Chapter XLII: Preface (2)

Jesus saith unto her, "Thou saidst well, 'I have no husband': for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly."

The woman saith unto him, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."

Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshipers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

{86}

The woman saith unto him, "I know that Messiah cometh (which is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things."

Jesus saith unto her, "I that speak unto thee am he." And upon this came his disciples; and they marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, "What seekest thou?" or, "Why speakest thou with her?"

So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the men, "Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?"

They went out of the city, and were coming to him. In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But he said unto them, "I have meat to eat that ye know not."

The disciples therefore said one to another, "Hath any man brought him aught to eat?"

Jesus saith unto them, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye are entered into their labor."

And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, {87} "He told me all things that ever I did." So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his word; and they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world."

{88}

VII

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

(At another time, Jesus, who had been so kindly treated by the Samaritans, told this story to show how everyone ought to treat others kindly. This is how he happened to tell the story):--

A teacher asked Jesus, to test him, what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered, "What does the law say?"

The teacher replied, "The law says, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.'"

And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus made answer and said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

{89}{90}

"INN OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN"

From a photograph taken by Louis L. Tribus, Consulting Engineer and
Commissioner of Public Works of the Borough of Richmond, City of New
York, and used by his kind permission.

This is the traditional site of the "Inn of the Good Samaritan," on
the pilgrim road the "Ascent of Blood," which leads from Jericho to
Jerusalem. When taken upwards, a more hot and heavy way it is
impossible to conceive--between blistered limestones and rocks, and
in front the bare hills piled high, without shadow or verdure. There
is no water from Jericho till you reach the roots of the Mount of
Olives. Curious red streaks appear from time to time on the stones,
and perhaps account for the sanguinary names which attach to the
road,--but the crimes committed here make these doubly deserved.
[End illustration]

{91}

And on the morrow he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.'

"Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?"

And he said, "He that showed mercy on him."

And Jesus said unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise."

{92}

VIII

JESUS AND THE KING'S OFFICER

_How the Lord Jesus Went Back to Galilee, and How He Healed the Son of a King's Officer_.

And after the two days in Samaria he went forth from thence into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. So when he came into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain king's officer whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said unto him, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe."

The king's officer saith unto him, "Sir, come down ere my child die."

Jesus saith unto him, "Go thy way; thy son liveth." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. So he {93} inquired of them the hour when he began to recover. They said therefore unto him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."

So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, "Thy son liveth": and himself believed, and his whole house.

{94}

IX

THE CHOOSING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES.

_How the Lord Jesus Gathered About Him the Men Who Were to Be His Closest Friends_.

Passing along by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea: for they were fishers. And he said unto them, "Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

And straightway they left the nets, and followed him.

And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, "Follow me." And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, "He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners."

{95}

And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

And he went up into the mountain, and called unto him whom he himself would: and they went unto him. And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons: and Simon he surnamed Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder: and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

{96}

The Glorious Company of the Apostles
Simon Peter.
Andrew.
James.
John.
Philip.
Bartholomew.
Thomas.
Matthew.
James "the less".
Thaddaeus
Simon the Zealot.
Judas Iscariot, the traitor.

{97}

_Simon Peter_. Brother of Andrew. Fisherman. Residence Bethsaida. One of the leaders of the apostles. Said to have founded the church at Rome and to have suffered martyrdom under Nero.

_Andrew_. Brother of Simon Peter. Fisherman. Residence Bethsaida. Tradition says he was crucified at Patrae by the proconsul AEgeas.

_James_. Brother of John. Son of Zebedee. Fisherman. Home Bethsaida. Beheaded by Herod Agrippa only fourteen years after the crucifixion. The first of the "glorious company of the apostles" to join "the noble army of martyrs."

_John_. "The beloved Disciple." Fisherman. Brother of James. Son of Zebedee. Home Bethsaida. Reputed author of Gospel of St. John, the Epistles of John and the Apocalypse. Said to have lived to an extreme old age, dying a natural death at Ephesus.

_Philip_. Fellow townsman of Peter and Andrew, and probably, like them, a fisherman. Said by tradition to have been crucified head downwards in the reign of Domitian.

_Bartholomew_. Native of Cana of Galilee. Tradition says that he suffered martyrdom in India.

_Thomas_. "The Doubter." Occupation unknown. Residence unknown. Tradition says that he was sold as a slave to an Indian merchant; that he preached the gospel there with great effect and died a natural death at an advanced age.

_Matthew_. "The Publican." A customs officer near Capernaum. Author of the Gospel of Matthew. Nothing is known of his subsequent life or of his death.

_James_. The son of Alphaeus. Called "the less." No details of his history are known.

_Thaddaeus_. Occupation not known. Thought to have lived at Jerusalem. Tradition says he preached the gospel in Africa. Fate unknown.

_Simon, the Zealot_. No details are known of his life.

_Judas Iscariot_. The Traitor and Betrayer of Jesus. Iscariot means "the man of Karioth." He was the only Judaean among the apostles. He committed suicide by hanging after the crucifixion.

{98}

{99}

OH, WHERE IS HE THAT TROD THE SEA?

Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
Oh, where is He that spake?
And demons from their victims flee,
The dead their slumbers break;
The palsied rise in freedom strong,
The dumb men talk and sing,
And from blind eyes, benighted long,
Bright beams of morning spring.

Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
'T is only He can save;
To thousands hungering wearily,
A wondrous meal He gave:
Full soon, celestially fed,
Their mystic fare they take;
'T was springtide when He blest the bread,
'T was harvest when He brake.

Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
My soul, the Lord is here:
Let all thy fears be hushed in thee;
To leap, to look, to hear,
Be thine: thy needs He'll satisfy:
Art thou diseased, or dumb?
Or dost thou in thy hunger cry?
"I come," saith Christ, "I come."
--_Thomas T. Lynch_.

{100}

JESUS, SAVIOUR, PILOT ME

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me,
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea.
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee!"
--_E. Hopper_.

{101}

JESUS CALLS US

Jesus calls us: o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."

Jesus calls us, from the evil
In a world we cannot flee,
From each idol that would keep us,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."

Still in joy and still in sadness
We discern our own decree;
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."

Thou dost call us! may we ever
To Thy call attentive be;
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Rise, leave all, and follow Thee.
--_Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander._

{102}

HAIL TO THE LORD'S ANOINTED.

Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
Great David's greater Son;
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.

He comes with succor speedy
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.

For Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever;
That name to us is Love!
--_James Montgomery_.

{103}

How the Lord Jesus went about doing good, teaching and healing, and how He grew in favor with the people.

{104}

PERSONS OF THE STORY.

_The LORD JESUS_.
_A Roman Captain and his servant_.
_The Disciples of Jesus_.
_Peter's mother-in-law_.
_A widow of Nain and her son_.
_Jairus, his wife and little daughter_.
_John the Baptist_.
_Herod_.
_Herodias and her daughter_.
_A little lad with loaves and fishes_.
_Multitudes of people, lepers, palsied, and those having all
manner of diseases_.

PLACES OF THE STORY.

_The "Mount of Beatitudes_."
_Capernaum_.
_The region of Galilee_.
_The lake of Gennesaret_.
_Gadara_.
_The city of Nain_.
_The Jordan_.
_The prison in the "Black Fortress" of Machaerus_.
_The banquet hall of Herod_.

{105}

I

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

_How the Lord Jesus Taught the People the Way of Right Living_.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,--

THE BEATITUDES.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they
shall be filled.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall
reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of {106} evil
against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you."

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

THE NEW WAY OF RIGHT LIVING.

_Be Right in the Heart, and Not in Outward Appearance Only_.

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven."

{107}{108}

LOOKING NORTHEAST FROM THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES TO
CAPERNAUM AND THE SEA OF GALILEE.

Copyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.

"Kurn Hattin," the "Horns of Hattin," a double-peaked hill four
miles back from the sea and about eight miles southwest from
Capernaum, is the traditional location of the mountain from which
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
[End illustration]

{109}

_It is a Sin to Get Angry_.

"Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment': but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, 'Worthless fellow,' shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, 'Thou fool,' shall be in danger of the hell of fire. If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the last farthing."

_It is a Sin to Swear_.

"Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not perjure thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths': but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your speech be, 'Yea, yea; Nay, nay': and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one."

{110}

_It is a Sin to Be Revengeful_.

"Ye have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth': but I say unto you, Resist not evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

_It is a Sin to Think Evil of Others_.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, 'Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye'; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

_The Right Way is to Love Your Enemies_.

"Ye have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy': but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them {111} that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

_The Right Way to Do Good Deeds_.

"Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

"When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee."

_The Right Way to Pray_.

"And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard {112} for their much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:"--

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

"Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
In earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever, Amen."

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

{113}{114}

JESUS PREACHING THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
[End illustration]

{115}

THE GOLDEN RULE.

"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, then so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."

_The Right Way to Be Rich_.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also."

_Trust God, and He Will Take Care of You_.

"The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be right, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

"Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for {116} your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto his stature? And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

"Be not therefore anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'Wherewithal shall we be clothed?' For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

_God Wants Deeds, Not Words_.

"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and strait the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it.

{117}

"For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

"Not everyone that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

"Many will say unto me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
Did we not prophesy in thy name,
And by thy name cast out demons,
And by thy name do many mighty works?'
And then I will profess unto them, 'I never knew you;
Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'

"Everyone therefore who heareth these words of mine,
And doeth them,
Shall be likened unto a wise man,
Which built his house upon the rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
And the winds blew, and beat upon that house:
And it fell not, for it was founded upon the rock.

"And everyone who heareth these words of mine,
And doeth them not, {118}
Shall be likened unto a foolish man,
Which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
And the wind blew, and smote upon that house;
And it fell, and great was the fall thereof."

And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

{119}{120}

RUINS OF THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM.
From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund,
and used by special permission.
[End illustration]

{121}

II

THE ROMAN SOLDIER'S FAITH

_How the Lord Jesus Healed the Captain's Servant_.

And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him, and he entered into Capernaum.

And a certain Roman captain's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and save his servant.

And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him: for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue."

And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the Roman captain sent friends to him, saying unto him, "Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goeth; and to another, 'Come,' and he cometh; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he doeth it."

And when Jesus heard these things, he marveled at {122} him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole.

{123}

Map of Palestine showing Christ's Journey to Jerusalem.
by E. R. Hooker
[End illustration]

{124}

{125}

III

DAYS OF SERVICE

_How the Lord Jesus Healed Many People_.

_A Sabbath Day at Capernaum_.

On the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him."

And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? a new teaching! with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

And the news went out straightway everywhere into all the region of Galilee round about.

And when they were come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James {126} and John. Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and they told him of her: and he came and took her by the hand, and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

And at even, when the sun set, they brought unto him all that were sick, and them that were possessed with demons. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and he suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him.

And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him; and they found him, and said unto him, "All are seeking thee."

And he saith unto them, "Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth."

And he went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

_Healing a Leper_.

And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, "I will; be thou made clean."

And straightway the leprosy departed from him, and {127} he was made clean. And he strictly charged him, and sent him out, and saith unto him, "See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."

But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

_The Man Let Down Through the Roof_.

And when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he spoke the word unto them. And they came, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne by four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken through it, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay.

And Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, thy sins are forgiven."

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, "Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?"

And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Which is easier, {128} to say to the sick of the palsy, 'Thy sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk'? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house."

And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw it in this fashion."

_The Two Blind Men_.

And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, "Have mercy on us, thou son of David."

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"

They say unto him, "Yea, Lord."

Then touched he their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done unto you." And their eyes were opened.

And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, "See that no man know it."

But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

_The Throngs About the Master_.

And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed: and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, {129} hearing what great things he did, came unto him. And he spoke to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him: for he had healed many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch him. And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, "Thou art the Son of God." And he charged them much that they should not make him known.

{130}

IV

THE MIRACLE AT NAIN

_How the Lord Jesus Raised a Widow's Son from the Dead_.

And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many people of the city were with her.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, "Weep not."

And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet is arisen among us": and, "God hath visited his people." And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.

{131}{132}

JESUS PREACHING BY THE SEASIDE
[End illustration]

{133}

V

THE GREAT TEACHER

_How the Lord Jesus Told the People Stories by the Sea_.

And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there was gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, which was on the sea, and sat in it; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things in stories, and told them in his teaching,--

_The Story of the Sower_.

"Behold, the sower went forth to sow: and, as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it. And other seed fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other seed fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."

And he said, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Afterward he explained the parable to them thus):--

"The sower soweth the word. And these are they by {134} the wayside, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it; and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."

_The Story of the Growing Grain_.

And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come."

_The Story of the Mustard Seed_.

And he said, "How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what story shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, {135} though it he less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof."

{136}

VI

THE TEMPEST

_How the Lord Jesus Stilled the Storm, and Did Miracles by the Sea_.

And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, "Let us go over unto the other side."

And leaving the multitude, they took him with them in the boat. And other boats were with him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, that the boat was now filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?"

And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, "Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?"

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could bind him, no, not with a chain; because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him. And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.

{137}{138}

HOUSETOPS AT TIBERIAS, LOOKING OVER SEA OF GALILEE.
[End illustration]

{139}

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him; and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not."

For he said unto him, "Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the man."

And he asked him, "What is thy name?"

And he saith unto him, "My name is Legion; for we are many."

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of swine feeding. And they besought him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.

And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass. And they came to Jesus, and beheld him who was possessed by demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion: and they were afraid. And they that saw it declared unto them what {140} had happened to him that was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine. And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders. And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him. And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, "Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he had mercy on thee."

And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled.

And a woman who had been an invalid for twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.

For she said; "If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole." And straightway she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

And straightway Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power proceeding from him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?"

And his disciples said unto him, "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'"

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy disease."

{141}

VII

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO DIED

_How the Lord Jesus Brought to Life Jairus' Little Daughter_.

And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side, a great multitude was gathered unto him: and he was by the sea.

And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, and beseecheth him much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hand on her, that she may be made whole, and live."

And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.

While he was on the way, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?"

But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, "Fear not, only believe."

And he allowed no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly.

And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, "Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth."

{142}

And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. And taking the child by the hand, he said unto her, "Talitha cumi"; that is, "Little girl, I say unto thee, Arise."

And straightway the little girl rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were greatly amazed. And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat.

{143}

VIII

LEARNING TO SERVE.

_How the Lord Jesus Sent His Disciples Out to Tell of Him_.

And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but to go shod with sandals: and, said he, "Put not on two coats."

And he said unto them, "Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence. And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them."

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

{144}

IX

THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDE

_How the Lord Jesus Invited the Multitude to a Supper, and How, Having Won Great Fame, the People Would Have Made Him King, but He Refused_.

And the apostles gathered about Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught.

And he saith unto them, "Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest awhile."

For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desert place. And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran there together on foot from all the cities, and arrived before them.

And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, "The place is desert, and the day is now far spent: send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves something to eat."

But he answered and said unto them, "Give ye them to eat."

{145}{146}

FISHING BOAT ON THE SEA OF GALILEE.

"He who shall search for cities famed of yore,
Few wrecks will find on lone Tiberias' shore:
Where stood tower-crowned Chorazin, men forget;
A palm tree marks thy site, Gennesaret.
Tiberias, Herod's pride, still flaunteth fair,
But not the cross, the crescent triumphs there."
--_Nicolas Michell_

{147}

And they say unto him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?"

And he saith unto them, "How many loaves have ye? go and see."

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said unto him, "There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?"

And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they all ate, and were filled. And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

And straightway he told his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. But when the people saw the sign which he did, they said, "This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world."

Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew into the mountain himself alone.

And when even was come, the boat in which his disciples had embarked was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of the night {148} he came unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out: for they all saw him, and were troubled.

But he straightway spoke with them, and said unto them, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."

And he went into the boat with them; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed.

{149}

X

JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.

_How the Heroic Friend of Jesus Was Basely Murdered, and How the Two Men Had Loved Each Other_.