The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-02-09
THE SECOND
MIRACLE IN CANA
Sunday School Lesson Tor Feb. IL. 1895
prepared bv the Highway and
Byway" Preacher.

LESSON TEXT.-John 4i4s-H. Memory
verses 49-51.
GOLDEN TExT.-"The same works that
/ do bear witness OF me that the Father
hath sent me" John b:86.
TIME--December, A. d. n. few days
after the Incidents Of last lesson.
PLACE.-Cana OF Galiee, where Jesus
performed His first miracle; and Caper-
naum, some 20 to rs miles to the northeast.
A REMINDER. This incident of the dy-
ing son. the importunate father, his faith.
the miraculous healing and the resultant
conversion Of the nobleman's household.
was recorded that we might believe that
Jesus 10 the Christ, the Son Of God- and
that believing ye might have life In HIS
name" Keep our key verse John 20:SD
In mind as you study this lesson.
The Lesson Outline
THEME.-The Eeward OF Faith.
IA Sick Son, v. 40. /
ia Burdened Father. vs.. F-4a
% He Seeks Jesus. v. II.
(9 Is Rebuked by Jesus. v. a.
(s) Is Persistent, V. 49,
IlI.-A Responsive Saviour. vs. 10. bA
% Reassuring Words, v. 10.
t2) Healing Power, " IS.
IV.-An Obedient Faith, " 70.
V--The Reward of Faith vs.. bl-b2
VIA Converted Household, v. Sc
Comparing Scripture with Scripture.
|. The Sick Son, v. 48.-That was a
sad household at Capernaum. Verse AZ
tells us the boy was dying. Human skill
had failed. Perhaps over and over
| again the sorrowing parents had asked
the question: "Why has this afliction
come" and they had their answer In
| the converted household. All, how bless
ing will always come out Of afniction II
we go to Jesus with our troubles and
let Him help us.
II. A Burdened Father. (D Seeks
Jesus, v. Aft there had been no sick
son there would have been no burdened
father seeking Jesus; and how different
would have been the story, II this father
had not turned to Jesus. Whatever the
burden we need to go to seek Jesus TO
obtain His help Il Peter SD. There is
nothing which more surely drives men
to Jesus than Affections. All through
Jesus earthly ministry we find this is so
Matt. 9:1S; 1922; 1914, Is; Luke 7:2,
81, 3S). And 1t is true to-day. Every
one with burdens which drive them to
seek Divine help are thrice blessed, for
II brings them to the great burden
bearer; It wins His sympathy and COOP
Grafton and it brings blessing upon
others about them.
(2) Is Rebuked by Jesus, v. 4S.-Jesus
tested the noblemans faith. So does He
the faith OF every one. Over and over
again we find this the case. The Syro-
phoenician woman is a notable example
Mark 7:25-30). Jesus does not seek
to evade the bestowing Of blessing but
longs to so strengthen our faith that He
may safely grant the petition. Many
requests go unanswered. and many
blessings are lost because the soul is not
willing to submit to the testing. We
become offended because our motives
are called into question; we become i'm
patient because of the seeming delay In
answer to our request and as result are
unable to receive the blessing which Je-
sus otherwise would bestow. Real
faith will stand the test, 1t will be sub
missive under seeming reproof. 1t will
prove patient under trying delay. 1t Is
evident from Jesus remark that the
faith of this nobleman rested largely
upon the signs and wonders he had seen
| WIOuSul. oou5 IL W iSehu hiAh Jul
into faith which rested on His naked
word. Compare in this connection
John 20:29; / John $40, IL; 2 Pet.
1:17-19.
CD Is Persistent, v. 49.-For reply to
the sharp challenge of Jesus, he re-
peats more vehemently than before his
!. petition. Here is the secret Of power In
prayer: Persistency and definiteness
Luke 49, with Luke 11:5-10; Eph. 6: IS
III. A Responsive Saviour. % Re-
assuring Words, v. 50.-Jesus never sent
burdened seeking soul away unblessed
But Jesus words called for fresh need
of faith. The nobleman asked Jesus tc
60 with him. Jesus told him to go back
alone. 1t is nearly always true thai
Jesus does not answer our petitions just
. in the way we have asked or expected
but He does answer them.
CD Healing Power, v. 53.-It was MOI
necessary that Jesus go to Capernaum
This is one of several instances where
Jesus healed from distance.
w. An Obedient Faith, v. 50.-Faith
at first weak, was strengthened until thu
| nODleuldu 10 WILLIE " lcdNc JCeuo, pc
lieving the words: THY son liveth,
were fulfilled. The evidence OF faitl
is obedience to Divine commands. Not,
: example of Peter in Luke 5:6.
v. The Reward of Faith, vs.. 61-63-
II any doubts filed the heart Of that ia
ther as he made the long journey home
certain 1t is that they were all swep
away by the glad message that tn
watching servant hastened to brini
him. His faith had Its reward in
healed son at home prepared to gree
him.
vi. A Converted Household, v. 3d.
Who can ever measure the results of
visit to Jesus? The converted house
hold was an unexpected blessing. Ho,
true It is that Jesus does for us beyon
our largest hopes. Eph. $500. Wha
lessons are here for those burdened an
In affliction.
| M NJ