58 Christ declareth his Mission. own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me 1. Christ shows the Divine Testimony to his IF I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye 4 John v. 17-30. The Disciples pluck ears of Corn. 59 think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words 5? The Disciples pluck ears of Corn on the Sabbath. Christ vindicates them. AND it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples were an hungred, and began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat, rubbing them in their hands. But when the Pharisees saw it, certain of them said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? They said unto him, Behold, thy dis5 John v. 31-47. 60 Christ restores a withered Hand. ciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. And Jesus answering said unto them, Have ye never read so much as this, what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath ". Christ restores a withered Hand on the Sabbath. AND it came to pass also on another sabbath, when he was departed thence, that he • Matt. xii. 1-8. Mark ii. 23-28. Luke vi. Christ restores a withered Hand. 61 entered into the synagogue and taught: and behold there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? But they held their peace. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. And when he had looked round about on them all with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored whole as the other. Then the Pharisees were filled with madness; and went out, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus, and straightway took counsel 62 Christ retires with his Disciples. with the Herodians how they might destroy him 7. Christ retires with his Disciples. BUT when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence with his disciples to the sea and great multitudes followed him from Galilee and from Judæa, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumæa, and from beyond Jordan: and he healed them. And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any Mark iii. 1—6. Luke vi. 7 Matt. xii. 9-14. |