Notes on the International Lesson.
THE last lesson closed with the arrival of Jesus in Capernaum, and the statement that he "was teaching them on the Sabbath-day" (Rev. Version), and "his word was with power." The present lesson continues from that point, stating that "in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil." Mark 1:23 says, "a man with an unclean spirit." The fact that this man was in the synagogue would indicate that his malady was not continuous, but periodical, and that he was suddenly taken while listening to Jesus. SATAN was remarkably active during the ministry of Christ on earth, his emissaries stirring up those whom they could influence, in every conceivable manner, to interrupt the work or counteract the teaching of the Lord. But Jesus' mission was to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8), and to "set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18). This is the first record we have of his casting out an unclean spirit, and we can hardly imagine the influence the wonderful scene must have had upon the minds of the people. "I KNOW thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Satan would never have put such words into the mouth of anyone for the ordinary purposes of an honest confession. His object was to create disturbance, to distract the minds of the people from the words of Jesus, or to thwart their intent. Although the poor victim had evidently left the door open in some way for Satan to get so firm a hold upon him, there was in his rational moments a response to the penetrating words of Jesus. Hence the terrible struggle which ended in the victory of faith and the power of God. AS usual Satan overreached himself, and what was designed to be a terrible barrier in the way of the Lord's work became the means of showing the people that Jesus was endued with power from heaven. "With authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out;" and, contrary to Satan's design, "the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about." FROM the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon Peter's house, and Simon's mother-in-law was "taken with a great fever." Jesus rebuked the fever, and she immediately rose and ministered unto them. According to Mark's account, the events of this Sabbath-day occurred just after the Lord had called Simon and Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee, to follow him. See Mark 1:16 and onward. This remarkable case of healing, right in his own family, would have a great influence in confirming the faith of Simon. It was an important experience for one just called to leave everything to follow the humble Nazarene as a disciple. ALTHOUGH Jesus spent the day in earnest labor for souls, he did not cease with the setting sun. For as the Sabbath ended the people began to come to him with their sick folks. He did not turn any away, but "laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them." But, notwithstanding all the mighty works done in Capernaum on this and other occasions, the great city in the main failed to repent. Yet there are people who contend that the entire world will be converted by the far less powerful preachers. ALTHOUGH Jesus was calling sinners to repentance, he did not want devils to acknowledge him. He did not deem it any honor for them to proclaim him to the people. Their cries of recognition could do them no good, and could only do the Lord's cause harm. So he rebuked them when they essayed to say, "Thou art Christ the Son of God." He set the example of not allowing the adversary to get any advantage of him, either by direct opposition or by pretended adherence to his cause.