Men Called Him Master

ring a banquet for the evening. Symeon himself was trying to make up his mind whether he should wear his highly ornamented robe. Finally he decided against it

n tyrants out of Palestine and purified the Temple two hundred years before. There was roast lamb, deliciously cooked, and all the best food which Symeon could

was burning with curiosity. The messenger who had brought news of the arrival of the scribe had told Symeon only that the high priest de

r did the scribe speak to Symeon. "

remain a secret." The servants came in to clear the table, and he stopped speaking. Then Symeon sent them out and closed the doo

ted by this confidential questio

out of our synagogues," continued the scribe. "But of course that did not keep him from preaching to the

y," agree

ou think that we can convince his followe

pular than ever." Then he told the scribe in detail

in his power to persuade them to revolt," o

y to make him their k

ow about that?

eon. "If you want to know what I think-Herod is afraid to do anythin

erous to Herod as he is to

us," said Symeon. "Still, I am sure the king would put a quick end to thi

will not follow anyone who goes too far for them. From what you have told me, we ought no

he tradition a hundred times!" A frown came ove

ated, but they will never follow anyone who is trying to destroy the Law and break down our religion. The Nazarene can break a regulation here

n prison without delay," replied Symeon enthusiastically. "I

When do you think we could find

e lake in the morni

. Over their shoulders each wore a short cape, beautifully decorated with four blue tassels, one

re used to having people make way for them. They strode into the crowded market place, already hot under the rays of the morning sun. The hoofs of many animals had raised a cloud of dust.

ng in the sunlight. He pointed ahead of them. "The Nazarene is usually on the shore a little way beyond those fis

eddling with parts of the Law," remarked the scrib

shore, just to the right of the road

up to Jesus. Seeing their robes, everyone made way. "It is widely reported, Rabbi," sai

the common people that sat around him. "Where

wanted! The scribe d

red. "Yet I heard that your disciples do not was

ade up a rule that allows a rich man to say to his aged parents, 'I can't support you-I have given all my money to God.' The fact is that he has not

lf. "This rule was made by one

d Jesus. "Isaiah was talking about you when he said, 'These people give

ngrily. "Every true Jew at least respects their words. Yet y

im," replied Jesus, quietly. "It is the things that

ey this law?" retorted the scribe. "

ied Jesus. The watching people wondered at his calmness. "

not one of us! He wants to change the laws that Moses has given us! He is dangerous-do

the people. By the time he finally spoke,

so many rules for you that no one can obey them all! Do they help you enter the Kingdom? No! They make life easy for themselves and impossible for all others! They do all they can to attract attention. Every day their tassels get longer! They sit in the most important places at feasts! They lov

sun was still as bright; the waves on the lake danced as merrily

to set the people against us,"

hing against God

eiving many peopl

said Jesus sadly. "Let them follow these blind leade

fferent place in Capernaum to preach the news of the Kingdom of God. At the end of the afternoon, Andrew stopped to visit a fisherman whom he had known sin

ese days?" He sat down for a moment before washing. "Have you been getting along all ri

ck. "Why, I don't k

t," the old fisherman said. "But I thought y

heard?" asked A

Rabbi," answered the man. "Is

ng about it,"

ing. "One of the fishermen who listens to Jesus told us

what the scribe was telling people! "Look here," said Andrew with great earnestness. "Do y

elling you what I heard." A questioning tone came into his voice.

e that Jesus had said there were more importan

lder man. "How could a really great Rabbi come fro

t make where he comes f

ou were doing when you gave up fishing." He looked keenly at Andrew. "Today I took time off to go to listen to him myself. He talks as if he knew mor

Purple shadows filled the narrow streets. Most of the people were already indoors. Andrew felt terribly alone. In his haste he tripped

of a serious conversation. "Everything the Master does proves that God's power

saying? That scribe is telling everyone that we

n as Simon turned to John. "Of course, it is true that the Mast

t should we do without him? We have already given up everything to

said James, greatly worried.

ong?" exclaimed Andrew. "If he were the Messiah, I should feel differen

pped walking. Andrew was flushed with excitement. His last remark had s

om darkness. If they do not believe my word, that is because they love darkness better than the light." John went back to his place and slumped down. "Those who are truly seeking God know that our gospel is true and come to us," continued Jesus. "But those who turn away from u

e before they would look down on a happy nation, ruled by God's Messiah. The turmoil in his heart had quieted while Jesus spoke. The n

eaves us, Simon?" a

ly one who has a message of eternal li

refore, very early the next morning before the people began to come to market, he took them

and Andrew recognized them, but the men did not look up and the disciples passed unseen. In the days when they too had gathered nets in the morning the four fishermen had always been glad to feel the warming rays of the sun breaking through the blanket of fog. The mist began now to tear into ragged pieces, clinging here a

st the tricks of the Pharisees and scribes. Their false arguments sometimes sound reasonable, but the evil pur

"That reminds me-did you brin

be stored under the ste

r the seat. "Nothi

was speaking. "Look under the front seat, Andrew," said Simon. The men searched everywhere; there was

ng a word. Now he spoke. "My follow

got to bring the food!"

o not trust me! Many times you have heard me say that I am the Bread of Life-and now you are worried about your stoma

id James, shamefaced. "We s

ked Jesus. "You do not understa

ed, finally reaching the narrow valleys of the foothills of the Lebanons. The land was hilly but very fertile. Many people lived here: a few Jews but many gentiles. The disciples had never traveled t

seacoast, they passed through a small village. The disciples thought they had not been re

," said Simon. "Perhaps she will drop back." All of them quickened their p

"O thou Son of Davi

me, Son of David!" cried the woman despe

y, Master," said Simon. "She is just

nt me only to the lost she

satisfaction. When the woman overtook th

oman said, "Do

How did she dare call him "Lo

he words seemed harsh: "Woman, it is not fair to take the

e has no right to bot

red smiling, "but the dogs can wait patiently for the

t faith! You have found the Kingdom of God. Go

t. James burst out, "Mas

included in our King

sent me to declare that all who are far away from him may come back if

an all the gentiles

one time, 'You do not belong to God'-but now these very people are the children of God!" There was fin

ples resented his kindness to the gentile woman. He

at?" fumed Simon. "He came to

ce to call him 'Lord

lking among themselves after they left the country around Sidon. Jesus made it so hard

e villages of upper Galilee, and every day they saw people that they recognized. But something seemed to be wrong. When they had preached before, the people had welcomed them with joy. But now people hard

us spread here too?"

James bitterly. "If they knew he told a gentile woman she co

as though the scribes wer

at Jesus is trying to destroy the faith of our

e, brother?" urged Simon. Still Andrew s

back to our fi

ng of the hopeless years before J

pen a new day for us!"

between high rock walls. Their footsteps rang with a hollow sound. The shadows were deep; no other tr

us. Simon knew that he sensed the disc

o break down the Law of Moses," replied

John the Baptizer risen f

pare the way of the Messiah. That is what I thought at first." A tiny stream of water

ple say about me?

t you are a prophet. M

spoke his words came deliberately. His voice was str

ith a sigh he raised his head and caught sight of the brilliant blue sky high above the dark valley that shut them in. The answer to his Master's questio