The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-08
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDGYSC[lOOL
LESSON
(By =. o. SELLERS. Director Of EVEN
Ing Department. The Moody Bible In
stitute OF chicago.)
LESSON FOR MARCH 10.
JESUS THE HEALER.

LESSON TExT-Mark '1.e9-f5
GOLDEN TExT-'Himself took infirni-
ties. and bare our diseases. Matt s;iI.
Forty-one times st. Mark makes use
OF what is a distinguishing word in
his gospel. "straightway, or its equiv
aIent. forthwith" Immediately" etc.
Jesus. as was his custom, had been
worshiping in the synagogue, and
while there he had performed great
work OF healing insomuch that his
fame spread throughout the Galilean
country; and forthwith as they enter
Peters house there is presented an
other dlfficult case. Simon Peters
wife's mother being sick of great
fever" 1t Is a noticeable fact in the
life OF Jesus that he had his own par
ticular intimate circle OF friends with
whom he loved to hold fellowship,
the home in Bethany. and this home
belonging to Simon Peter, are Illus
trations.
Why does God permit sickness and
sorrow to come to those who are
manifestly his most intimate friends?
To those who love him most?
Surely all suffering is not caused by
sin directly. for many innocent ones
suffer for the sins of the guilty; much
ia allowed ito manifest Gods glory"
some suffering is to test our faith. re-
fining us as by fire; and some must
be left to Gods inscrutable wisdom.
for surely we can allow him to do
some things without explaining his
acts to men. Note. however. that
Jesus compassion caused him at once
to show forth a beautiful example OF
the sort of personal work he would
have US do.
What tho Act Teaches.
Now note that the evidence of the
cure is here also for "she ministered
unto them" It must have. been n
complete cure, else how could she go
at once about her household duties?
This act teaches us not only the fact
of the cure but also that other lesson
spoken Of by James In his epistle,
viz, that the best method of showing
our faith is by our works. God JUS
tifies the believer through faith in his
Son. but we are judged righteous be-,
fore the world by our works. BY her
loving ministrations to those of her
household, and to Jesus who was
their guest, this ancient mother-in-law
showed her gratitude and love for this
act Of compassion on the part of
Gods Son. God bless the .mothers-in-
law and stop our gossip.
At the close of this busy day we
can In our imaginations see the crowd
of the city gathered about Peters
door. "At even. when the sun did set
they brought unto him all, ETC." One
Of the most charming and wonderful.
things about the Scriptures is that 1t
says SO much in SO few words. One
can feel himself a part Of the crowd
gathered at the close Of that day.
eager and anxious to see this new
healer. and urgently, eagerly, present
ing their loved ones that he may per-
form his healing ministrations ere the
shades Of night shut him from their
sight, or perchance he begin q jour-
ney on the morrow. The record IL
significant In the use OF the word
"all" In verse so. and many" In vera.
a.
The next morning, "a great while
prayer. How much we need Gods
presence and wisdom which can be
obtained only by "going apart" to
the place of secret communion. espe-
cially in the day OF our greatest sue
cess and popularity. The danger Of
material or other success is to turn
mans thoughts away from God. Az
man contemplates the prowess OF his
own arm or the achievements OF his
own brain the temptation is to trust
himself and not to trust God. Jesus
knew the tests of service before Him
and the need OF vital contact with his
Father. Having gained this through
this early morning watch. he was
ready to reply to Peters unconscious
test when he referred to Christ's pop
ularity by saying that others had
need Of him. / must preach to them
also. for this came into the world.
Chief End Of chrIst's Ministry.
The compulsion Of great mission
gave Christ no time to consider the
popular acclaim, or longer to pause
at Capernaum, though there were
doubtless others who needed his min
istrations. Healing OF the body and
the relief OF human distress Is not the
chief end Of Christs ministry. He
came to establish kingdom and
must preach the good tidings, for
therefore was / sent" Social serv-
ice is indeed God-like. but Jesus tells
us plainly that the soul Is OF more
value than the body. Matt. 6:33)
Three great lessons can be empha-
sized; First. Jesus busy life of go-
ing about doing good; second. that
his compassion was genuine as shown
by the frequent personal touch, and