The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-03-07
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MARCH II. .a

Days Lesson.
l. "And again" At the close OF the mis-
sionary tour IN Galilse. "CRpernaum.
Which was His home, or Headquarters. ri
was nolsed." The news spread very rapidly
SIN the house." Probably Peters house
Whom Christ Is in tho house, /, Good NE,
will be attracted to 1t. 2. Bad men will b.
benefited In 1t. 8. Divine benedlction will
rest upon 1t. 4. Benelcent ministries wi.
flow from 1t. Those who have Christ fl
their homo do not act like other people
their motives are purer, their charltie
moro dlsinterested, and they have wit
them tue source OF joy and blessedness,
2. MANY we're gathered together" Th
audience included Pharlsees and doctor
OF the law who had come from the towns o
Galllee, and Judea, and Jerusalem. The,
had come to inspect and criticise this nov
Israel on Carmel to witness the issue be
tween Elijah and the priests of Daal
"About the door," There was 4 great con
course OF people so that the house ant
court were both filled. preached tht
word. The doctrine Of the Son OF God
They had come partly 20 criticist
and partly out ot curiosity, and now Jesu
seizes the opportun nifty TO preach the Gospel
8. "They come unto Him." Access tc
Jesus seemed impossible. There were
many obstacles In the way. Should they
have w6ited for convenient season2 No
They must force their way to Christ
bringing one." There are many so weak
and discouraged that they cannot 60 to
Jesus without assistance; we should always
be ready to held such. "Sick of the palsy.
"PaIsy-a contraction OF the word paraI
ysts--ls q disease that deprlves the part
affected OF sensation, or the power OF mo
lion, or both" This patient was utterly
helpless. The disease Is considered incur.
able. "Palsy Is type OF sin. Sin In the
soul takes all. the forms which paralysis
does In the body. 1. It takes away the
sense OF feeling. 2. It weakens the will SO
that when men would do good evil is pres
snt with them. They put of duty; they
know but WILL not come to a decision. 8. II
produces fixed condition OF evil with In
tense suffering" "Borne OF four" Eact
one holdrng q corner OF the "pallet," Oh
bed. There was cooperation is this work
One could not have done 1t; 1t needed four
In the union OF hearts and han&s there 1:
strength. United they had no difficulty.
4. .t'The press" Itseemed quite impos.
,lble for the crowd to make I'm opening
sufficiently large for them to pass through
Uncovered the roof" Luke says Through
the tillng." In the eastern countries tht
houses were hat-roofed and joined together
80 one could walk upon them from one end
oi the city to the other. These house-top:
we're places CT prayer and meditation, aud
from the houss-tops crlers proclaimed the
lines OF public worship. Outside stairs
always led to the roof. Broken 1t up
They took up the tiling. They determined
that nothing should stand iu their way.
LET down the bed" Imagine the arresting
Of the discourse OF Jesus, and the breath.
less surprise OF the Crowd as this opening
through the tiles appeared, and slowly q
pallet was lot down before them. Willing
hands would help to steady it'and bring II
safe to the gfound. On that bed lay one
paralyzed-hls fevered face and gllstening
eyes upturnsd to Jesus.
S. "Saw their faith" Many OF the gifts
OF healing and restoration were obtain ed
through the faith and prayers of the
friends OF the sufferers. See Matt. 8:19;
Mark 5:3S; john 4:50. Jesus saw their
faith. Real faith acts. Their holy bold.
ness pleased Him. "Faith Is the chan.
mel through which the grace OF God flows
into the soul In converting, healing
power" Christ always notices and COM
mends faith. To the poor Gentle woman
who came to Him for the healing Of her
daughter He said, 20 woman, great is thy
lNllus DOus SpOhO VIII lCuUCL
ness. Matthew adds, "Be OF good cheer" ."
Evidently the young man was despondent
because Of his sins, for It seems probable
that this disease had been brought on ms n
result OF dissipation. "Thy sins are for.
given" Or. w.. Our first great need Is the
forgiveness OF sin. Jesus rightly puts
this ahead OF the healing OF the body. VIZ
cannot doubt that thls paralytie was d
eonscience-strlcken young man. The con.
dltions necessary to forgiveness are re.
pentance, confession, forsaking sin, and
faith. Although this man did not speak
Jesus must have seen these marks in him.
6. "Certaln OF the scrlbes." ''The scribes
were the leaders OF the nation, the theo.
loglans, legislators, politicians" They had
come up from Jerusalem and other places
for the purpose OF opposing Hin. Luke
5:17. Reasoning In their hearts" They
had not yet spoken openly.
what bieapss to God ony s.1f Hes ntrad1s
on tho Divine rights. The blasphemer was
to be p6t 70 deatG by stoning. "But GoI
only" They rightly understood that al
sins are sins against God, and therefore
only God could forgive them. See Psa. 51:4
70, 8. "When Jesus perceived" In telling
them the thoughts ofStheir hearts Jesus
gave them the fullest proof OF His divinity
he "searcheth oil hearts and understa ndetl
all tho imaglnatlons Of the thoughts.
No sin escapes His notice. "Why reason
ye." Matthew says, Wherefore think ye
evil?" Why are you putting mIsconstruc'
tion on my words2
9. "Whether Is 1t easler." Both arc
equally easy and equally difficult. Every
thing Is equally easily to that power which
Is unlimited. A universe Gun be as easily
produced by single act o. the Divine will
as the smallest part OF matter.
10. "That ye may know" eternal mir
acles are the proof OF Internal ones" Chris
was conscious OF Divine power. eft fail.
ure had been the result His humiliation
would have been overwhelming and final.
He proposes now to prove His divinity BE-
yond question. Power on GARTH" They
vera thinking OF God as being In heayen,
and Jesus calls attention to the TACT that
there Is power on earth now to forgive
sins, Tie Son OF Man has coue to earth
and has brought this power with Him..
II. "Arlse." Here Is the test. Christ
shows His ability to forgive Sins by Hls
ability to heal.
IL. HE arose." The man had q part tc
perform. Had he not acted at the word OF
command he could no. have been healed.
He exercised the power OF his will and put
forth the necessary effort to arise, bellev-
ing thar strength and healing would be
given him. Before them all." This thing
was mot done In corner" Christ's mir.
ucles were performed in the most public
manner and were never questioned by
those who witnessed them. Amazed
Luke adds. "They were filed with fear"
"Glorliled God" They had q high degree
OF reverence for God and were filled with
admiration for His power ,and goodness
"Ou this fashion" Chrlst's works are
without precedent. He acts independently
and advises with no one. They had seen
three marks OF His divinity. l. Forglvlng
slns. 2. Percelvlng thou CUTS. 8. Healing
Diseases.