Evening star., 1908-01-18
Star Sunday School Lesson for January 19, by Rev.
]. E. Gilbert, DID,, Secretary American
Society of Religious Education.
JESUS WINS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES. John. 355i.

INTRODUCTION last lesson we
learned what an excellent service Jorn
the Baptist rendered To Jesus after me
latter returned from the wilderness l.
was his privilege to introduce TO MS auui-
ence the one whom he had previously
baptized, and that introduction was I'M
mensely important. for. as We shaii see
today it helped to gain the first discipi's
to our Lord. Jesus was not lett 10 s'
forth single handed and alone ana hhu
and call those who would assist him III
His ministry. He was rather TO take
some into His confidence who had been
previously prepared somewhat throush
the preaching of the foremost evenseiist
of the time. The transfer OF dlscloles
from John to Jesus was easy and natural
and We shall see how it was done
TESTIMONY tverses 10, abl.-On a
certain occasion. a leisurely period be-
tween religious services. John was stand
ing in the open air, and with him two of
his disciples. This was according to Gus
tom of master ana pupils. when quiet con-
versation might be enjoyed IN the tran
quillity of natural scenery. presently
Jesus passed by. but little distance away.
in full view of the three. Himself alone
1t has ever been the custom CT great
minds to seek solitude for meditation
tGen xiv :65). The Opportunity was thus
offered fer the great preacher to express
in confidential way to his close friends
some further estimate of the One whom he
had recently haptised. Only the day previ-
Gus he had declared the Divinity tverse
81 calling Jesus The Son OF God Now
he announces larger faith, calling Hlm
the Lamb of Cod as he had done be-
fore (verse 80. thus referring to the ma
ture and the offica.
FOLLOWERS (verse 3O.-Immedi-
ately the two disciples left their old mas
ter and followed Jesus. This result was
probably desired when the remark was
made. The motive may be easily discern
ed The term employed was ineligible
and deeply interesting to a Jew. The
lamb had been used from the time Of
Abraham (Geh, XXii:S, and even earlier
in sacrifcial worship as an emblem OF
the Redeemer who should offer Himself
q Pet. i:I90 for the sins of the world.
Without doubt John had egpatiated on
the Scripture passages in which plain al
lusons awakened faith. and thus two
confidential learners were therefore eager
to know Him who was thus foretold.
whom the nation so long desired (Rev.,
kills..
INQUIRY Werse 3S.-Jesus was
| never inattentive to those who sought
Him. He always had leisure for those
who desired to converse with Him. In
this instance He turned away as He
walked, and saw the approaching dis
ciDleS 1t has been suggested that all
this was not casual. but oremeditated.
thei time and circumstances having been
arranged between Him and John. Then
came the question in kindly tone OF
voice What seek YEP" Their answer
was beautiful. d counter inquiry. prefaced
| by the salutation. Rabbi Ry this one
word they virtually announced themselves
as disciples anxious for interview.
Where dWeIest thou?'' was equivalent
sides everything was respectful in an emf
nent degree. when viewed from the stand
point of Jewish custom.
INVITATION (verse 3s).-Their in
Guiry secured for them the very favor
they sought. for Jesus replied. Come and
see a cordial invitation to accompany
Him to His own lodgings. This was prob
ably some humble habitation in the neigh
borhood. where He may have hired a
room. but where. more likely. He had Sc
generous Jew, according to common
custom in those days (Rom.. 10 The
invitation being accepted, the three ar
rived at the abiding place of Jesus at the
tenth hour OF the day a O'Clock in the
afternoonl. as time was then reckoned.
Two hours were passed together: the
conversation had on the occasion being
unrecorded. must be left to conjecture
1t Is proper to assume that the two dis
clples asked many questions along the
line OF Johns remark
BROTHERS.-(Verses 4O-4D. Who
were these two men that first sought
Jesus in the retirement of His own dwell
ing place? One of them is unknown. al
though many think it was John the Evan
gelist, whose custom it was to suppress
his own name. John, xiii:23D The other
of the two was Andrew. fisherman from
Galilee. Matt. ir:1S) This fact strength
ems the supposition that his companion