Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-07

nauni. and went Into the synagogue VERSE
VI. There was found man with wIthered
hand-the afflicted OF those Gays were ac-
customed TO visit places OF worship that
they might appeal for aid (Acts iii:2). Here
ls Pharisaic opportunity. Drawing near the
question is gently put 10 Jesus. lis II law.
ful to heal on the Sabbath day7 Luke
Hxi:l4.). That appeared like confessed igno-
rance In the presence of acknowledged wis
dom, 1t was intended to be a snare Know
ing the goodness of the Savior's heart and
remembering his many cures. they expected
to provoke Him into an act that would
warrant legal process against Him
(verse ~. Relying Upon the gloss of the
rabbis, who held that the fourth command.
neiit lex xx:1o) forbade even acts Of
mercy they expected an easy conviction.
RESPONSE.-This new phase of the
SABBATH question was met first In the con-
crete and second in the abstract oversees To-
~. turning to the Pharisees, Jesus asked
II any of them would hesitate to pull Ids
sheep out of a pit into which II had fallen
on the Sabbath. That appeal could not be
answered. Every man will protect his prop
erty The hearers must have felt the force
or the inquiry, even though ignorant OF th5
Jaw tEx. xxiii:5) twice given Deut xxii:4)
Receiving no reply, Jesus added How
much Is a man better than a Sheep" VIII
you save beast and leave man in dis
ease and pain? The far-reaching influence
OF the Savior's question can hardly be
known. 1t revealed the hypocrisy OF Hts
enemies, and laid the basis of humanitar.-
anism in all after centuries. The inter-
view closed with great moral truth thu
positive side of religion. Judaism In that
day concerned itself with many negations
but Christianity is built on the words of
Jesus, 1T is lawful to do well on the Sab
path days" ushering in a dispense ton of
good deeds to the souls and bodies of men
MIRACLE.-The doctrine and the prao-
lice or Jesus were always in accord. each
Illustrating and supporting the other. Hav-
Ing declared that II was proper to do well
He could not withhold his power from the
unfortunate man with the withered hand
Had He done so the value OF His words
would have been diminished. and He would
nave been proven to be less than he Was
the Divine man. Without hesitation there-
FORE He commanded and the hand was
reached forth and instantly restored fyerse
IS). imagination may easily picture tho
scene that followed. The rejoicing and the
fhankfulness of the cured man, the wonder
OF his friends and of the bystanders the
increased admiration and devotion of the
disciples, the confusion and bitterness OF
the Pharisees as they went out verse
Ia to hold a council, and the benignant
dignity of the Man of Galilee who tri-
umphed over opposition-all these qualities
displayed themselves in the faces OF those
who heard what was said and witnessed
what was done that Sabbath day in the
synagogue at Capernaum.
SUMMARY.-The lesson is rightly
titled Jesus and the Sabbath" 1t touched
nearly every element of the doctrine con-
corning the Christian Sabbath Note these
points: j. Jesus is the Lord OF the Sabbath
1t Is not a Jewish, but Christian institu-
ton. The Lords day." hence not obsolete
If His, then It must be devoted 10 Him
and used according to His spirit. and for
His glory and cause. q While its primary
purpose is to furnish opportunity for spir-
itual employments CRev. i:10) the needs OF
the body must not be neglected, and all
acts of mercy are lawful. Hunger must
be relieved and disease may be cured. It
was made for man mark i:271. for his
body not less than his soul. 3. The day Is
perverted when men surround il with ar
bftrary regulations. brought down from
old-time observances, a misinterpretatlon
of the letter of legal enactments. Who
ever IS loyal to Christ. whoever follows
Him, will be likely to keep the day Alright.
4. There is no encouragement here for
looseness of view practice concerning
that which Jesus maintained. He did not
destroy, but reaffirm and perpetuate II
the Sabbath Is for man-for all men-it 10
for the race, for all time.