'»b V* ' :- t^o« •', 4 o o ♦ . , • ■•• 4*' ** • rvi» .v'v '■4- "^ ^^~ Kf '••""' «^ ^ * • < *w* ^*-..' « • • • V A^V 4 o :^. ••^^^V ^ ' "-^. '^ FROM Bethlehem to Calvary. / BY FAITH LATIMER./^vO^i^^^^ FIVE ILL.USTRATIONS, -^•^ OF CO/VT. ^'^t^ Entered accoruing to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by NELSON & PHILLIPS, in the Ollice of the Librarian of Congress at Wabhington. Tm L 1 MY FATHER, WHOSE LOVLN-a CAEE IMPLAls^TED A LOVE FOR SACRED READIIfG ; ■WHOSE "WISE COUNSEL FOSTERED HABITS OF THOUGHTFUL STUDY ; "WHOSE HOPEFUL, TRUSTLN-G, UNSELFISH LIFE FURNISHED CONSTANT EXAMPLE FOR PATIENT INDUSTRY ; TO "WHOiT, "WHATEVER OF USEFULNESS IN LITERATURE OR IN LIFE IS DUE TO HIS MEMORY, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED. PREFACE. T N the following pages will be found a simple and continuous rendering of the Evangelist^s story of the Life began in Bethlehem and ended upon Calvary ; and woven through the narra- tive, we trust, will be found gleams of that Divine Nature revealed through the vail of human flesh. Perhaps these pages^ may awaken in some more thought and love for Christ's works and words, and more trustful reliance on him as an ever-present Lord. The authorities used in its preparation have been the Holy Scriptures, Lange, Kitto, Trench, Ellicott, Alexander, Barnes, and many other works upon sacred literature ; in questions of Chronology, Robin- son's "Harmony" and Mimpriss's "Treasury" 8 PREFACE have been, mainly relied upon. The places of Scripture reference are not usually given, for it is hoped it may stimulate, not substitute, Bible study, and that it may find a place in homes and hearts where the Master is a wel- come guest. OONTE]N^TS. INTEODUCTION. Lives of Christ — Birth in Bethlehem — Shepherds Page 13 CHAPTEE I. THE CHILD JESUS. Wise Men— Herod— The Star — Offerings 21 CHAPTEE n. FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. Angel Message — Sorrow in Bethlehem — Herod — Called out of Egypt 26 CHAPTEE in. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. In the Temple — In the house — At the Jordan — The Dove — The Voice 32 CHAPTEE IV. THE TEMPTATION — POWER OVER SATAN. In the Desert — Satan Conquered — Angels Minister 40 CHAPTEE V. FOLLOWING THE LAMB. Philip Called — First Miracle — Cana — First Passover — Jerusa- lem — At the Well — Samaria — ^Eejected — Nazareth 45 CHAPTEE YI. POWER OVER DISEASE. Nobleman's Son — Capernaum — Centurion's Servant — ^In the Synagogue— First Circuit of Galilee 51 lo Contents. CHAPTER VII. POWER TO FORGIVE SIN. The Paralytic— Scribes at Capernaum Page 58 CHAPTER VIII. THE TWELVE CALLED. After the Second Passover. 66 CHAPTER IX. THE BEATITUDES. On the Mount , 72 CHAPTER X. TEAOHING TO PRAY. "Where, when, how, and to whom 77 CHAPTER XI. THE. TWO FOUNDATIONS. On the rock, safety — On the sand, ruin 82 CHAPTER XII. POWER OVER DEATH. Son of Widow, Nain — Daughter of Jairus, Capernaum — Laza- rus, Bethany 88 CHAPTER XIII. MARTYRDOM OF THE BAPTIST. Second Circuit of Galilee — John in Prison — Sends Disciples to Jesus 96 CHAPTER XIV. THE GRACIOUS CALL. As rendered in an old Bible 103 CHAPTER XV. PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Shore of Lake Tiberias 108 Contents. i i chaptek xyi. THE BEE AD OF LIEE — POWER OYER NATURE. Third Circuit of Galilee — Five Thousand Fed — Walking on the Sea — Peter — The third Passover, to which Jesus did not go Page 114 CHAPTER XVII. THE CROSS FORETOLD. The Great Question 121 CHAPTEPv XYIII. THE TRANSFIGURATION. While He prayed on the Mount , 126 CHAPTER XIX. THE MIND OF CHRIST. A Little Child — Capernaum — Feasts in Jerusalem — In Perea — Children— Rich Young Man 132 CHAPTER XX. JESUS THE CHRIST — THE MODEL TEACHER. Final Circuit of Galilee — Through Samaria — Ten Lepers — Luke's Writings — At a Pharisee's Table — His Parables — Great Supper — Prodigal Son — Rich Man and Lazarus — The Pounds — Anointed at Bethany 137 CHAPTER XXI. JESUS THE KING. Mount Olivet — On the Way to Jerusalem — In the Temple 144 CHAPTER XXII. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Days of Passion Week— Judas — The Upper Room 150 CHAPTER XXIII. JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. Under the Shade of Olives praying 155 12 Contents. chapter xxiv. JESUS BEFORE THE HIG H-P R I E S T. The Betrayal Pag^ 160 CHAPTER XXV. JESUS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR. Pilate's Judgment Hall — Herod — Claudia — Procula — Ba- rabbas 164 CHAPTER XXVI. JESUS ON THE cross'. Simon of Cyrene 171 CHAPTER XXVII. THERISENLORD. Joseph— Nicodemus— The Tomb Sealed — The Women — An- gels — The Lord is Risen 178 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE EVE R-P RESENT LORD. Mountain in Galilee 184 ■♦•» ^lluBixnixouB. The Strange Star and the Magi 2 Nazareth 80 Baptism of Jesus 36 Roof of Oriental House 60 The Reed and the Thorns 170 FROM BETHLEHEM TO CALVARY. INTRODUCTION. OINCE the angelic choir chanted over Beth- ^ lehem's plain there never has been a time when the knowledge of the Lord Jesus has been so wide-spread as now. Is it not matter of re- joicing to devout hearts that a course of univers- al Scripture study has been cordially adopted whereby, year after year, in many lands and many languages, the same life — its prophetic pictures in the Old Testament, and the fulfill- ment in the New — shall be the theme of study in home, school, and sanctuary ? Now, more than ever before, scholars will study and write of the words and deeds of Christ, our Lord ; wise Christians, ripe in their experience of faith, will bow their silver heads over the inspired page. 14 From Bethlehem to Calvary. They saw no man, save Jesus. and find new beauties there ; teachers will un- fold immortal truth from scenes of Gospel record ; and little ones, just beginning to lisp His name, will, for the first time, hear the won- derful story, and so, from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name shall " be praised.*' Is it not a forthcoming beam of the brightness of millen- nial glory .'^ But why another Life of Christ ? From the days of Chrysostom and the early Fathers there have been countless Lives of our Lord ; some mixed with traditions that time has laid by, like a threadbare garment ; some deep, scholarly, profound, in varied ages and languages. Nor has the literature of our own time lacked num- bers of such volumes ; some, alas ! fitted only to swell the tide of infidelity and doubt ; some, true in conception and correct in faith, as well as brilliant in descriptive scenes, glow with the writer's intellect rather than with the form and likeness of the " One altogether lovely ; " as though the artist seems to stand at the entrance Introduction, 1 5 He is altogether lovely. of his Studio, pointing to his subject and say- ing, " See how I have painted him ! " Others are reverential and devout, but so profoundly classical they do not vibrate on the popular heart and daily sphere of ordinary common- place lives. Is it inappropriate that an artless pen, busy in service for Christ's " little ones," should strive to trace the living lineaments of his presence on earth t The glorious sun shines alike on the magnifi- cent tree towering in emerald green high toward the clouds, and on the prairie blossom that can only hold one drop of dew ; yet the flower's heart as truly reflects his rays, and gleams as brightly in rainbow colors, as the dancing leaves on the tree-top ; the shading of a wild-wood violet as truly shows our Father's divine hand as the matchless exotic unfolding in regal palace gardens. In John's vision he saw not only the four and twenty elders who cast their crowns before the throne, but every creature in heaven, and earth, and sea joined in the ever-resounding anthem i6 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Out of thee shall . . . come forth ... the Euler. of praise — " Worthy is the Lamb/' Let us, then, reverently join the " great multitude which no man could number/V in careful study of the life of Jesus on earth. Where did that earthly life begin ? In a poor, lowly stable,* in the town of Bethlehem, a child AN ORIENTAL OARAVANSERA. * Generally thought to have been a building termed, in the East, a caravansera, erected for the accommodation of travel- ers, there being at that time and among that people no public inns, as we have. Some of these caravanseras had in the center small apartments with raised floors. The cattle of the travelers stood usually behind the cells ; the flooring of Introduction. 17 Sing, O heavens ; and be joyful, earth. lay in a manger. The scanty bed of straw, and the poor wrappings around Him, were more honored than any kingly cradle with curtains of lace and pillows of down. When the fair world was created in all its fresh beauty of sunlight and of sparkling blossom, and two pure, immor- tal human beings were placed therein, "the morning stars sang together," and above the high arches of heaven "all the Sons of God shouted for joy." But at this more wonderful birth, when He who shared the everlasting throne of the Father put on the robe of infant flesh, heaven itself came down to earth ; glory shone around, while " a multitude of the heaven- ly host" sang together over the grassy plains of Bethlehem. which, projecting beyond the cells proper, made a resting- place for their corn bags, where they were fed. This is what is here termed " a manger," and here, probably, Mary had made her couch. Some authors of great celebrity, however, are of opinion that Mary was at this time in a grotto or cave. This was an early tradition in the Church. Though the word *' stable " is often used to describe the place of our Lord's birth, it is not so used in the scriptural narrative. i8 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Glory to God in the highest I WHO HEARD THE MUSIC? Out in the open fields of Bethlehem, under the starlit sky, shepherds were watching their flocks, when, suddenly, a bright light shone upon them, and an angel appeared, telling them he brought *' tidings of great joy." It was news of a glo- rious gift to the world; "of a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord ; " and they were informed they should find him in ''Bethlehem, lying in a Introduction, 19 God reveals himself to humble faith. manger." Thus came the glorious announce- ment ; and while the unbelieving may scoff that it was revealed to humble shepherds, the soul which faith makes broad enough to take in the unity of all revelation, and see all inspired lines gather like a halo of glory around the Re- deemer, can recall the picture of the dead shep- herd, Abel — earliest type of the coming, dying Saviour ; the shepherd days of Jacob, Moses, David — and seeing the wondrous fitness of the tidings given the pastoral night-watchers, would fain join in songs of praise with the heavenly chorus. ^A;'HY WAS THE BABE IN A MANGER? The mother, Mary, was poor ; so was Joseph, her husband. All people had been ordered by the Roman emperor to go to the town where they belonged to be enrolled, that they might pay tribute. There was a great crowd in Beth- lehem, where Joseph's family belonged, and in consequence '' there was no room for them in the inn." 20 From Bethlehem to Calvary. If any man . . . open the door, I will come in. There are many hearts like that inn — crowded with busy thoughts, plans, desires, all for self ; no room for memories and hopes to cluster close around Him who was once the Babe of Beth- lehem. FIELDS NEAR BKTBLEHBM. The Child jFesus. '21 The Star of Jacob — the Scepter of Israel. CHAPTER I. THE CHILD JESUS. - There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. — Num. xxiv, 17. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. — Rev. xxii, 16. 'nr^HE humble shepherds who heard the ^ heavenly music were not the only ones that were interested in the birth of Jesus. In far-off countries in those days there were scholarly men who studied old writings on skins — solemn-looking, ancient parchment rolls — men skilled in astronomy, philosophy, astrology, and every known science, who gave counsel to kings, and no great question could be ansv/ered without their assistance. They pretended to understand signs and wonders, and to interpret dreams. Do you remember the great king who was once so furious because none of his wise men could tell the dream he had foro-otten 1 22 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Gentiles shall come to thy light. But now the wise men themselves came to ask an important question. They had learned, probably from the Scriptures, that there was to come one who would be the King of the Jews, according to prophecy. In the far East they had seen a new star in the sky, and they were sure it was a token of the birth of tlie expected Prince, who, it was believed, would bring earth- ly blessings to all people. It is thought there were but three of these wise men, and as they were men of rank, perhaps, it was with a retinue of servants they entered into the city of Jeru- salem, inquiring as they came : "Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? '' The busy people did not know how to answer ; perhaps they looked into the eager eyes and at the long, white beards of the travelers, coming- in their dusty sandals and their flowing robes, as though they would say, '' Why do you ask ? " The reply was ready : '* For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to wor- ship him." * * See Frontispiece. The Child yestis, 23 The priests' lips should keep knowledge. The news of their coming reached the palace, where the wicked king, Herod, lived. He was greatly troubled, lest he should lose his throne ; so were the princes who waited on him and lived in his smile, because his gold paid the price of their obeying his wicked orders. So Herod sent for the chief priests and scribes, probably the Sanhedrin, and ordered them to tell him where Christ should be born ; for he knew they had read all which the prophets had written. Just as the angels told the shepherds came the answer: "In Bethlehem of Judea." Then the unhappy king sent secretly for the wise men, and asked when they first saw the star ; for, perhaps, they had been for months on their journey, and he wanted to know exactly the age of the child. Then he sent them to Bethlehem. " Go," he said, "and search diligently for the young Child ; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." They started again — and how they rejoiced when they saw that the same " star, which they saw 24 From Bethlehem to Calvary. King's shall minister unto thee. in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was." By this time mother and Child had left the stable and the manger— for, " when they were come into the house^ they saw the young Child with Mary his mother." It was the custom in coming into the presence of a king to prostrate one's self, and frequently to present some offer- ing. So the wise men fell down and worshiped this holy infant, and then, opening their treas- ures, gave him gold, and sweet smelling and precious spices. These were rich and costly gifts — offerings — because they believed he was a king who should rule the earth. How much more homage should we give him now that we know that the child Jesus was also the King of heaven, who will reign with love and blessing in every heart which will give to him its love and service ? The wise men were sages, and yet more igno- rant than a Christian child. They did not know that they were fulfilling a prophecy uttered seven hundred years before, when an inspired The Child ycsus. 25 Angels . . . fhinistered unto Him. one, who loved to sing of the coming glory of the I.ord, wrote : " They shall bring gold and incense ; and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord." The same good Father in heaven who sent his only Son to sleep in the manger, who sent the angels to sing to the shepherds, who held the star in his hand and guided the wise men, sent angels to them as they slept, and warned them not to return to Herod. They had found the one they sought, had offered their gifts and their worship ; so they again put on their pil- grim robes and their sandals, and went into their own country by another way. 26 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Man proposes ; God disposes. CHAPTER II. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. — PsA. xxx, 7. O OON after the wise men had departed God ^^ sent, by night, an angel to Joseph with a special message. The message must be quickly obeyed, even before the morning. He who knows the purposes of every heart knew what King Herod intended to do, not- withstanding he had said to the wise men, in respect to the young Child, " That I may come and worship him also.'' Hence the message by the angel to Joseph, ^^ Arise, and take the young Child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word : for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy him." Quickly and silently, with little preparation, the parents started on their long journey, foi The Flight into Egypt. 27 Eachel weeping for her children. it was probably more than one hundred miles from Bethlehem to Egypt. No doubt the gifts of the wise men enabled the parents — who had little gold before — to purchase what was need- ful for their journey ; an instance, perchance, of His providential care. We know not exactly how they went ; per- haps, as was the custom of the country, Mary, with the child before her, rode upon an ass, while Joseph walked behind or beside it. But we are certain that, while each day the happy mother rejoiced in the safety of her child, either on the way or resting in Egypt, in the little houses and the narrow streets of Bethlehem there were sounds of weeping and bitter cries of sorrow. The angry king, when he found the wise men had disappointed him, became more furious than ever, and also more determined than before to kill the Child he sought. So to make sure of His destruction, Herod sent soldiers to every house in Bethlehem, and to all the homes in the bor- ders of the town, and ordered them to kill every 28 From Bethlehem to Calvary. No hope in his death. child they could find under two years old. No tears, no piteous pleading, could save them from his cruel wrath. What cared he, a wicked old man who had sinned for well-nigh seventy years, who had murdered his wife and two of his own sons, what cared he for mothers' tears, or the suffering of little children ? He was then a dreadful sufferer himself, hav- ing a fearful and loathsome disease of which he soon after died. Only five days before his death he ordered the execution of his eldest son. Such was the man from whose anger God saved the child Jesus. Herod had rebuilt the temple for the worship of God, spent much money on it, and restored much of its old splendor and beauty ; but when the Lord of the temple came, in the person of a little Child, he sought to take his life. He was hated of the people for his cruelty ; but with mocking pomp, while there was neither love nor grief at his death, five hundred slaves car- ried the spices to be used at his funeral. In the far-off land of Egypt, where the Jews The Flight into Egypt, 31 Out of Egypt have I called my Son. were once slaves, the Child Jesus dwelt in safety ; there beneath the palm-trees the little feet learned to walk about, and the lips to speak the sweet prattle of childhood. Again the angel of the Lord came to Joseph — again he said, " Arise, and take the young Child and his mother." This time it was to go into the land of Israel : '' for they are dead which sought the young Child's life." Ever ready to obey, Joseph returned with them ; yet he feared lest Herod's son might be as cruel as his father ; but God directed him to go and live in a city called Nazareth. There Joseph had lived be- fore, and probably his friends and relations lived there. In Nazareth he had worked at his trade as a carpenter, and after his journeying he again lived in his old home, and engaged in his daily work as before. 32 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The fairest among ten thousand. CHAPTER III. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. — Mark i, ii. TT T'E know little of the early life of Jesus ; ^ ^ only a few touches of the inspired pens which wrote of his childhood, but each touch is a wonderful picture. " The child grew " — Day by day, year by year, the fair face grew more thoughtful, the clear eyes had a deeper light, the rounded limbs became larger and stronger, the willing hands wrought industriously and helpfully, and the body went on in its growth toward a perfectness such as no human form ever before or since has reached, for it was the perfection of life and beauty. "Strong in spirit" — Brave, fearless of wrong or evil, strong in the right and the true. " Filled with wisdom " — None of the doubts we have as to what is right or best, no half- The Baptism of Jesus, 33 I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. hearted judgments, no mistakes ; unerring wis- dom, and that not the wise learning of earth's scholars, but heavenly wisdom : the grace, the loving favor, the tender, watchful care of God, his heavenly Father, ever rested upon him. One picture is given us of his boyhood. He was twelve years old, and went with his parents to the great feast in Jerusalem, one of a large company who traveled the seventy miles south from Nazareth to Jerusalem. He kept the feast with them, seeing the great temple, and enjoying the sacred festival as no other child could do. The days of the feast were over, the great company were returning, when, at the close of the first day's journey, they stopped to pitch their tents for the night ; then the parents dis- covered that Jesus was not in all the company. Grieving, wondering, that their angel-watched child was lost, vainly searching all the way, they went back mile after mile until they again came in sight of the shining domes of the great city — this time with heavy hearts, and weary. 34 From Bethlehem to Calvary. All that heard him were astonished at his understanding. They re-entered the city, and on the third day they found Him in the court of the great temple, sitting with the wise doctors and law- yers, listening to their learned talk and asking them questions. " Filled with wisdom " — He knew what to re- ply to Mary's sorrowful questioning, and went cheerfully back to the humble home with his parents. "Subject unto them" — An obedient, loving son, whose sayings his mother sacredly '' kept in her heart." Thirty years he spent with that mother- — years of contemplation, watching and working in the privacy of home : no haste to enter public life, no restive restraint at home government ; all those years went by unsung and unknown beyond the hunible family circle. Doubtless in after times, when words of wisdom fell from his Hps in beautiful precepts and pict- ures in parable, the image of the quiet mother rose before his mind, as photographed on his human heart were the scenes of mother-life and mother-work : sweeping the house, mixing the ,1 E r.^^^- 'j^yfr/f^j! The Baptism of yestcs. 37 Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. leaven, mending worn garments — those hum- ble, honest pictures, the tapestry of many boy- ish memories ; and has not his very mention of it sanctified the homely plain work of daily service ? The Jewish priests entered upon their con- secrated w^ork at thirty years of age. When Jesus was at that age he went to the river Jordan, where his cousin, John the Baptist, was preaching and baptizing, to be himself baptized. John was at first unwilling, for he felt himself unworthy to baptize one who had come to be the Saviour of the world ; but Jesus showed him that it was wisest and best — Jesus needed not to repent, for he had never sinned ; he did not need the emblem of cleansing, for he was ever pure — that he, as the great Exemplar, wished to do that which was needful for all others to do, and that this was a fitting way and time to enter upon his public work, so, in the water of the Jordan, John baptized him. It was the same river, near whose banks Lot chose for his home — '' the well-watered plain f through which the 38 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. children of Israel walked on dry ground by a miracle ; v/here Elijah and Elisha went over just before Elijah went up to heaven in a fiery chariot ; and where the great captain sent by the little maid was cleansed from his leprosy. Just as Jesus was baptized, while he was praying, the heavens opened above him, and, descending in the form of a dove, the Holy Spirit rested upon him. The dove has always been an emblem of gentleness and purity ; in- nocent, meek, and peaceful, it was a fitting pict- ure of the gentle influence of the Holy Spirit, and the pure and loving Saviour. A voice came also from the opened heavens, saying, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Surely, the watching people could not doubt that this was the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, well pleasing to his Father in heaven. What are the words spoken in every faith when one is baptized ? " In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Let the words recall this scene : the listening crowd on the river-bank ; the preacher who cried The Baptism of yesus, 39 Here the whole Deity is 8ho\vii. " Repent ye " to the multitudes who came to hear him ; the sinless Jesus — the light from heaven resting on him ; the dove above him ; the voice of love and praise speaking from heaven. Such a group was never on earth be- fore — the ''Three in One:" the Father who sent, the Son who came, the Spirit, whom Jesus has promised, " shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance." In the light of those opened heavens the an- gels, who sang at his birth, must have watched the holy baptism, and hushed their songs of triumph while the Father said, in hearing of the thrilled hearts of heaven and earth, "This is my beloved Son." 40 From Bethlehem to Calvarv. Alone with God. CHAPTER IV. THE TEMPTATION — POWER OVER SATAN. In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. — Heb. iv, 15. "XT O great mission has ever been effected ■^ ^ without careful, toilsome preparation ; usually in solitude, when the soul may be deep in contemplation and grow strong in purpose and in power. Forty years in the plains of Midian, oft in starlit nights alone with his flock and his thoughts, Moses prepared for his years of leadership ; forty days and nights on Mount Sinai he was alone with God. EUjah, alone on the stony hills of Gilead, and by the lonely brook, was prepared for the triumphant scene on Mount Carmel; then, in the strength of mir- f | aculously-given food, he went to Mount Horeb. I So Jesus, after thirty years of retirement, spent forty days and nights in the wilderness, sus- tained, as Moses and Elijah had been, by the The Temptation — Power Over Satan. 41 Satan, which deceiveth the whole world. power of an ever-watching, ever-present God. Those were desolate days and nights when Jesus was in the desert, alone, except the com- panionship of the " wild beasts," which came about him from their hiding-places in the rocks ; but God watched over him there. Long before this time a good man, cast into a den of wild beasts, said, *' My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths." But there is one who yet goes about '* as a roar- ing lion, seeking whom he may devour," that went to Jesus in the lonely desert to tempt him. Were you ever tempted, tried ? That same evil one who went to the desert first began his work as a "tempter in a lovely garden, amid shadowing foliage, fragrant odors from thorn- less roses, sweet songs of birds, and innocent gambols of harmless animals, caressed by hands unstained with evil deeds. He remembered how he conquered then ; aye, and he well re- membered his own punishment. Now he came to tempt the sinless One. He conquered once in a place of beauty, of 42 From Bethlehem to Calvary. In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. happiness, where every want was supplied : he now came to Jesus in a time of loneliness, of danger, of hunger, of weariness. Satan tried three times to tempt Jesus to sin. First, he said, " If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread," as if he ^ would either doubt that Jesus was the Son of God, or imply that, if so, he could change the stones lying about into food. But Jesus had an answer in the words of Scripture. He re- minded him that God could preserve life by his own power if he chose, even without the usual daily bread. Thus he had fed the wanderers in the wilderness for forty years. Then Satan took him to so high a point on the temple wall that a mere man might have fallen from the dizzy height to the deep valley below — for the temple was built on Mount Moriah, where, long before, Abraham took his only son to offer as a sacrifice. Satan wished Jesus to cast himself down, in order to test, before the eyes of the people of the city, whether God would save his only Son from danger, and keep The Temptation — Power Over Satan. 43 The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. his own promise : '* He shall give his angels charge concerning thee." But Jesus silenced him with a plain command : '' Thou shalt not tempt the Lord ihy God." The third time Satan took him to a high mountain, from which they could see many countries — ^just as Moses went up on Mount Nebo, and God showed him all the promised land spread out like a picture before him. Per- haps it was the same mountain where God had been with Moses that Satan was with the Son of God. Bold in his last trial, he said: "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Jesus ordered him from his presence, silenc- ing him as he did so with the command : " Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." The conqueror in the garden was conquered in the desert. If we meet temptation, as Jesus did, with " the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," we shall always conquer. Then angels " came and ministered unto 44 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Thou slialt guide me with thy counsel. him/' The whole incident furnishes a precious testimony that our Saviour was tempted as we are, yet without sin. We may be comforted by the hope that those who will study and believe the word of God shall be guided, as was He, by the Spirit, even though not waited on by angels. Following the Lamb. 45 Is not this the Christ ? CHAPTER V. FOLLOWING THE LAMB. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. — Matt, xvi, 24. A FTER the days in the wilderness Jesus '^■^ left Nazareth, so long his home, and dwelt in Capernaum, on the shore of the Sea of Gal- ilee, a beautiful inland sea or lake, through which the Jordan flowed. One day, as he walked on the shore of the lake, he saw two young men who had been fol- lowers of John the Baptist. When John saw him he said, " Behold the Lamb of God," and they at once believed that he was the Christ. One of them named Andrew went to his brother Peter, and said joyfully, " We have found the Christ." Welcomed by his gracious words, they went with Jesus and spent the rest of the day with him, the first of many hours when they listened to his teaching. 46 From Bethlehem to Calvary. And he brought him to Jesus. The next day Jesus wished to go back into Galilee, and saw Philip, who belonged in the same town with Andrew and Peter. He had the honor of being the first disciple called, for to him Jesus said, as he afterward did to others, " Follow me " — the first to whom a direct call and command were given. Philip at once went to his friend Nathanael, who at that hour Philip knew was engaged in devotion in his favorite place of retirement, and told him the same glad news, " We have found the Christ," and bade him " Come and see." Peter, and Andrew, and perhaps John, seem not yet to have entirely left their employment as fishermen to be with the new Master ; but Philip and Nathanael) and perhaps others, went with Jesus to Cana of Galilee, where his mother, with a large company, witnessed " the beginning of miracles." Jesus loves to bless our joys as well as our sorrows, for to gladden the hour at a wedding feast he first used his power to work miracles. Then he went to Capernaum, but stayed only Following the Lamb. 47 The common pe^^ple heard him gladly. a few days before he went to keep his first pass- over, as it was time for the great feast at Jeru- salem. There in the temple courts he found men buying, selling, and changing money, in all the din and tumult of a market-place ; he drove them out with a scourge or whip made of small cords, poured out the money, and threw over the tables. This, of course, excited the anger of the priests ; but when the people saw his miracles many believed in him. After several months spent in the country of Judea Jesus set out to return to Galilee ; as he journeyed he passed through the country called Samaria, near to the place where Joseph was buried in the lot of ground which Jacob bought for "a hundred pieces of money." There, by the side of Jacob's well, tired, hungry, thirsty, the Sav- iour rested while he talked with the woman of Samaria, and she, believing on him, brought others to listen, and became herself the first female missionary of Christ. After that Jesus went to his old home, Naza- reth, whither the fame of his miracles had pre- 48 From Bethlehem to Calvary. He opened his mouth, and taught. ceded him, and doubtless the people expected to see some wondrous works. On the Sabbath he went into the synagogue, perhaps the same where he had often listened and worshiped, and there he at this time read and explained the Old Testament Scriptures. The people listened in astonishment as " the carpenter's son" claimed to be the promised One come to preach good tidings. As he added warn- ing to precept they were angry, and, rushing out of the synagogue, with him in the crowd, they pressed on to the edge of a precipice, on the borders of the town, where they would have cast him headlong, but he passed unharmed through the midst of all by the exercise of Divine power, and went on to Capernaum. Thus by his daily works and words — in con- versation by the way-side, or at night as he taught the timid, inquiring Nicodemus; in the synagogues or the temple worship, by deeds of mercy and works of wonder— during that first year, " Jesus began to preach and to say. Re- pent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Following the Lamb. 49 ■Washing their nets. Capernaum was a beautiful town on the bor- der of the Sea of Galilee ; reaching out from the town were luxuriant fields on the hill sides and in the fruitful valleys. This place was called '' His own city," for here he spent the greater part of his ministry, and here performed many miracles. It was here that Jesus walked by the sea one morning, and the people gathered close about him " to hear the word of God." On the beach he saw two boats drawn up, the fishermen sit- ting close by, washing their nets. His mind and eye took in all the scene : the hearts of the anx- ious people ; the tired fishermen, who, having toiled all night, weary and disappointed, were washing their nets before going home to rest. He stepped into one of the boats and asked the owner to push ofi' a little from the land. There he sat and taught, while the people on the shore listened. When he was done speaking he bade Peter drop the net into the sea. Obeying, the net was so filled with fish that it was breaking, and he called to the partners in the other boat 50 From Bethlehem to Calvary. And they arose and followed Ilim. to assist, for the boat was sinking with the weight of the gathered fish. These four fisher- men were Simon Peter, and Andrew, who had before been with Jesus, and James and John, sons of Zebedee. Jesus said first to those in the boat with him, " Follow me, I will make you fishers of men." They left their nets and went with him. A little farther on were the other brothers, whom he also called. So they, too, gave up all — the boats, the nets, their business — to follow the Christ, to share his work, to hear his words, and, by preaching his Gospel, to gather the souls of men to the kingdom, even as the fish were gathered in the nets. The words did not die away in the morning air of Galilee : they are still sounding to all who will listen to the blessed Master, as he ever says, — "Follow Me." Powei' Over Disease. 51 The Lord . . . who healeth all thy diseases. CHAPTER VI. POWER OVER DISEASE. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him th:it they might touch if it were but the border of his garment : and as many as touched him were made whole. — Mark vi, 56. T TERY soon after entering upon his public ^ ministry, Jesus became known as the Great Physician. We have abundant testimony that his miracles of healing were very numer- ous, and the great mass of them, it may be, are unrecorded. We know that his all-seeing and sympathetic eye never overlooked a case of suffering or want, and his tender heart and mighty hand never left unrelieved and un- blessed any suppliant. At his first passover, after the commencement of his ministry, John tells us many believed when they saw the miracles which Jesus did. Nicodemus, the timid ruler, was convi7iced by his miracles that God was with him, and, in the 52 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Believe Me for the very works^ sake. secrecy of night and amid the darkness of his own doubts and fears, came to him, to receive in his own shadowed soul " the light " which had **come into the world." The same "beloved disciple" who records the wonderful conversa- tion with Nicodemus, at the close of his Gos- pel, in an oriental and significant mode of ex- pression, says, that if every one of Jesus' deeds had been recorded, '* even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." John, more than any other writer of the Gos- pels, gives us a deep insight into the spiritual meaning of the miracles of healing ; while all the evangelists give some graphic pictures of the wondrous relief of every phase of human suffering. Prominent among these is John's account of a cure which Jesus did when he returned to Cana of Galilee after his first passover at Jerusalem. The Galileans had witnessed his miracles there, and the story preceded Christ's coming, and had reached Capernaum, even to the palace of a no- bleman, whose son was sick. Sadness and still- Power Over Disease. 53 Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst. ness had settled down upon that palace, for hope had departed from the bedside where the son lay nigh to death. Those who have watched the blush of burning fever on a loved cheek, who have almost breathlessly tried to count the leaping pulse of a loved and prostrate hand, know the agony of that smitten father, the tear- ful silence of the unwearying mother. But the news reached the stricken household — Jesus the great healer is near, in Cana. Then came the resolution, which even quickened into ac- tion — " I will go ! " How the ruler hastened to Cana, wishing to fly over the dozen miles that separated Cana from Capernaum, while every moment took him farther from the sufferer, whose fever drank his life-blood, and might at any moment exhaust its fountain ; yet every step brought him nearei the One in whose hand seem.ed the fate of the dear child. Breathless and anxious he waited no introduction, and no ceremony. He be- sought him — **Come and heal." The Master spoke of believing ; no time for 54 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Believe that ye receive, and ye shall have. argument ; belief was in his pleading eye, in his earnest tone — " Come, ere my child die.'' How quick the answer : " Go thy way, thy son liveth." No prescription to be used, no directions to be asked — not even waiting to think, the father's heart was poured out in the sudden, joyful returning step hastening back to the restored life which he knew awaited his re- turn. There the happy mother had been start- led at the abrupt departure of fever, pain, pros- tration, and, overwhelmed with gladness, had started the servants to find the father and report the wondrous case. The whole house believed — father, mother, child, servants — and that palace became one of the houses in which was en- shrined faith, love, and service for the Master, for it is believed that this ruler was Chuza, Herod's steward, whose wife, Joanna, with others, *' ministered unto him of their sub- stance." Some have confounded this miracle with another at the same place, but which occurred aiter Jesus came down after preaching his '' Ser- Power Over Disease. 55 He cast out devils. mon on the Mount ; " when he said of the be- lieving Roman soldier, " I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Both were believing suppliants for another : one, a ruler, the other, a centurion, or commander of a band of soldiers, usually a hundred ; one, a father, the other, a master ; the sufferer in one case a beloved son, in the other a valued slave ; one, sick of fever, the other of palsy. The ruler begged him to come; the soldier said, '' Speak the word :" both were bidden, '' Go thy way ;" both believed, both found that "in the selfsame hour" their prayer received a gracious answer. Many miracles were performed on the Sab- bath, which provoked the anger of the scribes and Pharisees, so zealous were they for the letter of the Mosaic law, and so reckless of the spirit of love and' mercy. The graphic Mark gives us a picture of a Sabbath day when Jesus preached in a synagogue in Capernaum for the first time, when the silent listening of the wondering people was startled by the cry of a demoniac calling liim '' the holy one of God." Rebuked, 56 From Bethlehem to Calvary. I work the works of Him that sent me. the evil spirit departed from the man, and the people, astonished at his power, went about to proclaim his fame. The ever-busy, merciful Saviour, the same day, in the house of Simon, while Andrew, James, and John were with him, cured Simon's mother-in- law of fever, and she arose and ministered to his hungry and weary body, and to the wants of his disciples. Even when the sunshine and the Sabbath had passed he ceased not from works of blessedness, for as the evening shadows gathered, so did a multitude, sick with many diseases of mind and body, and he healed all their sicknesses and took away all their in- firmities. So the prophetic vision was ' fulfilled : for on ^hat calm Sabbath in Capernaum no inhabitant needed to say " I am sick," for every one could go to the lowly door of Peter's house, where stood One who could relieve. The next morning, even at the day-dawn, in a solitary place in prayer, Simon and others found the Master praying, before he started Power Over Disease, 57 He went about doing good. upon his first general circuit through the towns of GaUlee ; spending, it is generally believed, three or four months, going about, preaching, teaching, working miracles, always followed by multitudes. 58 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Seeing, they do not see, and hearing they do not hear. CHAPTER VII. POWER TO FORGIVE SINS. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. — Rom. iv, 7. JESUS had by this time cured many sick, and worked many miracles : they were all types of redemptive power to cure sin, the dis- ease of the soul ; but the eyes which saw the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dumb speak were themselves too blind and deaf to under- stand more than the merciful relief to the suf- ferers. One morning in the early spring, for it was just before the second passover of our Lord's public ministry, Jesus crossed the lake of Tiberias and came back to Capernaum, " his own city." Mark tells us, when it was known that Jesus was in the house, so many were gathered to- gether there was no room to receive them, even about the door. Luke tells us that among the Roof of Oriental House. Power to Forgive Sins. 6 1 All the city was gathered together. crowd were " Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of GaUlee, and Judea, and Jerusalem." Jesus probably sat in the inner and lower gallery built around the square court yard within the house, for to this day in eastern countries the houses are built in a sort of hollow square, and an inclosed yard within ; the houses having porches or galleries around this yard, and above a flat roof, with an outer stair-way leading to it. Possibly, this was Peter s house — we know he had a house in Capernaum, for there Jesus had cured " Peter's wife's mother, who had been sick of a fever ;" and the same evening so many sick were brought for him to heal, that Mark says, " all the city was gathered together at the door." It was in a house Jesus preached while the crowd listened. Suddenly there was a strange interruption while he spoke — a commotion above the crowd ; something was removed over- head, either an awning taken away from the roof, or some of the tiles which projected over the 62 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Thy sins be forgiven tliee. gallery. Then was seen coming slowly down a bed, suspended by ropes or strong cords. Down it came into the very midst of the crowd, right before Jesus. On it was a man lying, helpless, trembling, sick with palsy. Four friends had brought him to be cured ; when they found the crowd, and it seemed in vain to attempt to bring him in, they would not be discouraged or turned away ; they were resolved to gain access to the Saviour. Going up some stair-way to the roof of that or of some adjoining building, they walked on with their burden until they reached the de- sired spot, and then lowered their friend, on his couch, right before Jesus. He " seeing their faith " — one glance, and he read it all ; no questioning as to the disease, the symptoms, no weary work to be done, no direc- tions to be obeyed — spoke only the loving, ten- der word, " Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven thee." " Son " — what fatherly pity, what knowledge of his sadness, weakness, sorrow for him, all his Pozver to Forgive Sins, 63 Who can forgive sins but God ? past history as plain to the Master's eye as his present need. What joy to the poor man ! He could not Hft his head or hand, and just so helpless was his soul to be rid of the sin that rendered him powerless to live aright. What life in the words, '' Son," " Forgiven.'' What joy to the four friends ! — an instanta- neous answer, even before they asked in words ; they only appeared before him, and more than they hoped for was granted, even the accept- ance and forgiveness of the passive sufferer they brought. But another group sat around — the scribes, who seemingly thought, " Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies } who can forgive sins but God only ? " The same power which knew the heart of the poor paralytic, and the desires of his friends, knew their thoughts. How quickly He revealed his omniscience, as he asked, " Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts t " Yet Jesus' arguments were not by words only, but deeds. He gave 64 From Bethlehem to Calvary. A miracle thrice blessed. proof of omnipotence not alone by claiming it, but while in his humility he called himself the ** Son of man," as he did more than sixty times, he commanded the palsied man, *' Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." The astonished people made way for the cured man to carry his bed, in glowing health and strength to go and gladden his home. As he went he gave thanks to God ; and others, convinced of Jesus' divine power by the mira- cle, joined in praise and glory to God. This was a threefold miracle — threefold in its results. As Jesys was on earth the repre- sentation of the Holy Trinity, he showed in the miracle the power of the Father, the love of the Son, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. His divine power was shown in rebuking disease, in forgiving sin, and in reading all hearts. The effects were threefold : a reward to the faith of those who brought him, the man re- ceived forgiveness and power to obey, and was made an example to lead others to trust and glorify God, Power to Forgive Sins. 65 Call of Matthew. The scribes were silenced for the time, but not convinced of sin, for they continued in secret to nourish their hatred and scorn. The same day Jesus passed the booth where, by the side of the lake, Matthew, or Levi the publican, sat to receive the payment of toll or tax from travelers. The words were quickly spoken, " Follow me " — quickly obeyed, for he left all and hastened to honor his new Master by a feast at his house, as we are told by Mark and Luke, while the modest but exact Matthew speaks of the feast, but not of himself as host. 66 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Appointment of the Apostles. CHAPTER VIII. THE TWELVE CALLED. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these ; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother ; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother ; Philip, and Bar- tholomew ; Thomas, and Matthew the publican ; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus ; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot. — Matt, x, 2-4. '^ I ^HE time now seemed ripe for Jesus to -^ arrange for the continuance of the gospel ministry when he himself should have suffered and died, for already the hatred of scribes and Pharisees had been openly expressed, and with- in a few days the Herodians, " filled with mad- ness," had commenced their plans for his de- struction. In the spring of the year, soon after the second passover during his ministry, he was about to select a company of men whose work and influence should remain after all the thrones and kings of earth should crumble to dust. He Tlie Twelve Called. 67 The twelve Jews sent forth. did not enter upon it thoughtlessly or hur- riedly. Luke tells us, " He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples ; and of them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles.'' The word means "one sent," a messenger. The number, doubtless, has reference to the twelve tribes of Israel ; a number not too small to per- form the desired work, nor too large to be easily summoned and kept together. He who could search the heart and see the future, in unerring wisdomx selected them ; and he who was himself called the apostle of God, put upon these plain, unpretending men the honor of being known forever as the apostles of Christ. They were to be constantly with him, to witness his miracles, to obey his instruc- tions, to preach his word, to witness his death, and to bear testimony to his resurrection. Some of them had before been called to fol- low him, and he had promised to make them "fishers of men ; " others we now hear of for the 68 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Fishers of men. first time. Of some of these disciples we know but little, except their names, and even mystery seems to enshroud the names of a few. They are mentioned in different order by the differ- ent evangelists. " Now the names of the twelve apostles are these " — all significant : — SimoHy who is called Peter, and Cephas. Simon means " hearer ; " Peter, in Greek, or Cephas, in Syriac, means *' stone," " rock." It is believed that Peter suffered martyrdom at Rome, being crucified with his head downward, as he esteemed himself unworthy of the honor of dying in the same way as his Lord, whom he had denied. Andrew y meaning " a strong man," was a fish- erman of Bethsaida, brother of Peter. Tradition says, that after he had traveled and preached for many years in many countries he was im- prisoned, scourged, and then crucified upon a cross of this shape, Xj ever after called Saint Andrew's cross. yames and yohn, sons of Zebedee ; called The Twelve Called, 69 Sons of thunder. by Jesus Boanerges — ''sons of thunder" — from their earnest zeal in his cause. y^ameSy the first martyr among the disciples, was slain by the sword of Herod. yohn lived to extreme old age, and perhaps was the only one of the twelve who died a nat- ural death. Philip, honored as having been the first to whom Jesus said, "Follow. me." It is believed that he preached in India and Armenia, and that he was there first tortured, and then cruci- fied with his head downward. Bartholomew is usually mentioned in con- nection with Philip. John never ranks Bar- tholomew as among the apostles, but where the other gospel historians speak of Bartholomew, he writes Nathanael, while they never mention the latter by that name ; hence the Nathanael of John is supposed to be the Bartholomew of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew, called also Lezn, was a publican or tax-gatherer. He is thought to have suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia. 70 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The Lord's brethren. Thomas^ called also Didymus — slow to be- lieve but faithful in work — preached in Syria, and it is said in India, where he is supposed to have died pierced with a lance. Simon Zelotes was, probably, before he became a disciple, a Pharisee of the sect called Zealots. He is rumored to have traveled and preached even as far as Britain, where it is said he suf- fered martyrdom. James the Less was sometimes termed the Lord's brother. Much controversy has arisen whether, if he were a relative, he was brother or cousin of Jesus. He was called the Just be- cause of his blameless life. He is thought to have lived to be ninety-six years old, and was stoned to death. Of Thaddeus — meaning "praise" — also called LebbeuSy (the " heart,") and Judey little is known, except that he was brother of James. He is thought to have labored many years, and to have suffered a cruel death in Persia. Judas Iscariot, the traitor, always completes the lists of the chosen twelve. The Twelve Called. 71 I have . . . ordained you. Many believe the Sermon on the Mount to have been the ordination sermon to his band. Jesus directed them how to live and labor, to work miracles in his name, and to pronounce blessings on those who should be worthy of the peace of God ; and uttered warnings against those who should neither hear nor receive the blessed message of the Gospel. 72 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Words of blessing. CHAPTER IX. THE BEATITUDES. Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. — Matt, v, 3. '' I ^HESE words of blessing are from the -*- opening of the only entire sermon of Jesus which is left on record. For it we are indebted to Matthew, he whose pen was accustomed to keep exact lists of names and figures in his office as tax gatherer when he sat at the receipt of custom. Scholars have studied and written much as to the exact time when, and place where, this sermon was delivered. Luke has also given many verses closely corresponding to those of this sermon on the mount, and students have labored to determine whether it was one and the same discourse, or parts of two which were so similar in their language and teaching. Leav- The Beatittides, 73 He opened his mouth. ing all discussion to learned writers as to wheth- er it was delivered to a listening multitude, or whether, seeing the multitudes who frequented his preaching, Jesus went up from them and then '^ called unto him whom he would," as Mark says, we rejoice that the beatific words are preserved for us, and that upon some sacred mountain " he opened his mouth." The world had been taught by law and prophets, by visi- ble signsof majesty and power — cloud, thunder, lightning ; by terrific warnings and fearful judg- ments ; but in thai calm hour from his mild, loving lips came words of blessing. Earth never had such a pulpit as the grassy slope of that mountain ; never man spake as this man, while the disciples whom he had chosen clustered about him. Not for them alone were the blessed words given. They have cheered and comforted thousands and tens of thousands upon earth, and now that the mount- ain pulpit has been changed for the throne, as they are remembered among the disciples above, whom no man can number, they take up 74 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Joy for the sorrowful. the song they began to learn here, and sing, " Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Let us learn and understand the precious words. " Blessed " — happy, favored — to be blessed of God is to dwell in his love, to be filled with his peace, to live in his smile. Can this be while on earth ? Thank him, that he sent his own Son to show us how to live and to love, that through that Son we might win his favor ; that Jesus's life and words show us the way. The opening verses of this sermon are a per- fect picture of the blessednesj of that life and soul which is full of Christ. " Blessed are the poor in spirit :" the lowly, the humble, the self-forgetting : like Him who was meek and lowly in heart : " for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." " Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted." If when sorrow is sent they bow to the will of Him who sends afflic- The Beatitudes, 75 The meek, the merciful, the pure. tion, He will send comfort. But more, the Saviour preached, "Repent ye" — true repent- ance is sorrow for sin, such sorrow he loves to turn to joy. "Blessed are the meek:" the gentle, the for- giving — " shall inherit the earth" — shall enjoy more of earth than those of impatient spirit, and shall be with Christ, heirs of all things eternal. " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness :" they who long to know of Jesus, who desire to know him as a worn traveler in a desert land longs for food and fresh sparkling water — "they shall be filled." "Blessed are the merciful," the kind, the loving, who feel pity for the wants of others, and let each day bear some ministry of deeds to shed happiness or comfort on the path of others: such "shall obtain mercy" from Him who sees whenever a cup of cold water is given in his name. " Blessed are the pure in heart :" who ch^^*- ^6 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Peacemakers and persecuted ones. ish no evil thought, no impure desire, no wicked purpose; whose prayer is, "Create in me a clean heart '' — " they shall see God." " Blessed are the peacemakers :'* like him who is the Prince of Peace, ever whose infant slumbers the angels sang, " Peace on earth, good-will to men ;" he shall be their *' elder brother," "for they shall be called the children of God." " Blessed are they which are persecuted," reviled, falsely accused for the sake of true re- ligion. The young men in the fiery furnace were cruelly persecuted ; so was Daniel in the den of lions ; yet they rejoiced while One like the Son of God gave " the kingdom of heaven " even in the flame and with the lions. Will you be thus blessed "i Then ask daily for favor and help from Him who can give all the graces of his Spirit, and who will in love come and establish his own kingdom within your heart. Teaching to Pray, 77 After this manner pray ye. CHAPTER X. TEACHING TO PRAY. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. — John xiv, 13. JESUS taught us how to pray. He not only left the joyful heaven, where he had always dwelt, to come here and labor and suffer, that we might have access to the Father, but he showed us how we might pray, and then went back to the Father, and there, beside him on the throne when he hears his children praying here he in- tercedes for them. Strange, that we need to be taught kow to pray. Does a little child need to be taught how to run to its mother, and put out its arms and say, " I love you ; " or, when in trouble, to rest its tired head on her breast sure of rest and com- fort ; or to tell its little wants and ask for what it needs } True prayer and praise are the natural out- 78 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Enter into thy closet. pouring of the heart to the heavenly Father, just as the bird on the tree top lifts its head and pours out its flood of song ; just as the rose breathes out perfume from its depths of blossom. Thus it was in that first Paradise^ before Adam and Eve hid themselves when they heard the voice of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day. From that sad hour came the need of instruction and of warning. Where should we pray 1 Not, as some did in Judea, on the street corners and in the market- places, " to be seen of men." Those thus re- proved certainly made it convenient, even though they well knew the regular hour for devotion, to be at that time in some public place, and to make, perhaps, such an address to the Lord as the Pharisee did when he told some boastful things of himself, and was thankful he was not as the publican, but did not ask God for a single thing. " Enter in — shut the door." So the old prophet did when he stretched himself over the Teaching to Pray. 79 Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do. dead boy on the bed in the little chamber on the wall, and the Father which seeth in secret rewarded him as health came back and the flowing life-blood went through the boy's veins. So secret prayer shall bring back life and joy to the heart dead in sin, but made alive in Christ. How not to pray. They who worshiped Baal called on his name from morning until noon. The Chinese have prayers written on pieces of paper and put in a machine, like a windmill, that can be in unceasing motion for days. In one of the Japanese islands they have prayers on slips of paper which they eat, sometimes swal- lov/ing them, sometimes making them into little w^ads or balls, which they throw at their idols. Are these from the ignorant heathen more meaningless than some heartlessly-spoken words from lips in Christian lands } How to pray. Jesus gave us a model prayer, not that we are always to pray in those words, and no other. He himself prayed in other lan- guage, but this model contains in few words 8o From Bethlehem to Calvary. Pray to thy Father. every feeling which we could want to express in prayer. Whom to pray to, " Our Father." More than fifty times, as is recorded by the evangelists, Jesus addressed or spoke of God as his Father. In this prayer not only *' My Father," but his and ours ; herein is the Fatherhood of God over all his children and the brotherhood of Christ. This prayer asks for his holy kingdom to come ; his will to decide over all, every step, act, thought, purpose ; asks for supplies for daily Teaching to Pray, 8i Let all the people say, Amen. wants, forgiveness of sin, charity to others, to be kept from temptation and from evil. Could we need more than that prayer asks for ? We ask acknowledging his boundless love, and his ability to grant it all : " For thine is the king- dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." " Children, what does ' amen ' mean t " asked an infant-class teacher one Sunday. A little black-eyed girl raised her dimpled hand to answer. " I know — it's saying dood- bye to Dod." Was that little one very much mistaken in thinking so of some who speak the word } Are there not some to whom the word "amen" is in reality a farewell, dismissing every sacred thought or reference to God until another stated hour of public service ? 82 From Bethlehem to Calvary After the similitude of a palace. CHAPTER XL THE TWO FOUNDATIONS. Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation. — ISA. xxviii, i6. /^^N the side of a high hill overlooking a ^^ grand city, stands a royal palace. Within it some of the rooms are tapestried with pict- ures made and hung by order of a king. As you look at them you discover fair forms, life-like figures, and wonders of scenery, all seeming to be perfect productions from the pencil of genius ; yet these wall-hangings are all woven work of finest silk, and soft blending colors of wool. The tapestries are treasures of art, marvels of ingenuity, making us wonder at the mind which long ago conceived and the skill which perfected them. There is a far different work presented to the world by a royal preacher from the side of a mountain. Woven through it are the most perfect wisdom and glowing love in The Two Fotmdattons, 83 Apples of gold . . . pictures of silver. unfading imagery. As we examine, we find it begins with blessings, rich promises that reach even within the gates of heaven, for those who shall see God — like an opening bud that you may watch unfold into flower and fruit ; it has the breathings of holy desire, formed into prayer, whose fervency ripens into daily trust and faith ; sweet pictures of charity are revealed, of love even to enemies ; it is illumined by the light of real Christian life and example, shaded with glimpses of earthly parental love, melting into lines of a great heavenly Father s watching care. Birds of the air and lilies of the field appear on its surface ; sparkling in the midst gleams the golden rule ; inwrought are views of the strait gate, the narrow way, and you may gaze on the crowded broad road and its way to destruction. It reveals prophetic views of the coming day when all shall appear to be judged, and some shall hear the awful word — Depart. Was ever human picture to compare with this } Full of instruction, entreaty, it closes 84 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Never man spake like this Man. with earnest warning and two forcible pictures. What other preacher ever used such illustra- tions as the one who uttered this model sermon ? From his matchless mind and soul come no lofty flights of what the world calls eloquence ; plain, simple allusions to common, unpretend- ing things, that can be appreciated by every child ; suggested by time and circumstance, the vine on the hill-side, the fig-tree in sight, the thorn and thistle in the field. " Whosoever heareth these sayings," not mere- ly the listeners in Judea, but every one who reads or hears the teaching of the Master; every one he likens to one of these two pictures. In which picture will you look for your own like- ness 1 There were two men ; each built a house. Perhaps one building was quite as handsome as the other ; each, perhaps, in a garden spot, orna- mented in the best style ; an inviting home, a sweet retreat from busy care and the turmoil of business life, shaded from the noontide sun ; having porches and roof-tops, with seats for rest The Two Fotmdations, 85 It was founded on a rock. in the starlit, rainless season of that land. But the time of storms came ; winds raged around thedwellings, the mountain streams were swol- len, rushing down the valleys like angry rivers ; rain pouring in torrents. One house stood firm, a safe refuge from the storm ; the other rocked in the wind, torrents swept against it — it fell — wreck and ruin was the fate of its builder and those who dwelt with him. Why the difference 1 Not in the house, but, as they began to build, the wise build- er dug deep, and the foundation stone was firmly founded upon a rock ; no storm could hurt his house unless it could rend the immov- able rock ; the other built upon the sand, think- ing not of future tempest. Thus will it be with all who build their hopes for eternal life on any other foundation than the Rock, Jesus Christ — " a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner- stone, a sure foundation." A rock from the throne of God, let down, laid in Zion, by a Fa- ther s hand, that all who will may build thereon and be safe. 86 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Sudden destruction, . . . without remedy. Was the illustration only suitable for Pales- tine ? Only a few months since, in a western city, a family sat around their table. A young, smiling mother, the happy children, each in his place, the father sitting there, a sweet Saturday evening home scene. Suddenly there was a crash ! the snapping of timbers, breaking of beams, the fearful sound of falling walls. Hours after, the crushed and mangled forms of the dead were dug out of the ruins — those innocent ones suffered because the builders built upon the sand, and when close by, excavations were made, to build again, destruction came to that happy family. Remember your own fate and the fate of others — for eternity rests upon how you build. How can you build in safety } Paul has an- swered : " For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if any man build upon the foundation in gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble ; every man's work shall be made manifest : for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire ; The Two Foundaiions, 87 Take heed how ye hear. and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." — I Cor. iii, 11-13. Hear the warning — do the will of Him who would save you from an eternal tempest of despair. From Bethlehem to Calvary. In Him was life. CHAPTER XII. POWER OVER DEATH. The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live. — ^JOHN v, 25. 'T^HE day after the cure of the centurion's -*- son, Jesus and his disciples, with many others who had joined the company, went to the Httle city in GaHlee, called Nain, or " the lovely," a pleasant town whose ruins are now only tombs and rocky sepulchers, an hour's ride from the foot of Mount Tabor. As the company came toward the city walls, on the borders of the plain of Esdraelon, thc}^ saw coming from the gate a funeral procession fol- lowing the bier, on which lay the dead only son of a widow. The voices of wailing did not keep the Saviour's ear from hearing the low moan from that widowed, bereft heart. The two com- panies came nearer, one bearing the body of death, the other following the Lord of life. Power Over Death. 89 The dead hear His voice. Jesus first spoke to the mother : " Weep not." She had no time to wonder at such words, for his hand was laid upon the bier. All stopped, and the word of power was spoken to the silent, stiff form, " Young man, arise ! " No midnight cavern suddenly illumed with a flood of sunlight ever revealed such an utter change as was wrought by that one sentence, mighty in its divine power : " Arise ! " Death was changed to Hfe ; the weeping 6 90 From Bethlehem to Calvary. They that hear, live. widow became the joyful mother ; the common gateway a holy place ; the funeral procession, a train of witnesses for Christ. So by the gate of Nain, Jesus first showed the vital truth that souls dead in sin shall be made alive in Christ ; that the renewed heart shall be a living temple for Christ, that repentant sinners may be wit- nesses for him. The story of the widow's son restored to life is given us by Luke only ; the second miracle of raising the dead is given by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The raising of Lazarus, with all its tender marks of love and grief, is described by the devoted John. In all our pictures of the matchless life, inspired pens have enshrined their human memories of the passing days of him whose acts were like our own, only without sin ; and Jesus is revealed to us, not as some chiseled sculpture, miraculously breathing the breath of life, and uttering, like some artistic oration, sentences of exalted poetry and beau- ty, but, as walking, resting, eating, drinking, engaged in the common acts of life. Power Over Death. 91 A father's prayer. So one day, while near the sea-side, having just returned from the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, and while he was yet " nigh unto the sea," (Mark v, 21,) a ruler came and fell at his feet, begging him to come and see his only daughter lying so hopelessly ill, that he repre- sented her as "even now dead." (Matt, ix, 18.) Jesus arose and went with him, followed by many besides the disciples. On the v/ay occurred that beautiful episode which makes the two 92 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Who touched Me ? miracles one complete picture of faith and works ; so the two are inseparable. As the crowd pressed on — the anxious fa- ther, with hurrying feet — Jesus suddenly halted. How quickly the touch of a hand stretched for mercy thrilled his heart ! There was a trem- bling sufferer in the thronging crowd — twelve years, all the gladsome life-time of the child toward whom they were going. She had passed days of pain, nights of wakeful weariness ; hope in physicians and despair when their skill failed, until a life of poverty and pain was worse than a tomb in the way-side rocks. " If I can only touch his garment," she thought, and so the sinewy, wasted hand took hold of the hem of his long robe as he walked. Life came to the emaciated body in the touch ; to the soul glad- ness, gratitude for the loving words, " Daughter, be of good comfort — go in peace." But O! the trying delay to the anxious ruler, those few moments of joy to the diseased wom- an ; the servants came meeting the ruler, say- ing, ''Trouble not the Master; she is dead." Power Over Death. 93 She is not dead, but sleepeth. An answering voice said, " Only believe/' and perhaps the cure the father had just witnessed strengthened his faith. They went into the house through the noisy crowd of mourners, while Jesus asked, "Why make ye this ado? She is not dead, but sleepeth." "And they laughed him to scorn." Strange laughter this, w^hen they knew her cold body was ready for the grave. Jesus un- 94 From Bethlehem to Calvaky. Damsel, arise. derstood the grief of the parents over their lost daughter. Peter, James, and John, with the parents, Christ allowed to enter the chamber of death to hear him speak the word " Arise " — to see her obey and walk, to see his thoughtful care, and the clear proof of restored health when he commanded food to be brought, which the astonished parents had neglected to do. John was one of the three who witnessed this miracle, yet in his Gospel there is no mention of it. His writings, more than any other, give us the words of him whom he calls '* the Word," who was '^ with God in the beginning," who was ** made flesh and dwelt among us.'' Others who also beheld "his glory," "full of grace and truth," describe the raising of the widow's son and the ruler's daughter, while John vividly portrays the bereavement in the home in Bethany, the very words of touching grief the sisters both used to the Master when he came after their days of painful watching and waiting : " Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." John excels in a Power Over Death, 95 Christ's power over death. dramatic power of description ; he tells even the remarks of the Jews as they saw when " Jesus wept," and the conversation around the grave. Jesus, by divine power, bade Lazarus come forth and gave him life to obey ; but to show that divine work must be accompanied by human obedience, he bade them " take away the stone," and then " loosen the grave-clothes." Jesus restored three from death : an only son, an only daughter, an only brother ; in child- hood, youth, manhood ; one from the bed, one from the bier, one from the sealed grave. Thus clearly, in a way which infidelity can neither explain away nor disprove, the Lord of life showed his power over death. 96 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Herod lays hold upon John. CHAPTER XIII. MARTYRDOM OF THE BAPTIST. Let not your "heart be troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me. — JOHN xiv, i. A FTER the twelve had been set apart and •^^^ commenced their duties, Jesus again de- voted himself to his own w^ork of teaching and preaching, and, accompanied by the disciples, made a second circuit in the various cities of Galilee. A year before, John the Baptist, the fearless preacher, had offended Herod Antipas, and was a prisoner in the Castle of Machserus, a fort near the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. It seems that in prison he was not denied the visits of his disciples, for he heard rumors of the miracles of Jesus, and perhaps of the sending out of the apostles. Whether it v/as to satisfy any doubts in his own mind, because in his lonely exile he who had been sent to prepare the way for the Messiah could not hear of any Martyrdom of tPie Baptist, g/ This Man doeth many miracles. great establishment of his kingdom, or whether to direct his own followers to Jesus, we know not ; but he sent two of them to ask him the direct question: "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another ? " How did Jesus answer them ? He who spake as never man spake gave no logical argument, no trea- tise on divinity, but taught them by plain " ob- ject lessons " and living illustrations. What they were, Luke, the physician, who knew diseases and their symptoms, and the time •required for medicinal cures, tells us : " In that same hour he cured many of their infirmi- ties and plagues, and of evil spirits ; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.'' No boasting of his power, only the simple logic of facts : " Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard ; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached." Nor was that all the message : " Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." 98 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Caution against discouragement. John had preached of the judgment to come, had himself lived a stern, austere life, and in the long inactive winter of imprisonment, when he knew the wicked king and the more wicked Herodias would like to silence him forever, he longed to hear that Jesus had declared himself as the Messias. He, too, remembered the scene at the Jordan when he had called Jesus the Lamb of God, and it was hard for the fiery- hearted zealot in his chains to learn the lesson that thousands have ever to learn — to wait. So, under the guise of John's question, was a covert prompting to Jesus to declare himself, just as Mary at the wedding in Cana stated the need, evidently suggesting his help. But Jesus did not see fit to make any more explicit declara- tion of his character and mission than his works, as appealed to, offered. He, however, perhaps for the encouragement of this impris- oned herald, and to incite him to hold fast his faith in him, says, " Blessed is he, whomsoever shall not be offended in me." Was not John's dreary cell brightened by Martyrdom of the Baptist. 99 Faithful unto death. comfort and joy when the messengers returned ? And when the executioner came to bear his head into the dancing-hall, the last conscious moments may have been more peaceful for the knowledge that his own work was done, and the expected Messias was then blessing the earth with his presence. Perhaps the messengers were the same two disciples who buried the dismembered body of John, and then " went and told Jesus." With no fulsome flattery to be borne to John, after the two had gone, Jesus talked to the multitude of the Baptist's preaching in the wil- derness, for many of them had been among the crowds who heard him cry, '' Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." By his ques- tions he showed his insight into their motives in going to hear, and John's heart and purpose in preaching, and at the same time paid the highest tribute to the fearless preacher : '' A prophet, and more than a prophet." Others more remote had foretold the coming of Christ ; John was the morning-star, whose light melted 100 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The greatness of heavenly citizenship. into the full dawn of the Sun of Righteousness, and with what humility he said : " My joy, there- fore, is fulfilled ; " " he must increase, but I must decrease." The lips of Jesus never uttered stronger words of approval than those he used when speaking of the earnest Baptist of the wilderness. He stamped as fulfilled in him the prophecies of Isaiah and of Malachi, and declared that of all beings of mortal birth there had '* not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Was it that no other had been so honored as to prepare the way of the Lord, or did none exceed him in piety and zeal ? Then follows a statement which has occasioned much study and a divided opinion as to its meaning : '' Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." If the kingdom of heaven here means the kingdom of Christ, of salvation through his name because he died to purchase our redemp- tion, then the humblest one w^ho now believes may be said to know more fully of his king- Martyrdom of the Baptist, loi Wherein its blessedness consists. dom than one who died before he came. Yet we know that Abraham, and Moses, and the great multitude afar off, who beheved in his future coming, were accepted because of their faith. Some suppose it to mean that the least among those who preach or teach of Christ as a risen Saviour have clearer conceptions of his redemption than the prophets could have. There are others who believe Jesus referred to himself. In his humility, his favorite name was the " son of man." He became a servant to all the wants of humanity, was reproached and despised, bathed his disciples' feet, and yet he was greater than John, even the '' King of kings and Lord of lords." Lange says : " Even the least in the kingdom of the New Testament enjoys what John could not have had, namely, peace in the finished work of Christ, and with it, patience in suffering, and death, and quiet expectation of the coming of Christ, when every wrong shall be righted." Let us rejoice in the belief that Jesus spoke of 102 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The believer a sanctuary for Christ. John as he then was, and the lowliest believer as he will be. John, as a messenger for Christ, stood in an inner threshold of the temple of God, near the holy of holies, but died before the vail was rent ; since then the heart of every true child may be a holy sanctuary for Christ's dying love, and even the lowliest soul may feed upon his broken body and shed blood. The Gracious Call. 103 Prayer, thanks, and invitation. CHAPTER XIV. THE GRACIOUS CALL. *• At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so. Father ; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father : and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father ; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my bur- den is light." — Matt, xi, 25-30. T T was probably while Jesus talked to the -■- same multitude near Capernaum that he must have looked toward heaven and offered the wonderful prayer of thanks to his Father, and then, turning to the listening multitude whose every heart lay open to his view, uttered that gracious call which has come down the ages, sounding like a strain of undying music, to which not one weary heart ever truly re- sponded and did not find rest and peace. Whom 104 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Not many wise !^, . are called. did he address in prayer ? " Father, [his and our Father,] Lord of heaven and earth, [an ac- knowledgment of his sovereign power and wisdom,] I thank thee ; [more than the mere expression of gratitude ;] thou hast hid these things [the mysteries of the kingdom of God] from the wise and prudent/' Who were these ? In that day, the scholarly scribes, the ceremo- nious Pharisees, the wily courtiers of kings, the successful traders ; in our day, the unscrupulous speculator, the reckless politician, the shrewd usurer, the commercial giant : such the world calls wise and prudent ; while, often hidden from their keen eyes, and uncoveted because unknown, are the treasures of a heart full of love to God, but which are revealed to those only who are humble and child-like in spirit. What sweet submission ! What acquiescence to his Father's will! ''Even so'' — let that be the motto of every trusting child. In an edition of the Bible, hoary with age, and penciled by unknown hands that moldered long ago, but known and guarded even in dust The Gracious Call, 105 I and my Father are one. by Him whom they loved— in this ancient book, pubHshed in 161 3, we find this verse rendered : " It is so, O Father, because thy good pleasure was such." So let us rest in that infinitely wise "good pleasure," whatever it may bring to us. Jesus' prayer being ended, many ancient copies say, " Then he turned to his disciples and said, All things are delivered unto me." This was, perhaps, the first time Jesus had openly claimed the measure of divine power which made him equal with God. The great plan, which was promised when man was driven fi-om Eden, and which had been slowly unfold- ing through successive centuries in songs and visions, was soon to be fulfilled ; the earth was soon to be the theater of the scene of redemp- tion. Between the Father and the Son there exist- ed a bond of love so infinite that no mortal understanding could fathom it ; only those to whom he shall reveal himself shall realize, by the sweet assurance of sins forgiven, that he is io6 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Come unto Me. able and willing to save "even to the utter- most/' Clear, sweet, in accents of pity, sounds out the call, " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden." In that same ancient Bible we find in the marginal reading, " all which feel the weight and grief of your sins and miseries." What burden so heavy as the weight upon a sin-sick soul.? What misery equal to that of guilt unforgiven ? Thus would Jesus answer John's question, "Art thou he that should come.'*" To John in prison, to every impris- oned spirit bound in chains more galling than ever imperious Roman could bind, he sends the answer. Look to no other, listen to no other voice of invitation — I am the great Deliverer, the one sent, the Christ. " Come unto me." Who shall come ? All that labor ; whether striving by the fruitless efforts of their own ignorance, or by self-imposed pen- ances to work out salvation ; all that are heavy laden, conscious of the burden, weary, faint, aching under the load. " I will g-ivc you rest." The Gracious Call, 107 I will give you rest. No purchase, nothing asked, a free-will, gra- cious gift ; rest^ blessed word, type of heaven, sweet, perfect, a haven to the tempest-tossed, a soothing song after the moans of weariness. How are we to come ? "Take my yoke upon you." This is no cross to one who meekly bows and unresistingly re- ceives from a loving hand ; but it is irksome, galling, to unwilling souls. " Learn of me." Blessed lot, to be the pupil of such a Teacher. It has often taken royal bounty to purchase the gift of scholarship to one the world called a master artist ; but this is a free invitation, not to the great and noble, but to weary, unknown ones, " Come, and learn of me." io8 From Bethlehem to Calvary. He taught them many things by parables. CHAPTER XV. PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only. — James i, 22. T T would appear from the gospel of Matthew, -■" that before this time Jesus had used illustra- tive teaching. He had likened his hearers to the two builders, but had not commenced that teaching by parable which no other teacher ever so successfully used. His parables among his words, as his miracles among his works, show divine power. We can picture the Lord as he sat in the little ship in one of the inlets of Lake Tiberias, the multitude on the shore around listening as he spoke these wonderful parables. Mark says, " He began again to teach by the sea-side ; " Luke tells of the coming of his mother and brethren, and the storm on the lake — both of which had occurred earlier than this time, but are given in connection with this Parable of the Sower, 109 Words of beauty and wisdom. parable ; therefore, some Bible scholars infer that some of the parables had been given be- fore. But certain it is that the exact and cor- rect Matthew has enshrined in one matchless chapter, like a chain of jewels, these seven par- ables ; and from the fifty- third verse of that chapter it seems certain that, upon one occa- sion, they all fell from the Saviour's lips. " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be filled.'* There stand those eager souls which have drank deep draughts from the fountain of inspired truth, who see hidden treasures in the mysteries of these parables. They find in this group of seven, the sacred number, a parable correspond- ing with each of the seven beatitudes, showing the progressive work of grace in the individual ; and in the description of the seven Churches in Asia a corresponding description of the w^ork of grace ih the organized Church. But we leave these abstruse studies for those who will follow them in the invaluable works of Lange, Trench, and others, in remembering for no From Bethlehem to Calvary. A sower went forth to sow. ourselves the counsel of Chrysostom — ^for his wise words called "The Golden-mouthed" — "Press not too anxiously the circumstances of a parable." Yet we cannot but perceive the skillful teaching whereby, in the daily duty and work of life, the sowing of seed, servants and husbandmen, the making of bread, the merchant, the fisherman, Jesus shows the work of God in the heart. For the parable of the sower our Saviour has given a key to unlock its meaning and help us to understand its truth. The great need in this Parable of the Sower. 1 1 1 Various kinds of hearers. busy age is to stop and listen to the Master's voice as he says, " Hear ye therefore the par- able of the sower/* Then, as now, were four kinds of hearers ; now, as then, only more plen- tifully, is the seed sown. Then, to the favored ones who saw his face and heard his voice ; now, scattered over the whole earth are the printed word of God, the living preacher, the concentrated study of nations on the same truth, thousands of printed pages on the same Script- ure, the Holy Spirit and the interceding Saviour watching over all. As if borne every-where by heavenly gales are the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations. Yet, as crowding, busy feet tread more and more firmly the way-side path, so the ever-rush- ing traffic of a busy world beats down the soil of many hearts, and the Wicked One, whose vigilance never tires, seeks to catch away the precious seed. As in Palestine, the flocks of birds followed the one who scattered seeds in the furrows of his field, so no\Y the hosts of evil, on wings 112 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Unfruitful hearers. borne up with claims of science and rational- ism, and the false reasonings of modern philos- ophy, flutter around the field to snatch the truth away. There are those who have never sought to have deeper religious feelings than the emotion- al, who have no fixed principle where faith may strike its roots deep and strong ; in such the mere surface growth of feeling quickly withers away. Then, as now, the toiling men of busi- ness were bent on accumulating wealth, and their hearts and lives often bore only thorns to choke out the growth of divine grace. What wonder that such sharp thistles should destroy the truth, since the thorns sprang into being outside the closed gate of Paradise, and it was the thorn-tree which furnished a crown for him who is the Truth and the Life. But there were then — and, blessings be to Him for his gifts of grace, there are now — thousands who not only did hear, and under- stand, and embrace the truth, but also bore fruit abundantly. It was no marvel in that Parable of the Sower, 113 Applying hearers. land that seed should yield a hundredfold : Isaac reaped such a harvest, and sometimes in Palestine it was even more plentiful. Thus shall be the fruit of good works in pro- portion to the state of the heart where the seeds of divine truth are sown. " Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower." 114 From Bethlehem to Calvary. A day with Jesus. CHAPTER XVI. THE BREAD OF LIFE — POWER OVER NATURE. Fear thou not ; for I« am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my right- eousness. — IsA. xli, 10. 1\ /r ATTHEW, in the fourteenth chapter of ^^^ his Gospel, has given us, perhaps more entirely than any other evangelist, the record of a day during the active life of Christ, before that closing week of which we have accounts of almost every hour. On that day news reached him of the death of John the Baptist, which must have been disheartening to the twelve, who had just returned from their first mission and reported their work to the Master. He had just completed his third circuit through Galilee, and now, resolved to leave Tiberias, he invited the disciples to go away for "rest awhile ; " therefore they went . to the eastern The Bread of L ife — Power over Nature. 115 The five loaves of the five thousand. shore of the lake near to Bethsaida. But though they desired to go " by ship privately," it was known among the people, and, in their eagerness to hear and see Jesus, many went running along the shore of the lake from the towns and villages, so that when Jesus arrived he found a great multitude. He was moved with compassion — whenever was a hungry soul turned empty away from him ? He healed the sick, and taught by word and work until the shadows lay long upon the fields. About six in the evening of that spring day the hungry, listening groups of fifties and hundreds sat on the green grass, and by miraculous power the offering of the lad, whose basket held two small fishes and five plain barley loaves of bread, re- lieved the hunger of " five thousand men, beside women and children/' This is remarkable as the only miracle described by all four of the evangelists. John tells us that the well-pleased multitude would have proclaimed Christ a king, a proceed- ing in which, perhaps, his disciples would have ii6 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Tempestuousness without Christ. acted a willing part ; but the omniscient Jesus " straightway constrained " them to go in a ship, perhaps the Httle boat belonging to one of his fisherman attendants, which he long before had engaged should " wait on him." The disciples were sent away before he left, when he went alone into a mountain to pray. Fitting close for a day of blessing to so many : to seek for himself rest and refreshing in that lonely spot, by communion with the Father, and that not by a few brief words of prayer — brief because he was weary — but hours of com- muning. While the night was passing with him in peaceful prayer, the disciples, who wished their boat to linger near the shore, found themselves driven by contrary winds and tempestuous waves far out into the middle of the sea. About three in the morning they could see through the darkness a living, moving form upon the waters. While they were trembling with fear, a familiar voice, full of love, sought to assure them, saying, " It is I ; be not afraid." The The Bread of L ife — Power over Nature, 117 I can do all things tlirough Christ. ambitious, daring Peter, ever ready to play a prominent part, attempted to perform the same miracle that Jesus did, of walking on the sea. He is not the only one who has self-confi- dently tried to walk with Jesus and found an overwhelming flood. Peter looked at the foaming billows and heard their roar, then he began to sink ; not until then did he cry, " Lord, save me.'* How quickly the outstretched hand rescued, even while the voice of love and pity said, " O thou of little faith ! " ii8 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Christ's presence brings calmness, Christ's presence in the ship wrought another miracle, for no sooner was he entered than the wind ceased. Were there others in the boat — sailors — besides the disciples ? They surely needed none others to guide the little boat, for many of them had spent much of their lives upon the water — so we conclude there were no others. But whether all disciples, or others besides, the travelers on the little vessel worshiped him ; the narrow deck was in the gray morning light a Bethel, and the language of their praise, " Of a truth thou art the Son of God ! '' Mark, whose graphic pen sometimes gives deeper tints to his pictures than do those of the other evan- gelists, says, " they considered not the miracle of the loaves." Was it that this miracle outshone the one of the preceding day ? or did they, like too many now, accept the daily bread and loving care as an expected bounty, and give less thanks than for deliverance from danger ? To superficial readers this miracle seems only The Bread of L ife — Power over Natiire. 1 1 9 And stays the' soul on God. an evidence of supernatural power. Such only- see the foam upon the surface wave ; they gaze not into the fathomless depths of divine com- passion and power. They see not that the night of holy prayer made the boiling waves a smooth floor to His feet ; carried assuring safety in the words, " It is I ; " lifted Peter from en- gulfing waves; conquered the tempest, and left to His Church for evermore lessons of faith and trust in Him who can conquer every tempest of unbelief, all the powers of threatening evil ; the touch of whose hand can rescue every sinking soul, whose voice can silence every fear. The miracles of the five thousand fed and of Jesus walking on the sea both occurred near the time of the third passover in the ministry of Christ. This has occasioned much discussion among commentators, and a few, among them Ellicott, believe our Lord's ministry to have been less than the generally accepted belief that it lasted three years, embracing four passover feasts. I20 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Christ our Passover. counting the one at the beginning of his serv- ice the third, when John says, " He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him," and the fourth, on which he was *^ the Lamb slain for the sin of the world." The Cross Foretold, 12 1 Christ instructeth the disciples. CHAPTER XVII. THE CROSS FORETOLD. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. — John iii, 14. T N no other way are the wisdom, tenderness, •^ and love of Christ more exempHfied than in his intercourse with his disciples, his instruc- tions to them, the gradual unfolding of his plans, and their share in his work, " as they were able to bear it." Just before this time, Peter, ever ready to speak for himself and all the rest, had assured Jesus that they believed him to be in truth " the Christ, the Son of the living God." Yet in their dim notions of what the life of the Messiah should be were visions of kingly rule on earth — of a time when he should reign in power in Jerusalem. From this time Jesus began to lift the vail, and to show them that he must, indeed, go to 122 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Peter rebukes the Master. Jerusalem, but it would be to suffer and die ; still, though indistinct to their sight, mingled in the dark overhanging shadows of death, he endeavored to throw gleams of the glory of his resurrection. This was startling news to them, and Peter, again elated with the words of commendation Christ had given him, even rebuked the master. The ancient version has it : — "Then Peter took him aside and rebuked him, saying. Father, pity thyself — this shall not be unto thee/' We can almost see how the impulsive Peter eagerly raised his hand and laid it on the Master, as if he would forcibly hold him back from the impending doom, feel- ing that he who was a voluntary sacrifice, who had cured the sick and raised the dead, could surely save himself. Peter, rebuked, was silenced by the use of the same words Christ had used to Satan in the wilderness. Poor Peter ! ever on the mountain top of exultation or in the valley of humiliation, ahke demonstrative in each, how slowly did he The Cross Foretold. 123 The Mcdel Teacher. learn in those earlier days the lessons he after- ward knew so well ; the same lessons of self- denial and crossbearing that each follower of Jesus must learn. Then, as ever, Christ would have each disci- ple understand the way — no false inducements to follow him. He showed the plain, rugged path of duty, with its times of trial and sorrow, even the losing of life and thereby saving it, or the worldly-wise saving and the eternal losing. Prophetic words to the listening twelve ! words that Peter deeply studied, and which, in the riper years of Christian experience, in memory of the perfected life and death of his loved Master, he left to the v/orld in those two epistles rich in counsel, comfort, and exhorta- tion, drawn from the sufferings of Christ and the glory to be revealed hereafter. Jesus is a model teacher in the aptness of his questions. It has been truly said, " a question unvails the soul." Never before nor since has such skill, such searching wisdom, been put in questions as 124 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The value of a soul. those from the Master's lips, and of them all, this is the matchless, the unanswerable one — a challenge unaccepted by all the world's arith- metic, by all the most exact of worldly scien- tists — Mark viii, 36, 37. . This question is addressed to every created soul possessing powers of decision, and yet, as none but divine words could be, adapted not only to that day and hour, but to all future time. What if those disciples became princes around an earthly king ? What if the populace should accept him as monarch and be satisfied with his earthly glory ? Jesus settled that view when he replied to the tempter in the wilder- ness ; and as he left the question of profit, he answered with one glimpse of the coming glory and the exceeding great rewards. Of the listening circle, Judas alone was to '' taste death " before the words were fulfilled ; he, alas ! should find in the bitter cup of his own choos- ing the galHng, remorseful drugs of undying death. Scholars variously interpret the proph- The Cross Foretold, 125 Provision for the righteous after death. ecy, " the Son of man coming in his kingdom/* whether it meant the transfiguration — which, however, only three beheld — the resurrection from the tomb, the day of Pentecost, or the ruin of Jerusalem and the founding of the Christian Church. All these were fulfilled before many of the apostles died. This verse was the last upon which one of our most thorough scholars, the gifted Alexan- der, ever fully commented. Soon after he laid down his pen, and then he, too, ** tasted death," and went home to be with *' the Son of man in his kingdom." 126 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Christ transfigured. CHAPTER XVIII. THE TRANSFIGURATION. Behold, I show you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. — i CoR. xv, 51. A FTER Jesus had for the first time plainly -^^^ told his disciples he was to suffer and die, and for a week it had been the subject of their anxious thought, he took the chosen three to be witnesses of the most glorious scene of his life on earth — his transfiguration. This event is believed to have been in the night, at the very beginning of the first day of the week ; if so, it was, indeed, a hallowed fore- taste of the Christian Sabbath and of his resur- rection. Those who have studied most thor- oughly tell us also that the transfiguration took place exactly one year before his ascension to heaven. Much has been written upon the still unset- tled point, upon what mountain it took place. Tlie Transfiguration, 127 The fashion of His countenance was altered. Tabor was long believed to be the spot, but now we are told that on its steep summit were for- tifications and soldiers. It was a high mount- ain, up whose side at evening Jesus led his three best beloved friends. Luke tells us, " He went to pray." Peter, James, and John had been with him when he raised the ruler's daughter to life. They were to witness his suf- ferings in the garden ; to prepare them for coming trials they were chosen to be witnesses of this night of glory, permitted to be with Christ while he so earnestly prayed to the Fa- ther. ^^ While he prayed'' (let us not overlook the lesson) his countenance was changed ; so, long before, was that of Moses when he came down from the mount. He whose "life was the light of men" had lived disguised in the vale of humanity, had entered that life-work when at his baptism the Father approved his well-beloved Son ; now his divine nature made that vail of flesh transparent, and before he was to finish that work by death, these disci- ples were permitted to have a glimpse of his 128 From Bethlehem to Calvary. There talked with Him two men— Moses and Ellas. real glory. How highly were these three fa- vored above all other disciples ! While he prayed they saw his face shining as the sun, his raiment white as the light. The wondering disciples saw in the dazzling light that he was not alone. Moses and Elias were talking with him. Did the disciples hear voices ? Were they like human accents ? Luke tells us "they talked of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." Decease, in the original, means exodus, departing ; he was to d^- The Trmisfiguration, 129 They spake of His decease. part from the earth he came to bless. " Shotcld accoinplishr To us, through him, death comes as a transition to endless life. With him death was to accomplish the purpose of his earthly life, the fulfillment of his atoning work. Death was to be vanquished, and the grave conquered. " It is finished," he said as he breathed out that life. Of that Moses and Elias talked : the lawgiver, who died fifteen hundred years before, and was buried by the Lord in the unknown valley ; the prophet, who was translated in the fiery chariot one thousand years before. So when Christ comes again, and all the holy angels with him all those who have long slept in the grave, and those living ones who " shall not taste death," shall be "caught up in the air" to be "forever with the Lord." On the holy mount, even there Peter had something to say ; he would have the bright vision made permanent, and rear fixed dwelling- places on the mount of blessing. Yet Mark tells us " he wist not what to say ; for they were sore afraid ;" Luke says of Peter, " not knowing 130 From Bethlehem to Calvary. This is my beloved Son. what he said." He also tells us they were " all heavy with sleep," probably were weary from the previous day, and had slept while Jesus prayed, and woke to see the dazzling light, and the heavenly visitants. The Jews not long be- fore vainly sought a sign from heaven ; it was granted then. As Peter spoke, the overshadow- ing cloud of glory rested on them. They were filled with awe, for they knew it was the visible token of the presence of God. They heard the voice, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye him." Heaven came down to earth ; the glorified Son, the Father in the cloud of light, the heav- enly visitants, all were there. Never mortals before saw so much of heaven, and they, daz- zled, overcome, awestricken, fell with their faces on the ground. Jesus had not left the earth. His loving heart throbbed with human sympa- thy ; his gentle hand touched them ; his com- passionate voice said, "Arise, and be not afraid.'' They looked ; the vision was over, the glory The T7'ansJiguration. 131 Jesus only. gone, except the bright traces of that bhssful hour radiant in the Redeemer's face, while they saw '* Jesus only." This scene has inspired poets and painters. One of the master artists of the world, who loved to picture the events of our Saviour's life, even from the babe in Mary's arms, spent years of thought and labor on this scene. He com- pleted it, but before the canvas was dry the artist lay dead beneath it, as it hung upon his studio wall, the hand had lost its cunning, the great heart was still, and crowds came in silence to gaze upon the dead Raphael and his undying picture of the transfiguration. 132 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Jesus' was a holy mind. CHAPTER XIX. THE MIND OF CHRIST. Those that seek me early shall find me. — Proy. viii, 17. T T THEN Jesus with the honored disciples ^ ^ came down from the mountain, he found an anxious father with an only son possessed of an evil spirit — or lunatic, as the father called him — whom the other disciples had failed to relieve. Jesus, " in the same hour," cured the child, and they passed on. As they went, Jesus again told his disciples of his approaching sufferings and death, and they, yet thinking of some consummation of what they supposed would be his plans and what part they might bear, disputed as to " who should be greatest." When they had come into the house in Caper- naum — and possibly it was Peter s house, and Peter's child whom Jesus called to him, blessed The Mind of Christ. 133 He goeth up to Jerusalem. type of every child in every Christian house- hold since, for all are called by the same voice — he set the little one in the midst, the living text of the best lesson on humility the world ever had. After this, Jesus was urged by some to go up to the feast of tabernacles, which was in the month Tisri, (October,) and continued eight days. This feast was six months before the last passover. At first he refused to go, and those who had urged went without him ; in the midst of the feast Jesus, having been a long time absent from Jerusalem, suddenly appeared in the temple. He was again there at the feast of dedi- cation, in midwinter, in the month Chisleu, (December.) Between these two feasts, and for some time after the latter, his time was spent in Perea, much of it in circuitous travel, stopping at many points in the countries east of the Jordan. Probably on his second journey through Perea children were brought to him. 134 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Suffer the little children. The parents who brought their little ones — even infants, Luke says — wished his hands to be placed on them, and that he should pray for them. The disciples rebuked them ; by word or manner they showed to the children, who were old enough to perceive it, (and chil- dren quickly understand indifference,) and also to those who had brought them, that they were unwelcome, that their presence was a hinderance and an interruption. They did not approve of such Uttle children coming to Jesus. Are there any such outside Perea ? Jesus's The Miiid of Christ, 1 35 He put his hands upon them, and blessed them. words of blame to his disciples were few, but in this case Mark says, " he was displeased." The Christian world owes gratitude to the objecting apostles for calling out the answer, which has ever been one of the most precious of the sayings of Jesus, '' Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." He is no less displeased now at every hinder- ance in the way of children coming to him than he was at the narrow views of his disciples. He not only told them that "of such is the king- dom of heaven," but made them to understand that all who do not have the docile spirit, the un- questioning faith, the ready, loving obedi- ence of a little child, cannot even enter that kingdom. His love was not alone for little children, for in the same connection we are told a young man came running and kneeled before him, eager to know what good thing he might do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to obey the commandments ; not like the boasting Pharisee, but in the belief 136 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Come, and follow Me. in a blameless moral life. The young man said : *' All these have I kept from my youth up." Jesus, looking on him, through him, into his life, his inmost thought, *' loved him.'' What com- fort to praying mothers, sisters, friends who have held up brave and manly ones for Jesus to bless and save. Yet that young man went away, and was sorrowful. Mistaken youth ! He thought he loved and served God faithfully, but it was only the obedience of an outwardly correct life, no stronger righteousness than the right- eousness of self ; it could not come up to the ' true test of a believing heart — love supreme to God, and to his neighbor as himself. yesus the Christ — the Model Teacher, 137 The last journey of the Master. CHAPTER XX. JESUS THE CHRIST THE MODEL TEACHER. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables ; and without a parable spake he not unto them : that it might he fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my moutli in parables ; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. — Matt. xiii. 3-^> 35- 'nr^HE six months from the feast of taber- ^ nacles, in October, until the presence of Christ in Bethany, six months before his death, Robinson pronounces the most difficult portion of the whole Gospel harmony. We know that Jesus was at the feast of dedication, in winter, and " walked " in the temple in Solomon s porch, and that ''he went away again beyond Jordan, where John at first baptized, and there he abode." The "seventy" had previously been sent out from Capernaum, and had "returned again with joy." It is certain that the sisters of Bethany well knew where to send the message, 138 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The last miracles of Christ. " He whom thou lovest is sick." After the rais- ing of Lazarus, which produced so profound an impression in Jerusalem, the chief priests, under the counsel of Caiaphas, resolved to put him to death ; and after this, John says he "walked no more openly among the Jews, but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples." Previous to the feast of dedica- tion in December was probably made the fourth and final circuit of Galilee, when on his return toward Jerusalem, passing through the midst of Samaria, the ten lepers stood afar off and cried for mercy, one only of whom, a Samaritan, re- turned to give thanks for the cure. These weeks, which have so perplexed harmonists, are full of treasures of divine wisdom which fell from the Saviour's lips. In lingering with affection over the memory of loved ones, do we not prize their words, rather than the scene and the time when they were spoken ? what they did, not when or how they did it. Is it not the jewel and the golden setting we value rather Jesus the Clirist — the Model Teacher. 1 39 The Gospel according- to St, Luke. than the precise hour when the work was per- formed ? Is there not danger that in scholarly zeal to determine the exact chronology and geography of each event in Christ's life the deep teaching and inexhaustible truth may be overlooked ? May not the eager intellect starve the yearning heart ? We cannot do better in regard to this disputed period of time than to follow the example of the Evangelist Luke, the wise physician, who un- derstood the wants of the soul as well as dis- eases of the body, who has left us so many connected details in his history, who so often inserts reasons or explanations of his facts, who gives such tender pictures of Jesus as the friend of suffering humanity. Woman, who owes every thing blessed in her lot to the Gospel of Christ, should prize Luke's writings, for in his gospel, and in his account of the Acts of the Apostles, his pen pays glowing tribute to woman, from his mention of the blameless EHsabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and the triumphant song of Mary, to Dorcas, of Joppa, '' full of good works 140 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Never man spake like this man. and alms-deeds." In his Gospel, beginning with the time when " Jesus went through the cities and villages/' evidently in the undefined region called Perea, *' teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem," he groups into seven chapters a brilliant constellation of parables. It seems as if '' He who spake as never man spake," know- ing the time was short, in his great love desir- ing to imprint saving truth in indelible lines, concentrated his doctrines in these undying pictures. In the beginning of this series, Jesus was in- vited on the Sabbath to dine at the house of a chief man among the Pharisees, evidently with no genuine hospitality, for when he cured a man of the dropsy their criticisms drew out the para- ble of the great supper. A crowd of publicans and sinners soon gathered to hear him, to whom was given the matchless picture of the prodigal son : this has been called "the pearl of para- bles ; " is it not rather " a stone most precious, clear as crystal," in whose wondrous depths lie mirrored the fathomless, loving heart of God Jesus the Christ — the Model Teacher. 141 "Wonderfal Parables. yearning over and welcoming back his wan- dering children to his forgiving embrace, and also reflecting, in its man3^-sided crystal lights, pictures of fallen humanity waking from its frenzy, conscious of want, and in the shreds of selfish, false endeavor coming penitently to the Father's arms and the safe home shelter ? From this parable poets and artists have gath- ered inspiration and fame ; but, far better than either, it has drawn to the Father's forgiving heart many a prodigal, and watching angels have had joy in heaven over repenting sinners. To the covetous Pharisees, who "derided him," Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus. With skillful words he drew contrasts between the one in purple and fine linen, the other in rags ; one who had feasts every day, the other crumbs ; one hosts of friends, the other the sympathy of dogs. One event, death, came to both ; mere contrasts, but a reversed picture. One was doubtless buried with pomp ; the other shuffled off into some by-cave in the rocks. To one a funeral train ; to the other an escort of angels. 142 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Words of wisdom. For one, heaven with its fuhness of joy ; for the other, a longing for one drop of cool water from the hand that on earth eagerly seized a few crumbs at his lordly gate. To the disciples Jesus told of his future coming ; to the Pharisees, of the boasting Pharisee and the humble, praying publican. He blessed the children who were brought to him, and looked with love upon the rich young man who " went away sorrow- ful ; '' and as he discoursed upon the tempta- tions which befell the rich, he gave the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. He recrossed the Jordan, and going in a west- erly direction passed through Jericho, where he healed the blind man, and stopped to dine with the rich Zaccheus, and then gave the parable of the pounds. As he continued to approach nearer to Jerusalem, he arrived " at Bethany six days before the passover.'' Then Simon, a restored leper, honored his benefactor by a feast, where Lazarus sat and partook, a living testimony of Christ's power over the grave. Martha, true to her thoughtful housewifery habits, served the yesus the Christ — the Model Teacher, 143 Martha and Mary. guest ; while Mary, with her precious offering, anointed the feet, worn with errands of mercy, now so nearly through life's weary way ; and while the house was filled with the perfume of the costly odor, typical of saintly love, she all unconsciously made her name ever fragrant to believing ones, until all shall meet in the atmos- phere of the incense of ** the golden vials full of odors which are the prayers of the saints." Luke, with his penetrating estimate of female character, has won for Martha the reputation of being one of those over-anxious housekeep- ers, whom, however, the home- world would not willingly spare ; and it is he who gives us the picture of Mary at the feet of Jesus. John completes the portraiture of the devoted Mary, when he shows us, by her act of anointing, that she understood the Saviour s words more thor- oughly than his chosen disciples, for Jesus knew that the costly ointment had been purchased, perhaps, by some extra industry or self-denial, to pour out upon the loved body when near the day of death and burial. 144 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Christ's triumphal entry. CHAPTER XXI. J ESUS THE KING. Hosanna ; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. — Mark xi, 9. ^■^HE day after the anointing at Bethany, -■- the news of Jesus coming near seems to have reached Jerusalem, for many went out to meet him on his way. The busy hum of ex- pectation had began in the gathering crowd in the great city, in preparation for the coming feast. The events of this stirring week may be thus classified: — Monday. — Triumphal entry. Returns to Bethany at night. Tuesday. — Curses the barren fig-tree on the way to the temple. Wednesday. — Taught by parable in the temple. Took leave of the temple at evening. Supper at Bethany. Thursday. — Sent two disciples to prepare the passover: At evening — last supper. Getlisemane, The arrest. Friday. — Jeioish trial — Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin. Boma/n trial-' Pilate, Herod, Pilate. Crucifixion. Burial. Saturday. — In the tomb. Sunday. — The resurrection. When Jesus, with his disciples, reached the Mount of Olives, which overlooked Jerusalem, yestis the King, 145 Hosanna in the highest. they halted, and he sent two of his disciples (we have no hint which two they were) to a certain village " over against " them, where he said they would find a colt for him to ride. They did so ; seated upon an ass's colt, as was customary for kings in times of peace, the Prince of Peace rode to the city. The disciples had taken off their outer wrappings, or robes, and put them on the colt for him to ride upon, an honor often bestowed upon kings. A multitude went with them, for the fame of Jesus's having raised Lazarus from the dead a few days before brought a wondering crowd to see him. Many joined the procession to go up to the feast ; many went, as did the blind men he had restored to sight, (who had immediately turned and followed him,) because of some mir- acle of mercy ; many had already gone from the city to meet him ; so it was a very great multi- tude which formed the triumphal procession. As they would have done at the proclamation of a new king, they threw down their garments in his path, cutting leaves and branches from 146 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Blessed is He that cometli the palm-trees with which they strewed his way, or waved the leaves as emblems of victory. Probably the disciples began singing, it be- ing the custom as companies went up to the feast to chant responsively the psalms, those going before being replied to by those Jn the rear of the procession. As they went along others joined, the crowd meanwhile increasing in numbers and in enthusiasm, shouting, sing- ing words of prophecy they thought realized, with hosannas and halleluias ; while some al- most echoed the "glory to God in the highest" Jesiis the Kvig 147 in the name of the Lord. the angels sang over Bethlehem, and called on the heavenly host now to join in their raptur- ous praises. This was the only hour in Jesus's life which seemed, to earthly view, his hour of triumph. How did the music of that chorus fall upon his heart, human in its sympathies, divine in its knowledge and purposes ! Blended with the triumphant notes, there was a miserere that touched that holy fountain of pity — the Saviour s tears — and he wept over the city. Himself silent amid the demonstrative crowd, Jesus passed through the streets of Jerusalem. A token of discontent, however — a suspicious, jealous watching — was visible as he went to the tem- ple. It was increased when, either on that day or the next, he drove out the money-changers and broke up the traffic, while he told the un- scrupulous traders they had made the " house of prayer '' a den of thieves." How quickly his coming was known among the people ! how strong their faith in his power to heal ! how loud the praise when he healed 148 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The whole city was moved. the blind and lame who came to him ! Even the children and the young people, who were accustomed to join in the songs in the temple, cried out, Hosanna to the Son of David. The scribes and chief priests were offended, and would have silenced them if they could, having no sympathy with these rejoicings. But Jesus left no prophecy, not one tittle of the law, unfulfilled. It was part of the Mosaic law that the victim to be offered at the passover feast should be set apart four days before the passover ; so, four days before that memorable time, the true paschal Lamb presented himself in the temple. It was on Monday, the eleventh day of the month Nisan, (April,) according to Robinson's " Harmony of the Gospels " — the tenth day of Nisan, according to Mimpriss's " Harmony," Robinson dating the day from the preceding sunset, as was the Jewish custom — when Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem. Some writers claim that the triumphal entry was on the first day of the week, and that on the ycsus the King. 149 A day of triumph. next day he returned, when the rest of the events related in connection with it took place. That one day he who was Lord of the temple — to whom belonged its worship — seemed to rule there. He purified its grounds of its pro- fane traffic, and drove therefrom, by the power of holiness, the sinful traders, as he can cleanse the heart and will purify his own Church. That day he listened to praises, as he ever will listen to the praise of all adoring hearts ; that day he blessed with deeds of mercy those who came to him, as he ever will bless all who come ; and amid all the crowding thoughts of his full heart, the weight of coming sorrow pressing on him, he silenced the priests, and showed us how ac- ceptable to him is the homage of child-love and praise. He repeated the prophecy of David of the time when earth shall be filled with his glory, and when, as in heaven, the loudest, sweetest chorus shall be the blended music of thousands of children, who, through his redemp- tion, shall ever give to him " perfected praise." 4» 150 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Christ teacheth in the temple. CHAPTER XXII. THE LORD'S SUPPER. This do in remembrance of me. — i Cor. xi, 24 A /TOST commentators agree that on Mon- ^-^ day of the last week of our Saviour's life was his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. That on Tuesday he cursed the barren fig-tree as he came in from Bethany, where he had passed the night, then proceeded to the temple, and, as many believe, on that day drove out the trad- ers. That on Wednesday he taught again in the temple, where he delivered the parables of the wicked husbandmen and the marriage of the king's son, talked of the resurrection, sat over against the treasury, and saw the poor widow casting her two mites. He then left the temple for the last time, and on the Mount of Olives sat and talked with his disciples. On Wednesday evening — but as Rob- inson calls it, on Thursday, as the Jewish day The Lord's Supper. 151 The Paschal Lamb. began with the preceding sunset — he was at supper in Bethany, where Mary had previously anointed him, at which Judas was offended, and, laying his treacherous plan, "from that time sought opportunity to betray him." All agree that the paschal lamb was to be slain between three o'clock and dark on the fourteenth of Nisan, (April,) so in the after- noon of Thursday he sent his disciples with exact directions where and how to prepare the passover, that he might eat it with them. Peter and John, the two nearest and dearest to him — one most loving, the other most eagerly helpful — were sent to engage the upper guest- chamber of some believer, it may be, in Jerusa- lem, and " there they made ready the passover." The shades of evening began to fall, and there, recHning at the table together for the last time, were the twelve around the Master. They partook of the lam.b, Jesus with the rest. On this occasion he washed their feet, to teach them that last lesson of humble service ; he talked with them at the paschal meal, and plain- 152 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Institution of the Lord''s Supper. ly designated the traitor, who went immediately out — and *' it was night." We have four distinct accounts of the insti- tution of the last supper, yet few scenes in the Bible have been the subject of more discussion than this. Matthew and John were present, and though John does not speak of its begin- ning, he gives us many of the words spoken there. Mark, it is said, received his account from Peter, Paul from the Lord himself after he had risen, Luke probably from Paul, with whom he was long associated. Most writers believe that after Judas went out, after the usual paschal feast was nearly or quite completed, Jesus in- stituted the touching feast, which Christians have ever loved to observe, and ever will until the last believer is gathered home. How beautiful and how impressive the sim- plicity of the broken bread and the wine ; yet what volumes have been written upon it. The broken bread, symbol of Him who is the "bread of life," the food of undying souls, crushed and The Lord's Supper, 153 This do in remembrance of Me. broken in the agony of death as the wheat is crushed, and so becomes the sustenance of the body. The wine, the inner principle of life, crushed from the perfect fruit, emblem of the blood of him whose life, " perfect through suffer- ing," was freely poured out an atonement for sin. As Jesus sat in the deepening shadows of that upper room, while tlie denser shadows of death were gathering around him, he left a rich legacy to those disciples, and to the Church forever. The supper itself, a living memorial until the end of time — " This do in remembrance of me " — a memorial of his dying love, of his union with his disciples and they with him, whereby they may be filled with his own spirit and nour- ished with spiritual life ; of the union of Chris- tians with each other, whereby those of different names can sit together one household of faith, and one in Christ — a sweet foretaste of the time when, with the new wine of unmingled blessedness, all can partake at the marriage 10 154 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Sweet words of comfort. supper of the Lamb. For part of that precious legacy we are indebted to the disciple who leaned upon his breast, whose waiting ear caught every accent of the thrilling voice ; messages of comfort and of trust, the peace the world cannot give, promises of help and strength that have upborne many a sinking soul in waves of trouble ; that have helped many a despairing spirit on the shores of death ; and words that have been repeated in the whispers of dying lips. In the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of John we have the words of comfort that fell upon the sorrowing, wondering hearts of that little company; and in the seventeenth chapter that wonderful intercessory prayer. Then they sang a hymn, perhaps with bowed heads and stricken hearts ; but even in his sor- row Christ could sing. So at the marriage supper of the Lamb, " they shall come with singing ;" at that feast, purchased by his sacri- fice, "everlasting joy shall be upon their heads," and " sorrow and sighing shall flee away." yesiis in Gethsemane. 155 On the way to Gethsemane. CHAPTER XXIII. JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. — Matt, xxvi, 39, 'THHE solemn company left the upper cham- ^ ber in the moonlight, for it was in the springtime, and nearly the full moon, and went to the Mount of Olives. A few days before this same mount had been a scene of triumph ; now Jesus, with the eleven, went there to a place which ihey all knew was His favorite resort for prayer. They crossed the brook Cedron — meaning black brook, for its waters mingled with the blood of sacrifices from the temple, flowing downward toward the Dead Sea. Not one meaningless name, word, or fact in Scripture. Cedron, a fitting place to be crossed by the holy feet of the One soon to be a bleed- ing sacrifice for the world. He came to Geth- semane, or, the oil-press. There, in the garden 156 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Ill the garden. of olive-trees, the berries were crushed, and oil, so necessary for service, light, healing, food, was expressed ; and there his crushed spirit was to suffer as he trod the v^ine-press alone. There are now eight venerable olive-trees in what is believed to be the place of Jesus's agony. This is denied by some, who state that Titus cut down all the trees in the vicinity of Jerusalem. If that is true, it seems probable, as is reported, that these were planted in commemoration by some early Christians, for they bear the marks of many centuries. Leaving the remainder of the disciples within the entrance to the garden, Jesus takes the three chosen ones with him into the more retired shadows of the place. They who had witnessed his transfigured glory were to witness his deepest humiliation ; they who saw him elevated above the mountain enveloped in the brightness of heaven, were to see him prostrate on the earth in the bitterness of grief. He left them to watch while he went a little farther on in the darkness, and there he endured Jestts in Gethsemane, 157 If it be possible let this cup pass from me. the agony of spirit which no human pen can describe, and no mind fully realize. We have even some of the words of his prayer left for us, words wrung out of deeper agony than any created heart ever knew. We know of the bloody sweat, the sinking of the human frame from the intense anguish, the angel which came to strengthen him. We know, too, it was the^ conflict of the Saviour with the combined powers of evil, for beneath the olive-trees in Gethsemane, when the human nature shrank from fearful suffering just at hand, the same evil one who conquered under the tree in Eden camiC to tempt the Son of man ; but prayer disarmed the fierce foe, and pur- chased for "him that overcometh ... to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Yet even in that hour human sympathy failed him. What pathos in the question : " Could ye not watch with me oite hour } " Did it not pierce Peter s heart — he who a few days be- fore was ready to die with Jesus ? ,Yet, again, 158 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Thy will be done. the disciples slept ; again the Master came, and repeated the ever-needed counsel to all his dis- ciples : " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." See the pity and tenderness of the Saviour, even when forsaken, wounded in spirit, about to be betrayed. He knew the strain of the exciting hours and days past upon their phys- ical natures, and his reproof was mingled with tender excuse : " The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Truly their eyes were heavy — the eyes of their understanding ; nor did they fully awake until the strange deeds of coming days : the cruci- fixion, the resurrection morning, the ascension, and the day of Pentecost, with its outpouring of the Spirit. When the hour of agony was past he came again to his disciples. Hear the touching words from the wounded, wronged One, about to suffer wounds and wrongs that gave more outward signs, but not keener than the suffering of his spirit in Gethsemane : '' Sleep on now, and take Jesus in Getksemane, 159 The hour is at hand. your rest : behold, the hour is at hand " — the decisive hour on which hung destinies of earth and heaven. He knew the waiting hands of sinners would soon hold him in their merciless power. "Rise, let us be going" — going to meet his doom, willingly, unfalteringly, strengthened for it by the hour of such prayer as never before went up to the throne of the Father. x6o From Bethlehem to Calvary. Arrest of Jesus. CHAPTER XXIV. JESUS BEFORE THE HIGH-PRIEST. And they led Jesus away to the high-priest : and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. — Mark xiv, 53. "^T 7HILE Jesus was in the garden Judas ^ ^ was not asleep. He " knew the place ; " his traitor kiss showed the crowd, in the light of their lanterns and torches, which of the little company to take. Armed with swords and clubs, the band, some of whom had authority to arrest Jesus, with Judas as their leader, obeyed his word, **' hold him fast.'* Well he knew the power of miracles, and that the Master had be- fore eluded the cunning plans of enemies. But " the hour was come " — the unresisting victim gave him.self up, though Peter, in his resent- ment, stood with drawn sword until the Master said, " Put up thy sword into the sheath." The last act of the hand so soon to be pierced yesus before the High-Priest. i6l Despised and rejected of men. was an act of mercy : he healed the smitten ear of one of his enemies, which Peter, in his zeal, had cut off. From the combined accounts of all the evan- gelists we see all that was done during that fearful night. First, the crowd took Jesus, bound, to the house of Annas, an old man who had formerly been the high-priest, and was father-in-law to Caiaphas, the ruling high-priest at that time. From his former position, his age, and perhaps his presiding sometimes in the Sanhedrin, he was regarded with high favor by the Jews. Indeed, there was some confusion as to who rightfully should be high-priest, as Caiaphas had been made so that year by Ro- man appointment, while under the strict law of Moses the place belonged to Annas. Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas. While the Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests, elders, and scribes, were summoned, Caiaphas questioned the pris- oner, who stood, pale and weary, in the open court of his palace, which was probably ar- ranged with circular seats for the judge, council, i62 From Bethlehem to Calvary. He opened not Ms moutb. and witnesses, a place for the prisoner, and a lower or inner, but open, court, where servants and the crowd might have gathered. There, in the chilly night, after the hours of excitement and fear, Peter sat to be warmed by the fire. There he denied the Master, who turned and looked on him. Here, in the early dawn, the Sanhedrin as- sembled, not to try the prisoner, to prove his innocence, but to put him to death. Joseph, of Arimathea, and Nicodemus could not have been present; they are the only two of the Sanhedrin ever spoken of who had not shown from their first knowledge of Jesus a malicious desire for his destruction. Doubt- less many could be found willing to be false witnesses, but too willing to fabricate charges, though no two exactly agreed ; and, to have a pretense of lawfulness in the trial, two wit- nesses must agree. At last two came forward who satisfied the assembly of his guilt. A long time the holy prisoner was silent be- fore his accusers. " He opened not his mouth," yesus before the High-Priest, 163 Christ sentenced. until " the high-priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God." The world has judged which was guilty of blasphemy ; he who was despised and rejected of men, or the high-priest who rent his clothes in pretended abhorrence of sin, or those who spit in his face and struck him. Gladly they hid from their sight the eyes from whose depths divine light beamed on them when he said, " Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." They blindfolded him, they struck him, tauntingly saying, "Thou Christ, who is he that smote thee ? " Even in the hour of hatred, and in the exer- cise of Satanic power, there was satanic prudence. The verdict was, *' He is guilty of death." They could not inflict the death penalty without au- thority from the governor, therefore Jewish hatred invoked what they usually despised, the Roman power. 164 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Caiaphas, the High Priest. CHAPTER XXV. JESUS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet lie opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. — Is A. liii, 7. ^n^^HE next scene in this thrilling history was in early morning: it was not a quiet hour, nor was it marked by the usual hum of begin- ning daily labor ; but excited people were run- ning through the streets, soldiers with gleaming swords were there, and around the house of Caiaphas was a clamorous crowd. The high- priest, in his sacred vestments, gleamed with jewels ; the prisoner, in his common clothing, soiled with the mold of the garden-earth, and stained with the dews of night, securely bound, was in the midst of this promiscuous company, and was borne along to the house of the gover- nor, Pontius Pilate. This was either a palace with a judgment- Jeszis before the Goveimor. 165 Pontius Pilate, the Governor. hall partly within its court, and a yard with tes- selated pavement in front, where he could set up this throne of judgment, or the Castle ot Antonio, a strong fortress commanding the temple, with a similar yard, both of them built by Herod the Great. Pilate's home was in Cesarea, but he came to stay in Jerusalem during the great feasts, to prevent insurrections at the immense gather- ings, or to exercise judicial power in cases awaiting him. Pilate was hated by the Jews for his acts of extortion and insult — he had even brought with his soldiers the Roman standards, stamped with the emperor's image, and raised them in their holy city — but, because they hated the meek and lowly Jesus even more than the infamous Pilate, they gladly appealed to his authority. The saintly Sanhedrin would not defile themselves by entering a Gentile house during the passover season, so they remained without, while Pilate came to them, examined into the charges, and questioned the prisoner. The Jews knew their 1 66 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Herod, tho King. charge of blasphemy would signify nothing with Pilate, so they changed it to one of a political nature. Pilate saw their flimsy pretext, for " he knew that for envy they had delivered him ; " but he could not understand the lordly silence of the accused. In the fierce voices raging against Jesus, Pilate heard the name of Galilee, and caught at a vain hope by which he might be relieved of this difficult case. Herod ruled in Galilee, and was now in Jeru- salem ; besides, they had recently had a quarrel, and the compliment of thus paying deference to him would do much toward conciliating his favor. So, in mockery of his claim, a kingly robe was thrown around the prisoner, and he was sent to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. Another influence came to Pilate ; his wife sent her entreaties that he would have nothing to do with that *' just man." The disciples had fled ; one had betrayed, one denied, all had forsaken him ; and the only yesus before the Governor, 167 What shall I do with Jesus ? positive voice raised for him was the wife of a heathen ruler, her name Claudia Procula. Was she, like heathen women of this day, groping after a God in whom she could trust, or had she heard of Jesus and secretly believed ? Why to her was sent a dream, in the dawn of that day, of the just and sinless One ? Herod satisfied his curiosity ; with his sol- diers, mocked and insulted the prisoner ; put on him again the royal robe, and sent him back to Pilate. One more expedient Pilate tried. It was customary at the feast to release one pris- oner. In the cell of the fortress, awaiting sen- tence, lay a convicted one who had been guilty of insurrection, of highway robbery, and of murder. Thus thought Pilate, " I can save this Jesus after I allow him to be scourged to satisfy their rage." So Pilate made the proposition to them, " Which shall I release .? '' Decisive shouts came quickly back, "Ba- rabbas ! '' " What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ ? " 1 68 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Pilate's criminal inaction. The fearful answer was, " Let him be cruci- fied." Three times, Luke tells us, Pilate ask^d, " Why, what evil hath he done ? " Irresolute, ambitious, hoping to conciliate the mob, fearing to offend Cesar, hoping to release yet afraid to save, Pilate, "willing to content the people," gave over the Saviour to their wrath. If he had been sentenced by Jewish law, ston- ing would have been the punishment ; if Ba- rabbas had been the convicted one, crucifixion was the death penalty of Romans. Strangely, truly, fulfilling every type of salvation, the "just One " was sustituted for the guilty. Pilate washed his hands, but the stain of a Redeemer's blood rested on his heart, even though it was willingly accepted by the nation who rejected their Messiah. Indecision or inaction is sometimes as posi- tively guilt as actual transgression. So Pilate yielded to the hoarse shouts, " Cru- cify him ! crucify him ! " coming from some of the same voices which a few days before had mingled in the hosannas. The Reed and the Thorns. yesus on the Cross, i/i Chi-ist mocked by Eoman soldiers. CHAPTER XXVI.. JESUS ON THE CROSS. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. — Luke xxiii, 46. \T WHATEVER discussion may have been ^ ^ as to the previous days of Passion Week, all agree that it was on Friday — and nearly all that it was the fifteenth of the month Nisan — when our Saviour suffered death. Pilate had yielded to the wishes of the clam- orous people, and the four soldiers who had special charge of carrying out the sentence of crucifixion took him into the common hall, when they called the whole band together. They arrayed him in a scarlet robe, placed a crown of thorns on his head, put a reed into his hand in mockery of a scepter, and derisively bowed the knee before him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews ! " They also took the reed and smote him on the head, and spit upon him. Then, when their cruelties of mockery were ex- 11 172 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Simon bears the cross. hausted, they again put on him his own clothes and led him out to death, having laid his cross upon him. The heavy weight nearly crushed him beneath its burden ; the Jews would not defile their holy hands by touching it, and as a Cyrenian passed along, they forced him to help bear the burden. Blessed Simon, to bear the cross for Jesus ! He was from Cyrene, a city of Africa, on the Mediterranean shore. Bless- ing came to his household and friends ; they are spoken of as if of the household of faith, and men of Cyrene were among the first preachers of the Gospel in Greece. Simon, probably, walked behind the Saviour, so that the heaviest part of the cross fell upon his shoulders ; though it may be he followed, carrying the cross for the Master. So they went to Calvary, a public spot just out of the city, and yet not far from the temple ; also called Golgotha, for it was upon a skull-shaped, or round, rising mound or hill. Numbers of people followed the strange pro- cession, a tumultuous crowd, for there must Jesus on the Cross. 173 Christ nailed to the cross. have been every variety of expression of feeling there — the idle, the curious, the revengeful, open enemies and secret friends. We have no record of the thoughts of the central One in all that group, whom heaven and earth were watching. Once he spoke on that mournful way. Women who loved him went, doubtless, as near him as they could, for he saw their tears, and heard how they bewailed and lamented him. He turned unto them and spoke ; even in that hour his merciful heart spoke of their coming sorrow, not of his own. Having arrived at the place, the cross was soon erected. He was "lifted up," the crown of thorns still upon his head ; the nails were quickly driven by practiced hands. By nine o'clock of our time the work was completed ; the Saviour of the world, the Lord of heaven, was enduring the deepest degrada- tion the ingenuity of Satan ever suggested to mortals to inflict It was the custom to put on the breast of 1/4 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Jesus, the King of the Jews. the criminal, and also above bis head on the cross, a title, the public statement of the crime for which he suffered. What should be written against Him ? Pilate had it inscribed in Hebrew, the language of the Jew ; in Greek, well understood in all the East ; in Latin, the language of the Romans: ''This is Jesus the King of the Jews/' No allegation of crime, but a title indeed. He had been offered the customary drink for criminals, vinegar mingled with gall. He tasted, then refused, for with no blunted sensi- bilities would he suffer ; the offering of life was full, conscious, complete. It was the duty of the soldiers to stay and watch, four for each victim, for he was " numbered with the trans- gressors." At the trial a thief was preferred before him ; on the way two robbers were "led with him ;" on the cross a thief was crucified upon each side of him. The soldiers wantonly passed the time in di- viding his worn garments, and casting lots for the woven inner coat, which they could not di- Jesus on the Cross. 175 Women at the Cross. vide. Then was enacted, in the broad Hght of an undying day, all the prophetic horrors of the twenty-second psalm — the laugh of scorn, the wagging head, the cry of agony, the parching thirst. Passers by, soldiers, sanctimonious high- priests in trailing garments, rulers in robes of office, all gazed, mocked, reviled. The few hearts of sympathy were some timid disciples, (though we have no proof of but one of the twelve being there,) believing women, and one thief by his side, whose penitent prayer was answered. Jesus's eye may have seen inexpressible pity in a few of the faces before him, but there was not one word of sympathy spoken to him dur- ing the fearful six hours upon the cross. One tender scene is preserved to us. " Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother." He saw her ; what love beamed in his dying eyes ! Well he knew the sword which pierced her " own soul also." What thronging memories in her heart, from the hour of the overshadow- ing wing of the announcing angel until this very hour of anguish ! 1/6 From Bethlehem to Calvary. It is finished I The Son of God, the Son of man, not less the loving son of a tender mother, in what few chosen words he bid that disciple whom he loved be a son to that stricken one. Seven times the same voice spoke from the cross, the first and last utterance a prayer. Noon came, midday — at his birth a new star, and the glory of heaven lit up the heavens at midnight ; as the agonies of death began, even the sun hid his face, and at midday darkness enveloped the earth. Gloom, horror, silence, fell upon Calvary ; later a cry of agony pierced the air — " I thirst ! " and a soldier dipped a sponge in the vinegar or sour wine, the soldiers^ usual drink, and putting it on a reed of hyssop reached it to the parched lips. " It is finished ! " Even death did not come until he readily "gave up the ghost.'' The work completed, one more prayer commended that spirit to the Father who " so loved the world," and the bursting heart was broken ; the life of Jesus on earth was ended. Not in silence, for an earthquake rent the yestis on the Cross, lyj Christ the sacrifice for sin. rocks, burst the stone doors of sepulchers, rent in twain the costly vail in the temple, which hung before the Holy of Holies. The sacrifice was offered, accepted, and the lowliest, guiltiest, through the death of the Saviour, can ever find access to the Father's throne. 178 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Joseph begs the body of Jesus. CHAPTER XXVII. THE RISEN LORD. But now is risen Christ from the dead, and become the first- fruits of them that slept. — i CoR. xv, 20. A S there was a Joseph of olden time, type of '^-^ Jesus, taken from the pit and sold at the suggestion of a Judas ; so, after the selling of Christ by another Judas, and his death on the cross, there was another faithful Joseph who begged the loved body that it might be honor- ably buried. He went boldly to Pilate with his request ; Pilate wondered if death could have come so soon, and called the centurion to know ; to be certain of it, a soldier thrust a spear into his side. Nicodemus came, defore the darkness of the night, and brought costly spices and linen, fra- grant with myrrh and aloes ; a few loving hands tenderly inwrapped the tortured, wounded body, folded the mangled hands, bound a linen cloth The Risen Lord, 179 His grave with the rich in his death. around the thorn-torn brow, and laid it in a new sepulcher, hewn out of a rock in a garden belonging to the *' honorable counselor," the rich Joseph of Arimathea. So He slept — "his grave being with the rich in his death;" and a few tearful women " watched over against the sepulcher " in the twilight, after Friday's sun- ■ set. From that sunset was the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath of the passover, and formed, until the following sunset, Chrisfs first day in the grave. Saturday (their Sabbath) he also passed in the tomb. This made the second day of his entombment. Early on Sunday morn- ing he rose from the dead : that event thus occur- ring '' on the third day." Christ had said to his disciples that on the third day he should " rise again ; " but their spiritual eyes were in too dense a darkness ^f despair to see the meaning. The ever-wakeful Satanic shrewdness of the Sanhedrin was sus- picious, so they begged a watch from Pilate to station around the sealed sepulcher. They did not fear to desecrate their holy time by plans i8o From Bethlehem to Calvary. Women first at the torab. of business and of work when the object they dreamed of accompHshing was to imprison within the grave the King they had crucified. They securely sealed the stone, and stationed a guard of soldiers as a watch ! Thus carefully did they guard the Saviour's earthly resting- place, "lest, as they said," his disciples should come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people, " He is risen from the dead/' Would not that guard be charged, under such circum- stances, to be doubly watchful ? Indeed they would. As the early dawn of the first day of the week was breaking, a few women met and walked together on the silent road toward the garden, with womanly forethought arranging the details of what they were going to do, for the coo] air around their path was perfumed by the spices they took to anoint the beloved body. They said to each other, "Who shall roll us away the stone." To their surprise they found, on arriving near the sepulcher, that the stone was already rolled away — for there had been ar^ The Risen Lord, i8i He is risen! earthquake, and the descent of an angel, who had rolled back the stone. The soldiers, too, had been greatly alarmed, and so rendered un- able to offer any resistance. It does not seem that the earthquake had so much frightened them as the visible presence of the angel, with its face so shining, and its raiment so snowy, causing them to tremble with fear, and to become as dead men. The hard-hearted soldiers were paralyzed ; but the trusting, loving women " entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." Mary Magdalene ran to tell John and Peter, while the others remained, and to them the angels uttered the first easter anthem : " He is not here : for he is risen"—" Go and tell his disciples." With willing feet they ran to bear the message to the disciples, and as they went the familiar voice of Jesus said, ^' All hail ! " To the early watchers came the first appear- ance of the Lord, and with joy they embraced his feet, and listened to his message where he would meet his disciples. It seemed an idle tale, a mirage only, of hope, 1 82 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Jesus seen by Mary. when the disciples heard it ; but Peter and John ran to the sepulcher and it was empty — the napkin that was about the head folded by itself, the clothes vacant. Was not that confirm- atory of the story ? They " went away again to their own home ; '' but Mary Magdalene lin- gered there weeping. Two angels sat within — " Woman, why weepest thou ? " "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." " Mary !" O the thrill from that voice, the ac- cent of that name ! With ecstasy she listens while he gives her a charge for the disciples. To her, too, Jesus first showed himself after his resurrection. Mark xvi, 9. On the first day of the week, which was thus, by his resurrection from the grave, set apart forever as the Lord's day, the Christian Sab- bath, we are told that he appeared five times to some of those who loved him. Toward evening two friends, as they walked talking together of the events of the last few days, were joined by one, to them a stranger. The Risen Lord, 183 Christ with the disciples. He questioned them, and they told him all. When he seemed about to go on they said, " Abide with us." Gladly he revealed himself to them, and they returned to Jerusalem to tell the joyful news — '' the Lord is risen indeed ! " There they heard he had already been seen by Peter. To the disciple who had denied him he manifested himself before he did to the others : the words he spoke, whether of forgiveness or of counsel, have been hidden from us. The even- ing of that first Sabbath the disciples (Thomas excepted) were together in an upper room, with closed doors, when Jesus himself stood in their midst and said, ''■ Peace be unto you ! " Even then they were afraid ; but he showed them his hands and his feet. With them he sat at their evening meal, and ate of *' broiled fish and of a honey-comb," and talked of the Scriptures which had been fulfilled in him. He gave them the commission, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature ;" but bid them " tarry in Jerusalem," for he promised them " power from on high." 1 84 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Seen of above five hundred. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE EVER-PRESENT LORD. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. — Matt, xxviii, 20. " 'T^HEN the eleven disciples went away into -*- Galilee, into a mountain, where Jesus had appointed them." Here, too, were gathered a great company of believers to whom the mes- sage had been sent : " He goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him/' To this time Paul alludes when he says, ^* After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once." Some believe this place to have been the Mount of Transfiguration, where he first spoke of '' the Son of man, risen from the dead." This was the fitting close to the ministry of miracle and mercy he had performed in Gali- lee, and here he directed all who heard him to teach and preach in his name, and said, ^' Lo, The Ever- Present Lord. 185 Christ works with his disciples. I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Thirty-three years Jesus dwelt on the earth. Not alone for the eyes which beheld him, and the ears which heard the winning accents of his voice, but for all time, all circumstance, all places, he is the Immanuel ; not promised in the future, but, " I am with you ; " and lest doubting spirits should deem that time and distance could prevent his presence, he adds, *' even unto the end of the world." Has it been so indeed.'^ The apostles *'went forth and preached every-where, the Lord working with them." He whose head rested on the loving bosom at the last supper understood the bless- ed indwelling. Had he not heard Jesus say, *' Abide in me, and I in you } " The grand old Apostle Paul realized it when he said, " Christ is all and in all." In his wan- derings, hunger, persecutions, and tribulations, he said, '' I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." No age, no condition, was forgotten in those 1 86 From Bethlehem to Calvary. Whoever will, let him come. rich provisions of grace and comfort which Jesus has provided for all who will accept his indwell- ing, until to each comes the summons to dwell " forever with the Lord." No royal bounty was ever so lavish as is his proclamation : " Whoso- ever will, let him come." And for all who will, the promise, "/am with you:" "I" — the Sav- iour, who knows every pain, trial, weariness of earthly life, in whose ever-sympathizing heart vi- brates every heart-throb of every disciple. '^ I am with you," not will be, but in the ever present. " Great is the mystery of godliness ! " Let none dare to doubt its mystery until they can explain the union of the soul and body, life and death, the secret things of God which he has in reserve for our ingenious minds to fathom in the ages of heavenly instruction. While we cannot now fully comprehend all the mysteries of godliness, let us joyfully be- lieve ; for we know, that sitting at the Father's right hand is that glorified human form which the disciples saw transfigured, and it holds that great and loving heart which can be "touched The Ever-Present Lord, 187 Christ ascends into heaven. with the feeling of our infirmities," whatever they may be, wherever in the wide universe, in the same hour. That heart can comfort the suf- fering, rejoice with the glad, lead the dying, guide the tempted, intercede for the praying, forgive the repenting, hear and respond to every sigh, or even unwhispered aspiration of trust in him. Once more Jesus met the disciples in Jeru- salem ; there was a last conversation with his chosen witnesses, a few more last counsels, the precious promise was given : '' Ye shall be bap- tized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.'' Then he led them out as far as Bethany — one of the earth spots Jesus loved, on the slope of the Mount of Olives. He stood, lifted up his hands, and blessed them — rising above them higher and higher, they saw a cloud gather around him, and it hid him from their sight. Was it not a multitude of the heavenly host gathering around their returning Lord as he ascended to heaven } 12 From Bethlehem to Calvary. The rapt gaze of the apostles. Did not the heavenly chorus gloriously ring out as they sang, " Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in ? '* As the apostles gazed steadfastly toward heaven, whither he had gone — gone from earth The Ever-P resent Lord. 189 Even so ; come, Lord Jesus. to sit on the right hand of God — lo, two shining ones in v/hite apparel stood by, and said unto them, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven ? This same Jesus which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like man- ner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The work of redemption- was done, the atone- ment made ; through the beloved Son the out- cast children, on condition of faith in him, were made the sons of God. Presently an orphan was adopted in the words, " You shall be my son." With sonship was given a home, watchful, tender care, loving companionship, education, wealth, comfort. So " He that spared not his own Son — shall he not with him freely give us all things t " THE END. jpUBLICATIONS OF J^ELSON 6f J^HILLIPS, SOS Broadway, New York.. Glaucia. A Story of Athens in the First Century. By Emma Leslie. Illustrated. l2mo |1 25 Talks with Girls. By Augusta Larned. 12mo 1 50 Peter., the Apprentice. An Historical Tale of the Reformation iu England. Bj the author of " Faithful, but not Famous," etc. 16mo. ^*J Romance without Fiction, Or, Sketches from the Portfolio of an Old Missionary. By Rev. 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