The Carlisle independent., 1918-01-31
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 3
JESUS LORD OF THE SABBATH.
LESSON TFXT-Mark 9.18-8.6,

l Lord even of the Sabbath.-Mark 2:28.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Ex aG.S-1; Isa 5S13 l4: Neh. 13:15-22; Matt. 12:1-8 Luke AIS; Acts .0:7; Cor. 16:1. 2; Col. 2:16, T.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus and the Sab path day
 MEMORY vERsE-Remember the Sab bath day. to keep it holy.-Ex. 20:S
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus and the Sabbath.
 MEMORY VERSE-Ex. 20:S-u.
 INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Our day of rest and wor- ship.
 l. The Sabbath Boon, Not 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 time but literally from hand to mouth. America is the most prodigal nation on the globe, but it is today facing the ne- cesslty of conservation and retrench- ment, not because it is desired but of necessity in winning this great world war struggle. Perhaps this will prove to be a 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 it on the Sabbath day. The Jewish law permitted them to 1 z1t L,Jy +I,n because of their necessity, but would not permit them to do it on the first day of the week. The criticism of the Pharisees, based upon Deut. , IA; Ex. 31 :15, though apparently scriptural, was, however, based upon an incom- plete knowledge and application of those scriptures. Jesus shows them l first that ceremonial prescriptions and laws must give way before the needs l of man and he cites the case of David as an illustration. Again he shows l them that the demands of the temple service were superior to the preserip- tions of the common law (See Matt. 12:5, o, that he, himself, is greater than the temple for he is the one in whom God tabernacIed (John 1;14 R. Y. Margin). The Sabbath law there fore must give way before the neces- i sity of Christian service. Again he shows that mercy is more than saeri- flee. and so ceremonial demands must give way before the needs of mercy and compassion. He also shows them i that the Sabbath was made for man l (vv 27, PSI rather than man for the l Sabbath He, the "Son of Man." is the I consummation and head of the race, 1 Lord even of the Sabbath, and as Lord of the Sabbath he has set aside the l seventh day Sabbath, which was the | shadow of things to come (Col. 2:17) and belongs to the old order and dis penSation. It is true that we have no right to judge any man regarding the Sabbath (Col. ? :16, ID, but as Chris tians who are "risen with Christ (Col. SD we are to keep the Lords Day, (Rev. l :10), the first day of the week, l (Aets 20:7) the resurrection day, and are under no law whatever to keep the seventh day.
 Il. A Proper Use of the Lords Day l D nate, our divisions of the Scripture in- to chapters and verses. This next passage is really a practical applica- ton and illustration of the principle with which Jesus has just been deal- i ing. It was the custom of Jesus to frequent the synagogue on the Sab bath Day Uuke :16), the day upon which the Jews still gathered in large 1 numbers. We need to note (v. ? 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, to trap him. Jesus taught that it1is lawful to do good on the Sabbath Day, that it is lawful to heal on the Sab bath Day Matt. 12:10) that it is law fuI to restore a lost ass or OK on the Sabbath Day Ouke IA Matt. 12 :11) that man is of more value than a sheep (3Iatt. 12 ;13), and that the new ! methods and new times demanded new ! applications (NIark . ;21, 22). In these 1 teachings Jesus does not necessarily abolish or abrogate the ancient fourth commandment. but rather the misin- depreciation, misuse and misapphca- tion of the Sabbath law. For a cor rect interpretation of the Old Testa- ment Sabbath see Isa. $ :13, II. The difference between the Jewish Sabbath and Christian Lords Day is q matter of counting; we begin to count at the ! paiDt of fba rpSnrrppffOu of JeSuS The Sabbath Day is a means to an end; it is not the end itself.
 Americas Great Heritage.
 The man was really and organi- cany sick; he had a withered hand which all could see-no moral error'
 about it at all, aud he was really heal- ed The Lords Day is Ameriea's great heritage Are we going to throw it away? It is of economic value as well