Volume 2

Jesus Teaches and Cures
255
Some had already received John's baptism, and some had
not. Jesus did not order them to be circumcised. When
questioned on this point, He instructed them upon the circumcision
of the heart and the senses, and taught them how
to mortify themselves. He spoke to them of charity, temperance,
frugality, ordered them to keep the Ten Commandments'
taught them sonle parts of a prayer like the
petitions of the Lord's Prayer, and promised to send them
His disciples.
8. JESUS TEACHES AND CURES
IN CAPHARNAUM
On the preceding evening, flags with knots and strings of
fruit were raised on the synagogues and public buildings of
Bethsaida, to herald the last day of the month Ab. With the
Sabbath, the first day of the month Elul began. Next morning
after Jesus had healed many sick Jews in Bethsaida, He
went with the disciples to Peter's, near Capharnaum. The
women had preceded Him thither, and crowds of sick were
again awaiting Him. There were two deaf men into whose
ears Jesus put His finger. Two others were brought forward,
who could scarcely walk, besides which their arms
were perfectly stiff and their hands swollen. Jesus laid His
hand on them and prayed; then grasping them by both
hands, He swung their arms up and down, and they were
cured. The swelling did not, however, disappear at once,
but only after a couple of hours. He exhorted them for the
future to use their hands for the glory of God, for it was sin
that had reduced them to this state. He cured many others,
and then went into the city for the Sabbath.
The concourse of people at Capharnaum was very great.
The possessed had been released from their place of confinement
and ran crying out along the streets to meet Jesus.
He commanded them to be silent and delivered them;
whereupon, to the astonishment of the multitude, they