Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-24
for SUNDAY Scbools.
STAR LESSON FOR FEBRUARY Is
JESUS POWER TO FoRGIvE."-Mark n:i.i2
BY Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, d.
SECRETARY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RELIGIOUS EDUC

CoNTEXT.-The evangelists have
made a brief record mark 1866; Luke
"; AZ to N:16l of what transpired between
last lesson and this. On the morning after
the busy day at Capernaum Jesus departed
into a solitary place to pray. Shortly after
his disciples followed, and reported that
men were earnestly seeking him. On hear
ing this the Master, doubtless to avoid tho
crowd, visited the adjacent towns and
preached in the synagogues. While on that
journey he helped leper who came be-
seeehing Him, and who went forth, con-
trary to the direction of Jesus, publishing
abroad the wonderful deed, so that the
multitude crowded about the Savior to His
great embarrassment. For time, there
fore. He limited His ministry to the rural
sections. And still the people gathered to
Him from every quarter.
AUDIENCE. Oversees 1-2). After a
while Jesus re-entered Capernaum, his
home city Matt. KID, having done
great work during his absence. His pres
ence was quickly noised about, resulting In
large conoourse of people, who even
crowded the streets. 1t was a magnificent
display of popular enthusiasm for a nota-
bic parsonage That fame is legitimate and
most desired that promotes ones useful
ness. On this occasion q splendid oppcr-
tunity was offered, and Jesus improved II
by delivering q sermon. We may picture
to ourselves the great preacher addressing
that vast audience upon the stupendous
themes of the gospel. 1t is said that He
preached the gospelr' 1t probably an
exposition of Scripture duke xxiv:27) after
His usual custom
PATIENTS. Oversees 40. While the
chief appeal of the gospel is to the intel
lects and consciences of men, they are
more concerned about their physical COM
fort. The truth, the one instrument Of
spiritual elevation John xvii:1O, is often
rejected, while material good is often
sought The sermon that day was sud
denly interrupted by some men who sought
to bring a paralytic under the power of
Christ At first they made attempts to en-
ter by the ordinary way, but were prevent
ed by the crowds who blocked the passage.
AS last resort they mounted the roof and
removed the thing and the timbers, which
they might easily do. as the coverings OF
the dwellings were constructed in a loose
way. And then by means of ropes they let
down the helpless man as he lay upon his
cot, so that he came into the very midst
of the open court where Jesus was stand
ing. The patient was thus In reach OF the
physician.
PARDON. (Verse 81. Jesus was no.
at once diverted from the high purpose
that dominated Him in preaching. He
same to be a Savior Matt. i:2D, to min
lister to the souls of men Luke xxiv;41l.
Deliverance from sin, reconciliation with
God, peace of mind, purity of thought and
life We're in his eyes vastly more import
ant imam any temporal DleSSiHB IleHSt,
looking upon the man lying before Him,
and recognizing the faith of those who
brought him land without doubt his own
faith, Jesus determined at once to bestow
the chief good. "Thy sins be forgiven He
said. 1t was mastery stroke of wisdom.
an implication that spiritual things should
be attended to first, even as He declared
on another occasion Matt. vi;33), II need
be a man might be content on bed, help
less borne about by friends, If he could
only feel that he was forgiven of his sins
BLASPHE ENVY. tNerses 6-O.-SitttnS
IN the audience were some OF the scroeS.
The original service OF these men, as their
title implies was to copy the Scriptures.
But that employment made them so famil-
Tar with the sacred writings that they had
gradually come into the teachers office
For a long time they had been instructors
IN the synagogues, duly respected as such
by the people. Accordingly, they were es
teemed competent to judge OF any teach
ing by others, and felt themselves obli-
gated in measure to determine the sound
ness of any mans utterances These men
were surprised when they heard Jesus
pronounce pardon upon the apdraiytlc, and
they questioned in silence about the mat
ter. Knowing fuli well from the Scrip
lures 1sa. xlii:25D that this was a divine
prerogative they adJudged Him TO be
guilty of blasphemy But then came the
perpleXlty. Why should lie, evidently a
good man. benevolently inclined be guilty
of an ofsense which under the law might
be punished with death? 0ev.. xxiv16).
ALTERNAIINE (Verses S-9).-The
scribes were more surprised when they
discovered that their thoughts were known.
Jesus possessed the remarkable ability to
discern the most secret things of the heart
Matt ixD without waiting for the oral
criticism which might have come in few
moments. He sought to remove the cause
Of their questioning, and that lie did In a
very adro1t way. The people had confessed
His power to heal, was shown by the
act of the four men who broke up the roof
ana let down the paralytiC. No one would
have been at all perplexed had Jesus in
stantIy cured the helpless man. But was
that any easier than to forgive sins? Did
the one act imply less power than the
other act? In short, had not enough been