Chapter 14—Choosing the Disciples
The disciples had not yet fully joined themselves to Jesus to be co-
laborers with him. They had witnessed many of his miracles, and their
minds had been enlightened by the discourses they had heard from
his lips; but they had not entirely left their employment as fishermen.
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Their hearts were filled with grief by the death of John, and they
were troubled with conflicting thoughts. If the life of John had been
permitted to end so ingloriously, what would be the fate of their Master,
when the scribes and Pharisees were so bitter against him? Amid their
doubt and fear, it was a relief for them to return once more to their
fishing, and, for a brief space, find in their old employment a diversion
from their anxiety.
Jesus frequently dismissed them to visit their homes and rest; but
he gently though firmly resisted all their entreaties that he should
himself rest. At night he found the seasons of prayer for which he
could not claim time during the day. While the world he had come to
save was wrapped in slumber, the Redeemer, in the sanctuary of the
mountains, would intercede for man with the Father. Often he spent
entire nights in prayer and meditation, going back in the morning to
his active work.
It was morning on the Lake of Galilee, and the fishermen were
in their boats, weary with a long night of fruitless toil. But, with the
dawn, Simon discovered the form of Jesus walking upon the beach. He
directed the attention of his disciples to their beloved Teacher, and they
all pulled for the shore. It seemed impossible for the Saviour to obtain
any retirement. Already the crowd had gathered thickly about him as
he walked on the shore. The sick and afflicted were brought for him
to relieve. At length the people had pressed so closely about him that
they scarcely left him comfortable standing-room. It was just at this
time that the fishermen were nearing the shore. Jesus requested Peter
to take him in his boat, and, immediately, upon entering it, directed the
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disciple to pull out a little from the land. Then, being removed a short
distance from the people, he was in a better position to be seen and
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