Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-03-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON X, MARCH 6-MATT. IL:
l-I3-THE SABBATH.
Golden Text: The Son of Man Is Lord
Even of the Sabbath Day"-Matt. IL:
S-Suggestions to Teachers-Timely
Explanations.

The section so far as related to the Sab
bath question, includes only the verses
of the lesson, and the parallels. But the
thread of opposition to Christ runs
through the whole chapter. The lesson
Is only one instance of series Of events
showing the different kinds of opposition
Jesus had to meet and overcome.
Suggestions to Teachers. 1t may be well
at the beginning to note the various KINDS
of opposition described in this chapter,
which were brought against CHRIST 10
stop his work. Then taking up this par
ticular instance, we can learn certain
great principles which will help us to see
more clearly our duty in some dlfncnlt
cases. But we cannot lay too much stress
on the principles by which we should be
guided as to the wise and right use OF
the Sabbath This question is one OF sew
eral concerning our moral duties, on the
true solution of which depends our own
welfare and that of our state and ma
ton.
Time.-Spring or summer of A. D. 70.
Place.-Capernaum, and the fields in Its
vicinity.
/. "At that time," or period, during
that tour or season in Galilee. 1t must
have been during one Of the harvest sea-
sons. Jesus went on the Sabbath day
through the corn Through the grain
fields of wheat or barley. The English
Cdii Gil 81 dill COTil. lHSy Wcio NooSsA~SS
on their way to or from the morning
service in the synagogue, for his disci-
pies were hungered." The rabblnlcal
law allowed no eating on the Sabbath, ex-
cept in case of sickness, prior to the
morning prayers of the synagogue.
2. But when the Pharisees saw 1t.
These Pharisees were accompanying Je-
sus, not to learn the truth, but for the
one purpose of finding some fault with
him. They hated him because they were
wrong and his teaching reproved them J;
he swept away many of their false rules
and customs, and they must either change
their lives, or prove the teacher to be in
some wrong.
g. Have we not read,' so as to re-
member and apply. You scribes have read
often with your eyes, but have you not
read also with the understanding? What
David did, when he was a hunSered.'
Note the emphasis on hungered. His fol-
lowers. too. were hungry; but it Is on the
acting Of David. as one of the most emf
nent of the Jews, that our Lord concen-
trates attention
A. How he entered into the house of
God" The tabernacle then at Mob. hill
near Jerusalem. And did eat the shew-
bread" The shewbread was the bread
that was kept on the golden table in the
Holy Place. (which was not lawful for
him to eat but only for the
priests" Lev. "a: So
5. 'Or have we not read in the law"
The Sabbath was the priests busiest day
OF labor How that on the Sabbath days
the priests in the temple profane the Sab
BATH" BY performing the whole temple
service. And are blameless." Because
the greater duty of temple service set
aside the law of Sabbath rest Compare
John z: %, 23)."
6. I'm this place is one greater than
the temple" Jesus Christ himself. He
was greater than the temple, ID because
he was the Lord for whom the temple
was reared; (2) all its sacrifices pointed to
him. and had their fulflment in him; 90
he was the Spiritual Temple, tho highest
temple in which God dwelt. Therefore he
could interpret the law to his disciples
with more authority than the priests for
the temple service on the Sabbath.
s. For the Son of man Is Lord even
of the Sabbath" Therefore he knew its
full meaning. and could give the right
Interpretation of it's law.
7. "If we had known what this mean
eth" If you had understood the prin-
ciple which underlies my defense of my
disciples conduct on the Sabbath. II
will have mercy, and not sacrifice" What
helps and blesses men, rather than any
forms of worship.
9. 'He went into their synagogue"
Luke says 1t was on another Sabbath.
This shows one way in which Jesus was
| accustomed to keep the Sabbath.
TO- "A man which had his hand with
ered;" 1. e., dried up from a deficient alb
| sorption of nutriment. Luke says his
| fright hand" This would hinder him in
| earning a living. 'They asked him, say
| ing, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath"
| The question was still being discussed
| Here was another opportunity for Jesus
| to explain his views about Sabbath keep
| ing. But the object of the Jews was
that they might accuse him. and thus
| bring him to trial for Sabbath breaking
and both discredt his teaching and pre-
vent him from continuing to teach.
| II. II. zone sheep. and if it fall into a
| pitt" etc. Jesus appealed to their own
| Interpretation of the Sabbath law; and
| then turned it against themselves by ask
| Ing, "How much then is man better (of
more valued than sheep Wherefore =
according to their own rules, lit is law
| full to do WELL" to do good deeds, "on
| the Sabbath"
10. "Then saith he to the man." He
did one of the good deeds it was Lawful
| to do. AS the cure is wrought only by q
| word, the Pharisees have no ground OF
| accusations: there has been no infractior
| of the letter of even their own regula
| tions.-Abbott. Their whole plan was thu.
frustrated. while Jesus gave fresh EN-
phasis and new light to his teachings.
| AICCINNv INyKc