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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
December, 1937
LESSON COMMENTARY [Continued from page 486]
In the days of this incident, the leper was an outcast, his condition regarded as hope less, and he himself being reckoned as dead. Leprosy was called “the finger of God” or “the stroke.” It has always been a symbol of sin, but there is a vast dif ference between a leper and a sinner. The leper knows he has the dreaded disease; he is distressed by this fact; he hates him self and loathes his condition. But the sinner is often ignorant of his ailment; he does not feel it, and indeed he often loves it. Jesus at once healed this man (vs. 41, 42). It was universally acknowledged that none but God could heal leprosy (cf. 2 Ki. 5:7), but Jesus said, “I will,” and the leprosy left him who had been afflicted. Under the Servant’s mantle was the royal robe of Deity. Verse 42 makes plain that “as soon as he had spoken”—that before His hand touched the needy man—“imme diately the leprosy departed from him.” Otherwise Jesus Himself would have been unclean under the law (cf. Num. 5:2). There was no defilement, however, in touching a clean person. The healed man was sent as a testi mony to the priests (vs. 43,44). With mis taken zeal, this man tried to show his gratitude by disobeying the Servant’s com mand, with the result that any wider testi mony in that place was impossible (v. 45). Where deep love to the Lord is in the heart, there will be obedience to His Word (cf. John 14:15). Points and Problems 1. He “ lifted her up . . . and she min istered unto them” (Mk. 1:31). Here is another of the illustrations of the proper relationship between grace and works, of which the Bible is full. Peter’s mother- in-law did not minister unto Christ in order that she might be cured of her fever. The fever was cured first, in order that afterward she might minister. Grace comes first, then works. 2. “He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils” (Gr., “demons” ) (v. 34). Modern critics of the Gospel records generally argue against the reality of demon-possession, saying that what is called demon-possession was only a form of disease. But notice that the Gospel writers carefully distinguish between disease and demon-possession, as above. Furthermore, the treatment was vastly different. Diseases are healed’, the demons are cast out. 3. “Departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (v. 35). In this verse there are at least three very important things that we may learn about prayer. First, the BLACKBOARD LESSON 'OADME MEALED mong TMflT we :&£ SICK"
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multitude of sick folk came to the door— persons sick with divers diseases, and some possessed by demons, and the Lord Jesus healed them all (vs. 32-34). He did not at this time require any confession of faith in Himself, indeed nothing was said concern ing faith at all. The truth is that the people were sick, they were brought to Him, and He healed them. How simple is this account in comparison with the rec ord of many of the so-called “faith heal ings” today! II. T he P ractice of J esus (35) Perhaps nowhere else is the secret of the Servant’s power revealed in a clearer man ner than in this verse. His practice of prayer made His practice of service easy and powerful. “In the morning”—He chose a good time for prayer. Spiritual enjoy ment during any day is largely determined by the degree in which this practice of early morning prayer prevails. The Lord Jesus chose a solitary place, always a good place for communion with God. And He prayed alone. There are some searching lessons for us in this verse. III. T he P rogram of J esus (36-39) While Jesus was alone praying, Simon and others sought for him (v. 36) and, find ing Him, informed Him that “all are seek ing thee” (v. 37, R. V.) Is it possible that this rising tide of popularity formed one of the obstacles against which He had been praying? With us it is generally supposed that when things are going well and results are being seen there is little need for prayer. The Servant of Jehovah teaches us the dangerous folly of this belief. Christ’s reply to the message bearers in dicates that His ministry must never be provincial, cramped, selfish. “Let us go into the next towns,” He said (vs. 38, 39). But notice the purpose that He expressed: “Let us go . . . that I may preach.” Hjs serv ants do not preach—He does that, both then and now. If He does not do the preaching, there will be no blessing. The preacher of today, if he be a true preacher, is merely the mouthpiece of the Lord through whom the Lord delivers His own message. To the disciples, the popularity which was accorded the Lord Jesus might have seemed to be a strong reason for His re maining among those who sought Him. But other localities were waiting for the good news, and Christ therefore would move on to fulfill His program of giving the “next towns” His message. What a lesson for us in respect to world evangel ization ! IV. T he P ity of J esus (40-45) “There came a leper” to Jesus, the Serv ant (v .40). He was earnest; he kneeled before Christ. He evidenced belief in the power of the Lord Jesus to heal. He ac knowledged that power, appealing for compassion. But as far as the record goes, he had no religious or spiritual zeal cen tered in Jesus. Leprosy was, and is, a loathsome disease.
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