The Green Forest tribune., 1917-02-23
INTERNATIONAL, SUNDAYSQlO0L
 LESSON (By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of Sunday School Course of Moody Bible Institute)
 Copyright. 1917, Western Newspa per Union,
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 25
JESUS AT POOL OF BETHESDA.
LESSON TFXT-Iohn 5:1-1

according to the requirements OA lhC Jewish law (Ex. s4 :23; see Gal. 4:4), 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, out in going about doing good.' The feast was an occasion of joy and mirth on every hand, but in the midst of 1t 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 viyidly as possible this pool. Let them depict a room, on the floor of which is pool; in one corner of the room stairway leading up to the ceiling; surrounding the room, at the top of the wall 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.
 OCSuS "Gnk WuCIS IhCtS wac bSSe (v. 6). In the midst of this company Jesus "saw" this man lie. He had been there often (v. ?, and his case seemed to be beyond all hope, but there is nothing too hard for God (Gen. IS IA; Jer. 32 I'D.
 II. Jesus throws the responsibility upon the man (v. @. Jesus had eyes not only to see need, but be also saw Gods and his own personal power to relieve the need. The question is, what do we see as we journey through life? Are our eyes open to the great needs of men, spiritually and morally, and are we aware of the resources which God has placed at our disposal to meet these fundamental needs of men?
 III. Jesus was moved with compass sion (Matt. IA :14). He always has that feeling when he looks upon suffering and the misfortunes of men (Heb. 13 s; 4 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 a long time in his predicament, or the fact that 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 (Matt. 9:21; Luke 8:43; Acts 3:2). His question throws the whole matter upon the will of the man. Jesus is willing and able; the only question is, are we willing? (Rey. 22-17). The only thing that keeps men from enjoying eternal life is their personal attitude toward God John 5 :40). Jesus did not ask the man if he would be made better, but if he would be made whole. He does not wish to make the sinner better, but to make him whole.
 ". 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. 107 :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 5 :24). With the com mand 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 a 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 (II 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 (v. IA; Matt. 1:2D.
 VI. Opposition and danger (vv. 10- 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 God is our law (Matt. 17:5). 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 (v. 14 still 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. The Jews (v. 16) sought to slay him for having thus violated their law. They gave more thought to his disre- gard of their traditions than they did to his deed of goodness on behalf of this unfortunate man. Many today are so occupied with the violations of con- ventionalities or the disregard some good man has for the traditions of po- lite society as to overlook the benefl- cent work God may do through him.
 There are many today who are greater sticklers for the religious traditions of the church than they are to see the sinful, the sorrowing and the needy ones relieved, and many of