The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-10-24

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. 9:12-14).
4. Fellowship With God.
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. (Isa $500. At.
tention has been called to the sigha
and the tears of Jesus. II our pray.
ers were more accompanied by tears
and heartfelt signs they would be
more powerful. (cf Romans $3.50.
1t is equally true that If our signing
were accompanied by more prayers
we would accomplish more in his king
dom.
After these preliminary and sugges-
tive acts Jesus spoke the one word
.sEphphatha"-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
32:14 and 1874, 5.
In this particular case Jesus for rea.
sons OF state admonished those pres.
ent not to tell broadcast about the cure
that had been effected, as such a
course would attract the multitude and
Jesus was beginning to avoid the
crowds as much as possible. There
were other occasions when Jesus COM
manded those whom he had cured to
witness for God, Luke 1888. It is mo-
ticeable that this was an instantane-
GUS, full, and complete cure. for tho
man spoke plain" So in him we ara
complete (Col. 2:10) or whole.
Why is 1t that in q majority Of cases
Jesus spake and twas done. while
here there was = seemingly progress
sive cure? One answer would be that
Jesus Is not confined to one method
and that he had certain lessons to
teach to his disciples that this method
alone would best suggest.
II. JESUS THE PROVIDER wv.
ITO, CT. Matt 15:32-38.)
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 1926, ~ why they had
followed him, still they were deeply
Interested In him and considered him
| to be prophet John SID. Never
theIess Jesus was moved with COM
passion then, even as now he Is moved
when he beholds US In our unwcrth-
mess.
No Hunger Too Great.
The compassion Of Jesus is a very
active principle, 1t 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"
AWhence 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
saba, where they might find bread:
but now they are In desert place.
+ It may seem strange for the disciples
TO ask such question. He had fed a
| larger number with smaller resources
| but is not this precisely what we are
in constant danger Of doing? Presen,
| difiiculties always outweigh past de-
| liverances If, however. we will but
remain with Jesus we too shall be fed.
Nd hunger is too great. no difiiculty
| il unsurmountable n we remain close
by his side.
After taking stock ". 81 Jesus com
mands the people TO sit down. He
received their seven loaves ". 81 and
| brake and gave. first to the disciples,
and through them to the people. Such
| as they had, first given to him. respond.
| inf to his touch. was enough end to
spare q. 81. When we give dim our
I'll ae win bless. multiply and use.