Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE

AND.SHE WAS A SINNER. Luke vii, 36-50—June 23. “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."—l Timothy i, IS. CHE GOSPEL OF CHRIST is the Message of Divine compassion toward sinners. All religions recognize sin and propose reconciliation with God—by works of charity, by voluntary self-torture, or by future torments. None of the heathen gods have any touch of sympathy for humanity: The Bible alone tells of a God touched with the feeling of human infirmities; “God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinuers Christ died for the ungodly.”—Romans v. 8. Divine grace has been still further manifested in the invitation to a "little flock,” to be justified by faith and

sanctified by the High Priest's offering of them, and thus to become New Creatures, joint-heirs with Jesus in His Kingdom. Still the Scriptures tell of God's pursuing Love and Mercy. He is unwilling that any should perish, but wills that all shall

have an opportunity to turn to Him. It is for this purpose that Messiah’s Kingdom will be established with full power. In due time it will bring the salvation for which the poor, groaning creation has so long waited. It will come with the manifestation of the Sons of God.—Romans viii, 19.

A Woman Who Was a Sinner. Who cau read the Gospel narratives without realizing that Jesus was a "Friend of sinners,” as was charged by the Pharisees? And is not this the feature of the Bible which specially commends it? With the exception of wilful sinners, whom we must hope are few, there comes a time when sin is seen in its true color and is detested. Then is the time when the Gospel Message from the Friend of sinners specially appeals. All seem to know instinctively that Jesus stands ready to be the Helper of all who come to the Father through Him. / Jesus had accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house. The dinner had begun. After the custom, they reclined upon low tables or couches. While the dinner was progressing, a woman “who was a sinner,” a harlot, deeply penitent, entered. She had in her hand some precious perfume, with which she Intended to anoint the Savior’s feet. Her heart was full, and tears gushed from her eyes upon His feet; she was dishonoring the very feet she intended to honor. Loosening her hair, the woman used It as a towel, regardless of the fact that It was considered dishonorable to let down her hair in public; she dried the feet and poured the precious perfume as an honor to the One from whom she had heard “wonderful words of life..”

Two Debtors and Their Love. The host of the occasion watched Jesus to see how He would receive this devotion, saying in his heart, If this

Man were a prophet, He would know that the woman is disreputable. H e would bid her not to touch Him. Jesus knew his thoughts and answered, “A certain creditor had two debtors, one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. Neither could pay and he forgave

them both. Which of them will love him most?” The Pharisee replied, “I suppose he to whom most was forgiven.” Jesus agreed with him. Then Jesus made application of the matter; turning to the woman. He said to His host. Seest thou this woman, who washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair? You are the host of the occasion, yet you did not offer Me water for the washing of My feet, as is customary in our land to do to those whom we desire to honor. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has repeatedly kissed My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she hath anointed My feet. Therefore, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but to whom little Is forgiven, the same loveth little.” And He said to the woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.” Is not this to some extent an illustration and an explanation of the fact that the majority of those who love the Lord most are such as realize their own sinful and fallen condition most and appreciate most the forgiving love of God manifested In Jesus? Is it not true today also that those who are most moral have correspondingly less love? Hfhis should not be the ease, however. The less degraded ought naturally to be the more able to love and to appreciate Divine goodness and love and the more willing to present their little all In Divine service. Those present inquired. Who is this that even forgives sins? The only satisfactory answer Is that He is the Redeemer of the world. He was then In process of rendering np His sacrifice according to His covenant; He had authority, therefore, to tell the woman that her sins were forgiven.

"This woman hath anointed My feet."

“He frankly forgare them both.”