A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly - A Fisherman's View

Now let us take a look at Jesus through the eyes of two intimate associates-Peter and then John.  These common fishermen were among his first followers.  (Matthew 4:13-22; John 1:35-42)  The Pharisees viewed them as "men unlettered and ordinary," part of the people of the land ('am-ha-a'rets), who were looked down on because they were not schooled as rabbis.  (Acts 4:13; John 7:49)  Many such people, who were "toiling and loaded down" under the yoke of religious traditionalists, long for spiritual enlightenment.  Professor Charles Guignebert of the Sorbonne commented that "their hearts belonged wholly to Jahweh [Jehovah]."  Jesus did not turn his back on those humble ones in favor of the wealthy or the influential. Rather, he revealed the Father to them through his teachings and dealings. -Matthew 11:25-28. 

Peter experienced Jesus' caring attitude first-hand.  Soon after he joined Jesus in his ministry, Peter's mother-in-law fell sick with fever.  Coming to Peter's house, Jesus took her by the hand, and the fever left?  We may not know the exact process of this cure, just as physicians today cannot fully explain how some cures occur, but the fever left this woman. More important than knowing this method of healing is appreciating  that by curing the sick and afflicted, Jesus evidenced his pity for them. He truly wanted to help people, and so does his Father.  (Mark 1:29-31, 40-43; 6:34)  From his experience with Jesus, Peter could see the Creator values each person as worthy of care. -1 Peter 5:7. 

At a later time, Jesus was in the Court of the Women and Jerusalem's temple.  He observed people putting contributions into the treasury chests.  Rich people put in many coins. Paying keen attention, Jesus saw a poor widow drop in two coins of very little value. Jesus told Peter, John and the others:  "Truly, I say to you that this poor widow dropped in more than all those dropping money into the treasury chests; for they all dropped in  out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, dropped in all of what she had." -Mark 12:41-44. 

You can see that Jesus looked for the good in people and that he appreciated each one's efforts.  What do you think was the effect on Peter and the other apostles?  Perceiving from Jesus' example what Jehovah is like, Peter later quoted a psalm: "The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, his ears  are toward their supplication."  (1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15, 16)  Are you not attracted  to a Creator and his Son who want to find good in you and will listen to your pleas?

Next time: A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly - Conclusion of A Fisherman's View

From the book: Is There a Creator That Cares About You?