Matthew 9:8

The multitude... marvelled.

Three emotions are mentioned on the part of the multitude: (1) wonder, (2) gratitude, which is the sense of Glorified God, (3) reverent fear (mentioned by Matthew).-- Prof. Riddle. On all occasions of very great intensity of feeling, the spirit of man instinctively opens into the presence of the Infinite Spirit.-- Morison.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

The forgiveness of sins is. universal need. There may have been but one sick man in that crowd thronging around Christ, but there were as many sinners as individuals.

The forgiveness of sins is. more urgent need than the healing of bodily infirmity, yet we do not find that men were as eager to reach Christ for the cure of their souls as of their bodies.

PARALYSIS.--Bodily diseases, as they were introduced by sin, so they are pictures and representations of corresponding disorders produced by the same sin in our souls, which thereby become subject to the fever of anger, the dropsy of covetousness, the leprosy of uncleanness, the lunacy of ambition, and, among other maladies, to the palsy of spiritual sloth and listlessness in things pertaining to the work of our salvation. This is the last of those called "the seven deadly sins;" and when it seizes upon. man, it takes away the use of his powers and faculties in spiritual, exactly as the palsy does in matters temporal.-- Bishop Horne.

FAITH.--Faith is not idle. It worketh and is forcible; it breaketh out like fire; it is always fruitful through love.-- Bishop Jewel. Christ forgives and saves only on condition of faith and repentance; for the faith that loves and chooses God is the beginning of heavenly life in the soul. It is useless to forgive those who immediately plunge into sin again.

MORAL PARALYSIS.--In one of our city hospitals. young woman of beautiful face and form had lain motionless for many months. Except for the brightness of her face, and the action of the hands, her body was apparently dead. Yet she spoke with great confidence of her restoration to health at some future time, and was enthusiastically planning good works then to be executed.. physician remarked that it was the saddest case he had ever witnessed. It was. paralysis, not of the flesh, but of the mind: it was. moral paralysis. The will itself had lost its power of action. She could plan for the future, but not will anything at the present moment. After. few months the inactivity bred fatal disorder, and she passed away. This is. picture of the moral paralysis of many. They mean to be Christians at some time: they do not determine to do it now.--Anon.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Consider Christ's return, from whence, and to what place and how received. 2. Note the evidences of strong faith in the palsied man and his bearers. 3. Bring out the circumstances; Christ teaching in. house, crowds around, no way to reach him, the palsied man, helpless brought on. couch by four men, no other way and they open the flat roof and let the sick man down to Christ. 4. Observe the language of Christ, the complaint of the scribes, and the answer of Christ. 5. Consider who forgives sins, blasphemy for. man to make such. claim, why Christ had power. 6. Point out how he demonstrated his power, as no pope or priest ever does. 7. Observe that we have in this lesson an "ENACTED PARABLE OF SIN AND REDEMPTION," together with Christ's example in dealing with sinners. (1) The paralytic--a type of sinners (Mark 2:1-3). (2) He is brought to Christ (vers. 3, 4), as we must bring sinners by our labors and our prayers. (3) He comes in faith and finds forgiveness (ver. 5). (4) Forgiveness is proved and followed by healing (vers. 6-12), as renewed lives follow and prove the forgiveness of our sins. (5) Then sinners, even of the worst class, are called to be the disciples of Christ (vers. 13, 14), and may make excellent Christians. (6) Jesus Christ goes among sinners in order to save them (vers. 15-17),--an example to us.