The Brinkley argus., 1914-06-12
LESSON FOR JUNE IA
THE FRIEND OF SINNERS.


 LESSON TExT-Luke 1s:s-N: 1sl-lo.
 COLT TEXT-"T came not to ca1i the righteous but sinners" Mark 2:Ii.
 Tho first section of our lesson IS the beginning of new paragraph lsee R. VI and contains one of the Mas- ters best-known parables. lmmeai. ately preceding this is the parable or the unjust judge and the importunate widow. We are plainly told (v. O why the Master spake this parable. It is easy to say that those who trust ed in their own righteousness ana set all others at naught" (R. V0 were the Pharisees, but such is not the case; and this parable as warning to us' lest we also trust our own righteous ness Isa. 64:6). Using this particu- lar class as background, Jesus paints, in words of simple grandeur a picture quite familiar throughout the ages. In 1t he reveals the falseness or human standards and declares the judgment. of heaven. The contrast ID vivid. Let us look at CD the Phars- zee. The Illuminating phrase IS III the words he prayed with himself (y. ID. Ostentatiously the Pharlsees separated themselves from their fel- 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 and he is withdrawn from God also.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 is really a paean ol self-exaltation.
 Humility of Heart.
 CD The Publican regarded himself as "the sinner" (v. 13 R. V. marg.c He knew he was a great, an irrelig- ious offender against law and grace. He had sacrificed everything to ac- uuirs money. He comes with no out ward show except an abundant evi- dence of the shame and humility or 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 a straight. earnest, passionate abandonment of himself and his need to God. He goes away justified (judged right. Why? Because hs had taken the right place, sinners place before God. and found pardon
 u. The Second Section is story and deals with an individual case. Zac cheus, who was "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 thlf man in the center of the crowd anC was amazed to hear Jesus call him by name.
 Must Yield Wealth.
 Zaccheus was rich, dishonest, dissat isfied, but desperately in earnest. ant . man of prompt decision. The esti nation of his fellow-citizens IS indi cated by V. z. Notwithstanding all O this Zaccheus was not so welded tt his money as to let it keep him ou of the kingdom. Ill chapter IS wt read of the rich man who lacked ont thing" He was iost-"went away because he would not yield his wealtl (see also 1926, 27). What took place within the house of Zaccheus we art not told, but for the Master to entel was looked upon either as amazing ignorance of Zaccheus' character ol else extreme carelessness concerning the maintenance of his own character Jesus was dealing with one man. no the multitude hence he leaves them tt their amazement. While this Is true yet we can surmise something of thai interview by the result (v. 8) for Zac cheus seems to have made a public avowal of his ethical and mora change of heart. Note the steps CD He sought to see Jesus." 3ohI 3:14. 15: Isa. 45:22. (2) He was very much in earnest. "climbed a sycamore tree," Luke 1924. (3) He made nc delay, make haste" Isa. 65:6. The result was that of great blessing tt the people and joy in the heart o | Zaccheus. (4) He was obedient. joy
 ously and promptly. The genuneness of his transformation was evidenced
 by the way 1t affected his poeketbook | He made abundant restitution ant gave bountifully to the poor. The
 love of God shed abroad in the hear
 of . miserly. selfish man or cburcf will promote honesty both to God ant | man.
 From the combined parable ant
 story we can read the lesson that Je sus Is the friend of sinners and no l of sin
 Thus the friend of sinners seeks ant saves men. He sees the acts and th' attitude of men and is ready to justif! l those whose attitude is that of humil
 ity and supplication. He seeks mel
 even as he sought Zaccheus. and al
 he saves he produces in them thos' fruits of righteousness which are tn,
 evidence and demonstration of thei salvation. The scribes and the Phari i sees saw Jesus eating with the publi
 cans and expressed this disapprovinl l surprise only to receive his rebuke l They that are whole have no need o l . physician, but they that are sick f x~k k<. NA f.h&