The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

whom, as the Rabbis told him, repentance was next
to impossible. But out there, in the ojien, by the
seashore, it was otherwise. All unobserved by
others, he observed all, and oould yield himself,
without reserve, to the impression. Now, it was an
eager multitude that came fix)m Capernaum; then, a
long train bearing sufferers, to whom gracious,
full, immediate relief was granted— whether they
were Rabbinic saints, or sinners. And still more
gracious than His deeds were His Words.
And so Matthew sat before his custom-house, and
hearkened and hoped. Those white-sailed ships
would bring crowds of listeners; the busy caravan
on that highway would stop, and its wayfarers turn
aside to join the eager multitude—^to hear the
Word or see the Word. Surely, it was not' a time
for buying and selling,' and Levi would have little
work, and less heart for it at his custom-house.
Perhaps he may have witnessed the call of the first
Apostles; he certainly must have known the
fishermen and shipowners of Capernaum. And now
it appeared, as if Jesus had been brought still