The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-02
Sunday School Lesson for June g.
The Twelve Sent Forth.
BY REV. j. e. GILBERT, d. D. LID.
Secretary of American Society OF Religious Education

INTRODUCTION The college OF the apostles
was formed gradually. The Gospels relate the
manner of appointing some OF them, while
Others were brought in quietly without men
tion. The number being complete Jesus de-
termined to send them forth for a short time,
perhaps for a month duke iX: l0), as mis-
sionaries. Several considerations may have in
duced Him to do this. He might have de-
sired to be alone for Divine Communings, as
was His custom Ciatt, xiv: 2S). 1t is more
probable that lie sought to test them, and TO
prepare for fuller instruction, for, when alb
sent from Him, many questions would arise in
their minds Besides, by this method He in
creased the number of voices and agents in His
cause, for they went two and two Mark. vi:
-, and lie took another direction Matt. Xi: -,
thus making seven parties engaged in eyangelis-
tic work. Today's lesson contains previous cir
cumstances of the commission and the instruc-
tons given before their departure.
TIE MINISTRY (Vcrse j5).-The intense ac-
tivty of Jesus, a short time prior to His send
ing OF the disciples, is shown. lie made per-
sonal visitation among the cities and villages ot
Galee, the names of the towns being omitted
MARK vi: @, from the record. Evidently lie
was eager to reach the great mass OF the people,
all of whom needed Him. In this visitation
lie engaged in His double ministry. TIE taught
and preached, in the synagogues on the Sab
| bath and in other places wherever He could OBJ
tain an audience His one theme was the Cos
| pei of the kingdom OF heaven, the same theme
| upon which lie discoursed at the beginning
| Matt. iy: ~, as had John the Baptist before
| Him OIatt iii; p. lie also healed diseases, and
that OF every kind, thus ministering to the body
| as well as the soul. That twofold service was
| especially necessary at that time. Jesus must
have been less than human had He paid no at
tention to the sick who gathered continually
| about Him.
| THE COMPASSION (Yerse 36).-The condition
| of the people among whom Jesus moved was
| pitiable. As they came together in great
| crowds they appeared weary and faint, east down
| in spirits with little animation or hope. That
| resulted from their poverty. The industrial Of.
fairs of the time gave little opportunity for the
acquisition Of even the necessaries Of life. Pau
perism common duke xvi: 2O). Wealth
was the possession Of the few. As result the
masses moved about from one person TO another,
from one place Of excitement to another, fondly
hoping that some one would arise to espouse
their cause and TO bring relief But all such
hope was vain. Thus far no teacher had APP
peared as their shepherd their spiritual adviser
and friend All this moved Jesus to compass
sion. He longed 10 bless the forlorn masses
who thus day by day came before Him as lie
preached
THE PRAYER Verses 81 and 3s).-It was un'
der such circumstances that Jesus sought the
assistance Of His disciples. lie had perfect
knowledge Of the situation. lie had gone over
the ground. lie had seen the people. lie fell