The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-15
Matt. Nv; 1925.

CALLING.-The voice of Jesus as lie
stood on the shore, summoned them from
their pursuit (verse 19). 1t was a word
of authority that He spoke, Follow me-"
calling them to be disciples. In those
days teacher gathered pupils about him
and led them from place to place, deliy-
ering instruction by word of mouth. The
disciple was expected, not only to learn
what might be said, but to study the
character and spirit of the teacher Matt.
xi, 29). That kind of "A school was I'm
many respects preferable to our present
system in which one is confined to q room
and assigned tasks in a book. The educa-
tion which relies chiefly upon the per-
sonality of the teacher is always supe-
rior, for he can inspire and guide to the
best results. Jesus had q particular OBJ
ject in calling Peter and John to be
learners. 81 will make you fishers of
men," He said, employing a figure of
speech with which they were familiar
Here is a kind of seminary established
with two plain matrlculates. Fishermen
are to be made ministers of Christ. The
course will be three years. Not Greek
and Hebrew, not systematic and pastoral
theology not sacred rhetoric and church
history, but Jesus and His word will be
the curriculm. The men obeyed (verse
2D.
ADDITIONS.-With great promptness
Peter and Andrew leaving their nets, ac-
companied Jesus, as lie resumed His
walk along the shore. Presently the
three reached the place where two other
fishermen were employed, James and
John, the sons of Zebedee. They also
had been a short time with the Baptist
and had followed Jesus temporarily.
Now, like dutiful sons. they were with
their father, mending their nets, prepar-
l ,.g,,, 1, nfA
These were partners with Peter and An
drew duke V, 1O) sharing their fortunes
as members of the fshermens guild. 10
them the Saviour spoke as He had done
to the others, calling them from secular
| tiles to the Holy office. And they i'm
mediately left their father and the nets
and obeyed Cverse 22). Thus in a single
day Jesus had gathered to Himself by
His own word four of the men whom He
afterward appointed apostles Matt " q.
| Peter, Andrew. James and John-three of
whom We're admitted into the greatest
| intimacy Matt xvii, u, as representa-
tives of three distinct types or Christ
| ianity. II will be noticed that while Pc
ter was third or fourth at the first calling
John i, 42), he is here named first, propl-
etic of his subsequent relations to the
| college (Acts i, 19.
| ITINERARY. - After securing these
| four disciples it is believed that Jesus re-
turned to Capernaum with them, where
| occurred events omitted by Matthew but
recorded by another evangelist Uuke Nv,
! 33-43). Going forth thence He entered
upon His second circuit in Galilee, His
| trip to Nazareth being first. None of the
sacred writers give any detailed accounts
| of His journey, and no one can tell what
! places He visited, or how long He was
| absent We know however, that lie en-
| tered the synagogues (verse 23). showing
! that His labors were directed exclusively
| to the Jewish people to whom He after
ward claimed to have been sent Matt.
XIV, 2D. Everywhere lie had a two-fold
mission. He preached the Gospel of the
| kingdom the good news that a heavenly
| or spiritual reign was to be established in
| the earth, that for which the nation had
, hoped and waited so long (Acts j. %.
He also wrought miracles, confined at
this time to the healing of disease. His
| words proved His wisdom and His works
| His power. lie made no reference to
! Himself, preferring that the people should
judge by what they heard and saw who
| He was.