The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-03-21
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSC[lOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH "a.
FEAsTlNe AND FASTING.
CBy f. o. SELLERS. Director of Even
ing Department The Moody Bible In-
stitute of ChicagoD
sssoN TExT-Mark lie b.

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-
emplified the seven cardinal points OF
a politician, viz, "the two loayes and
five fishes" Men who will weep over
sentimental patriotism and serve the
oppressor for profit Better STILL how
ever, Matthew is type of conversion
in that he left all and followed Jesus.
No weeping, but rather great rejoicing
for he made feast; no record of
great conviction, though he had
enough to act at once upon Jesus
invitation. 1t was a brief, sudden
volved First demonstration upon
his part, secondly demonstration
upon the part OF Jesus, and lastly a
record of the life Of the Master that
has been termed the most important
book ever written. Chronologically
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 of
the circle OF the scribes and the phari-
sees. Be that as 1t may, we know
they murmured greatly that this rabbi
should consort with publicans and
with sinners. They would not receive
him and would keep others from him
also.
Came to Call Sinners.
Jesus hears OF their complaint and
his reply Is fine bit Of irony and
sarcasm. They that are whole have
no need Of physician but they that
are sick. You self righteous Phari-
sees, why do you complain If you are
all right and these be all wrong. why
then not let me minister to those that
need me?" At the same time Jesus
utters one Of his greatest and niust
comforting sayings, Il came not to cali
the righteous but sinners. Jesui
cannot save the self-complaccent righ2
eous but can and will save those who
will not lift up even 80 much as their
eyes but cry Lord, save me sinner"
Jesus chooses one of their own So
cial outcasts to write the only dis
tinctly Hebrew account of his life; one
who had been faithful as business
man to be a leader and historian /;
one willing to renounce all. say fare
well to ambition and follow him.
Following this. the disciples OF John
the Baptist and Of the Pharisees are
| 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 IL pres
ent?" The day is to come, however.
when he is to be taken away. then
there shall be times for fasting.
Jesus has Toasted 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 it from the same motive. The
disciples OF John did the right thing
to bring their perplexities to Jesus.
He answers their question as we have
seen and we are now In the day he
mentions when there is a place for
fasting. Jesus teaches US In his ref
erence to the wine bottles 0eather
sacks which could bear but one
stretching process due to fermenta-
ton Of the wine). that we are to be
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-
sented in this lesson; first, that Je.
sus should hold fellowship with those
properly not of his circle or social
standing for he was rabbi or teach
er, and, secondly, that he did not nor
did 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 the
righteous but the unrighteous." His
work was to be that of Physician.
He assumes that his authority Is not
Of man but of God, and that this min
istry is to bring Joy. Jesus had emp.
ried himself that he might come and
when he was TO leave there 1t would
be time enough for his disciples TO
fast. Jesus was not merely one who
came to teach system OF ethics a
little higher than the prophets. Je-
sus is more than good man or even
la holy man; he is the Great Physician
able to heal both body and soul. a
! Saviour. There is place and great
one, for cody consecrated physicians
among the sick and greater place
for those who shall point the lost to
the Saviour.
| Before these lost ones can be saved
however. they Dnst realize they are
lost, fer we cannot save those who
viii not acknowledge themselves as
being lost. When we acknowledge we
are sinners he will save US q Tim
t1:15). Turn deaf ear to his call
and there IL no more hope huke
1879
It has beer suggested that ths par
able Of the pyodigal son and the elder