Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-02-13

INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR FEBRUARY 10.
Subject: Jesus Heals the Noblemanss
Son, John 4:48-B4-G0 Golden Text,
John 4:5O-C0mmit Verses 40,


Son, John 4:48-B4-G Golden Text,
John 4:50-Commit Verses 40,
5O-Commentasy.
TIME. - December. A. D. 81.
PLACE.-Cana.
EXPOSITION. ~. The Mobiles
mans Appeal to Jesus, 1910. Jesus
had had a hearty welcome and re-
sponsive hearing in Samaria Tvs.
4-42). There had been glorious re-
vival there, but His heart yearned for
His own people In Nazareth where He
had grown up, and He returned to
Galilee. It would have been Of little
use to 60 to them before He had es-
tablished reputation elsewhere; for
"a prophet hath no honor in his own
country" Human nature is SO petty
|. 1t will not forgive neighbor for sur
passing his fellows, until he has been
we'll received elsewhere. But Jesus
had now demonstrated His power at
the Capital, and Galllee will now
listen. Indeed Galilee will be the
great scene of His victories. The one
who came was q kings officer. Not a
likely person to come to Jesus, but
his deep need overcame his prejudice.
There Is nothing like sense of need
to drive men to JesuE Matt. 9:18;
1922; 1874, Is; Luke 7:2, 81, 38).
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 a
suppliant at His feet when the hour
of 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 recogni-
ton of those needs in themselves
which He alone can supply. This
nobleman's son was very sick, Eat the
point of death" No human skill
could reach him, but there is moth.
ing too hard for the Lord (Gen.
1914; Luke $40, SOY. 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 be taken to Him.
but extreme cases OF sin, as we'll Il
Tim. 1915; Heb. 7:25). He can heal
not only those who are Eat the point
of DEATH" but those who are already
dead" (Eph. 2:1). This man came
else to whom he could go, no one else
who could help. For the same reason
men come to Jesus now (Jno. $3.50.
If we would induce men to come to
Jesus, we must make clear to them
that there is no one else who can
save (Acts 4:12). Jesus wishes us to
come to Him with all our troubles
Matt. 1928; Ps. 50:15). There
nrf IN rn n
ing the nobleman's request. The case
was, indeed, urgent, but there was
something 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
that rested upon His naked word
comp. CHI. 20:29; l Jno. $40, IL;
2 Pet. 1:17-19. When Jesus said,
except We see signs and wonders, we
will not believe" He was seemingly
contrasting the Jews with the Samar-
itans, who believed Him on simply
hearing Him Tvs. 20, 42), though
they saw no miracles at all. the
Samaritans regarded Him and sought
Him as a Saviour; the nobleman re-
garded Him and sought Him as
Healer.
III. The NobIeman's Faith and Its
Reward, 5O-54. At last Jesus said:
go thy way, thy son liveth." Never
had that nobleman heard such sweet
music. And Jesus is ready to say the
same thing to many to-day whose
hearts are breaking over their sins, II
they will only seek Him as this noble
man did. The mans faith rose to the
occasion. He believed the word that
Jesus spake." That word did not
seem at all probable. The sole ground
he had for faith was Jesus word.
His son was miles away; the man
could see no change that had taken
place, but he had Jesus word and
rested upon that. That was faith.
He proved that "he believed the word
that Jesus had spoken unto him." by
doing as Jesus had hidden him, che
went his way" He asked for no
sign; he no longer asked Jesus to
come down." he counted that 1t was
all done because Jesus said so. From
Cana to Capernaum he walked by
faith. Jesus often demands OF us to
walk in the same way. He gives us
bare promise-nothing else-and de-
mands that we walk by that. That
is enough. Happy is the man who
counts it enough. The nobleman's
faith proved to be we'll founded.
Faith that rests upon the sure word
of Christ always proves to be well
founded. Christ's words cannot fail
Matt. 24:35). Everything had
turned out as Jesus said it would, and
everything will turn out every time
Just as God says 1t will (Acts 27:25;
Josh. 23:14). The boys improve
ment had begun at the moment Jesus
had spoken the word. HE spake and
it was done" "He sent His word and
healed. him." Surely the one who
had such power was the Son Of God
comp. Ps. $3.50; 107:20). No Won
der that it is written that the noble
man himself believed and his whole
house." How could he do otherwise
| IL he was an honest man? How can
| any honest man read what is recorded
| in the various chapters of John with
| out being convinced that the stories
related are true, and that the chief
actor in them, Jesus, SIS the Christ,
the Son of God?" The growth of the
| nobleman's faith is an interesting and
suggestive study. In verse Al we see
| him believing in Jesus power, in
| verse SO believing in Jesus word, and
| in verse SO believing in Jesus Him
| self.