Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1918-03-09
LESSON FOR MARCH 10
JESUS RESTORING LIFE AND
HEALTH.

{,
I-l9; John 5:1-9; 1l:1-46; 10:7-lS
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus restoring the
little girl to life
MEMORY VERSF-Bless Jehovah o my
soul, and forget not all his benefits.-Ps.
1892
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-Jesus the
giver Of life
MEMORY VERSE-John 1910.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Medical
missions.
This is one Of the most beautiful
stories of the Bible. 1t appeals to the
loving parents hearts and charms the
attention of every child. The intro
duction of the woman who touched the
Masters garment is referred To by three
of the gospel writer's and gives us an
Intensely interesting SideliEht on the
reception accorded 10 Jesus during his
Galilean ministry.
The dramatis personae IS as fol-
lows: % The Father is about to lose
nll the poetry and music of his home.
co The Child. twelve years old. IS just
on the threshold of Jewish woman
hood. 1t takes little Imagination to
self about the heart Of the father and
the other loved ones. The stricken
child is still to be found in the land,
and IL is this background which makes
the picture so vivid. Why the suffer
Ing? Why the separation? Only our
Heavenly Father knows 1t all, and
some day we will read the answer in
the glory of his presence. CD The
Woman, whO-where from or whittier
to we are not tOld-Only one of a vast
thrOng who had just faith enough to
touch the hem of his garment and be
made whole. CD The Galilean Proph-
cts response 10 the furtive touch of
need was instantaneous, but without
the marring movement of haste. We
csn fancy these characters walking
Along the highway. Jesus paused rs
they were interrupted. The woman
was healed the moment she touched
his garment What is the meaning
Of the pause?
Having taught the multitude and en-
cOuraged the heart of Jairus, they
reached the home, where Jesus exclud-
ed all but Peter, james and John, who
entered with him into the house Of
tumult, made sOmber by the weeping
md wailing of professional mOurners
and relatives. Again we are impressed
with the
Calm Dignity Of Jesus.
rs he asked, "Why this tumult? the
child only sleeps" Their laughing
scorn Is due to their ignorance of the
power of the Mighty Christ in face of
the fact that the child was really dead.
When he had turned the unbelievers
out, Jesus took the father, mother and
disciples into the chamber of death.
The occasion was not for a spectacular
demonstration Of power. Having re-
stored the child to life and to its par
ents, Jesus admOnishes them not to
publish the news broadcast. Evident
ly he was not yet ready to precipitate
matters In the minds of the multitude,
for of surety he knew that in certain
quarters the fact of the cure would
be made known.
This is q beautiful picture Of love:
Q) The Fathers love wv. 22-2D. (a)
His need; (b) his position "at Jesus
feet" (c) his plea, 81 pray thee" (d)
his insistence, "bcsought greatly" (2)
The Strangers Plea wv. 25-35). (a) An
interruption; (b) "Of long standing;"
(c) Jesus knowledge; (d) Jesus re-
spOnse; (e) her confession; 90 her
blessing. (3) The Masters Love wv.
B5-43). (n) Jesus knowledge; the child
was not dead In his sight; CD delay
does not mean refusal; (c) the tender
resurrection In answer to faith; (d)
the provision for her needs.
Sorrow brought Jalrus to Jesus. Sor-
row today brings more men to Jesus
than perhaps any other means. Ger
tainly 1t has been so during this great
war. AS the ruler of the synagogue
Jairus laid aside his pride and hostil
lty 60 make his plea for help and &C.
cept service of Jesus.
There are three recorded instances
where Jesus raised the dead. This
"only daughter" which was simple
and apparently easy matter. (2) The
"only son" of widow, when he stop
ped the bier" This was apparently
attended with more difficulty than that
of the little girl, for "she only slept"
The raising of Lazarus, a grown man.
apparently presented still greater diff
ficulties. Viewed from our human an
gle there were difficulties, but with
God there are none. His fat created
the time and matter worlds. To as
cribe difficulty TO God is but to judge
bib by our standards.
The great need in the foreign field is
evangellzation supplemented by educa-
ton and the ministry of healing
through dispensaries and hospitals. In
the midst Of the present war situation
let us not forget our responsibility to
the unevangellzed at home and abroad.
Jesus is still the Resurrection and the
Life for sleeping" children, conmu-
pities and nations.
Why did Jesus spend so much time
In working miraclesf To impress the
value Of his life upon the world as
Testimony to his divine office, and
prophecy of his authority in hi ON
ing Kingdom.
-w.S.S.-