The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-05

REsPoNsE.-Ths new phase OF the
Sabbath question was met first in the
concrete and secSnd in the abstract
oversees 10 and ~. Turning to the Phari-
sees Jesus asked IL any would hesitate to
pun his sheep out of a pit into which 1t
had fallen on the Sabbath day. That ap-
peal could not be answered. Every man
will protect his property. The hearers
must have felt the force of the inquiry,
even though ignorant of the law (EX.
Sxiii, 15), twice given (Deut. xxi, A. Re-
ceiving no reply Jesus added, "How much
is a man better than sheep?" VIII you
save a beast and leave a man in distress
and pain! The far-reaching influence of
the Saviour's question can hardly be
known. 1t revealed the hypocrisy of His
enemies, and laid the basis of humani-
tarianism in all after centuries. The in
terview closed with great moral truth,
the positive side of religion. Judaism in
that day concerned itself with many ne
cations, but Christianity is built on the
words of Jesus. 1t Is lawful to do well on
the Sabbath day, ushering in dispensa-
ton of coed deeds to the souls and bodies
Of men.
MIRACLE.-The doctrine and practice
OF Jesus were always in accord, each IL
Illustrating and supporting the other. Hav-
He could not withhold His power from
the unfortunate man with the withered
hand. Had He done so the value of His
words would have been diminished, and
He would have been proven to be less
than He was, the Divine man. Without
hesitation, therefore, He commanded, and
the hand was reached forth and instantly
restored (Verse 10. Ina gination may
easily picture the scene that followed. The
rejoicing ard thankfulness of the cured
man. the wonder of his friends and of the
by-Standers, the increased admiration
and devotion of the disciples, the confus-
ion and bitterness of the Pharisees as
they went out (verse 1D to hold council.
and the benigrant dignity of the Man of
Galilee who had triumphed over opposi-
tion-all these qualities displayed them
selves in the faces of those who heard
what was SAID and witnessed what was
done on that Sabbath day in the syna-
gogue at Capernaum.
SUMMARY.-The lesson is rightly titled
"Jesus and the Sabbath" 1t touches
nearly every element of the doctrine con-
cerning the Christian Sabbath. Note
these points: l. Jesus is the Lord of the
Sabbath. 1t is not a Jewish but a Chris
tian institution, "the Lords day." hence
not obsolete. If His. then it must be de-
voted to Him and used according to His
spirit, and for His glory and cause. 9.
While its primary purpose is to furnish
opportunity for spiritual employments
Rev. 1, 1O), the needs of the body must
not be neglected and all acts of mercy
are lawful. Hunger must be relieved,
and disease may be cured. 1t was made
for man Mark ii, 90. for his body not less
than for his soul. 3. The day is perverted
when men surround it with arbitrary reg
ulations, brought down from old time oD-
servances, a misinterpretaton OF the let
ter of legal enactments. Whoever is loyal
to Christ whoever follows Him, will be
likely to keep the day Alright. 4. There
is no encouragement here for looseness of
views or practice concerning that which
Jesus maintained. lie did not destroy but
reaffrm and perpetuate. IF the Sabbath
is for man--for all men-it is for the race,
for all time.