Evening star., 1923-01-13

Social life presents tests that have
Persons who have mastered all other
temptations have fallen under the in
f1uence of the social lobby. The enc
mics of Jesus, having failed to over
come Him In their previous efforts,
sought by means of treacherous in
yitatiOn to secure the presence of the
Master in the home Of one of their
chiefs, to break bread Our Lord did
not refuse to dine with the Pharisees.
although He knew the malicious mo-
tlEes which prompted the invitation.
The Pharisees watched Him con-
stantly with the hope of securing
some damaging evidence which could
be used in bringing Him before the
authorities. whom they controlled, so
that the Christ would be legally ST
fenced. The appearance OF the drop
steal man standing in prominent
place appears to sustain the sugges-
ton that he was Intentionally placed
there by the Pharisees ito test
Christ's willingness to respect their
Sabbath pre1udices, or to defeat His
miraculous power by the failure TO
cure d disease more inveterate and
less amenable TO cure than any
other" Jesus turned tho tables upon
them by asking, rs it lawful to heal
on tho Sabbath day." The Pharisees
did not desire to appear unfriendly to
the man whom they probably had per
Suaded to attend the feast with the
hope of being cured. and they appar-
entity were ashamed TO reveal their
heartlessness, while at the same time
they were too strict in their Sabba-
tarianism to say that it was lawful
to do a humane act. Jesus turned to
the man. who probably had been sin
cere in his coming, not realizing that
the PhariSees wero trying to make a
tool of him. and He healed him and
let him 60"
Christ always utilized every oppor-
tunity presented to him 70 uplift
mankind. when He marked" tho un-
seemly greed for social position and
distinction which was manifested
among tho guests who had been in
vited to dinner in Il home OF wealth,
he turned upon the Pharisees and
showed them their conceit and pre-
sumption in matter of etiquette. Today
we see the PhariseeS of old in our
modern social climbers, who are
punctillious and imperious on points
of their own preference and, un-
most places. Jesus was a master of
social usage and saw in the selfish
ness displayed the moral infirmitics
Of the guests. He taught the world
Il religion of manners, behavior and
conduct in the parable which He gave
to those present at the table.
The Great Teacher showed his cour-
age by deliCatcly. and yet decisivcly
rebuking his fellow guests. His par
able upon the marriage feast needed
no Interpretation. BY it was taught
humility. He condemned the spirit
OF first come, first served which is
manifest in our twentieth century
life. He stood for humility when he
said. Begin low The yanitieS. the
pride and heart burnings of men for
10 "a fa1
the nerves OF Jesus He longed TO
see men become followers of Him in
meekness and Iowliness of heart. His
incarnation was the divine protest
against sclfishness. Christ emptied
himself of His glory, so that He
lowest man. This He did to reveal
the very heart of God to human kind.
His life has demonstrated that the
glory of God lies not so much in exul-
way to final glory lies not in thought
for self. but in thought for others.
BE not weary in courtesy. good man
ncrs and civil treatment of others.
Pride aliases and humility exalts. "
Every one that exalteth himself shall
be humbled: and he that humbleth
himself shall he exalted.
Jesus had observed that all Of the
guests were of the upper class, well
dressed and mutually acquainted
Christ turned to His host and inti-
mated that the supper was a compli-
mcntary affair, arranged with the cX-
pectation in mind that all Of the
guests would reciprocate. Although
this kind of company was perfectly
lawful still this was a species OF
selfiShneSs. 1t lacked consideration
for the poor. The rich Pharisee
thought that all that was required OF
him was to toss Il coin TO the poor.
the manned. the halt and the blind
but to recognize them in q social way
was beneath his dignity. True hos
pitality gives without expectation OF
reward. The spirit of brotherhood al
the feast was very limited affair