Earth's Closing Hours

 Cast Your Nets

  LUKE 5:1-11..    1.)And it came to pass, that, as the multitudes pressed upon JESUS to hear The WORD Of GOD, JESUS was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2.)And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were not in them, they were washing their nets. 3.)And HE entered into one of the boats, which belong to Simon, and asked if he would push out away from the shore. JESUS sat down and taught the people from Simon’s boat. 4.)Now when JESUS had finished teaching, HE said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5.)And Simon answering said to Him; Master we have worked all the night, and have caught nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word, I will let down the net. 6.)And when they had done this, they caught a great multitude of various fish: that their net was tearing apart. 7.)And they motioned to their partners, which were in the other boat, that they would come to assist in the catch. And they worked together filling both boats beyond a measurable bounty; the boats sunk deeper into the lake’s level.  8.)When Simon Peter saw this miracle, he fell down at JESUS’s knees, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O LORD. 9.)For Simon was astonished, and all the others that were with him, at the catch, which had been miraculously taken.  10.)And so it was James, John, and the two sons of Zebedee, that partnered together. And JESUS said unto Simon, “Fear not; from now on you shall catch men.” 11.)And when they had brought their boats to shore, they left all, and followed HIM. 

  These men were fishermen by tradition. They learned it from their fathers at an early age. Worked hard and very long hours. This trade was filled with continual daily labor; except for The Sabbath. With extreme weather at times. Some days with no substance for their toil. They would feed their extended families and friends. Mainly having their catch sold at the markets, to sustain their necessities. It took a specialness in strength; endurance; a somewhat gruff attitude; and not afraid of soiled clothing; or the aromas of the catch of the day… This was their liveihood for their family. With them leaving behind, everything that they had ever known, as a trade of income. They took on the faith.. and followed JESUS; becoming HIS True Disciples. JESUS speaks the same words to us… “Come Follow Me…” HE now is calling us out of the world to follow HIM and become His…. 

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         Healing Of Leprosy…

 Of all the diseases known in the East, leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious elements also, its horrible effect upon its victims was looked upon by the Jewish as a judgement against sin. Hence was called “The Stroke” or The Finger of GOD.” Deep-rooted, ineradicable (cannot undue), deadly. By the ritual law, the leper was pronounced unclean. Like one that was already deceased. They were shut out from the habitations of men. whatever was touched was considered unclean. The air was believed to be polluted by the leper’s breath. One who was suspected of having the disease must present themself to the priests, who were to examine and decide their case. If pronounced a leper, they were isolated from his family, cut off from the congregation of Israel, and was doomed to associate with those only similarly afflicted. Even kings and rulers were not exempt.

 Away from his friends and family, the leper must bear the curse of the malady. He was obliged to keep his separation from the town’s people and any human contact. The seriousness of the disease, left no room for any extended humanness. No apathy expressed. The cry, “Unclean!, unclean” coming in mornful 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 Ministry reached them, kindling a gleam of hope. There was never heard of a cleansing from this disease, from whom the disease had fastened to. there was one leper that had an unbearable yearning to go against all odds to meet This healer. Even though he was debarred from any human contact in any form. This wretched man determined to find The Saviour. Though shut out from the cities, he thought to cross His Path, in some byway along the outskirts of a town. The difficulties were great, but this was his only hope. The leper found JESUS teaching along side a lake. Standing afar off, seeing JESUS laying hands upon the sick. He sees the lame, the blind, the paralytic, and those dying of various maladies, as they rise up praising GOD for their deliverance in health. Faith strengthens in his heart. He draws nearer and closer to the gathered throng. The restrictions that have been placed upon him and the fear towards him, is presently forgotten. His desire takes control over his own feared response from others. He thinks of the blessed hope of healing.

 He is a loathsome spectacle. The disease had made a frightful appearance. The decaying body is horrible to look upon. At sight the group move back in terror. Some try to create a barrier to dismay his intent. But, he only hears JESUS’s Voice. The crowd’s comments are not received. He sees only The SON Of GOD. Pressing to JESUS, he casts himself at His feet, with the cry, “LORD, if Thou wil, Thou can make me clean.” JESUS replied, “I will, be thou made clean.” and laid His Hand upon him. Matthew 8:3. Immediately a charge passed through the man. His flesh became healthy, the nerves sensitive, the muscles firm. The rough scaly surfafe peculiar to leprosy disappeared, and a soft glow, like that upon the skin of a healthy child, took its place.

 JESUS charged this man not to make known the miracle that had been done, but go immediately to present himself with an offering at the temple. Such an offering could not be accepted until the priests had made an examination and pronounced the man wholly free from this disease. JESUS desired for this man to present himself at the temple, before any rumors  concerning this miracle had reached them(the priests). Thus an impartial decision could be secured, and the restored leper would be permitted to unite once more with his family and friends.

 The event justified Christ’s warning. A multitude of people had witnessed the healing of the leper, and they were eager to learn of the priests’ decision. When the man returned to his friends, there was great excitement. Notwithstanding the caution of JESUS, the man made no further effort to conceal the fact of his cure. It would of indeed been impoosible to conceal his healing. But the man published it abroad. He did not understand that every such manifestation made the priests and elders more determined to destroy JESUS. The restored man felt that the booming of health was very precious. Rejoicing in the vigor of manhood, and in his restoration among his family and society and felt it impossible to refrain from giving glory to the Physician, who had made him whole. But, in this proclaimed news among the listeners, it resulted in a hinderance of The Saviour’s Work . It caused the multitudes to flock to Him, delaying Him.

 The work of Christ in cleansing of the leper from his disease is an illustration of His Work in cleansing the soul from sin. In the healing of the paralytic at Capernaum, Christ again taught the same truth. It was to manifest His Power to forgive sins that this miracle was performed. To give hope and encouragement to the dismayed afflicted victim. To give warning to The Pharisees of their pious exaltation and judgements given to the people.   Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-42.

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       The Man With Palsy…

The afflicted would yes, receive health from JESUS. Yet, it was not in just the physical restoration they desired so much. The relief from the burden of sin was received in the assurance of forgiveness and peace with Heaven. as, in the event of the palsied man that was lowered on his bed, from Peter’s Rooftop, while JESUS was teaching there. They pushed through some of those crowded together to hear The Saviour speak. They climbed upon the roof, breaking it away to lower this man and his bed down to reach JESUS. HE looked upon the mournful countenance, and saw the pleading eyes upon Him. The man decayed body was not much of strength or health. This poor individual was drawn to JESUS by his own conviction of conscience. when he repented of his sins, and believing in The Power Of JESUS to make him whole. The life-giving mercies of The Saviour had first blessed his longing heart. The first glimmer of faith was received. Now, in The Words the sufferer heard was; “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins have been forgiven.” The burden of despair leaves his soul; the peace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines upon his countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his whole being is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed! the guilty sinner is pardoned. In simple faith he accepted the words of JESUS as the renewal of life. He urged no further request, but layed in in silence, too happy for words. The light of heaven irradiated his countenance, and the crowd looked with awe upon him.

 The rabbis had waited anxiously to see what disposition Christ would make of this case. They recollected how this man had appealed them for help, and they had refused him hope or sympathy. Not satisfied with this, they had declared that he was suffering the curse from GOD for his sins.They were fearful of losing their own influence over the people. When JESUS spoke that the man’s sins had been forgiven; the Pharisees caught these words as blasphemy, and conceived that they could present this as a sin worthy of death; against JESUS. Fixing HIS Eyes upon them, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is it easier to say, Thy sins have been forgiven or to say Arise and walk? But that you may know that The SON of man has power on earth to forgive sins.” HE said turning to the healed man, “Arise take up thy bed, and go into thy house.”

 Then the man jumped up with strength and vigor. “And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went forth before them all; in such a way, they were all amazed, and glorify GOD, saying,”We never saw it on this fashion.” Oh, wonderous Love Of Christ, stooping to heal the guilty and the afflicted! Divinity sorrowing over and soothing the ills of suffering humanity. Who can slight (come against or ignore) the mercies of our compassionate Redeemer?

 It required the creative power to restore health to his decaying dying body. The same voice that spoke life to man; created from the dust of the earth. This power also, renewed this man’s heart. There are thousands today suffering from physical diseases and afflictions. They would yearn to hear Christ’s Beautiful Healing Words; “Thy sins are forgiven.”or “You are made whole!” The same applies today. As one comes to The Healer: The Grand Physician; The Peace which HE alone can give would impart vigor to the mind and health to the body. JESUS IS: the same life-giving power as when HE was here on the earth. HE healed the sick; the brokenhearted. HE spoke forgiveness to the sinner. HE forgives all sin and heals all diseases. Psalm 103:3. Faith and Repentance are commanded. Luke 5:18-26.