Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-03-08


sin directly, for many innocent ones
suffer for the sins of the guilty; much
is allowed ito manifest Gods glory"
some suffering is to test our faith, re-
filming 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 beautiful example or
the sort of personal work he would
have us do.
What the Act Teaches.
Now note that the evidence Of the
cure is here also for 'she ministered
unto them" 1t must have been a
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
titles 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-iaw
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. cat 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 it
says so much in so few words. One
can feel himself 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 a jour-
ney on the morrow. The record is
significant in the use of the word
"all' in verse 80, and many" in verse
"a
The next morning, "a great while
before day" Jesus goes apart for
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. AS
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. l must preach to them
also, for this came / into the world.
Chief End of christ's Ministry.
Inc cOmpulSlOu VI d great ulSSiOA
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 Christ's ministry. He
came to establish a 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. $3.50
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
third, the lesson Of missions, espe-
cially medical missions, and in this
connection the lesson of leprosy. as a
type of sin, loathsome, contagious, in
durable.
Emphasize the drawing power of
Jesus. Has he drawn you to his
side? Also, that it is manifestly the
| duty of those who have been drawn
! and healed to minister unto others.
| and lead them to salvation.