The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-04-17
THE SUNDAY StHO0L
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL ~.


iii. EO-Memory Verse, 47-C&n-
1nentary on the Days Lesson
/, Jesus anointed in Sim0n's houe
Tvs. $500. 49, zone Of the Pnas
isees." Simon, by name. This was
common Jewish name. There We're
two by this name among the apostles,
nine are mentioned in the New esta-
ment and twenty in Josephus. SaL
down to meat" "Reclined at table.
The custom was to reeline on q couch.
on the left side, the mead toward the
table, and the feet outward. But 81
mon omitted the usual ceremonies OF
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 that
she was notorious woman Of 2he
street, while Clark, Whedon and 9TH
ers think the term sinner is used
here, as in many other places, merely
to designate heathen There is no
evidence to prove that this woman
was Mary Magdalene or that she
was grossly immoral character.
49, STOOD behind" The knees
were bent and the feet turned out
ward behind. The sandals were put
off on entering the house. Wash
wipe" She wept profusely; her hair
was flowing loosely about her shoul-
ders as a sign Of mourning, and with
this she wiped His feet Kissed"
The kiss is an emblem of love, subjec-
ton and supplication. Amounted
them She did not think herself
worthy TO anoint His head. 80. "Phar-
isee-saw it" The first feeling of ST.
mon was that of displeasure that
heather sinner had ventured 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 t0ucheth him." Simon, If she
had touched him, would have said,
"Stand by myself come not near me,
] am holfer than thou and he thought
Christ should say so, too
II. Jesus speaks a parable Tvs. 40
43l. 40. Jesus said" Simon prob
ably expressed his displeasure by his
looks. Simon did not see through his
Somewhat to say" A courteous way
whom Christ hath somewhat against,
He hath somewhat to say unto. Mas
ter, say on" Although not believing
Him to be a prophet, yet he recognizes
Him as a teacher. Al. "a certain
CREDITOR The creditor is God and
the two debtors are Simon and the
woman. Five hundred pence" Or
denaril. Silver denaril were worth
10
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
mercy both must perish. ''Forgave
them both.' No Righteousness of ours
can merit His pardoning love. Saliva
ton is the gift of God.
43. Il 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 a weapon
against him.
III. Jesus reproves Simon Tvs. A.
Al. a.. ''oeest thou this womanI'
Afflicted and distressed and burdened
with sin, but longing to be delivered.
Do you see the tenderness and affec-
tionate regard she is manifesting to-
ward Me? 81 entered" AS a guest,
by your invitation. "No water for My
feet" Simon was greatly deficient in
not performing the common civilities
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 Sorrow for sin and of love for Me
her Savior. As. "No kiss" A kiss on
the cheek from the master of the
house, with the invocation, 1.-THE Lord
be with you,' conveyed a formal well
come. A kiss was an expression of
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 wordsI
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.
"Loyeth little" What Simon lacked
was a deep sense of his sinful heart
and life. The one who thinks his
debt is small feels but little gratitude
when it is forgiven. Those forms of
theology which treat sin lightly always
Eelittle Christs divine nature and the
necessity of the atonement.
~. Jesus forgives the woman Tvs.
1850. IS. Said unto her." Jesus
now for the first time speaks directly
to the woman. Forgiven" A prec-
ious word to a sin-burdened soul, and
doubly SO when spoken by Christ.
While the self-righteo-5 Pharisee muir
INJURED the poor penitent rejoiced.
40, who is this" etc. He need not
credit them with unbelief they were
amazed at claim which doubtless
many of them soon came to see was
fully justified. So "Thy faith hath
saved thee" Christ ascrlbes to faith
those benefits which are due to Him
self as the meritorious cause Faith
is the instrument on our part 6y which
His hl nefits are supplied.