Evening star., 1923-02-03
Sunday School Lesson

, upon their faith, when He said: GO,
show yourselves to the priests" who,
under the levitical, law could give
them a certificate OF health and re-
move the social quarantine. The tenr
who were tainted from head to foot.
| met the test of faith. They started
Immediately toward the priests. LAS
were cleansed while they were obey
ing Christs command. They may
have expected that He would heal
them, as He had others, by His per-
explanation they obeyed Him. They
| may have looked for healing at the
hands of the priests. They took the
step Jesus commanded. which show
ed His attitude toward the law. 1t
was through their obedience that
If they had waited for evidence of
being cleansed, they would never
have been cureds
They started forth as lepers. but
they soon began to feel the quicken
ing power OF the new life in their
bodies. AS they went the changes
took place within them and they COM
menced to feel the strength OF their
renewed life in their veins. quicken
ing their bodies and removing the
evidence of their leprosy. They saw
| the changed appearance of their com-
panions, which proved to them that
l luelT ldltH nGQ D6eD well eSlaDl1SnSQ.
| They commenced to run in their
anxiety to have their cure confirmed
by the priests. who at that time acted
as the public sanitary officials Many
a person has failed to enjoy the bless
ings of being cleansed by the blood
of the Lamb Of God, because they
failed to exercise the faith, which
they possessed.
| Driven by great disaster together,
they separated again into parties
been healed. One OF the number, who
belonged to the despised Samaritan
race, when he saw the change. turn
ed back, with loud voice, glorifying
God" and fell at the feet of Jesus.
giving thanks. AS for the other nine
they pressed on unmindful and un-
grateful. They failed when the test
of love was applied. Many of those
who have enjoyed the blessings of
salvation, have revealed the spirit of
row to obscure tho numerous bless
ings God has given to them. The
Master noted the absence of the nine,
when the Sama ritan, moved by ire
sistible love and gratitude for the
Healer that filled his heart, returned
to thank Jesus before he obeyed His
| command to show himself to the
priests.
| Christ. He felt it keenly. although
| it is evident that Jesus was under no
| Illusion concerning the workings of
| human nature. He knew that the
what He might expect at the hands
| Of those whom He would greatly
bless Undisturbed by the ingrati-
| tude Of men, Jesus pushed on toward
| Jerusalem and the cross. Men would
| be crushed by the darkness of the
| the rapidly approaching end. our
| Lord pressed on. being sure of the
| ultimate triumph of His cause. He
was moved by the expression Of the
Samaritan's gratitude. He bestowed
| upon the healed leper a double bless.
| ing, because he had met the test Of
| both faith. and love. He bowed in
gratitude for being cleansed of his
blessing Of salvation. Jesus sent him
away with the double blessing of a
restored body and redeemed soul.
There is no evidence that the other
| nine lost their health because OF their
ingratitude. There Is no evidence
! that they were saved. They received,
as we will, in accordance with their
faith.
Our Lord still longs to bestow bet
ter gifts than He has given US. 1t is
that He can betstow His best upon
US. Back of every good and perfect
gift is the loving Fathers care. He
gives to all and! longs. yea. seeks the
| IellONSIlP "oISnlp oI Lou
US not be corrupted by the great sin
Of this age. ingratitude. but let us
remember the goodness of God. If
we keep our eyes open to see His
many mercies we will ENTER His
gates with Thanksgiving and into His
courts with praise" Lot us give
| thanks unto Him and bless His name"
| in our worship of praise and prayer.
If we draw near unto Him and wor-
| ship Him in sincerity and in truth He
will give US still larger and richer
| blessings as a reward for our love
and ioyat.y IN 'ne net worK l G1 Pun Iuiidins I'm.
| but when He shall come again as
Lord Of lords and King Of kingsl. Let
us not overlook what we owe to
| Christ for the blessings of His gospel
/ and His church that can be seen in
| our country+s history, and that con-
| tains the only hope for civilization.