The new South-news., 1908-02-15

INT isRNATTONAL LESSON COM.
NENTs FOR FEBRUARY 10.
Subjccf. Jesus Heals the Nobleman's
Son. John 4 s.s3-5t--GolJen Text,
John t.5D--Commit Verses 40.
Jo--Commcntary.

John t:JD---Commit Verses 40
5o--Commentary.
TIME. ~ December. A. D. 81
PIicE.-Cana
EXPOSITION. Il The Noble
mans Appeal 10 Jesus. 1919. Jesus
had had a hearty welcome and re-
sponsive hearing in Samaria Tvs.
s-f2l. There had been a glorious re-
vivai there. but His heart yearned for
His own people In Nazareth where He
had grown up, and He returned 70
Gaiiiee. II would have been OF little
use 10 90 TO them before He had es-
tablished a reputation elsewhere. for
"a prophet hath no honor in his own
country Human nature is so petty
II viii not forgive a neighbor for sur
passing his fellows. until he has been
well received elsewhere. But Jesus
had now demonstrated His power at
the Capital, and Gaiilee will now
listen. Indeed Galilee will be the
great scene OF His victories. The one
who came was a kings officer. Not a
likely person to come to Jesus, but
his deep need overcame his prejudice.
There Is nothing like a sense OF need
TO drive men to jesus Matt. 9:1S;
15:2Z; 1913. 10; Luke 7.2, 81. $50.
Blessed are the Affections that bring
us TO Jesus. Many a man who has
had nothing but contempt for Christ
and Christianity. has been found as
suppiiant at His feet when the hour
or trial has come. The most effective
way TO induce men to overcome the
obstacles that lie between them and
Jesus. is to bring them to a recogni-
tion OF those needs in themselves
which He alone can supply. This
nobleman's son was very sick, "at the
point Of death" No human skill
could reach him. but there is moth
ing too hard for the Lord fGen.
1914; Luke SAG, 50). Often in our
own day does the Lord come in with
His healing when all earthly physi-
clans have failed Indeed, mans ex-
tremity is ever Gods opportunity.
And 1t is not only extreme cases of
sickness that can De taken to Him,
but extreme cases or sin, as well C.,
Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25). He can heal
not only those who are "at the point
OF death. but those who are already
dead tEph. 2:1). This man came
to Jesus because there was no one
else to whom he could go, no one else
who could help. For the same reason
men come to Jesus now (Jno. 6:6s).
II we would induce men to come to
Jesus. we must make clear to them
that there is no one else who can
save tActs 4:12). Jesus wishes us to
come 20 Him with all our troubles
Matt. 11:2S: Ps. 50:15). There
was no haste on Jesus part in grant
.ncr la nnLl n n
was, indeed. urgent. but there was
more urgent than the heal
ing of the nobleman's boy; that was
The development of the nobleman's
faith. He had faith that rested
upon the sight OF signs and wonders;
Jesus would lead him out into faith
thar rested upon His naked word
toomp. ch. 2O:29; l Jno. 5:1O, IL:
2 Pet. l.l7-ls). When Jesus said.
except ye sec signs and wonders. ye
Will not believe" He was seemingly
contrasting the Jews with the Samar-
tans, who believed Him on simply
hearing Him Tvs. 29, 42), though
hey saw no miracles at all. The
regarded Him and sought
Him as Saviour; the nobleman re-
,arded Him and sought Him as
Healer
II. The NobIcmau's Faith and Its
.cward. 50-5i. At last Jesus said:
Go thy way, thy son liveth." Never
lad that nobleman heard such sweet
music. And Jesus is ready to say the
anne thing to many to-day whose
learts are breaking over their sins, If
hey will only seek Him as this noble
nan did. The mans faith rose TO the
'ccasion. He believed the word that
Iesus spake.' That word did not
Gem at all probable. The sole ground
lie had for faith was Jesus word.
lis son was miles away; the man
ould see no change that had taken /
'lace. but he had Jesus word and /
estei upon that. That was faith. I
ie proved that he believed the word I
hat Jesus had spoken unto him." by /
loing as Jesus had hidden him, ''he I
vent his way" He asked for no I
ign; he no longer asked Jesus to
come down." he counted that it was
III done because Jesus said so. From /
'ana to Capernaum he walked by |
aith. Jesus often demands of us to !
walk In the same way. He gives us
'are promise-nothing else-and de-
nands that we walk by that. That
5 enough. Happy is the man who
cunts IL enough. The nobleman's
aith proved 20 be we'll founded.
Faith that rest upon the sure word
4 Christ aiways proves to be we'll
ounded. Christs words cannot fail
Matt. 24;3Jl. Everything had
urned aJt ss Jesus said it would, and
win surn out every time
ust as God says { will tActs 27;25;
osh. s3:1il. rhe boys improve
nent had begun .. the moment Jesus
ad spoken the word. He spake and
was done. He sent His word and
ealed him Surely the one who
ad such power was the Son OF God
comp. Ps. 1873; l07:20). No Won
er that II is written that the noble
nan himself believed and his whole
ouse.' How could he do otherwise
he WAS an honest man? How can
ny hottest man read what is recorded
a the various chapters of John with
ut being convinced that the stories
elated are true. and that the chief
ctor in them, Jesus, lis the Christ,
he Son OF God@' The growth of the
ob.eman's faith is an interesting and
study. In verse AZ We see
i'm believing in Jesus power. in