April, 1936
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
136
INTERNATIONAL LESSON Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Children’s Division Golden Text Illustration Object Lesson B y B. B. S utcliffe B y B essie B. B urch B y H elen G ailey B y A lan S. P earce B y E lmer L. W ilder Points and Problems B y A lva J. M c C lain , Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio
5:4 ), and stands (2 Cor. 1:24). Our Lord speaks of “ faith as a grain of mustard seed.” It is not so much the seed itself that is in view, as the life that is in the seed. The teaching is that it is not so much our faith, but the object of faith, which has the power for forgiveness.. II. T he H umility T aught (7-10). Having shown the need for a forgiving spirit in the disciples, our Lord proceeded to teach the necessity for humility among them. Humility comes when one’s position in relation to the Lord is recognized (v. 7). Although in another passage the Lord Jesus Christ declares that His people are not servants, but are elevated to the high position o f friends, the truth remains that they are never to assume the place o f master. With the recognition of servitude that is due the Lord, there will come the acknowledgment o f the right of the Mas ter to claim the service. In other words, it is the disciple’s duty to serve, and when the work is completed, there should be no expectation o f praise. Even When the service has been performed to the best of the disciple’s ability, there are still flaws. Only One, the Master-Servant o f Jehovah, ever rendered faultless service. The very exhortation concerning offenses and forgiveness brings the imperfections o f the servant into clear light. Humility, consequently, should be the outstanding mark of all saints. Alas that it should be so frequently absent! III. T he G ratitude T aught (11-19). Journeying to Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus performed a miracle that brought healing to ten poor sufferers, and showed the heart response o f each one. The appeal to Jesus for aid (vs. 11-13) came from helpless and therefore hopeless ones. They were lepers. Their affliction is typical of sin—deep- seated, loathsome, and incurable. “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (v. 13). If there were in human hearts more recog nition of the character of that soul disease of sin, there would be a greater appeal for mercy (cf. Lk. 18:13). The means o f their healing was three fold (v. 14). They recognized the Lord’s authority, they believed in His ability, and they obeyed His word. A s they went they were healed. Obeying His word, the lepers were restored freely, fully, and immediately. Prompt obedience to the Lord’s word always brings manifestations of the Lord’s power and grace. Gratitude for the healing was expressed by only one of the ten (vs. 15-19). This one saw that he was healed; he knew that something wonderful had happened — something that only God could accomplish. Therefore he recognized that God was present in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he turned back and worshiped (vs. 15, 16). If our Lord was touched by the lack of gratitude on the part o f the nine lepers who did not give thanks, how greatly He
MAY 3, 1936 JESUS TEACHES FORGIVENESS, HUMILITY, AND GRATITUDE L uke , C hapter 17
the issues o f life spring from the heart, it is imperative that the heart be kept constantly in the love of God, because “love worketh no ill to his neighbor” (cf. Rom. 13:10). The basis of forgiveness is to be an intelligent understanding of the case: “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him” (v. 3). To “rebuke” means to “admonish.” In the administration of correction, disciples are told to “take heed to yourselves.” That is, the offender is to be dealt with as a brother who has slipped into the habit of offending. The one who deals with him must enter upon the task in humility, considering the fact that every one is liable to the same evil (cf.. Gal. 6:1 ). Forgive ness is to be continuous. “If he [the offender] trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (v. 4). Forgiveness is to be given freely again and again, because in the matter o f the granting of pardon, the disciple is to seek to be like his Lord (cf. Eph. 4:32). The power for forgiveness is found in faith (vs. 5,6). Faith is the vital source of power in the believer’s life in every sphere. By faith he lives (Rom. 1 :17), walks (2 Cor. 5:7), overcomes (1 John
Lesson T ext: Lk. 17:1-19. Golden T ext: “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one an other, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32)-, i; Outline and Exposition I. T he F orgiveness T aught (1-6). T h e need for forgiveness rises in the certainty that offenses will come to all disciples (vs. 1, 2). The Lord’s followers always will be subject to offense because they are in the world which is and ever will be contrary to God’s high purpose for His saved ones. The disciples themselves will need to exercise care lest they, as well as others, shall offend. The word “offend,” as it is used here, does not mean “ displease.” Jesus Himself did not always please the people. It means, rather, “to awaken doubt,” or “to shake the confidence of,” or “to entrap.” As all [These lessons are developed from outlines prepared by the Committee on Improved Uniform Lessons o f the Inter national Council. The outlines are copy righted, 1934, by the International Council o f Religious Education and used by per mission .—E ditor .]
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Herbert Q* Tov^f
Mrs. J. F. Moser Unison
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To the beautiful lines of Mrs. Moser, Herbert G. Tovey, Director of the Music Course at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, has written a melody that will echo joyfully in the heart of the believer who begins the day with God.
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