Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-28
REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

81.
Our lesson opens with the events that
marked the turning point in the Mas
ter's ministry. His growing popularity
had increased His fame until the Phari-
sees and Herodians joined forces in an
alliance to destroy Jesus. whose preach
ing and healing had won for Him in
creasing congregations. THE common
people heard Him gladly" CROWDS, at
tracted by His ministry, followed Him
when He sought rest and retirement.
Recognizing His danger and knowing
that He must prepare the men VINO
would be intrusted to carry on HIS work
after His death, the Lord had sought
secluded place on the sea coast OF
Galilee. planning to call His apostles.
Before He could prepare them for the
greatest spiritual adventure in all MS
tory. the multitudeS appeared
Christ was a master OF crowds. he
never looked at large assemblage With
out His heart moved with compassion
for them He knew the danger that
He would face from a crowd, but He
loved them and welcomed the opportu-
nifty presented by them TO minister unto
the multitudes. He saw them. not as a
great mass of men, needless. inconsid-
crate. always selfish and sometimes
cruel. He knew the feeling OF the
crowds that fiocked to Capernaum from
Jerusalem and all Galilee. He saw them.
not as q mass but as individuals, and
read their secrets. He knew why they
had come 10 Judea from beyond the
Jordan and even from the Gentle cit
les of Tyre and Sidon and the country
surrounding them He never allowed
the individual 10 become merged into
the mass He saw the burden that each
person carried. He understood their
SORROWS and struggles. He loved them
individually and longed to minister TO
each one. but the presence of the crowd
prevented the Lord giving 10 each soul
the individual assistance that would be
possible If they were alone. This caused
Him 10 secure a small boat for a pulpit.
Seaside Ministry.
The pressure of the multitude had
hindered Jesus. Many in their eager
ness to touch His clothing were forget
full of the others needing His attention.
From the boat The Lord could warn
them concerning their spiritual Ills.
which men are apt TO overlook In their
zeal 10 obtain healing for their phySi-
cal ailments Christ healed many, in
Guiding some with plaques. for power
went out Of Him and healed them all.
The danger of being crushed by the
mob was nothing compared to the sub
tie one that was presented by the I'M
clean spirits who recognized the Lords
power and personality. Those possessed
by the unclean spirits kept falling down
before Him. and the demons confessed
that Thou art the Son OF GOO" Jesus
Silenced one that acknowledged Him 10
be the Holy One OF God" and rebuked
others because their testimony did not
come from the heart. The demons were
compelled to recognize ChriSt'S power.
but He refused To allow them 10 TESTIFY.
Our Lord was unwilling to build up IN
kingdom with the assistance or Inc
devils testimony. The demons believed
and trembled because there was no OPP
portunity for them 10 be saved. Had
He allowed them 10 confess Him pub
liclv as the Messiah there WAS danger
that such testimony would increase the
opposition that Jesus knew He faced
from the Roman authorities as we'll rs
from the Pharisees and HerodianS.
Genmcsaret Experience.
Another experience that occurred
about nine months later than the one
by the seaside reveals His growing fame
and power TO attract the masses, The
experience In GenneSaret came at the
very height of Christ'S popularity John
the Baptist had recently been oeheaded,
The apostles Who had returned from
their missionary tour OF evangelism ana
healing had been hindercd by the NUM-
Der seeking conference with Jesus. Iney
prevented them making reports 10 hisn
about their work. Jesus had noticed
their condition and took them 10
quiet place 10 rest, but the crowds Toll
lowed them He saw their need ana,
using the few leaves and fishes OF the
boy, fed them, This started move
ment To make Him king, Jesus ehose
not 10 accept temporal power. SO lie
dismissed the crowd and sent Ills apoS~
ties away IN boat while He went up
into the mountain apart "a pray. Walk
ing upOn the rough sea. He reached the
apostles who were having difficult
time with their boat. due 10 the con-
trary winds. but after Jesus had entered
into their boat the wind ceased ana
they quickly reached GenneSaret, The
apostles. who had not understood the
secret OF Hts rover when Tie fed the
multitude. were amazed and worShiped
Him while In the boat. acknowledging
the Master Ia be the son of God"
When they reached the fertile and
fruitful shore Of Uennesaret ON tile
northwest coast of the Lake OF (ialilee,
the people immediately recognized Inc
Lord and commenced 10 assemble toI
hear Him preach The crowds wcte
quickly enlarged for the news of Ills
arrival WAS carried into every holne NJ
that wonderful section, three miles long
by one mile wide, III which all kinds ot
fruits ripened and various species az
trees fiourlshed throughout the year
The people carried on Their rugs the
sick Of the community to he maled,
The closing verse covers an eNteaued
throughout their villages and
cities, where they brought the sick ahd
suffering into the niathet places that
they might touch Him fhrtf ta'th
was rewarded tor "as MANY As touched
Him we're made whole,
Secret Of his Fame.
This ,eason Vas assigned 81 that We
might answer the question:, WHY dtd
the crowds aeek IeausP" and understand
the secret of Ills fame, We have seen
the immense crowds assemble IN uW
cities, seeking divine healing for their
ailments. when noted heaters nave Nis*
tied them and presented their message
MANY came IL hu healed ar brought
friends desiring to he cured, to iesus
Others were attracted ny the authority
at Ills teachings, The emphasis liz
placed upon the reality ut Naa's toVs
for all men had It's appeal, tits etitl~
clam aud condemnation at the eCcse
atastle trust AMI Ills dcnnnetatian ot
the oppression at the people ey those
hnlding hIAh positions Wan sliM A place
Amoas the massSs, Who had suffered