The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-06-12
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNlGYSC1OOL
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.

LESSON TExT-Luke 1884,; 1s:1-1o
GOLDEN TEXT came not to cam
the righteous but sinners" Mark BIT.
The first section of our lesson is the
beginning Of q new paragraph (see
r. W and contains one Of the Mas
ter's best-known parallels. Immedi-
ateiy preceding this is the parable Of
the unjust Judge and the importunate
widow. We are plainly told ". 81
why the Master spake this parable.
It Is easy to say that those who trust
ed In their own righteousness and set
all others at naught" (R. W we're the
Pharisees, but such Is not the case;
and this parable is a warning to US,
lest we also trust our own righteous
ness Elsa. $3.50. Using this particu-
lar class as background, jesus
paints, In words OF simple grandeur.
q picture quite familiar throughout the
ages. In It he reveals the falseness OF
human standards and declares the
Judgment. Of heaven. The contrast 10
vivid. Let US look at ~ the Phari-
eco. The Illuminating phrase is in the
words ne prayed with himself
". 11). 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life, and he is withdrawn from God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 10 really a paean OF
selfexaltation.
Humility Of Heart.
(2) The Publican regarded himself
as "the sinner" ". Is r. V. margO.
He knew he was a great, an irrelig'
ious offender against law and grace.
He had sacrificed everything to &C
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 Is
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.
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.
Must Yield Wealth. I
Zaccheus was rich, dishonest, dissat-
isfied, but desperately in earnest, and
a man OF prompt decision. The esti-
nation of his fellow-citlzene Is indi-
Gated by v. 7. Notwithstanding all Of
this Zaccheus was not 80 welded to
his money as to let It keep him out
of the kingdom In chapter Is we
read of the rich man who lacked one
thing" He was lost-"went away
because he would not yield his wealth
(Bee also 1926, 27). What took place
within the house Of ZaccheuB we are
not told. but for the Master to enter
was looked upon either as amazing
ignorance Of Zaccheus' character or
else extreme carelessness concerning
the maintenance Of his own character.
Jesus was dealing with one man, not
the multitude, hence he leaves them to
their amaZement. While this Is true.
yet we can surmise something Of that
interview by the result ". 81 for FAC
cheus seems to have made a public
avowal of his ethical and moral
change of heart. Note the steps:
~ He sought to see Jesus" John
3:14, 10; lisa. 1922. (2) He was very
much in earnest, climbed a sycamore
tree" Luke 1924. 49, He made no
delay, make haste" Isa $3.50. The
result was that of great blessing to
the people and Joy in the heart of
Zaccheus. az He was obedient, joy-
ously and promptly. The genuineness
Of his transformation was evidenced
by the way 1t affected his pocketbook.
He made abundant restitution and
gave beautifully to the poor. The
love of God shed abroad in the heart
Of misery. selfish man or church
will promote honesty both to God and
man.
From the combined parable and
story we can read the lesson that Je-
sus L. the friend Of sinners and not
OF sin.
Thus the friend of sinners seeks and
saves men. He sees the acts and the
attitude of men and il ready to Justify
those whose attitude Is that OF humil-
fly and duplication. He seeks men
even as he sought Zaccheus, and aa
he saves he produces In them those
fruits Of righteousness which are the
evidence and demonstration Of their