chapter of Isaiah.
T1IE MINISTRY OF THE CHRIST
41
After reading a few words he handed the book to the man
who took care of it, and began to talk to the people. He told
them that these words that he had just read were even then com¬
ing true; that he was doing just the things that Isaiah said the
Christ would do.
For a little while they were glad to listen to him, for he spoke
very gently and lovingly. But soon they began to ask one
another: Is this not
the son of Joseph the
carpenter? We know
his father and mother,
and we know him.
He is no better than
we are. What does
he mean by saying
that he is the Christ?
How can he do all
these things?» They
wanted him to do some
miracle to prove that
he was the Christ.
When they saw he
would do no miracle,
but only wanted to
talk to them, they
grew more and more
angry, till at last they Jesus rejected at Nazareth
were too angry to
listen any longer. They rose, took hold of him, and led him out
of the room to a high hill, meaning to throw him down and kill
him. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went
away, very sad.
42
A CHILDS STORY OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST
Jesus went from Nazareth to Capernaum, and there the people
made him very welcome. As soon as they heard of his being in
the city they crowded around him to hear him talk. One morn¬
ing as the people were pressing close about him lie stood by the
Sea of Galilee. There
were two fishing-boats
on the shore of the lake
belonging to his four
disciples. The fisher¬
men were not in their
boats but were near
by washing their nets.
Jesus stepped into one
of the boats, which be¬
longed to Peter and
Andrew, and asked
Peter to push out a
little from the land.
He could talk more
easily if the people
were not so close about
him. Peter did as he
was asked. Then Jesus
sat down and taught
Christ on the Shore of the Lake
the people.
When he had finished talking he said to Peter, «Now push
out into deep water and let down your net for a haul of fishes.»
Peter had seen enough of his Master to trust him, and obeyed at
once. But when they came to the deep water he said, Master,
we have been out all night, and have caught nothing. Yet, be¬
cause you have asked me to do so I will let down the net.» And
he let it down. When he began to pull it in it seemed heavy.
THE MINISTRY OF THE CHRIST
43
He looked; the net was so full of fishes that it had broken. He
and Andrew could not pull it in, and called to their friends in the
other boat to come and help them. John and James came at
once, and together the four men pulled in so many fishes that
both boats were full, and began to sink. How surprised they
were!
Peter, who had obeyed his Master because he loved him, but
who had not believed that they would catch any fish, fell down at
his Lords knees and
said, Depart from me,
for I am a sinful man,
0 Lord.» He said this,
not because he wanted
Jesus to leave him, but
because he did not feel
good enough to be the
friend of this wonderful
Christ.
Jesus knew what he
meant, and after they
had taken their boats
to land he asked Peter
and the other disciples
too, if they would not
like to go with him and
become fishers of men.
How could they be
that? By helping to Christ and the Fishermen
save men as their Mas¬
ter was doing; by throwing a net of love around them, which
would draw them away from wicked places and wicked com¬
panions; then by teaching them to love God and keep his com-
44
A CHILDS STORY OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST
mandments. When Jesus asked if they would do this, they
gladly left their boats and nets and followed him. They stayed
with him all the time he was on earth, travelling through the
cities and villages with him, hearing him teach the people, and
learning many things from him in their long quiet talks. After
he left them they still
tried to teach the people
what they had learned
from him.
On the Sabbath day
they went together to
the synagogue at Ca¬
pernaum and Jesus
taught the lesson.
Most of the people of
this city loved to listen
to him; for he knew
how to explain what he
had read and made the
service very interest¬
ing.
This day an insane
man was in the syna¬
gogue. The Jews be¬
lieved that if a person
was insane it was be¬
cause a wicked spirit got into him which was stronger than he
was and so made him do these strange things. They thought
that if the evil spirit could be driven out the man would be like
other people.
The people were quietly listening to what Jesus was saying
w T hen all at once this insane man called out: Let us alone. What
The Cure of the Insane Man
THE MINISTRY OF THE CHRIST
45
have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to
destroy us? I know who you are; the Holy one of God.»
Every one else was very much frightened; but Jesus looked
at the man and said to the evil spirit, Be quiet, and come out
of him.» The man fell to the floor where he tossed about for a
few minutes. When he stood again he was like other people.
The evil spirit had gone forever. He was insane no more.
Every person in the synagogue was filled with wonder, and
one began asking another: What does this mean? Where does
this nian get his power? For he commands even the unclean
spirits and they obey him.» And in all the country round about
in Galilee people talked of what had happened here.
After the service was over Jesus and his four friends went to
Peters house, for they were all to take dinner there. Peters
wifes mother lived with him, and when Jesus reached the house
he found her very sick with a fever. He went right into the
room where she lay. Her skin was dry and hot, and she was in
great pain. The Saviour stood over her, took her hand in his,
and lifted her up. At once the fever left her, and she was well;
so well that she was able to get up and wait on the visitors.
THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
The Jewish Sabbath ended at sunset on the day we call Sat¬
urday, and hardly had the sun gone down this Sabbath afternoon
when men and women came in crowds to Peters door. They
had heard of what Jesus had done that day, and every one had