173. Sabbath-work.

On the same day was the Sabbath. - John 5:9.

CHRIST healed men on all sorts of days. But Sabbaths were high days of grace. Six special cases of cures wrought on the Sabbath are recorded.

1. The evil spirit cast out (Luke 4:31-35).

2. The withered hand restored (Luke 6:6-10).

3. The crooked woman made straight (Luke 13:10-17).

4. The man with the dropsy cured (Luke 14:1-6).

5. The impotent man made whole (John 5:1-9).

6. The blind man's eyes opened (John 9:1-14).

As God rested on the Sabbath, and hallowed it; so as God it was rest to Jesus to heal, and thus he hallowed the day.

As man he also rested his heart, exercised a holy ministry, glorified God, and hallowed the day.

I. THESE CURES MEET MANY CASES.

l. Those under Satanic influence (Luke 4:31-35). Many are in this case at this hour.

2. Those conscious of spiritual inability (Luke 6:6-10).

3. Those bowed down with great distress, despondency, despair, etc. (Luke 13:10-17). This poor woman had been infirm for eighteen years.

4. Those smitten with mortal disease (Luke 14:1-6). This typifies the deadly character of sin, and represents the case of those upon whom is the dread of the second death.

5. Those altogether paralyzed (John 5:1-9). This man had been impotent for thirty-eight years. Some seem specially unable to feel, or do, or be what they should be. They are weak and irresolute, and though lying at the healing-pool, others step in before them, and they derive no benefit from the means of grace.

6. Those blind from birth (John 9:1-14). Many are in this condition. They see no spiritual truth, but abide in total darkness as to all gospel truth.

II. THESE CURES REPRESENT USUAL PROCESSES.

l. A word addressed to the devil. "hold thy peace, and come out of him" (Luke 4:35). Satan feels the power of the Word of the Lord; but he cares for nothing else.

2. A word personal to the sufferer. "Stretch forth thy hand" (Luke 6:10). He was unable, and yet he was commanded; and he obeyed. This is the gospel method.

3. A word accepted as done. "Thou art loosed from thine infirmity" (Luke 13:12). Faith turns promise into fact, gospel-teaching into actual salvation.

4. Power without a word (Luke 14:4).

5. A word arousing and commanding. "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk" (John 5:8). Many are saved by being stirred up from long inactivity and lethargy.

6. A word associated with other means (John 9:6-7). The whole miracle is deeply instructive on this point.

In these varied forms and fashions, Jesus works on the Sabbath.

III. THESE CURES WERE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

1. There, and misbehaving (Luke 4:33).

2. There, and singled out from the crowd (Luke 6:8).

3. There, and called to Jesus. (Luke 13:12).

4. After the synagogue service. Luke 14:1).

5. Too feeble to get there (John 5:5).

6. Too poor to be there (John 9:8).

IV. THESE CURES WERE ALL UNSOUGHT.

This is one special feature about them all.

1. The possessed, man entreated Christ to leave him alone (Luke 4:34).

2. The man with the withered hand did not think of cure (Luke 6:6).

3. The infirm woman did not hope for healing (Luke 13:11).

4. The man with the dropsy did not ask for the blessing (Luke 14:2).

5. The infirm man was too paralyzed to seek Christ (John 5:5).

6. It was an unheard of thing that the eyes of a man born blind should be opened, and therefore he did not expect it (John 9:32).

This also is the Sabbath; let us look to the Lord of the Sabbath. Will he not this day bless those who are seekers.

Will he not bless those whom we bring to him?

Will he not bless those for whom we pray?