Evening star., 1918-02-10
By Rev. Hugh 7. Stevenson.

By Rev. Hugh 7. Stevenson. -
Last weeks lesson closes with an ac-
count of how the enemies of Jesus
took counsel how they might destroy
Him. The patriotic Pharisees. filled
with Madness" formed a compact with
the Herodians Gdumaens, related to the
Jews, though Of alien birth, and pro-
Tossing the Jewish faith in a moderate
way).because they saw an opportunity
to use the hated foreign power against
the Master. whom both considered to
be an enemy. Christ met the organized
opposition by retiring from Capernaum
to the shore of the Sea of Gallilee to
seek not safety but rest for His over
taxed body. He found opportunity
when alone, enjoying the message OF
nature, to pray.
The multitude, attracted by His mira
cles and messages. followed Him. flock
ing to the solitary place from all Sec
tions. They came from the province of
Galilee. the center of HIS recent minis
try; from the capital city of Jerusalem
and Judea. the headquarters of the
priests. Pharisees and politicians; from
the distant ,half-heathen country of
Idumaea. the home of Herod: from
Perea. beyond Jordan. east of Samaria
lands of Tyre and Sidon. One need not
go to Palestine or the orient, where
there exists an irresistible impulse 'to
run after the mere shadow of a prophet
or a miracle worker" for such spirit
can be seen in America at this very
hour. The presence of the crowd caused
Christ to inaugurate His seaside min
istry by Communicating boat that He
A~th
Of Withdrawing for seasons of commu-
nion with the Father.
The multitude that had assembled
from all points of the compass had
sought Jesus from a variety of mo-
tfves. The Master did not ask them
why they came. because He knew.
Some who had heard His fearless phil
lipic against the Pharisees. had been
attracted by His personality. Others.
who had seen or heard of His miracu-
lous healing. were drawn out of curios-
ity to see what the. miracle worker
would do. The ministry of healing al
ways attracts men. The eagerness of
the sick, lame. blind and those who
suffered from what modern psycholo-
gists call dual personality" aroused the
compassion of the Christ, who saw ex-
pressed in the crowd the universal
need for His assistance. The sympathy
of Jesus for the broken-hearted and
needy attracted many because the
Master messages revealed His intense
love for men. He knew the great
fundamental religious problems that
troubled men. He adjusted His mes
sages to- the needs of the various
classes in the assembled crowds seek
ing to fill one with patience. another
with hope and another with faith.
The Lord Jesus never missed an OPP
portunity Of doing good He constant
1v m q cic
and the spiritually enslaved. Those
having disabling disease or plaques
stumbled Against Him hoping to be
healed by touch alone. He healed
them. for power went out of Him and
healed them ALL" Though the unclean
fessed that He was the Messiah. Jesus
silenced them because He was unwill-
ing to build up His kingdom through
the testimony of demoniacs. He is still
carrying on His work along the lines
He then laid down. He is doing great
bodies. but saving their souls. For this
work the Lord needed assistance.
which He secured through selective
service draft.
A mountain perhaps the one where He
was accustomed to retire during this
two-peaked mountain west of the lake
and only short distance from 1t
known as the Horns of Hattin. was
the place where. after a season OF
company of apostles from the number
of men who had been His. disciples. The
calling of His pupils to be apostles
marks a turning point in -Chrlsts min
istry. His answer to the opposition that
planned His overthrow was this Mes
sianic declaration-choos the twelve
that He proposed to establish new
Israel. He called them to be hence
forth His constant companions, so that
through their personal contact with
Him they should come to know the Son
of God and His message AS well as His
mission and methods of service. he Sc
lected them so that through personal
association they might be fitted to
preach the Gospel and ito cast out DEM
ons," He planned to make them author
lied preachers and practitioners whose
words would have power to drive out
all the forces which ruin humanity. The
preacher has been due to their neg
iect of the privilege of fellowship
with the Christ.
The twelve selected were all from
tton of Judas, who hailed from Kerioth,
an unknown Judean village. The selec-
tions were not based upon culture. but
upon character and capability for serv-
with youthful energy. enthusiasm and
courage They were chosen because of
their aptitude that had been dem
during their dtscipleship days.
Jesus selected them because He knew
that they were capable of further de-
They represented the differ
ent temperaments. talents and abilities
found among men. The Master was
limited in His choice to the circle of
disciples that had given evidence of
their faith in Him. No scholars. rich
men or rulers appear among the glo-
rious apostolic band that Jesus called
to prepare to take men alive for. Him,
and upon whom He planned to leave the
task of establishing His church that
would finally establish His kingdom
The men selected to be the builders