Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-04-27
Sunday School
Senior Berean Lesson For
April II.

!.
Golden Textile Sabbath was
made for man and not man for the
Sabbath Mark ii, %
Chapter ii, 23-2S.-A considerate pro-
vision
The movements of Jesus and his dis
ciples were closely followed by both
friend and foe. The first delighted to
be in his company and to listen to his
helpful teaching. The second detested
him and watched for opportunities to
make trouble for him Went through
the cornfields'' These were grain
fields of barley or wheat outside the
city of Capernaum. Began, as they
went, to pluck the ears of corn" The
disciples were taking advantage Of
kind law that permitted those who
were hungry to pluck the ears of
standing corn with their hand. but
not to use any instrument Deut-
xiii, 25). The objection was not rails
ed on this ground. 1t was that they
were doing this ION the Sabbath day"
This was the seventh day of the week
and corresponded to our Saturday.
The fourth commandment was clear an
to work on the Sabbath day. but the
spirit Of this law permitted works of
necessity (Ex. xii, 49,. But the rab-
binic Interpretation OF this law was
harsh and heartless. 1t prohibited ev-
cry kind of work, SO that the Sabbath
became a task day instead of a day
of delight THAT which Is not law
full" according to their perverse un-
Outstanding of the purpose Of the Sab
bath Have ye never readT' The
Master reminded tho Pharisees who
had complained to him about bis dis
ciples that they were justified In what
they did by the excellent precedent
set by David. "Abiathar." Read Ahim-
elech. He was In charge OF the sane
tuary at Mob, where David received
hospitality when he fed from Saul q
Sam. xxi, 1-6). David had made an
exception of himself and his compan-
ions in partaking of 1.-The show bread
the twelve cakes of unleavened bread
which were placed fresh every Sab
bath on a table In the sanctuary. The
bread Of the previous week was to be
eaten only by the priests and in the
sanctuary Qev. xiv, 5-9). 1t is the
exception that often proves the rule
David entered not only the sanctuary,
though he was a layman: he also ate
the show bread to which he was not
entitled.
1.-The Sabbath was made for man -
Mans welfare is more important than
the sacredneSs of the mere day but
we must not sacrifice character to COM
fort An ancient writer has we'll said,
The Sabbath was appointed not for
Gods sake, but for the sake of man."
1t was given for the highest benefit of
the human race. We therefore honor
the day most when we use 1t for spir-
ftual recuperation. which will give tone
to the physical system as well as to
the whole personality. Let us see to it
that we do not allow the world to de-
fraud US of the great blessing which
the Sunday can impart to us
Chapter fiji, ia compa ssionate
deed
On another occasion Jesus impress
sively showed that not only works of
necessity, but also works of mercy,
can be performed on the Sabbath day.
Entered again into the syna gogue.'
This center of popular worship and re-
ligious instruction was regularly Wis
tied by Jesus on the appointed days
"A withered hand" Luke states that
1t was his right hand that was dried
up and paralyzed. An apocrypbal Cos
pei states that the man made the ap
peal to Jesus, saying: ~ was a mason
earning my bread with my hands
pray thee, Jesus, restore my health
that may not In shame beg for food
They watched him" His enemies
were determined to expose Jesus as 9
violator of the law. Once more Jesus
! anticipated them.
ITO save life or to KILL Here was
an indirect reflection on their attitude
toward him. They did not scruple tc
him. even though it was the Sabbath
| day, but they were very particular
about insisting on a law that did not
affect them personally. They held
| their peace They could not answer
without committing themselves, but
their refusal was q confession Of de
| feat with anger This was moi
the feeling of personal resentment, bu
of pity. mingled with grief. for the
hardness of their hearts-" They wers
so set In their obtuss and obstinata
ways that they simply would not sex
| the larger truth Stretch forth thins
hand" No sooner had the word beer
spoken than power entered the dis
sased hand and brought back to It par
feet health
Chapter III. "A counsel OF con
spiracy.
Things were going too FAR. and SOM
desperate effort must be made to pm
stop to the spread Of hsrasy Jesu
was clearly not safe. and II be was al
/ -