Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-01-25
LESSON FOR JANUARY .27
JESUS FoRGIVING SIN.
lesson TEXT-Mark 2.1-12

authority on earth to forgive S1n--Mark
2:10
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-Psa. 81; Luke 15:11-24; 7:36-
SO: Matt. 1:21; Heb. 7:25.
PRIMARY MEMORY VERSE-Forgive
us our sins.-Luke 11:4-
INTERMEDIATES TOPIC-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. 1t is a good illustration for
Sunday school teachers on how to tell
a story by imagining what one would
naturally do. We ought to have our
scholars see with their Imagination.
the story of this lesson as though they
were eye-witnesses of the whole scene.
The time was about May or June A. D.
%, the second year Of Jesus ministry,
a few weeks following the last lesson,
during which time he had been preach
ing and healing in the surrounding
country.
|. Introduction. Jesus could testify
in a home as well as before the multi.
tudes. Indeed it was after having tes-
titled in the home (v. ~ that the
crowds gathered about the doorway,
for it 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, wheno he be-
comes popular, forgets to preach the
pure Gospel, the Word of Life, to those
who gather, because of his reputation.
II. An ImpeIIing Need wv. 3:4).
This man who had paralysis, i. e., dis
abled on one side, was not only de-
prived of his sensation but his power
of motion. As to the cause of his diff
Guilty, his previous character of life,
there is no 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 eCSuS pOISuOo Will I1AAo man
| that perhaps his case was likewise the
result of his early sin. The teacher
might well read in this connection
Luke 16:11-19. Of course, this man
may not have been a prodigal son.
Nevertheless, he had as much suffer-
ing as though he had been and as far
as he himself was concerned, he was
helpless, a picture of all sinners. He.
however, had friends, very enterpris-
ing ones. And so putting him upon the
double quilt or coverlet, which could be
rolled together in bundle of moderate
size, they carried him into the pres
ence of the master. In this we see
suggestion for all, teacher and pupil
alike, that we ought to be helping 9TH
ers to the Savior. Each at one COR
ner of the bed had duty to perform.
How much better to be doing it in
unity than each thinking too much of
himself.
Ill. Jesus ForgiVes and Defends His
Rights (vv. 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 flat roof made of
branches and twigs and covered with
earth, and which could be as easily re-
paired. Travellers in eastern countries
have often seen a 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 commends
'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 ". y. Was
it right was it 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 a word
of endearment; the word "be" is not
as strong in the old form as the word
"are" forgiven. Jesus went at once
to the unhealed wound in the soul, the
sense of unforgiven sin. Forgiveness
is not of the judge who sentences mot
guilty" but a father who welcomes
and restores one to SonShip. 1t is res
toration to life. The Bible story of
the prodigal son and that scene pic
, tured 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 SANDER God and speak treason
I against him. Blasphemy is practical
ly uttered treason. He perceived their
} inmost thoughts and answered them
) ". o.. To forgive sin, or to COM
3 mand the man to rise were both di-
: vine acts; he cOuldsdo either; he prov
ed one by the use of the other. His
command to the young man to take
: up his bed was a 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
e impossibility; to take up his bed
/ permitted no relapse. "Walk''-was
S the use of the power which had beer
u granted him. Then it was that they
l glorified God and ascribed honor and
l. glory to him as the source of this pow
o er. Wherever this man went, he was
: a marked man. His restoration anC
J new life were a walking testimonial tc
the power of God and an evidence tC
the compassion of Jesus.
Pleasure as an End.
: Pleasure isolated from our plan O.
'e life and followed as an end will leat