the desire of ages-第43章
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of divine grace。
Like a flash of light； the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart。 He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish。 His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character。 In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son。 He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts； and to whom all things were possible。 In an agony of supplication he cried； 〃Sir； come down ere my child die。〃 His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob； when； wrestling with the Angel； he cried； 〃I will not let Thee go； except Thou bless me。〃 Gen。 32：26。
Like Jacob he prevailed。 The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him； pleading its great need。 〃Go thy way；〃 He said； 〃thy son liveth。〃 The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace
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and joy he had never known before。 Not only did he believe that his son would be restored； but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer。
At the same hour the watchers beside the dying child in the home at Capernaum beheld a sudden and mysterious change。 The shadow of death was lifted from the sufferer's face。 The flush of fever gave place to the soft glow of returning health。 The dim eyes brightened with intelligence； and strength returned to the feeble； emaciated frame。 No signs of his malady lingered about the child。 His burning flesh had become soft and moist； and he sank into a quiet sleep。 The fever had left him in the very heat of the day。 The family were amazed； and great was the rejoicing。
Cana was not so far from Capernaum but that the officer might have reached his home on the evening after his interview with Jesus； but he did not hasten on the homeward journey。 It was not until the next morning that he reached Capernaum。 What a homecoming was that！ When he went to find Jesus； his heart was heavy with sorrow。 The sunshine seemed cruel to him； the songs of the birds a mockery。 How different his feelings now！ All nature wears a new aspect。 He sees with new eyes。 As he journeys in the quiet of the early morning； all nature seems to be praising God with him。 While he is still some distance from his own dwelling； servants come out to meet him； anxious to relieve the suspense they are sure he must feel。 He shows no surprise at the news they bring； but with a depth of interest they cannot know he asks at what hour the child began to mend。 They answer； 〃Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him。〃 At the very moment when the father's faith grasped the assurance； 〃Thy son liveth；〃 divine love touched the dying child。
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The father hurries on to greet his son。 He clasps him to his heart as one restored from the dead； and thanks God again and again for this wonderful restoration。
The nobleman longed to know more of Christ。 As he afterward heard His teaching； he and all his household became disciples。 Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family。 Tidings of the miracle spread； and in Capernaum； where so many of His mighty works were performed； the way was prepared for Christ's personal ministry。
He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing us。 But like the afflicted father； we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some earthly good； and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in His love。 The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask； and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts； and our deep need of His grace。 He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him。 Confessing our helplessness and bitter need； we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love。
The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe； but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted。 This lesson we also have to learn。 Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe。 We are to trust in His promises。 When we come to Him in faith； every petition enters the heart of God。 When we have asked for His blessing； we should believe that we receive it； and thank Him that we have received it。 Then we are to go about our duties； assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most。 When we have learned to do this； we shall know that our prayers are answered。 God will do for us 〃exceeding abundantly；〃 〃according to the riches of His glory；〃 and 〃the working of His mighty power。〃 Eph。 3：20； 16； 1：19。
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Chapter 21
Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
〃Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool； which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda； having five porches。 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk； of blind； halt； withered； waiting for the moving of the water。〃
At certain seasons the waters of this pool were agitated； and it was commonly believed that this was the result of supernatural power； and that whoever first after the troubling of the pool stepped into the waters； would be healed of whatever disease he had。 Hundreds of sufferers visited the place； but so great was the crowd when the water was troubled that they rushed forward； trampling underfoot men； women； and children； weaker than themselves。 Many could not get near the pool。 Many who had succeeded in reaching it died upon its brink。 Shelters had been erected about the place； that the sick might be protected from the heat by day and the chilliness of the night。 There were some who spent the night in these porches； creeping to the edge of the pool day after day； in the vain hope of relief。
Jesus was again at Jerusalem。 Walking alone； in apparent meditation and prayer； He came to the pool。 He saw the wretched sufferers watching for that which they supposed to be their only chance of cure。 He longed to exercise His healing power； and make every sufferer whole。 But it was the Sabbath day。 Multitudes were going to the temple for worship；
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and He knew that such an act of healing would so excite the prejudice of the Jews as to cut short His work。
But the Saviour saw one case of supreme wretchedness。 It was that of a man who had been a helpless cripple for thirty…eight years。 His disease was in a great degree the result of his own sin； and was looked upon as a judgment from God。 Alone and friendless； feeling that he was shut out from God's mercy； the sufferer had passed long years of misery。 At the time when it was expected that the waters would be troubled； those who pitied his helplessness would bear him to the porches。 But at the favored moment he had no one to help him in。 He had seen the rippling of the water； but had never been able to get farther than the edge of the pool。 Others stronger than he would plunge in before him。 He could not contend successfully with the selfish； scrambling crowd。 His persistent efforts toward the one object； and his anxiety and continual disappointment； were fast wearing away the remnant of his strength。
The sick man was lying on his mat； and occasionally lifting his head to gaze at the pool； when a tender； compassionate face bent over him； and the words； 〃Wilt thou be made whole？〃 arrested his attention。 Hope came to his heart。 He felt that in some way he was to have help。 But the glow of encouragement soon faded。 He remembered how often he had tried to reach the pool； and now he had little prospect of living till it should again be troubled。 He turned away wearily； saying； 〃Sir； I have no man； when the water is troubled； to put me into the pool： but while I am coming； another steppeth down before me。〃
Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him。 He simply says； 〃Rise； take up thy bed； and walk。〃 But the man's faith takes hold
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upon that word。 Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life； and healthful action comes to his crippled limbs。 Without question he sets his will to obey the command of Christ； and all his muscles respond
