Before
she can open the cruise her heart
opens. and tears rain down so abun-
dainty as. to wet his feet. infiicting an
indignity when she had meant an
honor Alexander Maclaren.
"And did wipe them with the hairs
Of her head" with a touch, she
looses the hair, which 1t was shame
full to let down in public. and, with the
ingenuity and abasement of love,
makes II a towel."-Alexander Maclar-
en-. "And kissed his feet" The wo-
mans kissing his feet was no impro-
priety. A woman will do IL to-day to a
Judge, or to any high official from
whom she expects or has received
great favor. It was a mark of most
submissive respect. Prof. Isaac Hall