Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-14
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.
JESUS AND SINNERS.
Mark iil.11t
Golden text came not 10
call the righteous. but sinners
Mark ii.l7.

Upon the completion of His first
evangelist tour through Galilee Jesus
returned TO Capernaum. He received
an enthusiastic welcome. Crowds
quickly assembled at Peters home,
eager 10 hear Him, until the home was
crowded about every entrance and
window. anxious to know about tie
kingdom of God. Among those who
were attracted 10 Ills headquarters
were the religious leaders from every
village of Galilee and Judea and Jer'l'
salem" These men We're there In
formally To study the Masters methods
and messages with the View OF trying
10 find something that the Sanhedrin
could use in the preparation of criml'
nal charges against the popular
prophet. whose preaching and power
10 heal had commenced to threaten
the prestige Of the Sanhedrin Itself.
An irresistible conflict was rapidly ap.
preaching. 1t commenced with the
events OF this weeks lesson and did
no. end until He was crucitied.
The outbreak came unexpectedly,
when four friends brought a paralytic
upon am iinprovised stretcher, prohs.
bly, made by their lifting him on his
sleeping rug. 10 the Masters head
quarters TO be healed. The presence
OF thu crowd nterfered only for a
moment with their plans to present
the case to the Great Physician. They
adopted direct method that COM
PEELED Jesus 10 give the paralytic at.
ieniion. iiindered by the crowd, they
carried their friend up the stairway
that was accessible upon the outside
OF the one.story house to the roof.
They then commenced to make au
opening in the roof, which they rip
ped open until they had an opening
large enough TO permit them TO lower
their friend down 10 the Masters side.
The religious leaders probably frown.
ed upon their intrusion. Peter pruba.
bly, thought Of how they had damaged
the roof. which was not IA very ex.
pensiye one to restore: some of the
congregation probablysdid not like the
way the four had interrupted the Lore.
In His preaching. hut Jesus saw III
their action and in the silent appealing
look Of The i,aralytic their faith" and
His heart responded TO their appeal
for help.
The Paralytic Forgiven.
The resourceful and practical fai,h
OF the four compelled the Great phy>i.
clan 10 make a diagnosis Of the nara.
lytic's case. The Master saw dcepcr
than his physical condition. for lie
saw the cause OF the mans PARALYSIS.
lie recognized that sin was the ez,,Ise
Of the mans suffering. Looking az
the helpers. who had brought the helm.
less one To Him. Jesus encouraged
them by telling them to lie of good
courage IL was a prelude 10 His
startling statement 10 the sick If
the palsy son, ~ sins are forgiven
No man had ever before spoken such
words. lie defined sin by using the
most inclusive word used in the New
Testament for SIN, which defines sin
as failure, "a missing of the mark. /"
Back ~ Ills assurance uf their for.
KiVen"hs was hn upexpressed claim.
that lie possessed the authority of
God.
Tie cynical critics saw it's meaning
ana Immediately challenged His ms,
sumption OF power, for no one but
Jeh"Na had right Ia dismiss or for
give sins. The prejudice that thes en-.