The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-15

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CONTENT. - The leading harmonists
agree that many events following imme-
diately upon the baptism of Jesus, are
omitted by Matthew, but supplied by
John and Luke. 1t is believed that Jesus
returned from the wilderness to the Jor-
dan, received the testimony of the Bap-
tist, gained five disciples John bid,
visited Canaan, attended the marriage
feast, went up to Jerusalem TO the Pass
over, cleaned the temple John IL 1-25),
held the interview with Nicodemus, made
a circut in Judea to preach John ill., ~.
During this time John the Baptist
preached in Enon John iii, 23-36). Upon
the arrest of the latter Jesus departed into
Galilee. holding an interview on the way
at Jacobs well with a Samaritan woman
(John iv, 1-42). Afterward He visited
Nazareth and was rejected duke iv. 16-
800. Matthew then resumes his story
oversees 13 to 10, showing that after His
rejection Jesus went to Capernaum,
where He made His home. If these
views are correct the lesson for the day
signifies vastly more than it would with
this history omitted.
OCCASION.-We see now under what
circumstances Jesus began His ministry
From that time" He began (verse 10,
that is, after a long preparation. The
boyhood in Nazareth. the episode in the
temple in His twelfth year U.uke ii. 22-
3S), the early manhood of eighteen years
of quiet as the reputed son of Joseph the
carpenter the baptism in Jordan by the
great Reformer, the tour of observation
continued for several months through
Galilee and Judea, these were parts of q
system by which the Son of God came at
last into readiness for His great works.
There was no unseemly haste. If time
and space allowed, it would be easy to
show that all this constituted progress
sive unfolding of the matchless life, a
gradual advance to the function of q
public teacher. He dated the beginning
of His ministry or rather Matthew dated
it, from the establishment of a home in
Capernaum. There He preached. calling
men to repent and announcing that the
kingdom of heaven was at hand, the
} very message delivered by John Matt.
iii, p.
FlSHERMEN.-lt appears that the dis
clples gained from John John l. 40) were
not permanently attached to Jesus. 1t is
probable that when He visited His old
home at Nazareth they returned to their
home and occupation. When He began
to preach at Capernaum they We're not
with Him. But after few days He went
to recall them Walking by the seaside
He saw Peter and Andrew, casting their
nets into the sea (verse lS. These two
fishermen had been slightly associated
with Him. but were doubtless ignorant of
His nature or mission. What a conver-
sation the brothers may have had in the
interval of their separation from the
Master, Andrews word to Simon (John
j. 4D, indicates that he had some Mes
sianic expectations. and these may nave
been freely discussed. Certain it is that
their employment was favorable to re-
Election and communion. While they sat
ny the hour, leisurely waiting the fish
erman's fortune, they doubtless referred
to the young man, whom for little time
they had followed, wondering when lie
would again appear.