The National tribune., 1891-07-30

pointed for Aug. o, 1891. St John. II
80.
Zone reading these notes should irss carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures a.
Indicated above
SUBJECT; CHRIsT's DEFENSE OF Hrs DEITY
SHIP.
!. Data
We have only one report II Is by st. John,
and is very full. He probably saw the miracle
at Bethesda and heard Christ's words which
we now study. The words, while spoken. were
not recorded. They were uttered eNempOra-
neously. No stenographer was present. St.
John could not have remembered them ex-
actly. We think, however. they are the very
words Christ used. st. John wrote them ont
at least so years after they were spoken. We
see cali for the aid Of the Holy spirit 10 enable
the author TO repeat so fully and precisely such
long address. u Pet, 1 21.) We are pleased
st. John wrote Gospel. Had he not. we would
have had no account Of the wonderful cure at
the five porches, nor Of Christ's defense when
arrested and charged with blasphemy.
.. The Occasion.
Jesus went TO Jerusalem to attend the Pass
over feast At pool near the city he met with
a man who had been sick for 80 years. He had
compassion and cured him. The deed was done
on the Jewish Sabbath Jour Saturday,. The
enemies Of Christ made great capital Of this
miracle. They charged Jesus with violating
the Mosaic law by curing a sick man on the
Sabbath. They treated Christ's merciful deed
a. a capital otfense. and were anxious to put to
death one so guilty. They not only accused
Jesus Of breaking the Sabbath, but also Of BIAS
phemy in that he spoke familiarity Of his
associations with the Father, practically max
ing himself Deity. Prejudice enables men to
see even imaginary errors. IL helps one so
much in evil that he can see heresy where
none exists, and blasphemy where is only
greatest reverence for God. There was an
apparent innOccncy in their charges. The ac-
cuseTs seemed to be so very devout as not to be
able to tolerate any compromise OF Gods glory.
Had Jesu. indeed been guilty, as they claimed.
there woIli have been much excuse for their
rage. The truly devout ought TO be indignant
when the Sabbath (or our Sunday is disre-
garded, and when Gods honor is at stake. But
men should not frOth IN anger when the degree
Of certainty rs 20 any wrong is not clearer than
mere suspicion. And it is unfortunate when
men get beside themselves in opposing what is
Objectionable TO Them simply because they have
not sufficiently informed themselves as to the
real facts in the case.
3. Time.
We date Saturday, April 10, A. d. q. Jesus
was In the sd year Of life and the second OF
his ministry. We study an event which car
Ties rs buck ,S6i years. Saturday with Jews
is what Sunday is with us-a day Of rest for
worship. We may easily suppose the lesson
located in the afternoon. The cure at Bethes-
da probably occurred in the morning Then
followed the opposition Of the Jews, the re-
ordinations OF Jesus and his opponents, his
arrest, aud trial. IL Is possible day inter
vened between the miracle and the arrest.
4. Place
We have much reason to hold that the re-
sisiance 10 Christ took formal shape, leading
perhaps to his arrest and presentation 10 the
SauhedTim, on the charges Of violating the
Sabbath and pretending to be God. The San
hedrim met in q building joining the Temple
in jerusalem. Eminent scholars hold Jesus
was arrested and put ON trial So says Rev. A.
Strong ID. d., Of Rochester, n. Y. DIR. Whe-
don, in his Commentary. gives support to this
view. III Christ escaped arrest we may sup
pose his discussion with the Jews took place
on the roadside near Bethesda and toward Je
TUsRlem.
5. CsrisFs Defense.
The argument extends from verse II inelu
sive 10 the end Of the chapter, except verss
IS Verse IS in connection with verse IS set
forth The accusations made against Jesus
Verses II 10 % inclusive declare Christ's &C
tual relations God the Father. He admits
as the Jews charged, that no is equal will
God" lie does not refer to the charge of vic
la'ing the Sabbath. The fact no and God art
equal IS sufficient. lie who made tho law a
10 the Sabbath has power 70 illustrate how i
should be observed. Verses "a to so inclu
size set forth Christ as the Author o. life il
general. ll:4) Christ gives US natural life
lie impaTts sPiritsl ife through salvation. from
sin. He raises to life those who die physically
This act We call the doctrine Of the resurrec
tion from the dead. He will enable US 10 live
forever. Verses 81 to AZ inclusive argue tina
Christ had Ola his side st. John Baptist (Vs
32-3jJ; miracle power Tvs. $3.50 the Holy
Scriptures w. 39J; and that. therefore, b,
ought to be believed (Ys. 4047J.
In this lesson VIC consider only \ part o
Christ's reply to the Jews. to wit, verses IL Il
30 inclusive.
g. The Defendant.
Christ was on trial. He was the speaker
He WAS selfpOssessed. He deigued 10 argue
He is always ready to reason. He meets mel
on their plane, trying TO prejudice them in hi
favor by instruction and not by abuse. III
does not, however, compromise the truth by
single iota. He is not intimidated. He call
no names. lie seemingly recognizes the RICH
Of the court ISanhedrim) 10 exist and 20 act
thus lending support to proper judicial PRO
ce1ures.
z. The Herrera
Verses IS and 10 make it plain that Chris
addressed the Jews Seemingly he was befor
the Ssnhedrim. Them" w. I9l probabl,
were the members of the Sanhedrim. Other
may have been within hearing.
g. Verses II 10 % inclusive.
There is not the least let-dOwn on Christ
part. lie had grand chance to set the peOp
right If they erred, but he on the CONTRARY
allowed them to entertain the idea he wa
Gods equal, or that he so claimed. He goes OF
speaking OF God as a son would Of his father
as a man would Of his partner. He make
claims which, had he been a mere man, would
have been sacrilegiou5 and have warranted tn,
Sanhedrim in cOndvmning him for blasphemy
lie had the same right, he said, TO work on th,
Sabbath that God possesses. The cure at Be
thesda was rs nothing compared with what h,
could aud would effect. That was merely heal
ing sick Ean, but ne had power even to rails,
the dead They we're pompOHsly judging him
but be declared he vas destined to becom,
their final judge. His honor and that Of Goo
were OIL a par. Surely he made strong claims
Thoughts
l. Work IS honorable and obligatory. WIZ
God works, Christ works. The indolent ar,
drOnes.
2. As Christ initiated the Father, so we should
follow the examples Of the Father and the Son
(V. 49,
g. If dead in sim seek the quickening Of tn
holy Spirit. (YA 81 ard 24.)
L. BE careful how you treat Christ. Al
honor to Him is as TO God (Y. 23.l
s. Find comfort as to the dead Ia conscious
meas Of the doctrine Of the resurrection bein,
true. ". 2I.)
6. Defend yourself if there be occasion. ant
that specially before regularly-constituteC
VI