The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-05-26
LESSON FOR MAY 81
THE GRATEFUL SAMARITAN.

LESSON TEXT-Luke 17:11-19.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Were there none
found that returned to give glory to God
save this stranger?' Luke 17:1S
Jesus and his party are on their
last journey to Jerusalem, a most
eventful journey. 1t led him between
Samaria and Galilee ". IL, marg.) and
into, or through, an unknown, I'M
named village. To us this is the most
heroic and momentous moment in his
tory. Jesus knew that his hour was at
hand. He knew all that awaited him
in Jerusalem, yet he "set his face
as flint" and nothing could turn him
from his purpose, his browning work.
Jesus, however, was never too busy or
in too great haste to do a deed Of
compassionate mercy.
The Type of Sin.
!. A Great Need, wv. 11-14.-We are
familiar with the awfulness of 1eprosy
and that it is a type of sin. Like sin,
leprosy begins within, is insidious in
it's progress; it defies, shuts men out
L
its victims helpless and hopeless, has
no remedy and receives no help from
men; in consumes and finally kills.
This was a terrible spectacle that
greeted Jesus eyes as he entered the
village, for these lepers were COM
PEELED to live on the outside. Notice
". 12) that they stood "afar off"
(Eph. 2:13), indeed, SO far off that
they were compelled to Gift their
voices" in order to make known their
request, although it may have been
that the disease had reached their
vocal organs. The Mosaic law COM
PEELED the leper thus to stand afar off,
Lev. 13:45, 46. Their salutation was
the cry Of the needy made to one in
authority. The word Master" here
used is not that which usually means
teacher, but rather one that would be
applied to one in authority, an ap-
pointee or commander. They must
have either recognized his power or,
having heard of his miracles they ap-
pealed to him to exercise like power
on their behalf There was no other
who could possibly give them relief,
even so the sinners only hope is to
meet Jesus. He, and he alone, can
cleanse them from their uncleanness
and wretchedness. Jesus never
passed that way again, this was their
only opportunity. Their need drove
them to him. Outlines our distress
and need are blessings in disguise in
that they drive us to Jesus. Though
afar off, and though only one drew
nigh w. 16), yet it was the privilege of
them all, as it is also our privilege to
draw Nigh" Eph. 2:13. Their cry
did not fall upon deaf ears lisa 59:D v.
1t was a brief, but to the point, petit
ton. They knew what they needed and
drove straight to the point. Their ap-
peal to his mercy met with immediate
response, so also will the cry Of the
needy sinner meet with a like re-
Spouse (Rom. 1913. The record does
not tell us about the faith of these
men and it is useless for us to spec
ulate. The cry of faith will have it's
answer, Matt. 9:29. Their prayer was
lieving, earnest and specific, for when
che saw them" ". 14) he gave direc-
tions as to the manner whereby they
might be cleansed. He could have
spoken or have touched them, but
his way at that time was to utter a
command. This resulted in (a) full
filling of the law, (b) a test for their
faith, (c) a testimony to the priests.
They showed their genuine earnest
ness by immediate obedience, they
took him at his word. The record is
wonderfully suggestive, "as they went
they were cleansed." Faith and works
| obedience and results. When we act
upon his simple yet sublime word we
| too, will receive a blessed answer tC
| our every need AS we look to him
our great high priest, as we take oul
eyes off Of self, we shall be cleansed
John 14:21.23.
| Bore Witness Before Men.
II. A Grateful Heart, w. 15-1e.-The
revelation of cleansing brought differ
emit results to these lepers. 'One o.
them" came back at once to expires:
his gratitude Before he could scarce
ly speak his petition, now he erie!
with a loud voice" This is a sugges
ton as to the completeness of hi
cure. He at once uses his restored
voice to "glorify God" and it looks al
though he bore this witness before h
testified to men; (a) being heale'
seems also to have opened his eye
as to the character of Jesus. He no
only returned thanks, but "worshipe,
him" Nor does Jesus refuse to ar
cept such worship-an evidence Of hi
deity, see Acts 15:25,26; John 81
and Heb. lie.
The nine were too occupied in II
! joicing with their friends, too bus
with fulfilling duties from which the
had long been separated, to expires
their thanks It is significant tina
this one was a Samaritan-"a strar
ger" This is the one whom les
would be expected, yet Luke record
other good things about the Samar
tan, CHI. 10:33-35. duke, as tn
, companion of Paul, shows US not onl
in his gospel, but in his life of Pal
? Christ's outreachings towards the Gel
fi1es) The Jews have no DEALING