Volume 2

Jesus Goes to the Jordan
Andrew and Saturnin, who had been standing near
John, hurried over the river by the same way that Jesus
had passed. They were followed by one of the cousins of
Joseph of Arimathea, and two others of John's disciples.
They ran after Jesus, who, turning, came to meet them,
asking what they wanted. Andrew, overjoyed at having
found Him once more, asked Him where He dwelt. Jesus
answered by bidding them follow Him, and He led them
to an inn near the water and outside of Bethabara. There
they entered and sat down. Jesus stayed all this day with
the five disciples in Bethabara, and took a meal with
them. He talked of His teaching mission about to begin
and of His intention to choose His disciples. Andrew
mentioned to Him many of his own acquaintances whom
he recommended as suitable for the work, among others
Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. Then Jesus spoke of baptizing
here at the Jordan, and commissioned some of them
to do so. Whereupon they objected that there was no
convenient place around those parts. The only suitable
locality was where John was baptizing, and it would
never do to interfere with him. But Jesus spoke of John's
vocation and mission, remarking that his work was well
nigh its completion, and confirming all that John had
said of himself and of the Messiah.
Jesus alluded also to His own preparation in the desert
for the mission of teaching that was before Him, and of
the preparation necessary before undertaking any important
work. Jesus was cordial and confidential toward the
disciples, but they were humble and somewhat shy.
Next morning Jesus went with the disciples from
Bethabara to a group of houses that stood near the river
ferry. Here He taught in presence of a small audience.
After that He crossed the river and taught in a little
village of about twenty houses, distant perhaps one hour
from Jericho. Crowds of neophytes and John's disciples
kept coming and going, to hear His words and report
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