The Key West citizen., 1952-10-18
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
LESSON
JESUS DEMANDS SINCERITY
By Ralph Rogers

SUncar SehooI Lesson for Oefc.
Der ~, 1857: Matthew 6:l-e, 1918,
1874.
Jesus use Of the Beatitudes as an
introduction to his Sermon on the
Mount naturally aroused our inter-
est as we studied it in last Sundays
lesson. Jesus continues in this les
son the Way Of life in a clear and
concise manner. Emphasis is plac-
ed on the influence and responsible
the Kingdom of God. He calls them
lity of all claiming to be part of
"the salt Of the EARTH" and ''the
light of the world" We feel our
own -inadequacies when he empha.
sizes honesty purity, unselfishness,
love. These traits are best sustain
ed and expressed through the Civ
ing of aims, prayer and fasting.
The giving of aims was practiced
as an act of piety by the Jews in
Old Testment days. Jesus urges us
to practice it, not as the PhariseeS
did in his day but by not letting
your left hand know what your
right hand is doing. This is simply
a metaphor for secrecy yet we are
to let our light shine before men
proving ostentation can be avoided.
The best Jewish thought strongly
approved of aims done in secret
and there was place in the temple
"The treasury of the silent" where
men brought their aims in silence
and secrecy. Jesus reproved the
practice Of the Pharisees who gave
to be seen of men. They have their
reward.
In a Jewish community aims
we're given in three ways. Every
day three men went around with
a basket collecting aims for the
poor of the world both Jews and
Gentiles. Another way was for two
synagogue officials to go from
house to house collecting aims for
the poor mans chest and this was
for Jews alone. The third manner
was the collection of aims In the
synagogue on the Sabbath. The
Lord probably attacks the abuse
here Of publishing the amounts g.
ven which led to ostentatious rival
ry seeking the praise of men. This
purpose is wrong.
Jesus was disgusted with the
manner in which the Pharisees
prayed. Standing was the usual
Jewish attitude in prayer the same
as kneeling is frequently the prac-
tice with us. The ancient Church
prayed standing on Sundays and
festivals, but kneeled on fast-days.
The important part Of praying Is
the purpose whether to be seen OF
men or heard by God. Too many
pray mainly to bring their need to
God and Jesus emphasizes that the
Father knoweth the things we have
need of before we ask him. We
should pray then because we de-
light to be in his presence, to open
our hearts to Him and to receive
from Him all the inspiration and
aspirations which He gives to those
who pray Alright. He gives an ideal
example.
Jesus also refers to the place OF
prayer. The prayers Of the phylac-
teries were to be said at a fixed
time with great parade and cere-
mony. (Matthew 23:5ll Workmen
would put down their tools, riders
would descend from their asses,
teachers would suspend their lee
lures to say their prayers at the
appointed time. Many would plan
TO be overtaken at the prayer hour
In a public place and would stand
the full three hours or longer TO
be seen Of men" While Jesus him
self prayed in public many times,
he eommends by precept and pra-
tiee most eMphatically that We
pray in public, he also urges pri-
yate prayer for the Father who
hears in secret win reward the pc
titioner openly.
Fasting was not stated ordinance
of the Jewish religion. The Jews
did fast in time OF war ov st the
time of any national crisis or ca
lanaits. However. the Pharisees
tasted twice q week more 70 ap-
pear religious than 10 be spiritual
IN strengthened and fortified Know :.
Inc the purpose, Jesus said. "Do
not look dismal like the hypoerIss
for they diSfigure their faces that
their fasting may be seen Of men.
tMt. 1851 Our fasting during Lent
or Al any ether time may better
allure car spirit b the VII ot God
depending wholly On oar mosise.
whila she hyporTtts scnEht 70 he
seer az men. most e rs friday
avoid pahlicisg ard service which