Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-14

THE CONNECTING LINKS.-A con-
siderable time elapsed between the deeds
of last lesson Matt. xii:1-i4 and those of
the lesson before US. 1t is impossible for
us TO construct the entire narrative. since
Matthew does not proceed in chronology
ical order, and Mark and Luke omit many
things-a popularity in the gospel history
which all have noted and none have ex-
planned. BY the aid of a good harmony
one may approximate knowledge OF the
events. the study OF which viii be very
profit able. However. the fact of omissions
and irregularities may serve to impress one
with this important truth--that the story
OF the life OF Jesus Is fragmentary. and
that the Holy Spirit designed to be so.
From first to last we must remember that
there are not, as in the lives Of great men,
connecting links binding together the parts
of the earthly career of our Lord we
come rather to detached incidents and are
filled with greater wonder because they are
unrelated.
THE SICK SERvANT.-(Verses1 and
% Jesus came to His home, Capernaum
Matt. ivaSl, at the close of series or
wonderful deeds in an extended country.
This was according to His custom he
appeared to have desires for retirement ana
rest and He sought these among people
whom He had signally favored. and who
had honored Him in return. mark LID
1t Is well 1Or every servant III lhe
to have a constituency. base OF supplies,
retreat from the great outside world
Thence he may go forth and there ne may
return, always with profit to himself ana
cause But Jesus never went anywhere
without finding opportunity to do good
He could never be concealed, never sup,
tracted from the great body of men, an
of whom needed Him. In every place II
was a question who shall be blessed by
Him. In the instance before us II was a
servant slave of the centurion. Roman
officer stationed in Capernaunle Ii was
sick slave one nigh unto death, VINO hao no
real claim upon a Jewish teacher
THE WORTHY MASTER-Vefses .
and 81 This centurion had MN sense ot
propriety He knew that there was no
consideration which he could present sum-
c,ent To win favor with Him whose fame
had filled the land whose help he now de-
sired for his slave. He therefore sought
the kindly assistance of the elders or the
Jews. the duly appointed administrators
of affairs for the city. That he approached
them at all is proof of his respect for them
and his standing with them 1t might nave
been so that he had deported himself as
military men frequently do. In a naughty
and arbitrary way, In which case he might
have expected favor from them In
stead they were easily entreated and they
became intercessors of the very hlghest
value. Approaching Jesus the ELDERS stated
what was desired and pleaded that he who
sought the cure was worthy. AS proof or
his worthiness they stated that ne ioVeo
the nation, and mat he had built syna-
gogue for them, this liberal act being evil
dence of the mans love.
THE HUMBLE CENTURION.-Verses
G. Z 81 The approach of the elders Sc
cured one immediate RESULT enlisted me
interest of Jesus in the case. And He went
forth toward the house of the centurion.
The seeker was sought 1t is Impossible for
us to penetrate the mind and know the
motive that prompted In TINS approach,
but as Jesus drew near He was seen by the
waiting centurion. And then the better
qualities of the Roman officer appeared,
setting him before us in a most admirable
character. He felt that ii was highly i'm
proper for one so exalted as Jesus to take
the trouble of a visit to his house. and
more improper for Him 10 enter the house.
lie had such humble views of himself that
he ascribed the highest honor to Him who
was then advancing along the street. Be
Sides he considered. there was no need of
this visit. The centurion gave commands
which were obeyed. and he was confident
that a word from the Lord was all that
was required. With these considerations
friends were directed to meet Jesus and ex-
plain what the centurion felt and said.
THE SPEEDY CURE.-(Verses 8 and
10) The little speech of the friends in
behalf of the centurion completed a chain
of influences that brought the desired re-
suit. There had been the helpless slave,
the anxious master, the intercedng elders.
the advancing Jesus and the watehful and
humble centurion. All this must have
awakened in the hearts of all who knew
the circumstances conviction that cure
would be wrought. One thing more was
needed. and that was faith, which had been
required in every act of the Master. MARK
xi:22) That was the condition upon which
a blessing might be consistently bestowed
(Matt ix:29.) Jesus paused. He needed
not to go further He turned about to
commend this rare exhibition to those who
followed, exceeding any witnessed in
Israel And the deed was done. Without
seeing the servant or speaking a word, or
waving His hand, the cure came They
who had been sent returned and found the
man whole.
THE DISTRESSED WIDOW.-(Verses
II and 12) That miracle was succeeded by
another on the following day not less
notable. Leaving Capernaum, Jesus and
His disciples, followed by a multitude of
people, travelled to the little city of Main,
that lay about fifteen miles to the south.
AS the procession approached the gate of