The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-01-26

Golden Textile sabbath was
made for man, and not man tor
the sabbath; therefore the Son OF
man is Lord also of the sabbath
Mark 2::27, %.
After the healing of the paraly-
tic borne of four and the call OF
Matthew the publican at Caper-
naum, Jesus answered the Phari-
sees question about fasting and
made a visit to Jerusalem. On
his return home he was the center
of interest in two sabbath scenes.
In one, his disciples were blamed
for plucking grain as they walked
through the field; in the other, he
was watched critically IN the
synagogue as he healed the man
with the withered hand.
A defense of alleged sabbath
descration was made by Jesus
during a sabbath stroll through a
grainfield. The work of neceS-
sity, permissible on the sabbath, IS
Illustrated in the act of the dis
eiples who, passing with Jesus
through a grainfield and probably
returning from q synagogue ser
vice. began 70 pluck the wheat
heads, rub out the kernels and eat
them. The critical PhariSecS
watching an opportunity to entrap
and expose Jesus called this reap
ing and threShing and denounced
it as unlawful. The reply of Jesus
was clear and convincing:
% He cited the example Of
David who under necessity ate the
forbidden Shewbread in the sane
tuary at Mob.
(2) He referred to the neceS-
sary sabbath labOrs Of the priests
on duty in the Temple.
go He expOunded the spirit of
Scripture on the sabbath question
as involving a blessing and quail
flying for service.
(4) He asserted his own lord
ship of the sabbath since his SOW
ereignty is all-incluSive and uni
versal.
A SABBATH SERVICE IN
A SYNAGOGUE
An example of assertive sab
bath observance was given by
Jesus during a sabbath service in
a synagogue. The work of mercy,
desirable on the sabbath, is eXem-
phfied in the healing Of the man
with a withered hand during a
synagogue service.
% There was the afflicted
man. He had a withered hand. 1t
is said that he was q stone mason,
that it was his right hand that
was afflicted and that it was not
merely paralyzed but partly dried
up.
(2) There were the vigilant cri-
ties. Strange TO say, the sanctu-
airy had its critics and its worship
was tinged with cyniciSm. Their
chances and nudges and whispers
bespoke the venom in their hearts
toward Jesus and their desire TO
entrap him for healing on the sab
bath.
(3) The Masters command was
given and he would not be deter
red from a work of mercy by his
critics. So he told the afflicted
man to stand forth before the
audience. That was a striking
group; Jesus, the patient, the cri-
ties, the onlookerS with their cur
iosity aroused to the highest pitch.
az Listen to the unanswered
query. Jesus could have healed
the man at once, but first of all
he dealt a blow at his flinty cri-
ties, striking out q spark that
would illuminate the future: 'Is
it lawful on the sabbath day to do
good or to do harm?" The critics
could say nothing in reply and so
in silent rage and ehagrin they
simply held their peace.
60 Observe the compassionate
cure. The Great Physician was
not, by the hardness of their
hearts or his anger thereat, him
dered from his gracious work of
mercy. Stretch forth thy hand"