Philip and Nathanael BY W. J. MORGON, A RECENT ENGLISH ARTIST. + "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see."-John, 1, 46. S YET Andrew, John, and Peter had walked with A Jesus only of their own will, the first of many who were to listen to His teaching, to hang in ecstacy upon His marvellous words. They had not been formally summoned by Him, they were not pledged to the faith, they had no proof of His divinity except the mystic words of John, the Forerunner. Hence the honor of being called the "First Disciple" is sometimes given not to either of them, but to Philip, a friend of theirs from the town of Bethsaida in Galilee. Meeting Philip on the homeward road to Nazareth Jesus said to him "Follow me." It was the first recorded exercise of the Master's authority over men. Not only did Philip follow, but seeking his friend Nathanael, he told him joyfully that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. Nathanael answered in scornful disbelief; for good Jews held the southern region around Jerusalem in high honor, while the northern land of Galilee was in corresponding contempt. So Nathanael asked "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" But when he saw Jesus, the Master revealed to him such knowledge of his secret life that Nathanael cried out "Rabbi thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel." Then Jesus promised that His followers should see greater things than this, "Heaven open, and the angels of God." MARK I-JESUS HEALS MANY 1561 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. Chapter 2 1 Christ healeth one sick of the palsy, 14 calleth Matthew from the receipt of custom, 15 eateth with publicans and sinners, 18 excuseth his disciples for not fasting, 23 and for plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day. ND again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. |