Men Called Him MasterSmith, Elwyn A. (Elwyn Allen)
Religion
Men Called Him Master
Smith, Elwyn A. (Elwyn Allen)
Jesus Christ -- Biography -- Juvenile literature
"But, Master, your word is the only help these people have ever had." He
realized that Jesus had fully made up his mind to go. "Think of the
blind and the crippled!" he cried desperately. "What will become of
them?"
Jesus answered with firm conviction. "Simon, they have heard the news
that God has come to them. I have a greater work than healing the sick
bodies--my work is to proclaim to everyone the message which gives them
a whole new life! This is why God has sent me! I must go on to the
cities of Galilee!"
Simon and Andrew knew they could not change their Rabbi's mind, so at
his command they returned to Capernaum and prepared for a trip through
Galilee. At noon the disciples left Capernaum, carrying only a small
amount of food, and met Jesus outside the city. Jesus knew it was hard
for Simon to leave his wife and children.
By late afternoon they had reached Tarichaea, a town smaller than
Capernaum, about six miles south on the shore of the Lake of Galilee.
Here lived many rich men who owned the fertile farms on which all
Galilee depended for wheat. There was also a large fish business,
because in Tarichaea fish were salted and sold to men who came to buy
food for the Roman army.
The market place was busy when Jesus arrived with the disciples, and a
group of people quickly gathered to hear him teach. A young man in fine
clothing joined the circle around Jesus. The disciples immediately
recognized that he was a member of the party of the Pharisees because he
wore large tassels on his robe. During a pause in the discussion he
asked a question which Simon thought must have been troubling him for
some time.
"Good Teacher," he asked, "you have told these others how to enter the
Kingdom of God. Now what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus looked at the young man keenly. "Why do you call me 'good'?" he
asked. "Only God is good." Then his tone softened. "You know the
commandments--do not commit adultery; do not kill; do not steal; do not
speak lies--if you obey the law of God you possess eternal life."
The disciples looked at the young man with the greatest respect. Here
was a really religious man! A Pharisee who kept all the Law--what more
could God require? And he was rich. Did that not prove he had pleased
God?
"But, Teacher," replied the young man, "I have obeyed every one of these
laws perfectly since I was a child. But somehow ... it is not enough. I
am not satisfied."
John was puzzled. _This man should be happy_, he thought. _I was just a
poor fisherman, but this man seems to have everything._ The other
disciples also wondered what Jesus could say to the young man.
"You lack just one thing," said Jesus. "You must get rid of all your
possessions. Sell your property. Go and give your money to the poor.
Come and be my disciple."
Shock and disappointment came over the young man's face. "I can't do a
thing like that!" he exclaimed. "Why should I give my money away?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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