The Brinkley argus., 1914-03-13
LESSON FOR MARCH 15
LAWFUL USE OF THE SABBATH

LAWFUL USE OF THE SABBATH.
 LESSON TExT-Luke 13:10-17; H:1-6. GOLDEN TExT-''The Sabbath was made for man and not man TOT the Sap- bath Mark 2:27
 These two sections of scripture have been chosen that we might em- phasize the truth of the golden text which can correctly be translated, "The Sabbath was brought into being on account of man, and not man on account of the Sabbath"
 There are two extremes of thought and action as regards the Christian Sabbath. One is to make 1t holi- day, the other to make 1t a holy-day, to worship the day as though 1t pos sessed some secret sacredness there by forgetting the author of the day. A study of what Jesus taught will check laxity on the one hand and cor rect fanatical error on the other.
 Contrast Shown.
 l. Jesus Ioosing the woman, 13:1O- 17. This incident is a strong contrast between Gods mercy and mans lack of mercy Satan was to blame for the woman's illness (v. 16) and at the same time for the hardness of the hearts of these men. The incident occurred in a synagogue and displeas- ed the leaders. AS if to rebuke them Jesus not only spoke the word of relief but also touched her, causing an instantaneous and complete cure. Her response was to glorify God. The sight of this satanic captive acted in contrast upon Jesus and the ruled of the synagogue. Compassion and an utter lack of sympathy. More care for legalism than for the relief of one created in Gods image. Jesus seems to have acted speedily and is today calling the unfortunate to him to be healed and comforted, Matt. 11:2S-3O. Jesus could have healed by word only, John 5:40-43, but there is power also in the loving touch, which in this case quickened her faith (v. 13). The record does not suggest that her cure was in response to her faith as was the case in other cures, Matt. 8:10; 15:28. If the ruler had had heart of compassion he too would have re- joiced at the cure, but he cared more for ceremonial ecclesiasticism than for the good of the worshipers and his emotion was that of indignation rather than that of joy. A religion that is more concerned with bondage to the beggarly elements, the observ- ance of days Gal. 4:9-1D is here de- nounced as hypocrisy (vv. 15, 16). It is to have more interest in property than in human souls. Ofttimes hatred for those who do not agree with us is covered up by a false fanatical pre- tended jealousy for the law of God.
 Loves Attribute.
 H. Jesus healing the man, 4:1-6. In this incident the question of the Sab bath is raised by Jesus himself, evi- dently in answer to their mental at titude, for they watched him" (v. D. the man and then again reminded them of the care they gave their cat tie. Jesus plainly implies that if they give care to an OK or an ass on the Sabbath, how can it possibly be wrong to relieve humanity on the Sabbath Mercy and love are superior to cere- monies though these be of divine ap. pointment. The reasoning is clear. Love is an attribute of Gods charac- ter, I. John AS, and therefore his own ceremonies must give way before the activities and energies of his being Thus to act upon the principles that concern the value of an ''or or an ass" is to allow the lower to control the higher, for man is of more value than the OK These Pharisees were exceedingly religious, great for the letter of the law" but they were dried up at heart, and consequently far worse off than the man with the dropsy. It is small wonder then that the masters reply should silence them so they could not answer him"
 The Teaching.-It is true that fun damentally the Sabbath idea Is one of worship and rest, but the reason for its existence Is because of mans need of that rest. That true rest can De found only in true and intelli- gent spiritual fellowship with God. Anything, therefore, that interferes with or flinders rest breaks the Sab bath and should be removed in order that the Sabbath intention may be ob- served. These men were justified in leading an OK or an ass to water on the Sabbath or to rescue one in peril. On the same principle any work which enables men to enter into Sabbath rest is not only justifiable but necessary Tn the interest of the Sab bath itself. They cared for cattle on ly as cattle, their property; we must care for men for their own sakes and in his interest and behalf
 The Sabbath must never be desc crated by being made an instrument of harm to man. It is always desc crated when, in the presence of hu- man need, we decline to render serv- ice on the plea of the sanctity of the day. A false ceremonial sanctity of any particular day must never be per mitted to destroy the underlying, the truly essential, sanction and author ity for Sabbath rest Physically we do not each night fully regain our lost energy and need the seventh day to balance the account. Spiritually we need the strength that comes from,