Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
for SUNDAY Scbools.
STAR LESSON FOR JULY 8.
By Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, DID,,
THE Duty OF FORGIVENESS" Matthew xviii :2,.s5
SECRETARY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELIGIOUS


CoNTExT-Having taught His disci-
Piles on the subject OF humility by making a
little child an example of His true foiiow-
ers, Jesus continued His instructions WIKI
the evident purpose OF charging and en-
forcing this great truth 1t was IN the city
OF Capernaum. where so much of His min
istry had been performed, He gave at this
time the parable Of the lost sheep, and set
forth the duty TO an Offending brother as
well as the power of united prayer. epun-
osating spiritual laws which were to DO
perpetually binding upon His followers
Having but a short time before Matt.
xvi:16 announced His purpose to found
church. and having published the funda-
mental principle of that church. 1t was i'm
portant that its members should know how
they might dwell together IN unity and
peace psalm cxxxiii:D. This was the more
necessary because that church was destined
to be representative of Christ and OF the
religion which He came to proclaim.
church whose members were in harmony
would be powerful influence, a bright ana
shining light in the world.
QUESTION RAISED-These last re-
marks awakened reflections in the mind of
Peter, who came to Jesus with an impor-
tant question (vrs. 2D. He desired to know
now many tunes a DrOtner ought TO De ioi-
given whether the limit should be fixed
at seven transgressions. Some of the proph-
cts amos i:3) had declared the extent of
Gods mercy, but the passage had been a
subject of dispute among the hatr-sptting
rabbis Some claimed that God would Tor
give four offenses and then cease, others
that he would exercise cemency three
times plus four times-that is, seven times
and that this Divine act was the measure
of human forgiveness. Peter desired Jesus
to decide which view was correct. The
question indicates that the apostle had not
escaped from the narrow limits OF legal
enactment. He manifested a dfspos ton
to stint himself in that which Is good go
ing further than the Divine law re-
CURED. afraid of doing too much in religion,
particularly of forgiving too much, fault
quite common among men. Many put re-
straints upon the evil of their natures and
exercise the better part only they are
influenced by authority.
ANSWER GIVEN.-It is safe to assume
that all the apostles were anxious to hear
the decision Of this question. Shall it be
three or four seven? The opinion or
Jesus is to be compared with that Of the
Jewish doctors. 1. Not until seven times
seven" not limited by that number said
the Savior. but until seventy times seven.'
that Is without limit. In thus removing all
the bounds to the exercise Of forgiveness.
the Master had exhibited Its quality and
prepared the disciples for spiritual develop
ment There is something of Immature IN
scoring up injuries, purpos1ng to be avenged
when the number is full. God keeps ac-
count (Deut. xxxii:34) because He is the
judge, and vengeance Is His; but man must
not initiate Him in this. lest He be found
to step into the judgment seat Games w:
12). Besides, no man can preserve his own
peace unless he forgives without remem-
bering how often he has done so. We must
learn to pass by and forget injuries when
the conditions prescribed are met In fact,
genuine forgiveness implies the blotting out
OF transgressions psalm ciii12) and the
raty nf no n
rabbis We're ali wrong on this point, and
the teaching of Jesus was far in advance Of
them all.
SALE ORDERED.-Jesus did not pause
with mere abstract statement Of the
broad Christian faith and rule. Had he
done so the disciples might have thought
that His requirement was unjust and I'M
practicable. He therefore gave an Illus
tration intending still further to unfold the
nature and obligation Of mercy. That OBJ
servatlon may be treated under four heads.
The first part oversees 300 presents the
stern creditor dealing without mercy with
a helpless debtor a master with his serv-
ant. The latter owed 100 talents. equiva-
lent to $4,000 In gold, sum beyond his
forth to sell the delinquent. his wife his
children. and all that he had. That mode
o: adjusting accounts was common
throughout the entire oriental world. and
was practiced in Europe within a compare
lively recent date. This reduction Of q
servant to a slave proceeded upon the sup
position that man forfeited his freedom
when he was unable to meet obligations OF
a pecuniary kind. and that he became the
rightful property OF his creditor This
feature introduced at the beginning of
the parable, employs prevailing custom.
which is not approved. to show the peril
OF the debtor class.
DEBT FORGIvEN.-There is only one
escape from slavery and all its consequent
ces. and the servant hastens to try that
method-he appeals to the goodness OF the
M hao nd sum Cd ho At
tempted an excuse, or invoked the law, or
thought OF fight or resistance he would
have made matters worse. But he fell
down. an act of humiliation, confessing
master-"have patience with me"-do not
deal severely. though Justly; suspend this
sentence (verse 26). And then he prom
ised what he was not likely to perform
that he would pay all, promise that ex-
pressed desire and purpose. He did not ask
to have the debt Cancelled, but to have the
time extended. The master was moved to
compassion" He saw the helpless. sor-
rowful state of the pleader, and freely for
gave all the debt (verse 90, SO that the
servant was entirely released from his OBJ
legation. Here is an exhibition OF forgive
ness. 1t proceeds out of tenderness OF
heart awakened on beholding the offenders
spirit q John 1:9). This part of the para
BILE is doubtless intended to illustrate Gods
method of pardoning the sinner.
FELLOW OPPRESSED.-A remarkable
scene is next presented in the parable
oversees $500. This same servant. going
out from his masters presence a free man
his debt Cancelled. meets fellow who owes
the Insignificant sum OF $18 Forgetful of
the good example and the favor received |
he demanded payment, and accomplished
that demand with personal violence His
conduct was not unlike that of the high
wayman, who Is conscious that his course
Is wrong. The fellow attempted the same
method that had been SO successful in the
first instance-he fell down and asked for
patience, he made the same promise to