The Dolores star., 1924-09-19
Iesus Praying ". $50.

L. Jesus praying W. p'''
After series of most strenuous ell
forts Jesus retired to lonely place
IN proy. Doubtless lie felt the need
of having His spiritual strength re-
cruIted. He who the day before had
shown His mighty power In casting
out devils and banishlng disease now
needed to be alone with God. In or
der to do this He arose long before
daylight. He had slept at Peters
house and withdrew to a solitary place
unpercelyed. The very best time to
pray Is In the morning when our phys
Ical powers have been renewed.
II. Found by Peter wv. 80, 80,
His work of the preceding day had
made such profound impression that
the multitudes sought Him. Since
the people were so aroused the dis-
ciplcs thought that II was the oppor-
tune time to press the campaign. For
that reason Peter. and perhaps An
drew. James and John, eagerly sought
Him and told Him what the multitudes
were doing.
III. Preaching In Other Towns wv.
IS. 39).
The great Missionary persisted in
His program despite the success which
had attended His efforts at Caper-
naum. Popularity in n given place is
not the criterion by which to deter
mine the wisdom of remaining there.
He preached in their synagogues
| Al nn
demons. for 1t was for this very pur-
pose that He came forth from the
Heavenly Father.
| ~. Jesus Heals leper wv. 4O-45).
This deed is highly significant. 1t
not only shows His mighty power and
divine love but it is symbolical. Lep-
rosy is type OF sin.
ID 1t was defiling. The leper was
an outcast because OF this defilement
Sin banlshes from the presence of
God.
t2) 1t was incurabe. There was
no cure for leprosy. Only God could
cure IT, So there was but one remedy
for the cancellation of gulft-the re-
moval OF mans sin-that is the cross
OF Christ.
(3) 1t is contagious. 1t spreads
from one to another. Segregation
was necessary In order to keep II
from spreading Sin is contagious.
(D 1t is in the blood. Sin is hered-
itary.
l. His Great Need ". 4O). This
caused him to break through all cere-
monial regulations and cast himself
at the Saviors feet The sinners
great need should cause him to break
through all barriers and cast himself
at the feet of Jesus.
2. His Request ". 40).
He was quite sure of Jesus ability
TO cure him. He knew quite well that
no human physician could do this but
he was somewhat doubtful as to His
willingness. We can be assured TO
day not only of His ability, but His
Willingness.
3. The Compassionate Lord ". 4D.
He put forth His hand and touched
the ieper. Only the divine Lord could
touch leper and not be defiled. Ac-
companying the touch was the declar-
alton of His willingness to heal. No
doubt this greatly strengthened the
iepers faith but startled the people
who looked on.
4. An Immediate Cure ". 42). Di-
vine healing is always instantaneous
and complete. This is the outstand-
Ing difference between divine healing
and the so-called faith healing"
D. His Stern Charge wv. 43. 4D
CHRIST dismissed him with strict
charge that he should not make this
known. The reason for this was that
wide publicity would create such ex-
citement as TO Interfere with His
preaching. Furthermore, he was still
ceremonially unclean. His going to
the priests with proper Offering
would Indicate his regard for the laws
ana customs of Moses and therefore
disarm prejudice.
u. Willful DisobedIence ". 45> In
stead of rendering grateful obedience
ne blaZed 1t abroad and thus hIndered
the Lords work. Thus we see that
the stupid self will of one man NAV
prevent many from hearing and seeing
me blessings Of the Lords preochinp
and healing.