The Green Forest tribune., 1918-01-25
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNlNYSOIO0L
 LESSON fBy E. O. SELLhRS, Acting Director of the Sunday School Course of the Moody Bible Institute. Chicago) Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union:l
LESSON FOR JANUARY 27
JESUS FORGIVING SIN.

LESSON TEXT-Mark 2:1-12
 GOLDEN TEXT-The Son of Man hath 2:10
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Psa. S2; Luke 15:11-24 7:36- 50 Matt. 1:21; Heb 7:25
 PRIMARY MEMORY VERSE-Forgive us our sins.-Luke 11:4.
 INTERMEDIATE 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. It is good Illustration for Sunday school teachers on how to tell 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. 2S, 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.
 l. Introduction. Jesus could testify in home as well as before the multi tudes. Indeed it was after having tes- tiied in the home (v. l.) 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- .,1l in the home that wherever he was, the world wore path to his doorway. No- ticc verse two; when the crowd gath cred about, he spoke unto them "the word" In this we see parable. Many q successful man, when he be- comes popular, forgets to preach the pure Gospel the Word of Life, to those who gather, because of his reputation.
 II. An ln1peiIng Need (vv. 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 culty, 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 Jesus pursued with this man that perhaps his ease was likewise the result of his early an. 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, picture of all sinners. He, however, had friends, very enterpris- ing ones. And so putting him upon the double quilt or coyerlet, which could be rolled together in bundle of moderate size, they carried him into the pres ence of the master. In this we see a suggestion for all, teacher and pupil alike, that we ought to be helping oth- CTS to the Savior. Each at one cor ner of the bed had duty to perform. How much better to be doing it ip unity than each thinking too much of himself.
 III. Jesus Foreivcs and Defends His Rights (vy. 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 she 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 (v. D. 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" forgivens Jesus went at once to the unhealed wound in the soul, the sense or unforgiven sin. Forgiveness Is not Of the judge who sentences mot guilty" put a father who welcomes and restores one to sonship. It is res toration to life. The Bible story of the prodigal son and that scene pie 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 islander God and speak treason against him. Blasphemy is practical ly uttered treason. He perceived their inmost thoughts and answered them | (v. 9. To forgive sin, or to com mand the man to rise were both di-