River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-06-12

we must face two or three plain ques-
tons as to matters of fact.
Is Christ the same as he was then
Is he able to do now what he did
then? Are we in the same condition
of need--dificulties habits, sins? How
far may ! expect help from Jesus
II Gods word shows me what Jesus is
able to do, will / trust him for 1t, I'd
men and women did then? The study
of the story and of the entire word
of God will give me an affirmative
answer to all these questions except
the last one-that must answer for
myself; for it is still true that, al
though Jesus is able to save to the
uttermost, he can save only those
who come to God by him and who will
accept the healing power of the Great
Physician.
The gospels tell us of many varie-
ties of sickness dealt with by Jesus;
these are all types of sin and Of
Christ's power to heal. Take four
typical illustrations: Leprosy, or the
guilt and defilement of sin; palsy, or
the impotence of sin; fever, or the
passion of sin; demoniac possession,
or the slavery of sin.
Or. take three typical cases from
the gospel according to st. Luke:
(D SIT, palsied limbs; (2) 6:6-10,
the withered hands; 60 13;10-13. the
bowed-down woman. In all these
cases Jesus not only healed the body,
but he stands forth as able to heal
the sin of which the bodily ailment
is type. No case is too hard for
Jesus. His diagnosis is thorough and
correct; his treatment is appropriate
and adequate; his power is unto the
uttermost." There will be no need
to come again. He cures in different
ways, but always with perfect under
standing and with satisfactory re-
suits.
The man at the Beautiful Gate OF
the temple expected only aims from
Peter and John, but ne got what was
of surprising quality and value-heal-
ing, in the name and through the
power of Jesus of Nazareth. And
they were filled with wonder and
amazement at that which had hap
pened unto him." That hour Of
prayer became an opportunity for the
manifestation of the power of Jesus
Christ, an unexpected blessing to the
lame man, and the occasion of a great
sermon by Peter. How graciousIy
and generously God deals with. US:
Exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think" Not aims, but
healing; not silver. but salvation; not
gold, but grace and gladness; not out
side, begging, but beyond the Beau
tiful Gate, inside the temple, walk
ing, and leaping, and praising God"
Is Christ the same today? Can he
do that work of forgiveness and sane
LITIGATION now? And is he willing to
do it? Thousands can testify and say
yes" On which side of the gate
are you? Are you outside, distressed,
diseased, despairing, dying? Do you
cry out in vain for help? There is no
reason why you may not be on the
other side, rejoicing In the sense OF
sins forgiven, Righteousness imputed,
life impaired, joy planted. Only one
IGdSOu- w III luOu NC AhddO WhOlC
Perfect soundness," and in mo-
ment "And Immediately" He is the
healer divine. AS such he is able not
only to make better" but to make
well. my case is too hard" l do not
know how far your disease has gone,
how dark the night may seem, how
deep the sin dwells, but l do know the
power of this healer in each and ev-
cry case intrusted to him-nothing Is
too hard for God His ability is ON
nipotent and his love matches his
power He may deal painfully, but 1T
will also be effectively.
In the days of his flesh he healed
by a word, or a touch: now by the
Holy Spirit. Still the Great Physician
stands in the pr ,sence of sin-bur-
dened one, saying. Arise" stretch
forth thine hand" thou art loosed
from thine infrmity," Il will, be thou
clean" Put him to the test, and find
Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday,
today, yes, and forever" "Yea, the
faith which is through him hath given
him this perfect soundness in the