Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-10-25
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR OCTOBER %.
Subject: Jesus Amounted in Bethany,
Matt. xvi, 6-18-GOlden Text,
Matt. xvi, 1O-Memory Verses,
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Matt. xvi, 1O-Memory Verses,
IL, 18-COmmentary.
I. Mary anoints Jesus Tvs. 6, y.
6. "In Bethany" Bethany means
House of Dates" or House or
Comfort" This was village beau
tifully situated about two miles
southeast of Jerusalem on the east
ern slope of the Mount of Olives. 1t
was often visited by Christ, and 1T
was here that Hespent several nights
of the memorable passion week. 81
mon the leper." This man had evil
IDENTIFY been a leper and had prob
ably been cured by Jesus. This will
account for his making a feast in
honor of Christ. According to ira
dition Simon was the father of Laz-
arus; according to others he was the
husband of Martha, or Martha was
his widow. John tells us that Mar
tina served and that Lazarus was one
of them that sat at the table with
Him. This shows that Lazarus res
direction was no illusion. Martha
seems to have had the entire super
vision of the feast, and the risen Lag
urus was almost as much an object
Of curiosity as Jesus Himself.
7. "a woman" John tells us
that this woman was Mary. ALA
baster box" The perfume was in
an alabaster bottle, or flask, which
was made with a long, narrow neck.
every precious ointment" BY the
ointment we are to understand rath-
err liquid perfume. The ointment
was worth between $45 and $50,
equivalent to about eight or ten
times that amount at the present
time. Poured it on His head"
John says she anointed the feet of
Jesus. There is manifestly neither
contradiction nor divergence here be-
tween the evangelists. Mary poured
the ointment over His head and then
over His feet. John notices the an
ointing of the feet, not only as the
act of greatest humility and the
mark Of deepest veneration, but from
its unusual character, while anoint-
ing of the head was not so uncom-
mon.
II. Mary's act criticised Tvs. 8,
81. 8. when His disciples saw it.
John tells us that Judas was the
le4der in crtcising Mary, and he
urged his opposition until some OF
the disciples assented to his ideas.
But he was hypocrite and Jesus re-
buked him. "To what purpose.
There is no benefit in such a lavish
expenditure. This waste" Judas
complained that the ointment was
hn NOT
put in the treasury where he could
steal it. The other disciples were
evidently sincere, but had too mar
row or distorted vision as to what
were real values" Note that the
apostles do not hesitate to record
even those actions which are discred-
table to themselves. They hide
nothing.
9. Given to the poor" How Of
ten does charity serve as a cloak for
covetousness. God is sometimes
robbed Of His right, under the pre-
tense of devoting what is withheld
to some charitable purpose.
III. Jesus defends Mary Tvs. 10-13).
10. Jesus perceiving 1T" OR. W
Jesus understood their murmurings.
"Why trouble We the woman?" Ac-
cording to Johns account Jesus said,
Let her alone" 1t was the lam
guage Of sharp rebuke. "A good
work" 1t was a high act of noble
soul. expressing its noblest emotions,
II. Poor always with you" This
act of Mary's will not interfere with
your care for the poor. "Me-not
always" Christ's bodily presence
was about to be removed from them.
What they would do for Him must
be done quickly.
~. con My body" On His head
and on His feet. She did not pre-
pare Me for burial Or. W Wheth-
err Mary understood Christ's APP
we cannot tell, but Jesus puts this
construction upon 1t and confirms
thereby what He had SO frequently
told them regarding it. She was en-
balming Him in advance of time.
10. This gospel shall be
preached. Another remarkable proof
of the prescience of Christ. God has
so disposed matters that this has
continued as firm and regular as the
ordinances of heaven. The way to
anoint Christ to-day is to help 9TH
ers; those in prison and distress
should have our earnest attention
'(Matt. 25:31-46).
w. Judas seeks to betray Jesus
Tvs. 14-16).
IA. Judas Iscariot" Judas is
rightly regarded as aninfamous man,
his conduct base and his motives
vile; yet how many to-day bargain
away their Lord for the honors and
pleasures of this world! Unto the
chief priests" This was a favorable
time for the traitor to carry out his
wicked designs. Much people had
gathered, not only to see Jesus, but
to see Lazarus, whom He had raised
from the dead, and many were be-
lieving on Christ because Of him.
Is. What will we give me?"
Money was his god; the love of filthy
lucre was causing his ruin. Let us
take warning. 1t Is not the lack OF
money, but the love of money that is
the root of all evil" Thirty pieces
of silver" Silver shekels. This was
the price of a slave. See Exod. 81:
80, also Zech. 11:13. According to
the Oxford Teachers Bible Judas re-
ceived the paltry sum of $16.96.
16. Sought opportunity" His
hope was to deliver Christ into the
hands of the officers privately. His
act was premeditated and SO much
+bo n,oro dastardly and mean