LESSON VI.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 4, 1893.
By Editor
POWER OF GOD'S WORD—CONTINUED.
[For any modification in these lessons, and for the notes, the editor is responsible. For other notes and suggestions the student is referred to the lesson pamphlet, and to the S. S. Worker.] Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.
I. Matt. 8:5-13: "And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And he saith unto him, I will come and heal him. And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers; and I say unto this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And when Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour."- Where did this event occur?
- Whose servant was sick? Note 1.
- Where was the servant?
- What was the disease?
- How did Jesus respond to the man's implied request? Note 1.
- Why did the centurion object to a personal visit?
- What did he say would accomplish the desired result?
- What illustrations did he give of the power of his own word?
- What did Jesus say of his faith?
- What statement did he then make with reference to Jew and Gentile in the kingdom?
- What assurance did he then give to the centurion?
- What was the result?
II. Mark 1:21-25: "And they go into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching; for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. And straightway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him."- Where was Jesus?
- What difference is stated between his teaching and that of the scribes?
- What man was also in the synagogue? Note 2.
- What did the unclean spirit say?
- What reply did Jesus make?
- What was the effect?
III. Mark 4:35-41: "And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side. And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have you not yet faith? and they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"- Where did Jesus invite his disciples to go? Note 3.
- How did they respond to the suggestion?
- What was the effect of the storm which arose? Note 3.
- Where was Jesus?
- What did the disciples say to him? Note 3.
- What did he then do?
- What result followed?
- How did he rebuke the disciples?
- What did they say to each other?
#### NOTES.
1. A Centurion.—A Roman officer, the commander of a hundred soldiers, whence the name. I will come and heal him.—This word is used of medical attendance. Jesus evidently used it to try his faith: "I will come and give him medical attendance." The centurion uses a stronger term, "Only say the word, and my servant shall be healed." Both terms are used in Luke 9:11. "Jesus healed all who had need of treatment." The stronger word is used in verse 13. See Vincent. I also am a man, etc.—Note the force of the word "also," omitted in the common version.
2. With an unclean spirit.—Literally, "in an unclean spirit," that is, in the power of one, the same as the phrase in liquor, in rage. The man was under the control of the demon. He was not simply sick; the demon was a real, intelligent entity, which knew Christ and his power.
3. The other side.—The east side of Galilee, in Gadara. Storm.—A furious storm. Asleep.—Jesus need not fear, though evidently "the prince of the power of the air" was determined to destroy him; the sea was his creature. Master, carest thou not that we perish? Each of the evangelists uses a different expression. Probably all three were used. "Lord, save us, we perish" (Matthew) is the language of earnest appeal and alarm; "Master, carest191thou not that we perish?" (Mark) expresses impatient and reproachful entreaty; while "Master, Master, we perish!" seems to be almost the language of despair. But the word of God stilled the waves. There was no danger.
"No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies."
And no power can harm him in whose heart Christ dwells by faith.