The midland journal., 1945-02-02

GOLDEN TEXT-Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do
to you. do ye even so to them: for this IL
the law and the prophets.-Matthew 7:l2.
What IL q man worth? Well, say
we, that depends. and then we are
prone to undervalue him. Jesus had
(and taught) a high regard for the
inherent value of man. He saw pos
sibilities In all men. He had love
for them. He was concerned about
their welfare, and they responded
by an interest in Him.
Jesus showed by His dealings with
men how wrong are most Of the
standards and attitudes Of the world.
With Him there were:
I. No Social Barrier wv. /, 9, 10).
The caste system of some lands,
dividing people into social strata
which separate men and hinder fell
lowship, does not exist in our land.
Yet, in practice, we have such lev
els which are a formidable barrier
in the thinking Of many (perhaps
most) people.
Jesus knew nothing Of social bar
riers. He ignored them and went
straight to the one in need. In our
lesson it was a man Of position and
wealth who was an outcast among
his people because he was hated
gatherer of taxes for Rome.
Jesus saw in him a man Of faith
and a useful witness for Him.
And He not only talked with him,
but called him to be His disciple.
Then He went further and, to the
establishment of His critics, went in
to a great feast where many such
men were gathered.
He ate with publicans and sinners,
not because He approved Of their
manner of life, but because He want
ed to change it as He changed them.
III. No Fear Of Criticism (vv. 11-13).
Many a kind and noble impulse
has died a-borning because of the
fear of criticism. "What will people
say?" has kept many a Christian
from speaking to some sinner about
his Cor her) soul.
'"rhe world is too much with US"
and we all too often guide our lives
and service by the possible reaction
we may receive from those round
about us. We did not learn such an
attitude from Jesus.
His answer to His critics made
it clear that there will be no self
righteous, "good enough" people
in heaven. The Lord is not even
calling them, so long as they trust
in their oivn goodness. He came to
seek and to save sinners ". 13, and
Luke 1910.
We, too, may 60 forward without
fear of our critics. That doesn't
mean that we "don't care what peo-
pie Think about us. We ought to
care, but If their opinion is based
on unbeliaf and self-righteousness,
it should certainly not deter us from
our al-inlportant business of soul
winning.
iii. No Limitation Of Time and
Place wv. 1929.
Often the help of man to those in
need is circumscribed by so many
regulations that those who most de-
serve help cannot get it. There are
times and places for application
forms, and tests must be completed,
etc. Doubtless much of this is need
ed, but one wonders at times wheth-
err our charitable impulses have not
disappeared under a mountain of
red tape.
Be that as it may, how interesting
it is to see that Jesus met the need
when and where it appeared. He
was already on one errand of mercy
when the sick woman touched His
robe. He was not too busy nor too
preoccupied to stop and give her a
word of help and comfort ". 22).
Is there not a significant lesson
here for us in the church? The
need is reason enough for the ex-
tension of our help. The place is
anywhere that men are in sadness
or sorrow, and the hour is now
when they need our help.
Nv. No Lack of Power (vv. 1926.
How often the human heart is
prompted to help, and willing hands
are ready to follow its promptings
in loving action, yet we find that we
cannot do anything. The need is too
great for our meager resources. Our
strength does not suffice. We have
no money, or the situation is one
beyond human help.
How wonderful it is then to re-
member the Lord Jesus! A touch
on the hem of His garment in faith
made the woman whole ". 22). A
word from Him brought the dead
little girl out to face the scorners
of Jesus, in the bloom of life and
health.
Has He lost any of His great pow
er? No. He is just "the same yes
terday, and today, and forever"
(Heb. 1879. Why not trust Him?
Do you need help-spiritual, men
tai, physical? He is able. He has
no prejudice regarding your social
position. He will meet you right