Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1913 — The Divine Healer [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Divine Healer

By REV. PARLEY E. ZARTMANN, D. D. Stervtefy W EzMmmi DegMßtHMal Moody ftblo ludM** Odoqpß

TEXT—"Why marvel ye at thfesT . . . yea, the faith which is through him haflsl given him this perfect soundness in the. presence of you all" Acta 8:12, 14.

These two verse* are very important; they mark' the crisis In the story of the first! apostolic miracle; after Pentecost;' the story set* forth the type of the ministry, message and motive of the church; w» see that spiritual; work (even along - physical lines>. went hand I * hand with spir- . itual power, and

we must face two or three plain questions as to matters of fact. Is Christ the same as he was then? Is he able to do now what he did! then? Are we in the same condition, of need—difficulties, habits, eins? How far may I expect help from Jesus Ts It God’s word shows me what Jesus is; able to do, will I trust him for it, asi men and women did then? The studyi of♦the story and of the’ entire word! of God will give me an affirmative, answer to all these questions except the last one—that I must answer for myself; for it to still true that, although Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, he can save only those who come to God by him and who will, accept the healing power of the Great Physician, The gospels tell us of many varieties of sickness dealt with by Jesus; these are all types of sin and of Christ’s power to heal. Take tour typical illustrations: Leprosy, or the guilt and defilement of sin; palsy, or. the Impotence of sin; fever, or the passion of sin; demoniac possession, or the slavery of sin. Or, take three typical cases from the gospel according to St Luke: (1) 5:17, palsied limbs; (2) 6:6-10, the withered hands; (3) 18:10-13, the bowed-down woman. In all these cases Jesus not only healed the body, but he stands forth as able to heal the sin of which the bodily ailment to a type. No case to too hard for Jesus. His diagnosis to thorough and correct; his treatment to appropriate and adequate; his power to “unto the uttermost" There will be no need to come again. He cures in different ways, but always with perfect understanding and with satisfactory rasuits. ♦

The man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple expected only alms from Peter and John, but he got what was' of surpassing quality and value—healing, In the name and through the power of Jesus of Nazareth. “And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” That hour of prayer became an opportunity for the manifestation of the power of Jesus Christ, an unexpected blessing to the lame man, and the occasion of a great sermon by Peter. How graciously and generously God deals with us! "Exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Not alms, but healing; not silver, but salvation; not gold, but grace and gladness; not outside, begging, but beyond the Beautiful Gate, inside the temple, “walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Is Christ the same today? Can hedo that work of forgiveness and sanctification now? And is he willing to do it? Thousands can testify and say "Yes." On which side of the gate are you? Are you outside, distressed, diseased, despairing, dying? Do you cry out In vain for help? There is no reason why you may not be on the other side, rejoicing in the sense of sins forgiven, righteousness Imputed, life imparted, joy planted. Only one reason—“ Wilt thou be made whole?” “Perfect soundness," and in a moment. “And Immediately.” He is the healer divine. As such he is able not only to make “better,” but to make well. “My case is too hard.” Ido not know how far your disease has gone, how dark the night may seem, how* deep the sin dwells, but I do know the power of this healer in each and every ease intrusted to him—nothing lo too hard for God. His ability is omnipotent and his love matches hie power. He may deal painfully, but it will also be effectively. In the days of his flesh he healed by a word, or. a touch: now by the Holy Spirit Still the Great Physician stands in the presence of sin-bur-dened ones saying, "Arise,” "stretch forth thine hand," “thou art loosed from thine infirmity,” “I will, be thou clean.” Put him to the test and find “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” “Yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you alt"