The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-02

CONT TENT.-IIerods comment concern
ing Jesus (ChaD. xiv, p, induced the latter
to retire into a desert place, where lie
fed the multitude. Crossing the sea lie
walked on the water and stilled the tenn
pest. On arriving in Gannesarct lie
healed many diseases. Returning to Cap
ernaum He was sought by multitudes of
curious people who had heard of His
miracles. 10 them He delivered u dis
course John vi, 22-7D, in which lie cX-
posed their meIcenary spirit, eXhorted
them to seek the bread of life showed His
care for His disciples, and offered Him.
self as able to supply the need of all.
Then followed another encounter with the
scrbeS and pharisees. They criticised
Him for disregarding the tradition of the
elders on the subject of ablutions (Chap.
XIV ., and He called them hypoCrtes,
and declared that a man is not deflled by
anything outward but by inward states.
After this interview Jesus sought rest.
surrounded by powerful and eXasperated
enemies, obnoxious to the courtiers of the
! King, dOgged by the open hatred and Sc
clet conspiracies of spies, feeling that
the people did not understand Him, and
knowing that His death had already been
determined He resolved to retire tor a
time from public life.
RETREAT T.--Journeying in a northwest
erly direction Jesus turned His back
upon His native land into the borders (the
codsts) of Tyre and Sidon (verse 81.
| These ancient cities were renowned as
the most important sea ports of the Med
| itorrancan. Tyre was the capital of
! King Hiram U kings ix. f2) whose skilled
workmen prepared timber for the temple
| at Jerusalem in the time of David. For
| many centuries it was famous tor COM
merce and bore the title queen of the
| Sea- Sidon, written also Hdon Josh, Xi,
| 81, was the metropolis of ,liStric. when
! seems to have embraced several states.
! The people were noted for their luxur-
| ious living for their manufactures and
| arts ezra iii, y. Homer speaks OF the
Zidonian bowl bestowed by Achilles as a
| prize and of a beautiful robe offered to
, Minerva the handiwork of Zidonian wo-
| men. Plny and others mention the mer-
| chants of Iidon and describe their
wealth. 1t was in that region that Jesus
| sought repOse. Removed from the Jeal-
! ousy and hatred, the hypocrisy and big
otry of the Jews lie would enjoy among
| heather strangers communion with dis
ciples and gain refreshments for future
service.
! SUPPLIANT.-But lie could not be con-
/ CCalCd. His fame had gone abroad, be-
! yOnd the confines of His own country,
| even into other lands (Matt. iv, 20. His
! hearts of the suffering and sorrOwing ev-
erywhcre and they waited only for an op-
! pOrtunity to seek His aid. While the lit
| tie band, the Master and the twelve were
| passing along the way, a passionate cry
| was heard. IT was the voice of n wo-
man a resident in those parts. Have
mercy on ne" she pleaded, knowing
! that she could expect no favor except as
a gratuity (verse 22). She had been well
| instructed, for she added, 80 Lord, thou
| son of David" form of address appro-
| prOpriate only to the Messiah. "My
| daughter is veXed with the devil" she
| continued During our Lords ministry
| demons took possession of people and
! controlled their actions in distressing
way Uuke viii, p, as If to dispute His
| authority and test His power, presenting
| phenomena reVer witnessed before or
| since. These words uttered by dis
| tressed mother, were enough to move the
| hardest heart.