International S. S. Lessons by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 15, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 49.

International S. S. Lessons.

By Editor

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON IV.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1894.

THE PARALYTIC HEALED.

[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.]

Lesson Scripture, Mark 2:1-12.

AND when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house.
And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door; and he spake the word unto them.
And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay.
And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth; who can forgive sins but one, even God?
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Whether is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; 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, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.
And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Golden Text: "The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins." Mark 2:13.

NOTE.—After the events given in our last lesson, our Saviour seems to have made a tour of Galilee, healing the sick and casting out devils. We have also the record of the cleansing of a leper. This lesson brings him again to Capernaum.

After his tour through Galilee, where did our Saviour again go after some days? Verse 1. The expression "in the house" is given in the margin as "at home." It seems to indicate that he was in his own home, or in the house where his mother lived.
When it was found that he was there, what was the effect? Verse 2.
When the people were gathered together, what did he do?
Who was brought to the place? Verse 3.
As the friends of the sick man could not get to Jesus, on account of the crowd, what did they do? Verse 4.
When Jesus saw their faith, what did he say to the sick with the palsy? Verse 5.
How did the scribes and Pharisees reason? Verses 6, 7.
When Jesus perceived that they so reasoned, what did he say? Verse 8.
What comparison did he make? Verse 9.
How did he demonstrate that he had power to forgive sins? Verse 10. See note.
What did he say to the sick with the palsy? Verses 10, 11.
What was the result of his words? Verse 12.
How did this miracle affect the people generally?

NOTE.

THE scribes and Pharisees reasoned that only God could forgive sins. He alone gave the law, the transgression of which is sin, and he alone could forgive the transgression of the law. Before them was one sick with the palsy, an incurable disease. They knew that only God could cure that man; and not only that, but they believed that the palsy came as a result of sin. The healing of the palsy would therefore show that the One who healed had power not only over sin, but over the results of sin; and to make a man who was certain to die from the disease a well man required creative power. Thus reasoning, the healing of the man was a demonstration of the power of God. He says, "That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins," he healed the man of the palsy. The one request in the man's heart above all others, evidently, was the one which Jesus answered first. The man desired to be healed; but he evidently desired above that that his sins should be forgiven. Jesus, knowing the agony of his heart, answered that request first, and brought peace to his troubled soul; and then, in thus doing, he also gave the scribes an opportunity to develop what was in their hearts, that they might know the unbelief which existed there. Thus a twofold object was gained in the way in which our Saviour wrought this wondrous miracle. He would also teach us this thought, that it is just as truly a miracle of God's power to forgive sins and cleanse the heart as it is to heal the sick. Those, who claim that the day of miracles is past must deny that souls are ever converted or saved from sin to righteousness, because, according to the words of our Saviour, the saving of a soul from sin is truly a miracle of God.

LESSON IV.—SABBATH, OCTOBER 27, 1894.

SIGNS OF THE END.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 21:25-38.

AND there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
Men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
When they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh.
Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.
But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare.
For so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.
But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives.
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.

WHERE did the Saviour say that there should be signs of his coming?
What did he say should be on the earth?
What did he say would be the condition of men?
What is the cause of the fear in men's hearts?
What about the powers of the heavens?
When the powers of the heavens are shaken, what will then be seen?
What should the people of God do when these things begin to come to pass?
What parable did the Saviour give?
How surely may we know that the coming of the Lord is near?
Within what period of time after these things begin to come to pass, will Christ's coming take place?
What exhortation is given us?
What will cause that day to come upon men unawares?
How will it come upon the people who dwell on the earth?
What are we to do in order that it may not come upon us in that manner?
Of what will those who watch and pray be counted worthy?
How did Jesus spend his time during the week that he was giving these instructions?
How eager were the people to hear him?

NOTES.

1. "HEAR the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Isa. 66:5. The coming of the Lord is a joyful event to his people. Therefore when they see the signs of his coming, they will rejoice. While the hearts of men are failing them for fear, for looking after those things that shall come on the earth, their hearts will be filled with joy.

2. "As a snare it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." The coming of the Lord will be at a time when men would not naturally expect it, when the world has no thought of it. But it will not take the people of God unawares. See 1 Thess. 5:1-5. They are not dwellers on the earth, but only sojourners. They are strangers and pilgrims. People may have their portion as dwellers on this earth, and be ashamed at the coming of the Lord, or they may be content to be strangers, and rejoice in that day.