The beginning of our Lord's ministry.
I. HE REMOVES TO CAPERNAUM.
1. John was cast into prison. His ministry was ended; the Lord's begins. God continues his'servants' work; when one passes away, another takes his place; when the voice of one prophet is silenced, a greater follows, Each must work in faith while time is given; the work is not man's, but God's. He will fulfil it. His servants may seem to be laid aside and to be forgotten; he will carry on their work. He does not forget their labours; he will reward them openly.
2. Jesus begins to preach.
II. THE FOUR APOSTLES.
1. The call. The Lord saw them as he walked by the sea. It was not the first interview; two of them certainly, probably three, possibly all the four, already knew him (John 1:40, John 1:41). Now he calls them to be his apostles, to forsake their old employment, and to give themselves up to the work of the kingdom of heaven, lie could read their hearts; he knew their characters, their capabilities. He calls his servants still; it is that Divine call alone which raises up true and faithful men for the sacred ministry of his Church.
2. The words of the call. "Follow me."
3. Fishers of men. Their earthly calling was a parable of the higher calling to which they were now summoned. God's ministers must lake a lesson from the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee. They must try to know thoroughly the portion of the work assigned to them, as the fishers knew every corner of the lake. They must study the art of winning souls, as the fishers studied how best to allure the fish into their nets. They must be willing to work hard, to toil all the night. They must work on patiently even when they seem to be taking nothing. But they must have confidence in the Lord's promise, and expect by his grace and in his own good time to "enclose a great multitude of fishes," to draw many souls to Christ.
III. THE CIRCUIT THROUGH GALILEE.
1. The preaching of Jesus.
2. His miracles. He would do no mighty works to relieve his own hunger or to display his own power; but he was ever ready to listen to the cry of pain and sorrow. He would do no miracle at the bidding of the tempter or to satisfy the curiosity of Herod; now among scenes of suffering he was prodigal of his miraculous energy. He teaches us by his Divine example that holy teaching and works of Christian love should go together. His followers must show loving care, not only for the souls, but also for the bodies of the sick and suffering, for so did the blessed Lord himself. It is vain to preach the gospel of love unless we show the power of that gospel by works of love ourselves. He was moved with compassion for suffering humanity; his followers have built hospitals and ministered to the sick and dying. Care for the sick is one of the marks by which the King recognizes the blessed children of his Father. He cared for them himself; his true disciples imitate him.
3. The multitudes. Crowds followed him now. His fame spread from north to south through the whole Holy Land, and even beyond its borders. They came from Decapolis and from Jerusalem, from the half-heathen country peopled by the descendants of Alexander's soldiers, and from the holy city, the centre of the influence of Pharisees and priests. His influence spread wider and wider; his holy teaching, his works of mercy, attracted crowds from every quarter. It seemed as if the whole world was going after him, as if all Palestine would submit to his authority. It was not to be so; sunshine would give place to darkness, favour to persecution. The disciples of the Lord must not trust in popular applause; they may have it, it comes sometimes; but it is uncertain, fickle, not to be relied on. We must do our duty, looking simply to Jesus, not to human praise.
LESSONS.
1. The Lord calls his ministering servants. They must follow him; they must preach where his providence sends them; they must watch for souls as they that must give account.
2. They must preach repentance and the good news of the kingdom; they must care, as far as lies in their power, for the sick and suffering.
3. They must give no heed to the praise of men; they must think only of saving souls and pleasing their Lord.
HOMILIES BY W.F. ADENEY