Evening star., 1924-09-06
Sunday School Lesson

could help. but the reputation of
Jesus gave him encouragement to
seek His help
He did not trust another to make
the request. but started off over the
nils to Cana, determined to secure
at all costs the presence of Jesus at
the bedside of his suffering son. He
did not believe that the Lord was
the Messiah, but he was convinced
that He possessed greater power over
nature than any other rabbi, who
were the medical men of the period.
The reputation of the Christ moved
the nobleman to appeal to the Master
for miracle. Every person who
takes their troubles to the Lord is
sure Of receiving help. although they
may not get the aid in the manner
that they may desire. Jesus never
fails to aid all who call upon Him
for assistance.
The nobleman made a serious mis-
take in believing that the presence OF
Christ was necessary TO cure his son.
The Master sought to develop the
mans faith into a truer conception
of His power, by impressing upon him
the spiritual significance of His deeds
of mercy. There is in His words a
condemnation of the attitude of men,
who welcomed Christ as social
worker, but failed to detect the evil
dence of His personality and spiritual
mission in His miracles. The faith of
the kings servant was so weak that
it depended upon the actual presence
of Jesus to heal the stricken son.
1t had passed from q confidence in
the Lords power, due to His reputa-
ton, to a trust in His word. The
mans faith had to be tested In no
other way could it be strengthened.
The Master declined to go with him,
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improving. His healing power had
saved the lads life. The father
proved his faith in the Lords promise
by starting home Immediately.
Faith Rewarded.
Leaving Cana about 1 o'clock he
reached home, as we would say, that
might; but as the evening marked
the beginning of the day with the
Capernaum until after sun down. Be-
fore he reached his home, the noble
man received the welcome news OF
his sons recovery. Inquiry revealed
the fact that his sons euro oom-
rnenoed at the very hour that Jesus
had assured him that he would re-
cover. This resulted in the noble
man and his family becoming fol-
lowers Of Christ Jesus. No better
opening 1OT his 1d1llodH
could be asked than the winning of
this high official. Our Lord avoided
any spectacular display Of power
through refusing to go personally to
Capernaum. He won His man by
the performance of this second mira
Gle in Galilee, which, like the first
one, filled a home with happiness
Just as Jesus was the refuge and
strength for the kings servant. so
He is today for all who are wearied
and heavily laden. He helped them.
though absent physically from the
suffering child He is today, as He
was then, the Healer of our diseases
and the strength of our life. We
must not forget that sometimes
physical maladies are a source OF
spiritual help. Paul found that the
thorn in the flesh was not removed
when he asked for it, but that he
was made perfect through weak
ness" The nobleman's faith de-
yeloped under the teachings of the
Christ Our faith will grow II We
make it a habit to take all our prob
lens to the Lord Jesus, who is ''the
way, and the truth and the Efe.
If we refuse His aid. our end will
he like that Of Capernaum. that re-
iected it's great opportunity.