Lesson 8 May 19 - 25
Memory Text: (Isa 52:7 ) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth peace"
"Scripture from the NEW KINGS JAMES VERSION" Copyright © 1982: Used by permission
Sabbath Afternoon
Sunday
He Descended Through The Roof
(Mark 2:4 NRSV) And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.
(Mark 2:4 NKJV) And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
In the healing of the paralytic at Capernaum, Christ again taught the same truth. It was to manifest His power to forgive sins that the miracle was performed. And the healing of the paralytic also illustrates other precious truths. It is full of hope and encouragement, and from its connection with the caviling Pharisees it has a lesson of warning as well. {DA 267.1}
Like the leper, this paralytic had lost all hope of recovery. His disease was the result of a life of sin, and his sufferings were embittered by remorse. He had long before appealed to the Pharisees and doctors, hoping for relief from mental suffering and physical pain. But they coldly pronounced him incurable, and abandoned him to the wrath of God. The Pharisees regarded affliction as an evidence of divine displeasure, and they held themselves aloof from the sick and the needy. Yet often these very ones who exalted themselves as holy were more guilty than the sufferers they condemned. {DA 267.2}
The palsied man was entirely helpless, and, seeing no prospect of aid from any quarter, he had sunk into despair. Then he heard of the wonderful works of Jesus. He was told that others as sinful and helpless as he had been healed; even lepers had been cleansed. And the friends who reported these things encouraged him to believe that he too might be cured if he could be carried to Jesus. But his hope fell when he remembered how the disease had been brought upon him. He feared that the pure Physician would not tolerate him in His presence. {DA 267.3}
Yet it was not physical restoration he desired so much as relief from the burden of sin. If he could see Jesus, and receive the assurance of forgiveness and peace with Heaven, he would be content to live or die, according to God's will. The cry of the dying man was, Oh that I might come into His presence! There was no time to lose; already his wasted flesh was showing signs of decay. He besought his friends to carry him on his bed to Jesus, and this they gladly undertook to do.
Desire of Ages, p. 267 (Continued)
But so dense was the crowd that had assembled in and about the house where the Saviour was, that it was impossible for the sick man and his friends to reach Him, or even to come within hearing of His voice. {DA 267.4}
Jesus was teaching in the house of Peter. According to their custom, His disciples sat close about Him, and "there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem." These had come as spies, seeking an accusation against Jesus. Outside of these officials thronged the promiscuous multitude, the eager, the reverent, the curious, and the unbelieving. Different (p. 268) nationalities and all grades of society were represented. "And the power of the Lord was present to heal." The Spirit of life brooded over the assembly, but Pharisees and doctors did not discern its presence. They felt no sense of need, and the healing was not for them. "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away." Luke 1:53. {DA 267.5}
(Mark 2:5 NKJV) When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Again and again the bearers of the paralytic tried to push their way through the crowd, but in vain. The sick man looked about him in unutterable anguish. When the longed-for help was so near, how could he relinquish hope? At his suggestion his friends bore him to the top of the house and, breaking up the roof, let him down at the feet of Jesus. The discourse was interrupted. The Saviour looked upon the mournful countenance, and saw the pleading eyes fixed upon Him. He understood the case; He had drawn to Himself that perplexed and doubting spirit. While the paralytic was yet at home, the Saviour had brought conviction to his conscience. When he repented of his sins, and believed in the power of Jesus to make him whole, the life-giving mercies of the Saviour had first blessed his longing heart. Jesus had watched the first glimmer of faith grow into a belief that He was the sinner's only helper, and had seen it grow stronger with every effort to come into His presence. {DA 268.1}
Now, in words that fell like music on the sufferer's ear, the Saviour said, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." {DA 268.2}
The burden of despair rolls from the sick man's soul; the peace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines out upon his countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his whole being is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed! the guilty sinner is pardoned! {DA 268.3}
In simple faith he accepted the words of Jesus as the boon of new life. He urged no further request, but lay in blissful silence, too happy for words. The light of heaven irradiated his countenance, and the people looked with awe upon the scene. {DA 268.4}
The rabbis had waited anxiously to see what disposition Christ would make of this case. They recollected how the man had appealed to them for help, and they had refused him hope or sympathy. Not satisfied with this, they had declared that he was suffering the curse of God for his sins. These things came fresh to their minds when they saw the sick man before them. They marked the interest with which all were watching the scene, and they felt a terrible fear of losing their own influence over the people. {DA 268.5}
Monday
The Bethesda Cripple
(John 5:2-3 NKJV) Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. {3} In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
(John 5:5 NKJV) Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
Read Mark chapter 2
(John 5:8 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
(John 5:10 NKJV) The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed."
Tuesday
The Personal Factor - Cousin, Brother, Friend
(John 1:29 NRSV) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:29 NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:35-36 NKJV) Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. {36} And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
(John 1:41 NKJV) He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).
(John 1:43 NKJV) The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
(John 1:45 NKJV) Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Read John chapter 11
Wednesday
The Demon Child
(Mark 9:23-24 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." {24} Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
(Mark 9:18 NKJV) "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."
(Mark 9:29 NKJV) So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
Read 2 Cor chapter 12
(Mark 9:23 NRSV) Jesus said to him, "If you are able!--All things can be done for the one who believes."
(Mark 9:23 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Thursday
Misguided Facilitators
(Mark 10:13 NKJV) Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
(Mark 10:14 NRSV) But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
(Mark 10:16 NRSV) And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
(Mark 10:14 NKJV) But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
(Mark 10:16 NKJV) And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
(Mat 15:22 NKJV) And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
(Mat 15:23 NRSV) But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us."
(Mat 15:28 NRSV) Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.
(Mat 15:23 NKJV) But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
(Mat 15:28 NKJV) Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
(Mark 10:47 NKJV) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
(Mark 10:48-49 NRSV) Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
{Mark 10:49} Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you."
(Mark 10:48-49 NKJV) Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" {49} So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."
Friday
(Luke 7:22 NRSV) And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.
(Luke 7:22 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(John 8:18 NRSV) I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf."
(John 8:18 NKJV) "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
(Mark 1:40-45 NKJV) Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." {41} Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." {42} As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. {43} And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, {44} and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." {45} However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
(Mark 1:45 NRSV) But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
(Mark 14:43-46 NKJV) And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. {44} Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely." {45} As soon as He had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. {46} Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.
(Mark 14:44 NRSV) Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."
(John 8:1-11 NKJV) But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. {2} Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. {3} Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, {4} they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. {5} "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"
{John 8:6-11} This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. {7} So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." {8} And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. {9} Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. {10} When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" {11} She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."