Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDES

“IT IS I. BE NOT AFRAID.” Mark vi, 45-56— Oct. 6. “Bttatghtucy Jesus spake unto them, say- ! ing. Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid j Matthew riv, ?7. CODAY'S STUDY shows us how | interested |»eople become In I anything that will relieve them of ailments, which cause i our race to be. as St. Paul described It, j “a groaning creation.” The crowds j continued to gather wherever Jesus j went, partly for hearing, partly from | curiosity, .and partly because the Mes j sage that He gave was one of consola j tion. He was not forever blaming them for not keeping the Law. lie was continually expressing sympathy for their weaknesses, and encouraging them to "go and sin no more.” After the feeding of ttyp five thousand. Jesus urged His disciples to re turn to the other side of the Lake. He ! dismissed the multitude and went into the solitude of the hills for prayer. It is noteworthy that nearly ail of the Great Teacher’s prayers are brief. Whenever He wished to make long

prayers He went to the Father by Himself. Undoubtedly this would be a good example for all of His followers. Long prayers are frequently a weariness to the flesh, and are likely to contain vain repetitions, or to be attempts to instruct the Lord concerning mat-

ters which He understands much better than do His children. Walking on the Sea. The disciples experienced contrary winds. In the night they saw what they supposed to be a spirit manifestation walking on the water near their boat They cried out for all saw it and then they beard a voice saying. “It is I, be not afraid.” Jesus got Into the boat with them, and the wind ceased, to their amazement for they had already forgotten the lesson of the feeding of the five thousand with the five loaves and two fishes. In addition to seeing in this a further manifestation of Divine power, we may see a spiritual lesson. After the Master’s ascension, the disciples were alone In the midst of a contrary people, and found progress difficult This helped them to remember the Master’s ability to come to them on, the troubled seas, and how

His coming lirougtH |*Wl.t i* St. Matthew gives mi iidditiohnl sea ture of this lesson not recorded h.v St Mark. He tells us that when St. Peter learned that It was Jesus who walked upon the sea. lie requested the Lord to sanction ids walking on the water to Him. The Lord consented, and St. Peter had the courage to make the effort. Had his faith continued, doubtless he would have been sns tained, but the Lord’s rule with His people seems to be, “According to th.v faith be it unto thee.” We are not to encourage credulity in ourselves or others, but we are to remember that faith is very precious in the Lord’s sight In St. Peter’s case It was entirely propee that he should attempt to go to the Lord, because the effort had been sanctioned. But when he saw the boisterous waves his faith failed, and he cried, “Save, or I perish!” llow true it is of all God’s people that they would like to do some won derful things to show their faith In the Lord! And how like St. are their experiences! They would utterly fail did not the [<ord Interpose for their rescue. Much has been said respecting St. Peter’s rashness. The criticism is to some extent Justified, but the Master loved him greatly on account of his zeal and energy. Although he was the oldest of the Apostles he was evl dentiy one of the most teachable of them. Of his mistakes be made a mirror, and thus, learning to know himself, he was safeguarded through the many dangers natural to his temperament; and he stands forth in ihe Scriptures as one of the noblest of the Apostles. There must have been a strain continually upon tile Great Teacher and Healer . for He was continually expend-

lug His vitality. In heating, the sick, virtue, or vita li ty, went out from Him. and all His public teaching cost vitality, especially when He addressed multitudes Tims was fulfilled in part the saying of the Prophet respecting Him. “H I ms e I f took our sickness

es and bore our Infirmities.” Nevertheless, we find Him ever alert about the Father’s business, and instructing all who gave evidence of be ing, or of becoming, children of God. When the ship reached shore tile peo pie recognized Him und began to car ry the sick to where .Jesus /was. And wheresoever he entered, into villages, cities or country, they besought Him that these might touch if it were but the corner of His garment: “and as many ag touched Him were mads whole”

“It is I; be not afraid!"

All that touched His garments were healed.