Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-22
Sunday School Lesson for February D Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.


CONTEXT.-Harmonis are generally
agreed that considerable time elapsed be-
tween the healing of the nobleman's son
(our last lesson closing with the fourth
chapter) and the miracle to be studied
today. The sacred penman. without as
signing any reason. omitted from his mar
rative many events in our Lords Galilean
ministry. which properly belonged be-
tween these two chapters. the fourth and
fifth. Among these events were the fix
ing Of the home at Capernaum. the call
ing of the disciples. the delivery OF the
Sermon on the Mount (Which was an or
dination sermon, the eating with publ
cans and sinners. the raising o. Jairus'
daughter. the healing of the woman with
a bloody issue, the healing Of the blind
man, the casting out Of devils. These do
ings. passed over by John. are recorded
by the other evangelists. 'Matt. WIS to
tx "a: Mark. i:l6 to v:i3. Luke. iv:l6 to
viii :56). After these occurrences Jesus
went up to Jerusalem to attend feast.
probably His second passover. John.
ii:13).
BETHESDA POOL. Verses 1-3.-In
the olden time oriental kings. partly for
their own comfort, and partly for the
public benefit. laid pipes by which pure
water was conveyed from the hillsides TO
the cities Oh Kings. xviii:lO. This wa
ter. emptied into small cisternS. was used
largely for bathing isaiah. Xxii:1D, and
these privileges were highly esteemed. A
work Of that kind would last for CEN
turtles. source of blessing to untold
thousands of people. long alter those who
built it were forgotten. OF the many
such pools in Jerusalem one is mentioned
In, hn n interest,"
ing event in the life of Jesus. Its name,
Bethesda. signfied house Of mercy. be-
cause invalids of all kinds resorted there
to battle in it's healing waters. For their
accommoda ton a cloiSter had been erect
ed. with five porches, in which the I'M
fortunates might lie. This pool has been
recently discovered through the removal
of rubbish of the centuries. and is on the
north side of the temple area
ANGELS VISIT. Verse A. This
verse is omitted from many of the best
manuscripts, for which reason it has been
supposed that the statement of the en-
gels visit was mere matter of opinion
and not Of fact. thrust into the narrative
by some later hand. Be that as II may
land the careful student may exclude the
utterance If he prefer. the words do not
weaken or strengthen the passage. They
are no more to be questioned as Incredible
than the many other recitalS OF angelic
visitation. duke. i:3O. X:i:1O.) All through
the gospel history supernatural beings are
said to have appeared with blessings for
men. 1t is in harmony with the DISPOSE
ton of angels that they should come to
this pool to minister to the unfortunate.
CHeb., 1:14D 1t is evident that the person
who put the verse here, whether John.
the original writer. or some later scribe.
intended in this way to account for the
medicinal quality of the waters. In those
days all good things were supposed to be
of heavenly origin.
HELPLESS SEEKER. Oversees 5-7D
When Jesus approached the pool great
multitude of patients were waiting their
opportunity to enter the waters after the
visit of the angel. Few emplOyments could
be more utterly paralyzing than lying
there. gazing dreamily into the waters,
listening to the monotonous groans of the
cripples detailing symptoms which no one
desired to hear. The kindly eye of the
Master rested on the worst case in this
waiting ROOM a man who had suffered for
thirty-eight years. Hopeless imbecility
was written on his face. A long time had
he been in this place. unable to reach the
strength had seized the occasional oppor-
tunity of a promised cure. He was an OBJ
ject to excite the profoundest pity and call
forth the might and love of this Great
Physician who stood before him. The
helpless has met the Helper.
INSTANT CURE. Oversees So 1t was
necessary to arouse this man. Blessings
are not thrust Internationally upon any.
Genuine desire must precede any beStOW-
ment mark xi:2D, else it may become a
burden and a curse. This man in his long
waiting may have sunk SO low mentally
that real life would have no significance
to him. Hence the question of Jesus,
wilt thou be made whole?' Would you
like to exchange sickness for health. with
all that means laying aside your depend
ence and beggary to take your place
among men and address yourself to the
stern duties of life? Are you willing to
earn your living rather than to receive it
as a gift? Is there something in life that
attracts you so you desire strength for
attainment? The mans reply showed
the limit of his faith, which centered
wholly in the water. He had no friend
to help him into the health-giving pool.
This was enough. Jesus said, Rise and
walk and Immediately he obeyed.
SABBATH BREAKER. Verse 1O.)-The
current religion Of that time was legal
and formal The Jewish people, because OF
their violation of law were carried captive
into foreign lands. There they repented,
and on their return sought to establish
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