The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-12-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DECEMBER 9.

ory Verses, 5O-52 - Commentary on
the Day'a Lesson.
40. They came" Jesus and His disci.
pies were making their last journey to
Jerusalem. They have crossed the River
Jordan westward since our last lesson,
Jericho City of the moon, or place of
fragrance. This was the largest city in
the Jordan Valley. II was about sixteen
miles northeast OF Jerusalem. "As He
went out. Luke says il was when thew
were entering the town that the healing
took place. 1t is difficult to account for
this difference. "A great number of peo.
ple.' In addition to the crowds that FIRE.
quensly followed Jesus were many people
ON their way to attend the Passover at
Jerusalem. Blind Bartimeus" Matthew
says there were two. II there were two
there was one, and Mark mentions Barti.
meus by name, probably because he was
well known. Blindness is very common
In Palestine. The causes are the sudden
changes in temperature and light. the in.
tense brightness OF the sun, and the fine
dust IN the air OF those sandy countries.
a.. That it was Jesus lie had evi.
IDENTIFY heard of the fame of Jesus and
how He could heal the blind Began to
cry out IL is the chance of a lifetime.
there is no time TO lose; in a moment He
will have passed. Opportunities lost are
always to be regretted, but can never be
recalled. Son of David" With the
Jews this expression was applied to the
Messiah. Have mercy on me- The case
OF this blind man illustrates well the con.
dition of a sinner and his efforts in coming
to God. |. AS to his condition. He was
blind and poor, and he knew it.. He
needed no one to convince him of his
wretched and miserable state. One symp.
tom of spiritual blindness is that those
who are affected by it think they see. The
devil blinds the minds of men and causes
them to rest in carual security with no de.
sire for dcliverance; the awakened sinner
sees his lost condition. 9 As TO his man.
ner in approaching Christ. He pleads for
mercy. lie knows he deserves nothing,
and that Christ is under no obligations to
hear him. Misery is the object OF mercy;
he appeals to the compassion of Christ
as. Many charged him. MANY re.
buked him Or. W Whenever a soul be.
gins to cry after Jesus for light and saliva.
tion the world and the devil join together
| TO drown its cries and force it to be silent.
| But let all such remember, Jesus is now
| passing by, and if they are not saved by
| Him they must perish everlastngiy The
seeking soul will always be obliged to
| press through opposing influences when
the decision is made to go to Christ. The
| opposition that comes from friends is al
| ways hard to meet. Hold his peace"
| Remain quiet. He cried the more a
| great deal. |. He was in earnest. and
opposition only caused it to increase. ..
| He persevered; hindrances did not stop
him. 3. He used his voice, 1t was not
necessary to urge him TO pray; he called
with all his might to Christ. He was de-
termined to overcome the rebulles of his
Hpt l. L.. 4 Z -
crowd, and attract the attention of Jesus
a. He cries to the Saviour in real faith
| 8. His request is humble.
40. Jesus stood still" The cry for
mercy will always cause the Saviour to
stop. He takes not another step this is
| the first thing to be attended to. "To be
called" He could have healed his eyes
at a distance, but this is an important
case, and He decides to show His power
before this whole company. "Be of good
comfort. 1t appears that the very ones
who at first rebuked him because of his
earnestness now hasten to congratulate
hun upon his success. They represent a
class that is always anxious to be on the
| popular side.
90. Casting away his garment" He
cast aside his outer garment that might
hinder him in coming to Christ He cares
| not Tor garments now, it is sight he de.
slres. This may be taken as n type of the
removal of the hndrances of whatever
KIND that prevent soul from coming to
Jesus. We should cast aside the garment
OF tl) sef-righteousness, (2) of pride and
| worldlness, (3) of prejudice, a. of effcte
| forms and ceremonies in religious work.
| and (5) in some cases the garment of a
worthless profession of religion If every
| penitent was ready to throw off his sinful
mpnnn bI,unpFs NVp sbpull hnN, l.,
lays in conversion. Rose" "Sprang
up Or. W He acted on the instant
Many sit still and want Jesus to come to
them. Bartimeus had no excuses TO offer;
he was glad TO obey.
81. What wilt thou" What is YOUR
request; Christ knew, but He mus know
it from him. The divine plan is to ask.
If we would receive. Christ says, What
wilt thou| He is always willing. the
only difficulty is with us lord" "Rab-
boni, R. V. This was the highest title
ot reverence and respect he could give. the
gradations being Rab, Rabbi Rabban,
kabboni, That | might receive my
sight. lie had no trouble to ask for what
he wanted. He did not complain for lack
of words had no need OF prayer.bool,.
and used no vague expressions. A hun
CRY child knows how to ask for bread. a
blind man knows how TO ask for sight,
and an awakened sinner finds no difficulty
in calling aloud for salvation.
%. go thy way" Go now and earn
a living for yourself and beg no more.
Thy faith hath made thee whole" His
faith was the medium through which the
blessings of God were brought to him. IL
was not his earnestness, or his PRAYERS.
but his faith in Christ that was com
mended; and vet earnestness and PRAYERS
are also important. "And Immediately"
1t was not necessary to wait long time
for gradual healing, but instantly he
saw. Matthew says that Jesus had com
passion and touched the eyes of the
blind man. Poor. blind, ignorant and
wretched though we may be, yet, when
we come in deep contriton and in faith.
the Lord will give us new hearts and new
characters Immediately, and send us on
our way rejoicing Followed Jesus"
None follow Christ blindfolded. He first.
by His grace, opens mems eyes and so
draws their hearts after Him. Bartfneus
followed Christ as His disciple to learn of
Him and to bear testimony to Him and
to His power and goodness. The best eyi.
dence of spiritual illumination is con.
slant. inseparable adherence to Jesus
Christ as our Lord and Leader.