LESSON III.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1894.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - 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.
- And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? a new teaching! with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.
- And the report of him went out straightway everywhere into all the region of Galilee round about.
- And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
- Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and straightway they tell him of her;
- And he came and took her by the hand, and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
- And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with devils.
- And all the city was gathered together at the door.
- And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and he suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Golden Text: "He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes." Mark 1: 22. NOTE.—This lesson gives us a typical instance of how our Lord spent the Sabbath. It is a divine commentary on the law of the Sabbath, for he expressly tells us in Matthew 12 that he did good and spent the Sabbath day in a lawful manner. He therefore spent it according to the Sabbath law; and the keeping holy of the Sabbath is spending it in the service of God, as did Christ, using it not for his own glory, but for the glory of the Father. Parallel accounts are given in Matt. 8: 14-17; Luke 4: 31-41. - After the events narrated in our last lesson, where did Jesus and his disciples go? Verse 21, first clause.
- Where did they go on the Sabbath day?
- What did he do in the synagogue?
- How did his teaching affect the people? Verse 22.
- What is said of the character of his teaching? Memory verse. Note 1.
- What agent of Satan was present in the synagogue? Verse 23.
- What did the evil spirit cause the afflicted man to cry out?
- With what words did Jesus rebuke him? Verse 25. Note 2.
- What was the effect of Christ's rebuke? Verse 26.
- How did this miracle affect the people?
- What questions did they ask?
- What was the effect of this miracle upon that region of country? Verse 28.
- Where did they go from the synagogue? Verse 29.
- Who accompanied them?
- Who was sick in Simon's house? Verse 30.
- As they told Jesus about her, what did he do? Verse 31.
- What was the result?
- What occurred when evening was come? Verse 32. Note 3.
- How did the people come together after the Sabbath? Verse 33.
- What did our Saviour do to relieve these poor, afflicted souls? Verse 34.
1. "He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."—The teaching of the scribes, like the teaching of Roman Catholic priests to-day, had reference to the traditions of the past. The traditions of the elders were everything with them; that is, what this rabbi had said or what that rabbi had said. In fact, there was no more certainty in their teaching than is manifest among the higher critics of the present day. But not so with Jesus. He taught what he knew was the truth. He testified of that which he had seen, and spoke that which he knew in his own experience. No wonder that the people were astonished. As they themselves expressed it, "Never man spake like this man." So God would have his servants speak always. 2. SATAN'S object was evidently to distract the people and turn their attention away from the teaching of Jesus. The poor demoniac evidently desired to be relieved from the evil spirit, but as he sought to make known his desires, the controlling demon put other words into his mouth. In fact, the demon, fearful himself, asked if Christ had come to destroy him, and even confessed the power of Jesus. Jesus rebuked him. It was no honor to him to be confessed by demons. They could not add to his glory, even though they might speak the truth. 3. "At even, when the sun was set."—This was the close of the Bible day. It begins at evening at sunset, and closes at evening at sunset. This was the close of the Sabbath, answering to our Saturday night at sunset. This is the natural ending of the day, that which would be obvious to all people in all parts of the world. The Jews brought their sick at that time, because, according to the traditions of the fathers, it was sinful to bring them before. On one occasion the priests and Pharisees told the poor afflicted ones to come at some other time and be healed and not on the Sabbath day. Jesus healed all those who desired healing on the Sabbath, to show that it was a part of God's work of mercy and love. Never did he design that his Sabbath should be a day of misery for one afflicted soul. He will have mercy and not sacrifice. The Jews, rather than lose their property, would lift an ox or a sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath day; but rather than violate the mere tradition of the elders, they would not so much as put forth their hand to help a poor, afflicted fellow-creature like themselves. It was this spirit that was continually rebuked by our Saviour.