The Carlisle independent., 1917-02-22
NIFpNKTlONAL, SUNDESQlOOL
 LESSON By E. o. SELLERS. Acting Director Of sunday School Course of Moody Bible lnStitute)
 Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 25
 JESUS AT POOL OF BETHESDA.
LESSON TExT-John 5:1-15.

Following the events of last Sun- days lesson, Jesus went to Jerusalem | to attend the feast (y. D. He went up according to the requirements of the
 Jewish law (Ex. 34 :23 see Gal. i :4), | but he was not satisfied with the con- ventional fulfilling of the duties for that occasion, nor was he occupied with social and commercial functions, but in going about doing good" The 1 feast was an occasion of joy and mirth
 on every hand, but in the midst of it | is this great need so graphically pie tured in this lesson. How true this is
 to our daily experience. Teachers
 should appeal to the imagination of their scholars and describe as vividly as possible this pool. Let them depict
 a room, on the floor of which is pool; in one corner of the room a stairway 1 leading up to the ceiling; surrounding | the room, at the top of the wall a broad walk; on the wall looking down toward the floor and the pool is "a
 multitude of them that were blind, halt and withered." These were the
 wretched ones who sought the pool,
 and evidently Jesus sought the most
 wretched of this company.
 l. Jesus went where there was need (v. 6). In the midst of this company Jesus saw" this man lie. He had been
 there often (v. D, and his case seemed
 to be beyond all hope, but there is
 nothing too hard for God (Gen. IS IA
 Jer. 32 ID.
 II. Jesus throws the responsibility
 upon the man (v. 6). Jesus had eyes
 not only to see need, but he also saw Gods and his own personal power to
 relieve the need. The question is, what do we see as we journey through life? LII. Jesus was moved with compass
 sion (Matt. II :14). He always has that feeling when he looks upon suffering and the misfortunes of men (Heb. IS s; 4:15-16; Isa. 63 :9). Jesus does not dO for the man what the man can do for himself; so he makes his first appeal to the mans desire and, through his desire, to the mans will, Wilt thou
 be made whole?" The fact that he has been q long time in his predicament, or the fact that q sinner has been a long time in an evil state is no reason for supposing that Jesus will not take in- terest in him or that he cannot save and help and heal him (Mdtt. 9 :21: Luke s :43 Acts 8 :2). His question
 throws the whole matter upon the will of the man. Jesus is willing and able; the only question is are we willingi
 ". Jesus commands the impossible. The man thought the only way he could be made whole was through the efficiency of the waters in this pool. but Jesus, by speaking a word, had
 the power that would heal him CPS. l0T :20) so today it is the power of the word of Christ that can save all
 who believe on him (Rom. 1 :16). All we have to do to live is to hear and believe (John :2D. With the com i nand of Christ. Rise, take up thy bed" was enabling power. The cure
 was not only complete, but it was in- stantaneous (Acts 3 :7,S).
 V. He worked complete cure. He was made whole even according to the question which Jesus had asked at the outset. The man at once began to use this Christ-given strength by taking up | his bed, and doing exactly as he was commanded QI Tim. 3 :12). Jesus
 likes these hard cases, those of Hong standing" (v. 3. He also likes those that are the results of sin, for that was
 his work in the world (y. IA; Matt.
 1:2I.
 VI. Opposition and danger (yv. TO- 15). The objection raised was that Je- sus had transgressed the Jewish law.
 The mans answer to this was, He
 hath made me whole" The word of l God is our law (Matt. r :5). The
 strength that Jesus gives us is to be used in obedience to him in glorifying his name. The man did not tell the
 Jews who it was that made him whole, because he did not know, himself; but as soon as he found out who it was he
 told them without fear or hesitancy. He did not even wait for them to ask
 him, but sought an opportunity for
 witnessing (v. 15). Any man who is
 truly saved will at once give his wit
 ness to others. The admonition which Jesus gave to this man (y. 14) stlll
 holds good. How many men we have seen who have been saved from the drink habit or some other evil in life, and who have grown indifferent or
 careless and returned to their sin only to have "a worse thing come unto them" It is interesting to notice that
 Jesus performed this miracle in the face of great opposition and danger.
 Summary: (D Jesus cures the sick,
 not by what he does to them, but what he does in them.
 @ Christianity is the gospel for
 the body as well as for souls Of men.
 (3) The gospel of Jesus is the begin ming of new life for every man who
 accepts it.
 (4) Sickness and trouble are ire
 quently the instruments of Gods providence, bringing men to realize o;v,S and tbofr paod