The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-11

CONTENT. Jesus did not remain long
In Galilee Between His departure from
Judea John, lv, - and His return, two
events only are recorded in connection
with Ills ministry-the interview with the
woman at Jacobs we'll and the healing
OF the nobleman's son-both of which
have been stunned in this course. While
other deeds and conversations must have
engaged His attention, the inspired
writer refers to the -us exhibiting two
aspects of His work, perhaps the main
reasons for Ills northern journey. on re-
tracing His steps lie entered Jerusalem
on a feast occasion. (John, V, H. 1t is
impossible to say which of the three ma
tional festivals 1t was, but probably not
the passover There He engaged in His
usual ministerlcs, and healed an impo-
tent man. This act led to the criticism
of the Jews (verse 1G), who would have
killed Him because lie wrought miracles
on the Sabbath. In our lesson we shat
see how lie defended Himself The topic
Of the lesson committee, "Christs Divine
Authority" Is discarded because it ap-
plies only to the last verse.
SONSIIIP-The first item in the defense
which Jesus set up against His enemies
was His divinity, ana this lie declared III
new way. Verse IL lie spoke Of God
as His Father, as lie had before done
John, iii, 1G, and as the heavenly voice
had done at the baptism (Matthew, iii,
~, but represented that the Father ana
Son had two distinct times to work, the
one time preceding the other rho example
Of the Father being followed by the son.
The remark was intended to show that
Jesus claimed the right TO dc a btneNol-
ont deed on the Sabbath because Of Ills
Sonshp. The sabbath was for man
(Mark, ii, 20 and Hs was its LORD, and
might do His pleasur" ON Ills own day.
This claim was u sufficient defense TO
those who accepted His DIVINITY but tue
Jews were cNaspcratcd by it, and they
were the more determined 70 take His
life. Verse 1SD In their thought He was
now guilty of two high crimes, either
punishable with death under the law
Sabbath desecration and blasphemy.
ASSOCIATION.--Thi outbreak Of bit.
ter annosity did not cause Jesus TO 20
ccdo from the position which tie had
taken-on the contrary He maintains lad
explains il. lie sought to make tlcso
critics understand, what they ough to
have known by their own sacred bClils,
that there were persons In the GOdhead,
associated IN greatest intimacy and mar
mony. tPsalms ii. l2D Hence II came
about shat the Son in ali Ills doing was
governed by the action Of the Father.
Verse 19) Therefore the former assgmp-
glory OF the Father and was not repre-
hensible This appears to subordinate
the Son, and it would be 50 understood
but for what follows. Verse 20) In this
association of Father and Son there is
the affection of the former for the lat
ter. (Matthew, lii, IL manifested in n
complete revelation, so that all the acts
of the one are seen and understood Ivy
the other in the light of that fun knuwl-
edge which is one essential of the Di-
vine nature. III Peter, l. 17D This cN-
PLANTATION of doctrines pertaining to the
nature and work OF the Almighty was
we'll suited to make the enemies OF Jesus
consider more calmly His claim and
character.
EQUALITY. AS already shown, the Ian
Cuagc Of Jesus might have left ia some
minds the idea that He was inferior to
Gcd; that lie acted as a representative