The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-07-02
INTRODUCTORY.


INTRODUCTORY.
Our Lord is on his way to the holy city
his last journey thitherward. He seems
COW to be passing through Perea. and the
twofold reference, at the opening of this
chapter, VS.. and 4, il significant of the
mixed character of his audience, il being
part Galilean and part Judean. Here in
this assembly he gives q needed less on
on the proper uses of the Sabbath. 1t is
time when We also need instruction in
this important regard. Right views OF
the uses of the Lords Day will do more
than anything else to prevent its abuses.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Teaching. The language implies Gus
tomary action. One of the synagogues.
There was n multitude of these places Of
public convocation.-On the sabbath.
Literally the Sabbaths, i. O., from Sab
bath to Sabbath. 1t vas his habit TO be
in such places on the holy day.
Behold. A noteworthy circumstance
connected with the gathering. a
spirit of infirmity. Looked upon as a
demoniacal possession. - Eighteen
years. Which would mean about half as
many hundred Sabbaths of bodily weak
ness.-Bowed together. And yet there
she was at church.-In no wise lift up
herself. But she could hear; that is why
We go to the sanctuary.
Saw her. His eye and ear ever open to
need.-Called her. A personal appeal
other in the midst of or al the end of his
general address. - Woman, thou art
loosed. The graphic order of the Greek
Is, Woman, released from thy weakness
art thoul
Laid his hands on her. The consider
ateness of Jesus. We need not say, as
our English version gratultously puts it,
that he even bad the poor, bent creature
to come to him. He seems to have gone
to her himself after his personal word.
Made straight 1t is interesting 10
note that ii is this same word that is
used of the rebuilded temple at Acts 10:
10. Il will set it up" (ana-orthus;
straight again.
Ruler of the synagogue. Who proba-
bly, had invited or permitted Jesus simply
TO teach.-Answered with indignation.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
And he was teaching in one of the syn
agogues on the Sabbath. Here read we
one of the legitimate uses of the sacred
day. Our Lord gave his personal sane
ton and suffrage to Sabbath-day teach
ing. When we are met on the Lord Day
in the Lords house 1t should be a source
of reassuring comfort to us that we are
may We not say that wherever there is
true worship to-day our Master IS still
teaching in the synagogue on the Sab
bath? Where two or three are gathered
IN my name there am in the midst
When Jesus saw her he called her to
him. 1t was something IF an intsrrrp-
tion TO the orderly service. God grant
us more such Interruptions in his name!
II the minister could only stop once in a
while right In the midst of his elaborate
discussion-the preacher giving pause for
a bit of practical Or was it folio wing
the teaching? Perhaps we shall only
find here the application of a discourse,
personal and pertinent application in
deed. 1t would rejoice many pastors
heart if only he could finish up his SER
mon with some practical deeds of soul
saving. And, in fact, is this not our
Lords own precedent for the after meet
ing? The sermon preached, the lesson
taught, we come down from the pulpit or
the teachers desk to a hand-to- hand and
heart-to- heart encounter. Why not more
of it?
Jesus had healed on the Sabbath This
is another legitimate use of Gods day.
A moment ago we saw Christ teaching on
the Sabbath, now we see him as freely
putting out hands to heal. Teaching erd
helping, so goes the church of Christ Der
Sabbath journeys through this life. That
little company plodding along under hot
or snowy skies TO the missing station,
that floral committee carrying basket of
flowers up the crazy stairs to the sick
room, that colporteur on the wharyes,
that young man with the invitation cards
in the hotel or on the street corner-all
are doing good Sabbath day work for the
/ in ha uh Ol Of
we realize it TODAY it is doubtful whether
otherwise the teaching would be of any
avail. There must be the helping hand
as well as the teaching tongue.
Loosed from this bond on the Sabbath
day. And to how many of Us the day of
rest has been the blessed dating point of
the new life The writer we'll recalls for
himself that sweet Sabbath when the
chains were loosed and the burden rolled
away.
happy day that fixed my choice
On 1nee, my Savior and my God
In the providence of God this day,
the best of all the seven" has been and
will continue to be red-letler day of
salvation to thousands and thousands.
What better use to which TO put the
Lords day! How better can We keep it
than by soul-savingl Finished was our
Creators work on that day when he
rested and called il good. Finished, in
a larger, deeper sense, our Redeemer's
work in the souls meek surrender, and
now may he see of the travail of his own
soul and be satisfied. May the Sabbath
day in church and school see many bonds
of Satan loosed.
All his adversaries were ashamed and
all the people reioiced. Shame versus
Joy. Adversaries ashamed-people re-
joiced. Well, be it so. We shall go on
speaking the truth of Christ and living,
80 far as we may, the life of Christ.
Doubtless, still there shall be men cha
erined and disturbed and grievously
Fexed. But the people will rejoice. Then
we're the disciples glad when they saw
their Lord. The soldiers at the tomb's
mouth were in other mood. But here il
was hrist's words that put TO shame; il
was Christs deeds that brought JOY and
gladness. May we have such mighty
work of God to follow up the lesson CT
to-day, that across all the land in the
homes of all the people there may be
heard the song of rejolcing
Next week-"The Great Supper" Luke