Luke 15:1-2 Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.… The masses were drawn to Christ's teachings. I. THE REASONS FOR THIS ADMIRATION. 1. All lack of affectation — no parade of greatness, no false assumption of humility. His manner was what beauty is to the landscape, what the sublime, majestic repose of the ocean is to the ocean's greatness. His manner ever reflected the moral grandeur of His being. 2. The originality of His methods. 3. The grandeur and claims of His doctrines. 4. The authority with which He spoke. 5. The adaptation of style and matter to the people. 6. His profound earnestness. 7. His scathing denunciation of the hypocrisy of the ruling sects. II. THE EFFORTS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES TO UNDO THIS INFLUENCE. Not because they loved men, but because of caste, of pride, and cold-hearted selfishness. III. CHRIST'S MANNER OF MEETING THIS OPPOSITION. He takes every opportunity to overcome their prejudice, and enlighten their minds, seeking to impress upon them the superior glories of the new disport. sation. (W. E. McKay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.WEB: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. |
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