The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-05-15
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
BY REV. F. Il. uARGREAvEs.
Nay TO-

Lesson I. Nay 10.
THE NoBLEMAN's son.
John iv, 43-5I. Golden Text, John iv,
so. Time, January, A. d. %. Place,
Cana, in Galilce, and Caperuaum, a city
on the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
Leaving the hospitable Sychnr' Jesus
Travelled northwards to Galilce. llisway
led Him pust the rcmodelcd city of
Sumaria, then called Sebastc, glittcring
with its magnificent temple and public
buildings, its triumphul arches and
theatres and baths. 1t was then in its
glory and was splendid monument Of
Roman ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and power.
Passing through the Samaritan country
He came into Galilee, and avoiding His
old Nazarrnc homo, He went to Cana,
the place where lie performed His first
miracle. This was on His first return
from jordan, aud now His second return
IL about to he marked in a similar manner.
Nine or ten months had passed away
sin c then, and He had become we'll
known and honored in the land, and His
reputation as Il Healer had been heralded
far and wide. At certain seasons of the
year dwelcrs on the shores of Galilec
were more or less subject to fevers, owing
to the heat and the marShy nature of the
strict a rich man of Capcrnaum had
Il son who was thus taken sick about this
time. Human skill avuiled nanght in
his favor, and the anxious and loving
purent turned his eyes anXiously towards
Him who was said to be the great Healer.
He hurried to Cana, some twenty or
twenty-five miles distant, and ut on'e
sought an interview with Jesus. The
disciples had gone to their several homes,
and the Savior was staying, probably,
with friend. Quiotly enjoying that
social and domestic lie which was always
Il pleasure To Him, lie is informed that II
distinguished stranger wished to see Him.
Christ not only blessed and sanctlied the
social and domestic relations of life, but
He Invariably showed courtesy to those
with whom lie came in contact. lie
received the stranger and heard his re-
quest. There stood the man, his whole
nature stirred to its inmost depths with
| the fear that his son might die. There
he stood, earnestly hoping that Jesus
| might save the BOYS life. The Master
saw at once that he only regarded Him
as a healer of physical pain and disease,
and so He askes him, substantially, why
he came to Him for physical healing, and
how it was that he had no sense OF need
of spiritual healing. The man repeated
his request, and then the Master quietly
told him, go thy way; thy son livcth.'
! The divine message entered his soul and
he believed, and started on the home
ward journey Of twenty miles or more.
That night he rested on his way, the path
being somewhat dangerous, and next
morning us he started out again he met
some of his servants who had come TO
meet him and to tell him there was no
need to bring the great Healer anyfurther
for his son was better. And when he
asked them at what hour his son began
TO improve, he found that it was the same
hour that Jesus hnd said, "Thy son
lveth' He went home believing on the
Son of God, whom he now recognized as
the Messiah, and not only himself but
his whole house believed on Jesus.
So to human hearts and human lives
the Christ is always bringing happines,
and peace and joy.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
/. In all afairs of life ask help o
Jesus.
>. Have faith in Christ; lie is able tC
deliver you.
g. God is everywhere, and His power is
over all His creatures.
4. Christ can heal the sin-siek soul.