Changes

===THE CRISIS AT CAPERNAUM===

===THE CRISIS AT CAPERNAUM===

   

   

ON FRIDAY evening, the day of their arrival at Bethsaida, and on Sabbath morning, the apostles noticed that Jesus was seriously occupied with some momentous problem.  There was a tension of uncertainty and suspense of apprehension resting upon all of them. Jesus had said little to them since they left Jerusalem.  

ON FRIDAY evening, the day of their arrival at Bethsaida, and on Sabbath morning, the apostles noticed that Jesus was seriously occupied with some '''momentous problem'''.  There was a tension of uncertainty and suspense of apprehension resting upon all of them. Jesus had said little to them since they left Jerusalem.  

It was from among such a group of depressed and disconsolate followers that Jesus went forth on this beautiful Sabbath afternoon to preach his epoch-making sermon in the Capernaum synagogue.     

It was from among such a group of depressed and disconsolate followers that Jesus went forth on this beautiful Sabbath afternoon to preach his '''epoch-making sermon''' in the Capernaum synagogue.     

====The Setting of the Stage====  

====The Setting of the Stage====  

   

   

A distinguished congregation greeted Jesus at three o'clock on this exquisite Sabbath afternoon in the new Capernaum synagogue. The day before, fifty-three Pharisees and Sadducees had arrived from Jerusalem. More than thirty of the leaders and rulers of the neighboring synagogues were also present. These Jewish religious leaders were acting directly under orders from the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem, and they constituted the orthodox vanguard that had come to inaugurate open warfare on Jesus and his disciples.  

A '''distinguished''' congregation greeted Jesus at three o'clock on this exquisite Sabbath afternoon in the new Capernaum synagogue. The day before, '''fifty-three Pharisees and Sadducees''' had arrived from Jerusalem. More than '''thirty of the leaders and rulers of the neighboring synagogues''' were also present. These Jewish religious leaders were acting directly under orders from the '''Sanhedrin at Jerusalem''', and they constituted the '''orthodox vanguard''' that had come to inaugurate '''open warfare''' on Jesus and his disciples.  

Jesus comprehended that he faced the immediate declaration of avowed and open warfare by his increasing enemies, and he elected boldly to assume the offensive. On Friday evening, and again on Sabbath morning, the Jerusalem leaders had labored long and earnestly with Jairus to prevent Jesus' speaking in the synagogue, but it was of no avail.  

Jesus comprehended that he faced the immediate declaration of avowed and open warfare by his increasing enemies, and '''he elected boldly to assume the offensive'''. On Friday evening, and again on Sabbath morning, the Jerusalem leaders had labored long and earnestly with '''Jairus''' to prevent Jesus' speaking in the synagogue, but it was of no avail.  

Jairus' only reply to all this pleading was:  

Jairus' only reply to all this pleading was:  

*"I have granted this request, and I will not violate my word."

*"'''I have granted this request, and I will not violate my word'''."