The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-02-07
ZEBEDEE.

Matt 1920. Then came to him the
mother of the sons of Zebedee with her
sons, worshipping him and asking a certain
thing of him.
l wish we knew something more
about Zebedee. He had a good wife
Salome. a somewhat ambitious woman
who asked the impossible for her two
sons, missing like them and all the
other disciples at the time the point OF
the Masters teaching about the spirit
ual nature of his kingdom, but devoted
to Jesus Notwithstanding, being one OF
the little group of women who were
last at the cross and first at the tomb.
And he was the father of James and
John, two of three especially favored in
Inmates of our Lord, and great men
subsequently in the history OF the early
church. This is all we certainly know
about Zebedee-that he was the head of
a very fine family, with devout wife
and sons who were noble, spiritual
men. We may, however, feel reason
ably sure that we know something else
about him which is much to his credit.
1t is an inference, but it is quite proba-
BILE one. You will remember that when
Jesus called James and John to be his
disciples they were in the boats with
their father and the hired servants
mending nets. 1t is said that they i'm
mediately gave up their work and went
after Jesus, but it is not recorded that
Zebedee made any protest. Whether
he approved this act of his sons or not
we cannot Say-Surely 1T would nave
been most natural for him not to like
it, for he was getting to be an old man
doubtless and although apparently in
circumstances that permitted him to
employ labor he would desire the com
partnership OF his boys. But at any
rate he didn't scold or storm, but kept
quietly on with his own work. Was it
because he was sto!id and matter OF
fact? Or did he himself have a liking
for the Rabbi and some wonder in re-
gard to him. and so feel disinclined to
interpose any objections. At least so
far as can be determined from the ac-
count, here was commendable DISPOSE
ton a very proper temper, under
naturally trying emergency. Good for
Lebedee, But. | say, ! wish we knew
something more about him. The little
that we do know through fact or infer
ence excites our curiosity. We have
the names-James and John are repeat
edly spoken of as the sons of Zebedee-
but we want the man. The spirit of
speculation sets at work whenever we
think of him. Especially would | like
to know where he was when Salome
came forward to prefer her request to
Jesus. Why was the head of the
household left out in that little family
gathering when the Master talked on
ambition? Was Zebedee still at his
fishing? Was that all he did-fish and
mend nets and mend nets and fish?
1t was not to be expected that he
should attach himself to the company
of the peripatetic Teacher. Indeed he
was not invited to. Jesus did not say,
Come, Zebedee, leave your nets" He
was satisfied to have the sons. His
chosen disciples We're young and strong
men, men who for the most part were
not settled in an occupation, but had
their career before them. Zebedee was
the bread-Winner for the family and
rooted in his business He had his
boats and his servants and his custom
ers. He couldn't leave them to travel
round the country; Jesus didn't ask it.
But when Jesus came back to Galilee
where Zebedee lived and his sons had
returned with their beloved Rabbi why
was it Zebedee didn't appear on the
scene with Salome? Ought he not to
have welcomed Jesus and been as inter
ested in him as the mother? Then was
day when he might have let his servants
do the fishing alone for once At least
it would seem he might have spared an
hour or two for an interview with the
great Teacher Where was Zebedee
that day? And ! would like to know
where he was that awful hour when his
wife Salome and his son John sobbed
cut their grief at the foot of the cross.
Can it be that he had gone fishing that
day, too? John seeking to comfort his
mother, himself uncontrolled, and both
dazed and with breaking hearts, in the
huddled group on Golgotha-actors in
the direst tragedy of the world, and
Zebedee, the husband and father quiet
ly at home OF sleepily at his wonted oc-
cupation? Could it have been so? |
would rather wish to think that Zebedee
was dead. Perhaps that is the explana-
ton why Zebedee is never mentioned
again after he is introduced to us in the
company of his sons that morning by
the lake of Galilee except as giving
name to the family Zebedee may have
died and been waiting in the place
above for the fuller acquaintance with
Jesus. But possibly he was not dead.
And assuming that he was not, Zebedee
was very modern man-which is the
conclusion of our speculation. for great