verses we are now looking at, and be afraid no more. There is nothing on God's part to justify his fears. An open door is set before him. A free pardon awaits him. " If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to for- give our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'' (1 John i. 8.)
Let the man who is ashamed to repent, consider these verses, and cast shame aside. What though the world mocks and jests at his repentance P While man is mocking angels are rejoicing. The very change which sinners caU foolishness, is a change which fiUs heaven with joy.
Have we repented ourselves ? This, after all, is the principal question which concerns us. What shall it profit us to know Christ's love, if we do not use it ? " If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (John xiii. 17.)
Notes. Lukb XV. 1—10.
1. — [Then dreio near. 1 The Greek words so translated do not literally mean a particular act at a particular time. They would he more closely rendered, " And there were drawing near." Alford ren- ders them, "were husied in drawing near,* — "were continually ahout Him." The beginning of this chapter, be it observed, is an unbroken continuation of the last.
Let us mark the accessibleness and affability of our Lord's demeanour in this expression. He was one of whom people were not afraid. Such a demeanour is a great gift.
[AU the publicans and sinners."] By the expression " all " we are evidently meant to understand " all " in that particular neighbourhood where our Lord at present was.
Let it be noted that no Gospel writer gives so many instances of our Lord's mercy to sinners as St. Ijuke. It is supposed, with much reason, that this was intended for the encouragement of Gentile converts, for whom his Gospel was specially written. Observe, beside this chapter, Luke xviii. 10 ; xxiii. 34, 43. These passages are all peculiar to St. Luke.
2. — [Murmured.] The Greek word here is only used in one other