The Brinkley argus., 1918-01-25
LESSON FOR JANUARY 27
JESUS FoRGIvING SIN.

CULLEN IEAI-Tne son or Man natl authority on earth to forgive sin.-Marl
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOF T1cACHERS-Psa 32; Luke 15:11-24; 7:36 E0: Matt. 1:21 Heb. 7:25
 PRIMARY MEMORY vERSE-Forgive IS our sins.-Luke 11:4.
 INTERMEDIATES GOPIC-Jesus heal ing soul and body.
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Jesus meeting mans deepest need
 This is one of the most dramatic spectacular incidents recorded in the Bible It is good Illustration foI Sunday school teachers on how to tell q story by imagining what one would naturally do. We ought to have our the story of this lesson as though they were eye-witnesses of the whole scene. The time was about May or June A. D. 2S, the second year of Jesus ministry, few weeks following the last lesson, during which time he had been preach Ing and healing in the surrounding country.
 l. introduction. Jesus could testify in a home as well as before the multi- tudes. Indeed it was after having tes. tlfed in the home (v. I) that the crowds gathered about the doorway, for 1t was not known that he was there, until some days after he had been in the house. Luke tells us that the crowds which came, came not only from Galilee but Judea and even Je- rusalem. Jesus did his work so well in the home that wherever he was, the world wore path to his doorway. No tice verse two; when the crowd gath cred about, he spoke unto them "the word" In this we see a parable. Many a successful man, when he be- comes popular, forgets to preach the pure Gospel, the Word of Life.
 II. An ImpeIing Need (vv. 3:4). This man who had paralysis, i. e., dis abled on one side, was not only de- priyed of his sensation but his power of motion. AS to the cause of his diffi- culty, his previous character of life, there is nc word of suggestion. We see abundant evidence today, however, to know that many such cases are the results of our own debaucheries and one would gather from the course which Jesus pursued with this man that perhaps his case was likewise the result of his early sin. The teacher might we'll read ia this connection Luke 16:11-19. Of course, this man may not have beer, q prOdigal son. Nevertheless, ne had "s much suffer- ing as though he had bees and as far as he himself was l.saaefne1 he was helLless, I,iics-s.afe of al siEners. He, hoWsver, had friends, very enterpris- ing ones. And so putting him upon the double quilt or coycrlot, which could be rolled together in a bendle of moderate size, they carried him into the pres ence of the master.
 HI. Jesus Forgives and Defends His Rights (yv. 5:12). The crowd was so great about the house that they could not come nigh unto him for the press" They were not, however, discouraged; but leaving the crowd, they went up the usual outside stairs, bearing the sick man with them unto the roof which they ncovered'--literally they dug through the fiat roof made of branches and twigs and covered with earth, and which could be as easily re- paired, Travellers i'll eastern countries have often seen similar act perform ed even In this day. They then let down the bed or mattress by the four corners. The roof was so low that no cords were needed and those below received the man from the hands of the four upon the roof and placed him in front of Jesus. Jesus comments their deed" as indicated in all three of the Gospel records. Not alone phys ical obstacles had to be overcome, but the attitude of the scribes (v. D. Was 1t right, was 1t honest to break through the roof of a mans house? Would they make it good? Was the owner glad to have had It done? Jesus did not hesitate or speculate over such questions, but goes at once to the issue and said to the man sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be (are) forgiven thee" See Matthew's and Marks account. "Son," is word of endearment; the word "be" is not us strong in the old form as the word "are" forgiven. Jesus went at once tU the unhealed wound in the soul, the scuse of unforgiyen sin. Forgiveness is not of the judge who sentences mot guilty" but father who welcomes end restores one to solship. It Is res- oration to life. The Bible story of he prOdigal son and that scene pie ured In the seventh chapter of Luke, the feast where Jesus dealt with a woman of the city, who ministers unto him, are good illustrations of the mas ter's attitude of mind on this occasion.
 The scribes charged blasphemy which Is to islander God and speak treason against him. Blasphemy is practical- Iy uttered treason. He perceived their lan:ost thoughts and answered them ~. 9. To forgive sin, or to com inand ,he man to rise were both di- vine acts he could do either; he prov ed one by the use of the other. His com and to the young man to take UT his bed vas test to be proved by the mans faith. That the cure was complete we know, for he immediate ly arose. To ''arise" was a physical iIaposgibility; to take up his bed' | uprrnittpd m rpiausa