The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-02
Sunday School Lesson for ADrl ;.
The Woman of Canaar1o
Matt. XIV, 21-31.
BY j. e, GILBERT, ID. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education,

wonder mat Jesus said unto her, "bc it
done unto thee as thou wilt, granting
her full desire.
RETURN.-This incident defeated the
purpose of the visit into these regions
Having wrought one cure Jesus could not
escape from the distressed people, who
learning what had been done, would
quickly gather about Him. To remain
would be to transfer His ministry from
Jews to Gentiles, to begin among the lat
ter what was reserved for the apostles IN
later years (Matt. &'viii, l9). Retiring
therefore from the place Jesus and His
disciples Travelled southeasterly and came
again to the sea of Galilee (verse z9).
They did not enter into any of the cities
formerly visited, but passed through Dec
apolis MARK VIII 81, a section of coun-
try inhabited chiefly by heather, show
ing a purpose to avoid the Jews. Ascend
ing a hill and finding a retired spot lie
sat down, an attitude assumed by the
teacher Matt V, j, gathered His dis
ciples about Him, and proceeded to i'm
struct them. No record is left of the
lesson given that day in that mountain
school. Neither Is one able to conjecture
why the sacred penman passed the oc-
casion by in silence. 1t was one of the
many precious seasons when great truths
were unfolded to duh hearers.
HEALING.-T great teacher and His
pupils were not permitted to remain long
in their retirement. Their presence in the
mountain became known and many of
the people gathered unto Him bringing
'the lame, blind, dumb, MANNED and
others" (verse 3O) and cast them down
at the feet of Jesus. 1t was a motley
company of the unfortunate. Then, as
now men were more concerned about
their physical than their spiritual needs.
rhey scarcely knew that their souls were
in pitfu state tRev. iii, 10. And Jesus.
who came into this world to destroy sin
and promote righteousness (N1att /, 2D,
moved to compassion, put forth His pow
er to heal. The people were Jews and so
there was no limit upon His ministry. So
numerous and great were His cures that
the people wondered (verse 81. II was
marvellous spectacle. The lame walked.
| The blind could see. The dumb could
speak. Many voices broke forth in loud
acclaim, giving glory to the God of Is
rael for these miracles. The mountain
echoed and re-echoed with the shouts of
rejoicing of many hearts.
CONCLUSION.-Our lesson brings into
special prominence the humanitarian side
of Christ's ministry. What lie taught in
the house and on the mountain is unre-
| corded. What lie did for the relief of
the little girl and of the multitudes is
| matter Of history. The lesson is a prom
ise of the Gospels largest mission. The
| Syro-Phenecian woman is only the first
| in great host in all lands who shall cry
| for mercy, and who shall find it and be
| delivered from the power of Satan 1t is
| quite probable that Jesus made this trip
| at this time to instruct His disciples on
| this point His first word, II am not
| sent" might be contrasted with later
word, "Ye are sent" They needed to
| know the limits put upon Him to appre-
| ciate the largeness of their work. The
| lesson reveals the secret of all rightful
| approach to Christ the mode OF obtain
| ing a blessing, the way of release from
| sin and Satan. Faith is that one con-
| dition, prescribed many times, without
| which man cannot be acceptable to God
| OHeb. XII g., with which he cannot fail.
| To him who truly believes comes the
| word, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt"