Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-06-12
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNlNSNOL
LESSON
(By o. E. SELLERS, Director Of Even
ing Department The Moody Bible Insti-
tute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR JUNE IA
THE FRIEND OF SINNERS.


THE FRIEND OF SINNERS.
LESSON TExT-Lulxe 1s:e-14; 1s:1-10-
GOLDEN TEXT came not to call
the righteous but sinners" Mark III
The first section of our lesson is the
beginning of new paragraph (ses
R. V.) and contains one of the Mas
ter's best-known parallels Immedi-
ately preceding this is the parable of
the unjust judge and the fmportunats
widow. We are plainly told (v- 81
why the Master spake this parable
1t is easy to say that those who trust
ed in their own righteousness and set
all Others at naught" Or. W were the
Pharisees, but such is not the case,
and this parable is a warning to u.s.
lest we also trust our own righteous
ness lisa. 64:6). Using this particu-
lar class as a background, Jesus
paints, in words of simple grandeur,
a picture quite familiar throughout the
ages In it he reveals the falseness OF
human standards and declares the
judgment of heaven. The contrast is
vivid. Let us look at ID the Phari-
see. The Illuminating phrase is in the
words 'he prayed with himself
". I'D. Ostentatiously the Pharisees
separated themselves from their fell
low men and this separation seems TO
have extended even into his prayer
life, and he is withdrawn from God
also. This is an appalling picture
of the man who trusts only himself
Examine his prayer and we see the
supposed prayer is really a paean Of
self-exaltation 1t is true he begins
by ascribing it to the Deity, but he
ascribes no praise to God, no thank
fulness for blessings received; indeed.
introduction. On the other hand, his
only recognition of other men is that
of contempt for them. He is con-
cerned altogether with his own ex-
cellencies and with the delinquencies
of others. II am not as the rest Of
men" ". IL r w. He extols proper
virtues of morality, righteousness, or
thodoxy and generosity. but went
away unsaved.
Humility Of Heart.
(2) The Publican regarded himself
as 'the sinner" ". Is r. v. marg)-
He knew he was great, an irreIis-
ious offender against law and grace
He had sacrificed everything to ac-
quire money. He comes with no out
ward show except an abundant evil
dence of the shame and humility OF
his heart He also was excluded from
men but not from God. Burdened
with the sense Of his sin, he casts him
self upon the mercy of God. He il
absolutely devoid Of any trust in him
self, any contempt for others. and
makes straight, earnest, passionate
abandonment of himself and his need
to God. He goes away Justified"
Judged right. Why? Because he
had taken the right place, a sinners
place before God, and found pardon
No one who claims place before God
because he is righteous man viii
be justified in his sight. The true
way to God is the one Of the Publican.
not that of the Pharisee.
II. The Second Section is a story
and deals with an individual case. FAC
cheus, who was a chief Publican"
Jesus sought him (see Golden Text.
whereas Zaccheus was animated by
curiosity, and the writer informs US
| he was small of stature. hence the
necessity of climbing the sycamore
tree. He went up the tree because
of curiosity, he came down because
of conviction. He wanted to see this
man in, the center Of the crowd and
was amazed to hear Jesus call him by
name and with the authority OF q
king commands his friendship and
hospitality.
!