The awed disciples turned toward Jesus. Could this man who gave life to the dead be the Master they knew so well?
"For your sakes," Jesus said, "I am glad I was not here when this child died." His words struck deep into the memories of the disciples. "I have come to tell you what life really is. This child was dead and lives again. But I warn you: there is a kind of death from which no one can return. And there is true life: whoever has this life can never die."
_Who is he--who is this One who raises the dead?_ The minds of the disciples raced, trying to grasp the meaning of what had happened.
"Fear not the death of the body; he who believes in G.o.d can never die.
Just as I have given life to this little child I give eternal life to all who put their trust in G.o.d."
_Who can he be--who can he be--to give eternal life?_
Jesus turned to the parents of the child. "Rise!" Then he warned them and the disciples, saying: "No one must hear about this. Only you understand its true meaning." Turning to the disciples, he said, "Let us go now." Seething with excitement they could not control, the disciples followed Jesus.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
9. HOW WILL YOU KNOW THE MESSIAH?
One week later a messenger arrived at the court of King Herod, in Tiberias, a city not far from Capernaum on the Lake of Galilee. He carried reports from local officials throughout the provinces that Herod ruled. As he read them, the king became more and more alarmed. Finally he turned to a slave. "Tell my officers to come immediately!"
When the high officials of the court arrived, Herod waved the papers and said, "Every single governor reports that there are Jews going through our cities and towns talking about some new kingdom!" He looked at them sharply. "Do you know anything about this?"
After a moment one of them answered, "There is a carpenter from Nazareth preaching something like that."
"Do you think he has anything to do with this business?"
"I am not sure," answered the man. "I know a Pharisee in Capernaum who says this fellow wants to do away with the Jewish religion." The man speaking was one of the Herodians whom Symeon had stirred up against Jesus.
"What sort of man is he?" demanded Herod.
"He has great influence with the people," he said. "This Pharisee admits that his miracles are not tricks."
"Miracles!" Herod became very sober. "Who is this man?" he demanded.
"Has John the Baptizer risen from the dead?" Against his better judgment he had executed the Prophet a few weeks before.
"That is not possible," answered an officer.
"We shall have a revolution on our hands if this really is John." Herod turned to the officer who had spoken last. "Who is he, if he isn"t John?"
"People say different things. Some say he is Elijah; others say someone else, but they all think he is a prophet."
"That is exactly what they said about John the Baptizer," exclaimed Herod.
"John never sent out missionaries!" objected the Herodian.
"That only makes it worse!" The king pointed to the reports in front of him. "What if these Jews are working for him?"
"They might be," admitted the man.
If Herod could have heard the conversation of Simon and Andrew at that moment, he would have been even more anxious. They were in high spirits as they walked the last mile of their trip back to Capernaum.
"How glad everyone has been to hear about the Kingdom!" remarked Simon.
"Do you not think that these people are ready to make the Master their king?"
"They are very discontented," agreed Andrew. "Herod has crushed them so that they are ready to do about anything."
For a distance they walked in silence. Finally Simon said: "I cannot understand what it is about the Master. Even evil spirits seem to fear him!"
"Do you suppose this trip has made the others feel the way we do?"
wondered Andrew.
When Simon and Andrew arrived in Capernaum, they found that James, John, and the Zealot had returned ahead of them. They were telling Jesus about their experiences.
"The evil spirits themselves obeyed us in your name!" exclaimed John.
"You have good reason to rejoice," answered Jesus. "Nevertheless, you should rejoice because you have done the will of G.o.d--not because you have conquered evil spirits."
"Well, Master," remarked the Zealot practically, "not everyone was glad to see us. I had trouble with the Pharisees. They just argue and argue."
"We talked to them too," said Andrew. He was troubled. "Many times we tried to tell them the news of the eternal Kingdom, but they would never receive what we said."
"Do you remember the story of the Sower, Andrew?" asked Jesus.
"I never understood what you meant. Master," answered Andrew.
"Listen carefully. The farmer who went out to sow was planting the seed of eternal life. Some fell on the road at the edge of the field, and the birds ate it up. This is like the person who hears my word but immediately forgets because Satan robs him of it.
"Some of the seed fell on stony soil. It grew fast, but when the hot sun shone it withered away because it had weak roots. This is like the person who is very enthusiastic at first, but as soon as he has to work or suffer, he gives up.
"Other seed fell among weeds, which kept it from growing strong. This is like the person who hears the word but is so worried or busy trying to get ahead of other people that he forgets all about G.o.d.
"But then there is the seed that fell on good soil; it grew deep roots and produced a fine harvest. This is like the person who hears and really understands my words. He knows what eternal life is, and helps other people to find it."
"Do you know," the Zealot broke in, "I should not be surprised if some of the Pharisees would join us when we show our strength!"
"My Kingdom is not of this world," answered Jesus. "No one who is seeking political power will join us. Only persons who want to do the will of G.o.d belong in my Kingdom."
"But, Master," responded the Zealot, "almost everyone listened eagerly to us! It will not be difficult to start the Kingdom in Galilee!"
"We probably could unite the Jews against Herod," replied Jesus, "but that is not our business. G.o.d sent me into the world to proclaim the news of an eternal Kingdom!"
Simon turned to the Zealot. "You seem to think the people listened only because they hope we will free them from the Romans. I do not doubt that they would be glad to be rid of the Romans; but from what I saw, I think they listened because we told them about the rule of G.o.d!"
"Isn"t that the same thing?" retorted the Zealot.
Jesus saw that most of the disciples still did not understand clearly what he was trying to do. But he had little opportunity to explain further, because the people of Capernaum were every day crowding to the home of Simon. When all of the Twelve had at last returned from their mission, he said to them, "Let us cross the lake and find a quiet place where we can rest and talk."