Men Called Him Master

es across the lake from Capernaum, farmers gossiped about the news as they worked in the green fields on the hills above their town. The name of Jesus was on

ee. The Jordan River emptied into the lake at this point, and there were often large fish to be caught. Spawned and fattened in the many tiny

rs into their crude notches, and rowed steadily toward Bethsaida, about a mile distant. He would have just enough time

w his boat a short di

ip looked around and saw a friend cleaning a net. Wit

eady hastening up the narrow street toward his home. An hour later, he

. After he had launched the rowboat and was pulling away, he called out, "Across the lake.

he Sabbath if he could help it. The white walls and small domed houses of Capernaum were only a

d and saw that the mellow note had come just as the red sun sank behind the hills west

o their houses and were forbidden to carry any more. Fishermen were not supposed to clean nets or row. The market place was silent, for no buying or selling was

hanging where Philip could plainly see it as he drew his boat up on the beach in front of Capernaum, made him feel a

p from the lake front. Leaving the street of hard-packed dirt, Philip went under an arch into a square courtyard, open to the sky. The hous

oulders and short neck made him seem burly. "Come in, my friend!" Simon c

corner of the room. Philip was very fond of them. He ran his fingers through the ha

abbath, Philip?" inquired Simon

three o'clock," explained Philip, a bit ash

tely curious. "Wh

a new kingdom." Philip was a little surprised to see how intently Simon was listening to his words, but he did not pause.

this man," answered Simon. "They saw him baptized by John the Baptizer. The Prophet told them that Jesus was go

y teacher. You feel that he is so sure of himself and yet he is so humble." Simon was deeply earnest. "Everything he say

fish on the table. Hungry from his trip across the lake, Philip grate

sked, "Then you kn

n on the lake shore every day this week

deal of time away from f

e fishing early in the mornings. But i

y his friend had changed. For a while Simon remained silent. Nervously his foot stirred the palm fronds that covered the

n you aren't working with Andre

Zebedee too,"

He stopped short. "How are you going t

"But this one thing I am sure of: I cannot turn back from my decision to go with

had told him what he intended to do. What could he sa

ied Simon. "I am sure you will understand wh

ple. From every part of Capernaum they climbed to the place where the synagogue stood. It was on the hi

ed at the lake below them. The water lay still and smooth in the morning light, but no one knew better than the fisherm

he Rabbi?"

answered Simon, turning

m. In the middle of the room was a low platform with a desk on it. Seats were arran

ered to Philip. "We'll sit with him." Philip n

e asked Jesus, as the visiting teacher, to take part in the service, because Jesus followed him and sat down with the elders. The synagogue filled quickly. Philip thought that many people

ou, O Lord, Ki

light and create

ht to the earth and to

y day and every day, renew

our God for the glor

lights which He has mad

esus asked God to forgi

hast Thou loved u

rflowing pity has

er and o

our fathers who

est them the st

upon us, an

our eyes i

s to cleave to

ts to love and

put to shame, worl

gation repeated the

: The Lord our G

he Lord thy God w

h all t

all thy

ommandments of the

, who brought you ... o

d. I am the L

imon, "Do you think he will dare say

before," answered Simon, "but

synagogue brought a heavy scroll to the desk. A man from the congregation

lip was impressed by the clear and convincing manner of his s

m release for captives and recovery of sight for the blind. He has sent me to set free the oppressed and to proclaim the

God to come to you. The words of Isaiah are true right now; God is here. The prophets tell you about a great day, but that day is not f

hat can he mean by that?" Simon did not answer.

nal treasures can make you rich! It is useless to depend on earthly things: moths destroy clothing; rust destroys iron; thieves steal money. Fire will burn down barns. Do not spend your lives ge

m? That is what I want to know!"

ll you," an

working among you." His voice became stern. "The trouble is that you do not really believe in God at all. You do not wish to give yourselves to hi

you obeyed them? No! Repent your sin! Give yourselve

ike this before. But Philip was able to understand one thing: the Kingdom of

the scribes do!" Scribes always read or recited from memory the com

ped from his bench near the back of the synagogue and was rushing down the ais

ches. "He has a demon!" In his haste to get out of reach, the man

ieked the madman. "I know who you

strength suddenly melted away, he dropped to the floor and lay still. A single moan broke the tense sile

was weak but in his right mind. U

"There is no doubt about it. He is free!" Others asked in w

excitedly. Philip did not push forward with the curious crowd but stood staring at Jesus. Even after the people had all gone, he conti

"Do you now see how powerful his word is, Ph

t understand what was happening within him. He did not feel excited; his mind was clear and cool-but

e Master simply, "

. Philip wanted to speak only words of obed