Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-14

In the chapter assigned for our con-
that reveals the scope Of our Lords
friendship and the breadth OF His SYM
pathy. Reaching Capernaunn after an
absence, the Master received delega-
ton made up of Jewish leaders, request
ing that He heal slave of the Roman
centurion. This government official had
manifested a friendly spirit toward the
Jews and erected for them, at his own
expense, a synagogue, possibly the one
in which our Lord had preached and
performed some of His miracles. The
request of the Jewish leaders for the
Master to exercise divine healing re-
ceived favorable consideration from the
Lord. While en- route to the centurion's
home the Roman military. leader re-
yealed such a spirit of faith that 1t
drew commentator from the Christ,
who was surprised that Gentle should
have surpassed the Jews in their faith.
Jesus healed the centurion's servant,
who was the first Roman beneficiary
of His ministry"
Z, Friend Of SOrrOwing.
Luke alone records the restoration to
life of the son of the widow Of Main.
Luke recognized in this miracle the
friendship of the Master for the Wild
owed mother AS physician he was
impressed by the fact that our LORD
stopped the funeral procession and by
His word restored life to the dead lad.
the record Of the Lords mighty works.
The tender consideration for the Wild
owed mother shown by the Master re-
yealed His friendship for the sorroWlng.
1t was probably about this time that
the disciples came from John, report
ing that the Baptist had heard In pr1S-
on of the Lords work. There were some
things about Christ's ministry that evil
IDENTIFY perplexed John. Jesus in His
ministry of love certainly did not seem
Judge Furnishing sinners such as John
had expected" In other words, John
wanted to be sure that Jesus was in
reality the Messiah Quoting from
Isaiah Messianic passage, Jesus point
ed to His miracles and preaching as
proof that he was fulfilling the proph-
ecy of the great prophet. Jesus APP
pealed to John to revise his expecta-
tons in accordance with prophecy and
the Masters ministry. He revealed His
friendship for John by defending the
Baptist and appealing to the multitude
to believe that the Baptist was more
than prophet.
The Social Friend.
Our Lord was popular guest at all
social functions in His day. Some OF
the choicest sayings of the Master were
spoken around the table, when He was
being entertained During the hour
when the forces of hostility were COM
mencing to unite against Him. Jesus
accepted an invitation to be guest
at the house of Simon, a Pharisee.
Christ welcomed it as an opportunity
to win a member of the sect that had
their own ideas and ideals. and with
whom He frequently clashed. They
prided themselves upon their righteous
ness in upholding the law and the re-
quirements of their orthodox faith.
They were formal in their observance
of their national traditions and religion.
Simon evidently was not as cold, crit
ical and cynical as the usual member
of his sect. for they were noted for
their spirit of separation and feeling of
superiority.
In accepting the invitation to dine
with Simon and his friends. the Lord
revealed His social spirit and friend
ship for men of every class. We do not