The Yale expositor., 1906-02-09


try of Jesus with the Great Galilean
Ministry, which began more than
year after the Baptism and Tempta-
tion probably because the apostles
then came into closer relations with
Jesus, and were eye and ear witnesses
Of the events described
The First Disciples were drawn to
Jesus soon after his victory over temp
tation. at the very beginning of his
public work. These were Andrew, Pc
ter, Philip, Bartholomew (NathanaeD,
and John. and probably James. They
accompanied Jesus a part of the time,
but were merely believers and follow
ers; not apostles. but in training for
their permanent. work.
A Brief Work in Galilee followed, in
Guiding the wedding at Cana.
Then came the Judean Ministry of
several months, while John the Bap-
fist was in another part of the same
region. This is recorded by John only
Another Brief Ministry in Galilee
followed, for Jesus found a more fruit
full field in Galilee which was less I'M
der the dominance of the Scri5es and
Pharisees, On the way he spent a
short time in Samaria, and ut this
! time probably healed the nobleman's
son at Capernaum. What he did for
the next few weeks, or where he was,
is not recorded.
Return To Judca at the Passover
! (About April /. A. d. 2S). At this
time was the healing at the five
porched pool of Bethesda.
Imprisonment of John Baptist. Re-
! corded in Luke 1919. 20.
Beginning of the Great Galilean Min
istry Matt. 4:12-17; Mark ia; Luke
Ala. 15). Jesus having been rejected
at Nazareth duke 4:1G30) made his
home at Capernaum. much more
central point for his large and long
continued work in Galilee
Scene l. Jesus Preaching by the
Lake.-Vs. 1-3. The Lake and Shore.
In our Lords time the appearance OF
the Sea of Galilee was very different
! from what the traveller sees today.
Now it is a thinly populated region,
with 4 few boats upon the water In
our Lords time it was covered with a
gay and numerous feet of 900 YES
sells, from ships of war down 10 fish
! ing boats cambridge Bible. A great
population crowded its shores. as we
learn from history and the ruins of
buildings on its shores. 1t was the
most thickly peoped and most pros
] DprOug mart Of Palestine
The Eager MultituGes. l. THE peo-
pie (the multitude) pressed upon him"
| like the pressure of a violent tempest
! (Acts 27;20), because they had heard
so much about the new prophet; be-
cause he so met their needs and
touched their consciences, like "a
great light to those in the shadow of
his teaching by miracles which were
examples and object lessons of the
love and power, health and blessing,
which the Gospel brought to men.
ITO hear the word of God" The
message which Christ came TO bring
from his Father.
.. And saw two ships" fishing
boats, belonging to some of his dis
ciples whom he knew very well.
standing (stilD by the lake." not in
use, but moored to the shore. But
the fishermen" (Peter, Andrew, John
and James, and those employed by
them; see Mark) were gone ont of
Them Probably not far off, for Je-
sus speaks TO Peter ". 81. "And were
washing their nets" ITO cleanse them
from mud or stones, or matter accumu-
lated from the bottom of the lake or
along the shore. Abbott.
8. "And he entered into one of the
ships (boats) which was Simcn's." ST.
mon Peter. And prayed (asked) him
that he would thrust out little from
the land" So that, keeping the crowds
at a little distance, he could better adj
dress them. "And he sat down." The
usual posture in teaching
Scene H. The Great Draught OF
Fishes. A Parable in Action 40.
Perhaps we will best realize the full
meaning of Jesus action at this time,
IL we keep before our minds a clear
cut picture of the scene and OF the pc
Rod in his mission, to which Jesus
had come.
We see the crowds on the shore, in
tensely moved by the words OF Jesus.
They represented still greater crowds
all through the region.
Among them were four well-known
men. who had been in more or less
training. and had shown qualities
which could be SO developed as TO
make them fitting workers for the
kingdom Of heaven. They had. as 1t
were. passed their preliminary exam
nations. Are they fitted to go on. and
to enter Christ's training school? They
have felt the inspiration. they have
learned of Jesus. and are prepared for
further tests.
Jesus therefore puts them to the
test of obedience and faith. by a COM
mand which, If the test was passed
would lead to prophecy and a prom
ise OF their future success.
4. said unto Simon" the more