The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-02-15

SUNDAY, feD. 10.
Matthew GLIB.
Golden Text will have mercy,
and not sacrifice: for l am not
come to call the righteous, but
sinners to Observation-Disclosures
9:13.
THE FORGIVEN OF SIN
The Paralytic was healed by
the forgiven of sin. (l) Inc
thronging crowds gathered about
Jesus at his home in Caoernaum
as soon as they heard of his re-
turn from his brief tour of the
neighboring towns. They fllled
the house, fathered the sick about
the door and overflowed into the
streets near by. He welcomed
them and began giving them the
gospel. (2) The faithful friends
of a poor paralytic believed in
the healing power Of Jesus. SO
four of them carrying the sick
man came, but could not reach
him through the crowd. In the
eagerness of persevering faith
they went on top of the house,
tore up a part of the roof (Which
could be replaced readily and let
down the palsied man on his pal
let right before the Great Healer.
Seeing their faith. Jesus did a
strange but fundamental thing
He forgave the sick mans sins.
ca The critical scribes were on
hand. though not so bold as they
became later. But in their hearts
arose the bitter reasoning: This
man is a blasDhemer; only God
can forgive sinr' They were right
in saying that none but God can
forgive sin; but they were wrong
in calling Jesus a blasphemeri for
he was and is God. Hence' the
test proposed: If Jesus could not
heal this paralytic, then he Was a
blasphemer as they said;, but II
he could heal him. then would be
proven his power to forgive sin:
The test was fair. ca The cured
paralytic by the power and at the
word of Jesus instantly arose in
full strength, took up his pallet,
carried it out through the won
dering crowd, and went home
with JOY. CO. The marveling
multitude saw the point of. the
miracle and glorified God. !
THE FRIEND OF SINNERS
The publican was called by the
friend of sinners. (D Heeding
his call Matthew gave himself to
Jesus. So closely had the throngs
pressed about Jesus in Capernaum
that he was going to a suitable
spot on the bench for holding an
open-air service when they passed
the receipt Of custom which was
in charge of man named Mat
thew. AS publican of this dis
trict he was obnoxious to his He
brew relatives and fellowtowns-
men. The Talmud actually put
the tax-collector for the Romans
on the same level with thieves
and assassins.s But to this man of
the hated office, Jesus said with
solemn impressiveness, Follow
mew 1t was the call to perma-
nent and exclusive .discipleship
preparatory to the call as an
apostle some weeks later. Already
prepared for the summons, Mat
thew at once forsook his bust
ness. his companionships, and his
ambitions, and became a constant
attendant of the Lord. Why should
Jesus call the hated publican?
(a) 1t showed the all-embracing
opcnness Of Christ's Kingdom
(b) 1t recognized his special fit
ness for efficient service; for his
position had given him training
in business, wide and accurate
observation, use Of the pen, a
knowledge of the Greek langu.
age and influence with a neglect.
ed class. (c) He had the basis
for eminent moral achievement
he was self-denying enough to
! sacrifice a lucrative position; he
was humble enough to write OF
himself with the Odious title OF
publican; his clearness of intel
lect is manifest in the distinct
and orderly arrangement Of hi!