Middletown transcript., 1914-05-30

Jesus and his party are on theil
last journey to Jerusalem, a most
eventful journey. It led him between
Samaria and Galilee ". II, marg.) and
into, or through, an unknown, un
named village. To us this is the most
heroic and momentous moment in his
tory. Jesus knew that his hour was al
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 crowning work.
Jesus, however, was never too busy or
in too great haste to do a deed OF
compassionate mercy.
The Type Of Sin.
I. A Great Need, w. 11-14.-We are
familiar with the awfulness Of leprosy
and that it is type of sin. Like sin,
leprosy begins within, is insidious in
its progress; it deaes, shuts men out
Of the society Of the clean. 1t renders
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 or
(Eph. 2:13), indeed, so far of that
they were compelled to lift 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 OF,
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 a commander. They must
have either recognized his power or,
having heard of his miracles they ap-
pealed to him to exercise a 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 DAsd are blessings in disguise in
that they drive US to Jesus. Though
afar of, and though only one drew
1l1H IN 16l vat ~ xryoo &bo rr3rziIaeo ~
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.
It 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-
sponse (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 its
answer, Matt. 9:29. Their prayer was
brief, It must have been humble, be-
lieving, earnest and specific, for when
"he 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
filing 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 to
our every need. As we look to him,
our great high priest, as we take our
eyes of 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
ent results to these lepers. "One of
them" came back at once to express
his gratitude. Before he could scarce
ly speak his petition, now he cries
with loud voice" This is sugges-
ton as to the completeness of his
cure. He at once uses his restored
voice to "glorify God" and it looks as
though he bore this witness before he
testified to men; (a) being healed
seems also to have opened his eyes
as to the character of Jesus. He not
only returned thanks, but "worshiped
him" Nor does Jesus refuse to &C
cept such worship-an evidence of his
deity, see Acts 15:25,26; John 5:23
and Heb. 1:6. The nine were too oc-
cupied in rejoicing with their friends,
too busy with fulfilling duties from
which they had long been separated, to
express their thanks. 1t is significant
that this one was a Samaritan-"a
stranger" This is the one Of whom
less would be expected, yet Luke re-
cords other good things about the
Samaritan, Oh. 10:SS-S5. Nuke, as the
companion Of Paul, shows US not only
In his gospel, but in his life Of Paul
Christ's outreachings towards the Cen
tiles.) The Jews have no dealings
with the Samaritans John 4:9), but
sin makes strange companions. Jesus
in his question ". II B. W
great astonishment, which was evil
dently twofold: (a) first the ingrati-
tude Of the nine and (b) the gratitude
of this stranger" 1t is interesting to
recall that those three persons who,
during his earthly ministry, received
HE Lords special commendation were
he heather centurion, Matt. $40, the
heathen woman, Matt 16:242s, and
this Samaritan leper. This leper's
a. IL. h-o..nt,t in1z An Inn,1a Enh