The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-01-16

NIOudDiy HO OIneT parable given Dy
Jesus except possibly the Prodigal
Son, has made such deep impress
sion as this one. 1t has inspired al
truistic service, promoted the idea of
the brotherhood of man, and served
to crystalize Christian thinking and
service.
l. What shall | do?" w. 1929.
~ The first question. This lawyer
in his test question implied that eter-
nal life was dependent upon his
works, well nigh universal Jewish
idea With true teachers skill,
Jesus drew from his own knowledge
Of the law an answer to his question,
viz: that. on the ground of doing he
must love the Father with an undi-
vided heart; with all his soul, the
seat of his emotions; with all his
strength-energies; and with all his
mind-his intellectual powers. The
evidence of such love Is that he
must love his neighbor as himself.
Summarized the Law.
(2) The second question, ". 29).
Jesus had not said anything to this
lawyer about belief, or faith, for he
was not yet ripe for that idea. He
had summarized the law and by this
law Jesus must teach him. Rom. 3:19,
20; Matt. 22:37-40. 1t is one thing to
read and summarize the law, and
quite another to rightly apply 1t. It
is quite possible to be ultra orthodox
in our teaching and in our statements
of belief, and yet to fall far short
of doing. The force of this second
question is then, 'Who must lover"
He avoids asking, who can I lover"
The question was not as to who will
be neighbor to me, but to whom shall
be neighbor? In answer to this
Jesus employs this wonderful parable.
(Note:-Explain the nature of para
BILE and the Masters frequent use
thereof.
II. go and do thou likewise" w.
30-S7. That this story Is not alone
q parable but literal experience Is
pretty generally believed. "The way
of the transgressor" is Jericho road,
and the traveller therein is bound to
be stripped" If not always of his
prosperity, then of his character, and
will ultimately find himself = half
dead" II left to himself he will sure
ly die. Rom. $50; 6:23. Jericho means
Curse" Who then is the man / can
neighbor? Any wretch that is pass
ing along the Jerico road. Remem-
Der that Jesus is dealing with the sec
ond half of the summary of the law.
Three classes of men passed this
man; ~ The Priest, of all men the
most likely to help that fallen one,
created in the image of God in whose
worship he led. 1t is easy to find an
excuse for this exhibition of heart
lessness. The danger Of robbers; Of
being suspected of completely in the
crime; the duties of his important Of
fee; the danger of contamination; a
work not suited to his position in life.
Let us beware of too hastily judging
the priest until we examine ourselves.
(2) The Leyite. Perhaps he had
seen his superior in the temple wor-
ship; he drew nearer than the priest,
perhaps for the purpose Of investiga-
ton, but offers no remedy. (3) The
Samaritan. This ostracized man
would have been snubbed and cursed
by the wounded man under any other
circumstances. He therefore could
certainly have been excused had he
followed the example of Priest and
Levite. He is type of Christ dealing
in grace with one who had no claim
upon him. Note the steps: (a) HE
journeyed," are we to be found visit
ing the places of great need? OBJ
He came where he was" evidently
not from idle curiosity, but to meet
a case of need. Co HE saw him."
Too often our eyes are blind to the
misery about us. (d) "He was moved
with compassion" The compassion
of Jesus was an active principle.
Does misery move US to action? Does
1t send us to cases of need, or do we
wait for them to knock at our door?
(e) "He bound up his wounds" Not
acting by proxy; not sending him to
public institution. Real charity is
accompanied by warm, sympathetic,
Christ-like, human hearts in action.
(f) Brought him to an inn and took
care of him"
Love Is Costly.
1t cost the Samaritan much to act
this way. Racial pride, aesthetic res
pugnance, commercial obligations.
perhaps family duties, to say nothing
of the actual expenditures of time and
money. But love is costly thing.
Jesus himself fully portrays this pic
ture, John 3:16. The road was away
from Gods city, Jerusalem.
1t is not SO much the doing as the
motive that compelled the doing. It
was not duty but desire, compelling
love, that Jesus is exalting. Altruis-i
tic service never saved any man, II
Cor. 10. On the other hand, to make
high sounding professions and not toI
give a tangible. material evidence
which will affirm that profession, is tot
sound the note of insincerity, Jas.
2:16-1S. The teaching OF this story Isl
that the true and acceptable motives
for altrustic, neighborly services, orig,
mate in love for God that embraces