the desire of ages-第58章
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was a great commotion。 From the homes； the shops； the market places； the inhabitants of the city pressed toward the humble dwelling that sheltered Jesus。 The sick were brought upon couches； they came leaning upon staffs； or； supported by friends； they tottered feebly into the Saviour's presence。
Hour after hour they came and went； for none could know whether tomorrow would find the Healer still among them。 Never before had Capernaum witnessed a day like this。 The air was filled with the voice of triumph and shouts of deliverance。 The Saviour was joyful in the joy He had awakened。 As He witnessed the sufferings of those who had come to Him； His heart was stirred with sympathy； and He rejoiced in His power to restore them to health and happiness。
Not until the last sufferer had been relieved did Jesus cease His work。 It was far into the night when the multitude departed； and silence settled down upon the home of Simon。 The long； exciting day was past； and Jesus sought rest。 But while the city was still wrapped in slumber； the Saviour； 〃rising up a great while before day； 。 。 。 went out； and departed into a solitary place； and there prayed。〃
Thus were spent the days in the earthly life of Jesus。 He often dismissed His disciples to visit their homes and rest； but He gently resisted their efforts to draw Him away from His labors。 All day He toiled；
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teaching the ignorant； healing the sick； giving sight to the blind； feeding the multitude； and at the eventide or in the early morning； He went away to the sanctuary of the mountains for communion with His Father。 Often He passed the entire night in prayer and meditation； returning at daybreak to His work among the people。
Early in the morning； Peter and his companions came to Jesus； saying that already the people of Capernaum were seeking Him。 The disciples had been bitterly disappointed at the reception which Christ had met hitherto。 The authorities at Jerusalem were seeking to murder Him； even His own townsmen had tried to take His life； but at Capernaum He was welcomed with joyful enthusiasm； and the hopes of the disciples kindled anew。 It might be that among the liberty…loving Galileans were to be found the supporters of the new kingdom。 But with surprise they heard Christ's words； 〃I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also： for therefore am I sent。〃
In the excitement which then pervaded Capernaum； there was danger that the object of His mission would be lost sight of。 Jesus was not satisfied to attract attention to Himself merely as a wonder worker or a healer of physical diseases。 He was seeking to draw men to Him as their Saviour。 While the people were eager to believe that He had come as a king； to establish an earthly reign； He desired to turn their minds away from the earthly to the spiritual。 Mere worldly success would interfere with His work。
And the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit。 In His life no self…assertion mingled。 The homage which the world gives to position； or wealth； or talent； was foreign to the Son of man。 None of the means that men employ to win allegiance or command homage did Jesus use。 Centuries before His birth； it had been prophesied of Him；
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〃He shall not cry； nor lift up； nor cause His voice to be heard in the street。 A bruised reed shall He not break； and the dimly burning flax shall He not quench： He shall bring forth judgment unto truth。 He shall not fail nor be discouraged； till He have set judgment in the earth。〃 Isa。 42：2…4； margin。
The Pharisees sought distinction by their scrupulous ceremonialism； and the ostentation of their worship and charities。 They proved their zeal for religion by making it the theme of discussion。 Disputes between opposing sects were loud and long； and it was not unusual to hear on the streets the voice of angry controversy from learned doctors of the law。
In marked contrast to all this was the life of Jesus。 In that life no noisy disputation； no ostentatious worship； no act to gain applause； was ever witnessed。 Christ was hid in God； and God was revealed in the character of His Son。 To this revelation Jesus desired the minds of the people to be directed； and their homage to be given。
The Sun of Righteousness did not burst upon the world in splendor； to dazzle the senses with His glory。 It is written of Christ； 〃His going forth is prepared as the morning。〃 Hosea 6：3。 Quietly and gently the daylight breaks upon the earth； dispelling the shadow of darkness； and waking the world to life。 So did the Sun of Righteousness arise； 〃with healing in His wings。〃 Mal。 4：2。
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Chapter 27
〃Thou Canst Make Me Clean〃
Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded。 Its incurable and contagious character； and its horrible effect upon its victims； filled the bravest with fear。 Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgment on account of sin； and hence was called 〃the stroke；〃 〃the finger of God。〃 Deep…rooted； ineradicable； deadly； it was looked upon as a symbol of sin。 By the ritual law； the leper was pronounced unclean。 Like one already dead； he was shut out from the habitations of men。 Whatever he touched was unclean。 The air was polluted by his breath。 One who was suspected of having the disease must present himself to the priests； who were to examine and decide his case。 If pronounced a leper； he was isolated from his family； cut off from the congregation of Israel； and was doomed to associate with those only who were similarly afflicted。 The law was inflexible in its requirement。 Even kings and rulers were not exempt。 A monarch who was attacked by this terrible disease must yield up the scepter； and flee from society。
Away from his friends and his kindred； the leper must bear the curse of his malady。 He was obliged to publish his own calamity； to rend his garments； and sound the alarm； warning all to flee from his contaminating presence。 The cry； 〃Unclean！ unclean！〃 coming in mournful tones from the lonely exile； was a signal heard with fear and abhorrence。
In the region of Christ's ministry； there were many of these sufferers； and the news of His work reached them； kindling a gleam of hope。 But since the days of Elisha the prophet； such a thing had never been known
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as the cleansing of one upon whom this disease had fastened。 They dared not expect Jesus to do for them what He had never done for any man。 There was one； however； in whose heart faith began to spring up。 Yet the man knew not how to reach Jesus。 Debarred as he was from contact with his fellow men； how could he present himself to the Healer？ And he questioned if Christ would heal him。 Would He stoop to notice one believed to be suffering under the judgment of God？ Would He not； like the Pharisees； and even the physicians； pronounce a curse upon him； and warn him to flee from the haunts of men？ He thought of all that had been told him of Jesus。 Not one who had sought His help had been turned away。 The wretched man determined to find the Saviour。 Though shut out from the cities； it might be that he could cross His path in some byway along the mountain roads； or find Him as He was teaching outside the towns。 The difficulties were great； but this was his only hope。
The leper is guided to the Saviour。 Jesus is teaching beside the lake； and the people are gathered about Him。 Standing afar off； the leper catches a few words from the Saviour's lips。 He sees Him laying His hands upon the sick。 He sees the lame； the blind； the paralytic； and those dying of various maladies rise up in health； praising God for their deliverance。 Faith strengthens in his heart。 He draws nearer and yet nearer to the gathered throng。 The restrictions laid upon him； the safety of the people； and the fear with which all men regard him are forgotten。 He thinks only of the blessed hope of healing。
He is a loathsome spectacle。 The disease has made frightful inroads； and his decaying body is horrible to look upon。 At sight of him the people fall back in terror。 They crowd upon one another i
