Evening journal., 1910-03-19

ment, but an increase Of disease, sickness7
The Jews were under the Law Covenant
OF DO and Live and hence the forgiveness
Of sins with them would imp proportions
ate release from sins indrmities, under
the New Covenant during the Millennium.
(Jer. si:3i) When the the glorlfed Christ
shall IN the end Of this age antitypically
sprinkle the mercy-seat with the virtue
OF his secondary sacrifice It will not be
for the Church, as at first but for the
world, ''for all tho people" Qcv. $3.50
With tho Church OF this Gospel Age the
Divine programme is different. Received
under the Abrahamic, Covenant the for
giveness OF their sins is associated with
their Conservation Vow TO sacrifice tho
earthly life and all ita interests for tho
attainment OF the heavenly life and JOINT
helrship with tho Redeemer in his King
dom. Hence tho forgiveness Of sins does
not mean TO the Church release from phy-
sical ailments.
II was shortly after this that Matthew
elsewhere styled Levi. was called to be
one OF the twelve Apostles. lie was pub
lican--that Is TO say. collector Of taxes
for the Roman Government. PublIcans
were despised for two reasons;
% It was considered disreputable to as
sist foreign government 10 collect taxes
from ones friends-kin.
CD Many Of these publicans were ras-
cally and took advantage OF their position
70 make themselves wealthy through
brlbes. over-coilections. etc. We may be
sure that Matthew-hevl was not OF tho
dishonest type. else he never would have
been called to association with Messiah
as one OF his Apostles and prospective
jolnt-heirs with him IN his Kingdom. For
such position the highest degree Of hon
esty is requisite. And II Jesus would
never call dishonest man, neither would
a dishonest man have accepted his call.
because there was nothing TO be gained
neither reputation. wages nor fraud.
Similarly Zsccheus was an honest pubh-
can who offered to restore fourfold 70
anyone he had wronged. thus emphasizes
ing the fact that he would not want TO
be dishonest.
Other Scriptures intimate that Matthew
at once made a supper for his friends
and acduaintances. that these might thus
! have the better opportunity for acqualnt-
anoe with tho Lord. who also was a
guest. But the Pharisees. synical and
> critical and fault-nnding. objected that Il
e. Jesus were righteous he would not be
found IN such company. Our Lord, how
. over, sent them word that not tho heal-
thy, but tho sick need a physician, intimat-
= ing that for this reason he was fellow
e Shipping sinners, that he might do them
}. good. He was not descending 60 sin In any
n form. but seeking TO lift up sinners. Their
i he quoted 70 them from his wonderful
5. memory the words from Hosea the Pro
10 phet, II desired mercy and not sacrifice
- QIosea 6:6) He tells them that he cam
d not TO call the righteous but sinners. Not
70 a lesson for ourselves and for all: "rher
10 Is none righteous, no, not one" CRoman
n, $40 All are sinners. All have come shol
ie. Of the Divine standard Of perfection. Wh'
re ever, therefore claims that he IS righteo'
+" and on that score rejects the Redeem'
ze Is a hypocrite-in a wrong condition
m mind. not ready for aRy Of the blessing
gh God now has to bestow. God IS callin
al none to dIscipleship with Jesus, excer
Of such as acknowledge that by nature the
At we're children OF wrath and who first ac
l. oept forgiveness OF sins through the pre-
O. cious blood.