Lesson 7 for February 15, 2014

This week we are studying how Jesus treated the bottom-dwellers in His time. Well learn how to treat the bottom-dwellers today.

The bottom-dwellers respond to the Gospel. The prostitutes. The mentally ill. The immoral: The Samaritan woman. The tax collectors and sinners.

Jesus said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him
(Matthew 21:31-32)

Why did the bottom-dwellers respond to the Gospel call better than the Scribes and Pharisees did?
The Scribes and Pharisees considered themselves to be worthy of being sons of God. They didnt feel the need for repentance.

Nevertheless, the bottom-dwellers considered themselves unworthy. When they heard the loving call, they admitted their sin and repented.

God has made every provision, in order that the lost one may become his child. The frailest human being may be elevated, ennobled, refined, and sanctified by the grace of God. This is the reason God values men; and those who are workers together with God, who are filled with divine compassion, will see and estimate men in the same way that God sees and estimates them. Whatever may be the nationality or color, whatever may be the social condition, the missionary for God will look upon all men as the purchase of the blood of Christ, and will understand that there is no caste with God
E.G.W. (The Review and Herald, December 3, 1895)

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little (Luke 7:47)

In Jesus time, a prostitute was a sinner by definition. When Jesus had to face that and was asked to pronounce sentence, He did three things (John 8:1-11): 1. He kept silent while He was writing the sins of the accusers on the ground (DA, pg. 461) 2. He encouraged the accusers to search themselves and then execute the sentence if they were blameless. 3. Instead of condemning the sinner woman, Jesus offered her forgiveness.
This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to the service of God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she repaid His forgiving mercy

E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 50, pg. 462)

Mental illness may be caused by different reasons. For example, demonic possession, drug abuse, metabolic disorders Those people must not be ignored, no matter the cause of their illness. Actually, they are the most needed, since they cannot ask for help by themselves. For example, the demon-possessed of Gadarenes (Mark 5:1-20): when their lips were opened to entreat His mercy, the demons spoke through them (E.G.W., DA, pg. 337) We are instruments in Gods hands to help those who cannot help themselves. We must show them Gods love.

Which social norms did Jesus break? Why?

The hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor (E.G.W. DA, cp. 19, pg. 183)

How did Jesus make the woman face her sinful life? Before this soul could receive the gift He longed to bestow, she must be brought to recognize her sin and her Saviour The listener trembled. A mysterious hand was turning the pages of her life history, bringing to view that which she had hoped to keep forever hidden (Id. pg. 187)

Which were the prejudices Jesus had to fight against? A Jew would not borrow from a Samaritan, nor receive a kindness, not even a morsel of bread or a cup of water. The disciples, in buying food, were acting in harmony with the custom of their nation. But beyond this they did not go. To ask a favor of the Samaritans, or in any way seek to benefit them, did not enter into the thought of even Christs disciples (Id. pg. 183)

Blessed woman of Samaria! She had felt during the conference as if in the presence of divinity; now she gladly acknowledged her Lord She was eager for instruction, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and ready to accept the Saviour when he was revealed. Jesus, who explained not his character to the proud and skeptical Pharisees and rulers, declared himself to this humble person who was ready to believe on him
E.G.W. (Pamphlet Redemption: or the Teachings of Christ, the Anointed One, pg. 28 -29)

But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Matthew 9:13)

The Publicans collected the taxes Rome imposed to the Jews. They usually requested higher amounts and kept the excess for themselves. But Jesus was kind, courteous and friendly to them. Matthew was called while he was working (Mt. 9:9). He left everything behind and followed Jesus. Soon after that, he invited some old workmates and shared Jesus with them. Jesus calls the sinners, and He also uses them to reach those who are in the same place they once were.

Every soul is the object of the loving interest of Him who gave His life that He might bring men back to God. This earnest, persevering interest expressed by our heavenly Father teaches us that the helpless and outcast are not to be passed by indifferently. They are the Lords by creation and by redemption. If we were left to ourselves to judge, we would regard many who are degraded as hopeless. But the Lord sees the value of the silver in them. Though they do not look for help, He regards them as precious. The one who sees beneath the surface knows how to deal with human minds. He knows how to bring men to repentance. He knows that if they see themselves as sinners, they will repent and be converted to the truth. This is the work we are to engage in

E.G.W. (Welfare Ministry, cp. 31, pg. 246)