The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-02-09
The Second Miracle in Cana.

the great world of art and traffic. In
infusion of foreign elements in it's
distance from the seat of national &C.
clesiasticism had a liberalizing influ-
ence. All tended to make it favor
able field for Jesus ministry. Here
He spent most of His time, worked
most of His miracles, preached most
of His sermons.
One obstacle stood in His way. He
was Himself Galilean. He diagnos-
ed the case when He said prophet
is not honored in his own country.
Familiarity with him breeds contempt
of him. But Jesus had forestalled
this by His brief career at Jerusalem.
His honor was an exotic transplanted
from Judea to Galilee. The Galilean
pilgrims brought His fame back with
them. So He was received"
At the very scene of His first mira
Gle came an importunate appeal for
the working of another. A fathers
heart wrung by anguish, forgetful of
rank and station, makes its pitiful
appeal. What recks it if he is kings
officer? Shall he stand upon any
ceremony while his son lies at the
point of death?
Thus early in His career Jesus an
nounces a fundamental principle
which shall guide Him in the use of
miraculous power, His signs and
wonders are not wrought to eXtort
faith from others. On the contrary,
it shall be faith that EFFORTS them
from Him. This faith the nobleman
shows in his journey of twenty miles,
and in the language of his appeal.
The strength of his faith is further
manifested in the way it endures an
unexpected and severe test. Healing
IN GbSentiG was not so much as dream
ed OF. Yet, when Jesus spoke the
word the man believed" and went"
There was no dubious hesitation or
further appeal for Jesus own pres
ence.
But on the morrow the nobleman's
faith was destined to sweep out in
wider circle to embrace the Miracle
worker in new and diviner office.
discovered that the moment of the
child's recovery was identical with
that in which Jesus uttered the word
of power, Thy son liveth," then the
nobleman believed His Divine nature
and Messiahship. In this faith his
whole house shared. So we have the
lovely spectacle of the first converted
family.
1t has been affirmed by several
authorities that St. John had phil
osophy of his own in harmony with
which he wrote his Gospel. He GER
tainly had method in the selection
of incidents, miracles, and discourses
which he recorded In this instance
of the nobleman, a story which bears
the stamp of evident truth, the evan
gelist gives in epitome the history of
the generation, growth, and fruitage
of faith. There is the sense of imper-
ative need, the patent insufficiencv of
the human resources, the quest of
power, the cry of the soul uttered in
action, so, that l might find Him of
whom Moses and the prophets have
spoken" The miracle is a notable
instance of not quenching the smok-
ing flax. 1t has been said that Jesus
lit up the little spark of faith in the
breast of the nobleman into a clear
and enduring flame for the light and
comfort of himself and his house.
Jesus had just been ANONYMOUSLY
thrust out of Nazareth, His own city.
1t must have been humanity speaking,
gratifying under the circumstances
to have this recognition of His power
on the part of the nobleman of Caper-
naum. In time of unfaith here was
one who showed faith in Him. 1t is
true it was not as high type of faith
DIS blldG SuOWu ny JIle DdludTlUd us. III
required sign for its confirmation.
The nobleness of the Samaritan faith
was that it required no other sign
but Jesus self. However, it was pos
sible for the Galilean faith to evolve
into type similar to the Samaritan.
And it did
The sweet humanness of this nara
tive captures the heart. 1t is voice
of nature. One can not but exclaim,
1T must be truer' The nobleness of
the nobleman is his affection for his
son. His trouble gave him feet. He
could not be rebuffed.
1.-The Galilean Spring" is the apt
designation of this opening of Jesus
ministry in the north country. He
sought and saw His opportunitv. He
sowed His seed with tireless and tragic
diligence The harvests of that SOW
ing are still being reaped.
The Teachers Lantern.
A Scotchmau and his wife were at