The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-01

secretary OF the American Society OF Re-
lgious Education.
(These lessons constitute the Sunday
school extension department OF the above
named society. All who study them are re-
quested 10 send their names. postoffice ad-
dress and denomination. mentioning this
paper. TO the author at Washington, ID. G.,
for enrollment)
INTRODUCTION.-Af the sermon at
Nazareth a dispute arose in which i'll feel
ing was awakened and Jesus was forcibly
thrust out Of the synagogue. och. iv %
Escaping from the mob He went down to
Capernaum, where He afterward found
home in the house of Peter. Mark TX, 49,
Thence He journeyei into various parts of
Galilee, returning at intervals to rest. Pass
ing over many interesting incidents in the
gospel nacrative-the call OF Peter, James
and John for the second time John 1, 4D,
the healing of the demoniac, Of Peters
mother-in-.aw and of the leper; the re-
tirement for solitary prayer, we shall study
to-day a passage that deals especially with
His power. 1t was stated in the last lesson
that He returned to Gililee in the power of
the Spirit och. iv, 14.) We shall now see
how He used that power. Every person
reveals himself by his deeds. And we may
judge by what we learn here who and what
Jesus was-His nature and His character.
the two great points about which men
have been most concerned.
OCCASION.-The scene of our lesson was
in Capernaum. mark. ii, u Jesus had en-
tered into some dwelling. perhaps Peters,
accepting hospitality and had engaged in
teaching those who came to Him. This
last fact must not be obscured by the
more startling events recorded, which seem
to come into greater prominence. Jesus
was pre-eminently a teacher, and as such
He regained His reputation. John lii. p
His king tom was to be one OF truth.
John xviii. 3D. He expected to secure
spiritual progress for His disciples only by
their knowledge of the truth John viii.
32.) He did not confine His teaching to
synagogues. but in all proper places and
on every possible occasion He opened up
the word which He constantly honored
John v, 39). because that word honored
Him. We must approach our lesson with
this thought fixed in cur minds The teach
ing is primary and gives color to the mirac-
ulous occurrence which breaks in incidental
ly. The latter must be studied in the light
of the former.
.AUDIENCE.-There was packed house
that day. Inc fame of the preacher had
drawn the people together in large num-
UeTS, some CT tnem, uDdDle 10 gain al
rnittance, fingered about the doors. hoping
that something might be reported of what
transpred within. The interest was great
ly increased by the fact that Jesus had just
through several weeks. In that assembly
were Pharisees. the strictest observers of
the law of Moses duke xviii. lD, Jealous
supporters of the time-honored institutions
of Judaism. The doctors of the law were
there also, presumed to be, because Of
their training and vocation, judges of sound
d<.nfV -ira Nv to hxafn
These men came out OF the towns of Cali
lee and Judea. and some of them from
Jerusalem, these last because of their
peculiar advantages, being esteemed super
Tor to all others. Guardians of the relig-
ious interests of the nation, they had come
to hear the great teacher, to weigh His
archy that had already begun to be jealous
OF the rising and spreading influence OF
the NaZarene.
EPISODE.-While the teaching was in
progress. or, perhaps, following ~ the
power of the Lord was present to heal.
Encouraged by His former doings the peo-
pie had brought the afflicted into the syna-
gogue. and Jesus, under the promptines of
His generous heart Matt XIV, 32) had cured
them. He was minister to the bodies as
well as to the souls of men. The cases
presented that day are all passed by in
silence by the penmen, except one, and
that the most remarkable. There was
paralytic whose friends had brought him,
confident that Jesus could restore. I'm
able to enter the dwelling, they assembled
to the roof, and, having torn away the
thing and the rafters, which were loosely
laid and easily removed, they lowered the
helpless man, bed and all, into the room
below. The spectacle was calculated TO
move all hearts to pity And the murmur
of surprise, awakened at the first, must
have been soon hushed. as every eye
turned toward the Master, anxious to
know what would be the result of this
new appeal to His sympathy and power.
PARDON. - Having secured attention.
Jesus addressed the paralytic There was
no rebuke for this intrusion. The hum
blest and the most unfortunate was wei
2S.) And there was no occasion or business
that might not be freely interrupted by
any of the sons of suffering. With out
stretched hands, He stood in every place.
condescending 10 bless all who came. But
on this Occasion Jesus spoke to the man.
not concerning his body. which was Of less
forgiven thee He went to the center of
being. ana proposed, as he always does.
to do beyond what was even desired or
and lose the holy Matt. xvi. 81 than to
restore the physical powers TO be used
afterward in sin--hetter to lie on cot
HELPLESS eut sane than to go forth
There was a key to this word Of forgive
ness. Jesus saw their faith" the faith
of ths ma Sna OF h n h saw nos
manifest 10 all, but the state of their
minds. Taey had met the condition of
pardon .ffCn. V. ID
OBJEC'TI )N.-The company was disap-
pointed Some. who had witnessed former
cures. expected a new display of the Won
derful power sc Jesus Some who had seen
Him ony as teacher. or not at all. were
skepticaI concerning His miracles. but sup
posed there was some deception which
they might uncover. Matt. TX. 34) All
were surprised that He made no attempt in
the direction anticipated, but entered into
another realm entirely. Then the wise
men, ready to improve every opportunity
to weaken the influence, began to reason,
who can forgive sins but God?" That
was good reasoning psalm cxxx, 49, Sin
is an offense against the Almighty, and
He only can pronounce pardon. eek.
xxxiv, 6. - They had learned this great
doctrine out of their sacred books and felt
it their duty to defend it, Who is this
which speaketh blasphemies?" they in
quired. The question was legitimate. A
man, arrogating to himself the pre-
negatives of God, Is a basphemer. If he
does ii in such a presence and in such an
hour he is supremacy presumptuous. For
he frifles with men who are in sorest need.
DEFENSE.-The sentiment was turning
denly converted into a jury, his friends
even bewildered. 1t would require but little
more whispering to secure the execution of
the death penalty provided by law Uev.
xiv, 16) 1t was a critical moment Some
defense must be made or name, hitherto
honored, will pass into history forever
stained and career the most brilliant will
end in disgrace With the utmost calmness
Jesus meets the emergency He penetrated
into the secret of their minds. perceived
their thoughts and fully understood the sit
uation. He knew that they questioned His
right 10 pardon because they did not rec
ognize His divinity. He therefore resolved