uch like--not a Pharisee among them. Not one of them takes religion
seriously."

"And yet I have heard this Nazarene myself," continued Symeon. "He says
many things that show he knows the Law very well. He knows he should not
eat with people like that Levi!"

"Did you hear about the healing at the fisherman's house the other day?"
inquired the younger of the two visiting Pharisees. "Some men put a
paralytic in front of the Nazarene while he was teaching. The first
thing he said was, 'Your sins are forgiven.'" The others nodded.

"The puzzling thing is that this young teacher seems very sincere," said
Symeon. "He really knows a great deal--and no one can deny that he has
great power. The people go out to hear him everywhere. I want to find
out his purpose. I have a suggestion that may help us see what he is
trying to do." The other men looked up. "You may think this is going a
little too far, but I should like to ask him to come to my house."

"But he is not a keeper of the Law!" protested the young Pharisee. "We
should be as bad as he is, if we were to eat with him."

Symeon nodded. "I realize that it will not be easy for you, but I think
we should do it. If there is something good in this Nazarene, we should
know it. If he is up to mischief.... Anyhow, I don't see how we can
understand him unless we talk to him." The others said nothing, and
Symeon took their silence for consent. "Of course," he added, "we will
not invite the others--the fishermen and that tax collector. That would
be too much! But I think it would be all right to have the Nazarene here
just once."

When Jesus told the disciples that he was going to the home of Symeon,
Andrew was pleased. "I guess we have not offended the Pharisees too
badly after all," he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Simon too was relieved. "I hope. Master," he said, "that you will
explain why we ate with Levi."

Jesus said very little. It was natural for fishermen and workers to want
the approval of the most respected citizens of Capernaum. Yet Jesus knew
how little the Pharisees cared for people like his own disciples.

There were many guests in Symeon's home, for this was the season of the
New Year and every Jew left the door of his home open for any visitor
who cared to enter. During the meal, both friends and strangers
continued to come into the room, but Symeon was listening intently to
Jesus as they conversed about religion.

"The men who obeyed God in past times wer