“The day following, Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me.  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.”  So writes John, recalling to us the Galilean group of Bethsaidan boys.  When we became familiar with their names, there was no prospect that the two pairs of brothers and their friend would head the roll of disciples of the Messiah for whom they were looking.  But such a day had come.  We know not that Philip had a brother whom he could bring to Jesus, as did Andrew and John, but he was as full of wonder and joy as they.  Like them he must go in search of some one to whom he could repeat their exclamation.  The search was not long.  John tells the result.  “Philip findeth Nathanael and saith unto him, We have found Him.”  But this simple declaration is not enough for Philip.  He recalls those Scripture scrolls in his home and the Rabbi’s school, and the synagogue, that told of the coming Messiah, and so he exclaims, “We have found Him of whom Moses and the Law, and the Prophets did write”—­thus repeating the phrase we were to remember till we should hear it again.  Nathanael, coming to Jesus declared in wonder and admiration, “Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.”  His name was added to those of the Galilean group.

The disciples now numbered five or six—­Andrew, John, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and probably James.  These were one half of a completed circle to surround Jesus.  All but one of them were of the Bethsaidan band.  John has drawn lifelike pictures of them, more complete than those of the other apostles,—­except that of Judas, whom he contrasts with all the rest.  We have thought of James and John as nearest to Jesus in kinship.  We are already beginning to think of John as nearest in discipleship.

CHAPTER XI

John a Wedding Guest

     “There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus
     was there:  and Jesus also was bidden, and His disciples to the
     marriage.”

     “The mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine.”

     “The ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine.”

     “This beginning of His signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and
     manifested His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.”—­John
     ii. 1-3, 9, 11.

Again John notices the very day on which occurred a remarkable event, of which he had a vivid recollection.  It was the third, as is probable, after the departure of Jesus from Jordan for Galilee.

He was invited to a wedding in Cana.  His disciples were invited also, we may suppose out of respect to Him.  James and John might have been there without the rest.  It is possible that they were relatives of the family, as their aunt Mary is thought to have been.  She was there caring for the guests, and what had been provided for them.  The marriage feast lasted several days.  Jesus and His disciples