The Tupelo journal., 1905-02-17

Copyright, 1901, by ). NJ. Edson)
LESSON TEXT.-John 5:1-15; Memory
verses. s, 9. Read the entire chapter.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"A great multitude
followed Him. because they saw His
miracles" John 6:2
TIME.-The spring of A.. ID. Is: two or
three months after last lesson.
PLACE.-Jerusalem.
A REMINDER.-Once more let us re-
quest that you keep in mind John 20:S1. as
you study and teach this lesson.
The Lesson Outline.
THEME-Doing Good on the Sabbath
Day.
1.-The Needy Multitude, VS.. IA.
1.-THE Impotent Man Healed, VS.. SO. IA.
ID A Desperate Case, V. ).
(2) Jesus Saw Him, v. 6.
go Jesus Question, ". 8.
az The Reply of Dawning Faith. v. z.
90 The Healing. VS.. 8, 8.
90 Confessing Jesus, VS.. Ills.
Cd The Cleansing from Sin. v. IA.
III.-Jesus' Critics. VS.. 1913. 10.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture.
l.. The Needy Multitude, VS.. IA
Jesus had gone again to Jerusalem to at
tend the feast, and, as usual, the place
of greatest need was the place where
He was to be found. At this pool of
Bethesda there was a great multitude
of impotent folk, the blind, halt n
withered, gathered. The one man healed
so occupies u thought that we for
get the multitudes that were not so
blessed. Surely it was not because OF
lack of power or willingness on Jesus
part to heal. but because the necessary
faith was lacking. What a sad proper
tion-one out of a multitude, when all
might have been healed. And this pro-
portion continues to-day.
II. The Impotent Man Healed. %
A Desperate Case, V. ga chronic case
Of 80 years standing. No physician
would undertake to cure such a case,
but Jesus delights to have the worst
cases come to Him. There is nothing
too hard for Him.-Gen. 1914; Jer.
32:17, 27; Heb. 1925.
GU Jesus Saw Him, V. 6.-There was
something in this man which attracted
Jesus above all the others. 1t was the
possibilities of a faith that could claim
healing. AS Jesus looks upon us what
is it that He sees. Is He unable to
commit Himself" with all His blessing
unto us, because of what He sees in us
of unbelief and self-will?-John 2:24, rs.
(3) Jesus Question, V. 6.-"Wilt thou
be made whole?" A question which He
is asking every soul, and He is being
turned away with the answer: Not
now" Like Felix's remark to Paul,
people are saying: Go thy way this
time; when have a more convenient
season, | will call for thee" Souls i'm
potent because of sin are refusing to be
healed. They love darkness rather than
light because their deeds are evil
John 3:19.
() The Reply of Dawning Faith, v.
Ills reply implies his longing to be
healed and his vague hope that Jesus
will help him into the pool. This little
faith Jesus honors, and does better for
him than he could ask or think.-Eph.
1920.
90 The Healing, vs.. 8, 9.-Jesus' ON
mand: Rise, take up thy bed, and walk"
met with prompt obedience. Though he
had not walked for SO years, still al
Jesus word he attempts it, and "imme-
diately" he was made whole, and took
up his bed and walked.
co. Confessing Jesus, V. II, 15.-This
mans going carrying his couch on the
Sabbath day aroused the opposition OF
the Jews, and got him into trouble. The
one who obeys Jesus must expect such
experiences e. Tim. 3:12). But he was
prompt in confessing Jesus and was col
fidert that He who could heal Him had
authority over the Sabbath day. And
after his second interview with Jesus anG
had learned who it was who had re-
stored him to health he Vas eager to
tell about Him. What an example for
US. When we come to know Jesus as
the one who has blessed us, how eager
we ought to be to confess Him (Rom
10: 10; Matt. 1892, 33).
Cd The Cleansing from Sin, V. IA
But a greater service than the healing
was the cleansing from sin. Jesus
work is never complete until there is
and cleansing from sin. ii
may be implied from Jesus words thai
this mans condition had been the di-
rect result of sin. Compare the prob
able similar condition in the case Of
the palsied man in Matt. 9:2-7. In this
case the forgiveness of sin pre-
coded the healing. Note in the mira
cles of healing how often Jesus for
gave sin and urged its forsaking.
III. Jesus Critics, VS.. 1913. 15.-lt
was the Sabbath day. A good day for a
good deed. But a man restored to
and made a useful member of
society, was overshadowed in the minds
of the carping critics by the question
of Sabbath day law and observance.
They cared more for the outward observ-
ance than they did for the man for whom
the Sabbath was made. In striving for
the letter they had killed the spirit
2 Cor. 3:6. Here was the beginning
a controversy which continued all
through Jesus ministry. Note Jesus
arguments on various occasions: Mark
1927, 90; Matt. 12:12; Luke 1876. How
Christians follow the ideals laid
down by Jesus in regard to the day OF
rest.
The Golden Text.
"And a great multitude followed Him,
because they saw His miracles" There
are many motives which prompt people
to follow Jesus. Some follow from idle
curiosity. Some are after the loaves
md the fishes. Some are drawn by the
social advantages afforded by the
,buroh Soma follow bpcauSo thew like