Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1924-12-26
CHRIST
HIS COUNTRY AND HIS FRIENDS
BY w. c. AYE, Associate Editor

Jesus Christ was carpenter, an apprentice
in his fathers shop at Nazareth His village
was isolated. Not single important route of
travel passed through it..
The main highway of the Holy Land led
from Damascus to Capefnaum, passed down the
coast of the sea of Galiee and thence cross coun-
try to Jerusalem, missing Nazareth by at least
seven miles,
Another highway followed the Great Sea
connecting Sidon and Tyre, passed over the edge
of the Plain of Esdraelon and thence to Joppa,
and shot off to the left to Jerusalem. This high
way missed Nazareth by'20 miles.
Another main thoroughfare of trade branch
ed off from the Damascus way near the foot of
the sea of Galilee and followed the Jordan river
to point at the upper end of the Dead sea,
distance Of approximately 90 miles, turner right,
and entered Jerusalem through Jericho.
All the highways merged into one at Jerusa-
lem and continued south though Bethlehem,
Hebron and Beersheba to Cairo, Egypt.
The Damascus way upon leaving the foot OF
the sea of Galilee passed overland through
Samaria and entered Jerusalem directly from the
north A by-path connected the village of Nazar-
eth with the Damascus way near the southern
boundary of the province of Galilee
Over this latter route Joseph and Mary
travelled as they went to Jerusalem to comply
with the demand of Augustus Caesar that all the
world should be enrolled for taxation.
Because it was impossible for Joseph and
Mary to obtain lodging in Bethlehem quarters
were provided for Mary in stable where Jesus
was born.
Nearly twelve years elapse before we hear
of Him again. Then we find Him in the temple
answering questions propounded to Him by the
celebrated doctors of Judaea. Usually child of
twelve is asking questions that even doctor of
philosophy cannot answer. In Jesus case He was
found answering questions as well as asking
them.
Now and then the world has prodigy who
startles the wseacres with his wisdom. But
Jesus was not prodigy. He was and is the Son
of God
Nearly eighteen years more elapse and we
hear of Him again. He is starting out from
Nazareth to Beth-abara on the Jordan River
where John is baptizing. The events following
constitute the most intensive and thrilling b1o-
graphy in the history of mankind. With stroke
of the pen the Divine hand tells the story in few
words that ring down the ages, Transforming bad
men into good; changing the boundaries of ma
tons; creating incentive where there IS none ana
ALWAYS providing the central attraction as we'll
as the motive for the greatest reforms of history
Christ was laborer. For His disciples He
chose men from the common walks of life. Peter
James and John were fishermen on the sea of
Galilee. He made them fishers of men, Nathan
iel and Philip were probably carpenters like him
shelf. Simon, the Cananean, would TO-DAY De
called rabid socialist if not nihilist. Matthew
was despised tax collector at the gate of Caper-
naum, collecting vehicle tax, wheel tax, axle tax,
poll tax and toll for the privilege of entering the
city. If he was not a CRATER he was phenome-
nal exception to the rule. All other disciples
were common men with the exception of Judas,
the only disciple selected outside the province of
Gallee.
The Apostle Paul, chosen after the death of
Christ, was student, scholar and tentmaker
before he became disciple of the Lord.
There were no men of wealth or influence
among the twelve.
Looking back over the centuries we may ask
the question: What class of men have had the
greater influence in the progress of mankind?
The common people! There is on other answer