hey walked the last mile of their trip back to Capernaum.

"How glad everyone has been to hear about the Kingdom!" remarked Simon.
"Do you not think that these people are ready to make the Master their
king?"

"They are very discontented," agreed Andrew. "Herod has crushed them so
that they are ready to do about anything."

For a distance they walked in silence. Finally Simon said: "I cannot
understand what it is about the Master. Even evil spirits seem to fear
him!"

"Do you suppose this trip has made the others feel the way we do?"
wondered Andrew.

When Simon and Andrew arrived in Capernaum, they found that James, John,
and the Zealot had returned ahead of them. They were telling Jesus about
their experiences.

"The evil spirits themselves obeyed us in your name!" exclaimed John.

"You have good reason to rejoice," answered Jesus. "Nevertheless, you
should rejoice because you have done the will of God--not because you
have conquered evil spirits."

"Well, Master," remarked the Zealot practically, "not everyone was glad
to see us. I had trouble with the Pharisees. They just argue and argue."

"We talked to them too," said Andrew. He was troubled. "Many times we
tried to tell them the news of the eternal Kingdom, but they would never
receive what we said."

"Do you remember the story of the Sower, Andrew?" asked Jesus.

"I never understood what you meant. Master," answered Andrew.

"Listen carefully. The farmer who went out to sow was planting the seed
of eternal life. Some fell on the road at the edge of the field, and the
birds ate it up. This is like the person who hears my word but
immediately forgets because Satan robs him of it.

"Some of the seed fell on stony soil. It grew fast, but when the hot sun
shone it withered away because it had weak roots. This is like the
person who is very enthusiastic at first, but as soon as he has to work
or suffer, he gives up.

"Other seed fell among weeds, which kept it from growing strong. This is
like the person who hears the word but is so worried or busy trying to
get ahead of other people that he forgets all about God.

"But then there is the seed that fell on good soil; it grew deep roots
and produced a fine harvest. This is like the person who hears and
really understands my words. He knows what eternal life is, and helps
other people to find it."

"Do you know," the Zealot broke in, "I should not be surprised if some
of the Pharisees would join us wh