“They will come directly,” said James.

“How comes it, James,” asked the fisherman, “that you are with this man and dare to follow Him?”

“That is quite simple, my friend.  I merely follow Him.  Whoever pleases can have my little property.  I follow Him.”

“But whither, James, whither are you journeying?” And James answered:  “To the Kingdom of God:  to eternal life.”

Then the fisherman, with trembling hand, felt for James’s arm, and said:  “I will go too.”

An hour had scarcely passed before a fresh tumult arose.  It came from the house of the maker of fishing-nets.  He and a neighbour were hauling the former’s wife along, the same woman who had been so indignant against the adulteress shortly before.  It was suggested that she should be brought to the prophet, but her husband said:  “He is a bad judge in such matters,” and wished to take her down to the lake.  But the people crowded round Jesus, and told Him what had happened.  The woman had been caught with Joel, the porter.  The accused struck out round her, violently denied the charge, and bit her husband, who had hold of her, in the hand.  Others came up and confirmed the accusation.  The woman blasphemed, and reduced her husband to silence by proclaiming his crimes.

Jesus burned with anger.  He exclaimed in a loud voice:  “Cursed be the hypocrite and the faithless, and the violent!  Justice, judgment for such as her!”

Then the woman shrieked:  “You speak of justice, you who yourself recognise no justice!  Is it just that you should bless one of two lovers, and curse the other?”

And Jesus:  “I tell you:  he who repents is accepted; he who will not repent is cast out.”

Then He turned round, and, wrapt in thought, walked along the bank in the mild night.  Simon, the fisherman, followed Him.  He touched His wide sleeve and implored:  “Master, take me too.”

Jesus asked him:  “What do you seek with Me, Simon, the fisherman?  If anyone seeks a polished crystal and finds a rough diamond, he is vexed; he does not recognise its value.  Look at this obdurate woman; she says that I am not just because I am severe.  To-morrow ten of the corrupt may shout, the day after a hundred; yet ere long he who is applauded to-day may be surrounded by cruel enemies, and with him those who support him.  My word ruins the worldly and My mercy annoys the powerful.  They will destroy with fire and sword the seeds which I sow.  Simon, you did not strike Me as one of the strongest on the sea.  I demand not a little.  If you will come to Me, you must abandon everything that is now yours.  You cannot have Me and the world.  If you can make sacrifices, if you can forget, if you can suffer, then come with Me.  Yes, and if you can die for Me, then come.”

“Master, I will go with you.”

“If you can do that, then the burden will be easy; then you will have the peace which none finds in the world.”