Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-06-06
LESSON FOR MAY 81
THE GRATEFUL SAMARITAN.

LESSON TEXT-Luke- 1T:11-19.
GOLDEN TExT-'Were there none
found that returned to give glory to God
save this stranger? Luke 17-lS
Jesus and his party are on their
last journey to Jerusalem, a most
eventful journey. 1t led him between
lSamaria and Galilee (v. II. marg) and
into, or through, an unknown, UNI
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 GROWING 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 leprosy
and that it is a type of sim Like sin,
leprosy begins within, is insidious in
its progress; it defies, 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 off,
(Eph. 2:13), indeed, so far off 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 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 APP
pointee or q 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 ". 49,, 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 Qsa- So: u :
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 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
brief. it must have been humble, be-
lieving. earnest and specific, for when
''he saw them" ". 40 he gave direc-
lions 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) a full
filling of the law, OBJ 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 blessed answer tic
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. %.
Bore Witness Before Men.
n. A Grateful Heart, Wv. 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
1y speak his petition, now he cries
with a loud voice" This is a 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 hs
testified to men; (a) being healed
seems also to have opened his eyes
as to the character of Jesus He MOI
only returned thanks, but worshipec
him. Nor does Jesus refuse to &C
cept such worship-an evidence of hi:
deity, see Acts 15:25.26; John So;
and Heb. lie.
The nine were too occupied in re
3oicing with their friends, too busy
with fulfilling duties from which they
had long been separated. to expires:
4.