The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-03-07
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNYSCIIOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH 10.
JESUS THE HEALER.
aE E. o. SELLERS, Director OF Even
ing Department. The Moody Bible In
stitute of ChcagoD
,EssoN TExT-Ntark t:2g-45.

LESSON TEXT-Mark l:g-45.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Hmsef took in1rmi-
ties and bare our diseases. Matt. S:17.
Forty-one times st. Mark makes use
" what is distinguishing word in
his gospel, "straightway," or it's equiv
alent, forthwith Immediately" etc.
Jesus, as was his custom, had been
worshiping in the synagogue, and
while there he had performed a great
work of healing insomuch that his
fame spread throughout the Galilean
country; and forthwith as they enter
Peters house there is presented an
ether difficult case, "Simon Peters
wife's mother being sick of great
fever" II is a noticeable fact in the
life of Jesus that he had his own par
ticuar 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
is allowed "to 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 commission caused him at once
to show forth beautiful example of
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" II must have been
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-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 jour
ney on the morrow. The record is
significant in the use of the word
"all' in verse S2, and many" in verse
"a.
"'o rcvt morning, "a great while
0"e laE" Jesus goes apart for
fyr. ow much we need Gods
essence nd wisdom which can be
.areo cN.y by "Poiug apart" to
u..i' Of eecret cCmmunion, espe
c'aiy ia tho day OF our greatest sue
g. IS and ropularity. The danger OF
rial or u.ner success is to turn
'us Thoughts awsy from God. AS
'a- Ontemplates the prowess of his
,gn arm or the achievements of his
On brain the temptation is to trust
ungelf and not TO trust God. Jesus
new the tests of service before Him
ana the need of vital contact with his
Ta'her. Having gained this through
this early morning watch, he was
ready to reCly 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 Chrlst's Ministry.
The compulsion of a 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 ant
the relief of human distress Is not the
chief end of Christ's ministry, He
came to establish a kingdom ant
must preach the good tidings, fol
therefore was | sent" Social serv
ice is indeed Godlike. 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, tina
his compassion was genuine as showr
by the frequent personal touch, anC
third, the lesson of missions, espe
cially medical missions, and in thii
connection the lesson of leprosy, as