The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 36

wherewith shall it be eeosoned ?" That is an impossibility. Salt that bas lost its virtue is useless for all ordinary purposes, and is "cast out." It is not absolutely impos- sible for the soul that has lost its Christian spirit and character to regain its worth but it is very difficult and it is very rare. The recovery of lost feeling is a spiritual ma~el. I. It is so improbable that no man who loves his soul will expose himself to the peril • if he does, he most seriously endangers hie 11piritual life, he most gravely imperils hi; eternal future. 2. It is not so impossible that any unfaithful soul need despair. True penitence and genuine faith will bring back the wanderer from the fold to the shelter of the good Shepherd's love.-C. Vers. 1-24.-Table-tallc of Jesus. We have now brought before us an interesting conversation which Jesus had with certain guests at an entertainment in the house of "one of the chief Pharisees." It was a sabbath-day feast, indicating that sociality wae not incompatible even with Jewish sabbath-keeping. Into the guest-chamber bad come a poor man afflicted with the dropsy, and, to the compassionate eye of our Lord, he afforded an opportunity for a miracle of mercy. But, before performing it, he tests their ideas about sabbath-observance. They were sufficiently merciful to approve of sociality among themselves, but the healing of neighbour11 was another matter. They could even be merciful to cattle if they were their own ; but to be merciful to a brother- man would have shown too much breadth of sympathy. The sick man might wait till Monday, but an ass or an ox might die if not delivered out of its difficulty, which would be so much personal loss. In spite of their narrow-mindedness, our Lord took the poor man and healed him, and then proceeded to give the guests very wholesome advice. I. LET us LOOK AT THE PA.BABLE ABOUT THE WEDDING. (Vers. 7-11.) To the Lord's eye the feast became the symbol of what is spiritual. The wedding of the parable is the consummation of the union between God and his people. The invita- tion is what is given in the gospel. Hence the advice is not instructive as to the prudential temper, but as to our spirit in coming before God. Shall it be the spirit which claims as right the highest room, or that which accepts as more than we deserve the lowest room? In other words, shall we come before God in a spirit of self- righteousness or in a spirit of self-abasement'/ Now, our Lord points out, from the collisions of social life, the absolute certainty of the self-important and self-righteous being abased among men: how much more in the righteous administration of God! The self-righteous under his administration shall be abased, how deeply and terribly we cannot conceive. On the other hand, those who have learned to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God shall be exalted in due season, and have glory in the presence of t.he celestial guests I Jesus thus attacked the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, not as a social, but as a spiritual question. God would at last cast it away from his presence and society with loathing and contempt.1 On the other hand, self- abasement is the sure sign of grace and the sure earnest of glory. He who takes with gratitude the lowest room in God's house is certain of speedy promotion ! II. OUR HOSPITALITY SHOULD BE DIVINE IN ITS SPIRIT A.ND CHARACTER. (Vers. 12-14.) Having improved the conduct of the guests, and shown its spiritual bearings, he next turns to the host, and gives him an idea of what hospitality should be. It should not be speculative, but disinterested-something, in fact, which can only be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. In no clearer way could our Lord indicate that hospitality should be exercised in the light of eternity; and the bearing of it upon spiritual interests should constantly be regarded. And here we surely should learn: I. How important it is to be social. God is social. His Trinity guarantees the sociality of his nature. We are to be God-like in our sociality. 2. It may be most helpful to lonely spirits upon earth. Many a lonely heart may be saved for better things by a timely socio.I attention. 3. There is great blessing in giving atten, tion to people who cannot return it. It is a great field of delight that those with large hearts may have. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." We are following 1 Suggestive discourses on this passage may be found in Gerok'e • Pilgerbrod,' s. 669: Gerok's • Aus Ernster Zeit,' s. 574: Hofacher's • Predigten,' s. 670; Beck's ' Christliohe Reden,' i, s. 290.  38 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [oH. xvr.1-35.