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MARK II THE PHARISEES PROTEST

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into

thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me.

and followed him.

And he arose

15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment;

"And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage."-John, 2, 3.

T

HE first recorded miracle performed by Christ occurred on His return to Galilee with His little group of followers. It was connected with a seemingly trivial matter; but very notable is the fact that it emphasized Christ's desire to make men happy here, as well as hereafter, His approval of innocent pleasure in life. He, His friends, and His mother were all invited to a wedding feast in the neighboring town of Cana. An accident happened which was considered peculiarly disgraceful, the wine for the feast was found to be exhausted, while the guests were still unsatisfied.

The servants were in despair; and Mary, knowing the power of her son, urged Jesus to rescue them from their difficulty. At first Jesus refused; the hour for convincing people by his miraculous powers was not yet come. But Mary knew His kindly heart, and she warned the servants to do whatever he bade them. Presently Jesus told them to fill with water six large pots which stood near, and to bring this water to the feasters. They did so, and, tasting it, the "ruler of the feast" declared it to be the finest wine that had been served.

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."