The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-15
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS.
BY REV, =. B. HARGREAvEs.
THE NoBLEMAN's son.
AlAY16.


THE NOBLEMAN's son.
John iv, 1854. Golden Text. John
iy, 90. Time, January, a. d. Is.
Place, Cana, i'll Galilee, and Caper-
naum, city on the shores of the Sea
of GaIilee.
Leaving the hospitable Sychar,
Jesus Travelled northwards TO Galilee.
His way led him past the remodeled
city of Samaria, then called Sebaste,
glittering with its magnificent temple
and public buildings. its triunlphal
arches and theatres and baths. 1t
was then in its glory and was splen-
did monument Of Roman aggrandize-
ment and power Passing through
the Samaritan country He came into
Gaiiiee, and avoiding His old Nazer-
enc home, lie went to Cana, the place
where lie performed His first mirac e.
This was on His first return from
Jordan, and now His second return
is about to be marked in a similar
manner. Nine or ten months had
passed away since then, and He had
become weil-known and honored in
the land, and His reputation as a
Healer had been heralded far and
wide. At certain seasons of the year
dwellers on the shores of Galilee were
more or less subject to fevers, owing
to the heat and the marshy nature of
the district. \ rich man of Caper-
naura had a son who was thus taken
sick about this time. Human skill!
availed naught in his favour, and the
anxious and loving parent turned his
eyes anxiously towards Him who was
said to be great Healer. He hurri-
ed to Cana, some twenty or twenty
five miles distant md at once sought
an interview with Jesus. The descip-
les had gone TO their several homes
and the savior WAS staying, probably
with a friend. Quietly enjoying that
social and domestic life which was al
ways pleasure to Him, He is inform
ed that a distinguished stranger wished
to see Him Christ not only blessed
and sanctifed the social and domestic
relations of life, but lie invariably
showed courtesy to those with whom
He came i'll contact. He received
the stranger and heard his request
There stood the man, his whole nat
ure stirred to It's inmost depths with
the fear that his son might die. There
he stood, earnestly hoping that Jesus
might sage the boys life The Master
saw at once that he only regarded
Him as healer Of physical pain and
disease, aud so He asked him, sub
stantially, why he came to him for
physical healing, and how it was that
he had 10 sense of need Of spiritual
healing. The man repeated his re-
quest, and then the master quietly
told him, $50 thy way; thy son liv-
eth" The divine message entered
his soul and he believed, and started
on the homeward journey of twenty
miles or more. That night he rested
on his way, the path being somewhat
dangerous, and the next morning as
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 any further,
for his son was better. And when he
asked them at what hour bis son be-
gan to improve, he found that it was
the same hour that Jesus had said,
Thy son liveth." 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.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
So to human hearts and human
lives the Christ is always bringing
happiness and peace and joy.
l. In all affairs Of life ask help Of
Jesus
2. Have faith in Christ; lie is able
to deliver you.
3. God is everywhere, and His
power is over all His creatures.
4. Christ can heal the sin-sick soul