The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-01
THE SABBATH. SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY 5.

Lesson Text: "The Nobleman's Son
Healed" John iv., 43-54-Golden Text:
John w.. 53-Commentary on the Days
Lesson by the Rev. d. NJ. stearns.
43. "Now after two days He departed
hence and went into Galilee." The Saman-
tans, hearing the woman's testimony,
came unto Him to hear Him for themselves.
Many believed because Of what she told
them, and through their entreaty He abode
there two days, and many more believed
because of His own word oversees S9-42).
Thus souls were saved, united to him,
made partake rs OF His redemption and His
glory, and there was Joy in heaven as we'll
as in samaria duke. xv., z, 10Y. Untold
blessing came to them through this' lew,
and because Of Him they forgot their diff.
ierences.
A. "For Jesus Himself testified that a
prophet hath no honor in his own coun-
Try" His own country was Nazareth, and,
though He taught In their synagogue,
they only wondered at Him and called Him
the carpenters son and were offended at
Him, 30 He did not many mighty works
there because Of their unbelief (Math. kill,
1859. We need not think It strange II
sometimes those nearest to Us do not think
mucn Of US. II we'll known IN heaven, we
:an be content to be unknown on earth,
and the consciousness Of His approval,
everything (Acts xvii, 23; II Tim. H., 15).
. 45. "Then when Hetwas come into Galilee
The Galileeans received: Him, having seen
all the things that He did at Jerusalem at
the feast, for they also went unto the
ieast." At the feast of Jerusalem He had
..leansed the temple and wrought many
miracles (ehapter H., H., 2s). At one time;
He said, Fireworks that do bear witness
Of Me that the Father hath sent Me
who dwelleth in Me He doeth the works
xiv, 10). We, are commanded to let our
light so shine that others may see our
good works and glorlfy our Father which
d In heaven.
46. $50 Jesus came again into Cana OF
Galilee, where He made the water wine,
and there was certain nobleman whose
son was sick at Capernaum." At the
marriage He supplied their need, He de-
livered from q difficulty, he manifested
his glory. -"
He is the same yesterday, to-day and
forever (Heb. Kill, 8), and we are assured
that. He will supply all our need, and de-
liver from all difficulties, and preserve us
unto His kingdom (Phil. w., 10; II Tim.
w., 1877. >'.r. .Es.
Al, "When lie heard that Jesus was come
sut Of Judea into Galilee, he went unto
Him and besought Him that He.Yould
come down and heal his son, for he was at
the point Of DEATH" He heard that Jesus
was come, therefore some one must have
been telling. How necessary It Is that We
should be ever telling that Jesus has come
and suffered and died and risen again, and
provided eternal redemption for, all who
Will receive Him, and that He will come
again to give immortal bodies to all His
people and to set up His kingdom on the
earth -.
4s. "Then said Jesus unto him, Except
ve see signs and wonders ye will not be-
Ieve." Faith needs to be tried, for by
trial faith is strengthened. Jesus never
said an unkind or an unnecessary word,
and therefore there was q cause why He
,hould thus speak to this nobleman. They
we're ever saying, Shew US e. sign. What
,ign shewest Thou (Math, xiii, 38; John H.,
l8O and there may have been desire for
such even in this mans heart, for the Lord
knew what was In man.
49. "The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir,
ZONE down ere my child die." When 1t Is
great emergency and the soul is very
much IN earnest, our words ara apt to be-
few and to the point. Perhaps as the man
ourneyed he tolerated doubtful thoughts,
but by our Lords remarks be RECEIVERS
himself, and now comes this cry Of faith.
believing that II Jesus will only come his
boy will live. It was fathers heart cry
Tor his son. See one much more pitiful in
II Sam. xviii, SS, because 1t was too late.
gave up His only begotten Son for us?
80. "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way,
Thy son liveth. And the man believed the
word that Jesus had spoken unto, him and
be went his way" The same voice which
said, Let there be light, and there was
light; the same word that made the
heavens and all their host; the One to
whom. nothing Is hard or wonderful (Gen.
l., s.; Ps. xx1iii., 6; Jer., xxi, ID said to
this man these comforting words, and the
man rests upon them in quietness and con-
adence and goes his way expecting to ind
bis son living and MOI dying. There are
Joy and peace in believing. but there Is no
apart from it (Rom., xv., IL;
n Chron. xx., %; Isa. viii, 81.
81. And as he was lnow going down his
Iervants met him and told him, saying,
Thy son livetb." Aud 80 it came to pass rs
Jesus said. When Paul was told by the
angel In the storm at sea. after oil hope
was given up, that all would be saved, he
stood forth and said, Be OF good cheer, for
I believe God that 1t shall be even as 1t was
told me. And 1t came to pass (Acts xviii,
25, Az. When Mary believed the message
Of Gabriel, 1t is written Of her, "Blessed is
she that believed, for there shall be per-
iormance OF those things which were told
her from the Lord" duke l., 45).
SO. "Then inquired he Of them the hour
when he began to amend. And they said
unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour
the fever left him." We may imagine the
anxious watchers after the father left home
and how they would reckon the time till his
return, bringing with him the great prCph-
ct. They would cay, Now he Is at Cana. now
he is perhaps talking to Him, now II he has
found Him he ought to be leaving for home,
and all the time they would be wa :hing
the sick boy, perhaps unable to lit his
head, and not caring to open his eyes, ana
they were longing for Jesus to come.
53. $50 the father. knew that 1t was at
the same hour in which Jesus said unto
him, Thy son liveth, and himself believed
and his whole house." Faith cometE by
hearing the word OF God (Rom. T., I'D.
Every promise believed and fulfilled In
creases our faith, and II only we are will
Ing and yielded our God will fulfill In US
ali the good pleasure OF His goodness and
the work OF faith with power (11 Thess. l.,
lD.
81. "Thisis again the second miracle that
Jesus did when He was come out OF Judea
into Galilee." In the two miracles we have
pladness and health. In His presence Is
fullness of Joy. There is river the streams
whereof MAKE 2lad.-Lesyon Helper.