thou," etc.? There is n. gracious power on which the weakest may lay hold. 2. A wondeiful command. "Rise," etc. In this command we distinctly hear: (1) The voice of Divine power, "Rise." 'fhis he was utterly unable to do. "Take up thy bed." As well tell the bed to t11ke him up. Every human power had failed even at earlier stages of the disease. And human power never speaks thus un<ler such circumstances but in madness. But is natural in the Divine. (2) The voice of Divine authority. Divine power and authority go together. 'l'here is here a Divine will, and a Divine right and powel' for its immediate execution. '!.'here is no hesitancy, no timidity, but full and serene Divine consciousness of power to carry out his will, and make the man whole. (3) 'fhe voice of Divine mercy. Power alone, or swayed by justice, could kill and perform any miraculous feat of destruction, as in the case of Lot's wife; but infinite power, under the guidance of mercy, heals and sa'l'es, and that most completely. "Whole." Amidst the thunders of power and the majestic lightnings of authority we hear the genial voice of mercy answering its own question, "'.Vilt thou?" etc., by the command, " Rise," etc. 3. .A wonderful effect. "Immediately the man was made whole." Consequent upon the command an effort was made; strength came with the effort. The effect was instantaneous; the miracle was complete and thorough. The man rose and walked away; a wonder to others, not less to hlmself, and an unmis- takable monument of Divine power as well as Divine mercy. CONCLUSIONS. I. Jesus selected his own obfect. 'l'he most helpless and miserable. This was a most gracious act to the man himself. And this most helpless and furthest from the reach of human aid, answered well the purposes of Jesus in revealing himself as the Son of God. Among the suffering throng there was not one who answered this purpose so well. The greatest misery attracts most of the relieving compassion of Jesus, and when relieved will redound most to his glory. 2. Jesus often helps in a manner and degree which we should not expect. This poor cripple never expected more than to he helped to the pool; but Christ made him whole by his mere word and will. "He is able to do exceeding abundantly," etc. 3. What Christ did physically to this man, he is ready and willing to do spiritually to the human race. The human family by sin are spiritually impotent and helpless. Christ, in the gospel of his love and power, asks the question to each, "Wilt thou," etc.? If they are willing, he is willing and able. 4. There is much suffering in the world, but there is mercy here as well. The world is a Bethesda, the house of mercy; Jesus has made it so. Every healing spring in nature, as well as the river of life, is from him.-B. 'I'.
Ver. 14.-Suffering alleviated by the removal of sin. Notice- I. THAT IT WAS THE GREAT AIM OF JESUS TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERINGS OF THE HUMAN FAMILY, AND MAKE THEM WHOLE. We see: 1. That the human family are subject to great sufferings. This is too patent to require proof. It is the universal experience of all. These are various and great. (1) Physical sufferings-those arising from the infirmities, diseases, and ultimate mortality of physical life. (2) Mental sufferings-those arising from personal and social afflictions, bereavements, disappoint- ments, slander, failures of every description, and the mysterious problems of being. (3) Moral sufferings-arising from a sense of guilt; the unreconciliation of the sou 1 with God, and its consequent unsettled and painful spiritual state. 2. It was the great obJect of Christ to alleviate and remove these. To this he devoted his life and energy. He ci.1e1 this by sympathizing and guiding words, by merciful deeds, and by his vicarious death. In all his life and death, "surely be bore our grief~, and carried our sorrows." Il. To ATTA.IN THIS AIM IT JS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT SIN SHOULD BE DONE AWAY WITH. "Sin no more." 1. Sin is the direct or indirect cause of all sufferings . .All the sufferings of the human family, whether physical, mental, or moral, are traceable to sin. "The wages of sin is death" in all the departments of human being. The suffer- ices of this poor cripple were the direct consequence of his sin. Physical and spiritual nature invariably punishes the violation of its laws with suffering. 2. The cause m·ust be removed in order to remove the effects. You roust dry the fountain before you can dry the stream. As long as there is a fountain there must be a stream. .As long as there is sin there must be suffering. Effects must follow causes. 3. The removal of the cause must be followed with the removal of the effect. Dry the fountain, there will be no stream, "Sin no more," there will be no suffering. We have a l)ractical illustratioc 238 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [en. v. 1-4.7.