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The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been to them all a bitter disappointment。 If such were to be the outcome of John's mission； they could have little hope for their Master； with all the religious leaders combined against Him。 Under the circumstances it was a relief to them to return for a short time to their fishing。 But now Jesus called them to forsake their former life； and unite their interests with His。 Peter had accepted the call。 Upon reaching the shore； Jesus bade the three other disciples； 〃Follow Me； and I will make you fishers of men。〃 Immediately they left all； and followed Him。
Before asking them to leave their nets and fishing boats； Jesus had given them the assurance that God would supply their needs。 The use of Peter's boat for the work of the gospel had been richly repaid。 He who is 〃rich unto all that call upon Him；〃 has said； 〃Give； and it shall be given unto you； good measure； pressed down； and shaken together； and running over。〃 Rom。 10：12； Luke 6：38。 In this measure He had rewarded the disciple's service。 And every sacrifice that is made in His ministry will be recompensed according to 〃the exceeding riches of His grace。〃 Eph。 3：20； 2：7。
During that sad night on the lake； when they were separated from Christ； the disciples were pressed hard by unbelief； and weary with fruitless toil。 But His presence kindled their faith； and brought them joy and success。 So it is with us； apart from Christ； our work is fruitless； and it is easy to distrust and murmur。 But when He is near； and we labor under His direction； we rejoice in the evidence of His power。 It is Satan's work to discourage the soul； it is Christ's work to inspire with faith and hope。
The deeper lesson which the miracle conveyed for the disciples is a lesson for us also；that He whose word could gather the fishes from the sea could also impress human hearts； and draw them by the cords of His love； so that His servants might become 〃fishers of men。〃
They were humble and unlearned men； those fishers of Galilee； but Christ； the light of the world； was abundantly able to qualify them for the position for which He had chosen them。 The Saviour did not despise education； for when controlled by the love of God； and devoted to His service； intellectual culture is a blessing。 But He passed by the wise men of His time； because they were so self…confident that they could not sympathize with suffering humanity； and become colaborers with the Man of Nazareth。 In their bigotry they scorned to be taught by Christ。 The Lord Jesus seeks the co…operation of those who will become unobstructed
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channels for the communication of His grace。 The first thing to be learned by all who would become workers together with God is the lesson of self…distrust； then they are prepared to have imparted to them the character of Christ。 This is not to be gained through education in the most scientific schools。 It is the fruit of wisdom that is obtained from the divine Teacher alone。
Jesus chose unlearned fishermen because they had not been schooled in the traditions and erroneous customs of their time。 They were men of native ability； and they were humble and teachable；men whom He could educate for His work。 In the common walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of daily toil； unconscious that he possesses powers which； if called into action； would raise him to an equality with the world's most honored men。 The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse those dormant faculties。 It was such men that Jesus called to be His colaborers； and He gave them the advantage of association with Himself。 Never had the world's great men such a teacher。 When the disciples came forth from the Saviour's training； they were no longer ignorant and uncultured。 They had become like Him in mind and character； and men took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus。
It is not the highest work of education to communicate knowledge merely； but to impart that vitalizing energy which is received through the contact of mind with mind； and soul with soul。 It is only life that can beget life。 What privilege； then； was theirs who for three years were in daily contact with that divine life from which has flowed every life…giving impulse that has blessed the world！ Above all his companions； John the beloved disciple yielded himself to the power of that wondrous life。 He says； 〃The life was manifested； and we have seen it； and bear witness； and show unto you that eternal life； which was with the Father； and was manifested unto us。〃 〃Of His fullness have all we received； and grace for grace。〃 1 John 1：2； John 1：16。
In the apostles of our Lord there was nothing to bring glory to themselves。 It was evident that the success of their labors was due only to God。 The lives of these men； the characters they developed； and the mighty work that God wrought through them； are a testimony to what He will do for all who are teachable and obedient。
He who loves Christ the most will do the greatest amount of good。 There is no limit to the usefulness of one who； by putting self aside；
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makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart； and lives a life wholly consecrated to God。 If men will endure the necessary discipline； without complaining or fainting by the way； God will teach them hour by hour； and day by day。 He longs to reveal His grace。 If His people will remove the obstructions； He will pour forth the waters of salvation in abundant streams through the human channels。 If men in humble life were encouraged to do all the good they could do； if restraining hands were not laid upon them to repress their zeal； there would be a hundred workers for Christ where now there is one。
God takes men as they are； and educates them for His service； if they will yield themselves to Him。 The Spirit of God； received into the soul； will quicken all its faculties。 Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit； the mind that is devoted unreservedly to God develops harmoniously； and is strengthened to comprehend and fulfill the requirements of God。 The weak； vacillating character becomes changed to one of strength and steadfastness。 Continual devotion establishes so close a relation between Jesus and His disciple that the Christian becomes like Him in mind and character。 Through a connection with Christ he will have clearer and broader views。 His discernment will be more penetrative； his judgment better balanced。 He who longs to be of service to Christ is so quickened by the life…giving power of the Sun of Righteousness that he is enabled to bear much fruit to the glory of God。
Men of the highest education in the arts and sciences have learned precious lessons from Christians in humble life who were designated by the world as unlearned。 But these obscure disciples had obtained an education in the highest of all schools。 They had sat at the feet of Him who spoke as 〃never man spake。〃
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Chapter 26
At Capernaum
At Capernaum Jesus dwelt in the intervals of His journeys to and fro； and it came to be known as 〃His own city。〃 It was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee； and near the borders of the beautiful plain of Gennesaret； if not actually upon it。
The deep depression of the lake gives to the plain that skirts its shores the genial climate of the south。 Here in the days of Christ flourished the palm tree and the olive； here were orchards and vineyards； green fields； and brightly blooming flowers in rich luxuriance； all watered by living streams bursting from the cliffs。 The shores of the lake； and the hills that at a little distance encircle it； were dotted with towns and villages。 The lake was covered with fishing boats。 Everywhere was the stir of busy； active life。
Capernaum itself was well adapted to be the center of the Saviour's work。 Being on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt； and to the Mediterranean Sea； it was a great thoroughfare of travel。 People from many lands passed through the city； or tarried for rest in their journeyings to and fro。 Here Jesus could meet all nations and all ranks； the rich and great as well as the poor and lowly； and His lessons would be carried to other countries and into many households。
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Investigation of the prophecies would thus be excited； attention would be directed to the Saviour； and His mission would be brought before the world。
Notwithstanding the action of the Sanhedrin against Jesus； the people eagerly awaited the development of His mission。 All heaven was astir with interest。 Angels were preparing the way for His ministry； moving upon men's hearts； and drawing them to the Saviour。
In Capernaum the nobleman's son whom Christ had healed was a witness to His power。 And the court official and his household joyfully testified of their faith。 When it was known that the Teacher Himself was among them； the whole city was aroused。 Multitudes flocked to His presence。 On the Sabbath the people crowded the synagogue un