The followers of John gathered around Him, filled with the idea that He was the Messiah come to lead them to victory and triumph.  But He disappointed them by His calm, simple manner, and His disavowal of royal claims.  “What seek ye of me?” he asked them, and many, abashed, left His circle and returned to the crowd.  But a few humble souls remained and around these few gathered a few more, until at last a little band of faithful students was formed—­the first band of Christian disciples.  This band was composed almost entirely of fishermen and men of similar humble occupations.  There was an absence of people of rank or social position.  His people were of the “plain people” which have furnished the recruits for every great religion.

And after a time, Jesus moved away from the place, followed by His band of disciples, which drew new members from each place of gathering.  Some stayed but for a short time, while others replaced the faint hearted ones of little faith.  But the band steadily grew, until it began to attract the attention of the authorities and the public.  Jesus constantly disclaimed being the Messiah, but the report that such indeed He was, began to spread and the authorities began that system of spying and watching which followed His footsteps for three years, and which finally resulted in His death on the Cross.  And this suspicion was encouraged by the Jewish priesthood which began to hate the young teacher whose opposition to their tyranny and formalism was quite marked.

The band one day came to a small village in Galilee, and Jesus began His usual meetings and teaching.  Near where they gathered was a house at which preparations were being made for a wedding feast.  The wedding ceremony has always been an important occasion among the Jews.  The most elaborate preparations consistent with the size of the purse of the girl’s parents are indulged in.  Relatives from far and near gather to the feast.  Jesus happened to be a distant kinsman of the bride, and according to custom He was bidden to the feast.

The guests began to gather, each depositing his sandals in the outer court, and entering the guest chamber barefooted, after carefully bathing his feet and ankles after the custom still prevailing in Oriental countries.  Jesus was accompanied by a few of His faithful followers.  His mother, and His several brothers were also among the blood-relations present at the feast.

His appearance caused much interest and comment among the other guests.  To some He was simply a traveling religious teacher, not uncommon in that land, to others He was an inspired prophet, bringing a wonderful Message to the Jewish people, as He had to the Persians, Egyptians and Hindus; to others he was more than this, and whispers of “He is the Messiah”; “The King of Israel,” etc., began to circulate among those present, causing interest, uneasiness or disgust, according to the views of the hearers.  But whenever He moved, He attracted attention by His manner, attitude and expression.  All felt that here indeed was an Individual.  Strange stories of His wanderings in strange lands added additional interest to His presence.