The Dermott news., 1918-01-10
LESSON FOR JANUARY 13
JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK.

ADDlilONAL MATERIAL FOR 1 TEACHERS-Ma 4:1-l1; S:1S-22: Luke {: l-13; 9:55-62; Heb 4l4-16: Acts 9:1-9: John 434-3S
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus chooses four helpers
 MEMORY vERsE-Come ye after me- | Mark 117.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC = Overcome temptation
 MEMORY VERSE; Ger. 1s:1s.
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-How Je- sus faced his task.
 I. Introduction (vv. 12. 13). Mark de- votes little or no attention to the early incidents of the life of Jesus. and only suggests the events immediately fol- i lowing his baptism. Indeed for the record of the Temptation and the Ser mon on the Mount, we have to look to the other Gospel writers In teach- 1 ing the lesson we must not, however, overlook making some reference to these two outstanding events In the l life of our Lord.
 II. John the 8aptizer (vv. IA, 15). This section not only disposes of John as having been put into prison, but immediately planges Jesus into his public ministry. Jesus entry into Gallee was part of his connection l with John, inasmuch as he withdrew himself to that place (See John :1-3), and made Capernaum his headquar- ters (Matt. ;13). The message here recorded as proclaimed by Jesus was the identical summons winch John the Baptizer had uttered. Jesus speaks of this new kingdom as beirg already come. referring. of course. to his own person and ministry. but in its actual establishment 1t was not really "at hand" until he shed his blood upon the cross and the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Penteeost. when there was opened the fountain for sin and un- cleanliness for the world at large.
 III. His Helpers Called. (vv. 16-29). In this record, we have the call of four of his helpers Simon, Andrew his brother, James and John his brother. the latter being the sons of Zebedee Luke tells us (5:3) that Jesus was teaching Those called were certainly at work and God al- ways issues his call to those whose time and effort are being occupied, even though perhaps for selfish pur- poses. There is no place for an idler in the spiritual kingdom. This call was to "eome ye after me" (v. 17), the purpose being that they might be- come fishers of men Notice he be- gan upon the common, familiar ground of fishing. something mutually and thoroughly understood. and led them from that to spiritual truth. In this we see good pedagogical hint md wise suggestion to the preacher and teacher viz that we must begin to teach our lessons through the medium of past experience and of present in- terests. Simon Uuke 5 :5) appears to have been doubter when Jesus called him. Nevertheless, he was will ing to try Christ at least once, and so at his word he let down the net. The evidence of obedience is found inverse 19. and Matthew 4:S) also Luke G: ID tells us that when they left their nets, they left all
 W. His Helpers Trained (vv. 21, 22) The result of this call was (see V. 21) that as they went into the city they entered into the synagogue. where Jesus taught them. The infer ence. of course is plain. Whenever God calls man into his kingdom, he begins at once to teach him the du- ties and responsibilities of the king dom. Notice that in becoming fishers of men, then began close at home. Brother sought brother. This was not the first time that Jesus had called these brothers. tSee John 1 40, All. In the call, as accorded by St. John. we are led to believe that John (the unmentioned disciple) first sought an interview with Christ. The question of harmonizing the various calls which Jesus gave to his disciples Is an in- teresting one and one which has given rise to q good deal of discussion. The one recorded in the first chapter of John occurred in Judea; this one oc- cured in Galilee. As to whether this is the one recorded in the fifth chap ter of Luke, there seems to be gen. eral opinion that it is not the same. though we can with profit compare the two callings In teaching tnls les- son. The probabilities are that there were three calls: First, the one re- corded In John :35 :42; second, that one recorded in Matthew 4 HIS :22; and the third and last was that which oc- cured just before their appointment to become apostles, the one recorded In Luke five.
 Conclusion. When Jesus faced his great task, he did not face it alone. He had first of all the approval of God the Father. He also had the annoint- ing of God the Holy Spirit, and he called in the cooperation and help Of human agents. Jesus met his tempta- ton and his tasks not In his own strength, but in the strength Of the Spirit of God At the same time De- Ing God, he called to his side those
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