The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-12
THE LESSON STORY.

THE LESSON STORY.
The multitude of people who had
shared the Great Banquet, feeling the
power of the spirit that had mastered them,
desired to make Jesus their leader in a re-
volt against Herod Antipas.
This unexpected overture brought new
danger to Jesus.
While Herod Antipas was, for the time,
quiet in his haunted palace at Tiberias,
across the lake, Jesus knew that, at the
first sign of rebellion against his rule among
the Galileans, the watchfnl Roman guards
would be put in motion and make merc-
less havoc.
Jesus at once retreated to his refuge in
the mountain. He went alone; the evan
gelist seems to lay stress on the fact,-6y
himself alone. Was not Jesus human?
Did he not feel, for the first time perhaps,
the actual presence of that World-Spirit
which he had before in the wilderness alb
jured and driven out of his heart? He
knew his own need of retirement from the
destinations of the visible, that he might
not by any possibility be deluded as to the
realities. He was tried in all points like
as we are.
His sudden departure had left the disci-
pies in bewilderment. For some reason,
not clearly apparent, they decided to return
to Capernaum in their boat
The multitude must have been yet more
bewildered. But for the Orentals to wrap
their abbas about them and find comfort
able bed on the abundant green grass dur
ing warm spring night, was nothing out
of the usual. Some, doubtless, made
nightjourney by land around the lake to
their homes. MEANWHILE" says Geikie,
"a number of boats which usually carried
over wood or other commodities, from these
eastern districts, had come from Tiberias;
blown roughly on their way by the same
wind that had been against the disciples.
In these, many, finding that Jesus had left
the neighborhood, took passage and came
to Capernaum, seeking for him. 1t was
one of the days of the synagogue worship,
Monday or Thursday,-and they met
him on the way to the synagogue, to which
they accordingly went with him."
The multitude had been taught to look
for Messiah who would lead them against
their oppressors, the Romans, who would
restore their national independence, and
bring an era of luxury like that of Solo,
mon. "a few, doubtless" says Geikie,
"had worthier thoughts, but to the mass
the Messiah's kingdom was as gross as
Mahomet's paradise. They were to be
gathered together into the garden of Eden,
to eat and drink and satisfy themselves all
their days with houses of precious stones,
beds of silk, and rivers flowing with wine,
and spicy oil for all. 1t was that he might
gain all this for them that they had wished
to set him up as king"
L. Jesus ExpOstulates with the
People Because of Their Earthly
Desires,-vs 25-2o
AS soon as the multitude found Jesus,-
either in the synagogue or on the way
thither, they asked him, Ra66i, 70hen
earnest h0u hitler? He valves their
question. He has no time to tell the story
of the strange night adventures on the
lake, or to explain why it is now advisable
for him, since he has resisted the attempted
revolt against Rome, not to appear as one
hiding from the Roman authorities at
Tiberi9s. He proceeds at once to express
what most burdens his heart.
"Truly," he said, 'you follow me, not
because you see in my works signs of God,
but because you would have loaves,-be-
cause you would be filled as hungry cattle
are filled with fodder. But hear my word:
Work not mainly for perishable food; work
rather for the imperishable food which God
has sent me, the Son of man, to give to
you"
Some spokesman for the multitude
some rabbi of the party that has
already declared against Jesus,-replied,
"You tell us to work what work does God
require of us?" Jesus replied, directing
from visible to invisible things,
and proclaiming by inference his true char
acter as a witness of Truth: This is tie
aOOrk Of God, that ye 6elieve on him zUkOm
he hath sent
2. The People Ask for a Sign,-
VS.. 80 "a.
ave do not accept your signs" said a
voice of the multitude;
"give US, then, sign we cannot mistake.
We know of the multitude fed yesterday
across the lake; but we saw how it was