Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-09-18
Jesus PRAYING ". 35).

|. Jesus Praying ". 35).
After a series of most strenuous eff
forts, Jesus retired to lonely place
to pray. Doubtless He 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 banishing disease now
needed to be alone with Coda In or
der to do this He arose long before
daylight. He had slept at Peters
house and withdrew to a solitary place
unperceived. The very best time to
pray is In the morning when our phys
ical powers have been renewed.
II. Found by Peter wv. 36, 81.
His work Of the preceding day had
made such profound impression that
the multitudes sought Him. Since
the people were so aroused the dis
ciples thought that 1t 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.
3S, S9).
The great Missionary persisted in
His program despite the success which
had attended His efforts at Caper-
naum. Popularity in given place Is
not the criterion by which to deter
mine the wisdom Of remaining there.
He preached in their synagogues
throughout all Galilee and cast out
demons, for it was for this very pur-
pose that He came forth from the
Heavenly Father.
w. Jesus Heals Leper wv. 4O-45).
This deed is highly significant. 1t
not only shows His mighty power and
divine love but 1t is symbolical. Lep-
rosy Is type4of sin. s
~ 1t was defiling. The leper was
an outcast because Of this defilement.
Sin banishes from the presence Of
God.
(2) 1t was incurable. There was
no cure for leprosy. Only God could
cure 1t. SO there was but one remedy
for the cancellation of guilt-the re-
moval Of mans sin-that is the cross
of Christ. ~ lsa .s,Ssss.4
(8) 1t is contagious. 1t spreads
from one to another. Segregation
was necessary In order to keep It
from spreading. Sin Is contagious.
"a 1t is in the blood. Sin Is hered-
itary.
/. His Great Need ". 4O). This
caused him to break through all cere-
monial regulations and cast himself
, at, the Ssviorss feet The sinners
great need should cause him to break
through all barriers and cast himself
at the feet. OF Jesus.
2. His Request (s. 40).
He was quite sure of Jesus ability
to cure, him. ,Hesknew 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 fv. AZ.
He put forth His hand and touched
the leper. 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
lepers faith but startled the people
who looked on.
4. An Immediate Cure w. 42). Dr.
vine healing is always instantaneous
and complete. This Is the outstand-
ing difference between divine healing
and the so-called faith healing"
5. His Stern Charge wv. 48, Az.
Christ dismissed him with a strict
charge that he should not make this
known. The reason for this was that
wide publicity would create such ex-
element as to interfere with His
preaching. Furthermore, he was still
ceremonially unclean. His going ito
the priests with proper offering
would Indicate his regard for the laws
and customs Of Moses and therefore
disarm prejudice.
g. Willful Disobedlence ". 49,. In
stead of rendering grateful obedience
he blazed 1t abroad and thus hindered
the Lords work. Thus we see that
the stupid self will OF one man may
prevent many from hearing and seeing
the blessings Of the Lords preaching
and healing t