The Green Forest tribune., 1918-01-11
LESSON FOR JANUARY 13
JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK.

In the Gospel
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Matt 4:1-11; S:1S-22; Luke 4: 1-1S; 9;57-62; Heb 414-16; Acts 9:1-9 John 4S4-3S
 PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus chooses four helpers.
 MEMORY VERSE-Come ye after me- Mark 1:17.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC - Overcome temptation.
 MEMORY VERSE; Cor. 1913.
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-How Je- sus faced his task.
 !. 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- 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 ing the lesson we must not, however, overlook making some reference to these two outstanding events in the life of our Lord.
 II. John the Baptizer (vv. IA. 15). This section not only disposes of John as having been put into prison, but immediately plunges Jesus into his public ministry. Jesus entry into Galilee was part of his connection with John inasmueh as he withdrew himself to that place (See John 1 :1-3), and made Capernaum his headquar- ters (Matt. :13). The message here recorded as proclaimed by Jesus was the identical summons which John the Baptizer had uttered. Jesus speaks of this new kingdom as being already come, referring, of course, to his own person and ministry, but in it's actual establishment it was not really ''at hand" until he shed his blood upon the cross and the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, when there was opened the fountain for sin and un cleanliness for the world at large.
 Ill., His Helpers Called. (vv. 1629). 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 G :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 "come ye after me" (v. ID, 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 and 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 in verse 19, and Matthew (4:S) also Luke 6: 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 a 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. (See John l 40, All. In the call, as accorded by St. John, we are led to believe that John (the unmentioned diseiple) 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 a 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 a gen. eral opinion that 1t Is not the same, though we can with profit compare the two eallings in teaching this 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 IS :22; and the third and last was that which oc- l 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- tion and his tasks not in his own strength. but in the strength of the Spirit of Goo. At the same time be- ing God, he called to his side those who in turn were to become fishers of men. ,eaders of others. His call to these disciples was three-fold (a), to discipleship. namely, they were to become learners; (b), to fellowship, for they were to enter into and have part of his toil, tasks, temptations and sorrows phil. 3 :10) and (c), to serv- ice They were to go out as his am bassadors and representatives The world always demands the busy man. The fact that these men had hired servants indicates their position in