The reports of his power went all over Syria and they brought to him those that were sick, the insane, demoniacs, epileptics, or those that were paralyzed, and he healed them all. Great multitudes from all Galilee, from Decapolis and Jerusalem, from all Judea and even from beyond the Jordan, followed him about.

NE sabbath Jesus and his disciples were passing through a grain field and, as his disciples were hungry, they began to break off the grain and rub it in their hands and eat the kernels. When the Pharisees noticed it, they said to Jesus, "Look, your disciples are doing what it is not lawful to do on the sabbath."

Jesus replied: "Have you not read what David did in the time of Abiather, the high priest? When he and his soldiers were hungry they went into the house of God and actually ate the show

Matthew 12: 1-8; Mark 2: 23-28; Luke 6: 1-5.

bread that was offered on the altar, which you know, he had no right to do, as it is reserved for the priests. Have you not read in the Book of the Law, that when the priests have to labor in the temple services on the sabbath day, they are not held guilty?

"Let me say to you, there is one here who is greater than the temple. The Son of man is Lord of the sabbath. If you had understood the meaning of the old saying, 'I desire loving kindness and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned these men, who are guiltless of any real offence."

HEN Jesus entered the synagogue, he saw

a man with a withered hand. The scribes and the Pharisees were there as usual, watching to see if he would do anything that was unlawful, because they wanted a chance to accuse him. Jesus could read their thoughts and said to them,

Matthew 12: 9-14; Mark 3: 1-6; Luke 6: 6-11.

"If one of you had a sheep that fell into a pit on the sabbath day, would you not take hold and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep? Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath or to do harm? to save a life or to destroy one? Of course it is right to do good on the sabbath."

As he looked among them and noticed the hardness of their hearts, he was grieved and angry, but as they made no reply to his question, he told the man with the withered hand to stand up, and said to him, "Stretch forth your hand." He did so and it was perfect like the other.

This only served to make the Pharisees the more angry. They went out and consulted with the Galilean officials as to how they could get rid of Jesus.

CHAPTER FIVE.

CHOOSING THE TWELVE AND STAY IN GALILEE.

HEN Jesus perceived the intent of the

Pharisees to make away with him, he withdrew to the mountainous shores of Galilee, but still the multitude followed him. They came from Jerusalem, from Idumaea and beyond Jordan, and even from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. They brought their sick with them, the insane and those that had the plague, and sought to touch him, for power seemed to come forth from him, and he healed them all.

The old prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled.

"He is my beloved in whom my soul delights. I will put my spirit upon him

And he shall be a standard for the nations.

Matthew 4: 23-25; 12: 15-21; Mark 3: 7-12; Luke 6: 17-19.

He will not strive or cry aloud,

No one in the streets shall be disturbed by him. A bruised reed he will not break,

And a wick that is almost out, he will not

quench.

He will bring justice to victory

And in his name shall the nations hope."

THE crowds so pressed upon him that he asked

his disciples to get a boat. They crossed the sea and went up into the mountains to pray, and all that night he continued in prayer to Sovereign Love.

When it was day he called from among his followers twelve that should be his especial disciples. He planned that these should be with him. all the time, so that they might more thoroughly understand his teaching and be ready when he wanted them to go forth to preach.

Mark 3: 13-19; Luke 6: 12-19.