was prophesied of; 2. Because he saw the fulfilment of the predictions of the Gospel; 3. He saw even Me, of whom others only foretold. But He forgets not to add, that even greater privileges are accorded to his hearers, than were to John, who could not see from his prison the marvellous works of Jesus. Even we can boast of more Grace, than could John, now since the light of the Gospel has been so widely shed around. Alas! That we might likewise show the faith and patience, the self-denial and holiness of life, that the Baptist manifested. Let us turn to Matthew now, chap. xi. VERSE 12. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. This means, that John the Baptist roused the land and the people to an earnestness for the Messiah's kingdom, and the violent, or those who were stirred by him, are now pressing into it with eagerness. The feeling and message of John the Baptist only expressed the general feeling of the people. Because Jesus and His kingdom did not realize their national idea of a Jewish Hero-king, doubt set in. John was still a Jew-however noble-and looked for a Solomon-Messiah for Judea. He lacked the true spiritual elevation, by which we can alone recognise a kingdom of Truth. It saddened the heart of Jesus, to know that even His herald could rise no higher. And it daily saddens Him to know, that even Christian communities and hearts doubt whether He is the Messiah or not, because His kingdom is not like the Empires of earth. By the three great virtues of which our Lord speaks in His sermon on the Mount, the true Christian can ever realize more and more, the kingdom of Heaven in his own heart. We mean Fasting, or the spirit of Penitence; Alms-giving, or the spirit of Charity; and Prayer, or the spirit of Faith. Let us during the Lenten-season, make all efforts to acquire these habits of soul. Four Impossible Things. 1st. To escape troubles by running away from duty. Jonah once made the experiment, but did not succeed. Therefore, manfully me.t and overcome the difficulties and trials to which the post assigned you by God's providence exposes you. 2d. To become a Christian of strength without undergoing severe trials. What fire is to gold, such is affliction to the believer. It burns up the dross, and makes the gold shine forth with unalloyed lustre. 3d. To form an independent character, except when thrown upon one's own resources. The oak in the middle by the forest, if surrounded on all sides by trees that shelter and shade it, runs up tall, comparatively feeble; cut away its protectors, and the first blast will overturn it. But the same tree, growing in the open field, where it is continually beaten upon by the tempest, becomes its own protector. So the man who is compelled to rely on his own resources forms an independence of character to which he could not otherwise have attained. Our Children. Meta Herr, Du hast die Kinder uns gegeben. Heuser Schweitzer, 1827. Schaff's H. Book. Lord, Thou hast to us the children given, And we lay them on Thy loving breast; Seal them there for endless life in heaven, Make them conscious of Thy love and blest. If we had not Thee, Thou Hope of sinners, When we life's most rugged road survey, We must weep for children, as beginners; Yet Thou liv'st and e'er wilt be our stay. Shield them, Lord, in Thine own arms enfolding; Heal Thou sin's distressing early pains; Guide their steps, in mercy them upholding; Cleanse their hearts from sin's corrupt remains. Did their parents error and demerit, With their heart's first throb through sin possess? Let their children now from Thee inherit, Thine own precious blood-bought righteous MARCH 13. LESSON XI. 1881. Second Sunday in Lent. Luke vii. 36-50. THE SUBJECT.-CHRIST THE FRIEND OF SINNERS. KEY-NOTE.-"I HAVE COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDE."-Matt. xv. 32. 36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37. And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box-of ointment, 38. And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now, when the Pharisee which had bidden him, saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who, and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, for she is a sinner. 40. And Jesus answering, said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41. There was a certain creditor, which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Wherefore, I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49. And they that sat at meat with him, began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace. QUESTIONS. What is our subject? What Lord's Day is this? VERSE 36. Who invited Jesus to break bread in his house? What was the name of the Pharisee? Matt. xxvi. 6; Mark xiv. 3; John ii. 2. Was it a mark of respect to invite one who was not a member of their party? 37. Who entered the house then? What was her character? Whom did she desire to see? Had she likely seen and heard Him elsewhere? What did she carry? 38. Where did she place herself? With what did she wash His feet? Why did she weep so much, do you suppose? With what did she wipe His feet? What more did she do? Why did she do all this for His feet, and not rather anoint His head, as was customary? 39. How did the host regard this procedure? What did he say? How did he say it? 40. Did Jesus now show him that He could read men's hearts and histories? How did He address His host? What did Simon say? 41. What is a creditor? What is a debtor? How much more did one owe than the other? 42. What had these to pay with, finally? What did the creditor then do? What is this parable called? What question did Jesus append? 43. How did Simon answer? Was his answer a correct one? What similar parable have we in the Old Testament? 2 Samuel xii. 44-46. To whom would He now apply this parable? Which was the greater debtor? Which the lesser Which loved the Lord the more? How did she show it? 47. Why does He say that the woman was forgiven? 48. What did He say to the woman? What more did He add? verse 50. 49. At what did the Pharisee catch? Who is still the merciful creditor? Who are the debtors? Who generally consider themselves the greatest debtors? 1 Tim. i. 12-17. What was Simon's besetting sin? What was this woman's redeeming spirit? What did she receive from Jesus? For whom did Christ come? Is He your Saviour? 1. Jesus lives, and so shall I; Death! thy sting is gone forever! 2. Jesus lives, and by His grace The weak He raises from the dust; REMARKS.-The Pharisees, Scribes, and Priests of the Jewish Church had maintained a more or less friendly intercourse with Jesus, thus far, even though they hated Him inwardly. An incident occurred now, however, which caused a most pronounced rupture between Him and the whole party in power. VERSE 36. One of the Pharisees, of the name of Simon, (Matt. xxvi. 6; Mark xiv. 3; John xi. 2), who was of good social position, met Jesus in some Galilean town, and invited Him to his house to eat. This was a great mark of respect, coming from one of the strict party. They associated chiefly among themselves. The Simon slowly answered-"I suppose the one whom he forgave most." Lord endorsed Simon's answer. Then, as Nathan did to David, (2 Samuel, chap. xii.), He brought the parable home to his conscience. VERSES 44-48. It is plain that God is the creditor; the two debtors, Simon and this woman. The former held himself the lesser debtor, because he had at least kept the Law. The latter was a larger debtor, since she had broken all the commandments. But both are insolvent, and cannot redeem themselves from the debt. Yet God will be the merciful creditor to both. He then proves that the woman loved more than he did, enumerating the features of each one's conduct And turning to the poor woman, He dismissed her with gracious words. VERSE 37. A woman now entered the house, who was known, it seems, as a low character. She knew that Jesus was a guest there, and had often listened VERSES 49-50. The Pharisees were to His invitations to the weary and yet more displeased, because He too heavy-laden to come to Him for rest. claimed to forgive sins. But not daring By His words she had been won back to be rude at a private meal, they treato virtue. What could she do, but ex-sured up wrath for coming days. The press her gratitude? She brought an woman got His benediction. alabaster-box, which was made of gypsum or lime, and filled with costly ointment. VERSE 38. She stood at first, but soon knelt, anointed His feet with the ointment, and with her tears, wiping them with her loose, long hair. Not daring to anoint His head, as was usual, she only made bold to honor the feet of the Lord. God is still the merciful Creditor of all men. They who feel themselves much indebted to Him, are filled with a larger measure of love towards Him. Think of St. Paul's words, 1 Tim. i. 12-17. The great salvation was not accorded to this woman, because she had gone so much farther from home than Simon had; but because of her repentance and faith in Jesus, which 'she so markedly proved by her acts of love. Some think that this very Simon was the leper spoken of in Matthew xxvi. 6, and other places. If he be the same character, then he must have felt the self-reproach still more, as against the woman. difference between the two, was, that whilst the leprosy of one was in the body, it was in the moral nature of the other. Yet both were unclean in the sight of God. The It is also thought that Mary, the sister of Lazarus, was this woman. But the best opinions are against that supposition. Let these truths be taken home:1. The evil of self-righteousness. 2. The blessing attending Repentance and Faith. 3. The Bountiful Forgiveness in Jesus Christ. MARCH 20. LESSON XII. 1881 Third Sunday in Lent. Luke ix. 18-26. THE SUBJECT.-THE CHRIST OF GOD. KEY-NOTE.-" BUT IF I WITH THE FINGER OF GOD CAST OUT DEVILS, NO DOUBT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME UPON YOU." -Luke xi. 20. 18. And it came to passs, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Who say the people that I am? 19. They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, That one of the old prophets is risen again. 20. He said unto them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answering, said, The Christ of God. 21. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing. 22. Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. 23. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God. QUESTIONS. Where was Jesus now? Matt. xvi. 13. In what several characters did we learn to know Jesus, taus far, from St. Luke? In what character is it necessary for all who would be saved to know Him? What is the subject of this Lesson? VERSE 18. What was Jesus engaged in here? Who were in His company? Could you remember the names of any of them? What question did He ask them? Why? 19. In what various characters had the people held Him? Was this sufficient knowledge of Him? 20. Whose opinion would He now have of Himself? Who answered? How did he reply? What more does Matthew add? Chap. xvi. 16-19. How could Peter give this answer? Was the Lord pleased to be known as the Messiah by these poor fishermen ? 21. What is meant by charged them? What does He command them not to do? Why? 22. What part of His history did He now reveal to them? Who were to reject and slay Him? What would follow His death? 23. What general rule does He then lay down for His followers? What is self-denial? What is taking up one's cross? What does follow mean? 24. What life will you save by rejecting Christ's law? Which will you lose? 25. Is it then a gain to reject Christ's way? Why not? How is it a gain to accept it? 26. What is it to be ashamed of Christ? When will Christ be ashamed of such? When is that time, do you think? 27. What did He promise to some of those who were then before Him? How was this made good? Whom have we now learned Christ to be? What was necessary for Him to experience ere He could reign as the Messiah? Chap. xxiv. 26. If the Master opened this way to life, can His followers attain to it by any other? Matt. x. 24-25. 1. Jesus invites His saints To meet around His board; Here pardon'd rebels sit and hold Communion with their Lord. 2. For food He gives His flesh; He bids us drink His blood: Amazing favor, matchless grace Of our descending God! 3. This holy bread and wine Maintain our fainting breath, By union with our living Lord And int'rest in His death. 4. Our heavenly Father calls 5. We are but sev'ral parts Of the same broken bread; One body with its sev'ral limbs, But Jesus is the head. 6. Let all our pow'rs be joined REMARKS. Jesus had not as yet asked the Twelve any question respecting Himself. It was necessary, now that the end of His life was approaching, that they should know Him in His true character. He must reveal Himself as The Messiah. How He became recognized as the Messiah-King, we must learn. these were the leaders of the Jewish Church. But He forgets not to add that He shall be raised the third day. VERSE 23. After telling them of His own sufferings, He adds again, that all His followers must go over the way of the cross. If any will come after me, or be my disciple, he must likewise pass through the same humiliation and sorVERSE 18. He was alone praying. row. He must deny himself; surrender His whole life was an unbroken commu- ease-pleasure-life; sacrifice all that nion with His Father; but there were stands between Me and him—no matter moments in which He drew directly what that be. Take up his cross-asunto God. His disciples were with Him, sume willingly to bear the sufferings or near, whilst He was engaged in soli- and self-denials which will not fail to tary prayer. Then He asked them, in fall home to him, for my sake. And order to have an opportunity afforded follow me, refers to the obedience which for a full revelation of Himself-- Whom such perfect loyalty will show towards say the people that I am? Thus the topic His laws and commandments. was introduced. VERSE 24. For whosoever But whoso ever will surrender all of this life, that stands in the way of the next and highest life, for my sake, or in deference to my law, the same shall save it, or obtain everlasting life. as if He VERSE 19. John the Baptist. So would make the rule still more univerthought Herod Antipas, and with spe- sal-will save his life, or think of miniscial reason, since he had so cruelly mur- tering to the aid and comfort of his dered him. Elias, said others, who like earthly life, by not complying with the Enoch, had never died, and had now law of self-denial, as now declared by returned as Malachi had predicted. me,-shall lose eternal life. One of the Old Prophets, sent back of God, to prepare the way for the Christ. VERSE 20.-But whom say ye? Now He would have a confession from the lips of the Twelve. Immediately Peter, who seems always to have been the speaker for the company, gave the answer: The Christ of God Thus was Jesus revealed as the Anointed Saviour to a small circle of Galilean fishermen. To know how well pleased the Lord was with Peter's reply, we must read Matth. xvi. 16-19. The Spirit of God alone could have enlightened Peter to recognize the Messiah in one so lowly and poor. VERSE 25. Hard though it may appear, He would show His disciples, now,. that it is a safe way, after all. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, by denying me and my law of life, if he will at last lose himself or be cast away? What temporary gain will repay him for eternal death? VERSE 26. "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, or prefer the glare of this world to the Truth and Righteousness VERSE 21. He strictly charged them of my Kingdom, of him shall I be not to make known the fact as yet. It ashamed, or consider him unworthy of was time for the Twelve to know it now; the New Kingdom, where I shall come but the multitude could not appreciate in my glory-in my Father's-and in it; and the Priestly-party would only rave the more and hinder Him in His contemplated course. He was to be preached to all as the Crucified and Risen Saviour, indeed; but that could not be till the end had come. VERSE 22. The Son of Man must suffer many things. Here and now He tells them plainly of His violent and cruel death, through which He had first to pass, ere He could enter into His glory. The Elders-Chief Priests-Scribes that of the holy angels, in which majesty I shall appear sooner or later, even though I am now a man in form, like unto yourselves." VERSE 27. He now tells them, that even some of them shall not die, before they will see some glimpses of the glory of God's Kingdom. We have learned that Jesus is more than a Teacher or Prophet; more than a Messiah-King over Judea-yea, the Anointed Saviour of Mankind. He |