The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-03-04
JESUS AND THE SABBATH.
n. International sunday school Lesson
for March d.

pLACE.-capernaum and the nolds In its
vicinity.
II may be well at the beginning 10
rote the various kinds OF opposition de-
scribed in this chapter, which were
brought against Christ 10 stop His
work.
Then taking UP this particular in
stance. we can learn certain great prin-
riples which will help us to see more
clearly our duty in some difficult cases.
But we cannot lay too much stress on
The. principles by which we should be
guided as 10 the wise and right use OF
the Sabbath. This question is one OF
several concerning our moral duties,
on the true solution OF which depends
our own welfare and that Of our state
and nation.
l.. The Rising Opposition TO Christ
In This chapter Matthew has masscd to-
gether the acts of opposition 10 Christ,
MS he previously had done with Ills
teachings In chaps. 81. His miracles In
chaps. 3 and o. and His instructions in
chap. 10. Note first the VI cases given
in the lesson. EccausY Jesus refused TO
eat the husks and shells the Pharisees
had placed around the corn and meat
of Sabbath observance. they held a
council against Jesus. whose answer
was more miracles OF henling and help.
Next they charged Him with casting
out demons through Heclzcbub. the
prince Of the demons. but Jesus showed
the folly Of the charge, ard warned
them against b~lasphemy. Again they
asked n sign. and lie pointed to n sign
which condemned their conduct. Final
w His own relatives. including His
mother. thought lie was becoming in
sane mark 3:2f) and tried to stop Him.
Note that the opposition was from
sclfshncss and blindness OF heart. but
In the name of religion.
II. 4 Question as TO the Way to Keep
the Sabbaih.-Ns. 1. .. II must have
been during one Of the harvest seasons
tina, Jesus went on the sabbath day
through the grain fields Of wheat or
barley. The English cal all grain
corn. They were doubtless on their
way TO or from the morning service
in the synagogue. for Ills disciples
were a hungcred." The rah6inical law
allowed no eating on the Sabbath, ex-
ccpt in case Of sickness. prior to the
morning prayers Of the synagogue, md
they began 10 pluck the ears Of corn.
The Pharisecs. Of course. did not fail
&c note that the disciples OF Jesus were
doing that which is. net lawful 10 do
upon the Sabbath day.
III. Light on the Question from Two
Scripture Exampies.-Ns. 3-5. Christ
replied TO them calmly. without any
rough condemnation or sarcasm. bu. by
two examples from the Scriptures.
which they believed TO the letter. ard
whose Sabbath law they thought the
were fulfilling; ard Of persons nom
they reyered as peculiarly .v
g. Bug He said unto rr ftsvs 90 rm
read wat David IA VIA - ~ hun.
gcred, and they THAT : 80 u.i,b h,~,.
4 How he ertc- - Inc ra,as az God.
~. me ~shewbroad. which was
"a for him 20 eat. neither for them
" ...ch were with him. but only for the
priests? :,
The argument was that II David. 70
keep himself ard his followers from
suffering hunger. could. without blame,
break a ceremonial law in its form.
while keeping 1T in spirit. 1t be
right so TO interpret the Sabbath law as
allow His disciples to do so much work
on the Sabbath rs was necessary TO sat
isfy their hunger. The Pharisees adj
hered to the letter. but not to :he spirit
Of the law.
g. or have We not read In the law. how
that on the Sabbath days the priests IN the
temple profane the Sabbath. and are biane-
less?
The Sabbath was the priests buslest
day Of labor. They profaned i; by PER
forming The whole temple service. The
arrumen here Is that a literal cessation
Of manual labor without any exception
whatever was never intended by thc
Lord when lie gave the law respect
ing the Sabbath.
IN. The Great Principle Of Sabbath
Keeping Stated.-Vs. G-s. Jesus did not
abolish The Sabbath. lie is still Us Lord
lie made il for man. and therefore II
must endure as long as man lives on
earth. The fourth commandment Is
written In the law Of God ard in the ma
lure or man. II is not a mere Jewish
law. but was made for nan. This prin'
ciple is given in Mark s:27: "The Sab
bath was made for man and not mar
fer the Sabbath"
V. Sabbath Keeping Illustrated by
the Example Of Jesus. vs.. a-13. On an
other Sabbath Jesus went into the syn
ngogue.
10 And. behold. there was n man whic,
had his hand withercd. And they asked
him. saying: Is Il lawfri to heal on III
Sabbath days? that they might accuse hlsi
IL And lie said unto them. What mai
shall there be among you that shall hav'
one sheep. and II II fall into a pit on tn
Sabbath day. will he not Ia, hold on u. an'
Int II out?
II. How much then IS a man letter than
shecp2 Wherefore II is awful TO DO wei
on the Sabbath days.
Jesus appealed 10 their w interpre
tation Of the Sabbath law; and thcl
turned il against themselves. He di'
one of the good deeds it was lawful 4
do. The said He tN. 1877 TO the man
'Stretch forth thine hand. And HI
stretched ii forth; and it was restore'
whole like as the other"