The Dermott news., 1918-01-31
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 3
JESUS LORD OF THE SABBATH


 | GOLDEN TEXT-The son of man is Lord even of the Sabhath-Mark 2:2S, 1 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Ex. 2oS-l1; Isa 5s:i3, IA; Neh l315-22: Matt 12:l-s: Luke 4:l6; Acts 20:7; I Cor. f6:i. 2; Col 2:16. r.
 | PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus and the Sab bath day.
 MEMORY VERSE-Remember the Sab bath day to keep 1t holy.-Ex 2o:S
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus and the Sabbath. MEMORY VERSE-Ex. 2o:Su.
 | INTERMEDIATE. SENIOR AND l ADULT TOPIC-Our day of rest and wor- ship
 1. The Sabbath a Boon, Not a Burden (vv. 23-2S) It has been suggested that this passage, particularly verse g, indicates something of the poverty and simplicity of the lives of the disciples, that they lived not only day at n time but literally from hand to mouth. America Is the most prodigal nation on the globe, but 1t Is today facing the ne- cessity of conservation and retrench ment, not because 1t Is desired but of necessity in winning thls great world war struggle. Perhaps this will prove to be boon growing out of the dark ness of the days through which we are passing.
 Notice that the disciplines were not particularly criticized because they plucked and appropriated the grain that belonged to another even though 1t was for their bodily needs, but be cause they did 1t on the Sabbath day. The Jewish law permitted them to take that which did not belong to them because of their necessity, but would not permit them to do 1t on the first day of the week. The criticism of the Pharisees. based upon Deut. o:14: Ex 81 :15. though apparently scriptural was. however. based upon an incom plete knowledge and application of those scriptures. Jesus shows them first that ceremonial prescriptions and laws must give way before the needs of man and he cites the case of David as an illustration. Again he shows them that the demands of the temple service were superior to the prescrip tions of the common law (See Matt 12 8. @, that he, himself. is greater than the temple for he Is the one in whom God tabernacled (John l IA l. V. Margin. The Sabbath law there fore must give way before the neceS slty of Christian service. Agnin he shows that mercy is more than sacri. flee, and so ceremonial demands must give way before the needs of mercy and compassion. He also shows them that the Sabbath was made for man (vv. 27, 2S) rnther than man for the Sabbath He, the "Son of Man." Is the consummation and head of the race Lord even of the Sabbath, and as Lord of the Sabbath he has set aside the seventh day Sabbath. which was the shadow of things to come (Col. 2:lO and belongs to the old order and dis pensation. It is true that we have nc right to judge any man regarding the Sabbath (Col 2:16, ID. but as Chris tians who are "risen with Christ" (Col S;D we are to keep the Lords Day, (Rev. :10). the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) the resurrection day, and are under no law whatever to keer the seventh day.
 II. A Proper Use of the Lord's Day (Ch. 8:1-o). It is somewhat unfortu nate, our divisions of the Scripture in 10 chapters and verses. This next passage Is really practical applica' ton and illustration of the principle with which Jesus has just been deal ing It was the custom of Jesus tc frequent the synagogue on the Sab bath Day Uuke 4:l6). the day upon which the Jews still gathered in large numbers. We need to note (v. p that the question which was asked of him was not fair question. not so much honest seeking for Information, but rather they watched him" for they wanted to find something with which 10 trap him. Jesus taught that 1t i lawful to do good on the Sabbath Day, that it is lawful to heal on the Sab bath Day (Matt. F :10) that 1t is law full to restore n lost ass or OK on the Sabbath Day uuke IA 4:5; Matt. 12:l) that man Is of more value than a sheep (Matt. 12 :13), and that the new methods and new times demanded new applications (Mark ? :2l. 22). In these teachings Jesus does not necessarily abolish or abrogate the ancient fourth commandment. but rather the misin depreciation, misuse and misapplica ton of the Sabbath law. For a cor rect interpretation of the Old Testa ment Sabbath see Isa. 5s IS. IL. The difference between the Jewish Sabbath and Christian Lords Day is n matter of counting: We begin to count at the point of the resurrection of Jesus. The Sabbath Day Is means to an end; 1t is not the end itself.
 America's Great Heritage.
 The man was really and organi. cally sick; he had withered hand which all could see-no moral error" about 1t at all, and he was really heal. ed. The Lords Day is America's great heritage Are we going to throw h l awny2 If is of economic ynlue ns we'll