The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-03-21
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSCIlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH "a.
FGAsTINo AND FASTING.
By r. O. SELLERS. Director 81 Even
ing department. The Moody Bible In
stitute Of ChicagoD



Levi Matthew. who calls himself by
the opprobrious title OF "the publican"
represents that class OF grating pa
triots who through all ages have ex-
emplifed the seven cardinal points OF
a politician. viz, the two leaves and
five fishes" Men who will weep over
sentimental patriotism and serve the
oppressor for profit. Better stu. how
ever. Matthew is a type OF conversion
IN that he left all and followed Jesus.
No weeping. but rather great rejoicing
for he made a feast no record OF
great conviction. though he had
enough to act at once upon Jesus
invitation. II was brief, sudden
call. but what vast results were In
yolvcd First n demonstration upon
his part, secondly demonstration
upon the part Of Jesus, and lastly
record OF tho life OF the Master that
has been termed the most important
book ever written. Chronologicaily
this lesson follows that OF last Sunday.
In Luke's account we are told OF the
feast Matthew prepared that he might
entertain Jesus. Some believe that
Jesus began his work by trying TO win
the Jews through teaching in their
synagogues and that. receiving him
or not. he turns to those outside or
the circle OF the scribcs and the phari.
sees. he that as II may. we know
they murmured greatly that this rabbi
should consort with publicans and
xith sinners.
Came 10 Call Sinners.
Jesus hears OF their complaint and
his reply Is a fine bit OF irony and
sarcasm They that are whole have
no need OF u physician but they that
are sick. You self righteous Phari-
secs. why do you complain II you are
all right and these be all wrong. why
then not let me minister TO thos" that
need me?" Al the same time Jesus
utters one OF his greatest and most
comforting sayings. Il came not to call
the righteous but sinners"
Jesus chooses one OF their own 30
cial outcasts 10 write the only dis
tinctly Hebrew account OF his life: one
who had been faithful as n business
man 10 be a leader and historian.
one willing 10 renounce all. say fare
well TO ambition and follow him.
Following this. the disciples of John
the baptist and OF the Pharisees arc
fasting and they observe that the dis
ciples OF Jesus are not so engaged.
They came TO Jesus with the question
and his reply Is a perfectly logical
one. why should they fast. am ! not
with them?" do you fast at your
weddings while the bridegroom Is pres-
ent7'' The day is TO come. however.
when he is 10 be taken away. then
there shall be times for fasting.
Jesus has feasted with many pub
licanslicans: when the bridegroom
returns he will sit down with many
publicans and sinners In glory whom
he has associated with in order that
he might save them. Are We follow
ing his example? II so. let US be sure
we do II from the same motive. The
disciples Of John did the right thing
10 bring their perpleSities 10 Jesus.
He answers their question as we have
seen and we are now in the day he
mentions when there is n place for
fasting. Jesus teaches US in his ref
erence TO tho wine bottles Ooather
sacks which could bear but one
stretching process due TO fermenta-
tion OF the winel. that we are to DO
new creatures in him and must leave
the old life and habits. We are not
to make patchwork OF this new Cos
pei and the old law.
His Work That OF Physician.
There are two difficulties thus pre-
scented In this lesson: first. that Je-
sus should hold fellowship with those
properly not OF his circle or social
standing for he was a rabbi or teach
er. and, secondly. that no did not nor
lid his disciples observe fasting. Je-
sus admits the character of the com.
pany he kept. but his reply was. Il
came for this purpose TO call not tho
righteous but the unrlghteous." His
work was TO be that OF a Physician.
hA' aeohih'b NhaN his IN HOA
of man but OF God. and that this min.
istry is TO bring Joy. Jesus had emp
tied himself that he might come and
when he was to leave there II would
be time enough for his disciples to
fast. Jesus was not merely one who
came 10 teach system OF ethics a
little higher than the prophets. Je-
sus is more than a good man or even
a holy man; he is the Great Physician,
able TO heal both body and soul. a
Saviour.
Before these lost ones can be saved,
however. they must realize they are
lost, for We cannot save those who
will not acknowledge themselves as
being lost. When we acknowledge We
are sinners he will save us q Tim.
1:15) Turn a deaf ear 20 his call
and there is no more hope luke
1870.
II has been Suggested that the par
able OF the prodigal son and tho elder
brother was uttered al this feast In
Lewis house; probably not. We do not
know, but how truly Il applies. The
ranraaantIn4 thnaa lnot F,,h-