The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-03-22
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNIYSCIIOOL
LESSON
(By q. o. SELLERS, Director of Even
ing Department, The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR MARCH "a.
FEAsrINe AND FASTING.
LESSON TEXT-Mark 2.la-22

GoLDEN TEXT came not to call
tile righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17.
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-
emplitied the seven cardinal points OF
q politician, viz, "the two loaVes 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 brief, sudden
call, but what vast results were in
Volved First demonstration upon
his part, secondly demonstration
upon the part Of Jesus, and lastly
record of the life Of the Master that
has been termed the most important
bNch ONCl WillAOH, AuIOuOIuBlCdlly
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 scrbes and the phari-
sees. Be that as it may we know
they murmured greatly that this rabbi
should consort with publicans and
with sinners.
Came to 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 a 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 those that
need me?" AT the same time Jesus
utters one of his greatest and most
comforting sayings, 81 came not to call
the righteous but sinners"
Jesus chooses one Of their own So
cal outcasts to write the only dis
tinctly Hebrew account Of his life; one
who had been faithful as a business
man to be a leader and historian;
one willing to renounce all, say fare
we'll to ambition and follow him.
Following this, the disciples of John
the Baptist and of the Pharlsees 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 is 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
licansllcans;" 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 q place for
lasting. Jesus teaches US in his ref
arence to the wine bottles Qeather
sacks which could bear but one
stretching process due to fermenta-
ion Of the wine), that we are to be
lew creatures in him and must leave
he old life and habits. We are not
o make patchwork Of this new Cos
eel and the old law.
His Work That Of Physician.
There are two difficulties thus pre-
ented in this lesson; first, that Je-
us should hold fellowship with those
properly not Of his circle or social
tanding for he was a rabbi or teach
r, and, secondly, that he did not nor
lid his disciples observe fasting. Je-
us admits the character of the COM
amy he kept, but his reply was, Il
anne for this purpose to call not the
ighteous but the unrighteous" His
York was to be that of q Physician.
lie assumes that his authority is not
man but Of God, and that this min
stry is to bring joy Jesus had emp,
led himself that he might come and
hen he was to leave there 1t would
e time enough for his disciples to
asst. Jesus was not merely one who
anne to teach a system of ethics a
tile higher than the prophets. Je-
us is more than good man or even
holy man; he is the Great Physician,
BILE to heal both body and soul, a
aviour.
Before these lost ones can be saved,
Oweyer, they must realize they are
'st, for we cannot save those who
i'll not acknowledge themselves as f.
cling lost. When we acknowledge we
re sinners he will save US Il Tim.
:15). Turn a deaf ear to his call
nd there is no more hope Luke
I:3).
1t has been suggested that the par
lie Of the prodigal son and the elder
other was uttered at this feast In.