Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-21
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
For Sept. n. PrepieV
BY DIR. MARION MICH. HULL

there are some who think of their
patients as so many cases; but the
real physician thinks not of the
lease" of pneumonia but Of the per-
son who is i'll with pneumonia. Luke
loved folks; and therefore Paul wrote
of him as the beloved physician"
His love for folks is shown in this
gospel Where else would you ex-
pect to find the story of the Good
Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the
rich man and Lazarus, the widow
and the unjust judge, the Pharisee
and the Publican, Of Zacchens? They
are not found anywhere else.
And he uses just things like this
to show his Greek friends that Jesus,
the Son of God, was SO very human
and so completely realized all that
they thought of as perfection that
He was also the Son IF Man-every-
thing that man ought to be. His
purpose was, by showing the per-
feet humanity of Jesus, to convince
them of His diety. And he did it in
such an accurate, cultured way that
even Renan said of this gospel that
sit is the most beautiful book in
the world"
Special Characteristics
There are some special character
istics about this book ether than
these already mentioned that de-
mand our consideration. One is the
great prominence given to women.
civ
an a very small place; John more so;
but Luke brings them greatly to
the forefront. Besides Mary, Luke
tells of Elizabeth, the prophecies
Anna, the widow Of Main, the woman
who was a sinner, the women who
ministered to Jesus and His dis
ciples (Ch. SD, Mary and Martha,
the woman who called the Virgin
Mary blessed, the woman with a
spirit of infirmity eighteen years, the
widow who cast in her mite. the
daughters of Jerusalem weeping
over our Lords sufferings, the
women Of Galilee beside the cross,
and the women as the first evangel-
lists. Part of this interest in women
was no doubt due to his association
with the four daughters Of Philip,
the evangelist whom he knew in
| Caesaria while he was writing the
gospel story. Part to his association
with Mary herself from whom he
evidently got the intimate details re-
corded in chapter 1 which woman
would tell only to physician.
Another characteristic is it's uni
tinctly Jewish, for he is speaking
Of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah
but Luke is writing of Him as the
Son of Man, and he takes in all
mankind. This is particularly to be
, noted in his frequent references to
Samaria and the Samaritans, who
were so bitterly hated by the Jews.
He was widely travelled, his view
point was primarily that of one
who had been born outside of
Jewry. These, with Pauls cosmo-
politan outlook, undoubtedly had
their influence; although it is en-
tirely possible that Philips daugh-
ters may have increased his inter
est in Samaria. While these were
human factors they do not MINI
mize the fact that it was the influ-
directed Luke to write in such a
way that every man might know
that this son of man, who was also
the son of God, loved every man
everywhere, regardless of race or
condition.. In 1:3 he says he "had
perfect understanding Of all things
from above" (the Greek words here
translated, from the very first, p"
~, Ill ~ &or,
lament translated from above" e.
Greek) 1t was the spirit of God
who enlarged his vision to a world
outlook.
Another characteristic is the en-
phasis which he puts upon prayer,
ers. Space forbids a detailed discus
sion of this, but See Luke sis;
6:12; 918; 1921; Hill; 1914;
21:36; 1929 and many others. Luke
knew how men need God, and how
prayer is the sending and receiving
sets that establish communication.
Analysis
Finally, we can analyze the book,
SO that we may study it more in
diligently. There are many good
andy L ne USSL Is Tic one you
will make yourself after carefully
reading it through las nearly at
one sitting, as possible), then re-
reading it, writing down the con-
tents of each chapter, and finally
arranging those chapters together
with a heading that will properly
describe their content. In brief, this
is one. Chs. 1, 2. The birth and
childhood of Jesus. Chs. 3-4:1-13. The
preparation for and the beginning of
His public ministry. Chs. 4:14-9:50.
His Galilean ministry. Chs. 9:51-
1928. His journey to Jerusalem and
growing opposition. Chs. 19:29-ch
Fl. His Jerusalem ministry. Chs
1924. His passion and resurrection.
Make your own. This is but a
brief suggestion. Chs. 9:51-19:28
with the exception of a few
verses) is peculiar to Luke, not be-
ing found anywhere else.
Now shall we not pray, that dur
ing these next six months the spir-
it Of God Himself shall open our
eyes that we may catch a new Wis
ion of the Son of Man, and be
brought into closer union with
Him, as we follow the beloved
physicians story of Him, whom
having not seen, we love.