Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 2, Number 26, DeMotte, Jasper County, 19 January 1933 — IMPROVED UNIFORM' INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson [ARTICLE]

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson

By REV. P. B. FITZWATER,

D. D., Mem-

ber of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.) ©, 1933, Western Newspaper Union.

Lesson for January 22

JESUS FORGIVING SIN

Mark 2:1-12. GOLDEN TEXT--The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. Mark 2:10. PRIMARY TOPIC--Jesus Forgiving a Man. JUNIOR TOPIC--Jesus Forgiving a Man. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP-IC--How We May Be Forgiven. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC--Jesus’ Power Over Sin. I. Jesus Preaching the Word (vv. 1, 2). 1. To whom (v. 2). It was to the surging crowd which was gathered about the house where Jesus was stopping. So great was the crowd that there was no room to receive them, even about the door. This house may have been the home of Peter where he had healed his wife’s mother of a fever. As soon as it was noised about that Jesus was in the house, the multitudes gathered. It is always so, that the multitudes gather where Jesus is. 2. What Jesus preached (v. 2). He preached the Word before he wrought miracles, for his supreme mission was to make known God’s will. Miracles were not an end in themselves, but to authenticate his work. The people came, some to be healed, and some out of curiosity. The Word of God should be preached to all so that the will of God may he known even though the hearers gather with an unworthy motive. II. Jesus Forgiving Sins (vv. 3-5). The man brought to him was suffering from the dread disease of palsy, but his deadly affliction was that of sin. Palsy was a type of sin. The miracle was wrought by Jesus in confirmation of his message. It was vitally connected with faith. Observe: 1. Faith coming to Jesus (v. 3). The actuating impulse of the palsied man and his four friends who carried him was faith. They believed that Jesus had power to save. 2. Faith overcoming difficulties (v. 4). Though prevented by the crowd from coming to Jesus, they ascended the outer stairway and let the afflicted man down through the roof into his presence. They disregarded conventionalities. knowing that the all-im-portant thing was to go to the Lord with their need. 3. Faith rewarded (v. 5). No word was uttered by either the paralytic or his hearers. No words were needed. Their action was enough. The paralytic got more than he expected. He desired healing of the body and he received forgiveness of sins--the healing of the body plus forgiveness of sins: III. Jesus Answering the Scribes (vv. 6-10). 1. Their objections (vv. 6, 7). a. Why does he thus speak? b. Who can forgive sin? They were entirely right in their reasonings that only God can forgive sins. Their blunder was in not perceiving him as God. The very one who was speaking and acting was the living God. 2. Jesus’ answer (vv. 8-10). Knowing their inner thoughts and reasonings, he manifested unto them his essential deity in that he had power to know their thoughts. He inquired, “Which is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” He was willing that his power in the invisible realm should be tested by his power in the visible. IV. Jesus Healing the Paralytic (vv. 11, 12). 1. His method (v. 11). He spoke the word and it was done. Christ’s words were enough. This man was helpless and unable of himself to move, but with the command was given the strength to obey. It is always so, that when Christ commands he gives the strength to perform. 2. The obedience of the man (v. 12). He immediately arose, took up his bed and went forth among them all. The poor helpless man walked away with his bed upon his shoulder. At the words of Christ, disease and death flee away. This was a fine example again of divine healing. 3. The people were amazed, and glorified God (v. 12). They said, “We never saw it on this fashion.”