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miracle。 The company were for a time too much amazed to think of Him who had performed the wonderful work。 When at length they looked for Him； it was found that He had withdrawn so quietly as to be unnoticed even by His disciples。
The attention of the company was now turned to the disciples。 For the first time they had the opportunity of acknowledging their faith in Jesus。 They told what they had seen and heard at the Jordan； and there was kindled in many hearts the hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people。 The news of the miracle spread through all that region； and was carried to Jerusalem。 With new interest the priests and elders searched the prophecies pointing to Christ's coming。 There was eager desire to learn the mission of this new teacher； who appeared among the people in so unassuming a manner。
The ministry of Christ was in marked contrast to that of the Jewish elders。 Their regard for tradition and formalism had destroyed all real freedom of thought or action。 They lived in continual dread of defilement。 To avoid contact with the 〃unclean；〃 they kept aloof； not only from the Gentiles； but from the majority of their own people； seeking neither to benefit them nor to win their friendship。 By dwelling constantly on these matters； they had dwarfed their minds and narrowed the orbit of their lives。 Their example encouraged egotism and intolerance among all classes of the people。
Jesus began the work of reformation by coming into close sympathy with humanity。 While He showed the greatest reverence for the law of God； He rebuked the pretentious piety of the Pharisees； and tried to free the people from the senseless rules that bound them。 He was seeking to break down the barriers which separated the different classes of society； that He might bring men together as children of one family。 His attendance at the marriage feast was designed to be a step toward effecting this。
God had directed John the Baptist to dwell in the wilderness； that he might be shielded from the influence of the priests and rabbis； and be prepared for a special mission。 But the austerity and isolation of his life were not an example for the people。 John himself had not directed his hearers to forsake their former duties。 He bade them give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God in the place where He had called them。
Jesus reproved self…indulgence in all its forms； yet He was social in His nature。 He accepted the hospitality of all classes； visiting the homes
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of the rich and the poor； the learned and the ignorant； and seeking to elevate their thoughts from questions of commonplace life to those things that are spiritual and eternal。 He gave no license to dissipation； and no shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct； yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness； and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering。 A Jewish marriage was an impressive occasion； and its joy was not displeasing to the Son of man。 By attending this feast； Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution。
In both the Old and the New Testament； the marriage relation is employed to represent the tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people。 To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride to the Father's house； and the redeemed with the Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb。 He says； 〃As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride； so shall thy God rejoice over thee。〃 〃Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken； 。 。 。 but thou shalt be called My Delight； 。 。 。 for the Lord delighteth in thee。〃 〃He will rejoice over thee with joy； He will rest in His love； He will joy over thee with singing。〃 Isa。 62：5； 4； margin； Zeph。 3：17。 When the vision of heavenly things was granted to John the apostle； he wrote： 〃I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude； and as the voice of many waters； and as the voice of mighty thunderings； saying； Alleluia： for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth。 Let us be glad and rejoice； and give honor to Him： for the marriage of the Lamb is come； and His wife hath made herself ready。〃 〃Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb。〃 Rev。 19：6； 7； 9。
Jesus saw in every soul one to whom must be given the call to His kingdom。 He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good。 He sought them in the public streets； in private houses； on the boats； in the synagogue； by the shores of the lake； and at the marriage feast。 He met them at their daily vocations； and manifested an interest in their secular affairs。 He carried His instruction into the household； bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence。 His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts。 He often repaired to the mountains for solitary prayer； but this was a preparation for His labor among men in active life。 From these seasons He came forth to relieve the sick； to instruct the ignorant； and to break the chains from the captives of Satan。
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It was by personal contact and association that Jesus trained His disciples。 Sometimes He taught them； sitting among them on the mountainside； sometimes beside the sea； or walking with them by the way； He revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God。 He did not sermonize as men do today。 Wherever hearts were open to receive the divine message； He unfolded the truths of the way of salvation。 He did not command His disciples to do this or that； but said； 〃Follow Me。〃 On His journeys through country and cities He took them with Him； that they might see how He taught the people。 He linked their interest with His； and they united with Him in the work。
The example of Christ in linking Himself with the interests of humanity should be followed by all who preach His word； and by all who have received the gospel of His grace。 We are not to renounce social communion。 We should not seclude ourselves from others。 In order to reach all classes； we must meet them where they are。 They will seldom seek us of their own accord。 Not alone from the pulpit are the hearts of men touched by divine truth。 There is another field of labor； humbler； it may be； but fully as promising。 It is found in the home of the lowly； and in the mansion of the great； at the hospitable board； and in gatherings for innocent social enjoyment。
As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure； to unite with them in folly。 Such associations can result only in harm。 We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds； our silence or our presence。 Wherever we go； we are to carry Jesus with us； and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour。 But those who try to preserve their religion by hiding it within stone walls lose precious opportunities of doing good。 Through the social relations； Christianity comes in contact with the world。 Everyone who has received the divine illumination is to brighten the pathway of those who know not the Light of life。
We should all become witnesses for Jesu