Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1912-10-25

does not need beseeching. He whose
heart was touched with compassion is
ready to hear the fa!ntest cry.
This first section is rich with sug-
gestions. Jesus takes the man apart
suggesting the necessity for individ-
ual personal dealing with God. Men
are not saved en- masse but as sepa-
rate individuals, it could not be other
wise and have a man retain his per-
sonality. To work any cure for our
sins Jesus demands our individual at
tention. Then Jesus placed his fin
gers in the mans ears: suggesting
the added emphasis that we must come
into personal contact with God if We
would be healed. We may stop to rea-
son Elsa. 1:1S) with him but our sins,
that be as scarlet, will not be removed
unless we come by personal, individ-
ual, experience under the blood, (Eph.
I'D.
"IIis blood avais for all our race,
His blood avails for me-"
Moistening the mans tongue with
his own saliva suggests that the source
of healing Is to be in Jesus own per-
son. Our salvation is not in the words
he spake, nor the life he lived, but the
life he gave (Heb. 9:12-1G.
Fellowship With eod.
Jesus also looked to heaven, indicat-
ing that we must continue in fellow
ship with God, and also indicating his
own fellowship with the father. Jesus
sighed over the wreck of sin. The son
Of man came to bear our sorrows and
to share our griefs. lisa. 63:9). At
tention has been called to the signs
and the tears of Jesus. If our pray.
ers were more accompanied by tears
and heartfelt sighs they would be
more powerful. (cf. Romans $500.
1t is equally true that if our signing
were accompanied by more prayers
we would accomplish more III his king.
dom.
After these preliminary and sugges-
tive acts Jesus spoke the one word
"Ephphatha'-Be opened-and deaf
ears were opened to words of praise
and counsel and to the cry of distress.
Loosed was the mans tongue to speak
his word of personal testimony and to
witness for his healer. Read Isaiah
32:1-4 and 1854, 5.
II. JESUS THE PROVIDER (vv
lilo, cf. Matt. 10: :32-SS)
The tremendous stir Jesus caused
is graphically suggested by Mark in
verse one of this section. From far
and near they had gathered and now
at the end OF the third day their small
supply of food Is exhausted. We are
told by John (6:26. 27) why they had
followed him, still they were deeply
interested in him and considered him
to be prophet (John 6:14. Never
theless Jesus was moved with COM
passion then, even as now he Is moved
when he beholds us in our unworth-
iness.
No Hunger Too Great.
The compassion Of Jesus is a very
active principle, it does not consist of
sighs and lamentations, or Of investi.
cations and condemnation of condi.
tions. His compassion causes him to
act. But the disciples are aghast at
his suggestion that he feed this null
titude of "about four thousand"
whence shall one be able to fill these
men with bread" (R. W? On the 9TH
er occasion Jesus had asked Philip,
who lived in the nearby town of Beth.
saida, where they might find bread;
but now they are in desert place.
1t may seem strange for the disciples
to ask such a question. He had fed
larger number with smaller resources.
After taking stock ". 81 Jesus com.
mands the people to sit down. He
received their seven loaves (v. 6) and
brake and gave, first to the disciples,
and through them to the people. Such
as they had, first given to him. respond
ing to his touch, was enough and to
spare (v. 81. When we give him our
all he will bless. multiply and use.
Our Golden Text ". 80 is suggestive
of wide application in teaching this
lesson. We have in this lesson two Incl
dents as illustrations. In both we can
see those principles that govern his
life and ministry. viz, unvarying 10y
atty to God and unwearying compass
sion for poor, weak humanity. AS has
already been suggested. we also see
that the methods of Jesus varied. ac-
cording to the individual need and al
ways with the answering purpose of
| slorlfyng God. The same lesson of
| careful conservation Of what remained
| 's taught as in .he case Of the feeding
." the five tho H I'd.