,hurlbut's ,life of ,christ ,for ,young and ,old ,illustration3 ,coming to ,jerusalem these strangers asked of every one whom they met3 ,can you tell us where to find the little child who is born to be the ,king of the ,jews8 ,,hurlbut',s ,,life ,,of ,,christ ,,for ,,young ,,and ,,old ,a ,,complete ,,life ,,of ,,christ ,,written ,,in ,,simple ,,language1 ,,based ,,on ,,the ,,gospel ,,narrative ,,by ,,rev4 ,,jesse ,,lyman ,,hurlbut1 ,d4,d4 ,author of ,hurlbut's ,story of the ,bible ,former ,editor ,international ,sunday-,school ,lessons ,,illustrated ,with ,colored ,plates and ,full ,page ,halftone ,reproductions from the ,paintings of ,,william ,,hole1 ,r4,s4,a41 ,r4,e41 and other artists4 ,also including ,maps and ,photographs of the ,holy ,land4 ,,philadelphia ,,the ,,john ,c4 ,,winston ,,company ,,publishers ,copyright1 ,,mcmxv1 by ,l4 ,t4 ,,myers ,,printed ,,in ,,the ,u4,s4,a4 ,,hundredth ,,thousand ,,edition ,preface ,,in the preparation of this volume the aim in view has been to tell the story of ,jesus ,christ in a manner that will be attractive to both young and old1 to children and their teachers4 ,while the purpose of the writer has been to adapt the narrative to the understanding of a child of ten years1 so that he will not need to ask the meaning of a sentence or a word3 yet it has also been his desire to make it not childish1 but simple1 so that older readers may find it interesting and profitable4 ,in order that this book may not lead its younger readers or listeners away from the ,bible1 but directly toward it1 no imaginary scenes or conversations have been introduced4 ,the design has been to write the biography of ,jesus1 not a romance founded upon his life4 ,the order of events has been carefully considered2 and follows that of the best authorities1 accepting as historical all the four gospels and all their contents2 raising no questions concerning miracles or the relative values of different portions of the record4 ,the first purpose of every student or reader of the ,bible1 whether young or old1 should be to become thoroughly familiar with its contents4 ,without a full knowledge of the ,scriptures as they are1 he is absolutely unfit to cope with the questions of authorship or the credibility of the sacred writings4 ,no attempt has been made to formulate from the record of ,christ's life a doctrinal system4 ,theology is the loftiest study for the human intellect2 but it belongs to the mature mind1 not to the realm of childhood4 ,nor has it been the writer's aim to find in this story moral lessons for the young4 ,the works and words of ,jesus will make their own application to their reader1 whether they be children or adults4 ,the typography1 the illustrations1 and the mechanical execution of such a work as this are of almost equal importance with its literary material4 ,all that diligent effort1 artistic taste1 and abundant resources can do to make this book attractive and helpful to its readers1 has been done by the ,publishers4 ,that this volume may awaken a new interest in that ,life of lives1 which has brought the light of life to untold millions since it was lived upon the earth3 that the children of this generation1 who are to become the pillars of the coming years1 may learn to love and follow ,him who is the ,elder ,brother and ,saviour of us all1 is the prayer of the author of these pages4 ,jesse ,lyman ,hurlbut ,august #bh1 #aiae4 ,contents ,,page ,,preface #c ,,why ,,everybody ,,should ,,know ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,jesus #i ,,chapter #a4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,land #ag #b4 ,,the ,,people ,,in ,,the ,,lord',s ,,land #bd #c4 ,,the ,,stranger ,,by ,,the ,,golden ,,altar #ca #d4 ,,the ,,angel ,,visits ,,nazareth #cg #e4 ,a ,,young ,,girl',s ,,journey #de #f4 ,,the ,,boy ,,who ,,never ,,tasted ,,wine #ej #g4 ,,the ,,child-,,king ,,in ,,his ,,cradle #ee #h4 ,,the ,,baby ,,brought ,,to ,,the ,,temple #fc #i4 ,,the ,,followers ,,of ,,the ,,star #ff #aj4 ,,safe ,,in ,,egypt #gc #aa4 ,a ,,child',s ,,life ,,in ,,nazareth #gg #ab4 ,,the ,,boy ,,lost ,,and ,,found #he #ac4 ,,the ,,young ,,woodworker #ic #ad4 ,,the ,,voice ,,by ,,the ,,river #ig #ae4 ,,the ,,carpenter ,,leaves ,,his ,,shop #ajc #af4 ,,alone ,,in ,,the ,,desert #ajg #ag4 ,,the ,,earliest ,,followers ,,of ,,jesus #aae #ah4 ,,the ,,water ,,turned ,,to ,,wine #aba #ai4 ,,the ,,lord ,,in ,,his ,,temple #abg #bj4 ,,at ,,the ,,old ,,well #acb #ba4 ,,the ,,nobleman',s ,,boy #aci #bb4 ,,the ,,carpenter ,,in ,,his ,,home-,,town #adc #bc4 ,,four ,,fishermen ,,called #adi #bd4 ,,jesus ,,in ,,the ,,church1 ,,in ,,the ,,house1 ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,street #aec #be4 ,,the ,,leper ,,and ,,the ,,palsied ,,man #aeg #bf4 ,,how ,,the ,,tax-,,collector ,,became ,a ,,disciple #afc #bg4 ,,the ,,cripple ,,at ,,the ,,bath #afg #bh4 ,,the ,,lord ,,of ,,the ,,sabbath #aga #bi4 ,,jesus ,,on ,,the ,,mountain #age #cj4 ,,the ,,good ,,army ,,captain #aha #ca4 ,,how ,,jesus ,,stopped ,a ,,funeral #ahc #cb4 ,,the ,,sinful ,,woman ,,forgiven #ahi #cc4 ,,jesus ,,and ,,his ,,enemies #aib #cd4 ,,the ,,story-,,teller ,,by ,,the ,,sea #aie #ce4 ,,more ,,stories ,,told ,,by ,,the ,,sea #aii #cf4 ,,sailing ,,across ,,the ,,sea #bje #cg4 ,,the ,,sick ,,woman ,,made ,,well1 ,,and ,,the ,,dead ,,girl ,,brought ,,to ,,life #baa #ch4 ,,sight ,,to ,,the ,,blind ,,and ,,voice ,,to ,,the ,,dumb #baf #ci4 ,,twelve ,,preachers ,,sent ,,out #bah #dj4 ,a ,,dance2 ,,and ,,how ,,it ,,was ,,paid ,,for #bbc #da4 ,,the ,,boy ,,with ,,his ,,five ,,loaves #bbg #db4 ,,how ,,the ,,sea ,,became ,a ,,floor #bcc #dc4 ,,the ,,bread ,,of ,,life #bce #dd4 ,,jesus ,,in ,a ,,strange ,,country #bci #de4 ,,in ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,the ,,ten ,,cities #bdb #df4 ,,again ,,on ,,the ,,sea ,,of ,,galilee #bdf #dg4 ,,the ,,great ,,confession #bdi #dh4 ,,the ,,vision ,,on ,,the ,,mountain #bee #di4 ,,the ,,boy ,,with ,,the ,,dumb ,,spirit #bei #ej4 ,,the ,,last ,,visit ,,to ,,capernaum #bfb #ea4 ,,good-,,bye ,,to ,,galilee #bfg #eb4 ,,passing ,,through ,,samaria #bga #ec4 ,,the ,,scribe',s ,,question2 ,,and ,,mary',s ,,choice #bge #ed4 ,,jesus ,,at ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,tents #bha #ee4 ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,sinful ,,woman #bhe #ef4 ,,the ,,blind ,,man ,,at ,,the ,,pool ,,of ,,siloam #bij #eg4 ,,the ,,good ,,shepherd #bif #eh4 ,,sending ,,out ,,the ,,seventy #cjj #ei4 ,,lazarus ,,called ,,out ,,of ,,his ,,tomb #cjc #fj4 ,,jesus ,,preaching ,,in ,,perea #caa #fa4 ,,in ,,the ,,church ,,and ,,at ,,the ,,feast #cag #fb4 ,,on ,,counting ,,the ,,cost #cba #fc4 ,,seeking ,,the ,,lost #cbd #fd4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,lost ,,son ,,found #cbh #fe4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,dishonest ,,steward #ccc #ff4 ,a ,,parable ,,for ,,the ,,lovers ,,of ,,money #ccf #fg4 ,,two ,,parables ,,upon ,,prayer #cci #fh4 ,,the ,,little ,,children2 ,,and ,,the ,,rich ,,young ,,man #cda #fi4 ,,the ,,workers ,,in ,,the ,,vineyard #cdf #gj4 ,,the ,,blind ,,man ,,at ,,the ,,gate #cea #ga4 ,,in ,,the ,,rich ,,man',s ,,home ,,at ,,jericho #cec #gb4 ,,the ,,alabaster ,,jar #ceg #gc4 ,,palm ,,sunday #cfb #gd4 ,,monday ,,on ,,the ,,mount ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,temple #cfg #ge4 ,,tuesday ,,morning ,,in ,,the ,,temple #cga #gf4 ,,three ,,parables ,,of ,,warning #cge #gg4 ,,the ,,head ,,on ,,the ,,coin #cgi #gh4 ,,the ,,woman ,,with ,,seven ,,husbands #chb #gi4 ,,the ,,greatest ,,of ,,all ,,the ,,commandments #che #hj4 ,,the ,,greatest ,,gift2 ,,and ,,the ,,strangers ,,from ,,afar #chh #ha4 ,,jesus ,,telling ,,of ,,dark ,,days ,,to ,,come #cia #hb4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,ten ,,bridesmaids #cie #hc4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,talents #cih #hd4 ,,the ,,last ,,great ,,day #djb #he4 ,,washing ,,the ,,disciples' ,,feet #dje #hf4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,supper #daj #hg4 ,,the ,,vine ,,and ,,the ,,branches #dab #hh4 ,,the ,,last ,,words ,,of ,,jesus ,,to ,,his ,,disciples #daf #hi4 ,,in ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,gethsemane #dba #ij4 ,,jesus ,,before ,,annas #dbg #ia4 ,,jesus ,,before ,,caiaphas #dca #ib4 ,,jesus ,,before ,,the ,,roman ,,governor #dci #ic4 ,,jesus ,,before ,,herod #ddb #id4 ,,jesus ,,sentenced ,,to ,,death #dde #ie4 ,,jesus ,,led ,,to ,,calvary #dec #if4 ,,jesus ,,on ,,the ,,cross #dei #ig4 ,,the ,,tomb ,,in ,,the ,,garden #dfe #ih4 ,,the ,,risen ,,christ ,,and ,,the ,,empty ,,tomb #dfi #ii4 ,,jesus ,,and ,,mary ,,magdalene #dge #ajj4 ,a ,,walk ,,with ,,the ,,risen ,,christ #dgi #aja4 ,,two ,,sunday ,,evenings ,,with ,,the ,,risen ,,christ #dhc #ajb4 ,,the ,,breakfast ,,by ,,the ,,sea #dhg #ajc4 ,,jesus ,,rising ,,up ,,from ,,earth ,,to ,,heaven #dic ,why ,everybody ,should ,know the ,life of ,christ ,,there ,,have been many famous men in this world1 and every one wishes to know who they were and why they are called great4 ,in almost every city in ,america may be seen a statue of ,george ,washington1 or ,abraham ,lincoln1 or ,benjamin ,franklin1 or ,general ,lee1 or ,general ,grant4 ,whenever you see one of these statues1 you ask--if you do not know already--who this man was and why his statue has been set up4 ,in ,canada1 every house has on the wall a portrait of the great and good ,queen ,victoria1 and when a child sees it he wishes to know something of her life and her greatness4 ,you see pictures of a man standing on the deck of a ship1 or going ashore under palm trees on an island1 and are told that he is ,christopher ,columbus--and every child in ,america knows something of his story4 ,men like ,napoleon ,bonaparte1 and ,julius ,caesar1 and ,alexander the ,great1 are written about1 and talked about2 and every child should know who these men were and why they are famous4 ,did you ever think that there is one man who has been talked about1 and written about1 and sung about1 more than any other man in all the world2 and that man is ,jesus8 ,for one book telling of ,washington1 or ,napoleon1 or ,columbus1 there are hundreds of books telling of ,jesus4 ,every year at least fifteen million copies of the ,bible are printed and sent out into the world1 in every language spoken on this earth4 ,why does everybody wish to have a ,bible in his house8 ,it is because that book tells of ,jesus4 ,if the pages that tell of ,jesus should be torn out of the ,bible1 few people would care to have it or to read it4 ,there are more portraits of ,jesus ,christ1 painted and drawn and printed1 than of any other man who has ever lived4 ,everybody knows the picture of ,jesus as soon as he sees it1 whether it be of the baby ,jesus in his mother's arms1 or the boy ,jesus in the ,temple1 or the ,saviour teaching1 or dying upon the cross4 ,you do not need to be told which one in any picture is ,jesus--his face is so well known that you know it at once4 ,no other face among all the men who have ever lived from ,adam the first man down to today1 is known to as many people as the face of ,jesus4 ,then1 too1 look in the hymn books of the churches and the song books of the ,sunday-schools1 and see how many of the hymns and songs are in praise of ,jesus ,christ4 ,you do not find songs in praise of ,julius ,caesar1 nor of ,christopher ,columbus1 nor even of ,george ,washington4 ,no one who gives it thought doubts that the most famous man in all the world is ,jesus ,christ2 and because he is so famous and so great1 every one should know something of his life4 ,then1 too1 everybody likes to hear stories of wonderful things4 ,even though we know that they are not true stories1 every one listens to fairy tales and the stories of the ,arabian ,nights4 ,but how often1 when the story is ended1 the child looks up to the story-teller's face and says1 ,is it all true8 ,now1 the story of ,jesus is full of wonders4 ,you read of his turning water into wine when the guests at the feast needed it1 of his touching the eyes of a blind man and giving him sight1 of his speaking to the storm and bringing peace1 of his walking upon the waters in another storm to help his friends in danger1 and1 most wonderful of all1 of his coming out of his own tomb living1 after he had died4 ,wonderful indeed are the stories told of ,jesus2 and the greatest wonder is that they are all true4 ,you would like to hear those stories1 ,i am sure2 and every child should know them and be able to tell them to others4 ,let me give you another reason why every one should know the story of ,jesus4 ,he came to show us who ,god is1 what ,god is to us1 and how ,god feels toward us4 ,every one1 even every child1 thinks of ,god and in his heart wishes to know about ,god4 ,how terribly some people have mistaken ,god6 ,they have thought of him as an enemy1 not as a friend4 ,you can see in some countries images of a person with forty arms1 and on every hand something to kill a man with--a sword1 a spear1 an arrow1 a club1 a cup of poison1 or some other fearful thing--and that is the thought of ,god in that land3 a mighty being who hates men6 ,in old times1 many people thought that their gods were pleased when men killed their own children and burned their bodies on an altar as an offering to ,god4 ,god saw all over the earth that men had wrong and cruel thoughts of him2 and he sent his ,son ,jesus ,christ to teach men by his words1 and to show men in his life what ,god is1 how ,god feels toward us1 and how we should feel toward ,god4 ,if ,jesus had done no more for us than to teach us the ,lord's ,prayer1 beginning with the words ,our ,father who art in heaven1 he would have done enough to make us love him4 ,he showed people that ,god is their ,father1 the ,father of every one in all the world1 and that as a ,father we may call upon him1 just as any child can go to his father for whatever he needs4 ,there was once an artist who was called upon to paint the portrait of a good man4 ,but the man had died ten years before2 the artist had never seen him1 and there was no picture of him to be used as a copy4 ,at first the artist did not know what to do4 ,then a thought occurred to him4 ,is there no one1 he said1 who looks like this man1 so that ,i can see him and know something of the man's face8 ,why1 yes1 they answered4 ,he has left a son1 a man grown1 who looks exactly like his father4 ,the artist studied the face of the son1 and from it painted a likeness of the father1 whom he had never seen4 ,no one has ever seen ,god1 but if we would know1 not his face1 which we cannot know1 but his nature1 how kind1 and loving1 and helpful1 and willing ,god is1 we have only to think of ,christ2 and if we know ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 we know ,god1 his ,father and our ,father4 ,for this reason1 because in ,jesus we may know ,god1 everybody should know about ,jesus4 ,but ,jesus came to this world1 not only to show us what ,god is1 but to show us what we should be and how we should live4 ,whatever his work may be1 every one needs a copy which he can look at and follow4 ,the child who is learning to write must have a copy1 so that he may know how to shape his letters4 ,the boy or girl learning to draw has a copy or a model to guide him in his drawing4 ,when a man is about to build a ship1 he first makes a model and then shapes his great ship exactly like it4 ,perhaps you have heard the lines in ,longfellow's poem1 ,the ,building of the ,ship4 ,in the shipyard stood the ,master1 ,with the model of the vessel ,that should laugh at all disaster1 ,and with wave and whirlwind wrestle4 ,well1 we are all builders4 ,each one of us1 boy or girl1 man or woman1 is building for himself what no one else can build for him3 his character1 what he is to be1 whether good or bad1 whether wise or ignorant1 whether noble or selfish4 ,and in building up ourselves we need a model1 one perfect man1 on whom we can look and whose life we can copy4 ,that model we can find in ,jesus4 ,he lived our life1 and in living showed us how we should live4 ,even a little child may say1 ,jesus was once a little child2 and ,i will try my best to be just such a child as he was4 ,a boy of twelve may think of ,jesus as a boy and resolve to live as ,jesus lived4 ,the young man1 working in a shop1 or office1 or in the field1 may take ,jesus the workingman for his pattern4 ,when ,jesus was on the earth1 he said many times1 and to different people1 ,follow me6 ,he says it to every one of us4 ,but if we are to follow ,jesus and to be like him1 the best man that ever lived1 we must study him1 must know about his life1 must have every story of him in our mind and in our heart2 and that is another reason why every one should know the story of ,jesus4 ,it is now almost two thousand years since ,jesus lived on the earth and walked among men4 ,since he came1 the world has become a different world1 just as far as they have heard the story of ,jesus and have learned to follow him4 ,people have become less selfish and more thoughtful of others1 more willing to help others1 more generous in giving to others4 ,think of all the homes for the poor1 of all the hospitals for the sick1 of all the places where little children are cared for1 of the playgrounds1 of the love shown at ,christmas time1 of ten thousand ways in which the world is better4 ,and then remember that all these good things come from ,jesus ,christ and his love in the hearts of men4 ,but for ,jesus1 this would have been a dark world4 ,the proof of this is that these good things are to be seen only in the lands where ,jesus is known and loved and followed4 ,look at the lands where ,christ is unknown and you find them dark and sad4 ,there is still much to be done to make this a perfect world4 ,we see terrible wars1 and the poor still suffering wrong1 and many people still selfish and cruel to their fellow-men4 ,what can we do to make this a better and a brighter world8 ,we can do as ,jesus did4 ,it was said of him1 ,he went about doing good2 and that may be said of us if we will follow ,christ4 ,but to make this world good1 we must know him who is its power for goodness2 and that is another reason why every one should know the story of ,jesus4 ,let me name only one reason more why we should know the story of ,jesus3 through him we have what we need most of all--the forgiveness of our sins4 ,suppose that someone who watches us all the time should keep a list of every wrong-doing1 of every fiery temper1 of every angry word1 of every blow struck1 of every time that one of us failed to do what is right1 of every time that one let pass a chance to do some good act to another--what a long list it would be6 ,there is such a list kept4 ,an eye that never sleeps sees every act1 the eye of ,god2 and he remembers all our deeds1 and the things left undone which we ought to have done4 ,is there any way to have that list against us taken away1 blotted out and forgotten8 ,yes1 there is one who can take our sins away and make the black story of our life as white as snow4 ,that one is ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 ,he can forgive our sins1 as he forgave the sins of men while he was on the earth2 and he longs to have us ask him for forgiveness4 ,should we not love him for this8 ,and should we not wish to hear about him and to know all the tender story of his love8 ,these1 then1 are some of the reasons why we should all seek to know the story of ,jesus3 because he is the greatest and most famous man that ever lived2 because his story is full of interest and full of wonders1 and is true2 because he came to show us how kind and loving ,god is1 and how willing to have us call upon him2 because his life shows us a pattern of what we may be and tells us how we may be like him2 because ,jesus has made and is still making the world better1 and brighter1 and happier1 wherever he is known2 and best of all1 because through ,jesus our ,saviour our sins may be forgiven and taken away1 and we may be pure and holy as ,jesus was upon the earth4 ,with these thoughts and aims1 this ,story of ,jesus has been written4 ,may it help many1 young and old1 to know ,jesus better1 to love him more1 and to follow him more closely6 ,illustration3 ,,palestine ,,in ,,the ,,time ,,of ,,christ ,copyright #aiaa1 by ,w4 ,a4 ,wilde ,co4 ,the ,lord's ,land ,,chapter #a ,,first ,,of ,,all1 let us take a journey to the land where ,jesus lived4 ,we will sail in one of the big ocean steamers across the ,atlantic1 heading our prow a little to the south1 and in eight days will pause at the ,rock of ,gibraltar1 which stands on guard at the gate of the ,mediterranean ,sea4 ,do you know what ,mediterranean means8 ,it means1 among the lands2 and when you look at this sea on the map1 you see that it has lands around it on every side1 with only a narrow opening at ,gibraltar1 where its blue waters pour into the ,atlantic ,ocean4 ,we will enter the ,mediterranean ,sea1 and sail its entire length1 past ,spain and ,france and ,italy on the left4 ,we just miss touching the toe of ,italy1 for you know ,italy runs into the sea like a great leg with a high-heeled boot upon its foot4 ,and just beyond ,italy we sail by ,greece1 which looks somewhat like a hand with fingers wide apart4 ,while we are passing by these lands on the left1 we are also sailing past ,morocco and ,algiers1 and ,tunis and ,tripoli on the right4 ,we stop at ,alexandria in ,egypt1 at one of the mouths of the river ,nile1 and soon after we leave the big steamer at ,port ,said1 where the great ,suez ,canal begins4 ,there in the afternoon about ten days after our leaving ,america1 we go on board a smaller ship1 and sail northward past the eastern shore of the ,mediterranean ,sea4 ,the next morning we awake to find our ship at anchor in front of a city on a hillside1 rising up in terraces from the water4 ,that city is now called ,jaffa1 or ,yafa2 and it is the place where the steamers stop to send ashore those who are about to visit the ,holy ,land1 for that is the name given to the land where ,jesus lived4 ,do you remember in the ,old ,testament the story of ,jonah1 the prophet who tried to run away from ,god's call to preach in the city of ,nineveh8 ,well1 it was from this city of ,jaffa1 then called ,joppa1 that ,jonah started on his voyage1 which ended inside the big fish4 ,perhaps you remember also the story of ,dorcas1 in the ,new ,testament1 that good woman who helped the poor2 and after dying was raised to life through the prayer of the ,apostle ,peter4 ,dorcas too lived at ,joppa2 and they show the house where1 it is said1 ,peter stayed while he was visiting in that city4 ,illustration3 ,the ,mediterranean ,sea ,here at ,jaffa or ,joppa we end our long sea-voyage of about six thousand miles4 ,we go ashore in a small boat1 tossing up and down on the waves1 for there is no wharf where a steamer can land its passengers4 ,and now we are standing on the soil of the ,holy ,land1 where ,jesus lived4 ,in ,christ's time this land was called ,judea4 ,in our day its name is ,palestine4 ,it is a small country4 ,if you will turn to the map of the ,united ,states1 and look at ,new ,hampshire1 you will see a state in form quite like ,palestine1 and only a little smaller in size2 for ,palestine1 or the ,holy ,land1 contains about twelve thousand square miles1 and ,new ,hampshire a little more than nine thousand4 ,illustration3 ,there is no real harbor at ,jaffa4 ,steamers must anchor some distance out1 and passengers are landed by rowboats ,from ,joppa we must go across ,palestine if we would look at the part of the land among the mountains where ,jesus lived4 ,we can now ride in a railroad train1 something that ,jesus never saw while he lived on the earth2 or we can go in a carriage1 or on a horse1 or on the back of a camel1 as you will see some people riding1 or in what they call a palankeen1 which is something like a coach-body set not on wheels1 but between two pair of shafts1 one in front1 the other behind1 and a mule harnessed in each pair1 so that the rider has one mule in front and the other back of him4 ,as we ride over the land we notice that at first it is very level4 ,this part of the country is called the ,sea ,coast ,plain1 and a plain it surely is1 almost as level as a floor4 ,all around1 you see gardens and farms1 orange trees and fig trees4 ,if you could pluck one of these golden oranges and taste it1 you would find that it is one of the sweetest and richest and juiciest that you have ever eaten1 for the ,jaffa oranges are famous for their flavor4 ,you ride between great fields of wheat and rye and barley1 for this ,sea ,coast ,plain is a rich farming land4 ,illustration3 ,house of ,simon1 the tanner1 in ,joppa1 where ,peter stayed while visiting in that city ,but after a few miles1 ten or fifteen1 we notice that we have left the plain and are winding and climbing among hills4 ,in place of the farm-lands1 we see here and there flocks of sheep with shepherds guarding them just as the boy ,david watched over his flock three thousand years ago4 ,indeed1 in our journey we might pass over the very brook where ,david found the round1 smooth stones1 one of which he hurled with a sling into the giant ,goliath's forehead4 ,this is the region of low hills1 the foothills of the higher mountains beyond4 ,it is called the ,shephelah1 a name not easy to remember4 ,in the ,old ,testament days1 many battles were fought on these hills between the ,israelites and the ,philistines1 their fierce enemies4 ,illustration3 ,a saddled camel ,these foothills of the ,shephelah are not many miles wide2 and beyond them we come to the real ,mountain ,region of ,palestine4 ,mountains rise on every hand1 bare1 stony1 with scarcely any soil upon their steep sides1 and with not a tree to be seen for miles4 ,they are rocky crags1 with here and there a village perched on their summits or clinging to their walls4 ,this mountain land1 more than the hills and plains below1 was the home of the ,israelites1 the people from whom ,jesus came4 ,we wonder how they could ever have found a living in such a desolate land2 but everywhere we see the ruins of old cities1 showing that once the land was filled with people4 ,in those times1 two thousand and more years ago1 all these mountain-sides1 now bleak and rock-bound1 were covered with terraces1 where grew olive trees1 fig trees and vineyards2 where gardens blossomed and great crops were raised to feed the people4 ,even now in the spring and early summer1 the valleys between these mountains are covered with flowers of every color4 ,scarcely another land on earth has as many wild flowers as this land of ,palestine4 ,this mountain-belt1 running from the north to the south throughout the land was the part of ,palestine where nearly all the great men of ,israel lived and died4 ,here among the mountains in the south is ,bethlehem1 where ,jesus was born4 ,in a mountain village in the north1 ,nazareth1 was the home of ,jesus during nearly all his life2 and over these mountains everywhere in the land1 ,jesus walked in the three years of his preaching and teaching4 ,we pass over these mountains from east to west1 and then from the heights we look down to a valley which runs north and south1 the deepest in all the world1 where we can see a little river with many windings1 and rapids and falls1 rolling onward to drop at last into a blue lake in the south4 ,this river1 as you know1 is the ,jordan1 crossed by the ,israelites when they first came to this land2 the river where ,naaman washed away his leprosy1 where ,elijah struck the waves with his mantle and parted them1 and in whose water ,jesus was baptized4 ,we journey across this ,jordan valley1 from ten to twenty miles wide1 and then we climb again high and steep mountains4 ,this region is called the ,eastern ,table ,land1 because the mountains gradually sink down to a great desert plain on the east4 ,here we see the ruins of once great cities1 where now only a few wandering ,arabs pitch their tents4 ,we have now crossed the land of ,palestine1 and we have found that it contains five parts lying in a line3 first1 the ,sea ,coast ,plain2 second1 the ,shephelah1 or foothills2 third1 the ,mountain ,region2 fourth1 the ,jordan valley2 and fifth1 the ,eastern ,table ,land4 ,but we must keep in mind that the land when ,jesus lived there was very different from the land as we see it4 ,now it is a poor land2 then it was rich4 ,now its villages are made of miserable mud-houses1 where live people who look half starved2 then it was a land of well-built towns and happy people4 ,now we find roads that are mere tracks over the stones2 then there were good roads everywhere4 ,now the hills rise bare and rocky2 then they were covered with gardens4 ,now scarcely a tree can be seen in miles of travel2 then the olive and the vine and the palm grew everywhere4 ,we see the land in its ruin2 ,jesus saw it in its riches4 ,illustration3 ,the valley of ,gehenna1 to the east of ,jerusalem ,the ,people in the ,lord's ,land ,,chapter #b ,,nearly ,,all the people living in ,palestine in the time of ,jesus were of the ,jewish race4 ,two thousand years before ,jesus came1 a great man was living in that land1 named ,abraham4 ,to this man1 ,god gave a promise that his children and their children after them for many ages should live in that land and own it4 ,abraham's son was named ,isaac1 and ,isaac's son was named ,jacob4 ,all the people of ,palestine had sprung from the family of ,jacob1 and by the time ,jesus came1 these descendants of ,jacob1 as they were called1 were in number many millions1 and were to be found in other lands besides ,palestine2 although more of them lived in ,palestine than in any other land4 ,jacob1 ,abraham's grandson1 was also named ,israel2 and on that account all the people sprung from him were called the ,israelites4 ,jacob or ,israel had twelve sons1 from whom came the twelve tribes of ,israel4 ,but one son1 named ,judah1 had more descendants or people springing from him than any other2 and as most of the people in ,palestine were of ,judah's family1 all of them were spoken of as ,jews1 a word which means sprung or descended from ,judah4 ,so the people to whom ,jesus belonged were sometimes called ,israelites1 but more often ,jews4 ,they had another name1 ,hebrews1 but that was not used as often as the two names1 ,israelites and ,jews4 ,for many years1 long before ,jesus came1 the ,jews were rulers in the land of ,palestine1 with kings of their own race1 as ,david and ,solomon in the early times1 and ,king ,jeroboam and ,king ,hezekiah later4 ,but in the time of ,jesus1 the ,jews were no longer rulers in their own land4 ,palestine was then a small part of the vast ,roman ,empire1 which ruled all the lands around the ,mediterranean ,sea4 ,its chief was an emperor1 who lived at ,rome in ,italy4 ,at the time when ,jesus was born the emperor was ,augustus4 ,he was then an old man1 and died very soon after the birth of ,jesus4 ,the emperor who followed him was named ,tiberius1 and he ruled most of the years that ,jesus was living in ,palestine4 ,illustration3 ,tiberias1 on the ,sea of ,galilee1 where ,herod lived ,but there was another king ruling the land of ,palestine under the ,roman emperor1 at the time when ,jesus came4 ,his name was ,herod1 and because he was a very wise and strong man1 although a very wicked man1 he was called ,herod the ,great4 ,he ruled the land of ,palestine1 but in his turn obeyed the orders of the emperor ,augustus at ,rome4 ,herod also was a very old man at the time of ,jesus' birth1 and died soon afterward4 ,when ,herod the ,great died1 his kingdom was divided into four parts4 ,each of these parts had a king of its own1 and three of these kings were ,herod's sons4 ,herod ,antipas ruled over ,galilee in the northwest1 and ,perea in the southeast2 ,herod ,philip was over the country in the northeast2 and ,herod ,archelaus ruled the largest portion1 in the south4 ,none of these little kings were good men4 ,they had their father's wickedness1 but did not have his ability to rule4 ,one of them1 ,archelaus1 was so bad that all the people asked the emperor at ,rome to take his rule away4 ,this the emperor did1 and sent a man from ,rome to govern the land in his place4 ,you have heard of the ,roman governor who was over this part of the land while ,jesus was teaching4 ,his name was ,pontius ,pilate2 and he it was1 you remember1 who sent ,jesus to die upon the cross4 ,the land of ,palestine at that time was divided into five parts1 which were called provinces4 ,the largest of these provinces was ,judea1 the one on the south1 between the ,dead ,sea and the river ,jordan on the east1 and the ,mediterranean ,sea on the west4 ,north of ,judea was a small province called ,samaria1 where lived a people who were not ,jews but ,samaritans4 ,the ,jews hated the ,samaritans1 and the ,samaritans1 in turn1 hated the ,jews4 ,samaria was governed as a part of ,judea1 not with a separate ruler4 ,these were the two provinces at first under ,archelaus and then under the ,roman governor4 ,in the north of ,palestine1 west of the river ,jordan and the ,sea of ,galilee1 was the province of ,galilee1 a country full of mountains1 where ,jesus dwelt for nearly all his life4 ,the ruler of this province was ,herod ,antipas4 ,he lived most of the time at a city which he had built beside the ,sea of ,galilee1 and had named ,tiberias1 after the ,roman emperor ,tiberius4 ,illustration3 ,samuel anointing ,saul to be the first king of ,israel ,across the ,jordan1 on the east1 opposite to ,galilee was another province4 ,in the ,old ,testament times1 this land had been called ,bashan1 which means woodland1 because it was a land of many forests4 ,in the ,new ,testament time it was generally spoken of as ,philip's province1 because its ruler was ,herod ,philip1 the best of ,herod's sons1 and none too good1 either4 ,south of ,philip's province1 and east of the river ,jordan1 was a province named ,perea1 a word meaning beyond1 because this region was beyond or across the river ,jordan4 ,at the time of ,jesus' life1 ,perea was like ,galilee1 ruled by ,herod ,antipas4 ,once at least ,jesus visited this province2 and here he told the ,parable of the ,prodigal ,son1 which everybody has heard4 ,although the mighty ,roman empire gave to the ,jews in ,palestine a government that was just and fair1 it was not a ,jewish rule2 and the ,jews were not contented under the power of foreigners4 ,they felt that they more than other nations were the people of ,god1 and that they had a right to rule themselves1 under kings of their own race4 ,also they read in their ,bible the promises of the prophets that from ,israel should come forth a king1 out of ,david's line1 who should rule the world4 ,illustration3 ,a heathen idol ,this great ,king1 whom the ,jews hoped for and looked for1 they called ,messiah1 a word in the ,jews' language meaning the same as the word ,christ1 which is a ,greek word1 meaning the ,anointed ,one1 that is1 the ,king4 ,you remember that in the ,old ,testament story the prophet ,samuel anointed ,saul to be the first king of ,israel1 that is1 he poured oil on his head2 and that afterward he chose the boy ,david to be the next king by the same sign4 ,when we say ,jesus ,christ1 ,jesus is his name and ,christ is his title2 and we mean ,jesus the ,king4 ,we know that this promised ,king whom the ,jews called ,messiah was ,jesus ,christ who rules over the hearts of men everywhere2 but the ,jews thought that it meant a king like ,herod or the emperor ,tiberius1 only better and wiser1 who should live in a palace at ,jerusalem1 their chief city1 and make all lands obey his will4 ,this hope made the ,jews very restless and unhappy under the ,roman power4 ,they were always looking for the coming of this mighty ,king of the ,jews1 who should lead them to conquer the earth4 ,illustration3 ,interior of ,jewish synagogue in ,palestine ,in their worship the ,jews were different from all the rest of the world4 ,every other people had gods of wood and stone1 images before which they bowed and to which they gave offerings4 ,in all the cities of that world were temples and altars to these idols1 made by the hands of men4 ,but in the land of the ,jews were no images1 no idol-temples1 and no offerings to man-made gods4 ,the ,jews1 whether in ,palestine or in other lands1 worshipped the ,one ,god who was unseen1 the ,god to whom we also pray4 ,in their chief city1 ,jerusalem1 was a splendid temple where ,god was worshipped2 and in every ,jewish city and town were churches1 where the people met to read the ,bible1 to sing the psalms of ,david1 to offer prayer to ,god1 and to talk together about ,god's laws4 ,these churches were called synagogues1 and wherever ,jews lived1 synagogues were to be found4 ,the ,jews looked with great contempt upon the idol-worship of other nations1 and were proud of the fact that ever since the days of their father ,abraham1 they had worshipped only the ,lord ,god4 ,illustration3 ,ruins of ancient synagogue at ,kefr ,birim1 in ,galilee ,the ,stranger by the ,golden ,altar ,,chapter #c ,,in ,,the land of ,palestine one city was loved by the ,jews above all other places4 ,that was ,jerusalem1 the largest city in the land in the province of ,judea4 ,it was to the ,jews everywhere1 not only in ,palestine but over all the earth1 wherever ,jews lived1 the holy city4 ,from all parts of the land the people came at least once in every year1 and many families1 three times each year1 to worship ,god in ,jerusalem4 ,at these great feasts1 as they were called1 all the roads leading to ,jerusalem were thronged with travelers going up to ,jerusalem for worship4 ,and the ,jews in other lands1 many hundreds of miles away1 even as far as ,rome itself1 tried at least once in their lives to visit the city4 ,they sang about ,jerusalem songs such as3 ,if ,i forget thee1 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,let my right hand forget her cunning2 ,let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ,if ,i remember thee not1 ,if ,i prefer not ,jerusalem ,above my chief joy4 ,that which made ,jerusalem a holy city was its ,temple1 a magnificent building on ,mount ,moriah1 just across a valley from ,mount ,zion1 where the larger part of the city stood4 ,the ,temple they called ,the ,house of ,god1 for in it the ,jews believed their ,god made his home4 ,in front of this ,temple stood an altar1 which was like a great box made of stone1 hollow inside1 and covered with a metal grating4 ,upon this altar a fire was kept burning night and day1 and on the fire the priests who led in the worship of ,god1 laid offerings of sheep and oxen1 which were burned as gifts to ,god2 while around the altar the people stood and prayed to ,god as the offering1 which they called a sacrifice1 was burning4 ,illustration3 ,looking up the ,kedron ,valley toward ,mt4 ,moriah ,inside the ,temple building were two rooms4 ,the room in front was called the holy place1 and in it stood on one side a table covered with gold1 on which lay twelve loaves of bread as an offering to ,god2 one loaf for each of the twelve tribes of ,israel4 ,on the other side of the room stood a golden lamp-stand1 with seven branches1 called the golden candlestick4 ,at the farther end of the room stood another altar1 made of gold1 smaller than the great altar in front of the ,temple4 ,on this golden altar the priest offered twice each day a bowl of incense1 which was made by mixing some sweet-smelling gums1 frankincense and myrrh1 and burning them1 so that they formed a fragrant white cloud1 filling the ,holy ,place4 ,beyond the ,holy ,place was another room called ,the ,holy of ,holies4 ,into this room no one entered except the high priest1 and he on only one day in the year2 for this inner room was set apart for the dwelling-place of ,god2 and the ,jews believed that in this room the light of ,god was shining so brightly that no one could endure it4 ,in the first ,temple built by ,king ,solomon1 the ,ark of the ,covenant stood in the ,holy of ,holies4 ,this was a chest covered with gold1 within which lay the two stone tables on which the ,ten ,commandments were written4 ,but the ,ark of the ,covenant had been lost1 and in the time of which we are speaking1 nothing was in the ,holy of ,holies except a block of marble4 ,illustration3 ,the ,mosque of ,omar1 now on the place where the ,temple once stood ,one day an old priest named ,zacharias was offering incense upon the golden altar in the ,holy ,place4 ,he had filled the bowl1 which they called a censer1 with the frankincense and myrrh1 and had placed in it some coals of fire from the great altar in front of the ,temple4 ,he had come into the ,holy ,place1 bringing his censer of incense1 which sent its white cloud into the air1 and was just about to lay it upon the altar1 when he was startled at suddenly seeing someone standing by the golden altar on the right side4 ,zacharias was surprised to see anyone in the room1 for he knew that no one but himself had a right to be there4 ,but he was still more surprised and filled with fear when he looked at this stranger standing by the altar4 ,he seemed like a young man1 and his face and body and clothes were bright and shining like the sun1 so glorious that the old priest could not bear to look upon him4 ,illustration3 ,high ,priest1 altar of incense1 table for shew bread1 and ,ark of the ,covenant ,at once ,zacharias knew that this glorious person was an angel sent from ,god4 ,he trembled with fear2 his knees shook1 and he could scarcely keep from falling on the floor4 ,the angel spoke to him1 gently and kindly3 ,zacharias1 do not be frightened4 ,you have nothing to fear4 ,i have come to you with good news4 ,god has heard the prayers that you and your good wife ,elizabeth have been sending up to heaven for these many years4 ,you shall have a son1 and shall call his name ,john4 ,your son when he becomes a man will bring joy and gladness to many people2 for he shall be great in the sight of the ,lord2 and it shall be his work to make his people ready for the coming of the ,king for whom they have been looking so long4 ,you must see that your son never drinks any wine or strong drink1 for he is to be set apart for ,god1 to serve ,god only1 and to speak the word of ,god to the people1 telling them that their ,king and ,saviour is at hand4 ,illustration3 ,the golden candlestick ,the priest was so filled with surprise and fear that he could scarcely believe what he heard4 ,how can these wonderful words be true8 he said4 ,i am an old man1 and my wife is also old4 ,we are too old now to have children4 ,how can ,i believe all this8 ,the angel was not pleased when he saw that ,zacharias doubted his word1 and he said3 ,i am the angel ,gabriel1 that stands before ,god2 and ,i have been sent from ,god to speak to you and to bring you this good news4 ,now1 because you did not believe ,god's word1 you shall be stricken dumb1 and shall not be able to speak until my words come true and your child is born4 ,and then the angel vanished out of sight as suddenly as he had come1 and ,zacharias was left alone4 ,all this time a great crowd of people was standing outside the ,temple1 worshipping ,god while the offering was made4 ,they wondered that ,zacharias was waiting so long in the ,temple2 and they wondered more when he came out and they found that he could not speak4 ,he made signs to them1 trying to show them he had seen an angel1 but he did not tell them what the angel had said1 for that was meant for himself only and not for others4 ,each priest stayed for one week in the ,temple and then went to his house2 so after a few days ,zacharias left ,jerusalem and returned to his house in the southern part of the land1 not far from the old city of ,hebron1 the place where ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob1 the early fathers of the ,israelites1 were buried4 ,how happy ,elizabeth was when her husband1 by signs and by writing1 told her of the angel and his promise that she should be the mother of one who was to bear the word of the ,lord to the people4 ,such men1 to whom ,god spoke and who spoke for ,god1 were called prophets4 ,many great prophets in past years had spoken the word of ,god to the ,israelites1 men like ,samuel and ,elijah and ,isaiah4 ,but more than four hundred years had passed away since the voice of a prophet had been heard in the land4 ,their promised son was to rise up and speak once more ,god's will to his people4 ,zacharias and ,elizabeth might not live long enough to hear his voice as a prophet1 but they had ,god's promise1 and in that promise they were happy1 waiting for their child to come and grow up to his great work4 ,the ,angel ,visits ,nazareth ,,chapter #d ,,for ,,our next story we visit ,nazareth1 a village in ,galilee1 nearly seventy miles north of ,jerusalem4 ,galilee1 as we have seen1 was the northern province or division of the land1 lying between the river ,jordan and the ,great ,sea4 ,the lower part of ,galilee is a great plain1 called the plain of ,esdraelon1 or the plain of ,jezreel1 where many battles have been fought in past times4 ,the upper part of ,galilee is everywhere mountains and valleys1 with villages perched on the mountain tops or clinging to their sides1 and sometimes nestled in the valleys4 ,just where the plain ends and the mountains begin1 we find a long range of steep hills4 ,if we climb to the top of this range1 on one side we see the plain stretched out1 and far in the distance the ,mediterranean ,sea2 and on the other1 or northern slope of the hills1 we come to the city of ,nazareth4 ,there the mother of ,jesus lived as a young girl before her son was born1 and there ,jesus lived during most of his life4 ,nazareth is there still1 although many of the old towns in that land have passed away2 and now it is quite a city1 but in the time of which we are telling it was only a village4 ,all around it are hills4 ,one can stand in the town and count fifteen hills and mountains1 all in sight4 ,illustration3 ,nazareth from the road to ,cana ,its narrow streets climb the hills between rows of one-story white houses1 many of them having a little dome on the roof4 ,around each roof in those times of which we are telling was a rail with posts on the corners1 to prevent any one on the roof from falling off1 for the flat roof was used as a place of visiting and of rest1 since the house inside was dark1 having no glass windows1 but instead only one small hole in the wall4 ,none of these houses had a door opening upon the street4 ,beside the road was a high wall1 and in it a gate leading to an open court1 at one end of which stood the house4 ,in the village was one fountain1 to which all the women went for water4 ,there were no wells or pumps or pipes with water in the houses2 and around the fountain might be seen in the morning a crowd of women bringing water-jars empty1 and carrying them home full of water1 balanced on their heads4 ,no one often saw a man carrying a jar of water1 for this was looked upon as a woman's work4 ,in one of those small white houses of ,nazareth lived a young ,jewish girl named ,mary4 ,we do not know how she looked1 for although many artists have made pictures of her1 all have drawn or painted her as they imagined her to be1 not as she was4 ,all that we really know of ,mary1 we read in two of the four gospels1 ,matthew and ,luke2 and neither of these tell us anything about her early life or her family4 ,it has been said that her father's name was ,joachim and her mother's was ,anna2 but this is not found in either of the gospels1 and we do not know whether it is true4 ,we do know1 however1 that she was a pure-hearted1 lovely girl1 who served the ,god of ,israel with all her heart and lived a holy life4 ,she knew her ,bible well1 we are sure1 for its words came readily to her lips2 and she was a girl who thought much and talked but little4 ,in those years she might have been seen often going with the other girls of the village to the fountain for water1 or sitting in the women's gallery in the church1 listening thoughtfully to the reading from the ,bible1 and with her rich young voice joining in the chanting of ,david's psalms4 ,in that land girls are promised in marriage while very young1 and ,mary was at this time promised to be married to a man named ,joseph1 who was a carpenter1 or1 as he is called in the gospels1 a worker in wood4 ,the two families1 ,joseph's and ,mary's1 were not rich4 ,they belonged to the working class of people1 but they were not like many1 wretchedly poor4 ,they were just plain1 honest1 working people1 able to earn a comfortable living4 ,illustration3 ,the well of the ,virgin ,mary1 at ,nazareth ,illustration3 ,mary beheld the angel ,gabriel suddenly beaming upon her4 ,although ,joseph and ,mary were of the common people1 they came from the noblest blood in all the land4 ,both were sprung from the royal line of ,david1 the greatest of the kings of ,israel1 and the singer of many beautiful psalms4 ,they lived in little one-room houses1 and their hands were hard from work1 but they could trace their line back to the palace where ,david the founder of their family dwelt4 ,on one day ,mary was alone4 ,it may have been in her own little home1 or upon its roof1 where she often went for prayer1 or perhaps under a tree on the hillside near the village4 ,just as ,zacharias a few months before had seen a heavenly1 gloriously-shining being in the ,temple1 so now ,mary beheld the same angel ,gabriel suddenly beaming upon her4 ,in a sweet voice he said3 ,peace be with you1 ,mary6 ,you are in high favor and love1 for the ,lord is with you6 ,the voice was gentle1 but the sight of this shining form filled the young girl with alarm4 ,she knew not what to think1 nor why this glorious being had come to her4 ,but after a moment the angel went on speaking1 and said3 ,do not be afraid1 ,mary1 for ,god has chosen you among all women for his special favor4 ,you shall have a son2 and you shall give him the name ,jesus1 because he shall save his people from their sins4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest ,god4 ,god shall give to him the throne and the kingdom of his father ,david4 ,he shall reign forever over the people of ,israel1 and of his kingdom there shall be no end4 ,the angel paused and ,mary found words to speak1 tremblingly and with fear3 ,how can all this come to me8 ,i do not understand what it all means6 ,then the angel spoke again to the troubled and frightened girl3 ,the ,holy ,spirit of ,god shall come to you1 and the power of ,god shall be upon you2 and therefore that holy child that is to be given you shall be called ',the ,son of ,god4' ,also1 let me tell you that your cousin ,elizabeth is soon to have a son in her old age4 ,this may seem strange to you2 but no word of ,god is without power4 ,every promise of ,god shall surely come to pass4 ,then ,mary said3 ,i am the ,lord's servant1 and ,i can trust him4 ,let it be to me as you have spoken4 ,i will rest without fear in the will of the ,lord4 ,then1 as suddenly as he had come1 the angel vanished out of sight1 and ,mary was left alone4 ,she was filled with wonder at what she had seen and heard4 ,any young ,jewish girl to whom came the news that the words of the prophets in the ,bible were now to come true1 that the long-promised ,king of ,israel was soon to be born1 and that she should be his mother1 would be amazed and perhaps alarmed at the message4 ,some girls would have talked about it1 and might even be proud at such an expectation4 ,but ,mary's was a quiet nature1 not apt to speak of her deepest thoughts4 ,she felt in some way that there was no one in her home or in her village with whom she could speak of these things4 ,she hid them silently in her heart1 but thought about them day and night4 ,illustration3 ,elizabeth greeting ,mary3 ,blessed1 most blessed are you among women6 ,a ,young ,girl's ,journey ,,chapter #e ,,after ,,the visit of the angel and the message which he had brought1 ,mary's mind was filled with many thoughts and her heart was full4 ,she was only a young girl1 not older than sixteen years1 perhaps as young as fifteen2 for if she were older she should have been already married4 ,in that land nearly all young women are married as soon as they are sixteen years old2 and very few stay unmarried4 ,mary felt that she must talk with somebody of all these wonderful things that had been spoken to her4 ,we would think that her mother was the one with whom she could open her heart most freely1 but we are not sure that her mother was living4 ,and is it not true that a young girl can sometimes tell to a dear grandmother1 or some other old lady who is her friend1 the deep things of the heart that she may hesitate to mention even to her own mother8 ,she thought of one who was not her grandmother1 but who from her age and sweetness seemed like one4 ,her mind turned to ,elizabeth1 living far away in the south4 ,the angel1 you know1 had told her that ,elizabeth was also to have a child1 and perhaps she would be able to understand ,mary's feelings better than any other woman4 ,elizabeth was related to ,mary4 ,she is named in the gospel of ,st4 ,luke as ,mary's cousin1 though very likely they were not near1 but distant relatives4 ,mary knew that she was wise and good1 that she loved her1 and being old1 could give her advice4 ,mary made up her mind to visit ,elizabeth and open her heart with her fully about what the angel had spoken to her4 ,from ,nazareth to ,elizabeth's house was a long distance1 in a straight line more than eighty miles1 but much farther by the road which travelers from ,galilee generally followed in going from the north to the south of the land4 ,very soon after the angel's visit1 ,mary left her home and began her journey southward4 ,of course1 a young girl could not take a journey so long alone4 ,but there were always caravans or parties going from ,galilee to ,jerusalem1 and ,mary would travel with one of those companies4 ,a soldier would ride on a horse1 a general in his chariot1 and an ,arab on his camel2 but most men in those times walked1 even on long journeys4 ,a woman would ride on an ass1 which was the animal preferred by the ,jews for travel4 ,we may think of ,mary with a beating heart leaving her home in ,nazareth in company with a caravan or party of people journeying to ,jerusalem to attend one of the great feasts held every year in that city4 ,their most direct way would be over the mountains2 but it would be rough and stony2 up one mountain1 down another1 and around a third mountain1 nearly all the way4 ,besides1 this way would lead them through the country of the ,samaritans1 which lay between ,galilee and ,judea1 and such was the hatred between ,jews and ,samaritans that it was scarcely safe for a company of ,jews to go through their land4 ,a large company would need to stop by night at some inn1 and the ,samaritans often shut their inns against those who were going to ,jerusalem4 ,the line of travel from ,nazareth would be to go over the steep hill on the south of their village1 then follow a well-trodden way eastward down to the river ,jordan4 ,there they would find a very good road built by the ,romans1 straight down the ,jordan ,valley1 with mountains on either side4 ,this they would follow about sixty miles until they came to ,jericho4 ,there they might rest for a few days2 and then climb the steep path up the mountains to ,jerusalem4 ,this ,jericho road was a hiding place for robbers1 and it was never safe for anyone to travel it alone4 ,but in a large company1 with many men1 and often a guard of soldiers1 the travelers need not fear4 ,they would easily reach ,jerusalem in a week or ten days after leaving ,nazareth1 and might make the journey in five days if they were in haste4 ,in ,jerusalem ,mary would visit with some friend4 ,all the families in the land had friends in ,jerusalem with whom they stayed while attending the great feasts1 of which three were held each year2 and the dwellers in ,jerusalem opened their houses to the same families year after year4 ,after the feast1 ,mary would find another caravan or party going home to ,hebron and the villages near it1 and she would travel the rest of her journey1 about twenty miles1 with this party4 ,altogether1 ,mary's journey1 from ,nazareth to ,hebron1 was nearly one hundred and twenty miles long4 ,although many people were with her all the way1 she was alone in spirit1 for she could speak to no one of the great thoughts which burdened her mind and her heart4 ,at last her long journey was over4 ,she stopped at the door of the house of ,zacharias2 and in a moment was clasped in the arms of ,elizabeth4 ,in some strange way ,god had given to ,elizabeth to know all that had come to ,mary4 ,in a loud voice she said3 ,blessed1 most blessed are you among women6 ,and blessed among men shall be the son born to you6 ,high indeed is the honor mine today when the mother of my ,lord comes to my home6 ,blessed is she that believed the angel's word1 for that word shall surely come true6 ,in that moment ,mary's feelings1 long held in1 broke out into song4 ,for this young woman's soul was not only pure and tender and devout1 it was the soul of a poet whose thoughts shape themselves into verse4 ,mary spoke and sung a song which has become famous4 ,someone wrote it down1 and ,saint ,luke1 who wrote the gospel1 found a copy of it and gave it to the world4 ,everyone should read it4 ,we give it here4 ,,mary',s ,,song ,my soul beholds the greatness of the ,lord1 ,and my spirit hath rejoiced in ,god my ,saviour4 ,for he hath looked upon his servant in my lowly state2 ,and from this time people in all ages shall call me blessed4 ,for he that is mighty hath done to me great things2 ,and holy is his name4 ,and his mercy is from age to age ,on those who fear him4 ,he hath showed strength with his arm2 ,he hath scattered the proud in the vain thoughts of their heart4 ,he hath put down princes from their thrones1 ,and hath lifted up those of humble state4 ,the hungry he hath filled with good things2 ,and the rich he hath sent empty away4 ,he hath given help to ,israel his servant ,that he might remember mercy ,as he spoke to our fathers1 ,toward ,abraham and his children forever4 ,for three months ,mary stayed with ,elizabeth in that quiet home1 the old woman and the young woman1 both soon to be mothers1 talked together day after day4 ,perhaps by this time people were going to another feast in ,jerusalem1 and ,mary found again a party of pilgrims--for that was the name that they gave to people going to ,jerusalem to worship--who were returning to ,galilee4 ,she went home1 comforted in spirit and made strong by her visit with ,elizabeth4 ,it was either while ,mary was visiting with ,elizabeth1 or soon after her return to her home1 that ,joseph1 her promised husband1 began to question in his mind whether he ought to marry her4 ,there was a strange look in her face1 and he saw that she had thoughts in her mind of which she could not speak to him4 ,he loved her deeply1 and it was with sorrow that he asked himself whether they would be happy together4 ,but one night1 while he was sleeping1 a dream came to ,joseph4 ,in his dream he saw an angel standing by his side4 ,the angel said to him3 ,joseph1 son of ,david1 do not be afraid to take ,mary for your wife4 ,she shall have a son2 and his name shall be ,jesus1 for it is he that shall save his people from their sins4 ,the word ,jesus1 in the language of that people1 means ,saviour1 and often ,jesus is spoken of as ,our ,saviour because he came to take away our sins4 ,after this message1 ,joseph hesitated no longer4 ,he did as the angel had bidden him4 ,he was married to ,mary1 and led her to his own home1 in which was also the shop where he followed his trade as a carpenter4 ,the ,boy ,who ,never ,tasted ,wine ,,chapter #f ,,not ,,long after ,mary's visit1 the child promised to ,zacharias and ,elizabeth was born4 ,in ,jewish families the coming of a child into the home was always the cause of great gladness2 and the gladness was greater at the birth of this baby1 because this was the first child1 and the father and mother were old4 ,all the friends of ,zacharias and ,elizabeth came to see them and to rejoice with them over the boy whom ,god had given them4 ,he must be named ,zacharias after his father1 said the visitors4 ,not so1 answered the mother2 he shall be named ,john4 ,why should you give him that name8 they said4 ,none of your family has ever been called ,john4 ,but ,elizabeth insisted that her boy should bear the name ,john4 ,you remember that ,zacharias had been stricken dumb at the time when the angel spoke to him in the ,temple4 ,in all the months since he had not spoken a word4 ,nor could he hear what was said2 for now they made signs1 to ask him what should be the child's name4 ,they brought him a writing table1 and on it he wrote1 ,his name is ,john4 ,so that was the name of this child of promise1 just as the angel ,gabriel had said4 ,you may ask1 what was a writing table8 ,in those times paper was very scarce and high in its cost4 ,it was used only for writing down matters that were important4 ,for common uses1 each family had a writing table1 which was a board over which was spread a thin layer of wax4 ,on this wax they marked what they wished to write1 with a sharp-pointed pen of iron or steel4 ,this kind of a pen was called a stylus4 ,the other end of the pen was flat1 like an ivory paper-cutter4 ,after writing1 they could smooth it all out again2 and the wax was then ready to be used once more4 ,just as soon as ,zacharias had written the words ,his name is ,john1 the power to hear and to speak came back to him4 ,he began to praise ,god in a loud voice1 and gave forth a song of rejoicing4 ,this song was afterward written1 and may be read in the gospel by ,st4 ,luke1 near the end of the first chapter4 ,illustration3 ,writing tablets ,in this song1 ,zacharias gave thanks to ,god for having blessed his people and kept the promises that had been made in ,god's name by all the prophets of old time4 ,the prophets1 as you may know1 were the good men who listened to ,god's words and then gave them to the people1 speaking with ,god's power2 and sometimes telling1 long before the time1 of great events that were to take place4 ,they were men like ,moses1 who saw ,god face to face1 and ,samuel the wise ruler1 and ,elijah the prophet of fire1 and ,isaiah1 who declared ,christ's coming long before his day4 ,in the ,old ,testament times there was always a prophet to tell the people the will of ,god4 ,but since the ,old ,testament had been finished1 almost five hundred years before this time1 no prophet had stood up in ,israel with the word of the ,lord4 ,zacharias knew that this newly-born child should grow up to give ,god's message to the people4 ,he said in his song3 ,and you1 ,o child1 shall be called the prophet of ,god2 ,for you shall go before the ,lord ,christ1 to make ready a way for him2 ,you shall give to his people the good news of a ,saviour1 ,and the forgiveness of their sins ,because of the tender mercy of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,john the ,baptist in the desert ,in the home of ,zacharias and ,elizabeth the baby ,john grew up a strong1 noble boy4 ,very early they told him of the angel's visit1 and of the command that throughout his life he was not to taste wine nor any strong drink4 ,he was under a vow or pledge of special service for ,god2 and one sign of his pledge was to be his not tasting wine nor even eating grapes4 ,another sign was in leaving his hair to grow long and never cutting it4 ,everyone who saw him would know by these signs that he was pledged to a life of peculiar service to ,god4 ,when ,john became a young man he went away from his home and lived in the desert1 alone with his own thoughts and with ,god4 ,very likely1 his father and mother died before he went to live alone1 for at the time of his birth they were old people and could not live many years4 ,john lived upon the plainest of food1 the locusts that could be gathered in the field1 and were boiled1 to be eaten by the poorest people4 ,he ate also the honey made by the wild bees and stored by them in hollow trees and holes in the rocks4 ,all those years of his young manhood1 ,john was thinking upon the work to which ,god had called him1 talking with ,god and learning ,god's will2 so that when the time came1 he could give ,god's message to the people4 ,illustration3 ,plowing in ,bible time ,illustration3 ,they sought out the inn at ,bethlehem but ,joseph found within its walls no place where his wife could rest after her long and wearisome ride4 ,the ,child-,king in ,his ,cradle ,,chapter #g ,,for ,a ,,few months after their marriage1 ,joseph and ,mary lived in their little house at ,nazareth4 ,joseph worked at his trade as a carpenter1 while ,mary cared for the home and carried the water for the needs of the house from the well in the middle of the village1 walking with her jar full of water on her head4 ,one day ,joseph came home and told his wife that he had been called to go on a journey to ,bethlehem1 which was the town from which their family had come4 ,both ,joseph and ,mary1 as we have seen1 had sprung from the line of the great ,king ,david1 who had been born in ,bethlehem more than a thousand years before4 ,every one who belonged to the line of ,david1 wherever he might be living1 looked upon ,bethlehem as the home-town of his family4 ,the ,emperor ,augustus at ,rome1 who ruled over all the lands and was above ,herod1 the king of ,judea1 had given orders that a list should be made of all the families in his wide empire4 ,he wished to lay a tax upon every family2 that is1 to call upon every family to pay money for the support of his officers1 his army1 his court2 and in order to fix this tax1 he must have written down the names of all the people4 ,in our land such a list is made every ten years1 and is called a census4 ,with us1 men are chosen in every city and town to go to the people where they live and make the list of their names4 ,from all the states throughout the land1 these lists are sent to one office1 and there the names are arranged in order4 ,illustration3 ,church of the ,nativity1 ,bethlehem1 said to enclose the birthplace of the ,saviour ,illustration3 ,the shepherds came to the stable1 opened the door and found just what the angel said they would see1 a tiny babe lying in the manger4 ,but the ,romans who were ruling the world at that time chose a plan for making this great list which would give themselves the least trouble1 even though it gave to the people under them much more trouble1 and compelled them to make long journeys4 ,instead of appointing in each place an officer to take the names of the people at the places where they were living1 they made a law that every family must go to the city or town from which they or their fathers had come1 and there give their names to the officers who were making the roll of the people4 ,those who were living in ,jerusalem1 and had come from ,shechem or ,joppa or ,csarea1 must journey to one of these places and there make their report2 those who were living in ,nazareth and had come1 or their parents before them had come1 from any other place1 must go to their home-town1 however far it might be1 and in that place be enrolled or written upon the list of names4 ,there is no reason to suppose that ,mary1 although herself sprung from the family of ,david1 was compelled to make this journey to ,bethlehem with her husband4 ,the ,roman laws took very little notice of women1 unless they were rich women who could be taxed4 ,joseph could go alone to ,bethlehem1 and there have both their names written upon the list4 ,but at once a thought came to ,mary1 and she said to her husband3 ,you shall not make the journey to ,bethlehem alone4 ,i will go with you4 ,we are not told why the young wife was resolved to go with her husband on the long journey1 but the reason may have been this3 ,mary knew that she was to have a son1 and the time for his coming was now near at hand4 ,she knew1 too1 that her child should be the ,son of ,david and the ,king of ,israel1 that he was to sit on ,david's throne4 ,she wished him to be born1 not in the village of ,nazareth in ,galilee1 but in ,david's own town of ,bethlehem4 ,he was to spring from the royal line1 and she was willing to endure a hard1 trying journey1 and even to suffer1 that her son might come from the royal city where ,david lived4 ,mary had read the books of the ,old ,testament1 and she knew that in those books it had been written by the prophets1 to whom ,god had spoken1 that this king1 whom they called ,messiah and ,christ1 should be born in ,bethlehem4 ,these were the reasons that made ,mary decide so quickly to go with her husband on his journey to ,bethlehem1 the city of their fathers4 ,so ,joseph locked up his carpenter's shop and set his wife upon an ass1 and with a staff walked beside her1 over the mountain and down the valley to the river ,jordan1 and thence following the river1 over the ,roman road1 the same long road that ,mary had taken in the caravan or company of pilgrims some months before4 ,joseph had been over that road many times1 going up every year to the feasts at ,jerusalem1 so that he knew all the places which they passed1 and could tell ,mary stories of their people and the great events which had taken place on the mountains or in the cities as they came into view in their journey4 ,they stopped at ,jericho1 near the head of the ,dead ,sea1 and there turned westward1 climbing the mountains over the robber-haunted road1 and reaching ,jerusalem4 ,perhaps they rested a day or two in this city and then went over to the mount of ,olives1 past the village of ,bethany2 and six miles south of ,jerusalem they entered the gate of ,bethlehem4 ,they had no friends with whom they could stay in ,bethlehem1 and so they sought out the inn1 or the khan1 as it was called4 ,this was a large building with rooms around an open court4 ,in this court the animals and the baggage were placed1 and the guests of the inn were in the rooms around it4 ,but ,joseph and ,mary were not the only people who had come to ,bethlehem to have their names enrolled or written upon the lists for the taxing4 ,others had reached the inn or khan before them4 ,when they came the courtyard was filled with asses and camels and chariots and baggage1 and all the rooms around the court were crowded with visitors4 ,joseph found within the walls of the khan no place where his wife could rest after her long and wearisome ride4 ,but at last ,joseph learned of a place where they might stay through the night and for a few days4 ,it was only a cave1 hollowed out in the hillside1 used as a stable for cattle2 but miserable as it was1 ,mary was glad to lie down upon the straw and rest4 ,and in that cave-stable ,mary's child was born4 ,she wrapped her little baby in such clothes as she could find at hand1 and laid him for his first sleep in the manger where the oxen had fed4 ,this was the lowly cradle of the ,son of ,david1 the ,king who was to rule over all the earth6 ,king ,herod in his palace did not know1 and the ,emperor ,augustus at ,rome did not dream1 that in the humble stable at ,bethlehem was lying a ,prince who should reign over a realm vastly greater than ,judea or the ,roman ,empire2 that all the world should date their years from the year when that baby was born2 and that his name would be praised long after their names had been forgotten4 ,illustration3 ,main street in ,bethlehem ,but although neither ,king ,herod1 nor the ,emperor ,augustus1 nor the high-priest and rulers in ,jerusalem were there to welcome their new-born ,king1 there were some visitors at his manger-cradle4 ,in the open fields around ,bethlehem were shepherds1 watching at night over their flocks of sheep1 just as1 a thousand years before in the same fields1 the young shepherd ,david had cared for his sheep1 guarding them from wild beasts of the wilderness and from robbers4 ,suddenly a great1 dazzling light flashed upon these shepherds1 and they saw1 as ,zacharias had seen by the altar1 and as ,mary had seen in ,nazareth1 a glorious angel standing before them4 ,the shepherds were filled with fear and fell upon their faces on the ground1 not daring to look up at the shining form4 ,but the angel spoke to them kindly and graciously1 saying3 ,do not be afraid1 for ,i come with good news1 which will make you glad2 news for all ,god's people4 ,on this very night is born in yonder city of ,david1 one who shall be the ,saviour1 even ,christ your ,lord and ,king4 ,would you wish to go and see this child8 ,i will tell you how you can find him4 ,look for a newly-born baby wrapped in such clothes as babies wear1 and lying1 not in a cradle in a house1 but in the manger of a stable1 where the oxen and the asses are kept4 ,there you will find the child who is to be the ,king of all the earth6 ,while shepherds were listening to the words of this angel1 they saw that the entire midnight sky over them was filled with a multitude of heavenly beings4 ,the shepherds heard them sing3 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 ,and on earth peace among men in whom ,god is well pleased4 ,then the vision faded away1 the angelic host passed out of sight1 and in the dark sky only the stars were shining above them4 ,then the shepherds said to each other3 ,let us leave our sheep here for a little while1 and go to the village and see this wonderful thing that has come to pass4 ,how good it is that the ,lord has given this word to us1 that we may be the first to look upon our ,king6 ,it did not take the shepherds a long time to find the right stable and the manger1 for ,bethlehem was then only a small village4 ,they came1 opened the door1 and found just what the angel had said they would see1 a tiny baby lying in the manger1 his mother hovering near1 and ,joseph watching over them both in tenderness4 ,they saw the royal little one1 and bowed low around his manger cradle1 then went again to their flocks in the field1 praising ,god for his goodness in sending the long-promised ,king4 ,the people to whom the shepherds told this story1 wondered at it1 hardly knowing whether to believe it or not2 for this was not the way in which they looked for the ,king of ,israel to come4 ,they were expecting a prince to be born in a palace1 not a working-woman's child in a dark cave where cattle were kept4 ,but ,mary1 happy with her little one1 clasped him to her heart and said nothing to anyone of the angel that had come to her in ,nazareth1 and of the promises given her about this child4 ,when the day came to name the child1 she simply said1 ,his name shall be ,jesus1 but she told no one why the name was given4 ,it was a common name among the ,jews1 so no one was surprised at the name4 ,but no word could tell better than his name ,jesus what this child should become1 for the word ,jesus means ,saviour4 ,illustration3 ,simeon came forward and took the infant ,jesus into his arms1 and lifting up his eyes to heaven gave thanks that he had seen the ,saviour4 ,the ,baby ,brought to the ,temple ,,chapter #h ,,although ,,jesus was born in a stable and slept in a manger1 he did not stay in that place long4 ,after a few days ,joseph was able to find a more comfortable home1 where the young mother and her baby were taken4 ,the ,jews were very kind to strangers of their own people1 and welcomed them to their houses when passing through their towns4 ,joseph and his family were in ,bethlehem for some weeks1 perhaps for some months4 ,it may have been their purpose to make ,bethlehem their home1 and to bring up this child1 the ,son of ,david1 in ,david's own city1 where he could have a better training for his coming life1 whatever that life might be1 than in the country village of ,nazareth4 ,on the day when ,jesus was forty days old1 he was brought with his mother to ,jerusalem1 which was only six miles from ,bethlehem4 ,there he was taken to the ,temple for a service which showed that he was given to ,god and to be brought up as ,god's child4 ,it was the rule of the ,jews that after the first child had come to a family1 an offering should be made on the altar in the ,temple for him and prayers should be said4 ,a family that was rich would offer for their first child a sheep1 which was killed and burned on the altar as a gift to ,god in place of the child4 ,if the family was poor1 or of the working class of people1 the parents offered a pair of doves or pigeons4 ,joseph and ,mary brought a pair of doves1 and stood by while these were burned on the altar1 ,mary holding her baby in her arms4 ,at that moment there was in the ,temple an old man named ,simeon4 ,he was a good man and very earnest in his prayers to ,god that he might live to see the ,messiah-,king of ,israel1 the ,christ of ,god1 who had been promised through the prophets of old4 ,and ,god had said to ,simeon that he should not die until he had seen ,christ4 ,on that morning a voice had seemed to say to him1 ,go to the ,temple4 ,he obeyed it1 not knowing why he had been sent to that place on that day4 ,as ,joseph and ,mary brought the baby ,jesus into the ,temple1 the voice of the ,lord spoke again to ,simeon1 saying3 ,this child is ,david's ,son1 the ,king of ,israel4 ,illustration3 ,mary and the doves ,the old man came forward1 held out his arms1 and took the child into them1 folded him to his bosom1 and lifting up his eyes to heaven1 said in ,hebrew verse3 ,now1 ,lord1 thou mayest let thy servant go ,according to thy word1 in peace4 ,for these eyes of mine have seen thy ,saviour ,whom thou hast sent to all the people4 ,a light to shine upon the nations1 ,and the glory of thine own people ,israel4 ,joseph and ,mary were filled with wonder at the act and words of the old man1 whom they had never seen before and did not know4 ,but as he placed the child in their arms again1 he prayed for ,god's blessing upon both ,joseph and ,mary4 ,listen1 he said1 this child will become a cause for many to fall and to rise again in ,israel4 ,he shall be ,god's sign of mercy1 but many shall speak against him4 ,also1 sorrow like a sword shall pierce through your soul1 ,o mother2 and the thoughts out of many hearts shall be made known4 ,those words seemed very strange at the time2 but long afterward1 when ,jesus had grown to be a man1 ,mary found how true they were1 as she saw enemies gathered against her son1 and at last looked at him dying upon the cross4 ,then1 indeed1 a sword went through ,mary's soul4 ,just at that moment a woman came up to the little group4 ,she was very old1 more than ninety years of age2 and being a widow and a devout worshipper of ,god she stayed nearly all her days in the ,temple praying4 ,god had spoken to her also with the promise of a coming ,christ1 the ,saviour and ,king4 ,she too saw in this little baby the promised ,messiah1 and in a loud voice gave thanks and praise to ,god4 ,all who heard her wondered at her words1 and wondered all the more as they looked on this plainly-clad father and mother with their baby1 all evidently from the country1 and the speech of ,joseph and ,mary showing they had come from ,galilee in the far north4 ,thus even while ,jesus was a very young baby1 only forty days old1 here in ,jerusalem a few people had looked upon him and spoken of him as the coming ,king of ,israel4 ,joseph and ,mary carried the child back to their new home in ,bethlehem2 and ,mary had more thoughts to hide within her silent heart long after that day in the ,temple4 ,the ,followers of the ,star ,,chapter #i ,,while ,,joseph and ,mary with the child ,jesus were still staying in ,bethlehem1 the city of ,jerusalem was stirred by the coming of some men from a land far away1 with a strange question4 ,these men were not ,jews1 but were ,gentiles1 which was the name that the ,jews gave to all people except themselves4 ,all ,romans and ,greeks and ,egyptians and all others who were not of their own race1 the ,jews called by the name ,gentiles4 ,these ,gentile strangers who came to ,jerusalem were asking of everybody whom they met this question3 ,can you tell us where is to be found the little child who is born to be the ,king of the ,jews8 ,we have seen his star in the east1 and we have come to do him honor8 ,who were these men1 and what was the star that they had seen8 ,we are not certain as to their land1 but it is generally thought to have been the country now called ,persia1 then known as ,parthia1 a land about a thousand miles to the east of ,judea4 ,although some ,jews lived in that land--for ,jews were to be found then as now in all lands1 especially in large cities--the people of ,parthia were not ,jews1 but1 as the ,jews called them1 ,gentiles4 ,although not of the ,jewish race1 these people were like the ,jews in one respect--they never bowed down to worship images which men had made4 ,they worshipped the ,one ,god of all the earth2 and they prayed with their faces toward the sun4 ,they said that they did not worship the sun1 but the ,one ,god who was like the sun1 the light of the world4 ,among these ,parthian people were many men who at night studied the stars in the sky4 ,they did not have telescopes1 as those who look at the stars now have1 to bring the heavenly bodies1 the moon1 the planets1 and the stars nearer to them2 they could only use their own eyes1 but by long study they had learned much about the stars1 could tell of their movements and where in the sky to find each one of them4 ,the men who gave their lives to this study of the stars were called ,magi1 a word meaning ,wise ,men2 and these strangers who were seeking the child-king in ,jerusalem are sometimes spoken of as the ,wise ,men1 sometimes as the ,magi4 ,illustration3 ,the ,wise ,men on their journey ,the people of that time believed that when great kings were born1 or before they died1 strange stars suddenly appeared in the heavens1 shone for a time and then as suddenly passed out of sight4 ,a year or perhaps two years before ,jesus was born in ,bethlehem1 such a star1 very bright1 that had never before been seen1 began to shine4 ,in some way it came to the minds of these men that this star pointed to the coming of a great king who was to rule over all the lands1 and who was to be found in the land of ,judea4 ,these ,wise ,men at once made up their minds to go to the land of ,judea and see this child-king4 ,it was a long and hard journey of more than a thousand miles4 ,they must pass from the high plains of ,parthia down to the lowlands of ,babylonia1 must find some way to cross two great rivers1 the ,tigris and the ,euphrates4 ,then they would come to a vast trackless desert1 where nothing grew and there was no water4 ,if they went around this desert they must follow up the ,euphrates ,river far to the north1 and then traveling southward under the shadow of lofty mountains1 they would come at last to ,judea1 and to ,jerusalem1 its largest city4 ,through all that long and trying journey1 which would last a year1 traveling most of the way on camels1 they saw the wonderful star in the sky seeming to lead the way4 ,from the story as told in the ,gospel by ,st4 ,matthew it appears that when these men came to ,jerusalem the star was no longer shining4 ,however1 the loss of the star would not matter so much1 now that they were in the ,king's own land1 for they supposed that everybody in that country1 and especially in the city of ,jerusalem1 would know that their ,prince was born4 ,but to their surprise1 nobody seemed to have heard about the newly-born ,king4 ,they did not meet the shepherds of ,bethlehem1 who had seen the angel on the night of ,jesus' birth1 nor did they hear of old ,simeon and ,anna who a month or more before had seen the ,christ-child4 ,very1 very few were those who knew that the ,king had come1 and none of these few people did these strangers chance to meet4 ,they thought that at one place they could surely learn where to look for this young ,prince4 ,that was the king's palace in ,jerusalem4 ,herod was still living1 although old and very feeble1 yet as fierce and cruel as ever4 ,perhaps they thought that this ,prince for whom they were looking might be a son or a grandson of the king4 ,herod did not live in ,jerusalem1 for he did not like its people and he knew how greatly its people hated him2 but he had a palace in the city and he came to it often for short visits4 ,he may have been in ,jerusalem when the ,wise ,men came2 or they may have sought ,herod down at ,jericho1 twenty miles away1 where most of the time he lived4 ,as soon as the old king heard the question of these strangers1 and learned that they had been led by a star to his land1 he was filled with alarm4 ,a child born to be king of the ,jews--if there was such a child1 what would become of ,herod's own throne and crown8 ,if he could find where this child was1 he would send his soldiers to the place and soon kill him1 as he had killed many others whom he suspected of seeking to take away his kingdom4 ,but ,herod hid his cruel purpose1 and spoke kindly to these strangers about their errand4 ,he asked them when the star appeared1 how it looked1 and how they knew that it showed that a king had been born4 ,then ,herod sent for the wisest men in his land1 the teachers of the law who lived in ,jerusalem4 ,he knew that all the people were looking for the coming of their ,messiah-king1 whom they also called the ,christ4 ,can you tell me1 asked ,herod1 in what place this great ,king1 the ,messiah or ,christ1 is to be born8 ,the scholars were ready with their answer4 ,they said3 ,in ,bethlehem of ,judea1 the city of ,david1 this ,king who springs from ,david's line shall be born4 ,this is what the old prophets have said4 ,and they read to him one of the promises of the prophets that the ,king should come out of ,bethlehem4 ,then ,herod sent again for the ,wise ,men1 and asked them to give him the exact time when they first saw the star4 ,when he had learned the time1 he thought at once that this long-looked-for ,king must have been born in ,bethlehem less than two years before4 ,go to ,bethlehem1 said ,herod to the ,wise ,men1 and search through the town until you find this child2 and when you have found him1 come and tell me1 for ,i wish to do honor to this ,king4 ,that was what ,herod said2 but what he meant to do was a very different thing1 as we shall see4 ,the ,wise ,men at once started for ,bethlehem1 which was only six miles from ,jerusalem4 ,they went over one of the mountains1 and then one said to another3 ,look1 there is the star once more6 ,see it in the sky just before us6 ,the star stood over the road leading to ,bethlehem1 and again they followed it rejoicing4 ,it led them straight to the city1 and then to a house1 over which it seemed to pause4 ,they knocked at the door1 and when it was opened they went into a room1 where they found a baby lying in its young mother's arms4 ,these ,wise ,men knew at once that here was the ,king for whom they had sought so long and traveled so far4 ,they bowed before him to the ground to show the high honor in which they held him4 ,then they opened the treasures which they had brought from their own land1 and gave to him rich gifts1 such as were presented to kings4 ,they gave him gold1 and frankincense and myrrh1 the fragrant gums that were used in offerings and were very costly4 ,thus1 while in his own land only a few people showed their gladness at the coming of their king1 the strangers from a distant country came to pay him honor4 ,we would have thought that some of the learned ,jews1 who could tell ,king ,herod where the ,king was born1 might have come with the ,wise ,men to see him4 ,but these great scholars really cared very little about ,jesus4 ,they stayed at home and soon forgot the men of the east1 their journey1 and their question4 ,illustration3 ,the well of the ,wise ,men1 near ,bethlehem ,illustration3 ,joseph and ,mary taking the child ,jesus with them set out on their journey to the land of ,judea ,safe in ,egypt ,,chapter #aj ,,on ,,the night after their visit to ,mary and her child1 the ,wise ,men had a dream4 ,in their dream they heard the voice of ,god saying to them3 ,do not go to meet ,king ,herod again4 ,he is no friend to this princely child4 ,return to your own land by some other way1 and do not let ,herod know it4 ,the ,wise ,men obeyed the voice of the ,lord4 ,they left ,bethlehem very quietly1 telling no one the road that they were taking2 and without going through ,herod's city1 went back to their own land1 far-distant ,parthia4 ,as soon as the ,wise ,men had left1 on that night ,joseph also had a dream4 ,he saw an angel by his bed1 who said to ,joseph3 ,rise up at once2 take the little child and his mother1 and go as quickly as you can down to the land of ,egypt1 stay in that country until ,i tell you to leave it1 for very soon ,king ,herod will try to kill this child4 ,without waiting a moment1 ,joseph awaked ,mary from her sleep1 and in the night they left the house1 taking the sleeping baby with them4 ,they passed silently through the dark streets of ,bethlehem and found the road that would lead them to ,egypt4 ,at times ,mary rode upon an ass1 holding her precious child2 at others she walked while ,joseph guided the animal which carried their possessions4 ,it was a journey of more than a hundred miles to ,egypt1 but they went in safety1 unknown to ,king ,herod4 ,in ,egypt they could dwell safely1 for that land was not a part of ,herod's kingdom4 ,many ,jews were dwelling there1 and among them ,joseph could live by his trade1 for he was a skilful worker in wood4 ,how long they stayed in ,egypt we do not know4 ,it may have been either a few months or a few years4 ,herod waited for some time to see the ,wise ,men again1 and to find where the child-king was living4 ,but as the days passed and he heard nothing from them1 and finally learned that they had left for their home-land without obeying his command to come and see him1 he was very angry4 ,but he was resolved to kill this child1 who if he should live might take the kingdom from him or from his family4 ,illustration3 ,joseph and ,mary with ,jesus in ,egypt ,herod planned and carried out a fearfully wicked deed1 but not more wicked than many deeds that he had already done4 ,he sent a troop of his soldiers to ,bethlehem1 with orders to go into every house in the village1 to find every child that was two years old or under that age1 and to kill them all4 ,this terrible thing the soldiers did1 and a great cry went up to heaven from the mothers and fathers whose little ones had been slain by the wicked king's command4 ,but ,herod's slaughter of the little children was all in vain1 as must be every attempt to fight against ,god4 ,herod thought that surely this royal child must be among those little dead bodies in ,bethlehem1 and that his throne was safe4 ,but by that time the little ,jesus was in ,egypt1 sleeping under one of its palm trees beside the river ,nile1 or looking with wide-open baby eyes upon the pyramids and the ,sphinx1 the wonderful works of ancient time1 carved in stone4 ,herod did not live long after this4 ,he died full of years1 full of wickedness1 and suffering great pain4 ,then ,joseph in ,egypt dreamed again4 ,the angel whom he had seen so many times before came once more and said to him3 ,joseph1 you may now take the young child and his mother and go back to the land of the ,jews1 for those who sought to kill the child are dead and can do him no harm4 ,then ,joseph as before fastened a saddle on the ass and placed their possessions upon its back4 ,the little family then set out upon its journey back to the land of ,judea4 ,the purpose of ,joseph and ,mary was to go back to ,bethlehem1 ,david's city1 and there bring up this child whom they expected one day to sit on ,david's throne as ,king of ,israel4 ,but on the way they met other travelers and asked them3 ,who is now the ,king in ,judea1 since ,herod is dead8 ,they said to ,joseph3 ,the king over ,jerusalem and ,judea is now ,archelaus1 the son of the old ,king ,herod1 and he is as wicked and as cruel as his father was before him4 ,this news made ,joseph and ,mary afraid to go to ,bethlehem4 ,they thought1 ,perhaps ,king ,archelaus may have heard of the child ,jesus1 and is watching for the chance to kill him4 ,they made up their mind not to go near ,bethlehem or ,jerusalem1 but keeping away from the land ruled by ,archelaus1 to return to ,nazareth1 where both had lived before their marriage4 ,so it came to pass that ,jesus who was born in ,bethlehem of ,judea was brought up in ,nazareth of ,galilee4 ,illustration3 ,bronze coin of ,herod ,agrippa ,i ,illustration3 ,large bronze coin of ,agrippa ,,ii ,a ,child's ,life in ,nazareth ,,chapter #aa ,,the ,,little ,jesus must have been between two and five years old when he was brought to ,nazareth1 just coming out of babyhood and growing into a little boy2 and ,nazareth was his home for at least twenty-five years1 all through his childhood1 his boyhood and his young manhood4 ,jesus was not the only child living in that little white house of one story and one room on the side of the hill4 ,soon another baby boy came1 who was named ,james1 who grew up to become a great man1 and many years after wrote one of the books in the ,bible1 the ,epistle of ,james4 ,then1 one after another1 came three more boys1 ,joseph and ,simon and ,judas4 ,when we read that name ,judas we are apt to think of the wicked ,judas1 who sold the ,lord ,jesus for a few pieces of silver4 ,but that was a different ,judas4 ,this ,judas1 like his brother ,james1 long afterward wrote another book in the ,new ,testament1 the ,epistle of ,jude4 ,somewhere in the list of children were two girls--there may have been more than two1 but the number and names of the girls have not been kept4 ,after a few years that little house must often have been crowded1 with children coming one after another1 and always a baby to be cared for4 ,and much of the time it was the shop where father ,joseph did his work as a carpenter4 ,the floor of brick or of clay was often littered with shavings and the workman's tools were on the table4 ,illustration3 ,the child ,jesus loved outdoor life1 he knew the flowers that grew in the fields and the birds flying in the air4 ,the house had very little furniture2 no chairs1 no bedstead with a mattress upon it1 no stove and no pictures upon the walls4 ,in one corner a little fire was lighted for cooking the meals1 and the smoke went up through a hole in the roof1 unless the wind blew it back into the room4 ,they never made a fire to keep the house warm in winter1 but when it was cold just waited for the sun to come out4 ,sometimes a snowstorm came1 but the snow seldom stayed more than two or three days4 ,the children of ,joseph never took a sleigh-ride and never coasted on sleds down the steep hills4 ,illustration3 ,jesus as a boy at the house of his father and mother ,if there was a table for their meals1 it was very low1 less than two feet high2 and they sat around it on little cushions1 dipping their hands or pieces of bread into one common dish for food4 ,sometimes the table was just a round measure turned upside down2 and sometimes the meal was served on the floor1 as we serve meals on the grass at a picnic4 ,when night came1 they unrolled some mats1 which through the day were rolled up and stood against the wall1 spread them on the floor and lay down upon them to sleep1 throwing over themselves the long mantle which had been their outside garment through the day4 ,when the door was shut1 the house was dark1 for its only window was a little hole in the wall2 and they lighted it by an oil lamp1 which stood either on a tall stand or on a little shelf4 ,illustration3 ,women grinding grain in ,bible times ,but the house was used little in the daytime1 for everybody lived out of doors1 in the open court in front1 in the streets and on the hills around4 ,on pleasant days ,joseph took his tools in the court and worked in wood4 ,we are apt to think of ,joseph as building houses1 as in our time that is the chief work of a carpenter4 ,but the houses were made of clay or rough stone1 and the carpenter did very little work upon them4 ,his chief business was in making wooden plows1 yokes for the oxen1 the little tables1 and the peck or bushel measure1 which was to be found in every house1 and was also used in place of a table4 ,one very useful article was either in the house or in the court--the hand mill for grinding grain1 made of two round flat stones4 ,our flour comes to us from great factories1 but in that land each family had its own little mill4 ,they poured the grain into a hole in the upper millstone1 and then turned the stone round and round by a handle until the grain was ground into flour4 ,this was hard work1 but it was always done by the women4 ,often two women helped each other to turn the handle of the upper millstone4 ,mary's arms often ached in making the flour needed for her large family4 ,when her daughters grew strong1 they helped her in this work4 ,when ,jesus became a boy six years old1 he was sent to school with the other boys4 ,there were no schools for girls among the ,jews1 so far as we know4 ,the school was held in the village church1 which they called the synagogue4 ,the teacher was always a man1 and he was generally the janitor of the church1 who kept the building in order4 ,the ,jews had a pretty name for the village school4 ,they called it ,the ,vineyard1 as though the children were bunches of little grapes1 growing up to ripen in the sun4 ,in this vineyard-school there was only one book for study4 ,that was the ,bible4 ,the ,jews had only the ,old ,testament1 for the ,new ,testament had not yet been written4 ,each of the larger books was in a separate volume in the form of a long roll of parchment2 that is1 a sheet made of sheepskin which had been made smooth1 on which the words were written4 ,several of the smaller books were written on one roll4 ,in the school there was only one copy of the ,bible for all the scholars1 but each boy had a board and a piece of chalk1 with which he wrote sentences from the ,bible and then learned them by heart4 ,when his text had been learned1 each pupil cleaned off his board like a slate and wrote on it a new lesson4 ,all the teaching in a ,jewish school was in the ,old ,testament4 ,the copy of the ,bible in the school was generally one that had been used in the church until it had grown old and worn out4 ,when they obtained a new set of the books for the service in the church1 they gave the old copies to the school4 ,you can see in that same land now a school of children just like those in the time when ,jesus was a boy4 ,the children sit on the floor in a circle1 the teacher being one of the ring4 ,when they repeat their verses in learning them1 all are talking aloud at the same time1 so that the school is very noisy4 ,we could not study in such a din1 but they do not seem to mind it4 ,illustration3 ,roll of book ,school was not very hard in that country4 ,our children have one holiday in each week1 free from school1 but in the school where ,jesus was taught1 they had two holidays in every week1 besides the sabbath4 ,in addition to these holidays there was a long recess of three hours in the middle of each day1 and no school at all if the day was very hot4 ,when ,jesus was a small boy he was taken by father ,joseph to the church1 which you remember they called the synagogue4 ,the men and boys sat on the floor upon rugs or mats1 while the women and girls were in a gallery1 looking down upon them4 ,all the men and boys wore their hats in the church4 ,their hats were turbans of cloth wrapped around their heads4 ,but each one as he entered the door slipped off his shoes or slippers1 and was barefooted in the church at the hour of worship4 ,if at the hour of worship you go to a ,mohammedan church in that country--which they call a mosque--you will see all the shoes standing outside the door4 ,in the church they had no minister to lead the service and to preach a sermon4 ,the men took turns in charge of the worship4 ,one read from one part of the ,old ,testament1 another from another part4 ,if they found a boy who was a good reader he was often called upon to read the ,bible in the church service4 ,they had prayers1 always read from a book2 they sang together from the ,psalms2 and whoever wished to speak could do so4 ,but we are not to think of the child ,jesus as always at school or at church4 ,he was a strong1 hearty1 healthy boy4 ,he loved outdoor life1 he knew the flowers that grew in the fields and the birds flying in the air4 ,he played with other boys and knew all their games4 ,two of these games he once happened to mention long after1 while he was teaching4 ,one game was the wedding1 when they sang and danced2 the other was the funeral1 when they cried with loud voices1 making a mournful wail4 ,we know1 too1 that in those times the boys played ball and marbles1 and a game somewhat like ten-pins4 ,jesus was not a lonely boy1 living apart4 ,he was always fond of having others around him4 ,when he was a man1 traveling and teaching over all the land1 he had his twelve chosen friends who were always with him1 and we may be sure that as a boy he liked to be with other boys1 and in turn was liked by the boys of his village4 ,we may be sure1 too1 that he grew up a good boy2 one who always tried to do right1 at home1 at school1 or in play4 ,at home he would help ,joseph in his shop and his mother in her work or in caring for the smaller children2 in school we know that he learned his verses in the ,bible1 because in after years he could always call them to his mind and speak them2 and in play he was always fair and good-hearted and willing4 ,we are told that he grew in knowledge and in the favor of ,god and of all people4 ,in other words1 he was a boy that everybody liked4 ,illustration3 ,the citadel of ancient ,bethshean1 in the ,jordan valley1 twelve miles south of sea of ,galilee ,the ,boy ,lost and ,found ,,chapter #ab ,,jesus ,,stayed at the school in the village church until he was twelve years old4 ,by that time he could read and write and could also repeat many verses4 ,but as his reading book and spelling book and copy book and memory verses were all in the ,bible1 and as he heard long readings from its books at the church service1 we may be sure that he knew quite well all the best things in that best of all books1 the ,bible4 ,one proof of this is that in later years1 when anyone tried to puzzle him with a hard question1 he often answered promptly with a sentence from the ,bible4 ,a ,jewish boy generally left school at the age of twelve1 unless he wished to become a rabbi1 which was the name among the ,jews for a teacher of their law4 ,if that was his wish or the purpose of his parents1 he was sent up to ,jerusalem to study in the college held by the scribes or teachers in the ,temple4 ,saul of ,tarsus1 a boy about four years younger than ,jesus1 whom we know as ,paul the ,apostle1 was a student in the ,temple college1 but ,jesus was not4 ,while the young ,saul was studying in ,jerusalem1 ,jesus as a young man was working in the carpenter shop at ,nazareth4 ,when ,jesus was twelve years old he was taken on his first journey from ,nazareth up to ,jerusalem to attend the great feast of the ,passover4 ,three great feasts were held during the year4 ,the feast of the ,passover was in the early spring1 and kept in mind the great day when the ,israelites went out of ,egypt1 no longer slaves but free men4 ,the feast of the ,pentecost was held in the late spring1 just fifty days after the ,passover--the word pentecost meaning fifty days--and reminded the people that fifty days after their fathers went out of ,egypt1 ,god gave them their law amid lightning and thunder on ,mount ,sinai4 ,the feast of the ,tabernacles1 or feast of tents 7for that is the meaning of the word tabernacles71 was held in the fall2 and at this time the people built for themselves huts of green branches1 ate in them and slept in them for a week1 to show the outdoor life of the early days in the wilderness1 while they were marching to ,canaan1 the ,promised ,land4 ,these three great feasts were held in ,jerusalem1 and from every part of the land the people came up to the city to attend them4 ,it was a great event when the boy ,jesus for the first time went on this journey to ,jerusalem4 ,the younger children were left at home1 under the care of some friend1 for a boy did not begin attending these feasts until he was twelve years old4 ,of course1 ,joseph and ,mary knew all about this journey1 for they had made it many times4 ,they went in the caravan or company from ,nazareth1 following the road that ,joseph and ,mary had taken on their way to ,bethlehem1 twelve years before4 ,as they journeyed1 ,mary seated on the ass1 ,joseph and the boy ,jesus walking beside her1 they would talk about the places which they passed1 and the stories of old times told about them4 ,jesus knew all those stories1 for every ,jewish boy had heard them1 over and over4 ,as they paused on the top of the hill beside ,nazareth1 below them was spread out the great plain of ,esdraelon1 and they would say1 ,that mountain by the ,great ,sea on the west is ,mount ,carmel1 where ,elijah built his altar and made his great offering1 when in answer to his prayer the fire came down from heaven and burned up the bullock laid on the altar4 ,do you see that road running across the plain8 ,on that road ,elijah ran in front of ,king ,ahab's chariot1 after the long drought1 when the rain was coming4 ,and then1 this plain6 ,over it from ,mount ,tabor1 there on the left1 ,deborah and ,barak chased the flying ,canaanites across the plain4 ,do you see that second mountain beyond ,tabor8 ,that is ,mount ,gilboa2 and at its foot ,gideon with his brave three hundred frightened at night the ,midianite host and won a great victory4 ,illustration3 ,mount ,tabor and the plain of ,esdraelon ,they went down into the ,jordan valley and walked southward by the ,roman road1 following the ,jordan ,river4 ,at one place the mountains on either side came down close to the river1 and there was barely room for the road between the foaming stream on one side and the steep rocks on the other4 ,look1 said ,joseph1 this is the place where the waters rose up and stood in a heap when our fathers under ,joshua were about to cross the river1 thirty miles below4 ,they crossed a brook which fell into the river2 and ,joseph said1 ,do you see this brook8 ,up there among the mountains was the place where the prophet ,elijah was fed by the ravens2 for this is the brook ,cherith4 ,they came to the place just above ,jericho where under ,joshua the ,israelites walked across the dry bed of the river1 the holy ark carried by the priests in front and the people following in a long procession4 ,there the river is very wide and quite shallow1 so that people walk across1 except in the early spring1 when it is swollen by the rains and the melting snow on the high mountains far to the north4 ,illustration3 ,the ,temple of ,herod restored by ,fergusson4 ,the covered portico on the left is the royal porch extending along the southern side of the ,temple area4 ,the colonnade running from left to right is ,solomon's porch extending across the eastern side of the area4 ,the courts were much larger than as here shown4 ,illustration3 ,at last his parents found ,jesus in the ,temple1 the center of a company of learned scholars2 he was asking questions of them and they were asking questions of him1 while all around were people listening and wondering at this boy's deep knowledge of the truth4 ,there they would point out across the river ,mount ,nebo1 where ,moses stood looking upon the land and then all alone lay down and died4 ,they stopped for a rest at ,jericho1 where were stories to tell of the walls that fell down when the ,israelites marched around them1 and the priests blew their ram's-horn trumpets4 ,perhaps they stopped and drank at the great spring near ,jericho where the water was made pure by ,elisha the prophet4 ,and after a climb up to the mountains1 at the end of six days or a week1 they came to ,jerusalem1 the end of their journey1 and the place called by the people the holy city4 ,and then1 there was the splendid ,temple of ,god6 ,how the boy's heart was stirred as he walked over the bridge leading from ,mount ,zion to ,mount ,moriah6 ,they went into the great outside court1 the court of the ,gentiles1 the only place in the ,temple where foreigners were allowed to enter2 and the boy ,jesus was shocked to see that it had been turned into a market1 where cattle and sheep and doves were sold1 and where tables stood around for the men who changed foreign money into ,jewish shekels4 ,over the eastern wall and the ,golden ,gate1 they saw the ,mount of ,olives1 then covered to the top with vineyards and olive trees and gardens4 ,they climbed up a flight of steps and passed through a gate called the ,beautiful ,gate1 into a smaller court1 like the outer court open to the sky4 ,this was named ,the ,court of the ,women because from its lattice-covered gallery the women looked down on the altar and the services of worship4 ,jesus noticed that in this ,court of the ,women were many classes of young men studying1 seated in a circle1 listening to their teachers4 ,how he longed to sit down among them and listen to these wise scholars2 for though only a boy1 he had thought deeply on many things which he had read1 and many questions had come to his mind which he greatly desired to have answered4 ,he saw the sacrifice offerings laid on the altar and burned1 while trumpets sounded and censers of incense were waved and the priests chanted the psalms of ,david4 ,while the family were in ,jerusalem they found friends with whom they stayed1 and in their house the ,passover feast was eaten4 ,it was a very simple meal1 just a roasted lamb1 some vegetables and bread made without yeast1 in thin cakes1 like soda biscuit1 only larger4 ,they ate the meal lying down on couches around the table1 their heads toward the table1 their feet away from it4 ,it was the custom or rule of the ,jews1 at this feast1 to have the story of the first ,passover4 ,perhaps ,joseph said to ,jesus3 ,my son1 you know what took place when this passover was eaten for the first time4 ,tell us the story4 ,illustration3 ,david street1 ,jerusalem1 looking toward ,olivet ,then the boy ,jesus told of the terrible plagues that fell upon the land of ,egypt2 of the last and greatest sorrow1 the death of the oldest son in every house2 how the ,israelites sprinkled their door-posts with the blood of the slain lamb and were passed over by this death-angel2 how they ate the lamb on that night1 dressed for their journey2 and how they went out of ,egypt and marched through the ,red ,sea4 ,the family were in ,jerusalem for a week1 and every day ,jesus went up to the ,temple to worship in its services and to learn what he could from its teachers4 ,the last day of their visit came1 and at its close the families going to ,galilee met together for their homeward journey4 ,a horn was blown and the caravan or company started northward4 ,mary missed her son1 but thought that he was somewhere in the crowd1 talking with other boys of his own age4 ,but when night came1 the company stopped to rest and ,jesus did not appear4 ,mary was alarmed4 ,they looked through all the crowd1 but no ,jesus was to be found4 ,then in great trouble1 ,joseph and ,mary hastened back to ,jerusalem1 looking for their boy4 ,they asked for him among the friends at whose house they had stayed1 but he had not been there4 ,they wandered up and down the narrow streets1 but while they saw many groups of boys1 their boy was not among them4 ,at last1 on the third day1 they looked for him in the ,temple4 ,in one of its courts a crowd of people were listening to the teachers who seemed to be talking with someone4 ,they drew near1 and ,mary's heart began to beat as she suddenly heard a boy's voice sounding from the middle of the throng4 ,she knew that voice1 in its clear1 rich1 honest tone6 ,she pressed her way in2 and there stood her boy1 the center of a company of the learned scholars4 ,he was asking questions of these men1 and they in their answers were asking him questions in turn1 while all around were people listening and wondering at this boy's deep knowledge of the truth4 ,mary hastily rushed up to ,jesus1 and said3 ,my son1 why have you treated us so unkindly8 ,your father and ,i have been looking for you1 in great trouble1 for three days6 ,jesus looked up at his mother's face1 with surprise1 and said3 ,why should you look for me8 ,did you not know that ,i would be in my ,father's house8 ,evidently on the last day of their stay1 he had slipped away for one more visit to the ,temple2 and once there his mind and heart had been so full that no thought of the home-going had come to him4 ,he had just stayed there in the courts of the ,lord's house without a thought of the outside world4 ,where had he slept on those two nights8 ,who had given him food during those three days8 ,he might have lain down1 as thousands did during the feast1 under the olive trees on the ,mount of ,olives4 ,some stranger may have seen him and invited him to a meal4 ,but it would not be strange if in his deep1 whole-souled interest1 he had never thought of food and had eaten nothing during those three days4 ,but without a word he took his mother's hand and walked out of the ,temple4 ,he made the journey home to ,nazareth1 saying little but thinking much of all that he had seen and heard4 ,one great1 precious truth at least had come home to his heart4 ,he felt that the ,lord ,god of ,israel was his own ,father and he could trust fully the ,father ,god4 ,the ,young ,woodworker ,,chapter #ac ,,for ,,eighteen years after the visit to the ,temple1 ,jesus was living in ,nazareth1 growing up from a boy to a young man4 ,a ,jewish boy generally left his school at about thirteen years of age1 and began working at some trade or business4 ,jesus went into ,joseph's shop and helped in the work1 making plows and ax-handles and rakes and the plain furniture for the houses4 ,whatever ,jesus did was done well1 and we cannot doubt that in his trade he soon became a skilful worker4 ,his ax-handles and plows were as good as the best2 and if he made a bushel measure1 it was a true one1 for ,jesus was a boy that could be trusted4 ,as a boy1 he was like other boys1 playing happily in play-time and working heartily in work-time4 ,some boys like to be alone1 reading and thinking and dreaming2 but ,jesus was not one of that kind4 ,all through his life he liked to have people around him1 and as a boy we may be sure he had many friends among other boys4 ,he was strong1 in good health1 could run and jump and climb trees4 ,with his boy friends he wandered among the mountains and upon the great plain just over the hills from his town4 ,the ,sea of ,galilee was only twenty miles away1 and we do not doubt that ,jesus with his friends went fishing in its blue waters and brought home to his mother the fish which he had caught4 ,illustration3 ,jesus went into ,joseph's shop and helped in the work1 making plows and ax-handles and the plain furniture for the houses4 ,after a time1 ,joseph1 the husband of ,mary1 died1 and ,jesus was left to care for his mother and her large family of children4 ,it is no light load for one just coming out of boyhood and just beginning to be a man1 to have laid upon him the earning of enough money to buy food for a mother and at least six younger brothers and sisters2 and this was the load which the young ,jesus took up4 ,but although ,joseph who had been a father to him was gone1 ,jesus knew that his heavenly ,father was still with him1 and he could call upon him for help in every need4 ,jesus worked hard all the long days1 but when the ,sabbath day came1 which among the ,jews was ,saturday1 his shop was shut up and he sat on the floor of the village church1 listening to the reading of the ,old ,testament and joining in the songs of praise4 ,he took his turn as the reader at the desk1 and as he read the lesson in ,isaiah or ,micah or ,hosea1 he saw meanings in the verses that others could not see1 for in the long hours of the workshop he was thinking and praying and listening to the voice of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,tools of an oriental carpenter4 #a1 #c1 #d4 ,drills4 #b4 ,chisel4 #e4 ,handle of a drill4 #f4 ,nut held in the hand while the drill revolves4 #g4 ,saw4 #h4 ,punch4 #i4 ,horn of oil4 #aj4 ,mallet4 #aa4 ,bag for nails4 #aa4 ,basket to hold tools4 ,while ,jesus was living this quiet life in the home and the shop some changes were going on in the land4 ,the ruler in ,galilee was ,herod ,antipas1 the son of that wicked ,herod who killed all the babies in ,bethlehem2 and he was very little better than his father4 ,in ,judea1 the part of the land around ,jerusalem1 ,archelaus1 another son of ,herod1 ruled so badly that all the people sent to the ,emperor ,tiberius at ,rome asking to have him taken away4 ,the ,jews hoped that they might then have rulers of their own people2 but the ,emperor sent them a ,roman governor1 whom they did not like but dared not make angry4 ,in many places through the land1 especially in ,galilee1 where ,jesus was living1 some of the people refused to pay their taxes to the ,roman empire1 and began fighting against the rulers4 ,they could not battle with the ,roman armies1 and hid in the woods and caves and mountains1 but came out in bands and robbed the people on the roads4 ,all through the land1 north and south1 were fear and trouble4 ,the people were not contented with their rulers1 and all hoped that the time was near when the ,kingdom of ,god would come and their ,roman officers and tax-gatherers would be driven away4 ,they looked for a kingdom like the one over which ,david reigned a thousand years before1 a kingdom with armies and victories over its enemies and a palace for the king4 ,but they did not know that in that little one-room house on the hillside of ,nazareth1 the ,king was waiting for his call to go forth and bring in the true ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the ,voice by the ,river ,,chapter #ad ,,while ,,jesus was still living in ,nazareth and working in his carpenter shop1 suddenly the news went through all the land that a strange man was preaching in the desert country of ,judea1 not far from ,jerusalem2 and that all the people were going out of the cities and villages to hear him4 ,this man was ,john1 the son of the old priest ,zacharias and his wife ,elizabeth4 ,you remember that an angel came to ,zacharias while he was standing by the altar in the ,temple1 and told him that he should have a son1 and that his name should be ,john4 ,john had now grown up and was a young man about thirty years old4 ,he had lived out in the desert places away from the cities and their crowds1 so that he could be alone and think and pray and listen to the voice of ,god4 ,and ,god had spoken to him in the desert and he had told him to preach to the people and tell them how to get ready for the ,kingdom of ,god1 which was soon to come4 ,illustration3 ,john the ,baptist preaching in the wilderness ,john was preaching beside the river ,jordan1 at the foot of the mountains2 and from the cities and villages everywhere the people went to listen to his words4 ,john did not look like the men of his time4 ,he had never cut his hair1 and it hung upon his shoulders in a long black mass4 ,his black beard1 too1 was very long1 for it had never been trimmed4 ,his clothing was a skin torn from a beast or a mantle woven from the rough1 shaggy hair of the camel1 fastened by a leather belt around the waist4 ,he had lived out of doors in the sun and the winds and the rain1 so that his face and arms and legs and his bare feet were all brown and hard4 ,he ate for his food the locusts which he could pick up in the fields and the woods and the honey to be found in the hollow trees4 ,when the people looked at him1 they thought of the great prophet ,elijah1 who many hundred years before had gone up to heaven in a chariot of fire near that very place where ,john was preaching1 and they said wonderingly to each other3 ,this must be ,elijah1 the fiery prophet1 who has come back to earth4 ,a prophet among the ,israelites was a man who brought to the people the word which ,god had given him to speak4 ,the books of the ,old ,testament1 which all the people knew almost by heart1 told of many prophets1 such as ,moses1 who brought water for his people by striking the rock2 ,samuel1 whose prayers saved the people from their enemies2 ,nathan1 who spoke bold words to ,david the king2 and ,elisha1 who had made the bitter waters of a spring sweet1 had cured the leper ,naaman and wrought many wonderful works4 ,of all the prophets1 they thought ,elijah the greatest1 and they remembered that in the last book of the ,old ,testament1 the book of the prophet ,malachi1 it was written3 ,behold1 ,i will send you ,elijah the prophet before the great day of the ,lord shall come4 ,and when the people looked at this strange man who was preaching by the river1 they thought that the day of the ,lord was surely coming1 and that here was the prophet ,elijah as had been promised4 ,john said to the people1 in his preaching1 that the ,kingdom of ,god was near at hand and that every man must be ready for it4 ,to make themselves ready1 they were to confess their sins1 to stop doing wrong and to begin to do right4 ,as a sign of their willingness to cease from evil and to serve the ,lord1 they were baptized by ,john in the river ,jordan4 ,john said to them3 ,i baptize you with water1 but there is one among you1 of your own people1 one whom you do not know1 who is greater than ,i1 so much above me that ,i am not worthy to stoop down and tie his shoestrings4 ,he will come soon2 and when he comes1 he will not baptize with water as ,i do4 ,he will baptize you with fire and with the ,spirit of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,the river ,jordan ,he spoke further about this ,greater ,one who was coming so soon1 and said3 ,he shall deal with the people as the farmer deals with his grain on the threshing floor4 ,he will sweep the floor most carefully2 the wheat he will put in his barn and the chaff he will burn up with a fire that cannot be put out4 ,the people came to ,john and said to him3 ,what shall we do to make ready for the coming of this ,great ,king8 ,john answered them3 ,let everyone do what he can to help those who are in need4 ,if any of you have two coats1 give one of them to some poor man that has no garments2 and those of you who have wheat and barley1 give to those who are hungry something to eat4 ,some of the men who gathered the taxes from the people for the ,roman rulers came to ,john and said3 ,what would you have us do to make ready for the coming of the ,king8 ,shall we tell the people that they are to pay no more taxes8 ,no1 answered ,john4 ,let the people pay their taxes as before2 but see that you do not make them pay more than is right1 and do not rob them4 ,for many of these tax-collectors 7who were called publicans7 took from the people more than they had a right to take1 and used the people's money for themselves4 ,they made themselves rich by robbing the people4 ,everywhere the people hated these tax-collectors1 and called them sinners4 ,the soldiers and policemen came to ,john and said1 ,and what shall we do8 ,john said to them3 ,do not be harsh and rough with the people4 ,treat everyone kindly4 ,be contented with your pay1 and do not make the people give you money that you have no right to ask4 ,these were some of the many things that ,john said to the people4 ,all his words came to this3 ,if you are doing wrong1 stop it and begin to do right4 ,do not be selfish1 but love your fellow men and do good to them4 ,and be ready when the ,king comes to obey him4 ,john was called ,john the ,baptist because he baptized in the river ,jordan all those who promised to follow his teachings4 ,the leaders of the people in ,jerusalem did not believe the words of ,john and were not baptized by him4 ,they did not know exactly what to think of him1 and they sent some priests and others to see him4 ,these men came and asked him3 ,who are you8 ,are you the ,christ1 the promised ,king8 ,no1 answered ,john1 ,i am not the ,christ4 ,what then8 said they4 ,are you ,elijah the prophet come to earth again1 as some people say you are8 ,no1 answered ,john again1 ,i am not ,elijah4 ,well1 then1 they said1 tell us who you are1 so that we can give an answer to the rulers who have sent us4 ,and ,john said3 ,in the book of the prophet ,isaiah it is written1 ',the ,voice of him that cries in the desert3 prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 make a straight path before him4' ,i am that voice to speak to the people and make them ready for the ,king1 who is even now among you1 although you do not know him1 and who will soon make himself known4 ,the ,carpenter ,leaves ,his ,shop ,,chapter #ae ,,after ,,some months the news was brought to ,nazareth that ,john the ,baptist had come up the river ,jordan and was now preaching at a place about twelve miles south of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,the place where ,john was preaching had two names4 ,it was called ,bethany beyond ,jordan1 there being another ,bethany quite near ,jerusalem2 and it was also called ,bethabara1 a word which means the place where one can walk across the river2 for there the river ,jordan was so shallow that people waded across it4 ,john had chosen this place because the sloping shore beside the river was fitted for the crowds to listen to his preaching1 and the shallow water was near at hand for baptizing the people4 ,bethabara or ,bethany was about twenty-five miles from ,nazareth2 and over the plain just across the hill was a road leading down to the river at that place1 where people used to cross the ,jordan on their way to the land of ,decapolis and ,perea beyond4 ,nearly all the people had heard ,john preach1 and most of them had been baptized by him as a sign that they promised to turn from evil and do good and look for the ,king who was soon to come4 ,jesus felt that the time had now come for him to begin the work to which ,god had called him4 ,he had told no one of his purpose1 not even his mother2 but one day he left his carpenter shop to his younger brothers1 who were now young men and able to care for their mother4 ,he walked down the valleys1 came to the river ,jordan1 waded the stream1 and at ,bethabara1 in front of a crowd of people from every part of the land1 for the first time he saw ,john the ,baptist4 ,no doubt ,mary had told her son all the story of the angel by the altar1 of ,john's birth and of his early life2 but in all the years ,jesus and ,john had never met4 ,jesus listened to the words of ,john1 and then with the others he came forward to be baptized4 ,john looked at this strange young man who was drawing near1 and as he looked the voice within him said3 ,the long-promised ,king has come6 ,this ,man is ,he6 ,john felt that here was one who needed no baptism2 for he knew that this man had no sins to give up1 and was already doing ,god's will perfectly4 ,he felt unwilling to baptize him1 and said3 ,illustration3 ,the ,jordan4 ,at the supposed place of ,christ's baptism4 ,it is not fitting that ,i should baptize one so good and so great in the sight of ,god as you are4 ,i need to be baptized by you1 and do you come to me8 ,but ,jesus answered him3 ,it is best that it should be so4 ,whatever is right for other men is right also for me4 ,let me do this as my duty to ,god4 ,illustration3 ,as ,jesus rose out of the water1 a light flashed from the sky1 resting on his head1 and the voice of ,god was heard saying3 ,this is my ,son1 my ,beloved1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,then ,john yielded to the will of ,jesus and baptized him4 ,just as ,jesus rose out of the water a strange thing happened4 ,while he was praying a light flashed from the sky and seemed to rest upon the head of ,jesus like a white1 shining dove coming down upon him2 and a voice was heard somewhat like a peal of thunder4 ,those standing on the shore felt that some words were spoken1 but they could not understand them4 ,john alone heard and understood4 ,it was the voice of ,god1 and ,john afterward told the people that these were the words spoken3 ,this is my ,son1 my ,beloved1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,at that instant a mighty ,power came upon ,jesus4 ,the ,spirit of ,god had always been with him and had caused him to feel that the ,lord was fitting him to do some great work4 ,but in that moment when the light from heaven fell upon him and the voice of ,god was heard1 ,jesus was filled with the ,spirit of ,god as no man1 not even the greatest of the prophets1 had been filled before4 ,he knew now that he was not only a prophet1 one who hears ,god's voice and speaks ,god's words2 but more than a prophet1 he himself was the ,son of ,god4 ,he saw as in a flash what was ,god's plan for his kingdom on the earth2 and that it was a kingdom far different from that expected by the ,jewish people4 ,he knew that he1 who up to that moment had been the woodworker of ,nazareth1 was from that hour to be the ,prince of the heavenly kingdom4 ,he was to lead the people to ,god and to show in his own life how men should live4 ,he was to bring ,god down to men and to bring men to ,god4 ,all this and more that we cannot understand came to the soul of ,jesus as he stood on the brink of ,jordan with the light of ,god upon his face4 ,alone in the ,desert ,,chapter #af ,,after ,,his baptism ,jesus felt that for a time he must be alone to think over the great change that had come upon him4 ,only yesterday he had been the carpenter in ,nazareth1 and now he knew that he was the ,son of ,god and the ,king of ,israel6 ,so sudden and mighty a change as this made him feel that he must go to some quiet1 lonely place1 where he could think and pray and find out his ,father's will for himself and the work that he was to do4 ,without speaking even a word with ,john1 ,jesus slipped out of the crowd upon the bank of the river4 ,he walked toward the south1 not following the well-known road beside the ,jordan1 over which he had walked many times while attending the feasts in ,jerusalem1 but choosing the paths along the mountain-side where he would not meet people1 for he wished not to talk with men but with ,god4 ,illustration3 ,jesus chose the paths along the mountainside where he would not meet people1 for he wished not to talk with men but with ,god4 ,he came at last to a very lonely place1 between ,jericho and ,jerusalem2 a place where no man lived and where even the ,arabs of the desert scarcely ever wandered4 ,the only living creatures in the desolate land were the wild beasts1 the wolves and the foxes1 whose howls could be heard at night4 ,there upon the top of a hill1 with rocks all around1 he sat down to rest4 ,his mind had been in such a whirl of excitement1 and his heart was beating with such strong feeling1 that he had never thought of taking with him any food to eat4 ,for many days and nights he was alone1 praying and talking with ,god and never once thinking of eating4 ,more than a month passed away1 even forty days1 before the feeling of hunger came upon him4 ,then suddenly he felt a sharp gnawing in his body1 and he knew that he was famishing for food4 ,he felt that he must have something to eat or he would die there in the desert1 with the great work to which ,god had called him all left undone4 ,around him were the rough stones of the wilderness1 and as he looked on them1 this thought came to his mind3 ,there is no need for me to starve in this desert4 ,if ,i am the ,son of ,god1 as the voice from heaven said1 then ,i need only to speak a word and these stones will be turned to bread6 ,then ,jesus thought again1 and said to himself1 ,yes1 ,i am the ,son of ,god1 and ,i have the power to make these stones turn into bread for me to eat4 ,but that power was given me by my heavenly ,father2 and it was given1 not that ,i should use it for myself1 but for the help of others who are in need4 ,it is not ,god's will that ,i should make bread out of stones for myself4 ,and then a sentence out of the ,bible came to the mind of ,jesus1 and he said1 ,it is written1 ,man shall not live by bread alone1 but by every word that comes out of the mouth of ,god4 ,jesus seemed to be alone in the desert1 but there was one who was watching him1 all unseen4 ,that one was the evil spirit1 ,satan1 who hated ,jesus1 knowing that he was the ,son of ,god and the ,saviour of the world4 ,he had put into the mind of ,jesus the thought of turning stones to bread and using the power which ,god had given him for himself alone4 ,jesus was quick to see the purpose of ,satan and to turn away from it4 ,illustration3 ,when ,satan1 the wicked spirit1 found that he could not persuade ,jesus to do his will1 he left him4 ,then another thought came to the mind of ,jesus4 ,he said to himself1 ,i know that ,i am the ,king of ,israel1 the ,messiah whom the people have been looking for so long4 ,but how shall ,i cause the people to know that ,i am their ,king8 ,what can ,i do to make them believe in me8 ,at that moment1 while ,jesus was trying to think out the best plan for beginning his work and making himself1 as the ,son of ,god1 known to the people1 ,satan1 the evil spirit1 was ready with another word4 ,he said1 ,here is a good plan4 ,go to the ,temple in ,jerusalem at some feast-time when it is crowded with people1 and in the sight of all the crowd1 leap off one of the towers4 ,you will not fall to the ground1 but will come sailing down through the air1 for all power is yours4 ,and when the people see you1 they will fall on their faces before you and will believe in you as the ,king so long promised4 ,you know that you are the ,son of ,god and that ,god will take care of you4 ,don't you remember that in one of the psalms it is written1 ',he shall give his angels charge over thee1 and in their hands they shall bear thee up so that thou shalt not dash thy foot against a stone8' ,jesus saw at once that this was not ,god's plan1 but ,satan's plan4 ,it would not be trusting ,god1 but would be putting ,god's power and ,god's care to a trial to show what ,jesus himself could do4 ,he would not perform this foolish act1 nor anything like it1 of his own accord4 ,he would wait until ,god told him what to do1 and would do nothing until he was sure that it was the will of ,god4 ,again a sentence out of the ,bible came to his mind1 and he said3 ,it is written again1 ',thou shall not put the ,lord thy ,god to trial4' ,that means that we should never make a show of our trust in ,god or let others see by some act that is not needed what ,god can do to help us4 ,we must not venture into danger to show how ,god can bring us out of danger4 ,jesus had now settled two great questions4 ,he would not use his wonder-working powers for himself1 even to save his own life2 and he would do nothing merely as a show1 but would in all things work only the will of his ,father4 ,there was one more question to be met3 he was to become the ,king of ,israel1 but what kind of a kingdom would he have8 ,he knew well that all the ,israelite people1 not only in ,judea and ,galilee1 but in all the lands1 were looking for a king who should rule in ,jerusalem1 somewhat as the ,emperor ,tiberius was ruling in ,rome4 ,they hoped for a king who should gather an army1 should drive out the ,romans1 should fight battles1 win victories and make his kingdom the ruling power in the world4 ,they looked for the time when the ,romans should be under their feet1 and when all other lands should pay taxes and serve their king in ,jerusalem4 ,all this ,jesus knew1 and ,satan1 the wicked spirit1 was at his side1 though unseen1 to say to him3 ,take my advice1 and ,i will give you all the kingdoms of the world2 for they are mine and ,i can give them to whom ,i please4 ,jesus knew that what the people wanted was just what ,satan wanted1 a worldly1 wicked kingdom1 built out of war and blood and the killing of all who would not submit to it4 ,but that would not be the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,it would be the ,kingdom of ,satan1 as so many kingdoms and nations have been in the past4 ,to do as ,satan wished him to do would be just the same as if he bowed down before ,satan and worshipped him as his ,lord and ,master4 ,this he would not do2 and his last words to the tempter were3 ,go away from me1 ,satan6 ,it is written1 ',thou shalt worship the ,lord thy ,god1 and him only shalt thou serve6' ,jesus saw plainly that in making this great choice to please ,god1 he would not please his own people1 the ,jews4 ,he knew that the rulers and the priests and the scribes1 those who were the leading men of the time1 would be against him1 would refuse to follow him1 would try to stir up the people against him and would try to kill him4 ,but ,jesus was ready to die in serving ,god1 rather than to live in doing the will of ,satan4 ,when ,satan1 the wicked spirit1 found that he could not persuade ,jesus to do his will1 he left him4 ,and afterward1 angels from heaven1 sent by his ,father1 came to him in the desert and gave him all the food that he needed4 ,the gospels of ,matthew and ,luke1 which tell the story of this meeting with ,satan and of ,jesus' victory1 do not say just where it took place4 ,all we know is that it was in the desert or the wilderness4 ,but near ,jericho stands a mountain where it is thought by some that ,jesus stayed during those forty days4 ,this mountain on that account is called by a name which means forty days--,mount ,quarantania4 ,illustration3 ,mount ,quarantania4 ,believed by some to be the mount where ,jesus was tempted4 ,illustration3 ,andrew brought his brother ,simon to ,jesus1 who gave him a new name1 ,the ,rock1 or ,peter4 ,the ,earliest ,followers of ,jesus ,,chapter #ag ,,after ,,his forty days in the desert1 ,jesus began his work of winning men to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,this plan was1 at first1 to talk to men one by one1 until he could gather around him a little company of those who would believe in his words as a teacher1 and follow him as their leader4 ,the men who would be best fitted to become his first followers were some of those who had been already taught by ,john the ,baptist4 ,so from the wilderness ,jesus turned his steps northward once more1 and walked up the well-trodden road toward ,bethabara1 where nearly two months ago he had been baptized4 ,at ,bethabara with ,john the ,baptist was a group or company of young men1 who were known as ,john's disciples1 that is1 men who stayed with him to learn his teachings after the crowds had gone home4 ,some of these were fishermen from the ,sea of ,galilee who had left their nets and their work that they might listen to ,john4 ,john was standing with some of these men around him1 when at some distance a stranger was seen walking up the road4 ,these disciples of ,john did not know who this man was1 but ,john remembered him1 for the light flashing from the sky upon his face at the moment of his baptism and the voice from the heavens1 had stamped ,jesus upon his memory4 ,he pointed to ,jesus and said3 ,look6 ,yonder is the ,lamb of ,god1 who takes away the sin of the world6 ,this is the one of whom ,i spoke when ,i said1 ',after me shall come a man who is greater than ,i1 and who shall baptize not in water but in the ,holy ,spirit4' ,upon this man ,i saw the ,spirit coming down like a dove and resting upon him4 ,and ,i tell you all that this man is the ,son of ,god4 ,while ,john was speaking these words1 ,jesus passed out of sight1 and ,john and his disciples saw no more of him that day4 ,but on the next day1 when ,john was standing with two of his followers1 ,jesus again walked by1 and ,john again looked at him and said to the young men3 ,look6 ,the ,lamb of ,god6 ,the two young men when they heard these words at once left ,john and walked toward ,jesus4 ,as they drew near1 ,jesus turned and said to them3 ,why do you follow me8 ,what is it that you wish8 ,they said to him3 ,teacher1 we wish to know where you are staying1 so that we can see you and talk with you4 ,come and see1 said ,jesus2 and he led them to the house where he was staying as a guest4 ,in those times the ,jews welcomed to their homes those who were on a journey and for a few days needed a resting place4 ,it was about ten o'clock in the morning when those two men sat down in the house with ,jesus1 and they stayed with him all the rest of the day until the sun went down1 listening as he talked to them about the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,his words went straight to their hearts1 and on that day those two young men believed in ,jesus as their ,messiah-,christ2 that is1 the ,king of ,israel1 long promised by the prophets of the ,old ,testament and long looked for by the ,israelite people4 ,the two words ,messiah and ,christ mean the same4 ,one is in the ,hebrew language2 the other in the ,greek1 and both words mean ,the ,anointed ,one1 or the ,king of ,israel4 ,thus1 on the first day of his teaching ,jesus found two followers4 ,both of these men were fishermen from the ,sea of ,galilee1 not many miles away4 ,one was a man named ,john1 who was afterward called the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 for of all his followers1 ,john was the one nearest to ,jesus4 ,long afterward1 ,john wrote one of the most precious books in the ,bible1 the ,gospel according to ,john1 which shows us1 more than any other book1 the inmost heart of ,jesus4 ,the other young man was named ,andrew4 ,he thought at once of his older brother1 ,simon1 who was also a follower of ,john the ,baptist4 ,he went to find ,simon1 and said to him3 ,we have found the ,messiah1 of whom the prophets have spoken6 ,he spoke in the ,hebrew tongue1 which was the language of his people4 ,if he had spoken in ,greek1 the tongue in which the ,new ,testament was first written1 he would have said1 ,we have found the ,christ2 that is1 the ,king4 ,andrew brought his brother ,simon to ,jesus2 and as soon as ,jesus looked at him1 before ,andrew had spoken his name1 he said3 ,your name is ,simon1 and you are the son of ,jonas4 ,but ,i will give you a new name4 ,in the time to come you shall be called 'the ,rock4' ,in the ,hebrew language the word meaning rock is ,cephas or ,kephas4 ,in ,greek it is ,peter4 ,after this ,simon was sometimes called ,cephas1 but more often ,peter4 ,he became a leader among the followers of ,jesus1 and many years later wrote one1 perhaps two1 of the books in the ,new ,testament4 ,jesus had now three followers who believed in him as their ,lord and ,king2 and the next day he found a fourth4 ,this man was named ,philip1 and he came from a place called ,bethsaida1 on the northern shore of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,jesus said to ,philip3 ,follow me4 ,and he too joined the little company of the disciples or followers of ,jesus4 ,philip at once thought of a friend of his own1 a very good and pure man1 who he thought would be glad to join him as a follower of ,jesus4 ,he went to look for him and found him standing under a fig tree4 ,he said3 ,we have found him of whom ,moses wrote in the law1 and of whom the prophets spoke1 the ,christ4 ,his name is ,jesus1 the son of ,joseph2 and he comes from the town of ,nazareth4 ,now ,nathanael's home-town was ,cana1 only a few miles from ,nazareth4 ,nathanael thought of ,nazareth as a mean place4 ,he could not believe that the great ,king of ,israel1 the ,christ1 should spring from such a village4 ,he looked for him to come from some great city1 like ,jerusalem1 or from ,bethlehem1 ,david's town4 ,he did not know that ,jesus had been born in ,bethlehem2 in fact he had never heard of ,jesus1 and he said3 ,do you tell me that anything good can come out of ,nazareth8 ,now1 ,philip was not wise enough to tell ,nathanael the reasons why he believed in ,jesus4 ,it is hard to put into words some of our deepest thoughts4 ,but he gave to ,nathanael a very wise answer4 ,well1 said ,philip1 come and see ,jesus for yourself4 ,jesus had never seen ,nathanael before1 but as he drew near1 ,jesus said to those who were standing by3 ,look6 here comes a true ,israelite1 a man of ,god1 one whose heart has in it nothing evil4 ,nathanael was greatly surprised at these words of ,jesus4 ,he said1 ,how is it that you know me8 ,before ,philip spoke to you1 answered ,jesus1 while you were standing under the fig tree1 ,i saw you4 ,teacher1 said ,nathanael1 you are the ,son of ,god2 you are the ,king of ,israel4 ,jesus said3 ,do you believe because ,i said1 ',i saw you underneath the fig tree8' ,you will yet see greater things than these4 ,in truth1 ,i say to you that you shall see the heaven opened and the angels of ,god going up and coming down upon the ,son of ,man4 ,by the ,son of ,man1 ,jesus meant himself4 ,he used those words to show that while he was the ,son of ,god1 he was also a man among men4 ,jesus had been preaching or talking to a few men about the ,kingdom of ,god1 and already he had gained five followers4 ,there may have been others1 for not long afterwards we find ,james1 the brother of ,john1 among his disciples4 ,illustration3 ,the village of ,bethphage1 on the ,mount of ,olives ,illustration3 ,jesus1 with his first followers1 ,john1 ,andrew1 ,philip and ,nathanael1 left the river ,jordan and walked to the village of ,cana in ,galilee4 ,the ,water ,turned to ,wine ,,chapter #ah ,,soon ,,after ,jesus met the men who became his first followers he left the river ,jordan1 and with these men walked to the land of ,galilee1 to the village of ,cana1 about six miles north of ,nazareth4 ,this was the town where ,nathanael1 one of the first five followers of ,jesus1 lived4 ,at ,cana a marriage was to be held1 and ,jesus with all his followers was invited4 ,in that land1 at a marriage1 a feast was always given1 and all the friends of the newly-married couple1 with their friends also1 and almost everybody in the village1 were expected to come4 ,the feasting and dancing and merry-making often lasted through a whole week4 ,before the feast was over they found that the wine1 which in those times everybody drank freely1 was used up1 and those who were giving the feast had no wine to set before their guests4 ,this filled them with alarm1 for at such times the wine was expected to flow freely1 and not to have wine for the company at a feast was considered almost a disgrace4 ,the mother of ,jesus was there as a friend of the family4 ,she thought of a way to help those who were giving the feast1 and called her son aside from the crowd1 and said to him very quietly3 ,they have no wine4 ,she knew what very few knew1 that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and that all power was in his hands4 ,he had not yet done any of those wonderful works of curing the sick1 making the blind to see and making the deaf to hear1 which he did so often afterward2 but ,mary believed that he could do them if he chose4 ,she thought that perhaps he would use his power to give the wine that was needed4 ,it was with this hope that she said to him1 ,they have no wine4 ,the answer that ,jesus gave was not such in its words as to encourage her4 ,woman1 said he1 what have you to do with me in this matter8 ,my time is not yet come4 ,his speaking to his mother as ,woman1 instead of saying ,mother1 as a young man would among us1 was not lacking in respect4 ,it was the usage of that time for a son to say ,woman1 and not ,mother4 ,she saw in his face a look showing her that she had not spoken in vain4 ,so she turned to the servants who were standing near4 ,whatever he tells you to do1 she said1 do it4 ,illustration3 ,cana1 and its well ,one of the usages of the ,jews was to wash their hands before they sat down to a meal4 ,this washing was not merely to make their hands clean2 it was a sort of religious service1 and the ,jews were very strict in doing it4 ,when so large a company met for a feast1 a great deal of water was needed4 ,in the hall were standing six large jars for water1 each jar of a size to hold nearly twenty gallons4 ,they were nearly empty1 because all the guests had washed their hands before sitting down at the feast4 ,jesus pointed to these jars and said to the servants3 ,fill all those jars with water4 ,they obeyed him and filled all the jars up to the brim4 ,then ,jesus said again3 ,now draw out from the jars1 and carry what you take out to the ruler of the feast4 ,wondering1 the servants dipped their pitchers into the great jars which only a few moments before they had filled with water4 ,how surprised they were to find each pitcher as it came out full of red wine6 ,they carried it to the ruler of the feast4 ,he tasted it and saw that it was wine of the very best kind4 ,he did not know how it had been made1 but supposed that it had been brought suddenly from some wine merchant4 ,he called the young man who had been married1 and in whose honor the feast was being held1 and said to him3 ,everybody serves his best wine at the beginning of his feast2 and afterward1 when people have been drinking some time1 he brings wine that is poorer2 but you have kept your best wine until now6 ,illustration3 ,stone water-jars ,illustration3 ,the mother of ,jesus called her son aside and said to him quietly3 ,they have no wine4 ,the only ones who knew whence the new wine had come were the servants4 ,but they soon told others1 and the word was passed around the company that ,jesus of ,nazareth1 ,mary's son1 had wrought this wonderful work4 ,his followers1 the five or more disciples who had come with ,jesus to the wedding feast1 now believed more fully than before that their teacher was more than a mere man1 that the power of ,god was upon him and that whatever he should say was the word of ,god4 ,such a work as that of turning the water into wine1 a work that no man could do without ,god's power1 was called a miracle4 ,it showed that the one who wrought it was a man sent from ,god1 doing ,god's will and speaking ,god's word4 ,this was the first miracle or work of wonder that ,jesus wrought2 but after this we shall read of many miracles4 ,from the wedding feast ,jesus went down the mountains of ,galilee to the city of ,capernaum1 which stood on the shore of the ,sea of ,galilee on the northwest4 ,with ,jesus on this visit to ,capernaum were his mother1 some of his younger brothers and his followers4 ,illustration3 ,oriental basin1 ewer1 etc4 ,illustration3 ,nicodemus sought ,jesus quietly one night to talk with him and learn more of his teachings4 ,the ,lord in ,his ,temple ,,chapter #ai ,,the ,,spring-,,time of the year came1 when the people from all parts of the land went up to ,jerusalem to attend the great feast of the ,passover4 ,you remember that this feast was held to keep in mind how more than a thousand years before ,god had led the ,israelite people out of ,egypt1 where they had been slaves4 ,it was called the feast of the ,passover because on the night of their going-out the angel of death had passed over the houses of the ,israelites when he brought death to the ,egyptian homes4 ,on that night1 too1 they went out of ,egypt in such haste that the women did not have time to wait for the bread to rise before baking it1 and all the bread eaten at that time was unleavened bread1 or bread made without yeast4 ,to keep in mind that great day1 the day when ,israel became a nation1 ruling itself1 in the spring of every year all the people gathered in ,jerusalem1 and for one week ate unleavened bread1 that is1 bread made without yeast4 ,great services were held in the ,temple on every day of this feast2 and on one evening a special dinner of a roasted lamb was eaten by everybody1 to keep in mind the last meal which the ,israelites ate in the land of ,egypt1 with their hats on their heads and their cloaks on their shoulders and their shoes on their feet1 all ready to march away4 ,jesus and the little company of his disciples or followers went up to ,jerusalem1 walking1 as many times before1 down the ,jordan valley to ,jericho1 and then climbing the hills to the holy city4 ,for many years ,jesus had been coming to the feast of the ,passover2 but never before had he come as he came now1 in the power of the ,spirit1 as the ,son of ,god4 ,around the ,house of ,god was a great open court1 called the ,court of the ,gentiles1 where foreign people who were not ,jews came to pray2 since none but ,jews or ,israelites could enter the inner courts4 ,but the ,jews held all ,gentiles or foreign people in contempt4 ,they did not look upon the part of the ,temple buildings where foreigners prayed as holy2 and they had turned this court1 the ,court of the ,gentiles1 into a market place4 ,here ,jesus found everywhere sheep and oxen brought there for sale2 cages full of doves1 which were sold to the poorer people for offerings upon the altar2 counters where sat men changing the money of people from other lands into the coins of ,judea4 ,there was nothing of the quiet and peace which should be in a place of prayer2 all was noise and confusion2 the lowing of oxen1 the voices of men buying and selling1 the jingling of silver on the tables4 ,these sights and sounds stirred the heart of ,jesus4 ,he felt that such work as went on around him was unfit and was wicked in a place set apart for the worship of ,god4 ,he picked up a piece of rope from the floor and untwisted its cords until it seemed like a whip4 ,then standing before the buyers and the sellers1 he called upon them to stop their trading4 ,they looked up amazed at this stranger whose face glowed with power as though he were a king4 ,alone1 without help from anyone1 he drove all these people out of the court4 ,he bade them lead away the sheep and the oxen2 he commanded those who sold the doves to carry out their cages2 he overturned the tables of the money-changers and sent their silver rolling upon the floor4 ,illustration3 ,standing before the buyers and the sellers1 he called upon them to stop their trading2 he overturned the tables of the money changers and sent their silver rolling upon the floor4 ,take all these things away1 he cried out4 ,this is the house of my ,father2 you shall not make it a house for buying and selling4 ,even the little company of his disciples--,peter1 ,john1 ,andrew and the others--stood still in wonder as they saw their ,master alone1 armed only with a piece of rope1 driving out the gates this crowd of men1 who were frightened at the kingliness of his looks and fled before him1 not for one moment daring to resist his will4 ,but soon came the priests and rulers of the ,temple4 ,they ought not to have allowed these men to trade in the ,temple ,court and to make it a market place4 ,but some of them took a share of the money that was made in that place4 ,one high priest1 it is said1 owned all the cages of doves and pigeons that were kept in the ,temple for sale4 ,these rulers were very angry to have the trading stopped and their gains taken away4 ,what right have you to come here1 they said to ,jesus1 and make trouble8 ,who are you that you should undertake to rule in this place8 ,show us some sign or proof that you are ,master here6 ,the time is coming1 said ,jesus1 when ,i will show you a sign of my power1 but not now2 and when that sign comes1 you will not believe it4 ,then1 making a motion of his hands as though pointing to himself1 he added3 ,destroy this ,temple1 and in three days ,i will raise it up4 ,the ,jews were horrified at these words2 for they thought that he was speaking of the building on ,mount ,moriah1 and in their mind to speak of pulling down the house where ,god dwelt was a terrible thing4 ,but ,jesus was speaking of himself as the ,son of ,god1 in whose body dwelt the ,spirit of ,god4 ,far more than that building1 where men cheated and did evil deeds1 ,jesus himself was the house of ,god4 ,the rulers said3 ,this ,temple has taken forty-six years to build1 and it is not finished yet2 and will you raise it up in three days8 ,nearly fifty years before1 ,king ,herod had begun to rebuild the ,temple1 which in his time had become old and decayed4 ,the repairs were made very slowly1 and in the time of ,jesus the building was still far from being finished4 ,it was not finished until more than twenty years afterward4 ,we know what ,jesus meant by those words2 that three years afterward1 those very men would cause him1 the ,son of ,god1 whose body was ,god's dwelling place1 to be put to death2 and within three days after his death he would rise from his tomb1 to be the ,temple of ,god again and forever4 ,the disciples of ,jesus heard these words1 but at that time did not know what they meant4 ,jesus stayed for some time in ,jerusalem and talked to the people about the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,he also did some wonderful works1 such as curing the sick2 and the people who saw these acts believed his words1 as from one whom ,god had sent to men4 ,but the priests and the rulers hated ,jesus1 because he spoke against their wicked lives1 and they did all that they could to turn the people away from him4 ,among the rulers1 however1 were a few men who listened to ,jesus and believed his words4 ,one of these was a man named ,nicodemus4 ,he wished to have a talk with ,jesus and learn more of his teachings4 ,but he was afraid to be seen with ,jesus in the day-time1 knowing that the other rulers were so strongly against ,jesus4 ,so he went quietly one night1 unknown to everybody1 and had a meeting with ,jesus4 ,nicodemus began by saying3 ,teacher1 we all know that you have been sent by ,god to speak to us1 because no one could do these wonderful things that you are doing unless ,god were with him to give him power4 ,jesus said to him3 ,let me tell you and all your people one thing4 ,no man can have any part in the ,kingdom of ,god unless he is born again from ,god4 ,nicodemus did not know what this meant1 and he said1 ,how can a man be born again after he is grown up8 ,every man1 said ,jesus1 must become a new man and have the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in him1 if he is to come into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,do not be surprised that ,i say to you1 ',you must be born anew4' ,there are many things that you cannot understand4 ,listen to the wind blowing6 ,you can hear it1 but you cannot tell from what place it comes nor to what place it goes4 ,just so is it with every one who is born of ,god's spirit4 ,what ,jesus meant in these words was that every one who would be a follower of ,christ needs to have a new heart and to live a new life2 and this new heart and new life ,god alone can give to him4 ,one great sentence was spoken by ,jesus at this time4 ,here it is4 ,god so loved the world that he gave his only ,son1 that whosoever believeth on him should not perish1 but have eternal life4 ,,at ,,the ,,old ,,well ,,chapter #bj ,,after ,,the ,passover1 ,jesus went teaching through the villages in ,judea1 the province or part of the land around ,jerusalem4 ,as ,judea was the largest of the five provinces1 it gave its name also to the whole land1 which was called both ,judea and the land of ,israel4 ,john the ,baptist was still preaching and baptizing1 although the crowds which now came to hear him were not so great as before4 ,while ,john was near the ,sea of ,galilee1 ,jesus stayed in ,judea1 so that none might think that he was trying to draw the people away from ,john4 ,but after a time ,jesus heard that ,john the ,baptist had been put in prison by ,herod ,antipas1 the wicked ruler of ,galilee and ,perea4 ,herod had stolen from his brother ,philip his wife1 named ,herodias1 and was living with her4 ,john said to him3 ,it is against the law of ,moses and of ,god for you to take away your brother's wife4 ,this made ,herod angry with ,john1 and ,herodias even more angry4 ,she wished to have ,john put to death for his bold words1 but ,herod1 though he was not a good man1 was unwilling to have ,john slain1 and partly to keep him safe from the hate of his wife1 he ordered that he should be put into prison4 ,to a man like ,john1 used to the free life of the wilderness1 and not even willing to live in town or village1 it must have been hard to be shut up in a prison cell1 within four walls1 and to be able only to see the outside world through grated windows4 ,as soon as ,jesus learned that ,john the ,baptist was shut up in prison1 he ended his work in ,judea1 and with his disciples started for ,galilee1 his old home in the north4 ,on this journey he did not go the way of the river ,jordan1 but took the most direct road1 which would lead him through the land of ,samaria4 ,he knew that the ,samaritan people who lived in that land hated the ,jews and often robbed them when they traveled through their country4 ,still1 ,jesus made up his mind to go through ,samaria4 ,illustration3 ,john the ,baptist rebuking ,herod ,leading the little company of his followers1 he walked northward from ,jerusalem1 past ,bethel1 where long before ,jacob lying on his pillow of stone had his wonderful dream of the ladder reaching up to heaven2 past ,shiloh1 where once the holy ,ark of ,god had been kept in the ,tabernacle in the days of ,samuel2 and over mountains where battles had been fought and victories won4 ,early one morning1 after walking in the night1 ,jesus and his disciples came to an old well1 about two miles from the city of ,shechem4 ,nearby was a little village1 named ,sychar1 which could be seen from the well1 and although it was a ,samaritan village the followers of ,jesus went to it to buy some food4 ,this well was very old4 ,it had been dug by ,jacob1 the early father of all the ,israelite people1 more than eighteen hundred years before ,jesus came to that place4 ,and it is still there1 a well dug out of the solid rock nearly one hundred feet deep1 and even now having water in it ten months of the year1 but apt to be dry in the summer4 ,that well is now nearly four thousand years old1 yet every traveler who visits it may look down into its depths1 may see a bucket of water drawn and may have a drink from it4 ,in that time a well did not have with it a pump for bringing up the water1 nor was there even a rope to let down into it2 but each one who came to draw water--and it was generally a woman--brought a rope and a water-jar4 ,as ,jesus sat beside the well1 very tired and hungry and thirsty1 he had nothing with which to draw water4 ,as the ,son of ,god upon the earth1 he could have made the water come to him1 but he would not1 for you remember that in the desert ,jesus would do no wonderful work1 no miracle1 merely for his own need4 ,suddenly ,jesus heard the sound of someone coming4 ,he looked up and saw a woman1 with her water-jar and rope1 standing by the well4 ,from her dress he knew that she was not a ,jewish but a ,samaritan woman1 and being the ,son of ,god1 he saw more4 ,he knew at once all her life1 which had not been a good life4 ,but he looked into her heart and saw that she had a longing after ,god and after good4 ,he said to her3 ,will you give me a drink of water from this well8 ,the woman glanced at ,jesus1 and knowing from his dress and his manner of speaking that he was a ,jew1 said to him3 ,how is it that you1 who are a ,jew1 ask drink from me1 a ,samaritan woman8 ,the ,jews looked down upon the ,samaritans1 never asked any favors of them1 and would not drink from a cup or pitcher that a ,samaritan had handled4 ,the woman knew this1 and was greatly surprised that this strange young man of the ,jewish race should speak to her4 ,jesus answered her3 ,if you knew what ,god's free gift is1 and who he is that is asking you for a drink1 you would have asked him instead1 and he would have given you living water4 ,as ,jesus said these words1 very thoughtfully1 the woman looking and listening felt that this was no common man4 ,she thought that he might be a prophet1 a man whom ,god had sent to do mighty works and speak the words of ,god4 ,she said1 very respectfully3 ,sir1 you have nothing to draw water with1 and the well is very deep4 ,where can you get your living water8 ,are you a greater man than our father ,jacob1 who dug this well and gave it to us1 and drank of its water himself1 with his sons and his sheep and oxen8 ,jesus answered her3 ,anyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again1 but anyone who drinks the water that ,i will give him will never thirst any more4 ,the water that ,i will give him will turn into a well of water springing up to everlasting life4 ,oh1 sir1 said the woman1 give me some of your living water1 so that ,i need not be thirsty nor come all this road to draw water4 ,jesus looked earnestly at the woman's face1 and then said to her3 ,go home2 call your husband1 and come here again4 ,the woman's face clouded1 her eyes dropped1 and she looked as if she felt ashamed1 while she answered in a low voice1 ,i have no husband4 ,jesus looked at her steadily1 and said3 ,you have spoken the truth4 ,you have no husband4 ,but you have had five husbands1 and the man with whom you are living now is not your husband4 ,you spoke the truth in those words4 ,the woman was filled with wonder as she heard the stranger speak4 ,she saw at once that here was a man who knew everything4 ,she was sure that ,god had spoken to this man and given him this knowledge of her4 ,sir1 said she1 ,i see that you are a prophet of ,god4 ,tell me1 then1 whether our people or the ,jews are right4 ,our fathers have worshipped ,god on this mountain2 but the ,jews say that ,jerusalem is the place where all should go to worship ,god4 ,as she spoke1 she pointed to the mountain that was standing near1 ,mount ,gerizim1 on the top of which was the temple of the ,samaritans4 ,woman1 believe me1 answered ,jesus1 there is coming a time when men shall worship ,god in other places besides this mountain and ,jerusalem4 ,the time is near1 it has even now come1 when the true worshippers everywhere shall pray to the ,father in spirit and in truth4 ,god is a ,spirit1 dwelling everywhere1 and those who worship him1 must worship in spirit and in truth4 ,illustration3 ,jesus sat beside the well1 very tired and thirsty1 but he had nothing with which to draw water4 ,suddenly he heard the sound of someone coming1 and looking up saw a ,samaritan woman with her water jar4 ,the woman said to ,jesus3 ,i know that ,messiah is coming1 the ,christ sent from ,god to be our ,king4 ,when he comes he will explain everything to us4 ,then ,jesus said to her1 ,i who am now speaking to you am he1 the ,christ6 ,just at that moment the followers of ,jesus1 ,john and ,peter1 and the others1 came back from the village with the food which they had bought4 ,they were surprised to find their ,master talking with a woman1 but they said nothing4 ,the woman had come to the well to draw water1 but in her interest in this wonderful stranger she forgot all about her errand4 ,leaving her water-jar she ran back to the village and said to everybody whom she met3 ,come with me and meet a man who told me everything ,i have done in all my life6 ,is not this man the ,christ whom we are looking for8 ,after the woman went away toward her home1 the disciples urged ,jesus to eat some of the food which they had brought4 ,a little while before ,jesus had been hungry1 but now in talking with the woman and leading her mind to the truth1 he had forgotten his own needs4 ,i have food to eat1 said he1 that you know nothing of4 ,they looked at each other and said3 ,can it be that someone has brought him something to eat8 ,but ,jesus said to them1 ,my food is to do the will of my ,father who sent me into the world1 and to finish the work that he gave me to do4 ,do you say that there are four months before the harvest time will come8 ,i tell you to look on the fields1 and find them already white for the harvest4 ,you shall reap and gain a rich harvest1 gathering grain for everlasting life4 ,jesus meant that this woman1 bad though she may have been before1 was now eager to hear his words and to come to ,god4 ,so his disciples would soon find the hearts of men everywhere1 like a field of ripe grain1 ready to be won and to be saved4 ,soon the woman came back to the well with many of her people4 ,they all asked ,jesus to come to their village and teach them4 ,he went to the town of ,sychar and stayed there two days1 talking to the people about the ,kingdom of ,god and showing them how they might enter into it4 ,many of the people in that place and near it believed in ,jesus as the ,christ1 the ,king sent from ,god1 and they said3 ,now we have heard for ourselves and we know that this is really the ,saviour of the world4 ,illustration3 ,scene in ,damascus1 showing houses on the walls ,,the ,,nobleman',s ,,boy ,,chapter #ba ,illustration3 ,jacob's well as it is at the present time ,,after ,,staying two days in ,sychar1 the village near ,jacob's well1 ,jesus and his disciples went on their way northward to the land of ,galilee4 ,they walked across the great plain where so many battles had been fought in the old times1 and climbed the mountains beyond it4 ,nazareth1 where ,jesus had lived for so many years1 was on his way1 but ,jesus did not at this time stop there1 for he had in his mind to visit it a few weeks later4 ,with his followers1 ,jesus came for the second time to ,cana1 the place where a few months before he had turned the water into wine4 ,when ,jesus was at ,cana at his first visit1 very few people had heard his name4 ,but now everybody was talking about him1 for all the people who had come home from the ,feast of the ,passover told their friends and neighbors of the wonderful young ,prophet who had been preaching in ,jerusalem1 and had driven the men buying and selling out of the ,temple1 and had wrought wonders in curing the sick4 ,about twenty miles from ,cana was the city of ,capernaum1 on the shore of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,at ,capernaum was living a man of high rank1 an official of ,king ,herod ,antipas4 ,this nobleman was in deep trouble1 for his son was very ill with a great fever and lying at the point of death4 ,the news that ,jesus was again in ,galilee1 and only twenty miles away1 brought to the nobleman a hope that perhaps this ,prophet might be willing to come down from ,cana to ,capernaum and cure his son4 ,illustration3 ,in the court of a village home in ,cana of ,galilee ,at once he made up his mind to go to ,jesus and ask him to come and help him4 ,it was a hard journey from ,capernaum to ,cana1 twenty miles of mountain climbing2 but this anxious father started very early in the morning1 and came to ,cana at about one o'clock in the afternoon4 ,he found ,jesus1 told him how ill his son was1 and begged him to come to ,capernaum and cure him4 ,jesus did not seem very willing to go4 ,he said to the nobleman3 ,illustration3 ,site of ,capernaum ,unless you people are always seeing me do wonderful works you will not believe in me4 ,oh1 sir1 pleaded the troubled father1 do come down quickly or my son will die6 ,there is no need for me to come1 said ,jesus4 ,you may go home1 for your son will live and will get well4 ,these words would make a heavy trial to this man's faith in ,jesus4 ,for how could he know that his son would be well1 without any sign given him by ,jesus8 ,and how could he understand that ,jesus by a word could cure someone who he had not seen and who was twenty miles away8 ,but the father at once believed the promise of ,jesus4 ,he did not even hurry home to see if his boy was cured1 but waited until evening before starting upon his journey4 ,the next day1 as he was nearing home1 his servants met him with the glad news3 ,your son is living and is very much better4 ,at what time1 said the nobleman1 did he begin to improve8 ,it was yesterday1 they told him1 at about one o'clock when the fever left him4 ,the man was not surprised1 for it was just as he had expected4 ,that hour1 one o'clock1 was the very time that ,jesus had said to him1 ,your son will live4 ,this miracle1 or work of wonder1 was much talked about and led not only this nobleman1 but all his family with him1 to believe that ,jesus was the ,saviour and the ,king of ,israel who had been promised so long4 ,the ,carpenter in ,his ,home-town ,,chapter #bb ,,soon ,,after the visit to ,cana1 and the cure of the nobleman's son1 ,jesus walked over to his old home at ,nazareth1 which was only six miles away4 ,he thought of his sisters in that city1 who were now grown women with children of their own1 and he longed to see them4 ,he thought1 too1 of the boys with whom in other days he had played and had sat in the school1 now men with families2 of his former neighbors1 whom he had not seen for nearly a year4 ,his heart was full of love for his own people1 and he felt that out of the power ,god had given him he could speak to them words that would do them good4 ,of course1 the people of ,nazareth had heard wonderful stories about their former townsman2 that he had suddenly come forth as a great teacher1 speaking truths such as never had been heard before2 and especially1 that he had done wondrous works of curing the sick at ,cana and at ,capernaum4 ,all these reports were surprising to the people of ,nazareth1 because among them ,jesus had never shown any signs of greatness4 ,he had sat in his seat in the church1 but had never spoken from the pulpit2 and they had known him as a good young man1 kind and gentle toward all1 and an honest1 skilful workman at his trade4 ,but they had never thought of him as a teacher1 or a prophet bearing a message from ,god1 or as a worker of wonders1 such as they had heard of his doing in ,cana and ,capernaum4 ,illustration3 ,the people in the synagogue at ,nazareth did not care for the words of ,jesus4 ,in their rage and fury they leaped from their seats and dragged him out of doors4 ,it was expected that ,jesus on the ,sabbath day would speak in the church at ,nazareth 7they called their church the synagogue1 a word that means a meeting of the people72 and everybody was present to see him and to hear him4 ,in a gallery on one side were his sisters1 looking and listening1 but unseen1 because the women's gallery in all ,jewish churches was covered with a lattice-work4 ,there on the floor1 seated on rugs or mats1 were his neighbors and the people who had seen him grow up from a boy to a man4 ,they were present1 not to learn1 but to listen and judge his words1 and especially to see what great things he might do4 ,jesus walked up to the platform1 and the officer in charge handed him the rolls on which were written the lessons for the day4 ,this officer was at the same time the janitor or keeper of the building and the teacher of the school held there during the week4 ,this man may have been the teacher who had taught ,jesus as a boy to read4 ,one of the lessons for that day was in the sixty-first chapter of the book of ,isaiah the prophet4 ,a part of it read thus3 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord is upon me1 ,because he hath set me apart to preach the gospel to the poor4 ,he has sent me to say that the prisoners shall be set free1 ,that the blind shall have their sight again1 ,that the poor and suffering shall be given freedom1 ,that the time of favor from ,god has come4 ,while ,jesus was reading from the ,bible1 he stood up1 and all who were present also stood1 for the ,jews showed their respect for the ,bible by standing whenever it was read4 ,when he had finished the reading1 he folded up the roll1 handed it back to the officer1 and sat down1 and the people also sat down likewise4 ,often the man who preached in the synagogue or church was seated while speaking4 ,jesus began by saying3 ,today this word of the prophet has come to pass in your hearing4 ,and he went on to tell in simple1 gentle words how he had been sent to preach to the poor1 to set the prisoners free1 to give sight to the blind and to bring the news of ,god's goodness to men4 ,at first the people listened with the deepest interest1 and their hearts were touched by his kind and tender words4 ,but soon they began to whisper among themselves4 ,one said1 ,why should this carpenter try to teach us8 ,and another1 ,this man is no teacher6 ,he is only the son of ,joseph the carpenter6 ,we know his brothers1 and his sisters are living here4 ,and some began to say1 ,why does he not do here some of the wonderful things that they say he has done in other places8 ,we want to see some of his marvelous cures with sick people6 ,jesus knew their thoughts1 but he would not do wonders merely to be seen by men4 ,he said to them3 ,i know that you are saying1 ',let us see some wonderful work1 like that on the nobleman's son in ,capernaum4' ,i tell you in truth1 that no prophet or teacher has honor among his own people4 ,you remember that in the days of ,elijah the prophet1 when the sky was shut up for three years and six months1 and no rain fell1 there was a great famine in the land and a need of bread4 ,at that time there were many widows in the land of ,israel1 yet ,elijah was not sent to any of these1 but to a widow woman in ,zarephath of ,zidon1 a foreigner and a ,gentile4 ,and in the time of ,elisha the prophet after ,elijah1 there were many lepers in the land of ,israel1 yet none of these was made clean of his leprosy1 but only ,naaman the ,syrian4 ,these words1 telling how ,god had chosen foreigners instead of ,israelites for his works of wonder1 made the people in the church very angry1 for they did not care for the words of ,jesus2 they only wished to see him do some miracle or wonderful act4 ,they would not listen to him2 in their rage and fury1 they leaped from their seats2 they rushed upon the platform2 they seized hold of ,jesus and dragged him out of doors4 ,they took him up to the top of the hill above the city1 and would have thrown him down its steep side to his death4 ,but the time for ,jesus to die had not yet come4 ,by the power of ,god1 ,jesus slipped quietly out of their hands and went away4 ,he walked away very sadly from ,nazareth1 for he had longed to bring the good news of ,god's blessings first of all to his own people4 ,illustration3 ,approach to ,jerusalem1 from the railroad station on the southwest ,illustration3 ,jewish fishermen by the ,sea of ,galilee ,four ,fishermen ,called ,,chapter #bc ,,the ,,place which ,jesus chose for his home1 after being driven away from ,nazareth1 was ,capernaum4 ,this was a large city on the northwestern shore of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,only one city beside the lake was larger--,tiberias4 ,that was a new city1 built by ,herod1 the ruler of ,galilee1 and named after the ,emperor ,tiberius at ,rome4 ,but ,tiberias was not a ,jewish city4 ,it contained temples to idols1 its people were foreigners1 and very few ,jews were willing to live within its walls4 ,then1 too1 ,herod ,antipas lived there in a palace which he had built1 and ,jesus did not wish to be near ,herod4 ,but ,capernaum was a ,jewish city1 and ,jesus felt that his work was to be among the ,jews4 ,at least four of the early followers of ,jesus lived in ,capernaum2 two pair of brothers1 ,simon and ,andrew1 the sons of ,jonas2 and ,james and ,john1 the sons of ,zebedee4 ,these four men were partners with ,zebedee in the fishing trade4 ,they owned a number of fishing boats and had men working for them4 ,the lake was full of fish1 and many people all around it lived by fishing4 ,the fish in the ,sea of ,galilee were good food1 and were sent to all the nearby cities4 ,it is said that one emperor at ,rome1 not long after this time1 had sent to him every week a barrel full of fish from the ,sea of ,galilee1 for his table in the palace4 ,the people of ,capernaum had heard of ,jesus1 for all those who went up to the feasts in ,jerusalem brought home reports of this wonderful teacher and healer of the sick4 ,wherever ,jesus went1 crowds gathered around him to listen to his words1 and especially eager to see if he would do any of his wonderful works4 ,illustration3 ,,lower ,,galilee ,one morning while ,jesus was walking on the beach1 he met some of his followers4 ,having now come to their own home1 these men had gone back to their old work1 as fishermen1 and their boats were lying upon the shore4 ,the men had been fishing in the night before1 and they were now washing their nets upon the beach4 ,jesus spoke to one of his followers1 ,simon ,peter1 to push his boat a little way out into the water4 ,he did so1 and then ,jesus sat down in the boat1 while a great crowd stood on the shore1 but within reach of his voice4 ,then from the boat as a pulpit he talked to the people on the shore4 ,what he said at that time was not written down2 but it was very much like his teachings as given in the ,sermon on the ,mount1 which may be read in the fifth1 sixth1 and seventh chapters of the gospel by ,matthew4 ,there is no doubt that in his talks in many places to different crowds1 ,jesus often gave the same teachings over and over again4 ,after ,jesus had ended his speaking to the people1 he said to ,simon1 who with the other fishermen was standing beside him3 ,push out into the deep water1 and let down your nets for a catch of fish4 ,master1 answered ,simon1 we worked all last night and caught not a single fish4 ,however1 if you tell us to try again1 ,i will let down the nets4 ,they did so1 and now their nets took in a great shoal of fish1 so large a number that the nets began to break4 ,then they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them4 ,they came1 and helped to pull up the nets and to empty the fish into the boats4 ,so many were the fish that they filled both the boats so full that they began to sink4 ,when ,simon ,peter saw all this1 he was struck with wonder and with fear1 for he felt that this had been done by the power of ,god4 ,he fell upon his knees in the boat to ,jesus1 saying3 ,o ,lord1 ,i am full of sin1 and am not worthy of all this6 ,leave me1 ,o ,lord6 ,but ,jesus said to him and to the other three men with him3 ,do not be afraid2 come after me2 and from this time you shall be fishers of men4 ,he meant that they were now to leave their nets and their boats1 to stay with him2 and after learning from him1 they were to go out and show men the way out of sin into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,as soon1 therefore1 as they had brought their nets and their fishes to the land1 they left them with ,zebedee1 the father of ,james and ,john1 and with the hired men4 ,from that day these four men stayed with ,jesus and went with him on all his journeys1 listening to his words1 until from hearing them often1 they learned them and could repeat them to others4 ,illustration3 ,pool of ,hezekiah at ,jerusalem ,illustration3 ,the disciples let down their nets and took in a great shoal of fish1 so large a number that the nets began to break4 ,jesus in the ,church1 in the ,house1 and in the ,street ,,chapter #bd ,,the ,,story of the great catch of fish was told abroad1 for many saw the boats loaded with the fish brought to the shore1 and we may be sure that all who ate a breakfast of those fish spoke of the wonder4 ,partly as a result of this report1 when the ,sabbath day came1 the church in ,capernaum was crowded with people to see and hear this new ,rabbi4 ,rabbi was the name that ,jews gave to men who taught the law in their churches4 ,although ,jesus had never taken the course of study at ,jerusalem which would give him that title1 he was generally called ,rabbi by the people4 ,the people listened with wonder to the words of ,jesus1 for his teaching was very different from that of the scribes who taught the law4 ,he spoke on great things--the kingdom which ,god was soon to set up1 and how the people were to be made ready for his coming4 ,then1 too1 he spoke with power1 as ,lord of all2 and the listeners felt that these were the words of one who had been sent by ,god4 ,illustration3 ,from all parts of the city of ,capernaum they brought those that were sick1 or had evil spirits1 and ,jesus healed them all4 ,while ,jesus was speaking in the church1 the service was stopped by the loud screaming of a furious man who had come in4 ,this man was suffering with a terrible evil1 worse than any disease4 ,into his body had come in some way an evil spirit1 a demon4 ,this demon controlled the man and drove him to wild acts and words4 ,the words which were spoken by this man's tongue were not his own1 but the words of the wicked spirit within him4 ,the spirit1 using the man's voice1 shrieked aloud3 ,ha1 you ,jesus of ,nazareth1 let us alone6 ,what business have you with us8 ,have you come to destroy us8 ,i know who you are2 you are ,god's ,holy ,one6 ,but ,jesus at once said to the wicked spirit in the man1 ,be still1 and come out of him6 ,at these words the demon threw the man down upon the floor1 as if to kill him2 and then went out of the man suddenly1 leaving him almost dead4 ,soon they found that the man1 whom everybody had feared before1 so fierce had he been1 was now perfectly well and quite free from the evil spirit4 ,then surprise and wonder came upon all4 ,they talked about it to one another1 saying3 ,what does all this mean8 ,what new teaching is this8 ,why1 this man speaks to the evil spirits with power1 and they obey him and come out4 ,as the people left the church they told everyone whom they met of this mighty act of ,jesus4 ,these men and women told others1 and soon the news of ,jesus' power went through all the towns and villages in that part of the land4 ,after the service in the church was over1 ,jesus went home to dine in the house of ,simon and ,andrew1 and with him went also the two brothers1 ,james and ,john4 ,in the house they told him that ,simon's mother-in-law1 the mother of his wife1 was very ill1 having a high fever4 ,he came1 stood by her bed1 leaned over her and took her by the hand as if to raise her up4 ,as he touched her1 she felt a new power shoot through her body4 ,instantly the fever left her2 she rose up from her bed1 perfectly well1 and helped to make ready the dinner and serve it4 ,jesus stayed in ,simon's house that afternoon4 ,when the sun went down and the ,sabbath was ended1 they found a crowd of people filling the street in front of the house4 ,from all parts of the city they had brought people that were sick1 or had evil spirits1 like the man whom ,jesus had cured in the church4 ,as he came out of the house he laid his hands upon these sick people1 one by one2 and as soon as he touched them1 they rose up well4 ,the evil spirits in some of the men tried to speak to him4 ,but he would not allow them1 and gave them command at once to come out of the men in whom they were4 ,they dared not to disobey ,jesus1 came out and went away4 ,on that night1 while everybody was sleeping1 ,jesus rose up long before day1 while it was still dark1 and went out of the city4 ,he found a quiet place1 with no houses or people near1 and there for hours he prayed to his ,father4 ,in the morning he was missed1 and ,simon ,peter1 with the others1 went out to look for him4 ,they found him and said to him1 ,master1 come back to the city1 for everybody is looking for you6 ,but ,jesus said1 ,i was sent not only to your city but to other places also4 ,let us go out and visit the towns that are near4 ,it was for this purpose that ,i have been sent by my ,father1 to preach everywhere the good news of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the ,leper and the ,palsied ,man ,,chapter #be ,,from ,,the city of ,capernaum ,jesus went forth and visited all the villages on the western shore of the ,sea of ,galilee and on the mountains near by4 ,he took with him his disciples or followers1 that they might see his works and listen to his words4 ,great crowds of people came to hear him during this journey2 and everywhere he cured all kinds of sickness and cast out of men evil spirits that were ruling them4 ,at one place a man came to ,jesus who was covered with a dreadful disease called leprosy and was called a leper4 ,no one ever touched a leper or even came near him1 for they feared that a touch might cause the disease4 ,a leper was driven out of the home1 to live with other lepers in a camp outside the city4 ,when he saw anyone coming near1 he must stand at a distance1 must cover his mouth with his garment1 not to let his breath reach anybody1 and must call out1 ,unclean6 ,unclean6 so that no one might take his disease4 ,many lepers were in the land when ,jesus was preaching2 and lepers may still be seen in that country4 ,this leper who saw ,jesus came as near to him as he dared4 ,he knelt down before ,jesus1 touching his head to the ground1 and called out to him3 ,oh1 sir1 if you choose to do it1 you can take away my leprosy1 and make my flesh pure and clean4 ,jesus was not afraid to touch the leper4 ,he went to him and placed his hand upon him4 ,then he said3 ,i do choose2 be clean6 ,and at once all this man's leprosy passed way4 ,his skin lost its waxen1 deadly whiteness1 his eyes were bright1 his deformed hands became perfect and his voice was no longer hollow and cracked4 ,he was no more a leper1 but was a man in perfect health4 ,jesus said to him1 ,do not tell anyone of your cure2 but go to the priest in the temple1 let him see that you are clean1 and make the offering of thanksgiving to ,god4 ,let the priest give you a writing to show that you are well1 and then go to your own home4 ,jesus knew that if this man should tell very many of his cure1 there would come such a crowd of people having diseases of all kinds1 seeking to be made well1 that he could have no time nor chance to preach the gospel1 and his great purpose was1 not to cure diseases1 but to teach men the way to ,god4 ,it is better to be saved from sin than to be cured of sickness4 ,but this man was so happy at being made well that he could not be still4 ,everywhere he went he told people of his wonderful cure1 and roused such a desire among the people to see ,jesus that ,jesus could not go to the cities1 for so great were the crowds that he could no longer preach4 ,everybody was eager to be cured of some illness or to see ,jesus cure others4 ,jesus was driven to seek the open country1 where few people lived1 and even there the crowds sought him1 coming from many places4 ,illustration3 ,they broke open the roof and let the man down1 wrapped in a blanket and lying upon a mattress1 right in front of ,jesus4 ,after some time1 ,jesus came again to ,capernaum1 which was now his home4 ,as soon as the people heard of his return1 they gathered in great crowds to see him1 to hear him and to be cured of their diseases4 ,he stood on the porch of a house1 where every room was full of people1 and a company was in front of him1 crowding the court of the house to its utmost corner4 ,in this throng were some who were ready to believe in ,jesus2 but there were also some men who had come from ,judea to see who ,jesus was1 what he was teaching and what he was doing4 ,these men did not believe in ,jesus1 but were there to find some fault with him4 ,they belonged to a class called the ,pharisees1 who claimed to be better than others1 because they carefully kept all the rules of the ,jewish law2 but in their hearts they were far from good1 and they were bitterly opposed to ,jesus4 ,while ,jesus was speaking1 four men came1 carrying on a bed a man who was sick with the palsy1 a disease which makes one helpless1 unable to use his hands1 to walk or to stand alone4 ,they were very eager to bring this man to ,jesus to be cured1 but on account of the crowd they could not come into the house or even into the yard in front of it4 ,they were bound1 however1 in some way to get this palsied man to ,jesus4 ,they climbed up to the roof of the house and pulled the sick man up4 ,then they broke open the roof1 never minding the dust and litter that fell upon the heads of the people below4 ,when they had made an opening large enough1 they let the man down1 wrapped in a blanket and lying upon a mattress1 right in front of ,jesus4 ,all this showed their faith in ,jesus4 ,they believed that he could cure the palsied man1 and were ready to take any trouble to bring him before the ,saviour4 ,jesus looked at the man1 and said to him3 ,my son1 be of good cheer2 your sins are forgiven6 ,some of these ,pharisees1 the enemies of ,jesus1 were sitting near1 and as they heard these words they thought in their own minds1 though they did not speak it aloud3 ,what wicked words are these6 ,this man speaks as though he were ,god6 ,no man has the right to forgive sins2 that belongs to ,god alone4 ,what wickedness1 for this man to pretend to have ,god's power6 ,illustration3 ,the leper knelt down before ,jesus and called out to him3 ,oh1 sir1 if you choose you can make my flesh pure and clean4 ,jesus knew their thoughts1 for he could look into their hearts4 ,he said to them3 ,why do you think wicked things in your hearts8 ,which is the easier to say1 ',your sins are forgiven1' or to say1 ',rise up and walk'8 ,but ,i will show you that while ,i am on earth as the ,son of ,man1 ,god has given me the power to take away sin4 ,then he turned to the palsied man lying on the couch1 and said with a voice of power3 ,i tell you1 rise up1 take up your bed1 and go to your house6 ,in an instant a new life came to the palsied man4 ,he stood upon his feet in full strength1 rolled up his blanket1 took up the mattress upon which he had been lying1 placed it upon his shoulder and walked out through the crowd1 which opened to make a way for him4 ,through the streets the man went to his home1 praising ,god for his cure4 ,by this act of healing ,jesus had shown that he was the ,son of ,god1 with the right to forgive the sins of men4 ,these ,pharisees1 the enemies of ,jesus1 could find nothing to say1 but in their hearts they hated him more than before1 for they saw that the people believed on ,jesus4 ,wonder filled the minds of those who saw this cure2 they praised the ,god of ,israel and said to each other1 ,we have seen strange things today6 ,illustration3 ,jesus looked at ,levi-,matthew and said to him3 ,come1 follow me6 ,at once ,matthew rose and went after ,jesus4 ,how the ,tax-,collector ,became a ,disciple ,,chapter #bf ,,so ,,great were the crowds gathering from all parts of the land to see and hear ,jesus1 that no place could be found in the city of ,capernaum large enough to hold the multitudes4 ,the church was far too small2 and there were no open places in the city where so great a company could meet4 ,so every day ,jesus went out of the city to the seaside1 sometimes sitting in ,peter's boat1 sometimes upon the shore1 while all the people stood upon the grass-covered hillside1 with the blue sky above them and the blue lake before them1 while ,jesus spoke about the ,kingdom of ,god and showed how every man could enter into the kingdom by turning from his sins and doing ,god's will4 ,among these crowds of people ,jesus noticed one man standing1 who listened closely to every word4 ,this man was named ,levi-,matthew4 ,he was an officer of the government1 called a publican2 and it was his work to gather the taxes which the ,roman rulers had laid upon the people4 ,everybody was called upon to pay money to the ,romans1 who were the rulers of the land4 ,the people hated the ,romans1 who held the land under their power1 and hated also these tax-gatherers1 who were often selfish and unjust men1 making the people pay more than they should1 robbing the poor and taking much of the money for themselves instead of paying it to the ,roman treasury4 ,because many of these tax-gatherers or publicans were cruel and selfish1 all of them were looked upon as wicked4 ,they were called publicans and sinners1 and the people despised them4 ,one day ,jesus was passing the office where ,levi-,matthew sat at his table receiving the tax-money from the people4 ,jesus looked at the publican and said to him1 ,come1 follow me6 ,at once ,levi-,matthew rose up1 left his clerks and helpers to care for the money on the table1 and went after ,jesus4 ,from that hour he was no longer a tax-collector2 he became a disciple of ,jesus1 and followed him wherever he went1 listening to his words and keeping them in his mind and memory4 ,many years afterward1 when ,jesus was no longer among men1 ,matthew wrote a book telling of what ,jesus said and did4 ,that book is the ,gospel according to ,matthew1 the first book in the ,new ,testament2 and it tells what ,matthew remembered of the teachings and acts of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,so it was well for the people who lived after the time of ,jesus1 and for all the people who through the ages since have read that gospel1 and for the millions all over the world who now read it1 that ,matthew the tax-gatherer became a disciple of ,jesus4 ,but for this man's prompt obedience to ,christ's call on that day1 that precious book would never have been written4 ,matthew wished his fellow-publicans to meet ,jesus and hear his words4 ,he gave a supper at his house to ,jesus1 and invited all the publicans or tax-gatherers in that part of the country to come4 ,many of them came1 and with their friends sat down to the supper with ,jesus4 ,the ,pharisees1 who were enemies of ,jesus1 looked scornfully at ,jesus sitting at the table with all the tax-gatherers around him4 ,they said to the disciples of ,jesus3 ,why does your ,teacher eat with those publicans and sinners8 ,they told ,jesus of these words1 and he answered3 ,those who are well and strong have no need of a doctor1 but only those who are sick4 ,i did not come to call those who think themselves good1 but those who know that they are sinful and want to be saved4 ,but let those ,pharisees learn the meaning of the text where ,god says1 ',i prefer those who show kindness and mercy1 to those who offer sacrifices upon the altar4' ,this pointed to the ,pharisees themselves1 for while they were careful about fasting and saying their prayers and making their offerings in the ,temple1 they were often unjust and hard toward the poor4 ,illustration3 ,mosque ,el ,aksa1 near the ancient ,temple ,illustration3 ,jesus saw lying there upon a mat a man who had been helpless and unable to walk for almost forty years4 ,he said to him3 ,would you like to be made well8 ,the ,cripple at the ,bath ,,chapter #bg ,,the ,,time came for another feast at ,jerusalem1 and as on the year before1 ,jesus went to attend it4 ,we do not know whether his disciples were with him on this visit1 for in the story as given by ,john in his gospel1 they are not mentioned4 ,on one ,sabbath day1 while ,jesus was in the city1 he walked past a public bath not far from the ,temple4 ,it was a large pool or cistern1 where several could bathe at once2 and beside it were five porches1 forming an arched-over platform4 ,these porches1 when ,jesus came to the pool1 were crowded with people1 all suffering with disease4 ,some were blind1 some were lame and some had legs or arms all withered and palsied4 ,at certain times the water in this bath used to bubble and rise up2 then it would go down again and be quiet4 ,the people believed that this bubbling up of the water was caused by an angel 7whom no one could see7 going down and stirring up the pool4 ,they believed1 too1 that at such times when the water bubbled up1 any person who was ill would be cured by taking a bath in the pool4 ,we know that there are many springs whose water will cure diseases1 and this pool may have been one of these health-giving springs4 ,jesus saw lying there upon a mat beside the bath one man who had been helpless1 unable to walk for almost forty years4 ,jesus who knew all things1 knew that this man had been ill for a long time4 ,he said to him3 ,would you like to be made well8 ,this man had never seen ,jesus before and did not know who he was4 ,sir1 he answered1 there is nobody to put me in the bath when the water rises2 but while ,i am trying to crawl down and get into the water1 somebody who can walk steps in ahead of me4 ,illustration3 ,pool of ,bethesda from above ,jesus said3 ,rise1 take up your mat1 and walk6 ,the crippled man had never heard words like these2 but as soon as they were spoken1 he felt a new power shooting through his body4 ,he stood up for the first time in thirty-eight years1 picked up his piece of matting1 rolled it up and put it upon his shoulder4 ,then he started to walk toward his house1 carrying his burden4 ,you remember that it was on the ,sabbath day that this took place4 ,the ,jews were exceedingly careful in keeping the ,sabbath4 ,god had said to their fathers many years before1 ,remember the ,sabbath day to keep it holy4 ,but the ,jews had added to this commandment many useless rules4 ,they could not light a fire on that day1 for that would be working2 they could not hold a pen1 for that would be carrying a load4 ,these little rules had not been given by ,god1 but had been made by the scribes or teachers of the law4 ,some people saw this man carrying his roll of matting through the street4 ,they said to him3 ,stop6 don't you know this is the ,sabbath day8 ,you have no right to be carrying your bed4 ,the man did not lay down his load4 ,he said1 ,a man saw me helpless by the pool1 for ,i was nearly forty years a cripple4 ,this man made me well2 and he it was who said to me1 ',take up your mat and walk4' ,who was this man1 said the ,jews1 who told you to carry your bed on the ,sabbath day8 ,the man who had been cured did not know who it was that had cured him1 for many were standing near1 and after healing the man ,jesus had walked away without being noticed4 ,soon after1 the man went up to the ,temple to give thanks to ,god for his cure1 and there he met his healer and learned for the first time his name4 ,jesus said to him at that time3 ,you are now free from the disease which for so many years has made you helpless4 ,do not sin any more against ,god1 or something worse will come to you4 ,the man went away and told the ,jews that it was ,jesus who had cured him4 ,the leaders among the ,jews1 the priests1 the scribes and the ,pharisees1 were very angry at ,jesus1 because he had made this man well on the ,sabbath and because he had told the man to carry his mat on that day4 ,the rulers tried to stir up the people against ,jesus1 saying that he was a ,sabbath-breaker1 and nobody should listen to his words4 ,but ,jesus said to them1 ,my ,father works on all days doing good to men2 and ,i do only what he does4 ,he meant to show them that ,god sends his sunshine and his rain every day in the week1 causing the grass and the grain and the flowers to grow as much on the ,sabbath as on other days2 and that it was right for him and for every man to do good works1 helping men and curing their sickness1 on the ,sabbath day4 ,but his words only made the ,jews all the more angry1 because he had spoken of ,god as his ,father1 making himself 7they said7 equal with ,god4 ,they would have killed him if they could1 so great was their hate against him4 ,jesus did not stay long in ,jerusalem at this visit4 ,soon after the feast he went again to his home at ,capernaum4 ,the ,lord of the ,sabbath ,,chapter #bh ,,the ,,question whether ,jesus was a ,sabbath-breaker or not1 arose again soon after he came back to ,galilee4 ,on a ,sabbath day ,jesus was walking with his disciples through the fields of grain4 ,some of the disciples were hungry1 and as they walked picked the heads of the wheat1 rubbed them in their hands1 blew away the chaff and ate the kernels of grain4 ,the law of the ,israelites allowed anyone walking by a field of grain to help himself to all that he wished to eat1 but forbade him to take any to his home4 ,but to the ,pharisees1 who were very exact in their rules of keeping the ,sabbath1 to pluck the grain was the same as reaping it with a sickle1 to carry it in the hand was the same as bearing a load1 and to rub it in the hands was the same as thrashing2 and to do these on the seventh day of the week was breaking the ,sabbath4 ,these were rules1 not given by ,god1 but made by the scribes2 and ,jesus had already taught his disciples to pay no attention to them4 ,the ,pharisees were constantly watching ,jesus and his followers1 to catch them1 if possible1 in doing or saying something that might be thought wrong4 ,they said to ,jesus3 ,do you see that your disciples are doing what is forbidden on the ,sabbath day2 picking the ears of grain1 carrying handfuls of them and rubbing them in their hands8 ,have you never read1 answered ,jesus1 what ,david did when he was flying from ,king ,saul2 how he went into the house of ,god and took away the holy bread1 laid on the table as an offering to ,god1 which was to be eaten by the priests only2 ate it himself and gave it to the men that were with him8 ,and do you not know that the priests in the ,temple do all kinds of work1 killing animals for the offering1 placing wood on the altar and many other things2 yet they do right1 for these things are necessary1 and whatever is needful may be done on ,god's holy day4 ,the ,sabbath was made for the good of man and not man for the ,sabbath4 ,i tell you that ,one greater than the ,temple is here1 for the ,son of ,man is ,lord of the ,sabbath4 ,illustration3 ,jesus and ,his ,disciples in the field of grain ,on another ,sabbath day ,jesus went into the church to worship ,god and to preach the word4 ,a man was there whose hand was withered and helpless4 ,the ,pharisees watched ,jesus to see if he would cure this man on the ,sabbath4 ,they hoped he would cure him1 not because they cared for the poor1 crippled man1 but because they were eager to find something to say against ,jesus4 ,jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand1 ,stand up and come forward4 ,the man stood up before them all2 and then ,jesus1 looking straight at his enemies1 said3 ,is it against the law on the ,sabbath day to do good or to do harm2 to save a life1 or to try to kill a man1 as you are trying to do8 ,if one of you men owns a single sheep1 and he should happen on the ,sabbath day to find it fallen into a pit1 would he not take hold of it and lift it out8 ,and how much more is a man worth than a sheep8 ,thus it is right to do a kind and helpful act on the ,sabbath4 ,illustration3 ,the man with the withered hand healed by ,jesus in the church ,he looked around sternly at his enemies1 being sad and grieved because their hearts were so hard4 ,they did not have a word to say2 and after waiting a moment he turned to the man with the withered hand and said3 ,stretch out your hand6 ,he reached out his arm1 and the withered hand was at once made well and strong1 as sound as the other4 ,jesus went away1 but the ,pharisees were filled with anger against him4 ,they talked together1 seeking some way to kill ,jesus2 and they called upon the friends of ,king ,herod1 the ruler of ,galilee1 to see if they could not persuade the king to order that ,jesus should be put to death4 ,but ,jesus went on teaching and curing those that were sick1 paying no attention to the plans of his enemies4 ,he told those whom he cured1 not to go out and speak to others about him1 but to stay quietly at home2 for the crowds coming to hear him were already great1 and he did not wish them to be any greater4 ,so many people came together from all parts of the land1 and even from places outside the land of ,israel1 from the country of ,tyre and ,sidon on the north and from ,edom or ,idumea on the south4 ,they thronged around ,jesus1 and pressed upon him2 so that he spoke to his disciples to have a little boat at hand1 to wait upon him1 and take him out into the lake for quiet and rest4 ,jesus on the ,mountain ,,chapter #bi ,,about ,,twelve miles southwest from ,capernaum and six miles west of the ,sea of ,galilee stands a mountain which can be seen many miles away4 ,it is now called ,kurn ,hattin1 which means1 ,the double horns of ,hattin4 ,the name is given because the mountain has two tops1 one at each end1 and a wide hollow between them1 its form making it look somewhat like a saddle or a camel with two humps4 ,near this mountain1 roads ran to almost every part of the land of ,israel1 so that from every place it could be reached4 ,the word went throughout the land that ,jesus was coming to this mountain2 and a great multitude of people gathered in the hollow place between its two crowns1 all waiting to see ,jesus4 ,he came to the mountain and went up alone to one of its hill-tops4 ,all night ,jesus was there in prayer with his heavenly ,father2 for he had an important work to do1 and before any great work ,jesus prayed to ,god4 ,in the morning he called forth out of the vast company of people before him twelve men1 who were to be with him all the time1 go with him wherever he should go1 listen to his teachings1 and learn them by heart1 and be ready to preach his words when he should send them out4 ,these twelve men ,jesus afterward called apostles1 which means men sent out2 but they were generally named the twelve4 ,they are also spoken of as the disciples1 although the word disciples is also used of all the followers of ,jesus4 ,most of the twelve men had been called before1 and had been for some time with ,jesus4 ,others were new men whom ,jesus called now for the first time4 ,their names are arranged in pairs1 two of them together4 ,they were ,simon ,peter and ,andrew his brother2 ,james and ,john1 the sons of ,zebedee2 ,philip and his friend ,bartholomew1 also called ,nathanael2 ,thomas and ,matthew1 who had been the tax-gatherer2 ,james the son of ,alphaeus2 another ,simon1 who was called the ,zealot1 and ,judas ,iscariot1 the one who afterward became the traitor and sold his ,lord to his enemies4 ,about most of these men we know very little1 but some of them in later years did a great work for the church of ,christ4 ,simon ,peter was always a leader among the ,twelve1 being a man of quick mind and ready words2 and ,john long after that time wrote ,the ,gospel according to ,john1 one of the most wonderful books in the world4 ,illustration3 ,kurn ,hattin1 where ,jesus preached the ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,illustration3 ,in the morning he called forth out of the vast company of people before him twelve men4 ,in the sight of all the people ,jesus called these men to stand by his side4 ,then he came down from the mountain-top to the hollow place between the two summits4 ,he sat down1 with his twelve chosen men around him1 and beyond this a great crowd of people4 ,to the ,twelve and to the listening multitude ,jesus preached that great sermon which is called ,the ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,matthew wrote it down1 and you can read it in his gospel1 the first book of the ,new ,testament1 in the fifth1 sixth and seventh chapters4 ,how fortunate it was that ,jesus called the tax-gatherer to be one of his disciples1 a man who could remember and write this great sermon for all the world to read6 ,we give here only a few parts from this ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,jesus began with words of comfort to his followers3 ,blessed are the poor in spirit2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4 ,blessed are they that mourn2 for they shall be comforted4 ,blessed are the meek2 for they shall inherit the earth4 ,blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness2 for they shall be filled4 ,blessed are the merciful2 for they shall obtain mercy4 ,blessed are the pure in heart2 for they shall see ,god4 ,blessed are the peacemakers2 for they shall be called sons of ,god4 ,blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4 ,then he spoke to his disciples of what they were to be among men3 ,you are the salt of the earth2 but if the salt have lost its savor1 wherewith shall it be salted8 ,it is thenceforth good for nothing1 but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men4 ,he went on1 perhaps pointing to a town not far away1 built on the top of a hill and seen everywhere around3 ,you are the light of the world4 ,a city set on a hill cannot be hid4 ,neither do men light a lamp1 and put it under a bushel1 but on the stand2 and it giveth light to all the house4 ,even so let your light shine before men1 that they may see your good works and give glory to your ,father who is in heaven4 ,he told his disciples how they should feel and act toward those who had done wrong to them3 ,ye have heard that it was said1 ',you shall love your neighbor1 and hate your enemy4' ,but ,i say to you1 love your enemies1 and pray for those who do you wrong1 that you may be sons of your ,father in heaven3 for he makes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good1 and sends rain alike on the just and on the unjust4 ,for if you love only those who love you1 what reward do you have8 ,why1 the tax-gatherers whom you despise do as much4 ,and if you speak only to your friends1 wherein are you better than others8 ,for even the ,gentiles do the same4 ,you should be perfect1 as your heavenly ,father is perfect4 ,he spoke also of the aims which men should seek in their lives3 ,lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth1 where moth and rust destroy1 and where thieves break through and steal2 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven1 where neither moth nor rust destroy1 and where thieves do not break through nor steal2 for where your treasure is1 there will your heart be also4 ,no man can serve two masters3 for either he will hate the one and love the other2 or else he will hold to one and despise the other4 ,you cannot serve ,god and ,mammon1 who is the god worshipped by this world4 ,therefore ,i say to you1 do not be anxious for your life1 what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink2 nor for your body1 what you shall put on4 ,surely1 life means more than food1 surely the body means more than clothes6 ,look at the birds flying above you2 they do not sow1 nor reap1 nor gather into barns2 and your heavenly ,father feeds them4 ,are you not worth more than the birds8 ,and why should you be anxious about your clothing8 ,look how the lilies of the field grow3 they neither toil nor spin1 and yet ,solomon in all his glory was never robed like one of these6 ,now1 if ,god so clothes the grass of the fields1 which blooms today1 and tomorrow is thrown into the fire1 will he not much more clothe you1 ,o you who trust ,god so little8 ,therefore do not be anxious1 saying1 ',what shall we have to eat8' or 'what shall we have to drink8' or 'how can we get clothes to wear8' ,your heavenly ,father knows that you need all these things4 ,seek the kingdom of ,god1 and do right according to his will3 then all these things will be yours4 ,do not be anxious about tomorrow1 for tomorrow will be anxious for itself4 ,each day's own trouble is enough to be anxious over4 ,here is what ,jesus said as the ending of his sermon3 ,everyone who hears these words of mine1 and acts upon them1 is like a wise man1 who built his house upon rock4 ,the rain fell1 the floods rose1 the winds blew and beat upon that house1 but it did not fall1 for it was founded upon rock4 ,and every one that hears these words of mine1 and does not act upon them1 will be like a foolish man1 who built his house on sand4 ,the rain fell1 the floods rose1 the winds blew1 and beat upon that house1 and it fell1 and great was its fall4 ,when ,jesus had finished these words1 the crowds were filled with wonder at his way of teaching4 ,he spoke with the authority of a ,master1 unlike their own scribes4 ,most of the scribes when they were teaching would speak in the name of earlier teachers1 and say1 ,rabbi ,jonathan said this1 or ,rabbi ,hillel said that4 ,but ,jesus spoke in his own name1 saying1 ,i say this to you4 ,illustration3 ,jesus receives the message from the army captain3 ,lord1 do not trouble yourself to come to my house1 for ,i am not worthy to have one so great under my roof2 but only speak a word where you are1 and my servant shall be healed4 ,the ,good ,army ,captain ,,chapter #cj ,,at ,,capernaum there was an officer of the ,roman army1 a captain1 having under him a company of one hundred men4 ,this man was not of the ,jewish people1 but a ,gentile1 which was the name that the ,jews gave to all people outside of their own race4 ,all the world1 except themselves1 the ,jews called ,gentiles4 ,this army captain was a good man1 and he was very friendly to the ,jews1 because through them he had heard of the true ,god1 and had learned to worship him4 ,out of his love for the ,jews he had built for them with his own money a church1 and had given it to them4 ,this may have been the very church in which ,jesus taught on the ,sabbath days4 ,the army captain had a young servant1 a boy whom he loved greatly2 and this boy was very sick with the palsy and near to death4 ,the army captain had heard that ,jesus could cure those who were sick2 and he asked the chief men of the church1 who were called its elders1 to go to ,jesus and ask him to come to the captain's house1 that he might lay his hands on the boy and make him well4 ,the elders spoke to ,jesus soon after he came again to ,capernaum1 after preaching on the mountain4 ,they asked him to go with them to the captain's house and cure his servant1 and they added3 ,he is a worthy man1 and it is fitting that you should help him1 for though a ,gentile1 he loves our people1 and he has built for us our church4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,i will go and cure him4 ,but while ,jesus was on his way to the captain's house1 and with him the elders and a company of people1 who hoped to see another wonderful cure1 he was met by some friends of the captain1 who brought this message3 ,lord1 do not take the trouble to come to my house3 for ,i am not worthy to have one so great as you are under my roof2 and ,i sent to you1 because ,i am not worthy to speak to you myself4 ,but speak only a word where you are1 and my servant shall be made well4 ,for although ,i am myself a man under authority and rule1 ,i have soldiers under me to carry out my will4 ,i say to one man ',go1' and he goes2 ,i say to another man ',come1' and he comes4 ,i tell my servant1 ',do this1' and he does it4 ,you1 too1 have power to command and be obeyed4 ,only speak the word and my servant shall be cured4 ,when ,jesus heard this he wondered at this man's faith4 ,he turned to the crowd that followed and said3 ,in truth ,i say to you all1 ,i have not found such faith as this in all ,israel4 ,and ,i tell you further1 that many like this man1 who are not ,israelites1 shall come from places in the east and the west1 and shall sit down with ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 and ,jacob in the kingdom of ,god4 ,but many of those who are the children of ,israel1 because they have not believed1 shall never enter into ,god's kingdom1 but shall be thrust forth into the darkness outside4 ,and ,jesus said to those who came from the captain's house3 ,go back and say to this man in my name1 ',as you have believed1 even so shall it be done to you4' ,they went to the captain's house1 and found his servant1 who had been at the point of death1 now free from his palsy and brought back to perfect health4 ,how ,jesus ,stopped a ,funeral ,,chapter #ca ,,jesus ,,went on a journey for preaching through the southern parts of ,galilee1 as before he had visited the villages among the mountains near the sea4 ,he walked out of ,capernaum with the twelve disciples and a crowd of followers which grew larger as he went on4 ,they passed by ,mount ,tabor1 and just before sunset they came to a small city at the foot of another mountain1 the ,hill ,moreh4 ,this place was named ,nain4 ,outside the gate ,jesus and his followers paused to allow a funeral procession to pass by4 ,in front were women wailing aloud1 flinging their arms up and down and chanting a song about the young man who had died4 ,the body was wrapped in long strips of linen1 and was lying upon a couch1 carried by bearers4 ,after it walked an old woman1 the young man's mother1 who was a widow1 burying her only son2 and with her were many of the people in the city1 showing their sorrow for the widow at the loss of her son4 ,when ,jesus saw this weeping mother1 he felt a great pity for her and said to her1 ,do not weep4 ,he stepped forward and touched the couch on which the body was lying4 ,the men who were carrying it stood still with wonder at the coming of this stranger1 whose look showed power4 ,standing beside the dead young man1 he said3 ,young man1 ,i say unto you1 ,rise up6 ,instantly the young man sat up and began to speak4 ,jesus took him by the hand and gave him to his mother4 ,she received him into her arms1 and found his cold body now warm with life1 the dull eyes now bright4 ,her son that had died that day was alive once more4 ,the people who were looking on now felt that indeed a marvelous work had been done4 ,many of them had seen ,jesus before1 and knew him2 and even those who had not seen him had heard of him1 and said1 ,this must be that great teacher from ,nazareth6 ,many fell on their faces before him2 and some said1 ,a great prophet has come among us1 and others said1 ,surely ,god has visited his people6 ,illustration3 ,ruins of ,nain1 near which ,jesus restored to life the widow's son ,the news that ,jesus had raised a dead man to life spread through all the land and even to the countries around4 ,more and more people after this sought to see ,jesus and to hear his words4 ,while ,jesus was slowly journeying through southern ,galilee1 visiting the towns1 teaching the people and curing the sick1 two men came asking to see him4 ,these men were followers of ,john the ,baptist1 who was still in the prison where ,herod had sent him4 ,in his prison ,john heard of the works that ,jesus was doing and of the teaching that ,jesus was giving4 ,it may be that ,john was expecting ,jesus to set up his kingdom at once1 instead of merely going up and down the land as a teacher4 ,perhaps also1 ,john1 shut up in prison1 had grown discouraged and doubtful4 ,in other days he had said to all the people that ,jesus was the ,coming ,king1 so high above him that he was not worthy to tie his shoestrings4 ,but now these two men had brought from ,john this question to ,jesus3 ,john the ,baptist has sent us to you to ask--are you the ,coming ,one1 the promised ,king of ,israel8 ,or are we to look for another8 ,jesus did not at once answer this question4 ,he acted for a time as though it had not been asked1 and left these two men standing1 while he turned to the people about him4 ,illustration3 ,standing beside the dead young man1 ,jesus said3 ,young man1 ,i say unto you1 rise up6 ,instantly he sat up and began to speak4 ,at the ,saviour's feet were many suffering people--the sick brought upon couches by their friends1 the blind crying for sight1 the deaf and dumb holding out their hands toward him1 the lepers with all their horrible sores1 the wild people in whom were evil spirits4 ,jesus attended to the needs of all these sufferers4 ,he laid his hands upon the sick1 and they rose up well2 he touched the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf1 and gave them their sight and hearing2 he gave each leper a new1 pure1 perfect body2 and he cast out the evil spirits by his words4 ,then he went on and made his usual talk to the crowds about the ,kingdom of ,god1 and how any man might come into it4 ,when at last his morning's work of healing and teaching was over1 he turned to these two message-bearers from ,john the ,baptist1 and said to them3 ,go back and tell ,john in his prison what you have seen and heard4 ,here are men once blind who now can see2 lame men who now can walk2 leprous men who have been made clean2 deaf men made to hear2 men having in them evil spirits1 who are now free from their power4 ,you have heard too of dead men raised to life2 and you have listened while the gospel has been preached to the poor4 ,you go and tell ,john all these things that you have seen and heard4 ,then let ,john think about these things and judge whether ,i am not the ,one whom he promised should come4 ,that was a far better way to bring ,john the ,baptist back to believing fully in ,jesus as the promised ,king of ,israel and the ,saviour of the world than to send the answer back1 ,go and tell ,john that ,i am the ,saviour4 ,for ,john's faith would be the stronger1 because he would now have the proofs that ,jesus was the promised ,lord4 ,after these messengers from ,john the ,baptist had left1 ,jesus began to talk to the people about ,john4 ,some may have thought that in sending this question to ,jesus1 ,john had showed weakness and a change of his mind4 ,jesus said to the people3 ,what was it that you went out to the desert to see8 ,was it a reed swayed to and fro by the wind8 ,no1 this man ,john was no weak1 wind-shaken reed4 ,did you go out to look at a man clothed in the robes of a prince1 and eating delicate food8 ,no1 that skin-clad man in the desert was no such princely person4 ,to see such people you go to the palaces of kings4 ,come1 what did you go out to see8 ,was it a prophet1 a man sent from ,god8 ,yes1 ,i tell you1 ,john the ,baptist was indeed a prophet1 and more than a prophet4 ,he was the ,king's messenger1 to prepare the way for the ,king himself4 ,of a truth1 ,i tell you all that no greater man was ever born into this world than ,john the ,baptist4 ,and yet he that is least in the ,kingdom of ,god is higher even than ,john4 ,jesus meant that those who could come into the ,kingdom of ,god1 as those who heard the gospel might come1 were higher than even the greatest of those who prepare the way for the ,kingdom4 ,illustration3 ,the ,jaffa ,gate of ,jerusalem ,the ,sinful ,woman ,forgiven ,,chapter #cb ,,while ,,jesus was passing through southern ,galilee1 in one place a ,pharisee named ,simon invited him to his house for dinner4 ,the ,pharisees1 you remember1 were people who were supposed to be very religious1 because they carefully followed all the rules about praying at regular hours every day1 whether on the street or in their homes2 fasting1 or not taking food1 on certain days2 going to church three times every week1 and doing many things to be seen by others1 while they were often sharp and hard in their dealings with men4 ,they seemed to be good1 but often were not as good as they seemed4 ,everywhere the ,pharisees were at heart enemies of ,jesus4 ,they watched him1 but in no friendly spirit4 ,this ,pharisee1 ,simon1 wished to know ,jesus and to talk with him1 although he did not believe in him4 ,but he felt that ,jesus1 being only a common carpenter who had turned ,rabbi1 or teacher1 was below himself in rank2 and he did not treat him with respect4 ,when a great man came to the house1 the servants took off his sandals and washed his feet2 they dressed his hair and poured fragrant oil upon his head4 ,none of these things had ,simon done to ,jesus4 ,he merely invited him to his house1 and without even giving him water to wash his feet1 all dusty with walking1 he pointed him to his place at the table4 ,in that land people did not sit down upon chairs at dinner4 ,around the table were placed couches or lounges1 and on these the guests reclined1 half lying and half sitting1 their heads toward the table and their feet away from it4 ,they could reach the table and help themselves to food or drink4 ,very little meat was eaten2 and before being placed upon the table1 it was always cut into small pieces1 so that the guests needed no knives or forks4 ,after each course of the meal1 a servant passed around a bowl of water and a towel1 and washed the hands of the guests4 ,while ,jesus1 and perhaps his disciples with him1 were at the table during the dinner1 people were coming in and going out freely4 ,soon a woman came in1 looked around1 saw ,jesus1 and went toward the couch whereon he was lying4 ,in her hand was a jar of fragrant oil4 ,she broke the jar1 not waiting to take out the stopple1 and poured the oil upon his feet4 ,she wiped his feet with her long flowing hair2 she wept over them1 dropping her many tears upon his feet2 and she kissed them over and over again4 ,all the people of that place knew who this woman was1 and knew the life that she had lived4 ,she had not been a good woman1 but had been wicked1 and was despised by all respectable people4 ,simon the ,pharisee wondered that ,jesus should allow such a woman to touch him4 ,he thought within himself1 though he did not say it aloud3 ,this man cannot be a prophet1 as they say he is2 for if he were a prophet he would know what a vile creature this woman is1 and he would not permit her hands to touch even his feet4 ,jesus read the thoughts of the ,pharisee1 for he could look down into his mind4 ,he said1 ,simon1 ,i have something to say to you4 ,well1 ,teacher1 answered ,simon1 say it4 ,illustration3 ,she poured fragrant oil upon his feet and wiped them with her long flowing hair4 ,and ,jesus said to ,simon3 ,as many as her sins have been1 they are forgiven1 for her love is great4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,there was a lender of money1 to whom two persons owed a debt4 ,one owed him five hundred pieces of silver and the other owed him fifty4 ,neither of these two men could pay his debt2 and so the money lender let them both go free4 ,tell me now1 ,simon1 which of those two men will love this man the most8 ,i suppose1 answered ,simon1 the man who had the most forgiven4 ,you are right1 said ,jesus4 ,then he turned toward the woman1 and went on1 still speaking to ,simon4 ,do you see this woman8 ,when ,i came into your house1 you never even gave me water for my feet2 but see1 she has wet my feet with her tears1 and wiped them dry with her hair4 ,you never gave me a kiss of welcome2 but this woman ever since she came in has been pressing kisses upon my feet4 ,you never anointed my head with oil2 but she has poured perfume over my feet4 ,therefore ,i tell you1 ,simon1 that many as her sins have been1 they are forgiven1 for her love is great2 while he to whom little is forgiven loves only a little4 ,then he spoke to the woman1 ,your sins are forgiven4 ,those at the table began to whisper to one another1 ,who is this that claims the right to forgive sins8 ,but he said to the woman1 ,your faith has saved you2 go in peace4 ,after this he went on visiting the villages and telling the people the good news of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,with him were his twelve chosen disciples4 ,besides these men were some women whom ,jesus had cured of different diseases4 ,one was ,mary ,magdalene1 from whom ,jesus had cast out no less than seven evil spirits4 ,another was ,joanna1 the wife of a nobleman named ,chuza1 who was a high officer in the court of ,king ,herod ,antipas1 the ruler of ,galilee4 ,another was named ,susanna2 and with these were a number of other women4 ,some of these were rich1 and gave freely of their money to help ,jesus4 ,jesus and ,his ,enemies ,,chapter #cc ,,after ,,his journey through southern ,galilee1 which was the second of his preaching journeys in the land1 ,jesus came again to ,capernaum4 ,with him came a great multitude of people who had listened to him and longed to hear more of his words4 ,for every one who met ,jesus was drawn to him in love and desired to be with him4 ,nearly all who heard him loved him1 but not all4 ,both the scribes1 who were the teachers of the people in the law of ,moses1 and the ,pharisees1 who pretended to a religion which was false and not real1 hated ,jesus more and more and spoke evil of him to the people4 ,they declared that a wicked spirit was in him1 and that his power to work wonders came from ,satan1 the evil one4 ,one day there was brought to ,jesus a man in whom was an evil spirit2 and the spirit had taken away both his sight and his hearing1 so that he could neither see1 nor hear1 nor speak4 ,jesus spoke to the evil spirit in the man1 saying3 ,come out of this man1 ,o wicked spirit1 and never enter into him again6 ,the evil spirit left the man's body1 and for a moment he lay on the ground as though he were dead4 ,but soon he rose up1 entirely well and able to see1 to hear and to speak4 ,all those who saw this cure were filled with wonder1 and many said1 ,is not this the ,son of ,david1 whom the prophets promised should come and be our ,king8 ,but when the ,pharisees and scribes heard of this wonder1 they said1 ,this fellow casts out the evil spirits because the chief of all the evil spirits is in him and gives him this power4 ,jesus knew their thoughts1 and he said3 ,any kingdom that is divided into two sides that are fighting each other will soon fall in pieces2 and any family where people are quarreling will soon come to naught4 ,if ,satan1 the evil one1 is casting out evil spirits1 then ,satan's kingdom will soon fall1 for it is divided against itself4 ,but if by the power of ,god ,i cast out the bad spirits from men1 then you may be sure that ,god is among you4 ,but this report that ,jesus was possessed by evil spirits went abroad among the people1 and some believed it4 ,it came to the brothers of ,jesus1 who at that time did not fully believe in him2 and it came to ,mary his mother1 filling her with alarm4 ,she feared that her ,son1 working without any rest1 and bearing such heavy loads of care1 had lost his mind4 ,some said that the family of ,jesus should take him home and not allow him to disturb the people1 for they said1 ,he is beside himself6 ,mary and her sons came to the house where ,jesus was talking to the people and curing the sick4 ,so great was the crowd around the door that they could not get into the house1 and they sent word inside that the mother of ,jesus and his brothers were out in the street and wished to speak with him4 ,they told ,jesus3 ,your mother and your brothers are outside and they wish to speak with you4 ,but he answered the man who told him1 ,who is my mother1 and who are my brothers8 ,he turned to his disciples1 stretched out his hands1 and said3 ,here are my mother and my brothers6 ,whoever will do the will of my ,father in heaven1 that one is my brother1 and my sister and my mother6 ,jesus meant by this that dear as his mother was to him1 those who were ready to follow his teachings were dearer still4 ,some of the scribes and ,pharisees spoke to ,jesus1 saying3 ,teacher1 show us some sign that you have come from ,god4 ,they wished him to work some miracle1 some wonder in their sight4 ,but ,jesus never would do any of his great works merely to be seen4 ,he cured the sick and cast out evil spirits out of pity for people in trouble1 but not as a show of his power4 ,he said to these people3 ,it is a wicked and unfaithful time when people seek for a sign4 ,i will give you no sign now1 but after a time you shall see a sign1 though you will not believe it4 ,it will be the sign of the prophet ,jonah4 ,for as ,jonah was three days inside the great fish1 so ,i the ,son of ,man will be three days under the ground1 and like ,jonah will come forth living4 ,the people of ,nineveh1 to whom ,jonah preached1 will rise up in the day when ,god shall judge the world1 and they shall show that they were better than the people of this time1 for when ,jonah preached to them1 they turned from their sins and sought ,god4 ,and ,one greater than ,jonah is here1 yet they will not listen to him6 ,the ,queen of ,sheba will rise up in the day of judgment with the people of this time1 and will prove them to be unfaithful4 ,for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wise words of ,solomon2 and one greater than ,solomon is here1 yet you will not listen to him4 ,the ,story-teller by the ,sea ,,chapter #cd ,,soon ,,after his journey through southern ,galilee1 ,jesus began to teach in a new form1 that of telling stories to the people4 ,everybody likes to listen to a story1 and sometimes a story will go to the heart when the plain truth will fail4 ,story-tellers have always been very abundant in the ,east1 where ,jesus lived4 ,even today may be found everywhere men who go from place to place telling stories1 and the people flock around them and listen to their stories from morning until night4 ,but the stories that ,jesus told were very different from those of the ,eastern story-tellers4 ,his stories were told to teach some great truth1 and on that account were called parables4 ,a parable is a story which is true to life--that is1 a story which might be true1 not a fairy story--and which also has in it some teaching of the truth4 ,illustration3 ,once a sower went out to sow his seed4 ,some seed fell on stony ground and some fell among briers and bushes4 ,one day ,jesus went out of the city of ,capernaum and stood on the beach by the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,a great crowd of people gathered around him1 for all the opposition of the scribes and ,pharisees could not keep the common people away from ,jesus4 ,the throng was so great1 crowding around ,jesus1 that as before he stepped into a boat and told his disciples to push it out a little from the shore4 ,then he sat down in the boat1 fronting the great multitude that filled the sloping beach4 ,he said to the people3 ,listen6 ,once a sower went out to sow his seed4 ,and as he was scattering the seed1 some of it fell on the path1 where the ground had been trodden hard4 ,the seed lay there on the path until the birds lighted upon it and picked up all the kernels1 so that none of them grew4 ,some of the seed fell on places where there was a thin covering of earth over stones4 ,there the kernels grew up quickly1 just because the soil was thin4 ,but when the hot weather came1 the sun scorched the tender plants1 and they all withered away1 because they had no moisture and no root in deep earth4 ,some other of the seeds fell among briers and bushes1 and there was no room for the grain to grow up4 ,it lived1 but it did not bring forth heads of grain1 because it was crowded and choked by thorn bushes all around it4 ,but there were some other of the seeds that fell into ground that was soft and rich and good4 ,there they grew up and brought forth fruit abundantly4 ,some kernels gave thirty times as many as were sown1 some sixty times and some a hundred times4 ,jesus did not tell the people what the teaching of the parable was4 ,he only said1 ,whoever has ears1 let him hear what ,i have spoken4 ,he meant that they should not only listen but think and find out for themselves the meaning4 ,when ,jesus was alone with his disciples1 they said to him3 ,why do you speak to the people in parables8 ,what do you mean to teach in this story about the man sowing seed8 ,jesus said to them3 ,to you who have followed me it is given to know the deep things of the ,kingdom of ,god1 because you seek to find them out4 ,but to many these truths are spoken in parables1 for they hear the story1 but do not try to find out what it means4 ,they have eyes1 but they do not see1 and ears1 but they do not hear4 ,for they do not wish to understand with the heart and turn to ,god to have their sins forgiven4 ,but blessed are your eyes1 for they see1 and your ears1 for they hear4 ,listen now to the meaning of the parable of the sower4 ,the sower is the one who speaks the word of ,god1 and the seed is the word which he speaks4 ,the seed on the roadside1 the trodden path1 means those who hear1 but do not take the truth into their hearts4 ,then the ,evil ,spirit comes and1 like the birds1 snatches away the truth1 so that they forget it4 ,the seeds on the rocky soil are those who hear the word and seem to take it gladly into their hearts2 but they have no root in themselves2 just as soon as they meet with any discouragement or trouble1 or find enemies to the truth1 they are turned away and their goodness does not last4 ,that which is sown among the thorns and briers are those who listen to the word1 but the worries of life1 and the desire for money1 and the pleasures of the world1 crowd the word in their hearts1 and the gospel does them but little good4 ,but the seed sown on the good ground are those who listen to the gospel and understand it2 who take the word into honest and good hearts and keep it and bring forth fruit in their lives4 ,more ,stories ,told by the ,sea ,,chapter #ce ,,here ,,is another parable story that ,jesus told to the people as he sat in the boat and the people stood on the shore4 ,this is the parable of ,the ,wheat and the ,weeds4 ,there was a man who sowed good wheat in his field2 but while people were asleep1 an enemy came and scattered the seed of weeds over all the ground4 ,then the enemy went away1 leaving his seed to grow up4 ,when the sprouts of grain began to form into heads of wheat1 the men saw that everywhere in the field the weeds were among them1 for weeds always grow faster than good seed4 ,so the servants of the farmer came to him and said3 ',did you not1 sir1 sow good seed in your field8 ,how comes it that it is full of weeds8' ,he said to them1 ',some enemy of mine has done this4' ',shall we go1' said the servants1 'and pull up the weeds that are growing with the wheat8' ',no1' answered the farmer1 'for while you are pulling the weeds1 you will root up the wheat with them4 ,let them both grow together until the harvest2 and in the time of the harvest1 ,i will say to the reapers1 ,when you have cut down all the crop1 then take out the weeds and put them into bundles to be burned2 but gather the wheat into my barn4' ,jesus gave to the people another parable about ,the ,growing ,grain4 ,he said1 ,the kingdom of ,god is as if a man should throw seed upon the ground4 ,the sower will sleep every night1 while the seed will spring up1 he cannot tell how4 ,the ground bears fruit of itself1 first the little shoot1 then the ear of grain1 and then the full head of grain4 ,but when the heads of grain are ripe1 he puts in his sickle and reaps1 because the harvest is come4 ,illustration3 ,jesus teaching by the ,sea of ,galilee ,his next parable was ,the ,mustard ,seed4 ,the kingdom of heaven1 said ,jesus1 is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field4 ,this is the smallest of all seeds2 but it grows up to become a bush so large that it is like a tree1 putting out great branches1 and the birds light upon them and rest under their shadow4 ,illustration3 ,while people were asleep1 an enemy came and scattered the seed of weeds over all the ground ,jesus gave one more parable1 ,the ,leaven1 or ,yeast4 ,he said1 ,the kingdom of ,god is like the leaven or yeast that a woman uses when she makes bread4 ,she mixes up a very little yeast in a large mass of dough1 and leaves it to rise4 ,presently all the dough is changed by the yeast1 and made into good bread4 ,so it is with the truth to those who take it into their hearts4 ,after ,jesus told these five parables1 ,the ,sower1 ,the ,wheat and the ,weeds1 ,the ,growing ,grain1 ,the ,mustard ,seed1 and ,the ,leaven1 he sent the crowd away and went into a house with his disciples4 ,when they were alone they said to him1 ,tell us what is the meaning of the parable of ',the ,wheat and the ,weeds4' ,jesus answered them1 ,he who sows the good seed is the ,son of ,man1 whom ,god has sent into the earth4 ,the field is the world4 ,the good wheat are those who hear his word and are the children of ,god4 ,the weeds are the children of the wicked one4 ,the enemy that sowed them is the devil1 ,satan4 ,the harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are the angels of ,god4 ,just as the weeds are gathered from among the good grain and burned in the fire1 so shall it be at the end of the world4 ,the ,son of ,man will send his angels1 and they will gather out of his kingdom all that do evil and cause harm1 and shall throw them into the furnace of fire2 there men will weep and wail and gnash their teeth4 ,but in that day1 the children of ,god1 the true wheat1 shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their heavenly ,father4 ,then to his disciples1 not to the crowd1 ,jesus gave three more parables4 ,the first was ,the ,hid ,treasure4 ,he said1 ,the kingdom of heaven is like a heap of money which a man found while he was working in a field4 ,he hid it again1 and told no one about it2 but went home1 sold all that he had and gladly bought that field1 that the treasure might be his own4 ,the next parable was that of ,the ,pearl4 ,there was a man who went into many places to find pearls1 which he bought to sell to others4 ,in one place he found a pearl of great price1 far more precious than any that he had seen before4 ,he went and sold everything that he had1 and with the money bought that pearl4 ,the last of these parables was ,the ,drag ,net4 ,once more1 said ,jesus1 the kingdom of heaven is like a large net that was cast into the sea and took in fishes of every kind1 large and small1 good and bad4 ,when the net was full they drew it to the shore4 ,there they sat down and took the fishes out1 one by one4 ,they looked them over and put the good fish1 those that were fit to be eaten1 into baskets1 but those that were useless they threw away4 ,so will it be at the end of the world4 ,the angels will come and will take out the people that are wicked from among the good1 and shall fling them into the furnace of fire2 there men will weep and gnash their teeth4 ,after ,jesus had finished telling these parables to his disciples1 he said to them1 ,have you understood all these8 ,they said to him1 ,yes1 we have4 ,and he said to them1 ,every teacher who has been made a learner in the kingdom of ,god is like a man who brings out of his store some things that are new and some that are old4 ,illustration3 ,jesus looked around1 saw the dashing waves and said just these words3 ,peace1 be still6 ,sailing ,across the ,sea ,,chapter #cf ,,after ,,the day of teaching in parables1 when the evening came on1 as the crowds were still pressing upon ,jesus and giving him no time to rest1 he said to his disciples3 ,let us sail across the lake to the other side4 ,so they made ready the boat and took ,jesus on board4 ,some of the people were so eager to be with ,jesus that they also went into other boats and sailed with him4 ,jesus was very tired after his day of teaching and he lay down in the rear end of the boat1 resting his head upon one of the cushions4 ,in the steady motion of the oars and the gentle rippling of the waves1 ,jesus soon fell asleep1 while the boat moved onward over the lake4 ,soon the night came and the disciples rowed on in the darkness4 ,on the ,sea of ,galilee1 storms often arise very suddenly4 ,the water may be perfectly calm for a time and then in a few minutes lashed into fury by the wind4 ,so it came to pass while ,jesus was sleeping4 ,a great wind arose1 the waves rolled high and dashed into the boat2 but ,jesus slept on peacefully4 ,at least four of the twelve disciples1 and we know not how many more1 were fishermen4 ,they knew how dangerous these sudden storms might be2 and as they saw the boat filling with water and beginning to sink1 they were frightened4 ,coming to ,jesus1 they awoke him1 crying out1 ,master1 ,master1 we are lost6 ,help us or we shall drown6 ,the storm1 with all the noise of creaking sails and roaring winds and dashing waves1 had not awaked ,jesus1 but the cries of his frightened disciples aroused him from his sleep4 ,he looked around1 saw the dashing waves and said just these words3 ,peace1 be still6 ,at once the wind ceased1 the waves smoothed down and there was perfect calm upon the sea4 ,then ,jesus spoke to his disciples1 saying3 ,why are you so fearful8 ,have you so little faith in me8 ,they might have known that whether their ,master was awake or asleep1 they were safe if he was with them4 ,they wondered at this new proof of ,jesus' power1 and said to each other3 ,who can this be that can speak to the winds and the waves and they obey his words6 ,they were sailing from ,capernaum in a direction southeast1 and after rowing about seven miles1 they came to the eastern shore of the lake1 where was a village called ,gerasa4 ,this region was called the country of the ,gadarenes1 from a large city1 ,gadara1 not far away4 ,it was a part of ,decapolis1 a name given to all the country on the east of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,the word ,decapolis means ,the ,ten ,cities1 and because in that land were ten large ,roman cities1 the whole country was called ,the ,country of ,ten ,cities4 ,it must have been very early in the morning when ,jesus and his disciples brought their boats to the shore at ,gerasa4 ,just as they were landing1 a man came running down the hill to meet them1 and from his wild acts they saw that he was one of those wretched people who were under the power of evil spirits4 ,this man wore no clothes2 he would not live in any house1 but stayed in the caves in the hillside1 which were used as burial places4 ,they had tried to bind him with ropes and chains1 but when the evil power was on him1 he would break all his bonds and even snap his chains apart4 ,he stayed all the time among the tombs1 crying1 moaning and gashing himself with sharp stones4 ,this wild man ran toward ,jesus and fell at his feet4 ,as soon as ,jesus saw the state he was in1 he spoke to the evil spirit within the man3 ,come out of this man1 you vile spirit6 ,the spirit answered ,jesus1 crying out1 ,jesus1 son of the ,most ,high ,god1 what business have you with us8 ,in the name of ,god1 ,i call upon you not to make us suffer6 ,jesus saw that this man's state was far worse than even most of those who were ruled by evil spirits4 ,he said to the spirit1 ,what is your name8 ,my name is ,legion1 answered the evil spirit2 meaning that in the man was not only one1 but many of the evil spirits1 a whole army of them1 for the word legion means an army4 ,the demons1 or evil spirits1 begged ,jesus not to send them far away4 ,on the top of the hill was a herd of many hogs feeding4 ,the ,jewish people were not allowed to keep hogs nor to eat their flesh1 so this drove of hogs must have belonged to foreign people1 whom the ,jews called ,gentiles4 ,the evil spirits asked ,jesus if when they left the man1 they might go into these hogs2 and ,jesus allowed them4 ,then the demons or evil spirits went out of the man1 leaving him lying upon the ground1 naked but well4 ,they went into the drove of hogs1 and the hogs instantly became wild and could not be controlled4 ,they rushed in a great mass down the steep side of the hill and into the water4 ,there they were all drowned1 about two thousand in number4 ,the men who kept the hogs ran to the town near by1 and told all the people what had happened2 how the demons at the command of this stranger had left the man1 had gone into the drove of hogs and had caused them to drown in the waters4 ,the people of the city came out to see for themselves what had taken place4 ,they saw the man in whom had been the fierce evil spirits1 now sitting at the feet of ,jesus1 clothed and in his right mind1 calm and peaceful4 ,illustration3 ,the evil spirits went out of the man into the hogs1 causing them to rush down the hill into the water ,these ,gadarene people evidently knew nothing of ,jesus and the many good works that he had done4 ,they were filled with dread of his power1 and scarcely looking at the man whom ,jesus had helped so wonderfully1 thought only of the hogs which they had lost4 ,they begged ,jesus to go away from their land and not to come to their town4 ,think what blessings ,jesus might have brought to them1 in curing their sick1 giving sight to the blind1 and hearing to the deaf1 besides the good news of his teaching6 ,but with no knowledge of these good gifts1 they asked ,jesus to leave them4 ,and ,jesus took them at their word4 ,sadly he turned away1 went down to the beach and stepped into the boat4 ,the man who had been set free from the evil spirits begged most earnestly to be allowed to go with ,jesus4 ,he may have feared that the people of the city would be angry with him because the demons in him had killed their hogs2 or he may have thought that the evil spirits might come back to him if he was left alone1 without his mighty helper near4 ,he knew that he would be safe if he were with his ,lord1 and he asked again and again that he might go away with ,jesus1 wherever he might go4 ,but ,jesus would not grant his prayer4 ,he said to the man3 ,go home to your own people1 and tell them what great things the ,lord has done for you1 and how he has taken pity on you4 ,the man went through all the country of ,decapolis and told everybody whom he met what great things ,jesus had done for him4 ,when they heard this1 they all wondered1 and no doubt many wished that they had welcomed ,jesus instead of sending him away4 ,illustration3 ,joppa ,illustration3 ,the woman came forward trembling with fear and told ,jesus how she had touched his clothing and been made well4 ,jesus said to her3 ,daughter1 your faith has made you well4 ,the ,sick ,woman ,made ,well and the ,dead ,girl ,brought to ,life ,,chapter #cg ,a ,,great ,,crowd of people were on the shore at ,capernaum1 looking earnestly over the sea4 ,on the evening before they had seen ,jesus with his disciples in their boats pushing off from the beach and sailing out into the lake2 and now they were watching for their return4 ,close by the water was standing one man1 whose face showed that he was in great trouble1 as he gazed anxiously in every direction over the sea4 ,this man was named ,jairus4 ,he was the chief elder over the church in the town1 which they called the synagogue4 ,at home his little daughter twelve years old was lying very ill and likely to die at any moment4 ,jairus knew that if ,jesus should come ashore in time1 before his daughter would die1 he could save her life2 so with hope and fear mingled1 he stood on the shore watching for ,jesus to come1 but fearing that he might come too late4 ,at last he could see the large boat rising in sight and drawing nearer1 with other smaller boats around it4 ,before ,jesus could step ashore1 ,jairus fell down upon his face before him and cried out3 ,o ,master1 come to my house just as soon as you can6 ,my little daughter is lying at the point of death2 ,i pray you1 come and lay your hands upon her so that she may live and be made well4 ,jesus went with him1 and all the crowd followed1 pressing closely upon him2 some showing pity and hope for ,jairus in his trouble1 but more of them wishing to see ,jesus do one of his wonderful works4 ,in the edge of the crowd was standing a poor woman1 wasted by sickness and as pale as death4 ,she had a running sore1 which for twelve years had drained away her blood4 ,she was very eager to go to ,jesus1 for she believed that he could cure her sore1 although many doctors had tried in vain to help her4 ,she had spent all her money upon the doctors1 one after another1 but no one of them had done her any good1 and she was all the time growing worse4 ,jesus was in the middle of this great crowd1 and this woman was very weak1 but by making a strong effort she was able to get near enough to ,jesus1 not to speak to him1 but to reach her hand between those who were walking nearest to him and to touch his clothes4 ,suddenly a great hope arose in her heart4 ,she said to herself1 ,i really believe that if ,i can just touch the ,master's clothes ,i will be made well6 ,she reached out with trembling hand and touched the outer robe of ,jesus4 ,in an instant she felt a strange power come into her body and she knew that the sore was cured4 ,she was well and strong6 ,at that moment ,jesus stopped in his walk1 while ,jairus was trying to hurry him onward4 ,he stood still1 looked all around1 and said1 ,who touched my clothes8 ,his disciples were beside him1 and ,peter answered3 ,why1 ,master1 the crowd is all around1 pressing close upon you1 and yet you say1 ',who touched me8' while people are touching you all the time4 ,but ,jesus said1 ,i am sure that somebody touched me1 because ,i felt that power had gone out from me4 ,as he stood still and looked all around to see who had done this1 the woman came forward out of the crowd and fell down at his feet1 trembling with fear1 afraid that she had offended him4 ,she told of what she had suffered1 how she had touched his clothing and had been made well4 ,jesus said to her3 ,daughter1 your faith has made you well2 go in peace and be free from your sickness4 ,but while ,jesus was delaying for these few moments1 ,jairus was standing by his side in growing alarm1 for to him and his dying child every minute was precious4 ,just then some one from his own house came up to him through the crowd and said3 ,your daughter is dead2 what is the use of asking the ,teacher to come any further8 ,not even he can help her now4 ,these people had not heard how ,jesus some weeks before had raised to life the widow's son at ,nain1 for that village was at least twenty-five miles from ,capernaum4 ,but ,jesus spoke encouragingly to the sorrowing father4 ,have no fear2 only believe1 and she shall yet be well4 ,they went to the house of ,jairus1 and the crowd would have followed him inside1 but ,jesus forbade them4 ,he allowed none to go with him into the house1 except the father and three of his disciples1 ,peter1 ,james and ,john4 ,the house was full of people1 weeping and wailing1 playing on flutes and making a great noise1 as the manner was then and is even now in that land4 ,men and women are paid to come to the house where one is lying dead1 and to scream and cry aloud1 so that all in the town may know of the death and of the sorrow of the family4 ,jesus said to the people in the house1 ,why do you make such a noise8 ,the little girl is not dead1 but only sleeping4 ,illustration3 ,jesus went into the room where the daughter of ,jairus was lying dead on the bed1 and taking her hand into his own said3 ,little girl1 ,i say to you1 rise up6 ,jesus meant by these words that we need not be filled with sorrow when our friends die2 for death is only a sleep until the time when ,god shall awaken them4 ,but this they did not understand2 and they would not be comforted1 for they knew that the child was dead4 ,jesus ordered all these hired mourners to leave the house4 ,he went into the room where the dead child was lying on the bed1 taking with him only her father and mother1 with his three chosen disciples4 ,standing beside the dead body1 he took its little hand into his own and said3 ,little girl1 ,i say to you1 rise up6 ,and instantly the girl stood up1 looked around and began to walk4 ,how happy were that father and mother as they clasped in their arms their little girl1 no longer dead1 but living and well4 ,all were filled with wonder4 ,they would have told everybody about this mighty work1 but ,jesus said to them3 ,give the child something to eat1 but do not talk about her being brought back to life4 ,tell no one of it4 ,illustration3 ,jesus healing the sick ,sight to the ,blind and ,voice to the ,dumb ,,chapter #ch ,,as ,,jesus was coming out of the house where he had raised to life the young girl1 two blind men met him2 for the news of his return to ,capernaum had gone abroad1 and these two men1 eager to obtain their sight1 at once set out to find ,jesus4 ,they followed ,jesus on the street1 crying out aloud3 ,have mercy on us1 ,o ,son of ,david6 ,you know that ,jesus came from the family of which ,david had been the head long before4 ,all the people looked for him1 as sprung from ,david1 to take ,david's throne1 and like ,david1 become king over all the land4 ,the people who believed that ,jesus was to be king often called him ,son of ,david4 ,these two blind men followed ,jesus1 crying to him1 until he went into the house where he was staying1 which may have been the house where ,simon ,peter lived4 ,the blind men came into the house after ,jesus4 ,he said to them3 ,do you believe that ,i can do this which you desire8 ,they answered him1 ,yes1 ,lord1 we believe that you can4 ,then ,jesus placed his hands upon their eyes1 first on one man and then on the other4 ,as he touched their eyes1 he said to them1 ,as you believe1 let it be done to you4 ,at once their eyes were opened and they could see4 ,jesus spoke to them very strongly1 and gave them special orders1 saying1 ,see that nobody knows of this4 ,he did not wish always to have crowds around seeking for miracles of healing1 for he felt that he had a greater work to do in preaching to the souls of men than in curing their bodies4 ,but these men went away and told all whom they met what a wonderful thing ,jesus had done for them4 ,it was not strange that they should speak of it1 even though he had forbidden them1 for all who had known them before as blind men saw the great change in their looks1 now that they could see1 and asked them how it had come to pass2 so that it was not easy to avoid telling people about it4 ,but wherever it was told1 people who had any disease1 or were blind1 or deaf and dumb1 or lame1 were filled with desire to find ,jesus and be made well4 ,soon after these two men left ,jesus1 cured of their blindness1 another man was brought to ,jesus4 ,this was a dumb man1 in whom lived an evil spirit4 ,jesus always cast out the evil spirits1 without waiting to be asked1 whenever he found them ruling over men4 ,he spoke to this evil spirit1 and it left the man4 ,then all at once the man began to speak1 for it was the evil spirit in him that had made him dumb4 ,all the people wondered1 and said to one another3 ,such power as this has never before been seen in the land of ,israel6 ,but the scribes and ,pharisees1 who were enemies of ,jesus1 said again1 as they had said before3 ,this man casts out the evil spirits1 because ,satan1 the prince of the evil spirits1 helps him4 ,twelve ,preachers ,sent ,out ,,chapter #ci ,,jesus ,,had now preached in nearly all parts of ,galilee1 except in the middle portion1 the region around ,nazareth1 the home of his younger days4 ,you remember that when he had tried to speak in ,nazareth1 soon after coming from ,judea1 the people refused to listen to him1 thinking that one who had been only a workingman and not a ,rabbi or scribe could not teach them anything4 ,but ,jesus loved those people in ,nazareth1 for many of the men had been with him boys at school2 and his own sisters lived there with their children1 boys and girls1 who were his nephews and nieces4 ,he longed to see them all1 and made up his mind to go again to ,nazareth1 and see if its people would this time listen to him4 ,on his earlier visit he had been alone1 and the men of ,nazareth in their anger had tried to kill him by throwing him down a very steep hill2 but now ,jesus had with him his twelve disciples and many more who followed him from place to place4 ,on this visit the men of ,nazareth did not venture to do him harm1 because of his many friends around him4 ,as before1 ,jesus went to the village church on the ,sabbath day and preached4 ,again the people listened to him with wonder at his words2 but again they said3 ,is not this the carpenter who used to make plows and hoes and tables for us8 ,how can he teach us8 ,he could only do a few of his great works1 because the people would not believe in him4 ,he did1 indeed1 lay his hands upon a few that were sick1 and made them well2 but he could only wonder at the hardness of heart in those among whom he had lived so many years4 ,leaving ,nazareth with a sad heart1 he went around the villages in middle ,galilee1 teaching in the churches and curing sickness of all kinds4 ,as he saw how poor the people were1 how little they knew of the truth1 and how greatly they longed for it1 he felt a great pity for them4 ,they seemed to ,jesus like sheep that were lost and wandering1 not having any shepherd4 ,he said to his disciples3 ,the harvest truly is rich1 but the workers in it are very few4 ,pray very earnestly to the ,lord of the harvest that he may send out workers to gather in his harvest4 ,illustration3 ,peace be to this house ,jesus knew that the time of his work in ,galilee was nearly ended4 ,there were other parts of the land of ,israel where he had not yet preached1 and he wished to visit them4 ,he knew1 too1 what none but himself knew1 that in a year he would be taken away from the earth1 and his disciples would be left alone to carry on his work and preach to all the people the news of ,god's kingdom4 ,he made up his mind to send out his twelve disciples1 whom he named the apostles1 and to let them begin their work by preaching in the villages of ,galilee which he had not found time to visit4 ,so he called together his twelve disciples1 and divided them into pairs1 sending two men together1 that they might help each other4 ,he poured upon them some of his own power to cure diseases and to cast out evil spirits from men4 ,he gave them commands about their work1 to whom they should go and how they should act4 ,he said3 ,do not go to any city of the ,gentiles1 the foreigners2 and keep away from the villages of the ,samaritan people4 ,your work just now is to be among the lost sheep of the house of ,israel4 ,go to the ,jews throughout the land1 and tell them that the kingdom of ,god has come1 and that they may enter it4 ,cure the sick1 raise the dead to life1 cleanse the lepers1 cast out the evil spirits from men4 ,give freely1 without being paid2 for you have received the gift of ,god freely4 ,do not take with you any money of gold or silver or copper in your girdle2 nor a bag to carry food for the road2 nor two shirts1 nor a pair of shoes2 but go wearing only sandals on your feet4 ,for ,god's workman deserves his food1 and it will be given to him4 ,when you come to a village1 ask for some good man1 go to his house1 and stay there while you are in that village4 ,do not go visiting from one house to another4 ,when you come to a house say1 ',peace be to this house4' ,if the people dwelling in that house are worthy of your peace1 then peace shall be given to them2 if they are not worthy1 your peace shall come back to you4 ,and if in any place the people will not hear you nor give you welcome1 then as you go out of that house or that city1 take off your sandals and shake the dust of that place from them as a sign4 ,i say to you in truth that in the day of judgment it shall be worse for the cities that have refused you than for ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 the cities upon which ,god rained down fire4 ,you are sent forth like sheep among wolves2 so be wise like serpents1 yet harmless like doves4 ,but you must watch against evil men1 for they will seize you and hand you over to courts to be judged2 you will be beaten in their court-rooms2 you will be brought before governors and kings1 because you are my followers4 ,now1 when they bring you up for trial1 do not be anxious about what you shall speak or how you shall say it2 for what to speak shall be given you when you need it4 ,for it is not you that speak1 but the spirit of your ,father in heaven that speaks in you4 ,illustration3 ,whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple1 he will not lose his reward ,many more words ,jesus spoke to his twelve disciples2 and at the end of his charge he said this3 ,whoever receives you and listens to you1 it is the same as though he received me1 your teacher2 and whoever receives me1 receives my ,father who sent me4 ,he that receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward4 ,he who receives a good man because he is a good man shall receive a good man's reward4 ,and whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple of mine1 ,i tell you truly1 he will not lose his reward4 ,after giving his commands to the twelve disciples1 ,jesus sent them out to preach1 while he himself went to other places telling the people the good news of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,the great mosque at ,damascus ,a ,dance2 and ,how ,it ,was ,paid ,for ,,chapter #dj ,,during ,,nearly all the year of ,jesus' teaching and preaching in ,galilee1 ,john the ,baptist was in ,herod's prison at a lonely place called ,machrus1 on the east of the river ,jordan1 near the ,dead ,sea4 ,you remember that ,john was put into prison because ,king ,herod's queen1 ,herodias1 became angry against him1 when ,john said to ,herod that it was not right for him to take away his brother's wife and have her as his own4 ,herodias hated ,john and tried many times to have him killed1 but ,herod held ,john in high respect and would not suffer him to be slain4 ,but at last the chance came for ,herodias to carry out her purpose4 ,on ,king ,herod's birthday1 he held at ,machrus1 which was not only a prison but a palace1 a great feast to his lords1 the captains of his army1 and the chief men of his kingdom4 ,at this feast the daughter of ,herodias1 a young girl1 came in and danced before the company4 ,herod and the guests with him were so delighted with the girl's dancing that the king made her a very foolish promise4 ,he said to her3 ,you may ask for anything that you please1 and ,i will give it to you4 ,he went further and even swore with an oath to her1 ,i will give you whatever you choose1 even to half of my kingdom4 ,the girl went to her mother and said to her1 ,what shall ,i ask8 ,and ,herodias hissed out the words1 ,you ask for the head of ,john the ,baptist4 ,the girl went in haste to the king1 and said1 ,i want you to give me here on a platter the head of ,john the ,baptist4 ,the king was greatly displeased and very angry4 ,he knew that his wife ,herodias had led the girl to make this choice1 and he would have liked to break his promise4 ,but because he had given his word and was ashamed to call it back before all the nobles at his feast1 he gave orders1 very unwillingly1 to his guards to have her will carried out4 ,they went into the prison1 and with a sharp sword cut off the head of ,john the ,baptist1 the best and noblest man in all his kingdom4 ,the head was laid on a platter and given to the young girl1 who carried it to her mother4 ,so the man whom ,jesus called a prophet and more than a prophet was slain to satisfy the whim of a dancing girl and her wicked mother6 ,illustration3 ,the daughter of ,herodias dancing before ,herod ,the few followers who had still clung to ,john the ,baptist1 and visited him in his prison1 took up his headless body and buried it4 ,then they went to ,jesus and told him all the sad story of ,john's death4 ,but ,herod was not yet done with ,john the ,baptist4 ,soon he began to hear wonderful stories of the new prophet1 ,jesus the ,nazarene1 who had risen up in ,john's place4 ,he heard that amazing powers were shown by ,jesus1 that the sick were cured1 the lepers were made clean1 the blind were made to see1 and1 most wonderful of all1 the dead were raised to life4 ,people were saying to each other1 ,who is this great ,prophet that is working all these wonders8 ,some said1 ,this is the old prophet ,elijah1 who has come to earth again4 ,others said1 ,if he is not ,elijah1 it may be ,jeremiah or some other prophet of the old times4 ,but ,herod was filled with a terrible fear1 for his conscience troubled him on account of his wicked deeds4 ,he said3 ,i know who this is4 ,it is ,john the ,baptist1 whose head ,i had cut off4 ,he has come to life again4 ,it is on his account that all these wonderful things are taking place6 ,thus the bloody head of ,john the ,baptist1 like a terrible ghost1 rose before the sight of ,herod the king6 ,illustration3 ,after he had blessed the food and broken it1 ,jesus gave a portion to each of his disciples1 who went among the people and fed them4 ,as the loaves and fishes were broken they grew in their hands until every one had enough to eat4 ,the ,boy with ,his ,five ,loaves ,,chapter #da ,,the ,,news that ,king ,herod had slain the holy prophet ,john the ,baptist sent a thrill of horror to all who heard it4 ,it came to the twelve disciples1 who were just completing their work of preaching in the villages of ,galilee4 ,they feared that ,herod might seize them and put them in prison2 but they were more alarmed for their ,master4 ,having slain ,john who had made ,jesus known to the people1 they feared that ,herod might now try to kill ,jesus himself4 ,they all hastened to ,capernaum1 where they found ,jesus1 and gave him the report of the places which they had visited1 the work which they had done in healing and helping people and the message which they had given everywhere about the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the disciples found the crowds around ,jesus greater than ever before2 for not only had the preaching of these disciples aroused an interest in ,jesus and led many to leave their homes and seek him1 but the ,passover1 the greatest of all ,jewish feasts1 was to be held soon1 and the city of ,capernaum was thronged with people who were on their way to ,jerusalem2 for as you know1 this feast was held only in that city1 and from every part of the land people went up to ,jerusalem to attend it4 ,so many were the people coming and going and those who were looking for ,jesus and seeking his power to cure their diseases1 that ,jesus and his disciples could scarcely find a chance to eat4 ,the crowds were constantly pressing upon them4 ,he said to his disciples3 ,come1 let us take the boat and go across the lake to some quiet place1 away from the crowds1 and there rest for a time4 ,they went into the boat and started to row over the lake4 ,but the people saw them going and many tried to follow them4 ,those who had boats sailed in them after the course in which they saw the boat with ,jesus and his disciples4 ,and the others1 a great multitude1 walked and ran around the head of the lake1 waded across the river ,jordan where it enters the ,sea of ,galilee1 still keeping ,jesus' boat in sight1 and were at the beach to meet ,jesus when he landed near the town of ,bethsaida1 which was on the northeastern shore4 ,here ,jesus was safe1 for ,bethsaida was outside the rule of ,king ,herod and in the land governed by ,herod's brother ,philip4 ,when ,jesus stepped out of his boat on the shore near ,bethsaida1 there he found a great throng of people1 more than five thousand men1 besides some women and children4 ,when ,jesus saw how eager they were and how glad to meet him1 his heart of love and pity went out toward them4 ,he cured some sick people that they had brought and he spoke to them about the kingdom of ,god4 ,the day began to draw to its close and the sun was almost sinking below the hills of ,galilee1 when the disciples said to ,jesus3 ,it is getting late and will soon be night4 ,these crowds of people came so suddenly that they have brought with them nothing to eat4 ,send them away1 so that they may go to the city of ,bethsaida and the villages around and buy food and find places to stay through the night4 ,we are here1 you see1 in a desert place1 where there is neither food nor lodging for them4 ,but ,jesus said to his disciples1 ,there is no need for them to go away2 you give them something to eat4 ,they said to him1 ,shall we go into the town and buy thirty dollars' worth of bread1 so that each one of them may have a little8 ,jesus turned to ,philip1 one of his disciples1 and asked him1 ,philip1 where shall we find bread that all these people may eat8 ,jesus said this to try ,philip's faith1 for he himself knew already what he would do4 ,philip looked over the crowd gathered upon the level ground1 and he answered1 ,thirty dollars' worth of bread would not be enough to give to each one even a little piece4 ,jesus said to his disciples1 ,how many loaves have you8 ,go and see4 ,just then another of the disciples1 ,andrew1 the brother of ,simon ,peter1 came up to ,jesus and said1 ,there is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two little fishes2 but what use would they be among so many people8 ,jesus said1 ,bring them to me4 ,so they led to ,jesus this boy with his lunch basket1 in which his mother had placed five large flat biscuits of barley and two small salted fishes4 ,jesus said to his disciples1 ,go out among the people and tell them to arrange themselves into companies1 with fifty or a hundred in each company1 and to sit down upon the grass4 ,the disciples did as ,jesus ordered1 and soon all the crowd was divided up into groups of fifty or a hundred people1 all seated on the ground4 ,on the green grass1 arranged in rows and squares with their clothes of different colors1 they looked like beds of flowers4 ,then1 in the sight of all the people1 ,jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes4 ,he waved his hand for silence1 and while all were still1 looked up to heaven1 gave thanks to ,god for his gift of food1 and blessed it4 ,he broke the loaves which were like large flat crackers or biscuit1 and gave to each of his disciples a piece and also a piece of dried fish4 ,the disciples went among the people breaking off pieces of the loaves and fishes and handing them out4 ,as they were broken1 the loaves and fishes grew in their hands1 until every one in the company had enough to eat4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,go and gather up the pieces of food that are left1 so that nothing may be wasted4 ,each of the twelve disciples carried a basket among the people1 and took from them all that was left4 ,when they came back to ,jesus1 all the twelve baskets were filled with the pieces left over of the loaves and fishes4 ,there had been in the beginning only five loaves and two fishes4 ,of these1 five thousand men1 besides women and children1 had eaten as much as they wanted4 ,and now came back twelve baskets full of bits left over--much more at the end after all had eaten than at the beginning4 ,when the people saw that here was one who could give them food1 all that they wanted1 they said to each other1 ,this is the man that we want for our king6 ,he can give us bread to eat without our working for it4 ,let us break away from the rule of the ,romans and make ,jesus our king6 ,jesus knew their thoughts and what they were saying to each other1 for he knew all things4 ,he knew1 too1 that he was a king1 but not such a king as they wished4 ,his kingdom was to be in the hearts of those who loved him1 not a kingdom won by armies and by swords4 ,jesus found that his disciples were pleased to find the people so eager at once to crown ,jesus as their ,king1 for that would mean high rank and offices for themselves4 ,jesus1 therefore1 began by sending away his disciples4 ,he compelled them1 much against their will1 to get into the boat1 and to row over the lake toward ,capernaum4 ,after sending away his disciples1 he sent away the multitudes1 who were also unwilling to go1 for they could not understand why ,jesus should refuse to be made king4 ,when all were gone away and quiet was around him and the night had come on1 ,jesus went to the top of a mountain near by1 and spent some hours in prayer to his heavenly ,father4 ,he needed prayer1 for he saw in this attempt to make him king another effort of ,satan to bring ,jesus under his power1 by giving him a worldly kingdom1 instead of a heavenly4 ,illustration3 ,a distant view of ,the ,horns of ,hattin1 in the hollow of which ,christ sat while he preached ,the ,sermon on the ,mount to the multitude gathered about him ,illustration3 ,as ,jesus drew near1 ,peter cried out1 ,lord1 if it is really you1 command me to come to you on the water4 ,how the ,sea ,became a ,floor ,,chapter #db ,,on ,,the night after the multitude was fed with the five loaves1 while ,jesus was praying alone on the mountain1 his disciples were rowing over the lake toward ,capernaum4 ,it was very dark2 and soon after midnight a terrible storm arose1 as storms often come very suddenly upon the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,from his mountain top1 through all the darkness and miles away1 ,jesus could see them struggling with the waves1 and in great danger of losing their lives1 for he could see all things4 ,while the disciples were pulling hard with their oars1 suddenly they saw someone walking upon the waves and drawing near their boat4 ,they were more alarmed1 when they saw this form walking over the waves as though the waters were a solid floor1 than they had been at the storm threatening to swallow them up1 for they thought that surely this was a spirit from the world of the dead1 coming to give warning that death was awaiting them4 ,they cried out in their terror2 but soon heard a voice speaking to them above the roaring of the wind and the dashing of the waves2 a voice which they knew well4 ,it was the voice of ,jesus1 saying3 ,be of good cheer6 it is ,i2 do not be afraid6 ,then they knew that it was no spirit or ghost from the grave1 but their own ,lord and ,saviour coming to help them4 ,what a load of fear was lifted from them when they heard that voice6 ,but one of the disciples1 one who was always putting himself in the front1 thought that if ,jesus could walk on the water1 he would like to do the same4 ,you would know that this one was ,simon ,peter1 a good man1 but very quick in his impulses4 ,he cried out1 as ,jesus drew near1 ,lord1 if it is really you1 command me to come to you on the water4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,come4 ,then ,peter leaped overboard from the boat and began to walk on the water toward ,jesus4 ,but after a few steps on the sea1 he saw how heavy the storm was1 and was afraid2 and at that moment he began to sink4 ,he shouted out1 ,lord1 save me6 ,jesus reached out his hand and caught him and kept him from sinking1 saying to him3 ,how little you trust me6 ,why did you doubt my word8 ,when ,jesus1 holding ,peter's hand1 came with him into the boat1 the wind stopped1 and the sea became calm4 ,they found that they were close to the land4 ,then all the men in the boat fell down at the feet of ,jesus and said1 ,truly you are the ,son of ,god6 ,soon the daylight came1 and they saw that their boat was beside a plain1 reaching into the lake1 a few miles south of ,capernaum1 called the land of ,gennesaret4 ,they went ashore and drew up their boat on the beach4 ,the people of that place knew ,jesus1 for many of them had heard him in ,capernaum4 ,they were glad to have him come to their land2 and sent word through all the plain that ,jesus1 the great teacher and healer1 had landed on their shore4 ,from all the country around they brought on their beds those that were sick1 and laid them before ,jesus1 begging him to cure them4 ,many came near his side1 and asked him if they might only touch the border of the mantle which he wore2 and all who touched it were made perfectly well1 so strong was their faith in ,jesus4 ,the ,bread of ,life ,,chapter #dc ,,on ,,the morning after the day when ,jesus had fed the five thousand people with the five loaves1 the crowd came together once more1 hoping again to see ,jesus2 and some of them expecting to have the miracle or wonder-work repeated4 ,on the evening before1 they had seen the twelve disciples go out upon the lake in their boat1 and had noticed that ,jesus did not sail with them4 ,they thought that ,jesus must still be there1 and looked all around for him1 not knowing that in the night he had walked upon the sea to help his disciples in the storm4 ,failing to find ,jesus1 they thought that he must have gone back to his home in ,capernaum4 ,they found some other boats upon the shore1 and in these they crossed the lake to ,capernaum4 ,they found ,jesus at the church in ,capernaum1 and said to him1 ,rabbi1 when did you come here8 ,i tell you the truth1 answered ,jesus1 it is not on account of the signs of power which you saw that you are looking for me1 but because you ate of the bread which ,i gave you1 and had your fill4 ,you should work1 not for the food which does not last1 but for that which endures to everlasting life2 that bread the ,son of ,man will give you1 for upon him the ,father has set his seal of power4 ,jesus wished them to understand that the truth which he could give them was more to the soul than food was to the body1 for it would give the life of ,god1 which never passes away4 ,in what way1 they asked him1 can we do the work that ,god would have us do8 ,the work that ,god would have you do1 answered ,jesus1 is to believe in him whom ,god has sent to you as his message-bearer4 ,well1 then1 they said to ,jesus1 show us the sign that will prove that you have come from ,god1 then we will believe in you4 ,what is the work that you are doing8 ,our fathers under ,moses in the desert ate the manna that ,moses gave them4 ,you remember that it is written1 ',he gave them bread from heaven to eat4' ,you see1 the people wanted ,jesus to show his power again by repeating the miracle with the loaves1 and giving them more bread in the same way4 ,in truth ,i tell you1 replied ,jesus1 it was not ,moses who gave your fathers the bread from heaven2 it was my ,father1 the ,lord ,god4 ,and my ,father does give you now the real bread from heaven4 ,for ,god's bread is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world4 ,master1 they said1 give us that bread always6 ,i am the life-giving bread1 answered ,jesus4 ,he who comes to me shall never be hungry1 and he who believes in me shall never be thirsty4 ,but1 as ,i told you1 you have seen me1 and yet you do not believe in me4 ,all those whom the ,father gives me will come to me2 and no one who comes to me will ,i ever turn away4 ,for ,i have come down from heaven not to carry out my own will1 but the will of ,him who sent me2 and his will is this--that ,i should not lose even one of all those whom ,he has given me1 but shall raise them up to life at the last great day4 ,for it is the will of my ,father that every one who sees the ,son1 and believes in him1 should have everlasting life2 and ,i myself will raise him up at the last day4 ,the ,jews who heard ,jesus began to find fault with him for saying1 ,i am the bread which came down from heaven4 ,is not this ,jesus1 the son of ,joseph8 ,we know his father and mother4 ,how can he say1 ',i came down from heaven8' ,they could not understand his words1 and they were angry with him because he would not again work the miracle of giving them bread4 ,also they now found that ,jesus was not willing to be a king such as they wanted1 one that would sit on a throne and live in a palace2 would raise an army to drive away the ,romans and make the ,jews a ruling people upon the earth4 ,it was1 as we have seen1 the time of the ,passover1 and one reason for the great crowds around ,jesus was that all were expecting him to lead the people to ,jerusalem and take his place as the king of ,israel4 ,but this year ,jesus did not go1 as he usually did1 to the feast in ,jerusalem1 for he had other plans for himself and his disciples4 ,when the crowd following ,jesus found that he would not be a king according to their desires1 that he would not do wonders for them to look upon1 and that his words were such as they could not understand1 nearly all of them turned against ,jesus4 ,they went away1 leaving the twelve disciples alone with him4 ,jesus said to the ,twelve1 ,do you1 too1 wish to leave me8 ,simon ,peter answered for them all1 ,lord1 to whom shall we go if we leave you8 ,you have the words that will give us everlasting life4 ,and we believe and are certain that you are the ,holy ,one of ,god4 ,these men did not understand all the words of ,jesus1 but they had learned to love him and to believe that he was the promised ,king4 ,they were ready to stay with him until death4 ,did ,i not choose you to be the ,twelve8 said ,jesus1 and yet1 even among you there is one who is doing the devil's work4 ,they did not know of whom he was speaking2 but he meant ,judas1 the son of ,simon ,iscariot2 the one of the twelve disciples who a year afterward was to give up his ,master to death4 ,at that time ,judas himself did not know this4 ,jesus1 who could read the hearts of men1 saw in ,judas the signs all unknown to himself that he would do this dreadful deed4 ,illustration3 ,a view of the village of ,nain1 and rising in the background is ,mount ,tabor ,jesus in a ,strange ,country ,,chapter #dd ,,with ,,his sermon on ,the ,bread of ,life1 given in the church at ,capernaum1 ,jesus finished his work among the people of ,galilee4 ,he had lived in that land for more than a year2 he had traveled through every part of it2 he had spoken in most of its villages and cities1 and had sent out his disciples to preach in many other places4 ,everybody in ,galilee had either heard ,jesus or had heard about him4 ,if they did not believe in him and his gospel1 it was because they would not4 ,there was another and important work which now lay before ,jesus4 ,that was the training of his twelve disciples4 ,these men1 the apostles1 as they were called later1 had been with him for nearly a year4 ,they had listened to his preaching and had heard his sermons many times1 over and over again2 for in different places ,jesus gave the same talks to the people2 but those talks and parables the ,twelve heard in each place1 as ,jesus wished those men to hear his words until they knew them by heart and could give them as his message to others who had not heard ,jesus himself4 ,one reason why we have in the four gospels1 by ,matthew1 ,mark1 ,luke and ,john1 so many of the teachings and parables of ,jesus1 is that the disciples heard them so many times1 learned them1 could tell them to others2 and thus at least thirty years after ,jesus passed away from earth1 his words were remembered and could be written down4 ,but besides the public teachings of ,jesus1 such as the ,sermon on the ,mount and the parables1 there were other great truths of the gospel that could not be given to the people1 for they were not ready for them and could not understand them4 ,we can see how the common people were puzzled by his words about the bread of life4 ,jesus saw that it was needful for him to take the twelve disciples apart by themselves1 that he might teach them some of the deeper truths of his gospel4 ,in ,galilee he could not be alone with these men2 for wherever he might go there would always be many sick people coming to be cured and others leading men held in the power of evil spirits begging ,jesus to cast them out4 ,then1 too1 in every place were the ,pharisees and scribes1 bringing their questions1 asking for miracles1 and trying to stir up the people against ,jesus4 ,wherever ,jesus was1 a crowd was always around him1 and he could find no time to teach his disciples some truths needful for them to know4 ,he made up his mind to go away from ,galilee to some quiet place where no one would know of his coming4 ,on the northwest of ,galilee was a narrow land1 on the other side of the ,lebanon mountains1 beside the great ,mediterranean ,sea4 ,it was called ,phoenicia1 from the people who lived there1 the ,phoenicians2 and also called the land of ,tyre and ,sidon1 from its two leading cities4 ,the people who lived in that country were not ,jews1 and few of them even spoke the ,jewish language4 ,jesus thought that this would be a quiet place where he could talk alone with his disciples4 ,illustration3 ,the woman threw herself at ,jesus' feet and cried aloud3 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord1 son of ,david6 ,jesus and the ,twelve quietly left ,capernaum1 and walked over the mountains to this land of ,tyre and ,sidon4 ,there they found a house and went into it1 intending for a time to live there4 ,jesus wished nobody to know of his coming2 but he could not be hidden4 ,a woman of that country heard of him1 and at once went to ,jesus1 threw herself at his feet1 and begged him to come and cast an evil spirit out of her daughter4 ,this woman was not of the ,jewish people4 ,she was a foreigner1 of a mingled ,syrian and ,phoenician race1 a people called ,canaanites4 ,she cried aloud and kept on crying3 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord1 son of ,david6 ,my little daughter is terribly troubled with an unclean spirit4 ,will you not please come and help her8 ,at first ,jesus did not answer her one word4 ,but his disciples said to him1 ,o ,master6 send this woman away1 for she is making a great noise and disturbing us6 ,to them she was only a ,gentile1 a heathen woman1 and the ,jews1 even those who followed ,jesus1 looked with great contempt on all such people4 ,they did not know that ,jesus was sent to save not only the ,jews but also the ,gentiles4 ,jesus wished to teach his disciples a lesson1 that a ,gentile could have the same faith as a ,jew4 ,he said to the woman3 ,i was not sent to your people1 but only to the lost sheep of the house of ,israel4 ,but the woman kept on following him4 ,she knelt down before ,jesus1 and said1 ,master1 help me6 ,he said to her1 ,let the children be satisfied first of all2 it is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs4 ,that is true1 ,lord1 said the woman2 yet the little dogs under the table do pick up some of the children's crumbs4 ,then ,jesus said to her1 ,o woman1 your faith is great4 ,your prayer is granted as you wish4 ,the evil spirit is gone away from your daughter4 ,the woman believed the word of ,jesus4 ,she hastened to her home and found her daughter well and resting upon her bed4 ,in the ,land of the ,ten ,cities ,chapter #de ,,jesus ,,soon found that if he wished to be alone with his disciples1 he must leave the land of ,tyre and ,sidon2 for after he had cured the woman's child of her evil spirit1 the people were coming to him for other mighty works4 ,he made up his mind to go farther away1 and taking his disciples1 he went to ,sidon1 north of ,tyre1 and then not through ,galilee1 but around it1 to the river ,jordan1 north of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,he crossed the ,jordan1 and on the eastern side of the ,sea of ,galilee came to a country called ,decapolis1 or the land of the ,ten ,cities1 from ten large places in that region4 ,while they were on this journey1 few people saw them1 and as they walked together he talked to his disciples and taught them many things4 ,the place to which ,jesus came was not far from the town where some months before he had cast out from a poor man a whole army of evil spirits and had sent them into the drove of hogs4 ,at that time1 you remember1 the people had come to ,jesus and had begged him to go away from them1 for they had seen his power1 but knew nothing of his goodness4 ,but after that miracle1 the man who had been cured went all through this land of the ,ten ,cities1 telling the people everywhere of the good work ,jesus had done to him and how much they had lost in sending him away4 ,on this second visit of ,jesus to this land1 the people were ready and eager for his coming4 ,they gathered around ,jesus with great joy1 and came from near and from far to see him4 ,he went up into a mountain and sat down with his disciples1 hoping to be alone4 ,but the people came to him in great crowds1 bringing with them those that were lame1 and ill with different diseases4 ,they laid these suffering people at his feet1 and asked him to cure them4 ,he made them all well4 ,they all wondered1 as they saw the dumb talking1 the cripples made sound1 the lame walking about and the blind seeing2 and they all praised the ,god of ,israel4 ,illustration3 ,view of ,tyre ,at this time they led to ,jesus a man who was very deaf1 and who stammered so that people could scarcely understand his words4 ,they asked ,jesus to place his hand on this man and cure him4 ,but ,jesus would not do this in public1 with a crowd of people looking on4 ,he led him away out of the throng to a place where they could be by themselves4 ,he put his fingers into the man's ears1 and then1 moistening one finger upon his own tongue1 with it touched the man's tongue4 ,looking up to heaven with a sigh1 he said1 ,be opened4 ,the man's ears and his tongue were at once set free2 he could hear and could speak plainly4 ,jesus forbade the man and his friends to tell anyone about the cure2 but contrary to his command they made it known everywhere4 ,all who saw this man were astonished2 and they said of ,jesus1 ,he has done everything well6 ,he makes even the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak6 ,the crowd clung to ,jesus and followed him for three days4 ,by that time whatever food the people had brought with them had been eaten and yet they stayed with ,jesus1 never thinking of their needs4 ,jesus called his disciples together and said to them3 ,my heart is touched on account of all these people2 for they have now been with me three days and they have nothing to eat4 ,some of them have come from distant places1 and ,i cannot bear to send them away hungry for fear that they may break down by the way4 ,where can we1 the disciples asked him1 in a lonely place like this1 with no towns near1 find bread for such a crowd as this8 ,how many loaves have you8 asked ,jesus4 ,we have in all seven loaves1 they answered1 and with them a few small fishes4 ,jesus told all the crowds to sit down upon the ground2 and when they had done so1 he held up the loaves and the fishes1 and gave thanks to his heavenly ,father for them4 ,then he broke the loaves into pieces1 also the dried fish1 and gave them to the disciples4 ,the disciples distributed them among the people2 and everyone had all that he wanted to eat4 ,after the meal1 the disciples went around with large baskets1 and picked up of the food left over seven baskets full4 ,at this time the people who were fed by ,jesus were four thousand men1 besides women and children4 ,when all were satisfied1 ,jesus told them to go back to their homes2 then with his disciples1 he went into the boat and sailed across the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,illustration3 ,sidon ,again on the ,sea of ,galilee ,,chapter #df ,,from ,,the land of the ,ten ,cities1 ,jesus and his disciples sailed straight across the ,sea of ,galilee1 and on its southwestern shore they came to a city called ,magadan or ,magdala4 ,one of the women who went with ,jesus on his journeys in ,galilee1 ,mary ,magdalene1 that is1 ,mary of ,magdala1 was from this city4 ,jesus came to this place for rest and for quiet talking with his disciples2 but as soon as he landed he was met by some ,pharisees and others who did not believe in him4 ,they said to him3 ,teacher1 show us some sign from heaven that you are a prophet or one whom ,god has sent4 ,they wished ,jesus to do some miracle or wonderful work1 not that they might believe in him1 but only that they might see what he could do4 ,everywhere the ,pharisees1 who looked upon themselves as leaders1 were opposed to ,jesus and stirred up the ignorant people against him4 ,we have already seen that ,jesus never gave any cures or wonderful works merely to be looked upon4 ,he would help those who were in need or in trouble2 but he would not merely satisfy an idle desire to see a miracle4 ,he answered these ,pharisees as he had answered others3 ,i will give you a sign from heaven4 ,in the evening1 at sunset you say1 ',it will be fine weather1 for the sky is as red as fire4' ,but in the morning1 if the sky is red1 you say1 ',it will be a stormy day1 for the sky is red as fire1 and threatening4' ,you learn to read the signs in the sky1 yet you do not know how to read the signs of the times4 ,if you would look1 you might see whether ,i come from ,god or not4 ,it is a wicked and a disobedient people who continually ask for signs4 ,no sign shall be given to this people1 except the sign of the prophet ,jonah4 ,he did not even tell them how ,jonah was to be a sign or token to them4 ,perhaps a few months later1 when these people heard that ,jesus had been slain and buried2 then after three days had risen again to life1 just as ,jonah had come forth alive after being buried for three days in the great fish1 they would then understand how ,jonah had been as a sign of ,jesus4 ,jesus saw at once that this was no place to find quiet and a chance to teach his disciples1 so he went into the boat again1 with his disciples1 and sailed away up the lake4 ,they left in such haste that the disciples did not think1 while they were ashore1 to buy some bread1 and they had with them in the boat only one loaf for ,jesus and twelve men4 ,while they were rowing over the sea1 ,jesus said to them3 ,take care and be on your guard against the leaven of the ,pharisees and the leaven of ,herod4 ,they thought that he was speaking to them about their having failed to bring more bread1 and they began talking among themselves4 ,jesus noticed this1 and he said3 ,why are you talking to one another about your being short of bread8 ,how little trust you have in me6 ,do you not remember the five loaves with which ,i fed the five thousand1 and the twelve baskets full of pieces that you picked up afterward8 ,have you forgotten about the seven loaves among the four thousand1 and the seven baskets full that you picked up8 ,how is it that you do not see that ,i was not speaking to you about bread8 ,no1 be on your guard against the leaven of the ,pharisees and the leaven of ,herod4 ,in warning his disciples against the leaven of the ,pharisees1 ,jesus meant their pride and pretense of religion and exactness in obeying rules1 while failing to serve ,god with the heart4 ,by the leaven of ,herod1 he meant the spirit of living for the world1 of guilty pleasure1 without a thought of doing ,god's will4 ,they came to ,bethsaida2 and as soon as the people saw ,jesus they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him1 hoping to see ,jesus give him his sight4 ,but ,jesus would not let them look on the curing of the man4 ,he took him away from the crowd1 and outside the town1 to a lonely place4 ,there1 after spitting upon the man's eyes1 he laid his hands upon him1 and asked him3 ,can you see anything8 ,the man looked up1 and said1 ,yes1 ,i can see a little1 but not very clearly4 ,i see men moving about1 but they look like trees4 ,then ,jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes4 ,he looked around1 and now could see everything distinctly4 ,jesus said to him1 ,now go directly to your home2 and do not go into the town1 where men will see you and ask how you received your sight4 ,jesus and his disciples did not stop in ,bethsaida2 for he felt that he must find some quiet1 lonely place1 where he could teach his disciples the great truths of which they knew nothing2 truths1 too1 which it would be hard for them to believe and to understand4 ,so from ,bethsaida he went on1 following a road beside the river ,jordan to the foot of ,mount ,hermon1 far in the north4 ,the ,great ,confession ,,chapter #dg ,,from ,,bethsaida by the ,sea of ,galilee ,jesus led his twelve disciples northward1 to the very end of the land of ,israel1 at the foot of ,mount ,hermon4 ,here1 at one of the great springs from which the river ,jordan flows1 was the city of ,csarea-,philippi1 or ,philip's ,csarea1 so called because it was in the land ruled by ,herod ,philip1 the brother of ,herod ,antipas1 who was ruling in ,galilee4 ,jesus did not go into the city of ,csarea-,philippi1 but into one of the villages near the city1 for he wished not to have a crowd around him1 but to be alone with his disciples4 ,the time had now come for the disciples to know more about ,jesus1 who he was1 the work that he was to do and what he was soon to suffer4 ,his plan of teaching them was not to tell them1 but to lead them on by questions so that they might learn the truth by finding it out themselves4 ,one day1 after he had been alone praying to his ,father1 he asked his disciples3 ,tell me1 who do the people say that ,i am8 ,some say that you are ,john the ,baptist1 raised up from the dead1 answered the disciples2 others say that you are ,elijah the prophet come to earth again2 and still others say that you are the prophet ,jeremiah or some other one of the old prophets4 ,but you1 who do you say that ,i am8 asked ,jesus4 ,at once ,simon ,peter answered1 for he was the one among the ,twelve always ready to speak3 ,illustration3 ,but you1 who do you say that ,i am8 asked ,jesus of ,simon ,peter4 ,you are the ,messiah1 the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god6 ,you know that the ,jews everywhere were looking for a king to rule over them1 set them free from the ,roman power and make of them a great conquering nation4 ,this king1 in their own language1 they called the ,messiah1 which means1 the ,anointed ,one1 for in ,israel a new king was chosen by having oil poured upon his head4 ,the word ,messiah1 in the ,greek language1 which was spoken everywhere1 was ,christ1 also meaning ,the ,anointed ,one4 ,peter1 in speaking those words1 ,thou art the ,messiah1 the ,christ1 meant to say that ,jesus was the ,king of ,israel1 for whom all the people were looking4 ,you are a blessed man1 ,simon1 son of ,jonah1 answered ,jesus1 for no human being has made this known to you1 but my ,father who is in heaven4 ,yes1 and ,i say to you1 ',your name is ,peter--a ,rock--and on this rock ,i will build my church2 and all the powers of the underworld shall not succeed against it4' ,also1 ,simon ,peter1 ,i will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven4 ,whatever you forbid on earth shall be forbidden in heaven1 and whatever you allow on earth shall be allowed in heaven4 ,because ,simon ,peter was the first to make this confession of ,jesus as the ,messiah-,christ1 the ,king1 he was given special honor among the followers of the ,lord4 ,you remember that more than a year before1 when ,jesus met ,simon for the first time1 beside the river ,jordan1 he gave him the new name ,peter1 which means a rock4 ,then ,jesus told the disciples that they were not to speak to any of the people of what ,peter had said1 that ,jesus was the ,christ1 the ,king1 for the time had not yet come to make it public4 ,but now1 since they knew that he was to be a king and rule over ,israel1 he began for the first time to speak of certain other things1 which they found very hard to understand4 ,very soon1 said ,jesus1 we are going up to ,jerusalem2 and there ,i must endure great suffering from the rulers of the people1 the chief priests and teachers of the law4 ,i must be slain and buried2 and on the third day ,i shall rise again4 ,the disciples could not understand how if he was to reign as ,king of ,israel1 it could be possible for him to suffer these things and to die4 ,peter took ,jesus aside1 where he could speak with him alone4 ,master1 said ,peter1 you must not speak of such things4 ,god will not allow these things to come to you4 ,you are not going to be put to death in ,jerusalem2 you are going to ,jerusalem to sit on the throne of ,david1 and reign over the land6 ,but ,jesus turned his back upon ,peter1 and looking upon his disciples1 said3 ,get away from me1 ,satan6 ,you would turn me away from doing ,god's will6 ,for you look at things1 not as ,god looks at them1 but as man does6 ,jesus saw that in ,peter's mind was the view of the kingdom that ,satan had shown him in his great temptation on the mountain1 not as a kingdom of ,god1 but as a kingdom such as men were expecting1 a kingdom like those of the world4 ,then ,jesus called to his disciples1 and to the people that were around them1 and said3 ,if any man has the will to come after me and be my disciple1 let him give up his own will1 and take up his cross and follow me4 ,for whoever wants to save his life will lose it1 and whoever for my sake loses his life shall find it4 ,what good will it do to a man to gain the whole world if in gaining he loses his own life8 ,what will a man give that is worth as much as his life8 ,for the ,son of ,man is coming in the glory of his ,father with his angels2 and then he will give to every man what his acts deserve4 ,and ,i tell you truly1 there are some standing here who will not die until they have seen the ,son of ,man coming to reign in his kingdom4 ,illustration3 ,nazareth ,illustration3 ,the three disciples beheld with wonder the change which had come over their ,lord4 ,his face shone with a glory so great they could not bear to look upon him1 and beside him they saw standing the prophets1 ,moses and ,elijah4 ,the ,vision on the ,mountain ,,chapter #dh ,,at ,,one time while ,jesus was staying in one of the villages at the foot of ,mount ,hermon1 in the far north of the land1 he took with him three of his disciples1 ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 and went up the mountain to pray4 ,it was in the afternoon1 when they walked up the mountain1 and when night came on he was still in prayer4 ,the three disciples were tired from climbing the mountain and fell asleep for a little time4 ,when they awoke they were filled with wonder at the change which had come over their ,lord4 ,although it was night1 they saw the face of ,jesus shining as brightly as the sun at noon1 with a dazzling glory so great that they could not bear to look upon him4 ,his clothes too were shining white and glittering4 ,not only his face1 but his hands1 his feet and even his body beamed through his garments with brightness4 ,they saw standing beside ,jesus in his splendor two men who had lived long before on the earth and were now living no more4 ,how the disciples knew them we are not told4 ,perhaps the knowledge flashed upon their minds1 given them by ,god2 or it may have been that as they listened to these two men1 they learned from their words who they were4 ,one was the great prophet ,moses1 who led the ,israelites out of ,egypt and died on ,mount ,nebo2 the other was the prophet ,elijah1 who spoke bold words to the wicked ,king ,ahab and was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire4 ,both these men had passed from earth many hundred years before4 ,as the three disciples looked and listened1 they could hear what these two prophets of the old times were saying4 ,they were talking to ,jesus about his death which was to take place at ,jerusalem4 ,so these two great men of the past knew already what ,jesus had tried to tell his disciples1 and what they were so slow to believe1 that he was soon to die6 ,peter was always eager to speak1 and he spoke now1 though he scarcely understood what his own words meant4 ,illustration3 ,mount ,hermon--the ,mount of the ,transfiguration ,master1 he said1 this is a good place for us to stay in4 ,if you are willing1 ,i will make here three tents2 one for you1 one for ,moses and one for ,elijah4 ,he thought that the two prophets1 ,moses and ,elijah1 had come back to stay upon the earth2 and that if tents were made for them1 they would live upon that mountain4 ,while ,peter was speaking a bright and glorious cloud came over them all1 over ,jesus1 over the two prophets and over the three disciples1 who were filled with fear as they found the cloud around them4 ,and a greater fear came upon them as they heard the voice of ,god out of the cloud saying3 ,this is my ,son1 the ,beloved1 in whom ,i delight4 ,listen to him6 ,and as they heard these words1 knowing that ,god had spoken them1 they fell down upon their faces in great terror4 ,jesus came to them and touched them gently1 saying3 ,rise up1 and do not be afraid4 ,then they looked up4 ,the bright cloud had passed away1 the two prophets were no longer to be seen1 and ,jesus was standing alone over them1 some of the glory still remaining upon his face4 ,as they were walking down the mountain1 ,jesus said to his three disciples1 ,peter1 ,james and ,john3 ,tell no one what you have seen this night1 until the ,son of ,man has risen from the dead4 ,so1 much as they wished to tell their fellow-disciples of this wonderful sight1 they obeyed their ,master1 and said not a word about it while ,jesus was still with them4 ,they said to ,jesus1 ,how is it that the teachers of the law say that the prophet ,elijah must come before the ,messiah-,king appears8 ,elijah does come1 answered ,jesus1 and he prepares the way for the coming of the ,king4 ,and ,i tell you that ,elijah has already come1 but the people have not known him4 ,they would not listen to him1 and have done to him as they pleased4 ,and just as it was with him1 so will it be with the ,son of ,man4 ,he shall also suffer at the hands of men4 ,then the disciples understood that ,jesus was speaking to them of ,john the ,baptist1 who like ,elijah had lived in the wilderness1 wore a mantle of skin1 and fed on desert-food1 and who1 like ,elijah1 gave ,god's message to the people1 preparing the way for the coming of ,jesus ,christ4 ,illustration3 ,as ,jesus and his three disciples came down to the village at the foot of ,mt4 ,hermon1 a man eagerly besought him to cast an evil spirit out of his son4 ,the ,boy with the ,dumb ,spirit ,,chapter #di ,,when ,,jesus and his three disciples came to the village at the foot of the mountain1 they found a great crowd gathered around the other nine disciples1 and some of the ,jewish teachers of the law1 the scribes1 talking with them very earnestly4 ,some of the glory of the last night still lingered upon the face of ,jesus1 and as the people looked upon him1 they were filled with wonder and bowed down before him4 ,out of the crowd came a man running1 whose face showed that he was in great trouble4 ,he knelt before ,jesus and cried out3 ,teacher1 ,i brought to you my son1 in whom is an evil spirit1 which has made him dumb4 ,i pray you have mercy on him1 and cure him1 for he is my only child4 ,often the spirit seizes him and dashes him down4 ,it makes him foam at the mouth and grind his teeth4 ,he is wasting away1 and ,i fear will die unless help comes to him4 ,i brought him here1 hoping to find you4 ,but you were away1 and ,i spoke to these men1 your disciples4 ,they tried to cast out the evil spirit1 but they could not4 ,now that you have come1 will you not help me8 ,o you people who will not believe1 and who turn away from ,god6 said ,jesus1 how long must ,i be with you8 ,how long must ,i have patience with you8 ,bring your boy to me4 ,they brought the boy to ,jesus2 but no sooner did the boy see him1 than the wicked spirit threw him into a spasm4 ,he fell on the ground1 his body twitching and tearing2 and rolled about1 foaming at the mouth4 ,how long has he been like this8 asked ,jesus of the boy's father4 ,ever since he was a little child1 the man answered1 and it has many times thrown him into fire and into water1 almost killing him4 ,if you can do anything1 do take pity on us both and help us4 ',if ,i can6' said ,jesus1 taking up the man's word4 ,do you not know that all things can be done for the one who believes8 ,i do believe1 cried out the father of the boy4 ,o ,master1 help my lack of faith6 ,jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering around1 and he spoke to the evil spirit4 ,deaf and dumb spirit1 he said1 ,i command you at once come out of this boy1 and never again trouble him6 ,with a loud cry1 the evil spirit threw the boy into a violent spasm of pain and then left him4 ,the boy lay on the ground1 looking like a corpse4 ,in fact1 many who were standing near1 as they saw him1 said1 ,the boy is surely dead6 ,but ,jesus took his hand1 lifting him from the ground4 ,the boy stood up and walked away well1 free from the evil spirit and able to speak4 ,when ,jesus was alone with his disciples in the house1 they asked him1 ,why was it that we could not drive out the evil spirit from the boy8 ,it was because you have so little faith4 ,i tell you that if your faith were only the size of a grain of mustard-seed1 you could say to this mountain1 ',move from this place to that1' and move it would2 for nothing would be impossible to you4 ,but he added1 ,an evil spirit of this kind is harder to drive away than most4 ,only by special prayer can it be cast out4 ,soon after this ,jesus left that place at the foot of the mountain1 and led his disciples toward the south4 ,they saw that he was now going in the direction of ,jerusalem1 and were quite sure that there he would set up his throne and kingdom4 ,but ,jesus knew what they were thinking of1 and he said to them1 ,listen carefully to my words4 ,the ,son of ,man is to be given into the hands of his enemies4 ,they shall kill him1 and three days after he has been killed1 he shall rise again to life4 ,but the disciples could not understand these words1 for they would not believe that he was to die1 and they were afraid to ask him what these sayings meant4 ,illustration3 ,the ,jordan near ,dan ,the ,last ,visit to ,capernaum ,,chapter #ej ,,while ,,jesus was passing through ,galilee for the last time1 he wished not to do in that land any more wonderful works or to give any further teachings in public4 ,he desired not to have crowds around him1 but to be alone with his disciples1 for there were many things to be told them before he should be taken away from them4 ,as they were on their way to ,capernaum1 which had been his home during the year before1 he saw that his disciples as they walked were having some dispute or quarrel4 ,he well knew what they were saying to each other1 for he knew all things2 but at the time he said nothing4 ,he came to ,capernaum1 for the first time followed by no crowd1 but with his twelve disciples only4 ,in the evening1 as they sat together in the house1 he said to them3 ,what was it that you were talking about today as we were walking on the road8 ,the disciples looked at each other1 a little ashamed1 and at first did not speak4 ,finally1 one of them said3 ,we were asking each other who of us should hold the first place in your kingdom4 ,although ,jesus had more than once told these men that he must suffer and die1 they did not believe it4 ,they saw that he was on his way toward ,jerusalem1 and like all the people who believed in him1 they thought that when he came to that city1 he would take his kingdom and rule2 and each of his disciples wanted a place for himself next the throne4 ,the first place6 answered ,jesus4 ,if any of you has the will to be first in the kingdom of heaven1 that one shall be the last of all and shall serve all the others6 ,illustration3 ,whoever will become like this little child1 shall be the greatest in the ,kingdom of ,heaven ,a little child was playing near him1 for the children were never afraid of ,jesus and loved to be with him4 ,jesus reached out his hand1 took the child in his arms and held it close to him4 ,then he said to his disciples3 ,i tell you1 unless you change your spirit and become like little children1 you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven at all6 ,whoever of you will become humble and gentle1 like this little child1 not seeking great things for himself1 that is the one who shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven4 ,and any one who helps even a little child to be one of my followers is helping me4 ,but if anyone puts a snare or stumbling-block in the way of one of these little ones1 to keep him from following me1 it would be better for that man to have a great millstone hung on his neck1 and to be thrown into the deep sea6 ,woe to the world on account of snares and hindrances1 keeping men away from ,god and from salvation6 ,there must be these snares and hindrances1 that cannot be helped2 but woe to the man who puts them in the way6 ,if your hand or your foot becomes a snare to you1 keeping you from ,god1 you must cut it off and throw it away4 ,it is better for you to enter into life a cripple1 and with only one hand1 than with two hands or two feet1 to go away to everlasting death4 ,and if your eye would lead you to forsake ,god1 pluck it out and throw it away4 ,it is better for you to be saved having only one eye1 than to be lost having two eyes4 ,i tell you1 never despise or think lightly of one of these little ones2 for ,i say to you1 their angels always see the face of my ,father who is in heaven4 ,then ,john1 one of the disciples1 said3 ,teacher1 we saw a man who is not one of your followers using your name to cast out evil spirits2 and we told him not to use your name1 since he is not with us4 ,do not forbid him1 said ,jesus1 there is no man who will do a mighty work in my name1 and be able also to speak against me4 ,whoever is not against us is for us4 ,why1 if any one will give you even a cup of water to drink1 because you belong to ,christ1 ,i tell you truly1 that man shall not fail of having a reward4 ,at that time ,jesus told his disciples how to treat those who had done them any wrong4 ,he said3 ,if your brother does wrong1 go to him and speak to him about it when you are alone with him4 ,if he listens to you1 then you have won your brother4 ,but if he will not listen1 take with you one or two others1 and talk with him again1 that there may be at least two witnesses in every case4 ,if he will not listen to these men1 speak to the church2 and if he refuses to listen to the church1 then have nothing more to do with him1 but treat him as a stranger1 as the people treat those who collect the taxes for the ,romans4 ,i tell you1 my disciples1 that whatever you forbid on earth shall be forbidden by those in heaven2 and whatever you allow on earth shall be allowed by those in heaven4 ,i tell you another thing3 if two of you shall agree on earth upon anything that they ask in prayer1 it shall be done for them by my ,father who is in heaven4 ,for where two or three have come together in my name1 ,i am there among them4 ,then ,peter came up to ,jesus and asked him a question4 ,it was this3 ,master1 how often should ,i forgive my brother when he has done me wrong8 ,shall it be as many as seven times8 ,seven times8 said ,jesus4 ,no1 ,i say1 seventy times seven6 ,for the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to have his servants pay him the debts which they owed him4 ,when he had begun to make up their accounts1 one servant was brought before him who owed him more than a million dollars4 ,he could not pay his debt1 and his master ordered that he should be sold1 and his wife and children with him1 and everything that he had1 toward the payment of his debt4 ,the servant fell down upon his face before him1 and said1 ',only have patience with me1 my lord1 and ,i will pay it all4' ,his master knew that he could never pay so great a debt2 he felt a pity for him1 and let him go free1 forgiving him all that he owed4 ,but as he was going away1 that servant met one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small debt1 only about fifteen dollars4 ,he took him by the throat1 and said1 ',pay me what you owe me6' ,the man threw himself on the ground and begged for mercy1 crying out1 ',have patience with me1 wait a little while1 and ,i will pay all that ,i owe you4' ,but he refused to have mercy2 he took him into the court and had him put into prison until he should pay the debt4 ,when the other servants saw him sending this man to prison1 they felt troubled and told the king what he had done4 ,at this the king became very angry4 ,he sent for that cruel servant and said to him1 ',you wicked servant6 ,when you asked me for mercy1 ,i gave to you all your great debt and let you go free6 ,should not you1 also1 have shown the same kindness to your fellow-servant that ,i showed to you8' ,then his master1 being very angry1 handed him over to the jailor1 to be kept in a dungeon until he should pay the whole of his debt4 ,so also will my ,father in heaven do to you1 unless you forgive your brother with all your heart4 ,while ,jesus was at this time in ,capernaum1 the officer who collected from the ,jews the tax for the ,temple came to ,peter and said3 ,does not your ,master pay the ,temple tax8 ,yes1 answered ,peter4 ,but when he went into the house1 before he could speak1 ,jesus said to him1 ,tell me1 ,simon1 from whom do the kings of this world take taxes8 ,from their sons1 or from foreigners8 ,from foreigners1 answered ,peter4 ,then their own people are free from being taxed1 are they not8 ,we are the sons of ,god1 and we should be free from the tax for the house of ,god4 ,however1 in order not to displease them1 do you go to the sea1 throw in a hook and take the first fish that comes up2 open its mouth1 and you will find in it a piece of silver money4 ,take that and give it to the tax collectors for you and me4 ,good-bye to ,galilee ,,chapter #ea ,,while ,,jesus was still in ,capernaum1 the fall of the year came on1 and with it the time drew near for the ,jewish ,feast of ,tents1 or ,feast of ,tabernacles4 ,in the ,bible1 the word tabernacles always means tents4 ,this feast was called the ,feast of the ,tents because every year the people who went up to ,jerusalem to attend it lived for a week in little tents or huts made of green branches2 to keep in mind the forty years1 long before1 when1 after coming out of ,egypt1 the ,israelites lived in the desert in tents1 moving from place to place4 ,the younger brothers of ,jesus1 the sons of ,joseph and ,mary1 heard that ,jesus was in ,capernaum2 and they came to see him4 ,at this time these brothers of ,jesus did not believe in him as their ,king and ,saviour2 although afterward they were among his followers4 ,these men said to ,jesus3 ,why do you not go to ,judea and ,jerusalem and let your disciples see there what you can do8 ,no one who wishes to be known stays in a place apart from the people4 ,since you can do these great works1 you should show yourself to the world4 ,my time1 said ,jesus1 has not come yet2 but your time is always here4 ,the world is not against you1 but it is against me1 because ,i speak against its evil deeds4 ,go yourselves up to the feast2 ,i am not going as yet up to this feast1 because my time has not yet come4 ,jesus did not wish to have as his companions at the feast men who did not believe in him1 even though they were his brothers4 ,so1 while his brothers went on to ,jerusalem1 he stayed a little longer in ,galilee4 ,before he left the city of ,capernaum he gave one last call and warning to its people and those in the cities near by4 ,he spoke to those who lived in ,chorazin1 a town only a few miles from ,capernaum2 and those in ,bethsaida1 five miles away1 at the head of the lake4 ,he said to these cities3 ,illustration3 ,christ's call to the sick and weary3 ,come unto me1 all ye who labor and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,woe unto you1 ,chorazin6 and woe to you1 ,bethsaida6 ,if the mighty works that were done in you had been done in the cities of ,tyre and ,sidon1 long before this time they would have turned from sin to ,god1 weeping in rough garments1 with ashes on their heads6 ,i tell you that when ,god comes to judge the lands1 it will be harder for ,chorazin and ,bethsaida than for ,tyre and ,sidon4 ,and you1 ,o ,capernaum1 shall you be lifted up to heaven8 ,no1 you will sink down to death4 ,for if the great works that were done in you had been done in ,sodom1 that city would have lasted until today4 ,but ,i say to you1 it will be easier for ,sodom in ,god's day of judgment than for you1 ,o ,capernaum6 ,at the same time ,jesus spoke these words also3 ,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 ,lord of heaven and earth1 for hiding these things from the wise and the learned1 and for making them known to those who are child-like in spirit4 ,yes1 ,father1 ,i praise thee that this has been the way that thou hast chosen4 ,all power has been given to me by the ,father2 and no one can fully know the ,son except the ,father2 and no one fully knows the ,father except the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will make him known4 ,come unto me1 all ye who labor and are heavy-laden with your troubles2 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take upon you the yoke that ,i bear1 and learn from me how to live2 for ,i am gentle and lowly-minded1 and you shall find rest for your souls4 ,for my yoke is easy and my load is light4 ,with these words ,jesus left ,capernaum and ,galilee for the last time4 ,illustration3 ,but one of the ten men when he found that he was a leper no longer1 stopped and praised ,god with a loud voice1 and ran to ,jesus' feet1 giving him thanks for his cure4 ,passing ,through ,samaria ,,chapter #eb ,,after ,,most of those who were going up to ,jerusalem for the ,feast of ,tents had left ,capernaum1 ,jesus began his journey with his disciples4 ,all who saw him going toward ,jerusalem1 and even his disciples1 thought that now he was surely on his way to take his throne and rule the people as king of ,israel4 ,just as they were starting1 a man who was one of the teachers of the law came to ,jesus and said3 ,master1 ,i will follow you wherever you may go4 ,he thought that by following ,jesus he might have some high place in his kingdom4 ,but ,jesus saw that this man was following him only for gain4 ,he said to him3 ,you will gain nothing by following me4 ,the foxes have holes1 and the wild birds have their nests2 but the ,son of ,man has not a place where he can lay his head4 ,to another man1 ,jesus said1 ,follow me6 ,the man answered1 ,first let me go and bury my father4 ,jesus said to this man1 ,let those who are dead bury their dead2 but do you go and spread everywhere the news of the kingdom of ,god4 ,jesus meant by this that such matters as the burial of the dead could be cared for by others1 even though they did not have a knowledge of the truth which gives life2 but ,jesus wanted this man to go at once and preach his gospel4 ,there was another man who said to ,jesus1 ,i will follow you2 but let me first go and say 'good-bye' to my friends at my home4 ,whoever looks back1 answered ,jesus1 after he has put his hand to the plough is of no use for the kingdom of ,god4 ,for his work ,jesus wanted men who were single-hearted1 giving up all1 that they might follow and serve him4 ,on this journey to ,jerusalem ,jesus did not take the road down the ,jordan valley1 the way usually followed4 ,he made up his mind this time to go through ,samaria1 perhaps because he did not wish to have a crowd of people with him1 and few of the ,jews went to ,jerusalem by way of ,samaria4 ,as he drew near a ,samaritan village1 he sent some of his disciples to find in it a lodging place4 ,but the ,samaritan people would not allow ,jesus and his disciples to come into their village1 because they saw that they were ,jews on their way to ,jerusalem4 ,the ,samaritans and the ,jews hated each other and would not show kindness to one another4 ,james and ,john1 two of the disciples1 were exceedingly angry at these people1 who would shut out their ,master4 ,they said to him3 ,lord1 shall we call down fire from heaven1 as the prophet ,elijah did1 and burn up that wicked village8 ,but ,jesus said to them1 ,your spirit is not right4 ,i did not come to destroy the lives of men1 but to save them4 ,let us go to some other village4 ,while he was still on the border of ,galilee and ,samaria1 as he was going into a village1 he met ten men who had the terrible disease of leprosy4 ,they stood at a distance1 for lepers were not allowed to come near people2 and they cried aloud1 saying3 ,jesus1 ,master1 have mercy on us6 ,go1 answered ,jesus1 and show yourselves to the priests4 ,in the ,temple was a room where a man went who had any disease like leprosy1 with a breaking out upon his skin4 ,at this room he was kept for a time2 and if it was found that his disease was not leprosy1 after certain offerings and washings1 he was allowed to go home and be among men4 ,these men started for their ,temple2 those who were ,jews for the ,temple in ,jerusalem1 any that were ,samaritans for their ,temple on ,mount ,gerizim1 near the city of ,shechem4 ,as they went1 and by going showed their faith in ,jesus1 they found all at once that their leprosy was gone and they were entirely well4 ,nine of these ten men1 after they were cured1 went on their way toward the ,temple4 ,but one of them1 when he found that he was a leper no longer1 stopped with a loud voice praised ,god2 and ran to ,jesus' feet and fell on his face before him1 giving him thanks for his cure4 ,this man was a ,samaritan4 ,were there not ten men cured8 said ,jesus4 ,but where are the nine8 ,was there only one to turn back and give thanks to ,god1 and that one a stranger8 ,and ,jesus said to this grateful ,samaritan1 ,rise up1 and go your way2 your faith has made you well4 ,illustration3 ,the priest and the ,levite walked past on the other side1 but the ,samaritan felt a pity for the poor man lying in the road and came down and poured oil on his wounds and bandaged them4 ,the ,scribe's ,question2 and ,mary's ,choice ,,chapter #ec ,,while ,,jesus was on his way to ,jerusalem one of the teachers of the law--whom the ,jews called scribes--came to him with a question4 ,these ,jewish scribes were everywhere enemies of ,jesus1 and were continually asking him questions1 not that they might learn1 but that in some way they might give him trouble4 ,this scribe said to ,jesus1 ,teacher1 what shall ,i do that ,i may have the life everlasting8 ,what is said in ,god's law8 answered ,jesus4 ,what do you read there8 ,he answered1 ,you must love the ,lord your ,god with all your heart1 with all your soul1 with all your strength1 and with all your mind2 and you must love your neighbor as yourself4 ,that is a right answer1 said ,jesus2 do that and you shall live4 ,but the scribe1 wishing to make an excuse for himself1 and thinking to puzzle ,jesus1 said1 ,but who is my neighbor8 ,then ,jesus told to this man the parable or story of ,the ,good ,samaritan4 ,there was once a man1 said ,jesus1 who was going down by a lonely road from ,jerusalem to ,jericho4 ,the robbers who hide among the mountains in that region rushed at this man1 stripped him of everything1 and beat him near to death2 then ran away and left him almost dead on the roadside4 ,it happened that a priest was going down the same road4 ,he saw the man lying there1 but instead of coming to help him1 walked past him on the other side of the road4 ,then a ,levite1 one of those who help the priests in the services of the ,temple1 came to that place2 and he too went by on the other side1 carefully keeping away from the suffering man4 ,but soon after1 a ,samaritan1 one of those people whom all the ,jews hate and despise1 came down the same road4 ,this man1 when he found the poor man lying in the road1 got off from the ass on which he was riding and stood over the man4 ,he felt a pity for the sufferer and put bandages on his wounds1 after pouring into them a little oil and wine4 ,then he lifted up the man and carefully placed him on his own ass1 and walking by his side1 brought him to an inn and cared for him all that night4 ,on the next morning he took out from his purse two pieces of silver1 handed them to the inn-keeper and said to him1 ',look after this man until he is well2 and if you spend more than this1 ,i will repay it to you when ,i come this way again4' ,now1 asked ,jesus1 which one of these three men1 the priest1 the ,levite and the ,samaritan1 do you think showed himself a true neighbor to the poor fellow who fell among the robbers8 ,the scribe answered1 ,the one who showed kindness to him4 ,jesus said to him1 ,then go and do as this man did4 ,he meant to show the scribe that our neighbor is the one who most needs our help1 whoever he may be4 ,illustration3 ,martha1 ,martha1 replied the ,lord1 you are anxious and troubled about a great many things4 ,when ,jesus drew near to ,jerusalem1 he did not at once enter the city and find a lodging place within its walls1 for he knew well that it was filled with his enemies2 and that the priests and rulers would try to seize him and put him to death4 ,he expected after some months to die at ,jerusalem1 as he had so many times told his disciples--although they could not believe it--but the time for his death had not yet come4 ,for a home while attending the ,feast of ,tents1 he went to a village about two miles from ,jerusalem1 on the east of the ,mount of ,olives4 ,this village was called ,bethany1 and in it was living a family all of whom were strong friends of ,jesus3 ,martha1 her sister ,mary and their younger brother ,lazarus4 ,with this family he stayed while he was visiting ,jerusalem4 ,martha was the older sister and the head of the house4 ,she gave ,jesus a hearty welcome and made herself busy in attending to his needs4 ,but ,mary1 her younger sister1 left everything and seated herself at the feet of the ,lord1 eager to listen to his words4 ,martha1 somewhat worried by her many cares1 especially in making ready a dinner for ,jesus1 was not pleased at her sister's conduct4 ,she came to ,jesus and said3 ,lord1 do you think it right for my sister to leave all the work to me8 ,tell her to help me4 ,martha1 ,martha1 replied the ,lord1 you are anxious and trouble yourself about a great many things4 ,only one thing is really needful4 ,mary has chosen the best dish1 and she will not be dragged away from it4 ,jesus meant to say that ,martha need not prepare a dinner with many dishes1 for he needed only a simple meal2 and that ,mary had chosen well instead of food the words that he was speaking1 which were really a feast to her soul4 ,at one time ,jesus was praying in a certain place4 ,it may have been on the ,mount of ,olives1 between ,bethany and ,jerusalem1 for ,jesus went there often to pray4 ,when his prayer was over1 the disciples came to him and said3 ,master1 ,john the ,baptist taught his disciples how to pray4 ,will you not also give us a prayer that we may use8 ,jesus said to them1 ,i will give you this prayer4 ,when you pray1 say1 ',our ,father1 who art in heaven2 ,hallowed be thy name4 ,thy ,kingdom come4 ,thy will be done in earth1 as it is in heaven4 ,give us day by day our daily bread4 ,and forgive us our debts1 as we forgive our debtors4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 but deliver us from evil4 ,for thine is the kingdom1 and the power1 and the glory1 for ever and forever4 ,amen4' ,jesus also gave to his disciples a parable or story about earnestness in prayer4 ,he said3 ,suppose that one of you who has a friend should go to his house in the middle of the night1 and should knock at his door loud enough to wake him from his sleep1 and should say to him1 ',friend1 please do get up and let me have three loaves of bread6 ,a friend of mine has suddenly come to my house and ,i have nothing for him to eat2' and suppose the other should answer him from inside the door1 ',don't bother me2 the door is locked and ,i am in bed with my children4 ,i can't get up and give you anything6' ,i tell you1 though he will not get up and give you anything merely because you are a friend of his1 if you keep on knocking long enough1 he will at last rise and give you whatever you want1 because you persevere in seeking after it4 ,so1 ,i say to you3 ask1 and the gift shall be yours2 seek1 and you shall find2 knock1 and the door will be opened to you4 ,for every one who asks1 receives2 he that seeks1 finds2 and to him that knocks1 the door shall be opened4 ,is there a father among you1 who if his son asks for bread1 will give him a stone8 ,if he is asked for a fish1 will he give his son a snake8 ,or1 if asked for an egg1 will he give him a scorpion8 ,if you then1 even not as good as you should be1 are willing to give good things to your children1 how much more will your ,father in heaven give this ,holy ,spirit to his children that ask him8 ,illustration3 ,this massive ancient wall is known as the ,wailing ,place4 ,here the ,jews of ,jerusalem come to mourn over the splendor of ,israel that is no more ,jesus at the ,feast of ,tents ,,chapter #ed ,,at ,,the ,,time when ,jesus came to ,jerusalem1 the ,feast of ,tents was half over4 ,many had been looking for him1 for all through the land he was talked about4 ,at the ,feast the people were saying1 ,where is he8 ,has he come up to the ,feast8 ,some said1 ,he is a good man4 ,others said1 ,no1 he cannot be a good man1 for he is leading the people away from the law of ,moses4 ,but no one spoke freely about him1 for fear of the rulers and the people of ,jerusalem whose minds had been set against ,jesus by the priests and the scribes or teachers of the law4 ,from his home in ,bethany at ,martha's house1 ,jesus came quietly into the ,temple and began teaching the people who gathered there during the ,feast1 going out at evening to ,bethany4 ,all who heard him wondered at his words1 and every day the crowds around him grew4 ,people said to each other1 ,how did this man get all his knowledge8 ,he has never studied in the college of the scribes4 ,my teaching1 said ,jesus in answer1 is not my own2 but it comes from ,him who sent me4 ,any one who chooses to do ,god's will1 will know whether ,i speak in ,god's name1 or whether ,i am talking in my own name4 ,did not ,moses give you the law8 ,yet none of you honestly tries to keep the law4 ,if you did try to keep the law1 you would not try to kill me6 ,the crowd replied to ,jesus1 ,you are crazy6 ,who is trying to kill you8 ,but ,jesus knew that he was speaking the truth1 for he knew what was in the minds of the rulers and of many in ,jerusalem4 ,he said to the crowd3 ,i will be with you only a little longer1 and then ,i am going to him who sent me4 ,you will look for me1 but you will not find me1 and where ,i am going1 you cannot come4 ,where is this man going1 said the ,jews1 that we cannot find him8 ,is he going among our people in foreign lands1 to teach the foreigners8 ,what does he mean by words like these8 ,jesus meant that after they should kill him and he should rise from the tomb and live again1 he was going back to his home in heaven1 a place to which they could never come4 ,illustration3 ,if any man thirst1 let him come unto me and drink ,the last and greatest day of the ,feast of ,tents came4 ,on that day they brought water into the ,temple and poured it out1 amid great rejoicing2 calling to mind how ,god had given water from the rock to the ,israelites in the desert4 ,in the midst of the pouring out of the water1 ,jesus cried with a very loud voice1 so that all heard him3 ,if any one is thirsty1 he said1 let him come to me and drink6 ,he who believes in me1 out of him shall flow rivers of living water6 ,some of the people1 when they heard this1 said1 ,this must be really the ,prophet who is to come6 ,others said1 ,this is the ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel6 ,but there were those who said1 ,no1 this cannot be ,christ the ,king1 for this man comes from ,galilee1 and the ,bible says that ,christ is to come from the line of ,king ,david and from ,david's town of ,bethlehem4 ,these people knew that ,jesus came to them from ,galilee1 but they did not know that he had been born in ,bethlehem and belonged to the royal line of ,david4 ,they were divided over ,jesus3 some thought that he was their promised king1 while others wanted to seize him as a teacher of falsehood4 ,the rulers sent out officers to make him their prisoner1 but somehow no man dared to lay hands upon him4 ,when the officers came back to the chief priests and leading men1 they were asked1 ,why did you not bring this man with you8 ,the officers answered1 ,no man ever spoke as this man speaks6 ,what6 has this man led you astray1 too8 said the rulers4 ,have any of the leading men1 or the ,pharisees1 believed in him8 ,as for this crowd who know nothing of the law1 they are of no account6 ,nicodemus1 that one of the rulers who a year before had come by night to talk with ,jesus1 said to them3 ,surely our law does not allow any man to be treated as guilty before hearing what he has to say and finding out what he has done6 ,are you too from ,galilee1 like all the followers of this man8 they answered him4 ,search1 and you will find that no prophet ever comes from ,galilee4 ,in the evening all the people went to their homes1 and ,jesus went over the ,mount of ,olives to his friends at ,bethany4 ,illustration3 ,view of ,bethany ,jesus and the ,sinful ,woman ,,chapter #ee ,,after ,,the ,feast of ,tents ,jesus stayed near ,jerusalem1 making his home in ,bethany1 for nearly two months1 until another feast came1 the ,feast of the ,dedication of the ,temple4 ,about two hundred years before that time1 the ,temple had been held by enemies1 who had stopped the services1 had set up images in the building and had done many things to make it vile4 ,at last the enemies were driven away2 and then the ,jews made the ,temple clean again1 destroyed the images and began once more the regular service4 ,after this1 every year they kept the day of the reopening of the ,temple as ,the ,feast of the ,dedication4 ,at this feast the ,temple was lighted up every night very brightly1 and on that account the feast was also called ,the ,feast of ,lights4 ,during the days of his stay1 ,jesus went often to the ,temple and sat down in a room called ,the ,court of the ,women1 because on one side of it was a gallery where the women worshipped1 looking down on the services at the altar4 ,it was also called ,the ,treasury on account of the gift-boxes on its walls1 where people dropped in their money for the poor and for the support of the ,temple4 ,in this court1 which was very large1 and open to the sky1 without a roof1 the ,jewish teachers held their classes for the study of the law2 and many came to ,jesus to listen to his words4 ,illustration3 ,jesus replied to the accusers of the sinful woman3 ,let the one among you who has never done wrong throw the first stone at her4 ,one morning the teaching of ,jesus was interrupted by a noise in the court4 ,some of the scribes and ,pharisees1 who were enemies of ,jesus1 planned to get him into trouble with the ,roman rulers4 ,they came1 dragging in a poor woman who had done a wicked deed2 and bringing her forward directly in front of ,jesus4 ,teacher1 they said1 this woman was caught in a wicked act4 ,now1 ,moses in the law commands that any person committing that crime shall be stoned to death2 but what do you say should be done with her8 ,jesus very well knew that they had brought this question to him hoping1 whatever he said1 to make trouble for him4 ,if he should say1 ,let her go free1 they would declare that ,jesus was a breaker of the law and cared nothing for crimes4 ,if1 on the other hand1 he said1 ,let her be punished1 they could say to the ,roman rulers1 ,this man is acting as a judge and claims to be the ,king of ,israel2 and this might cause the ,romans to put him to death4 ,so1 whatever ,jesus might say1 they could find some reason to accuse him4 ,but ,jesus seemed to pay no attention to their words4 ,he stooped down1 and began to write with his finger on the floor4 ,but as they kept on asking him the same question1 finally he rose up1 looked his enemies full in the face1 and said3 ,let the one among you who has never done wrong throw the first stone at her4 ,then he stooped down again and continued writing with his finger4 ,they stood silent for some time and then began quietly to go away1 the oldest men first and the younger men later4 ,after a while1 ,jesus looked up and saw the woman standing alone before him4 ,he rose up and said3 ,woman1 where are those men8 ,does no man say that you are guilty8 ,she answered him1 ,no man1 ,lord4 ,jesus said to her1 ,neither do ,i call you guilty4 ,go away1 and never sin again4 ,then ,jesus went on with his teaching1 which had been stopped by the bringing in of the woman by his enemies4 ,he said3 ,i am the light of the whole world4 ,he who follows me and obeys my words will not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life4 ,many other things ,jesus said to the people at that time2 and some of those who heard him began to believe that he was a teacher come from ,god4 ,to those who believed1 he said3 ,if you stand faithful to my words1 you are truly my followers2 and you shall understand the truth1 and the truth shall make you free4 ,illustration3 ,i am the light of the whole world4 ,he who follows me and obeys my words will not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life ,what do you mean by those words1 ',you shall be made free'8 said the people4 ,we are sprung from ,abraham1 and have never been slaves4 ,how can we be made free8 ,in very truth1 ,i tell you1 answered ,jesus1 every one who sins is a slave4 ,now the slave does not stay in the home always1 but the son stays1 for it is his home1 and he has a right to be there4 ,so1 if the ,son of the heavenly ,father sets you free from sin1 you will be free indeed4 ,as ,jesus went on speaking1 the people who listened became very angry4 ,at last he said3 ,your great father ,abraham longed to see the day when ,i should come to the earth2 and he saw it coming1 and it made him glad4 ,why1 the ,jews said1 you are not fifty years old1 and do you say that ,abraham saw you8 ,i tell you truly1 answered ,jesus1 before ,abraham was born1 ,i was living6 ,at this1 they picked up stones to throw at him2 but ,jesus hid himself from them and left the ,temple4 ,illustration3 ,the so-called tower of ,david in ,jerusalem ,the ,blind ,man at the ,pool of ,siloam ,,chapter #ef ,,on ,a ,,sabbath morning1 which was not ,sunday1 but ,saturday1 the ,jewish day of rest and church-going--,jesus and his disciples were on their way to the service in the ,temple1 when they passed a blind man4 ,they had seen this man before and knew that he had been blind all his life4 ,he had come into the world without eyesight1 to the great sorrow of his father and mother2 and he lived upon the little coins that people gave him as they were on their way to the ,temple4 ,the ,jews believed that every disease was caused by some act of sin2 that if a man became ill1 it was because he had done some wicked deed and was being punished for it2 and if a child was born blind1 or dumb1 or crippled1 it must have been because either its father or mother had sinned against ,god's law4 ,some of the scribes1 who were the teachers of the law1 said that each soul lived many times on the earth2 that when a man died1 his soul went into a body that was born at that moment2 and if the new-born baby was blind1 or diseased1 it was because it had done wrong in some life before that one4 ,none of these things are believed now since ,christ has taught men1 but they were held by nearly all people while ,jesus was on the earth4 ,as the disciples were passing by this blind man1 one of them said to ,jesus3 ,teacher1 whose sin was it that caused this man to be born blind8 ,was it the fault of his parents8 ,or was it his own fault8 ,it was through no fault of his1 nor of his father or mother that this man was born blind1 answered ,jesus4 ,it was that ,god might show a wonderful work in him4 ,while daylight lasts1 we must be doing ,god's work2 the night will soon come when we can work no longer4 ,as long as ,i am in the world ,i am the light of the world1 and give light to men4 ,as he said this1 he spat on the ground and mixed the spittle with dust1 making it into mud1 and smeared it on the man's eyes4 ,he said to the blind man3 ,now1 go down to the pool of ,siloam and wash4 ,illustration3 ,the ,pool of ,siloam at the present time ,the pool of ,siloam was a large tank or reservoir on the southeast of the city1 where the valley of the brook ,kedron and the valley of ,hinnom meet4 ,to go to that place the blind man with two great blotches of mud on his face must walk across the city of ,jerusalem1 passing all the crowds on their way to worship4 ,he went down to the pool of ,siloam1 climbed down its steps to the water and washed the mud from his face4 ,in a moment his white1 sightless eyes flashed with a new light4 ,he looked up1 and for the first time in all his life he could see6 ,as he went to his father's house1 everybody who saw him noticed how differently he looked4 ,all had known him as a blind man1 groping his way to the place where he used to sit as a beggar4 ,the people asked each other3 ,is this the same blind man that begged in the street8 ,some said1 ,yes1 this is the same man4 ,but others said1 ,no1 this cannot be the man2 but he is one who looks somewhat like him4 ,he said1 ,i am the same man4 ,then how did you get your sight8 they asked4 ,the man whom they call ,jesus1 he answered1 made some mud and put it on my eyes1 and said1 ',go to ,siloam and wash your eyes4' ,so ,i went and washed them2 and my sight came to me4 ,where is this man who cured you8 they asked4 ,i do not know1 he answered4 ,they took the man who had been blind to the ,pharisees1 who were the leaders of the people4 ,we have seen that the ,pharisees were always enemies to ,jesus4 ,so the ,pharisees asked him to tell again how he had gained his sight2 and he told them3 ,the man named ,jesus smeared some mud on my eyes1 and ,i washed them1 and now ,i can see4 ,some of the ,pharisees said1 ,this man ,jesus cannot be from ,god1 because he does not keep the ,sabbath4 ,the scribes had made a rule that mixing up mud on the ,sabbath day was working2 that carrying it from one place to another was bearing a load2 and that to give any treatment to a sick man on the ,sabbath1 unless it was necessary to save his life1 was ,sabbath breaking4 ,so to their eyes1 ,jesus in curing the blind man had broken the ,sabbath rules in more than one way4 ,but some others said1 ,how can a bad man do such wonderful works8 ,is not this work of cure a sign that ,god is with him8 ,so there were two parties among them in their opinion about ,jesus4 ,they asked the blind man again3 ,what do you say of this man who has opened your eyes8 ,i say that he is a prophet from ,god1 answered the man4 ,many of the ,jews1 however1 would not believe that this man had been born blind and had gained his sight1 until they sent for his father and mother4 ,is this your son1 they asked1 the son you say was born blind8 ,how is it that now he can see8 ,this is our son1 his parents answered1 and he was born blind2 of that we are sure4 ,but how it is that he can see now1 we do not know1 nor do we know who opened his eyes4 ,ask him--he is old enough--he can speak for himself4 ,his parents spoke in this way because they were afraid of the ,jews1 for the rulers had agreed that any one who said that ,jesus was the ,christ should be turned out of the church4 ,that was why they had said1 ,he is old enough2 ask him4 ,so the ,pharisees again sent for the man who had been blind1 and said to him3 ,give ,god all the praise for your sight2 we know that this ,jesus is a bad man4 ,i know nothing about his being a bad man2 one thing ,i do know1 that once ,i was blind1 and now ,i can see4 ,what did he do to you8 they asked4 ,how did he open your eyes8 ,i have told you all about it already1 he replied1 and it seems you do not listen4 ,why do you want to hear it again8 ,do you intend to be his disciples8 ,then they were in a rage at him1 and said1 ,you may be his disciple1 but we are disciples of ,moses1 and we obey his laws4 ,we know that ,god spoke to ,moses1 but we do not know where this fellow comes from6 ,well1 this is very strange6 answered the man4 ,you do not know where he comes from2 and yet he has opened my eyes4 ,we know that ,god does not listen to bad men2 but if any man is ,god-fearing1 and does ,god's will1 that man ,god will hear4 ,since the world began1 no one ever heard before of a man that could open the eyes of one born blind4 ,if this ,jesus were not of ,god1 he could do nothing4 ,are you trying to teach us8 they answered4 ,you1 who were born a sinner8 ,then they turned him out of the church2 they forbade him to sit in the meetings or to go into the ,temple2 and after that none of them would so much as speak to him4 ,jesus heard that he had been put out of the church2 he sought him out1 and when he had found him1 he asked3 ,do you believe in the ,son of ,man8 ,tell me who he is1 said the man1 and ,i will believe in him4 ,you have seen him1 answered ,jesus1 and it is he who is now speaking to you4 ,the man said1 ,i do believe1 ,lord1 and he fell on his face before him4 ,and ,jesus said1 ,i came into the world to put men to this test1 in order that those who cannot see1 and know they are blind as this man was1 might be made to see2 and that those who think they can see should remain blind4 ,some of the ,pharisees who heard this knew that it was a rebuke to them1 because they failed to see in ,jesus one sent from ,god4 ,they said3 ,then are we blind1 too6 ,if you were really blind1 said ,jesus1 you would have no sin to answer for2 but as it is1 you say1 ',we can see1' and so your sin remains against you4 ,again the ,jews were divided over the words of ,jesus4 ,some said1 ,he is crazy6 ,why listen to him8 ,but others said1 ,these are not the words of a crazy man4 ,can a man who is crazy open the eyes of a blind man8 ,illustration3 ,the modern village of ,siloam ,the ,good ,shepherd ,,chapter #eg ,,at ,,the ,,side of the ,temple buildings toward the east stood a long balcony or archway1 roofed over1 with a row of pillars on each side4 ,it was called ,solomon's ,porch4 ,on the eastern side it looked over the valley of the brook ,kedron1 and beyond the valley to the ,mount of ,olives4 ,in the west it fronted on the great court of the ,gentiles4 ,this porch was about a thousand feet long4 ,at the time of the ,feast of the ,dedication1 it was winter1 and ,jesus was walking with his disciples in this porch4 ,the ,jews gathered around him and asked3 ,how long are you going to keep our minds in uncertainty8 ,if you are really the ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel foretold by the prophets of old1 tell us plainly4 ,i have already told you1 answered ,jesus1 and you do not believe me4 ,the works that ,i do in the name of my ,father1 they speak for me2 but you do not listen because you do not belong to my flock4 ,my sheep listen to my voice2 ,i know them1 and they follow me2 and ,i give to them the life everlasting2 and they shall not be lost1 and no one will ever snatch them out of my hands4 ,my ,father who has given them to me is stronger than all2 and no one can snatch anything out of my ,father's hand4 ,then ,jesus gave the parable or story of ,the ,good ,shepherd4 ,he said3 ,i tell you in truth1 whoever does not go into the sheepfold through the door1 but climbs up somewhere else1 that man is a thief and a robber4 ,but the man who goes through the door is a shepherd of the sheep4 ,the watchman opens the door for him2 and the sheep listen to his voice4 ,he calls his own sheep by their names1 for he knows each one of them1 and leads them out4 ,when he has brought all his sheep outside1 he walks in front of them2 and his sheep follow him1 for they know his voice4 ,when a stranger speaks to them1 they will not follow him1 but will run away from him1 for they do not know a stranger's voice4 ,jesus spoke to them this parable1 but they did not understand its meaning4 ,so he explained it to them4 ,in truth ,i tell you1 he said1 ,i am the ,door for the sheep4 ,all who ever came before me and not in my name1 were thieves and robbers1 but the sheep would not listen to them4 ,i am the ,door1 whoever enters by me will be safe2 and he shall go in and out and find pasture4 ,the thief comes only to kill and to destroy4 ,i have come that they may have life and have it to the full4 ,illustration3 ,eastern sheepfold ,i am not only the ,door1 but also the ,good ,shepherd4 ,the ,good ,shepherd lays down his own life for his sheep4 ,the hired man1 who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep1 when he sees a wolf coming1 runs away and leaves the sheep4 ,then the wolf tears them and scatters the flock4 ,the hired man does this1 just because he is only a hired man1 and does not care about the sheep4 ,i am the ,good ,shepherd2 ,i know my sheep1 and my sheep know me--just as the ,father knows me1 and ,i know the ,father--and ,i lay down my life for the sheep4 ,i have other sheep1 too1 which do not belong to this fold2 these also ,i must lead1 and they will listen to my voice2 and so it will be one flock and one ,shepherd4 ,on this account my ,father loves me because ,i lay down my life1 to take it up again4 ,no one took it from me1 but ,i lay it down of myself4 ,i have power to lay it down1 and ,i have power to take it up again4 ,this is the command which my ,father has given me4 ,i and my ,father are one4 ,illustration3 ,the ,good ,shepherd ,suddenly1 as he spoke these words1 the ,jews began again to pick up stones to throw at him4 ,jesus said to them3 ,i have done many good works of ,god4 ,for which of these works would you now stone me8 ,the ,jews answered1 ,it is not for any good work that we would stone you1 but for those dreadful words1 words that would make you1 a mere man1 to be ,god6 ,jesus answered1 ,is it not written in your law1 ',i said1 you are gods'8 ,if the law calls those 'gods' to whom ,god spoke his word--and ,god's book must speak the truth--then why is it such a terrible thing for one whom ,god has set apart and sent into the world as his messenger1 to say of himself ',i am ,god's ,son'8 ,if ,i am not doing the work of my ,father1 do not believe me2 but if ,i am doing it1 even though you will not believe me1 believe what my work shows4 ,then you will learn and understand that the ,father is in me and ,i am in the ,father4 ,once again they tried to seize him1 but he escaped from their hands and went away from ,jerusalem4 ,illustration3 ,jerusalem from the north ,sending ,out the ,seventy ,,chapter #eh ,,after ,,leaving ,jerusalem1 at the time of the ,feast of the ,dedication1 ,jesus went across the ,jordan1 and followed the river upward to the place twelve or thirteen miles below the ,sea of ,galilee2 the place where he had been baptized by ,john1 and where soon after his baptism he found his earliest followers4 ,this place was called by two names1 ,bethabara1 which means1 the town of the ford1 that is where one could wade across the river2 and ,bethany beyond ,jordan1 to keep it distinct from the other ,bethany near ,jerusalem1 where ,martha and ,mary lived4 ,the twelve disciples were with ,jesus at ,bethabara1 and some who came with him from ,jerusalem and ,judea4 ,also when the news went abroad in ,galilee that ,jesus was at this place1 many more hastened to meet him2 so that soon a large number of his followers gathered around him4 ,jesus was now near the border of the land on the east of the ,jordan1 known as ,perea4 ,this word means beyond1 and the land was so named because it was beyond the ,jordan from ,judea4 ,jesus had never visited this land1 although he had preached in every other part of the country2 in ,judea on the south2 in ,galilee on the north2 in ,decapolis on the northeast2 and even in ,samaria1 where the people were not ,jews but ,samaritans4 ,he made up his mind now to go through ,perea preaching1 as he had preached in all the other parts of the land4 ,but in ,perea1 his time must be short1 because now only three months remained before the ,feast of the ,passover1 and at that time he must be in ,jerusalem4 ,in order to make the people of ,perea ready for his coming1 and to bring together as many as possible to hear him1 he chose the places in that land to be visited4 ,then he called seventy men from among his followers1 and sent them by two and two to these cities and the villages around them1 to preach to the people and tell them that ,jesus was soon to come among them4 ,to these seventy preachers1 ,jesus gave the same commands that he had given to the ,twelve some months before1 when he sent them out to preach in ,galilee4 ,he said3 ,do not take with you a purse of money1 or a bag for food1 or an extra pair of sandals4 ,do not stop to give greetings to any who meet you on the road4 ,wherever you go into a house1 first say1 ',may peace be to this house6' ,then if one is there who is in the spirit of peace1 your peace will rest upon him2 otherwise it will come back to you4 ,stay at that same house while you are in that city1 and eat and drink whatever they offer you1 for the workman has a right to his wages4 ,do not move around from one house to another4 ,whatever town you visit1 if the people give you welcome1 eat what is given you2 cure those that are sick2 and be sure to say to the people everywhere1 ',the kingdom of ,god is coming very soon4' ,but whatever town you visit1 if the people will not receive you nor listen to your message1 go out into the streets of that place and cry aloud1 ',the very dust of your city that clings to our feet we wipe off as a sign against you2 but be sure of this1 that the kingdom of ,god is coming to you soon4' ,i tell you that in ,god's day when he will judge men1 the punishment of ,sodom will be easier to bear than the punishment of that town6 ,the seventy men went out from ,bethabara1 going in pairs1 two men together1 making thirty-five pairs4 ,they visited all the cities and villages in the country of ,perea to which ,jesus had sent them1 the places which he was expecting to visit later2 gave to the people the message of ,jesus1 that the kingdom of ,god was soon to appear1 and thus aroused the people everywhere to an interest in the coming of ,jesus4 ,their errand was finished in a few weeks1 for thirty-five pairs of men could soon visit many places2 and when they came again to ,bethabara1 they found ,jesus still there4 ,they told ,jesus what places they had visited and how they had wrought many cures in his name and through the power which he had given them4 ,with great joy they said to ,jesus3 ,master1 even the evil spirits obey us when we use your name6 ,and ,jesus answered them1 ,yes1 ,i have seen ,satan1 the chief of the evil spirits1 fall from heaven like a flash of lightning from the sky4 ,remember1 ,i have given you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions1 and to trample under your feet all the power of the enemy2 nothing shall in any way do you any harm4 ,only1 do not rejoice merely because the evil spirits submit to you2 but rejoice more because your names are written in heaven as the children of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,a scorpion ,while ,jesus was at ,bethabara1 many people came to see him and to hear his words4 ,as this was one of the places where ,john the ,baptist had preached three years before1 they compared ,jesus with ,john1 and many of them said3 ,john the ,baptist never gave any wonderful works as signs that ,god had sent him2 but he spoke about this man2 and all that he ever said of this man was the truth4 ,and while ,jesus was at ,bethabara many people believed in him and became his followers4 ,lazarus ,called ,out of ,his ,tomb ,,chapter #ei ,,while ,,jesus was still at ,bethabara1 and expecting soon to begin his journey through ,perea1 news came to him which led him for a time to change his plans4 ,at ,bethany1 near ,jerusalem1 as you remember1 were living his dear friends1 ,martha and ,mary and ,lazarus4 ,the two sisters sent to ,jesus at ,bethabara the word3 ,lord1 your friend ,lazarus is very ill4 ,they did not ask ,jesus to come and cure ,lazarus1 but they hoped that he might come1 although it would call for a journey sixty miles from ,bethabara to ,bethany4 ,but ,jesus did not at once go to the sick man4 ,he said3 ,this sickness is not to end in his death2 the end of it will be to give glory to ,god and to the ,son of ,god4 ,jesus loved ,martha and ,mary and ,lazarus4 ,yet1 when he heard that ,lazarus was very ill1 he stayed two days longer at ,bethabara4 ,then1 after that1 he said to his disciples1 ,let us go again to ,judea4 ,at this the disciples were greatly surprised4 ,they said to him1 ,why1 ,master1 only a little while ago the men of ,judea were trying to stone you4 ,is it safe for you to go there again8 ,are there not twelve hours in the day8 answered ,jesus4 ,if a man walks about through the day1 he does not stumble1 because he can have the light of the sun2 but if he walks at night1 he does stumble1 because he has no light4 ,illustration3 ,with a loud voice1 ,jesus called3 ,lazarus6 ,come out6 ,and out from the tomb came the man who had been dead4 ,then he added1 ,our friend ,lazarus has fallen asleep2 ,i am going to wake him4 ,if he has fallen asleep1 ,master1 said the disciples1 he will get well4 ,they thought that ,jesus was speaking of taking rest in sleep1 which would show that a fever was passing away2 but ,jesus meant that ,lazarus was in the sleep of death4 ,then he told them in plain words3 ,lazarus is dead2 and on your account ,i am glad that ,i was not there2 for now you will learn to believe in me more fully4 ,come1 now1 let us go to him4 ,illustration3 ,bethany1 where ,martha1 ,mary and ,lazarus lived4 ,at this1 ,thomas1 one of his twelve disciples1 who was also called ,didymus1 a word meaning ,the ,twin1 said to his fellow disciples3 ,let us go too2 and if he dies1 we will die with him4 ,so from ,bethabara they went again to ,bethany1 two miles from ,jerusalem2 a journey of about sixty miles4 ,when ,jesus came to ,bethany1 he found that ,lazarus had been already four days in the tomb4 ,in the house with ,martha and ,mary were a number of their friends who had come to show their sympathy with the sisters by weeping with them over their brother's death4 ,someone went into the room and told ,martha that ,jesus was coming1 and was near the village4 ,she rose up quietly and hastened to meet ,jesus1 while ,mary sat still in the room4 ,when ,martha saw ,jesus1 she said to him mournfully3 ,lord1 if you had been here1 my brother would not have died4 ,and even now1 ,i know that whatever you ask of ,god1 he will give it to you4 ,your brother shall rise to life again1 said ,jesus4 ,i know that he will rise again1 said ,martha1 when all the dead shall be raised up1 at the last day4 ,i1 myself1 said ,jesus1 am the one who raises the dead to life4 ,he who believes in me shall live again1 even if he dies2 and he who lives believing in me shall never die4 ,do you believe that8 ,yes1 ,lord1 she said1 ,i do believe that you are the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 who was promised to come into the world4 ,after saying this1 ,martha went again to the house1 leaving ,jesus still outside the village4 ,she whispered to her sister ,mary3 ,the ,master is here1 and he has asked for you4 ,on hearing this1 ,mary rose in haste and went to the place where ,jesus was4 ,the friends who were with her1 seeing her go out of the house1 thought that she was going to the tomb1 to weep there1 and they followed her1 to weep with her4 ,it was the custom in that land1 and still is the custom1 for those who had lost a friend1 to meet at his grave1 day after day1 and there to mourn for him4 ,but ,mary did not go to her brother's tomb4 ,she went to ,jesus1 who was still at the place where ,martha had met him2 and threw herself at his feet1 saying1 as her sister had said before3 ,o ,master6 if only you had been here1 my brother would not have died6 ,when ,jesus saw her wailing1 and saw the friends with her wailing1 he too was troubled and greatly distressed4 ,where have you laid him1 he asked4 ,come and see1 ,master1 they answered4 ,jesus now began to weep1 in feeling for the two sisters4 ,how he must have loved him6 said the ,jews to each other4 ,but some of them said3 ,could not this man1 who gave sight to a blind man1 have kept this man from dying8 ,again groaning1 but quietly1 ,jesus came to the tomb4 ,like many of the graves in that land1 it was a cave in the rocky hillside1 and a large stone covered its mouth4 ,move away the stone1 commanded ,jesus4 ,master1 said ,martha1 remember that he has been dead four days1 and by this time there may be a strong smell from the body4 ,did ,i not tell you1 said ,jesus1 that if you will only believe in me you will see the glory of ,god8 ,they moved the stone away from the door of the cave1 and ,jesus1 lifting his eyes upward1 said3 ,father1 ,i thank thee for listening to my prayer4 ,i knew that thou always hearest me2 but ,i spoke on account of those around me1 that they might believe that thou hast sent me4 ,then with a loud voice1 ,jesus called3 ,lazarus6 ,come out6 ,out from the tomb came the man who had been dead4 ,he could scarcely walk1 for his hands and feet were wrapped with bandages2 his face1 too1 had been covered with a cloth tied over it4 ,set him free1 said ,jesus1 and let him go6 ,they took away the cloth from his face1 and unwrapped the bandages from his body2 and ,lazarus stood up living and well1 in the presence of all the people6 ,how happy were ,martha and ,mary1 as they placed their arms around him1 and felt his flesh1 warm with the life-blood once more flowing through his veins6 ,as the ,jews who had come to visit ,martha and ,mary saw this wonderful work1 calling back to life a man who had been in his tomb four days1 many of them believed in ,jesus4 ,these told the story to others1 and the number of believers grew larger and larger4 ,some of those who had seen or had heard of the raising of ,lazarus to life went to ,jerusalem and told the ,pharisees1 the enemies of ,jesus1 what had taken place4 ,these men told the chief priests1 and the priests and ,pharisees called together the high council to talk of these things and to decide what should be done with ,jesus4 ,this high council was a board or company of leading men1 which1 next to the ,roman governor1 ruled over the ,jews4 ,it was made up of seventy-two men1 some of them priests and some of them scribes or teachers of the law4 ,they met in a room set apart for their use in the ,temple2 and they formed the highest court in the land to deal with any who were accused of having broken the laws4 ,when this council came together and heard of what ,jesus had done and of the people who1 in greater number than ever1 were beginning to believe in ,jesus1 they said to each other1 ,what shall we do1 now that this ,jesus has done another work1 more wonderful even than any of his works in the past8 ,if we leave him alone1 all the people will believe in him1 and will seek to make him their ,king4 ,then the ,romans will come1 and will destroy our ,temple1 and will no longer let us live as a nation4 ,but one of these men in the council was the high priest1 whose name was ,caiaphas4 ,he said to them3 ,you are entirely mistaken4 ,you do not understand that whether ,jesus is or is not a prophet coming from ,god1 it is better that one man should die1 instead of having all the people destroyed4 ,let us all agree that ,jesus shall be killed1 and that the people of ,israel shall be saved from death4 ,these words of ,caiaphas the high priest meant more than he knew when he spoke them4 ,he was himself1 being the high priest1 speaking a prophecy1 that ,jesus was to die for the people2 for that was what ,jesus was soon to do4 ,he was to die for the sins of the people2 not only for the ,jewish people but for all the people of the world4 ,by his death1 ,jesus was to bring together into one body all the children of ,god scattered throughout all the lands4 ,at that meeting of the council1 the rulers decided that ,jesus must be killed4 ,not all of them agreed in this1 for ,nicodemus1 who long before had come at night to talk with ,jesus1 and a rich member of the council1 named ,joseph--of whom we shall hear later--and a few others1 were friendly to ,jesus4 ,but his enemies were so many and so fierce that these few friends of ,jesus did not venture to speak for him4 ,so the vote was taken that ,jesus was to be put to death4 ,jesus1 knowing all things1 knew their plans2 and he knew that when the time came he should die4 ,but that time had not yet come1 for he had promised to preach his gospel in ,perea1 across the ,jordan4 ,he went1 therefore1 to a town on the edge of the wilderness1 called ,ephraim1 and there for a few weeks he stayed with his disciples4 ,the great ,feast of the ,passover was drawing near1 and many people were coming up to ,jerusalem to prepare themselves for the ,feast4 ,they were looking out for ,jesus1 and said to each other as they walked in the courts of the ,temple3 ,what do you think8 ,do you think that ,jesus will come to the ,feast8 ,the chief priests and the leading ,pharisees had given orders that if any one found out where ,jesus was1 they were to be told1 so that they might send men to arrest him4 ,illustration3 ,the ,via ,dolorosa1 or ,sorrowful ,way1 over which1 it is said1 ,christ walked carrying his cross ,jesus ,preaching in ,perea ,,chapter #fj ,,jesus ,,did not stay long in the village of ,ephraim4 ,he went down the mountains to the river ,jordan1 crossed it1 and began preaching in the land of ,perea1 going to the places where his seventy messengers had given the news of his coming4 ,everywhere the people thronged in great crowds to see him and to hear him4 ,the rich and the poor met in the crowd1 the rulers and the common people1 the ,pharisees who were his enemies1 and the publicans or tax-collectors who had been leading lives full of sin4 ,there was a great desire among the people to listen to the ,teacher and ,prophet from ,galilee1 of whom they had heard so much1 and whom they had not seen before4 ,many went to see him because they believed that he was the long-looked-for ,christ1 who was at last on his way to ,jerusalem to sit on his throne and rule all the lands4 ,so great were the crowds to see and hear ,jesus that it is said that the thousands trod on each other around him4 ,while he was speaking in one place to a great multitude of people1 a voice was heard from the throng4 ,teacher1 cried out a man1 tell my brother to divide with me the property which belongs to our family4 ,this man supposed that ,jesus1 being the ,king of ,israel1 would rule in all matters of difference between the people4 ,but ,jesus answered him3 ,man1 who made me a judge or a settler of disputes over your affairs8 ,then he added1 ,take care to avoid the love of money2 for no matter how rich one may be1 his true life does not depend on what he owns4 ,illustration3 ,home of a rich man in ,palestine ,and he gave to them the parable or story of ,the ,poor ,rich ,man4 ,he said3 ,there was once a rich man whose farm gave him very large crops4 ,he began to ask himself1 ',what am ,i to do8 ,i have no room to store the grain and fruits that have grown on my land4 ,this is what ,i will do4 ,i will pull down my old barns and build larger ones in place of them4 ,there ,i shall store all the fruits from my orchards and the grain from my fields4 ,and then ,i will say to myself1 ,now you have plenty of good things stored up to last for many years2 take your ease1 eat1 drink and have a good time4' ,but ,god said to him ',fool6 this very night your life is taken away2 and who will have all that you have stored up8' ,so is it with everyone who lays up money for himself1 instead of gaining the riches of ,god4 ,illustration3 ,look at the lilies1 and see how they grow ,and ,jesus said again to his disciples some of the things that he had already taught them in his great ,sermon on the ,mount2 for he often repeated the same teachings1 over and over1 until the disciples knew them by heart1 so that after he should be taken from them1 they in turn could tell them to others4 ,at this time he said3 ,therefore ,i tell you1 do not be anxious about your life here on the earth1 what you can get to eat1 nor what you can get to wear4 ,life is something more than food and the body is more than its clothes4 ,look at the crows flying through the air6 ,they neither sow nor reap2 they have no storehouse nor barns2 and yet ,god gives them food4 ,how much more are you worth to ,god than are the birds8 ,and however anxious you may be1 can you add one minute to your life8 ,and if you cannot do even this1 why be anxious about other matters8 ,look at the lilies1 and see how they grow4 ,they neither spin nor weave2 and yet1 ,i tell you1 even ,king ,solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these4 ,now1 if ,god so beautifully clothes the grass in the field1 which blooms today1 and tomorrow will be thrown into the fire1 how much more will he clothe you1 ,o men1 who trust ,god so little8 ,so do not worry about food and drink and clothes2 these are the things for which the nations of the world who know not ,god are seeking after1 and you should not wish to be like them4 ,besides1 your ,father in heaven knows that you have need of these common things4 ,only seek the kingdom of ,god1 and your heavenly ,father will see to it that you have these things4 ,do not be afraid1 my little flock1 for your ,father has been pleased to give you a place in his kingdom4 ,at this time some people brought to ,jesus the news that ,pilate1 the ,roman governor1 had killed in the ,temple some men from ,galilee1 while they were worshipping at the altar1 so that their blood was poured out with the blood of their offerings4 ,this act of the governor had terribly shocked the people4 ,do you suppose1 said ,jesus1 that because those ,galileans suffered these things1 that they were worse sinners than the rest of those living in ,galilee8 ,i tell you1 no2 unless you turn from your sins and seek ,god1 you will all perish as they did4 ,then1 too1 think of those eighteen men in ,siloam1 just outside of ,jerusalem2 those men on whom the tower fell and killed them all2 do you suppose that they had been worse than all the other people living in ,jerusalem8 ,no1 ,i tell you2 unless you turn to ,god1 you will all perish as they did4 ,then ,jesus gave to the people the parable of ,the ,fruitless ,fig ,tree4 ,he said3 ,a man who had a fig tree growing in his garden came at the time when figs were ripe1 looking for fruit1 but found on it not a single fig4 ,so he said to the gardener1 ',here ,i have come for three years looking for fruit on this tree1 without finding any4 ,cut it down6 ,why should it take up room and rob the soil8' ,but the gardener answered him1 ',o please1 sir1 leave it one year more4 ,i will dig around it and enrich the soil2 then it may bear fruit next year4 ,if it does not1 then let it be cut down4' ,illustration3 ,beneath an olive tree is a delightful place to rest1 for all about it usually grow flowers of many kinds ,illustration3 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem6 ,how often would ,i have gathered your children around me1 as a fowl gathers her brood under her wings6 ,in the ,church and at the ,feast ,,chapter #fa ,,while ,,jesus was in ,perea1 on the ,sabbath days he went into the churches and spoke there2 and in every place the church was crowded with those who were eager to hear him4 ,on one ,sabbath day he saw in the church a woman who for eighteen years had been bent double and could not possibly stand up straight4 ,when ,jesus saw her1 he called her to him4 ,woman1 he said1 you are set free from your weakness4 ,he placed his hands upon her1 and instantly power came to her4 ,she stood up erect1 and with a loud voice praised ,god for her cure4 ,but the president of the board in the church was greatly displeased that ,jesus had done this on the ,sabbath4 ,he said to the people3 ,there are six days in the week for work2 come on one of these to be cured1 and not on the holy ,sabbath4 ,o you false-hearted men1 making a pretense of serving ,god6 said the ,lord ,jesus4 ,does not each one of you on the ,sabbath day unloose his ox or his ass from its manger1 and lead it out to drink8 ,and this woman1 a daughter of ,abraham our father1 whom the evil one has held bound for all these eighteen years1 should she not be set free on the ,sabbath8 ,as he said this all those who were opposed to him felt ashamed of themselves2 while the people rejoiced to see all his wonderful doings4 ,as ,jesus went through the towns and villages1 all the time on his way toward ,jerusalem1 he repeated many of the parables and teachings that he had given in other parts of the land1 such as ,the ,narrow ,door1 ,the ,mustard ,seed1 ,the ,yeast in the ,dough1 and others4 ,the land of ,perea1 where he was now teaching1 belonged to the ,kingdom of ,herod4 ,some ,pharisees1 who were enemies of ,jesus1 came to him and said3 ,you had better get away from this land1 for ,king ,herod means to kill you4 ,this they said1 not to save the life of ,jesus1 but to make him leave their land4 ,but ,jesus answered them3 ,you may go and tell that fox that ,i am casting out the evil spirits and curing diseases today and tomorrow1 and on the third day ,i shall finish my work4 ,but ,i must go on my way today1 tomorrow and the day after tomorrow1 for it would never do for a prophet to meet his end except in ,jerusalem4 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem6 killing the prophets and stoning those whom ,god has sent to you6 ,how often would ,i have gathered your children around me1 as a fowl gathers her brood under her wings6 ,but you would not come6 ,truly1 your house is left to you to be destroyed4 ,never1 ,i tell you1 shall you see me again until the day comes when you will say1 ',blessed be ,he who comes in the name of the ,lord4' ,in one place he was invited by one of the rulers who was a ,pharisee to come to his house for dinner4 ,there were at the table other ,pharisees and people not friendly to ,jesus1 and they watched him closely4 ,he saw in the room a man who was swollen with the dropsy2 and ,jesus asked the teachers of the law and the ,pharisees3 ,is it according to the law to cure a sick man on the ,sabbath1 or is it not8 ,they said nothing4 ,then ,jesus laid his hands on the man and cured him1 and sent him away4 ,afterward he said3 ,is there any one of you who1 finding on the ,sabbath day that his ass or his ox has fallen into a pit1 will not at once pull him out without waiting for a working day8 ,they could not answer him this question4 ,he noticed that those who had been invited to the dinner picked out for themselves the best places1 near the head of the table2 and he gave them this advice4 ,when you are invited to a marriage feast1 do not take one of the best places4 ,it may be that some person of higher rank than you has been invited2 and then the one who gives the feast comes to you and says1 ',here1 make room for this man6' ,then you must get up ashamed and take a place down at the foot of the table4 ,no1 when you come to the feast1 go to the lowest place1 then when the giver of the feast sees you1 he will say1 ',my friend1 come up higher1' and you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow-guests4 ,for every one who lifts up himself shall be humbled2 and the one who humbles himself shall be lifted up4 ,jesus said also to the ruler who had invited him1 ,when you give a dinner or a supper1 do not ask your friends1 or your brothers1 or those who are your relatives1 or your rich neighbors1 for they may invite you in turn1 and thus you will be repaid4 ,no1 when you give a dinner1 invite the poor1 the cripples1 those who have lost an arm1 and the blind4 ,then ,god will give you his blessing2 for these people cannot repay you2 and you will receive your reward when ,god raises up the good from their graves to everlasting life4 ,one of those at the table heard these words of ,jesus2 and he spoke out1 ,happy will he be who shall sit down at that feast in the kingdom of ,god6 ,jesus answered him by giving the parable of ,the ,supper and the ,excuses4 ,he said3 ,there was once a man who was giving a great supper1 to which he had invited many of his friends4 ,at the hour for the supper1 he sent out his servant to say to the guests who had been invited1 ',come at once1 for everything is now ready6' ,but all of them with one mind began to decline his invitation4 ,the first man said to the servant3 ',i have bought some land1 and ,i must go and look at it4 ,please to excuse me4' ,the second said1 ',i have bought five pair of oxen1 and ,i am going to give them a trial4 ,please to have me excused4' ,another said1 ',i cannot come1 because ,i have just married a wife4' ,the servant went home and told his master all these answers4 ,then the master of the house was very angry4 ,he said to his servant3 ',go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town1 and bring in here the poor1 the cripples1 the blind and the lame4' ,soon the servant came back1 saying1 ',your orders have been carried out1 sir2 but there is still room for more4' ',go out into the country1' said the master of the house1 'to the roads and the hedges1 and make the people come in1 to fill up my house2 for ,i tell you that not one of those that were invited shall taste of my supper4' ,on ,counting the ,cost ,,chapter #fb ,,at ,,this ,,time while ,jesus was in ,perea1 preaching in the towns1 greater crowds than ever before were following him1 claiming to believe in him as the son of ,david and the ,king of ,israel4 ,most of these people saw that he was going toward ,jerusalem1 and the report went abroad among them that when he reached that city he would take the throne that had been ,king ,david's2 and not only would be king of that land but lead the ,jewish people to conquer all the lands4 ,very many of the crowd following ,jesus had no thought of what it meant to be his disciples4 ,they were expecting great things--riches and honor and power--but knew nothing of the sufferings that ,jesus must endure and that his followers must face in the days soon to come4 ,jesus was not willing to have such careless and thoughtless followers as these4 ,he spoke to them words that seemed harsh and forbidding1 but were meant to make them think of what they must meet if they would be among those who believed in him4 ,turning to the multitudes that were flocking around him1 he called out to them3 ,if anyone comes to me1 and does not hate his father1 and mother1 and wife1 and children1 and brothers and sisters1 yes1 and his own life besides1 he cannot be a disciple of mine4 ,whoever does not carry his own cross and walk in my steps cannot be a disciple of mine6 ,illustration3 ,,around ,,jerusalem ,jesus did not mean quite all these words he seemed to speak4 ,he did not wish sons and daughters really to hate their fathers and mothers1 nor parents to hate their own children2 but he did mean that no one should say1 ',my father and mother do not consent to my following ,jesus1 and therefore ,i cannot be his disciple4' ,nor did he wish that parents should say1 ',i have children to care for1 and ,i must not believe in ,jesus1 and become his disciple4' ,he wished those who were following him without thought1 to ask themselves whether they were willing to lose all for ,christ's sake1 and to serve him1 no matter who were opposed to him or what they might suffer in his service4 ,who of you1 said ,jesus1 when he wants to build a tower1 does not first sit down and count the cost1 and see whether he has enough money to finish it8 ,if he can only lay the foundation1 and then must leave the work unfinished1 everybody who sees the half-completed wall will laugh at him and say1 ',this fellow began to build1 but he could not finish6' ,or what king sets out to go to war with another king1 and does not first sit down to consider whether with ten thousand soldiers he can fight the king who comes against him with twenty thousand8 ,if he does not dare to meet his enemy1 then while his army is still a great way off1 he sends an officer to ask for terms of peace4 ,so will it be with every one of you who will not give up all that he has2 he cannot be a disciple of mine4 ,what ,jesus meant was this1 ,think whether you will hold out to the end1 if you would be among my followers4 ,and think1 too1 whether you will dare to meet the hate and opposition that you must overcome in becoming my disciples4 ,he went on with such words as these3 ,every true disciple of mine is like salt2 and salt is good as long as it has its own salty taste4 ,but if it loses its saltiness and becomes tasteless1 is there any way to make it good salt again8 ,it is of no use either for the land1 nor even for the manure heap1 but people throw it away as useless4 ,so will it be with everyone who loses the salt of my life in himself4 ,now1 do not let these words of mine go into one ear and out from the other4 ,listen1 and think of what ,i have said6 ,seeking the ,lost ,,chapter #fc ,illustration3 ,but one was out on the hills away 444 ,away on the mountains wild and bare ,,the ,,pharisees were very careful to keep all the rules of the ,jewish law1 and were supposed to be very religious1 because they prayed often in public places and went regularly to church4 ,but ,jesus saw that their religion was only pretended and not real1 and would have nothing to do with them1 except rebuke them for their sins4 ,the scribes1 who were the teachers of the law in the churches1 expected ,jesus to give them special honor4 ,but both ,pharisees and scribes were very angry when they found that ,jesus paid them no attention1 and was friendly with the tax-collectors whom all the ,jews despised and hated4 ,jesus even allowed some to come near him who were outcasts1 people who did not go to church and did not try to keep the rules of the ,jews4 ,the ,pharisees and the scribes said in great scorn of ,jesus1 ,this man welcomes sinners1 and even sits down at the table to eat with them6 ,illustration3 ,searching for the lost silver-piece ,jesus heard of their words1 and answered them in the parable of ,the ,lost ,sheep4 ,he said3 ,if one of you has a hundred sheep1 and loses one of them1 does he not leave the ninety and nine sheep in the sheepfold out in the fields1 and go after the lost one until he finds it4 ,when he has found it1 he puts it on his shoulders with great joy and carries it home4 ,and when he comes to his house1 he calls together his neighbors and his friends1 saying to them1 ',come and be glad with me2 for ,i have found my sheep which was lost4' ,so ,i tell you1 there is more joy in heaven over one outcast sinner who turns away from his sin to ,god1 than over ninety-nine religious men who are good already and do not need to turn from sin4 ,a lady has written this parable in verses that have been set to music and sung many times4 ,these are her verses3 ,,the ,,ninety ,,and ,,nine ,there were ninety and nine that safely lay ,in the shelter of the fold1 ,but one was out on the hills away1 ,far off from the gates of gold-- ,away on the mountains wild and bare1 ,away from the tender ,shepherd's care4 ,lord1 thou hast here thy ninety and nine2 ,are they not enough for thee8 ,but the ,shepherd made answer1 ',tis of mine ,has wandered away from me2 ,and although the road be rough and steep ,i go to the desert to find my sheep4 ,but none of the ransomed ever knew ,how deep were the waters crossed2 ,nor how dark was the night that the ,lord passed through ,ere he found his sheep that was lost4 ,out in the desert he heard its cry1 ,sick and helpless1 and ready to die4 ,lord1 whence are those blood drops all the way ,that mark out the mountain's track8 ,they were shed for one who had gone astray ,ere the ,shepherd could bring him back4 ,lord1 whence are thy hands so rent and torn8 ,they are pierced tonight by many a thorn4 ,but all through the mountains1 thunder-riven1 ,and up from the rocky steep1 ,there arose a cry to the gate of heaven3 ,rejoice6 ,i have found my sheep6 ,and the angels echoed around the throne1 ,rejoice6 for the ,lord brings back his own6 ,,mrs4 ,,elizabeth ,c4 ,,clephane4 ,jesus also gave to the people another parable1 ,the ,lost ,silver-piece4 ,he said3 ,or1 if there is a woman who has ten silver coins1 and loses one of them1 what will she do8 ,she will light her lamp1 and sweep her house1 and search carefully for her money1 until she finds it4 ,and when she finds it1 she goes out and calls together her women-friends and neighbors1 and says1 ',come and rejoice with me1 for ,i have found the silver-piece which ,i had lost4' ,even so1 ,i tell you there is rejoicing among the angels of ,god over one sinner that turns to ,god4 ,it might be asked--why did the woman need to light a lamp when searching for her lost coin8 ,in that land1 the houses of the plain people have either no windows1 or one window for the whole house1 which is merely a hole in the wall4 ,the rooms are dark1 even at mid-day1 and to look on the floor thoroughly1 and especially in the corners1 a lamp must be lighted and carried close to the floor4 ,illustration3 ,silver ,denarius of ,tiberius4 7,penny1 ,matt4 #ah3 #bh1 etc41 #af cents47 ,the ,parable of the ,lost ,son ,found ,,chapter #fd ,,you ,,remember that the enemies of ,jesus1 the ,pharisees and scribes1 said of him1 ,he gives welcome to bad men1 and eats at the table with them6 ,jesus in answer gave a parable or story to show how ,god welcomes a sinner who turns from his sin and seeks his heavenly ,father4 ,this is one of the most beautiful among all the parables of ,jesus4 ,it is called ,the ,prodigal ,son4 ,the word prodigal means one who spends his money1 throwing it away in a careless manner2 and this story is of a young man who spent all the money that his father gave him4 ,here is the parable3 ,there was once a man1 said ,jesus1 who had two sons4 ,the older son stayed at home and helped his father in the care of his farm1 but the younger son was restless and wanted to go away4 ,the young man said to his father3 ',father1 give me now the share of what you own which will come to me after you die4' ,so the father divided all that he had1 his land1 his vineyards1 his olive orchards1 his fig trees1 his houses1 his flocks of sheep and goats1 and his money1 into three equal parts4 ,two of these parts he kept for the older son2 and the third part he gave to the younger son2 for in that land it was the rule for the older son1 as the head of the family1 to receive twice as much as a younger son4 ,after a few days1 the young man sold out his share of the property for ready money1 and then went away to a land far off1 where he could live as he pleased4 ,there he began to lead a foolish and wild life1 feasting and drinking wine with worthless men and women4 ,it did not take him many months to spend all his money and to be in great want4 ,none of these people who had helped him in his pleasures were now ready to help him in his need4 ,and what added to his trouble was that just then food became very scarce in that country and there was not bread enough for all the people4 ,illustration3 ,there in the open field among the grunting hogs sat this young man ,this young man was in want of everything4 ,his clothes became rags1 his shoes were worn out1 and what was worse1 he could get nothing to eat and was starving for the want of food4 ,never before had he done any work1 but now1 driven by hunger he went everywhere looking for something to do which would give him a mouthful of bread4 ,at last he found a man who was willing to hire him4 ,this man sent him out into his field to take care of his pigs and feed them4 ,this was a work felt to be disgraceful1 for no ,jew would eat pig's meat or in any way touch the vile animals4 ,but even this work the poor young man was compelled to do rather than starve to death4 ,in the field he was so hungry that he was ready to snatch up some of the bean-pods on which the pigs were feeding2 and no one in that country cared for him or would even give him something to eat4 ,illustration3 ,the father fell on his son's neck ,so there in the open field among the grunting hogs sat this young man1 ragged1 famished and almost ready to die4 ,suddenly the thought came to him of his father's house1 where once he had enjoyed plenty and lived at ease1 waited upon by servants4 ,he now saw how foolish1 how ungrateful to a kind father1 and how wicked he had been4 ,it seemed to him as if he had been living in a dream1 had now for the first time awaked and had come to his senses4 ,he said to himself3 ',why1 even the hired men on my father's farm have more food than they can eat2 and here ,i am almost dead with hunger6 ,i will get up and will go to my father2 and ,i will say to him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against ,god in heaven and against you4 ,i don't deserve any more to be called your son2 only make me one of your servants working for wages4' ,so the poor young man left the field and the pigs1 and went back to his father's house4 ,there in the door sat his father waiting and watching for his wandering son4 ,while the son was still a long distance away1 the father saw him and knew him1 barefoot and ragged as he was4 ,he felt pity for his son1 whose looks showed his utter misery1 and ran to him1 fell upon his neck1 placed his arms around him and kissed him4 ',father1' said the young man1 ',i have sinned against ,god in heaven and against you4 ,i don't deserve any more to be called your son--' ,but the father did not wait to hear him any further4 ,he called out to the servants3 ',be quick1 bring some new clothes1 the very best in the house1 and put them on him2 bring a ring to place around his wrist and sandals for his feet2 go pick out the fattest calf in the stall1 and kill it for a feast6 ,let us all eat and have a happy time together4 ,for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again2 he was lost and is found6' ,so they began to make merry4 ,now the older son was out in the field2 and as he came near the house1 he heard the sounds of music and dancing4 ,wondering what was the cause of such gladness1 he called to him one of the servants and asked what all this meant4 ',your brother has come home1' answered the servant1 'and your father has killed the fattest of the calves1 and is having a feast1 because he has him back safe and sound4' ,this made the older son very angry4 ,he would not go in to the supper1 but stayed outside4 ,his father came out and begged him to come in and give a welcome to his brother4 ,but he refused1 saying1 ',think of all the years that ,i have been serving you6 ,never have ,i once disobeyed you2 and yet you have never given me even a little kid out of the flock of goats1 for me to have a merrymaking with my friends4 ,but as soon as this son of yours comes home1 who has wasted your money with vile people1 you kill the fatted calf and for him make a great feast4' ',my son1' said the father1 'you and ,i are always together1 and everything that ,i have is yours4 ,we could not help being glad and rejoicing2 for your brother here was dead1 and is alive again2 he was lost and is found4' ,you can see that in this elder brother of the story was the spirit of the ,pharisees and the scribes1 who were displeased because ,jesus was willing to welcome those who had been sinful1 when they came to him1 sorry for their sins4 ,the ,parable of the ,dishonest ,steward ,,chapter #fe ,,at ,,this ,,time ,jesus gave to his disciples the parable of ,the ,dishonest ,steward4 ,a steward is a man who takes care of any business or lands or houses belonging to another man who employs him4 ,jesus said3 ,there was a rich man who had a steward who took charge of all his business4 ,some one told the rich man that his steward was cheating him and making a wrong use of his money4 ,so the master sent for the steward and said3 ',what is this that ,i hear about you8 ,hand in your accounts1 for you shall not be my steward any longer4' ,the steward was at first greatly troubled at this2 and he did not know how he could live if his office as steward was taken away4 ',what shall ,i do1' he said to himself1 'now that my master is taking away from me my place as steward8 ,i am not strong enough to dig in the ground as a farmer1 and ,i am ashamed to beg in the streets4 ,oh1 ,i know what ,i can do1 so that when my office as steward is taken away the people will invite me to their homes to live with them4' ,one by one the steward called to him the men that were owing his master4 ',how much do you owe my master8' he asked of the first4 ',a hundred barrels of oil1' answered the man4 ',here1 take your bill1' said the steward1 'and instead of a hundred barrels1 make it fifty barrels4' ,this1 you see1 was making a present to the man of fifty barrels of oil1 but not from the steward himself2 instead1 stealing it from his master1 to give to the man who owed him4 ,then to the next man he said1 ',and how much do you owe8' ',a hundred bushels of wheat1' answered the man4 ',here is your bill1' said the steward2 'make it eighty4' ,and so he treated all those who were owing to his master1 giving to each one a part of his debt2 so that they would be friendly to him and give him help when he should need it4 ,illustration3 ,the dishonest steward ,when his master heard of all this1 he praised the steward1 not for doing rightly1 but for looking ahead and taking care for the time to come4 ,and ,jesus said1 ,the people of this world often are wiser in looking ahead1 and planning for the days to come1 than are those who have the light of ,god4 ,and ,i say to you3 use the money of this world to make friends with it1 not on earth1 but in heaven2 so that when you leave the earth1 they may welcome you to homes in heaven that never pass away4 ,he who is faithful with a small trust is also faithful with a large trust2 and he who is not honest but tries to cheat in little things1 will be dishonest and try to cheat in great things4 ,so if you cannot be trusted with the money of this world1 who will trust you with the riches of ,god8 ,and if you are not faithful with what belongs to another1 how can you expect to have anything forever as your own8 ,no servant can serve two masters at the same time2 for either he will hate one master and love the other2 or else he will stand by one master and despise the other4 ,you cannot serve ,god and at the same time live for money4 ,all these things were spoken in the hearing of the ,pharisees1 who were fond of money and grasping4 ,they listened1 with contempt and scorn in their hearts4 ,jesus knew what was in their minds1 and he said to these ,pharisees3 ,you are the men who make people believe that you are good1 but ,god sees and knows what is in your hearts4 ,what is lofty in the sight of men is vile in the sight of ,god4 ,a ,parable for the ,lovers of ,money ,,chapter #ff ,,jesus ,,knew that the ,pharisees1 for all their church-going and their carefulness in keeping the rules of their law1 were in their hearts lovers of money1 and were living for the things of this world and not for ,god4 ,he gave to them a parable about a rich man who suddenly became poor1 and a poor man who became rich4 ,it is called ,the ,parable of the ,rich ,man and ,lazarus4 ,there was a rich man1 said ,jesus1 who dressed in purple robes1 like a king1 and lived in a splendid great house1 with many servants to wait upon him1 and feasted every day upon the finest food4 ,outside the door of the rich man's house was laid every morning a poor beggar named ,lazarus1 who was covered with sores and was glad to eat the crumbs and broken pieces from the rich man's table4 ,the dogs of the street used to come and lick his sores4 ,after a time1 the poor man died1 and his soul was taken by the angels to be in heaven with ,abraham1 the father of ,god's people2 because in all his poverty he had lived for ,god1 trying always to do ,god's will4 ,the rich man died1 too1 and was buried4 ,but no angels came to carry him to the land where ,abraham was living in happiness4 ,his soul went to the place of woe and sorrow and suffering2 not because he had been rich1 but because in his riches he had never thought of ,god4 ,the rich man1 being in torment1 looked up1 and far away saw ,abraham1 with ,lazarus in his arms4 ',o ,father ,abraham1' he called out1 'take pity on me1 and send ,lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue1 for ,i am burning in this flame6' ',my son1' answered ,abraham1 'remember that when you were alive on the earth you had all your enjoyment1 while ,lazarus in his life had poverty and pain4 ,now ,lazarus has comfort for all his trouble and you are in misery4 ,besides all that1 between us in heaven and you in the dwelling place of the wicked1 there is a great valley1 a gulf which no one can cross1 either to go from us to you or to come from you to us4' ,illustration3 ,lazarus before the rich man's door ',if that be so1' said the once-rich man1 now so poor1 'and ,lazarus cannot come to me1 ,i beg of you1 ,father ,abraham1 to send ,lazarus to my father's house2 for ,i have five brothers2 let him speak to them in time1 so that they may not come to this place of terrible suffering4' ',they have the writings of ,moses and the words of all the prophets1' said ,abraham2 'let them listen to these4' ',but1 ,father ,abraham1' he said1 'if some one from the dead should go to them1 they would turn from sin to ,god4' ',if they will not listen to ,moses and the prophets1' said ,abraham1 'they will not believe1 even if some one should rise from the dead4' ,as the twelve disciples of ,jesus heard this parable1 they said1 ,lord1 make our faith stronger6 ,if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed1 said ,jesus1 you could say to this mulberry tree1 ',be uprooted and planted in the sea1' and it would obey you4 ,which one of you1 if he had a servant plowing in the field or tending sheep1 when he comes in from the field will say to him1 ',come at once and take your place at the table for your supper'8 ,no1 he will say to his servant1 ',get my supper ready2 then make yourself ready to wait on me while ,i am eating and drinking2 and after that you may have your supper4' ,does a master thank his servant for doing what he has been told8 ,well1 it is the same with you2 when you have done all that you have been told1 say1 ',we are only servants2 we have done no more than we ought to have done4' ,two ,parables ,upon ,prayer ,,chapter #fg ,,jesus ,,told his disciples a parable to show that they should always keep on praying and never be discouraged4 ,this parable is named ,the ,parable of the ,unjust ,judge4 ,in a certain city1 he said1 there was a judge who in his rule did not try to do right1 but was often unjust and wicked2 for he had no fear of ,god and no care for what men said about him4 ,and in that city there was a widow who came many times to this judge1 crying over and over again1 ',do for me what is right against the man who has done me wrong6' ,for some time the judge paid no attention to her1 for right and wrong were both the same to him4 ,but after a while the judge said to himself3 ',although ,i have no fear of ,god and no care for man1 yet as this widow is so troublesome to me1 and gives me no rest1 ,i will do what she asks1 for ,i am tired of her coming and of her calling out for her right every day4' ,listen1 said the ,lord ,jesus1 to what this unjust judge says4 ,and if a man who does not care for right or wrong will at last answer a prayer1 how much more will your heavenly ,father listen to his own children when they call upon him day and night1 even though he seems to make them wait long for the answer to their prayers8 ,i tell you that ,god will do right by them and answer their prayers1 and that very soon6 ,yet when the ,son of ,man comes1 will he find on earth those who are looking for him and who believe in him8 ,jesus also told a parable to some people who were sure of their own goodness and looked down upon others4 ,this parable is that of ,the ,pharisee and the ,tax-,gatherer4 ,two men1 said ,jesus1 went up to the ,temple to pray4 ,one of these men was a ,pharisee2 and the other was a tax-gatherer4 ,the ,pharisee stood up and began praying to himself1 not to ,god1 in words like these3 ',o ,god1 ,i thank thee that ,i am not like other men--thieves1 wrongdoers1 and wicked--or even like this tax-gatherer4 ,twice in every week ,i eat no food1 to show that ,i am worshipping ,god2 ,i give to ,god's house one-tenth of all that ,i get4' ,illustration3 ,two men went up to the ,temple to pray2 one was a ,pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer ,but the tax-gatherer stood far away1 and would not raise his eyes toward heaven4 ,he beat his breast1 saying3 ',o ,god1 have mercy on me and forgive my sins6' ,i tell you1 said ,jesus1 this tax-gatherer went to his house with his sins forgiven1 instead of the ,pharisee4 ,for every one who uplifts himself will be brought low2 and every one who humbles himself will be lifted up4 ,the ,little ,children2 and the ,rich ,young ,man ,chapter #fh ,,while ,,jesus was still passing through the land of ,perea1 on his way to ,jerusalem1 at one place the fathers and mothers brought their babies to him1 asking him to place his hands on their heads and speak upon them a blessing4 ,when the disciples saw them doing this1 they were not pleased4 ,take these babies away6 they said4 ,the ,lord is too busy with greater things to attend to them6 ,but ,jesus heard them1 and he was displeased1 not with the parents and their children1 but with his disciples4 ,let the little ones come to me1 he said1 and do not stop them2 for the kingdom of ,god comes only to those who are child-like4 ,i tell you1 whoever will not give himself up to the kingdom of ,god as a little child shall never come into the kingdom4 ,then he took the little ones up into his arms1 laid his hands upon them and gave them his blessing4 ,after that he went away from that place4 ,soon afterward a young man who was one of the leaders in the church of his town came running1 and bowed low before ,jesus4 ,good ,teacher1 said the young man1 tell me what to do if ,i am to be saved and have life everlasting4 ,why do you call me 'good'8 answered ,jesus4 ,there is only one who is really good2 that is ,god4 ,to be saved1 you have only to do ,god's will4 ,you know what his commandments are2 keep them4 ,illustration3 ,jesus and the rich young man4 ,sell everything that you have1 and give all the money to the poor4 ,why1 what commands do you mean8 asked the young man4 ,he supposed that ,jesus1 like many of the scribes1 who were the teachers of ,god's law1 had given some special rules of his own4 ,jesus said to him1 ,i mean the ten commandments of ,god1 such as1 ',thou shalt not steal2 thou shalt not kill2 thou shalt not say what is false2 honor thy father and thy mother1' and so on4 ,illustration3 ,jesus laid his hands upon the little ones and gave them his blessing ,the young man said1 ,teacher1 all these ,i have kept ever since ,i was a child4 ,what more do ,i need8 ,as ,jesus looked at this young man1 so eager in his wish to please ,god1 he loved him1 and felt a special longing to have him among his disciples4 ,if you really wish to be perfect1 he said to the young man1 you do need one thing more4 ,sell everything that you have1 and give all the money to the poor1 and you will have your treasure in heaven2 and come1 follow me1 and be one of my disciples4 ,when the young man heard those words1 he felt greatly disappointed1 and turned away1 unwilling to do what ,jesus asked1 for he was very rich1 and he loved his money4 ,after he had left them1 ,jesus turned to his disciples3 ,how hard it is1 said ,jesus1 for a rich man to come into the kingdom of ,god6 ,as the disciples heard this1 they were greatly surprised1 for all the ,jews thought that to have riches was a sign of ,god's special favor4 ,as they stood silent1 not knowing how to answer these words1 ,jesus said again3 ,children1 how hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter into the kingdom of ,god6 ,it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle1 than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of ,god6 ,they were amazed at this1 and said1 ,then who can be saved8 ,what is impossible with men1 answered ,jesus1 is possible with ,god4 ,but we1 said ,simon ,peter1 have left everything1 and have followed you4 ,what shall we have in the kingdom for all this8 ,peter thought1 as did all the crowds who were going up to ,jerusalem with ,jesus1 that there he would set up his kingdom and give rich rewards to his disciples4 ,illustration3 ,let the little ones come to me1 said ,jesus1 for the kingdom of ,god comes only to those who are childlike4 ,in truth ,i say to you1 answered ,jesus1 that you who have followed me1 in the new kingdom when the ,son of ,man shall sit upon his throne1 you twelve men1 my disciples1 shall sit upon twelve thrones1 ruling over the twelve tribes of ,israel4 ,and every one who has left home1 or wife1 or children1 or parents1 or brothers1 or sisters on my account1 and for the sake of ,god's kingdom1 shall receive in this life a hundred times as much as he has lost1 and in the world to come1 life everlasting4 ,but many that are first in this world shall be last in the kingdom2 and some that are the lowest here will be the highest there4 ,illustration3 ,the ,bay of ,acre and the modern town ,haifa ,the ,workers in the ,vineyard ,,chapter #fi ,,jesus ,,explained by a parable what he meant in saying1 ,many that are first shall be last1 and some that are lowest here will be the highest in ,god's kingdom4 ,this parable was ,the ,workers in the ,vineyard4 ,there was a man1 said ,jesus1 who owned a vineyard4 ,he needed men to work in his vineyard2 and one day1 early in the morning1 went out to hire them4 ,some men met him and agreed to work for him at fifteen cents for each day's work2 so he sent them out to his vineyard4 ,at about nine o'clock he was walking through the market place1 and seeing some other men standing around1 waiting for work1 he said to them3 ',you go to work in my vineyard1 and whatever is fair1 ,i will pay you4' ,he went out again at noon2 he found men wanting work and sent them also into his vineyard1 saying to them1 ',whatever are fair wages1 ,i will pay you4' ,again at three o'clock1 he found other men and sent them1 too1 making them the same promise4 ,he went into the market place at five o'clock1 almost at the end of the day1 and found some men standing there4 ',why do you stand here doing nothing8' he said to these men4 ,they answered him3 ',we would be glad to work2 but nobody is ready to hire us4' ',you go into my vineyard1 too1' he said1 'and ,i will pay you whatever is right4' ,when the evening came1 the master of the vineyard said to his foreman1 ',now call the workers together and pay them their wages4 ,begin with those who came to work last1 then pay those who went into the vineyard at three o'clock1 and so on1 ending with those who went to work earliest4' ,so those came up first who had been hired last1 and had worked only one hour2 and to each of them was paid fifteen cents1 the wages of a full day's work4 ,when the first came1 they supposed that they would be paid more1 because they had worked longer2 but each was paid his fifteen cents1 as had been agreed upon4 ,these men complained to the master of the vineyard4 ',those men who came in last1 when the day was almost ended1' they said1 'have been made equal to us1 who have borne the hard work and the heat of the day4 ,that is not fair6' ',my friend1' said the master to one of these men1 ',i am not cheating you4 ,did you not agree with me to work for fifteen cents a day8 ,take up your wages and go4 ,i choose to give to this last man the same as to you4 ,haven't ,i the right do so as ,i please with what belongs to me8 ,are you jealous because ,i am generous8' ,so1 said ,jesus1 there are last who will be first2 and there are first who will be last4 ,this parable shows how ,god gives his rewards differently from men4 ,men pay only for work that is done2 but ,god gives his pay to those who are willing to work for him1 whether they are able to work or not2 for while men look at the deed1 ,god looks at the heart4 ,every day ,jesus was drawing nearer to ,jerusalem1 and his twelve disciples with all the multitude of those who were following him1 fully expected that in ,jerusalem ,jesus would reign as the ,king of ,israel4 ,he had told them before1 and more than once1 that he was going up to ,jerusalem to die there2 but their minds were so fixed upon thrones and kingdoms and worldly power that they could not understand his words4 ,now ,jesus called together his twelve disciples1 apart from the crowd4 ,listen6 he said1 ,we are going up to ,jerusalem1 and there everything that is written in the books of the prophets about the ,son of ,man shall come to pass4 ,he will be given up to his enemies1 the chief priests and the scribes1 the teachers of the law2 and they shall sentence him to be put to death1 and shall hand him over to the ,romans to be mocked and beaten and nailed to a cross to die2 and on the third day after1 he will rise from the dead4 ,but the disciples did not understand what these words meant4 ,they were just as certain as they had been before1 that he was going up to ,jerusalem to take the throne and rule1 and they even talked among themselves about the chief offices in his kingdom and who should have them4 ,when they were drawing near to ,jerusalem1 but still in the land of ,perea1 a woman came to ,jesus with her two sons4 ,this woman was named ,salome2 and she was the wife of ,zebedee1 and the mother of ,james and ,john1 two of the leading disciples of ,jesus4 ,she bowed low even to the ground before ,jesus1 and begged him to grant her a favor4 ,what is it that you want8 said ,jesus to her4 ,i want you to promise me1 said ,salome1 that in your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit1 one on your right hand and the other on your left4 ,you do not know what you are asking1 answered ,jesus4 ,can you drink of the cup that ,i am to drink8 ,can you receive the same baptism that is coming to me8 ,yes1 the two men said1 we can6 ,you shall indeed drink my cup1 and be baptized with my baptism1 said ,jesus4 ,but it is not mine to say who shall sit on my right hand and on my left4 ,those places shall be given to those whom my ,father has chosen for them4 ,by his cup and his baptism1 ,jesus meant his sufferings and his death2 but this ,james and ,john did not know4 ,when the other ten disciples heard of this they were very angry with the two brothers for trying to get ahead of them4 ,but ,jesus called them to him and said3 ,you know that in the nations of this world their rulers lord it over them1 and their great men make the people serve them4 ,but it must not be so with you4 ,whoever among you has the will to be great1 let him be a servant to the others2 and whoever would be first1 let him be even as a slave4 ,for the ,son of ,man came not to be served1 but to serve1 and to give up his life that he may save many4 ,illustration3 ,the river ,jordan ,illustration3 ,bartimeus1 hearing that ,jesus had sent for him1 sprang up and flung his coat to the ground1 and was led to ,jesus4 ,the ,blind ,man at the ,gate ,,chapter #gj ,,jesus ,,had now ended his work of preaching in the land of ,perea1 on the east of the ,jordan4 ,with his disciples and a great throng of people who were going up to the feast of the ,passover at ,jerusalem1 he came to the river at another ,bethabara1 or the place of the crossing1 because like the ,bethabara near the ,sea of ,galilee1 the river though very wide was very shallow1 so that people could wade across it4 ,this ,bethabara was opposite the city of ,jericho1 which had been built up and made beautiful by ,king ,herod the ,great1 about forty years before4 ,more than a thousand years before ,jesus stood beside the river1 the ,israelites had walked across it to enter the land2 when ,god held back the water4 ,jesus could have walked on the water if he had chosen to do it2 but he never caused a miracle for himself1 though often he did for others4 ,at that time some of the people going up to ,jerusalem waded across the river1 holding their clothes on their heads1 while others crossed in a ferry-boat4 ,we are not told in which way ,jesus went across the river4 ,six miles from the river ,jordan1 on the west1 stood ,jericho1 toward which ,jesus came with a great crowd of people around him4 ,as he drew near ,jericho1 a blind man was seated beside the gate1 begging for the small coins of those who passed by4 ,this blind man's name was ,bartimeus1 a word which means the son of ,timeus4 ,hearing the tramping and the voices of a crowd1 he asked why so many people were coming4 ,they said to him3 ,jesus the ,nazarene is passing by4 ,bartimeus had heard of ,jesus and his good works1 curing many that were blind and lame and lepers4 ,he had often wished that ,jesus might pass his way and cure him4 ,now1 when he heard that ,jesus was really coming1 he shouted out at the top of his voice3 ,jesus1 son of ,david1 have pity on me6 ,jesus1 son of ,david1 have pity on me6 ,the people who were in front told him to be quiet2 but he felt that this was the chance of his life1 and he kept on calling1 ,jesus1 son of ,david1 have pity on me6 ,jesus stopped1 and said to those near1 ,go1 and bring this man to me4 ,then they said to ,bartimeus1 ,be of good cheer2 get up and go to ,jesus1 for he is calling you6 ,bartimeus was in such a hurry to get to ,jesus that he sprang up1 flung aside his cloak1 and left it on the ground1 while they led him to the ,lord4 ,when he came near1 ,jesus said to him3 ,what would you have me do for you8 ,lord1 he answered1 let me have my sight again6 ,have your sight1 said ,jesus1 your faith has made you well4 ,and at once his sight came back to him2 and he joined the crowd following ,jesus1 giving praise to ,god with a loud voice4 ,and all those who saw this wonderful work added their praises to ,god4 ,in the ,rich ,man's ,home at ,jericho ,,chapter #ga ,,but ,,blind ,bartimeus was not the only man in ,jericho who was eager to meet ,jesus4 ,in that city was living a very rich man named ,zaccheus1 who was the head of all the tax collectors in that part of the country4 ,he had heard that ,jesus was unlike other ,jews1 in being friendly toward the tax gatherers1 and he greatly desired to see him4 ,but ,zaccheus was a small man1 and in the crowd he could have no chance to look at ,jesus1 so he ran on ahead and climbed up into a mulberry tree that stood beside the road1 and from a place among its branches he could look down upon the passing multitude4 ,when ,jesus came opposite to the tree1 he stopped1 looked up and saw ,zaccheus1 and said to him3 ,zaccheus1 make haste and come down2 for ,i must stop at your house today6 ,he was surprised and glad that the great ,teacher should choose his house1 out of all the homes in ,jericho1 to stay in4 ,he came down and walked with ,jesus to his house4 ,but all the people began to find fault1 saying3 ,he has gone to visit at the house of a man who is a sinner6 ,for they took for granted because many of the tax gatherers were wicked men and robbed the people1 that all of them were bad4 ,illustration3 ,jesus called out to ,zaccheus in the tree3 ,make haste and come down1 for ,i must stop at your house today6 ,zaccheus knew how they were feeling and what they were saying2 so he came forward1 and stood before ,jesus and said3 ,hear me1 ,master6 ,i will give half of all that ,i own to help the poor2 and if ,i have robbed or cheated anyone1 ,i will pay him back four times as much as he has lost6 ,today1 said ,jesus1 in this house a man has been saved from his sins2 since even ,zaccheus here is a true son of ,abraham our father4 ,for the ,son of ,man has come to look after the lost ones and to save them4 ,as the people were listening1 he went on and spoke a parable to them2 for he knew that as he was going up to ,jerusalem1 they were looking for the kingdom of ,god to be set up at once4 ,this was ,the ,parable of the ,pounds4 ,a certain prince1 said ,jesus1 was going to a city far away1 to be made a king1 and then to come back and rule over his own land4 ,before leaving1 he called ten of his servants1 and gave to each one five hundred dollars1 and said to him1 ',trade with this until ,i come back4' ,then he went away4 ,but the people of his land hated him1 and sent messengers to follow him to the distant city and to say1 ',we will not have this man as our king4' ,however1 the prince was made king and came home to reign over his land4 ,then he sent for his servants to whom he had given the money1 so that he might learn how much each one had made by buying and selling4 ,the first servant came and said3 ',my lord1 the five hundred dollars which you gave me has gained five thousand dollars4' ',well done1 you good servant1' said the king1 'because you have been so wise and faithful with a small amount1 ,i will make you the governor over ten cities in my kingdom4' ,then came another servant1 who said1 ',my lord1 your five hundred dollars has made five times as much as you gave me4 ,here are twenty-five hundred dollars4' ',very well1' answered the king1 'you may be the ruler over five cities4' ,soon one of the servants came1 saying1 ',my lord1 here is your five hundred dollars1 just as you gave it to me4 ,i have kept it safe for you1 wrapped up in a napkin4 ,for ,i was afraid of you2 you are such a hard1 selfish man4 ,you pick up what you never put down2 and you reap what you do not sow4' ',you worthless servant6' answered the king1 'out of your own words will ,i pass judgment upon you4 ,you knew1 did you1 that ,i was a hard man1 picking up what ,i never put down1 and reaping what ,i did not sow6 ,if you knew this1 why then did you not put my money into the bank8 ,then when ,i came home ,i could have gotten interest upon it1 the money gained by lending it4' ,then he said to those standing by1 ',take away from him the five hundred dollars1 and give it to the one who has five thousand dollars6' ',my lord1' they said1 'why1 he has five thousand dollars already6 ,why give it to him8' ',that is the very reason why he should have it1' said the king4 ',i tell you1 that to him who has1 more shall be given2 and as for him who has not1 even the little that he has shall be taken away from him4' ',and now1 for these enemies of mine1' the king went on1 'those men who sent word that they would not have me for their king1 seize them1 and bind them in chains and bring them here4 ,let them be slain in my sight6' ,with these words ,jesus went onward up the mountain road leading to ,jerusalem4 ,the ,alabaster ,jar ,,chapter #gb ,,from ,,jericho to ,jerusalem was a journey of fifteen miles up the mountains by a very steep road2 a road often dangerous on account of the robbers who were hidden among the rocks by the wayside4 ,but at the time of the ,passover when thousands of people were going up to the feast1 it was safe1 through the crowds traveling together4 ,up this road ,jesus walked with his disciples and a great throng of people1 all on their way to the ,passover4 ,he did not1 however1 go directly to ,jerusalem1 but turned aside when near the city1 and stopped at the village of ,bethany for a visit with his friends1 ,martha and ,mary and ,lazarus4 ,they were very1 very glad to see ,jesus now1 for you remember that on his last visit1 some months before1 he had called ,lazarus out of his tomb to live again4 ,it was on ,friday1 just six days before the ,passover was to be held1 that ,jesus came to ,bethany4 ,there1 at the house of a man named ,simon1 a supper was given in honor of ,jesus4 ,this ,simon had been a leper1 but had been cured by ,jesus1 so that he had his own reason for showing love and honor to ,jesus4 ,at the supper1 the guests sat leaning on couches1 with their heads toward the table and their feet away from it2 and those who waited at the tables passed the food and drink around to the guests4 ,among those who were serving at the table was ,martha1 the sister of ,lazarus4 ,illustration3 ,mary anointing ,jesus' feet with fragrant oil from the alabaster jar ,on the couch standing at the head of the table was leaning in the middle ,simon1 who gave the feast4 ,on his right hand1 in the place of honor1 was ,jesus2 and on his left was ,lazarus4 ,on the side tables were lying the disciples of ,jesus and other guests4 ,suddenly1 into the room came ,mary1 the sister of ,lazarus4 ,she carried in her arms a jar made of marble1 of the kind called alabaster4 ,its cover was sealed2 but ,mary broke the seal1 and at once a rich perfume arose in the air and floated not only through the dining hall1 but the whole house1 for the jar was filled with a very fragrant and costly oil4 ,mary walked up the aisle between the tables and the couches whereon the guests were lying4 ,she came opposite to ,jesus1 and poured some of the oil upon his head2 then walked around the couch1 poured the rest of it upon his feet and wiped them with her long hair1 hanging loose upon her shoulders4 ,illustration3 ,judas secretly bargaining with the chief priests for the betrayal of ,jesus into their hands ,everybody in the room was surprised at ,mary's act2 and one of the disciples of ,jesus said aloud3 ,what a waste this is8 ,why1 that jar of perfume was worth at least fifty dollars6 ,it might have been sold and the money given to the poor6 ,the one who said this was ,judas ,iscariot1 the wicked disciple who was already planning to give up his ,lord to his enemies1 the chief priests and rulers4 ,judas was the treasurer for ,jesus and his twelve disciples4 ,they all lived as one family1 kept their money in one purse1 and in addition whatever money was given to ,jesus by his friends4 ,judas kept this purse2 but he was a thief1 and stole some of the money1 that he might use it for himself4 ,when ,judas saw all the precious oil poured upon the head and feet of ,jesus1 he was angry1 for he looked upon it as so much money that he might have kept4 ,why do you find fault with this woman8 said ,jesus4 ,it is a beautiful thing that she has done to me4 ,you will always have the poor with you1 but you will not always have me4 ,as she poured this perfume on my body1 she did it for my burial1 which is soon to take place4 ,i tell you1 wherever in the whole world my gospel shall be preached1 the act of this woman will be told1 and she will be remembered on account of it4 ,all the friends of ,jesus were expecting him soon to go to ,jerusalem and set up his kingdom and rule4 ,they did not understand his words about dying and rising from the dead4 ,but ,mary1 among them all1 knew that ,jesus was soon to die1 and it was not only to show her love toward him for bringing her brother to life1 but in a very tender way to put into an act what she would not say in words1 that her ,lord would soon die and be buried4 ,after this supper1 ,judas ,iscariot1 the disciple who had spoken against ,mary and her gift1 quietly made up his mind to give ,jesus over to his enemies4 ,he saw that ,jesus would not be such a king as he wished him to be1 and he had begun to fear that his stealings were known1 or at least suspected4 ,he went secretly to the chief priests and the rulers and said to them3 ,what will you pay me if ,i will give ,jesus into your hands8 ,they were glad to hear this1 and said to him1 ,we will give you thirty pieces of silver4 ,this was a little less than twenty dollars in our money1 and it was the price paid for a slave4 ,think of it1 for the value of a slave1 the ,lord of all the earth was sold by one of his own chosen followers6 ,judas was sharp in his dealing with the priests4 ,he was afraid that1 after he had given ,jesus up to them1 he might be cheated out of his money4 ,so he said3 ,pay me the money now2 and when the right time comes1 ,i will show you how to make ,jesus of ,nazareth your prisoner4 ,they gave ,judas the thirty pieces of silver2 and from that moment ,judas was looking for the chance to put ,jesus into the hands of his enemies4 ,illustration3 ,jewish shekel ,palm ,sunday ,,chapter #gc ,,the ,,news that ,jesus was at ,bethany went abroad1 and very soon the village was thronged with people eager to see him4 ,many of these were men who had come from the country up to ,jerusalem for the feast of the ,passover2 and most of them were ready to believe in ,jesus as the ,christ1 the promised ,king of ,israel4 ,some came to ,bethany1 not only to see ,jesus1 but to see ,lazarus also1 the man whom ,jesus had raised from death to life4 ,the rulers1 who had already made up their minds to put ,jesus to death and had paid ,judas to give him up to them1 said to each other3 ,if we are to prevent these people from making ,jesus of ,nazareth their king1 it will not be enough to kill ,jesus2 we must first kill ,lazarus1 for on his account many are following ,jesus4 ,on the morning after the supper at ,simon's house1 ,jesus decided to go into ,jerusalem4 ,he called two of his disciples and said to them3 ,go into the next village on the road to ,jerusalem1 and just on the edge of it you will find an ass tied1 and with it a colt on which no one has ever ridden2 untie them and bring them to me4 ,if anyone asks you1 ',why are you doing that8' tell him1 ',the ,master needs them2 and will send them back soon2' and he will let you take the ass and the colt4 ,the two disciples went to the village1 and found in the street in front of a house an ass and a colt tied just as ,jesus had said4 ,they were untying them when the owner1 who was standing by1 said3 ,what are you doing1 untying the ass8 ,the ,master needs it1 answered the disciples2 and when the man heard this1 he allowed them to take the ass and the colt4 ,they brought them to ,jesus at ,bethany2 and on the ass-colt they laid their cloaks1 to form a cushion for ,jesus2 and he sat upon the colt1 which never before had been ridden upon4 ,then the crowd1 seeing that ,jesus was riding toward ,jerusalem1 walked with him1 some going before and some following after4 ,those in front spread their clothes upon the road before ,jesus2 others threw on the ground leaves from the field2 while many waved branches of palm taken from the trees beside the road4 ,illustration3 ,the brook ,kedron ,and before they came to the top of the ,mount of ,olives1 which was between ,bethany and ,jerusalem1 another crowd of people met them1 coming from the city to see ,jesus4 ,and all the multitude shouted together3 ,god save the ,king1 the ,son of ,david6 ,blessed is he who comes in the ,lord's name6 ,blessed is the kingdom of our father ,david6 ,praises be to the ,lord6 ,for all this crowd of people believed that now1 at last1 the kingdom of ,god was to be set up1 with ,jesus as ,christ and ,king4 ,but in the multitude were some ,pharisees1 enemies of ,jesus1 who became very angry as they saw the crowd waving the palm branches and cheering for ,jesus as ,king4 ,these men came up to ,jesus as he was riding and said to him3 ,teacher1 tell your followers to stop this noise6 ,i tell you1 answered ,jesus1 that if these men should keep still1 the very stones would cry out6 ,soon they came to the top of the ,mount of ,olives1 and then the ,temple and the city of ,jerusalem were in sight before them4 ,as ,jesus looked upon the city1 the tears came into his eyes and he said3 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem6 ,if only you might know1 even now1 while yet there is time1 what would give you peace6 ,but no1 it is hidden from your sight6 ,the time is coming when your enemies will build walls and forts around you1 and shut you in on every side2 and trample you down into the dust1 and your children with you4 ,they will not leave in you one stone standing upon another--and all because you would not understand when the ,lord was visiting you4 ,jesus rode down the ,mount of ,olives1 and across the valley of the brook ,kedron4 ,at the gate of the ,temple he got off from the back of the colt1 and sent it with the ass back to its owner4 ,as he came into the city and the ,temple there was a great stir1 the people everywhere flocking to meet him4 ,who is this8 they said2 and the crowds answered1 ,this is the ,prophet ,jesus1 from ,nazareth in ,galilee6 ,illustration3 ,many waved branches of palm1 and all the multitude shouted together3 ,god save the ,king1 the son of ,david6 ,blessed is he who comes in the ,lord's name6 ,the ,pharisees said to each other1 ,we can do nothing6 ,the whole world has gone after ,jesus6 ,everybody1 both the friends and enemies of ,jesus1 looked to have him take control of the city and act as a king4 ,but ,jesus only went into the ,temple and walked around it4 ,by this time it was evening1 and ,jesus returned with his disciples to ,bethany4 ,forty years after that time1 the terrible things that ,jesus declared were to fall upon ,jerusalem1 did come to pass4 ,the ,jews rose against the ,romans and made war upon them4 ,a mighty ,roman army came1 and swept over all the land1 bringing ruin and death everywhere4 ,the ,romans laid siege to ,jerusalem1 and built a strong wall around it1 so that no one could come out or go in4 ,the people fought desperately1 until they were starved and could fight no more4 ,at last the ,romans broke into the ,temple1 and set the city on fire4 ,both the ,temple and all the city were utterly destroyed2 untold thousands of the people were slain1 and many thousands more were sold as slaves4 ,and from that time1 seventy years after ,jesus was born1 and forty years after he died on the cross1 the ,jews have not had of their own a land or a city4 ,illustration3 ,after teaching in the ,temple all day1 ,jesus went out in the evening over the ,mount of ,olives to the home of his friends in ,bethany4 ,monday on the ,mount and in the ,temple ,,chapter #gd ,,after ,,the royal coming of ,jesus to the city and the ,temple1 on the next morning--which was ,monday--,jesus left ,bethany very early1 without waiting for his breakfast1 and with his twelve disciples walked over the ,mount of ,olives toward ,jerusalem4 ,the walk and the early morning air made him hungry1 and seeing a fig tree covered with green leaves in a field near the road1 he went to it1 hoping to find some figs upon it4 ,the laws of the ,jews allowed any person passing by a field which was not his own1 to take as much fruit or grain as he wished to eat1 but not to carry any away2 so that ,jesus had a right to go to this tree and help himself to its fruit4 ,jesus knew that it was not quite the time for ripe figs1 for they do not become ripe in that country before ,may or ,june1 and that day may have been in ,march4 ,but on the sunny slope of the ,mount of ,olives figs often ripen early in the season and as the figs always come before the leaves1 wherever the leaves were abundant1 there might be among them some ripe figs4 ,but when ,jesus came to the fig tree1 and looked at it closely1 he found that upon it was no fruit1 either ripe or green1 but only leaves4 ,then a thought came to ,jesus1 and in the presence of his disciples he spoke to the fig tree4 ,from this time let no fruit ever be picked from this tree forever6 he said4 ,this was not because ,jesus was angry with the poor tree1 which could not help not having fruit4 ,it was because he saw in that tree a parable or picture of the ,jewish people4 ,they made a show of serving ,god1 and were like trees covered with leaves2 but they did not bring forth the fruit of good lives1 of love to ,god and their fellow-men4 ,they were fruitless trees1 and trees which have been planted and kept for fruit are of no use without fruit4 ,the twelve disciples who were with ,jesus around the fig tree heard those words1 and soon had cause to remember them4 ,illustration3 ,as the traders looked upon ,jesus and heard his stern rebuke1 they became afraid and rushed out of the court before him ,from the ,mount of ,olives they walked1 as on the day before1 across the valley of the brook ,kedron1 and again came into the ,temple4 ,you remember that two years before when ,jesus visited the ,temple1 he then drove out from its court all the people that he found buying and selling and changing money4 ,but in the two years that had passed1 they had all come back1 and the ,court of the ,gentiles was again a place of business and of confusion4 ,all around were oxen lowing and sheep bleating2 their owners calling upon the people passing by to come and buy them2 cages full of pigeons and doves were standing on every side2 and from a row of tables might be heard the chink of silver1 as the money of foreign lands was changed for that of ,judea4 ,when these traders saw ,jesus standing before them1 some of them could remember how two years before he had driven them out of the ,temple1 and all saw in him the man whom only yesterday the people had welcomed as the coming ,king of ,israel4 ,there was a look upon the face of ,jesus which made all these wrongdoers afraid of him2 and when he spoke in the hearing of them all1 ,god's book says1 ',my house shall be called a house of prayer2 but you are making it a den of robbers1' with one accord they rushed out of the court before him1 driving out the sheep and oxen1 carrying away the cages of doves1 and even upsetting the tables of the money-changers4 ,jesus saw that people who were coming from outside the wall were carrying goods and jars of water and of oil through the ,court of the ,gentiles as the nearest way to the city1 so that the court was becoming merely a street between the city and the country4 ,he put a stop to this carrying of loads through the ,temple courts2 and would not allow even a jar of water to be taken by way of the ,temple into the city4 ,this building in all its parts was the house of ,god1 and ,jesus as the ,son of ,god gave commands that everywhere it was to be used only for the worship of his heavenly ,father4 ,after casting out all these evil things from the outer court1 ,jesus walked up the steps to the inner court1 called the ,treasury4 ,there he sat down1 and for the rest of the day taught the people who crowded around him4 ,while he was in the ,treasury1 they led to him the blind1 and he gave them sight by a word2 and the lame came in on crutches1 or were carried in by their friends to his feet1 and he gave them power to walk4 ,boys too were marching around the ,temple and shouting everywhere1 ,may ,god save the ,son of ,david6 ,all these things made the priests and the rulers very angry2 for they were only waiting for a chance to find ,jesus alone and make him their prisoner1 and they could do nothing while such crowds were around him1 all believing that he was the promised ,son of ,david and ,king of ,israel4 ,but these enemies of ,jesus could not keep quiet amid all these praises4 ,do you hear1 they said to ,jesus1 what these boys are shouting8 ,why do you not tell them to be still8 ,yes1 ,i hear them1 answered ,jesus1 and have you never read what is said in the book of ,psalms1 ',out of the lips of little children1 even of babies in their mothers' arms1 thy praises have been made perfect8' ,jesus stayed in the ,temple teaching until the evening drew near4 ,then he went with his disciples back to ,bethany for the night4 ,there among his friends he was safe4 ,tuesday ,morning in the ,temple ,,chapter #ge ,,again ,,on ,tuesday morning of that great week1 the last week of our ,saviour's life on earth1 he went with his disciples out of ,bethany to go to ,jerusalem4 ,as they were walking up the ,mount of ,olives1 they came to the fig tree to which ,jesus had spoken on the morning before4 ,it was standing upon the hillside1 but withered and dead1 its dry leaves turned yellow1 rustling in the wind4 ,master1 look6 said ,peter1 the fig tree to which you spoke those words yesterday is all withered6 ,have faith in ,god1 answered ,jesus4 ,i tell you in truth1 that if any one of you should say to this mountain before us1 ',be lifted up and thrown into the sea1' and should not have in his mind a doubt1 but believes that what he says will come to pass1 it shall be done4 ,so ,i say to you1 whatever you pray ,god for1 believe that ,god gives it to you1 and it shall be yours4 ,but keep this also in mind1 whenever you stand up for prayer1 if there is anything that you have against anybody1 forgive him4 ,then1 and then only1 will your ,father in heaven forgive you your sins against him4 ,again they came to ,jerusalem1 and walked across the ,court of the ,gentiles now quiet and free from the confusion of the morning before1 no buying1 no selling1 and no carrying of loads through it to the city4 ,they went into the ,treasury1 where ,jesus had taught and cured on the day before2 and they found it already full of people who had come together1 hoping to listen again to the words of the great ,teacher4 ,illustration3 ,the chief priests angrily demanded of ,jesus3 ,what right have you to come here and act as a ruler8 ,but not only were there in the ,temple people friendly to ,jesus1 and eager to hear him2 the chief priests1 the teachers of the law1 and the members of the great council1 were also there1 ready to do all in their power against him4 ,these men were very angry at ,jesus for what he had done on the day before4 ,they pushed their way through the crowds up to ,jesus1 and said to him1 with an air of lordship3 ,what right have you to come here and act as a ruler8 ,who gave you the right to do what you did yesterday8 ,i will ask you a question1 answered ,jesus promptly1 and if you will answer that1 then ,i will tell you who has given me the right to do what ,i have done here in the ,temple4 ,what do you say about ,john the ,baptist--did he speak the words of ,god as his messenger8 ,or did he speak his own words only1 without authority or power from ,god8 ,answer me that question6 ,they were taken aback at this answer of ,jesus2 and began talking together1 while the crowd around looked on4 ,what shall we say8 they whispered to each other4 ,if we say1 ',john the ,baptist spoke from ,god1' he will ask1 ',then why did you not believe his words and obey him8' ,no1 let us say1 ',he spoke only as a man1 without authority or power from ,god4' ,but then1 if we say that1 the people will stone us1 for they all believe that ,john was a true prophet of ,god4 ,so after a time these men said to ,jesus1 ,we cannot answer your question4 ,we don't know whether ,john spoke the words of ,god or his own words4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,no more will ,i tell you who has given me the power to do these things4 ,for ,jesus well knew that if these men had not believed when ,john the ,baptist said1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 they would not believe him saying1 ,i do only what my ,father tells me to do4 ,illustration3 ,the pool of ,mamilla1 at ,jerusalem ,three ,parables of ,warning ,,chapter #gf ,,immediately after answering the question of the priests and the rulers1 ,jesus gave three parables1 one directly after another2 and all aimed at his enemies4 ,the first was ,the ,parable of the ,two ,sons4 ,what do you think of this8 said ,jesus4 ,there was a man who had two sons4 ,he went to the older son1 and said to him1 ',my son1 go and work in the vineyard today4' ',yes1 sir1' said the young man4 ',i will go4' ,but although he had given his promise to go1 he broke it1 for he did not go4 ,then the father spoke to his second son1 as he had spoken to the first4 ',my son1 go and work today in the vineyard4' ,this one said to his father1 ',i will not go4' ,but afterward he was sorry1 and went into the vineyard to work4 ,now tell me1 which of these two sons did as his father told him to do8 ,they answered him1 ,the second4 ,i tell you truly1 said ,jesus1 that the tax-gatherers and the bad women are going into the kingdom of ,god instead of you1 who believe yourselves to be better than others4 ,for ,john the ,baptist came and showed you how to live1 and you would not believe him nor do as he said4 ,but the tax-gatherers and the bad women believed him and turned from their evil ways to ,god4 ,and even when you saw them turning from evil to good1 you would not seek ,god after them and follow the words of ,john4 ,then ,jesus spoke to these rulers another parable1 called ,the ,parable of the ,wicked ,vine-dressers4 ,listen to another parable1 he said4 ,a man who owned some land planted upon it a vineyard of grape-vines4 ,he put a fence around it1 dug a wine-vat inside it1 and built a tower in the middle of the vineyard1 so that a watchman might be on the lookout against thieves4 ,then he let it out to vine-dressers1 to take care of it1 and at the time of ripe grapes to send him his share of the fruit or its worth in money4 ,after leasing the vineyard1 he went away to another country4 ,illustration3 ,vineyard and watch-tower in ,bethlehem ,when the time for the vintage drew near1 the time for gathering the grapes1 he sent his servants for his share of the fruit4 ,but instead of giving him what belonged to him1 the vine-dressers seized his servants4 ,one servant they flogged and drove away1 another they killed1 and a third they stoned4 ,a second time the owner sent some other servants1 more than before2 and the vine-dressers treated them in the same way4 ,and so it was with many others2 some they beat and some they killed4 ,the owner of the vineyard had one son1 a young man1 whom he loved very dearly4 ,last of all he sent this son to them1 saying to himself1 ',they will surely respect my son1 and will not treat him as they have treated the servants4' ,but those men said1 as soon as they saw him1 ',this is the one who is to own the vineyard when his father dies4 ,let us kill him1 and then the vineyard will be ours4' ,so when he came1 they seized him and killed him1 and flung his body outside the vineyard4 ,now1 ,i will ask you1 said ,jesus1 when the owner of that vineyard comes1 what will he do to those vine-dressers8 ,they answered1 ,he will utterly destroy those vile1 cruel men1 and will lease his vineyard to other vine-dressers1 who will give him every year his share of the fruit4 ,have you never read this verse1 said ,jesus4 ,the stone which the builders refused ,has now become the chief and corner-stone2 ,this is the work of the ,lord1 ,and it is wonderful in our sight8 ,i tell you1 added ,jesus1 that the kingdom of ,god shall be taken from you and given to a people that brings to ,god its fruits4 ,yes1 and he who falls on this stone shall be dashed to pieces2 and whoever this stone falls on shall be ground to powder6 ,as the chief priests and ,pharisees and rulers heard these parables1 they knew at once that they were spoken against them4 ,they were eager to seize ,jesus1 but were afraid of the crowds around1 for all the common people looked upon him as a prophet speaking ,god's word4 ,jesus gave a third parable3 that of ,the ,marriage of the ,king's ,son4 ,this1 given in the ,temple1 was in some parts like another1 ,the ,parable of the ,great ,feast1 which he had already given in ,perea2 but other parts of it1 as we shall see1 were different from that parable4 ,there was a certain king1 said ,jesus1 who gave a great supper at the marriage of his son4 ,he sent out his servants to those who had been invited to the feast1 but they would not come4 ,once again he sent some other servants1 and told them to say to the guests3 ',here is my supper all ready1 the oxen and fat cattle have been killed2 everything is ready2 come to the feast4' ,but they paid no attention to his words1 and went off1 one to his farm and another to his shop4 ,and some seized his servants1 ill-treated them and even killed them4 ,this made the king very angry4 ,he sent his army1 put those murderers to death and burned up their city4 ,then the king said to his servants1 ',the marriage feast is ready2 but those who were the invited guests were not fit for it4 ,go out into the streets of the city and the roads in the country1 and ask everybody whom you meet to come to the wedding4' ,the servants went forth into the roads1 and brought to the feast all whom they met1 both the bad and the good4 ,so the marriage supper had plenty of guests4 ,when the king came in to meet the guests1 he saw a man among them who was not wearing a wedding robe4 ,for as each guest came to the house1 a beautiful robe was given him1 to be worn at the supper4 ',my friend1' said the king to this man1 'how was it that you came in here without a wedding robe8' ,the man stood silent1 for he had nothing to say4 ,then said the king to his servants3 ',tie this man hand and foot1 and throw him out of doors into the darkness4 ,there men will wail and gnash their teeth4 ,for ,i tell you that many are invited1 but few are chosen4' ,the ,head on the ,coin ,,chapter #gg ,,the ,,enemies of ,jesus thought that1 perhaps1 they might lead him to say some words against the ,roman rulers over the land4 ,if he would do this1 then they could complain to the ,roman governor and cause ,jesus to be seized and put in prison1 or even slain1 as an enemy of the ,roman state4 ,these priests and ,pharisees and rulers themselves hated the ,romans1 and would gladly throw off the ,roman yoke if they dared to do it2 but they were willing to pretend friendliness to their ,roman masters1 if only through them they could destroy ,jesus4 ,illustration3 ,the head on the coin ,with this purpose in mind1 while ,jesus was in the ,temple on that ,tuesday morning1 they sent to him some men whom ,jesus had never met1 men who seemed honest and true2 for they knew that if they came themselves ,jesus would at once see through their plans and be on his guard against them4 ,they did not know that ,jesus as the ,son of ,god knew all things1 could look into every heart of man and read all their thoughts4 ,so these men came to ,jesus in the ,temple and tried at first to speak flattering words to him to win his favor4 ,teacher1 they said1 we know that you are honest and speak the truth2 that you are not afraid of anybody and do not try to please men1 but say only what is right4 ,there is a question that troubles us1 for we do not know how to meet it4 ,for that reason we bring it to you1 for we know that you will give us a right answer4 ,tell us now what you think about it4 ,is it right for our people to pay taxes to the ,roman rulers over the land8 ,shall we pay1 or shall we refuse to pay8 ,illustration3 ,silver coin of ,tiberius ,csar ,this was indeed a hard question to answer1 especially to answer at once1 without time for thinking about it4 ,for if ,jesus should say1 ,do not pay the tax1 the ,romans would arrest him as an enemy to their rule1 and might even put him to death1 as they had seized and slain many for this very act of refusing to pay the taxes4 ,at that very time hundreds of men were hiding from the ,romans in caves and forests1 trying to escape from paying this tax4 ,on the other hand1 if ,jesus should say1 ,pay the tax1 all the common people would turn against him2 for all the ,jews hated this tax1 which was a sign of the ,roman power over them2 and every man among them only paid it because he was afraid of the ,roman governor and the ,roman soldiers4 ,but ,jesus saw through all their plots and plans1 and he had his answer ready4 ,you men of false heart1 pretending to be honest6 he said1 why do you try to catch me in a snare8 ,let me see some of the tax money6 ,they brought to him a piece of silver1 a ,roman coin4 ,he looked at it closely and then asked3 ,whose head is this that ,i find upon the coin8 ,what are the words around the edge8 ,why1 that is the head of the ,roman emperor1 ,tiberius ,csar1 and those words are his title4 ,well1 then1 said ,jesus1 give to ,csar what belongs to ,csar2 and be sure to give to ,god what belongs to ,god4 ,there was nothing in that answer which they could make to appear either unfriendly or friendly to the ,roman rule2 nor yet was there anything that could be used against ,jesus with the people4 ,wondering at the answer of ,jesus1 these men left him4 ,illustration3 ,jewish half-shekel1 the coin in which the ,temple tax was paid--tribute money 7,matt4 #ag3bg7--value1 #cb cents ,the ,woman with ,seven ,husbands ,,chapter #gh ,,we ,,have heard much in the story1 of the ,pharisees1 who were looked upon as leaders of the people in religion1 because they regularly went to church1 paid the church dues and obeyed all the rules1 foolish as some of those rules seemed4 ,these ,pharisees1 as you know1 were bitter enemies of ,jesus1 and everywhere stirred up the people against him4 ,but there was another party among the ,jews1 the ,sadducees1 whom we have not mentioned up to this time4 ,these people were equally opposed to the ,pharisees and to ,jesus4 ,they were easy-living men1 not paying much attention to the church rules2 and in fact not going often to the church1 which you know was called the synagogue4 ,but although they cared little for the churches in the different towns1 they cared greatly for the ,temple in ,jerusalem1 for most of the priests in the ,temple were ,sadducees1 as also were many of the rulers in the great council of the ,jews4 ,the ,sadducees did not believe that there was any soul in man1 nor any life after this life1 nor any angels1 nor any rising from the dead hereafter1 nor any heaven or hell4 ,they believed that when a man died and was buried1 that was his end forever4 ,some of these ,sadducees tried to puzzle ,jesus with a question4 ,they came to him in the ,temple that ,tuesday while he was speaking to the people4 ,teacher1 they said to him1 you remember that in the law of ,moses it is ordered that if a man should die without any children1 but leaving a wife1 then the man's brother shall take the widow for his wife1 and raise a family for his brother4 ,well1 there were living seven brothers4 ,the oldest of these married a wife1 and after a time died1 leaving no children4 ,then the second married her1 and he too died without a child4 ,the third took her and died1 the fourth also1 and all the rest of the seven died1 leaving no children4 ,finally the woman herself died4 ,now1 you have been teaching that there will come a day when the dead shall rise to life4 ,when that day comes1 and these seven men rise1 all of whom were married to this woman1 whose wife out of them all will she be1 for every one of them in turn was married to her8 ,you make a mistake1 answered ,jesus1 because you do not understand the teachings of the ,bible2 nor do you know how great is the power of ,god1 who can at a word call the dead up to life4 ,in this world men and women marry because they live on earth only for a time1 and must have families to live after them4 ,but when the dead are raised up1 they do not rise as husbands and wives1 nor do they marry in that world to come1 for they will have no need to raise up families to take their places4 ,in that land all live forever1 like the angels of ,god4 ,and as to the resurrection1 the rising from the dead1 have you not read the words that ,god spoke to ,moses at the burning bush8 ',i am the ,god of ,abraham1 and the ,god of ,isaac1 and the ,god of ,jacob4' ,now ,god is not the ,god of dead men1 but of living men4 ,for in the sight of ,god all men are alive1 even after they have died on earth4 ,while ,jesus was answering these questions--that of the rulers of the ,temple about his right to drive out those that were buying and selling2 that of the ,pharisees about the paying of taxes2 and that of the ,sadducees about the resurrection1 the rising from the dead--the people were standing around1 listening4 ,although the rulers were enemies of ,jesus1 the common people were friendly1 and heard him gladly4 ,they saw how ready and how apt his answers were1 and they were greatly pleased to find the enemies of ,jesus put to confusion before him4 ,illustration3 ,the tomb of ,david as shown to-day in ,jerusalem ,the ,greatest of ,all the ,commandments ,,chapter #gi ,,while ,,jesus was talking in the ,temple and answering all these questions1 a teacher of the law was standing near and listening4 ,he saw how well ,jesus answered all the questions put to him1 and coming up to him1 said3 ,teacher1 what commandment stands first of all8 ,we might suppose that he was speaking of the ,ten ,commandments and asking which of these is the most important4 ,but that was not his purpose4 ,he was thinking1 not of the commandments given by ,god1 but of the rules made by the scribes4 ,one teacher would say that the rules about keeping the ,sabbath were the greatest1 another that the rules about washing were first2 and so on1 each scribe or teacher laying stress on one set of rules above another4 ,jesus looked upon all these little laws made by men as of no importance2 and this was his answer to the scribe who had asked the question3 ,the first and greatest of all the commandments is this1 ',hear1 ,o ye people of ,israel2 the ,lord our ,god is one ,lord2 and thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy mind1 and with all thy strength4' ,and the second commandment is this1 ',thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself4' ,there is no other commandment greater than these two4 ,to love ,god with all the heart is to do ,god's will1 not because we must do it1 but because we love to do it and find joy in doing it4 ,and to love our neighbor means to feel an interest in our fellow-men and to do for them whatever we would wish to have them do for us4 ,you are right1 ,teacher6 said the scribe in answer to ,jesus4 ,it is true1 as you say1 that there is one ,god2 and there is no other ,god besides him4 ,and to love ,god with the whole heart1 and with the whole mind1 and with the whole strength2 and to love one's fellow-man as one's self--this is far beyond all offerings upon the altar6 ,illustration3 ,ruins at the place where ,jesus foretold the destruction of ,jerusalem ,jesus saw that this man's words were true and good and that he had the right thought of our duty to ,god and to our fellow-man4 ,he said to him3 ,you are not far from the kingdom of ,god4 ,this was the last question put to ,jesus4 ,no one ventured to ask him any more1 for they were afraid of his wonderful answers4 ,the chief priests and the rulers were more and more angry at him1 but the common people listened to him willingly4 ,while ,jesus was teaching he in his turn asked a question of the ,pharisees and teachers of the law4 ,tell me1 he said1 what you think of the ,messiah-,christ1 the ,king of ,israel1 promised to come4 ,whose son is he8 ,they answered at once1 ,david's son4 ,how is it then1 asked ,jesus again1 that ,david in one of the psalms calls him ',lord'8 ,the ,lord said to my ,lord1 ',sit at my right hand1 ,until ,i put your enemies under your feet4' ,if ,david calls this coming ,christ 'my ,lord1' how can he be ,david's son8 ,this they could not answer1 and they dared not ask ,jesus any more questions4 ,but we know1 from the words of the ,new ,testament1 that while ,christ as a man was sprung from ,david's line1 as the ,son of ,god he was ,david's ,lord4 ,after this ,jesus spoke strong words to the priests1 the scribes1 and the rulers1 for their wickedness of life for their leading the people away from ,god's will1 and for their unjust1 cruel purpose to put him to death4 ,he told them that for their sins and the sins of their people1 the ,temple should be thrown down1 the city of ,jerusalem should be destroyed1 and the land should be made desolate4 ,these were his last words1 and when he had spoken them1 he rose up to go out of the ,temple4 ,the ,greatest ,gift2 and the ,strangers from ,afar ,,chapter #hj ,,the ,,room in the ,temple where ,jesus spoke on that ,tuesday1 the last day of his teaching in public1 was called ,the ,treasury1 because beside its walls were chests or boxes in which people who came to worship placed their money for gifts to pay for the offerings of poor people4 ,as ,jesus rose up to leave the room1 he noticed the people dropping their money into these boxes4 ,some rich men made a show of giving large sums of money1 letting it make a noise as they dropped it slowly1 piece after piece1 into the box4 ,there came in a poor woman1 whose dress showed that she was a widow2 and she dropped into the box two little copper coins1 worth together only a quarter of a cent4 ,jesus saw her1 and calling his disciples1 he said3 ,i tell you in truth1 that in the sight of ,god this poor widow has put into the box more money than any of the others4 ,all the rest have been putting in money that they could spare and did not need4 ,but she in her need gave all that she had1 her whole living6 ,then ,jesus walked out of the ,treasury through the door on the east1 which was so richly decorated that it was called ,the ,beautiful ,gate1 his disciples with him4 ,they stepped down into the ,court of the ,gentiles2 and at the foot of the stairs met a number of men whose looks and dress showed that they were not ,jews1 but foreigners4 ,these men were ,greeks1 from a land far away4 ,they were waiting for ,jesus at the foot of the stairs1 for not being ,jews they were forbidden to enter the inner courts of the ,temple4 ,these ,greeks stepped up to one of the twelve disciples1 ,philip1 who had come from ,bethsaida in the north of ,galilee1 and could speak their language4 ,sir1 they said to ,philip1 we would like to meet ,jesus4 ,philip was not sure whether his ,master would be willing to talk to these men2 for ,jews kept ,gentiles or foreigners at a distance1 would never eat with them1 and would scarcely speak with them4 ,philip thought that ,andrew1 the brother of ,peter1 might know whether to bring these men to ,jesus or not1 so he spoke to ,andrew1 and ,andrew took the lead in coming to ,jesus with the ,greeks4 ,illustration3 ,the poor widow drops in two little coins ,the time has now come1 said ,jesus1 for the ,son of ,man to be lifted up1 and to die4 ,for it is only by dying that ,i can bring forth fruit4 ,when a kernel of wheat is dropped into the ground1 unless its outside shell dies1 it lives alone2 but if it dies1 then it becomes a seed and brings a harvest of many kernels of wheat4 ,he who loves his life and keeps it1 loses it2 but he who takes no care of his life here shall have it forever4 ,if any man is ready to serve me1 let him follow me2 and where ,i am going there shall my servant be with me4 ,if any one is my servant1 he shall have honor from my ,father4 ,at that moment it came to the mind of ,jesus that in less than three days he would be hanging dead upon the cross4 ,for an instant the thought gave him pain4 ,i am deeply troubled1 and have sorrow in my heart1 said ,jesus1 and what can ,i say8 ,shall ,i say1 ',father1 save me from the hour that is coming so soon8' ,no1 ,i will not say that1 because it was for that hour of death on the cross that ,i have lived even until now4 ,i will say1 ',father1 give honor to thine own name6' ,then a voice from heaven was heard1 saying1 ,i have honored my name already1 and ,i will honor it once more4 ,the people standing around said1 ,that was a peal of thunder just now4 ,no1 said others1 it was an angel speaking to this man6 ,it was not on my account that the voice came1 said ,jesus1 but on your account4 ,soon will come the hour when ,god will judge this world1 and the prince of evil1 who rules this world1 shall be driven away4 ,then ,jesus thought of his coming death on the cross2 what it was to bring to the world2 how that everywhere after his death men should believe on him as their ,lord and ,saviour2 not only ,jews1 but ,greeks1 and people of every land2 and he said3 ,and when ,i am lifted up from the earth1 ,i will draw all men to me4 ,soon after this ,jesus walked out of the ,temple1 never again to set his foot within it4 ,jesus ,telling of ,dark ,days to ,come ,,chapter #ha ,,jesus ,,walked across the ,court of the ,gentiles or ,strangers1 the large outer court of the ,temple1 toward the ,mount of ,olives4 ,on that side of the court stood ,solomon's ,porch1 a double row of pillars1 having a roof above to shield it from the sun4 ,under this porch they stepped down a marble staircase to pass out of the ,temple grounds through a gate called ,the ,golden ,gate4 ,as they drew near this gate the disciples called his attention to the great stones in the wall1 the pillars and the splendid buildings around4 ,are you looking at these stones and buildings8 said ,jesus4 ,i tell you now1 that the time is coming1 and not far away1 when all of these stones shall be torn apart1 and of these fine buildings not one stone shall be left standing in its place2 all shall be thrown down6 ,the disciples heard these words with alarm and sadness4 ,they knew that their ,lord spoke as a prophet2 and whatever he said would be sure to come to pass4 ,but they looked upon ,jerusalem as the holy city1 and upon the ,temple as the house of ,god4 ,to them1 the fall of the city and the ,temple seemed like the end of the whole world4 ,they walked after ,jesus in silence across the valley of the brook ,kedron and up the steep sides of the ,mount of ,olives4 ,on its top they sat down to rest1 and looked over the valley at the city1 its towers and roofs rising in their view4 ,while they were sitting on the mountain1 ,peter and ,andrew1 with the brothers ,james and ,john1 came to ,jesus1 and said to him3 ,tell us1 ,master1 what your words mean1 and when these terrible things will come to pass8 ,are you going away1 and then coming back again8 ,how may we know when to look for you8 ,then1 sitting on the mountain1 with the twelve disciples around him1 ,jesus gave a long talk about the things that were to come4 ,he began by warning them against following after men claiming to be ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel4 ,take care1 he said1 that no one lead you astray4 ,for many will come saying1 ',i am ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel1' and they will lead away many people4 ,but do not follow any of these false ,christs4 ,you will hear of wars that have come1 and reports of wars that are coming2 but do not be frightened4 ,these must come1 but they are not the end4 ,nation shall make war with nation1 and kingdom against kingdom2 and you shall hear of earthquakes in many places2 and times shall come when there will be no bread for the hungry to eat4 ,but all these are only the beginnings of the trouble2 and the worst is yet to come4 ,illustration3 ,the ,golden ,gate1 on east of the ,temple ,area1 ,jerusalem 7now closed7 ,but before these take place there are some other sufferings that you must meet because you are my disciples4 ,enemies will rise up against you4 ,you shall be brought before councils and courts to be tried2 you shall be seized and beaten in the churches of the ,jews2 you shall stand before governors and kings to give account for yourselves as my followers4 ,but when they seize you and bring you to be tried1 do not be anxious as to what you shall speak2 for the right words shall be given you in that hour of trial4 ,it will not be you that speak1 but the ,spirit of ,god that speaks through you4 ,in those times of trial fathers and mothers shall turn against their children1 and brothers shall give up brothers who believe in me4 ,some of you shall be put to death in those days4 ,and all men shall hate you because you are my disciples4 ,but if you are faithful to the end1 even to death1 you shall be saved to everlasting life4 ,illustration3 ,the ,mount of ,olives from ,gethsemane ,then ,jesus told of the terrible times that were coming to ,jerusalem and the land of the ,jews4 ,he said3 ,when you see great armies encamped on these hills all around ,jerusalem1 then know that the time has come for the city and the ,temple to be destroyed4 ,let this be a sign for everyone in ,judea to hide among the mountains4 ,if a man at that time is on the roof of his house1 let him not go down to take anything out of his house2 nor a man in the field go home after his cloak2 but hasten away just as he is1 with the clothes that are upon his back1 and find a safe hiding-place4 ,if anyone tells you in such times as those1 ',here is ,christ6' or ',there he is6' do not believe it1 for false ,christs will come and false prophets will appear2 and they will show signs and wonders1 so as to lead astray even some of ,god's own people4 ,i tell you truly that many who are now living shall see all these things come to pass4 ,jesus had already told his disciples that he was soon going away to leave them1 but in his own time he would come again4 ,he now spoke about his coming again4 ,as to the coming of the ,son of ,man1 no one knows about that day or hour2 no man knows when it will be1 nor the angels1 nor even the ,son himself1 but only the ,father4 ,it will be then as it was in the days of ,noah2 they went on eating and drinking1 marrying and being married1 until the day ,noah went into the ark2 and they took no notice until the flood came and swept them all away4 ,so will it be when the ,son of ,man comes4 ,then there will be two men working together in the field2 one shall be taken and the other left4 ,two women will be grinding grain with the hand mill2 one shall be taken and the other left4 ,keep on the watch then1 for you never know what day the ,lord will come4 ,be sure of this1 if the owner of the house had known at what time in the night the thief would come1 he would have been on the watch for him1 and would never have allowed his house to be broken into4 ,so be ready all the time1 for when you least expect him1 the ,son of ,man will come4 ,the ,parable of the ,ten ,bridesmaids ,,chapter #hb ,,at ,,the ,,close of a long talk with the disciples1 on the ,mount of ,olives1 ,jesus gave three parables4 ,the first parable was to show that his followers must watch and be ready for his sudden coming4 ,it is ,the ,parable of the ,ten ,bridesmaids4 ,the coming of the ,lord in his kingdom1 said ,jesus1 will be as when ten girls1 the bridesmaids at a wedding1 took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom with his friends1 and go with them to the house of the bride4 ,five of these girls were foolish and thoughtless1 and five of them were wise4 ,the foolish young women brought their lamps1 but never thought that they would need more oil to fill their lamps again4 ,but each of the five wise girls carried a small flask of oil to refill her lamp when needed4 ,illustration3 ,oriental lamp ,as the bridegroom1 the young man who was to be married1 was late in coming1 the ten bridesmaids grew sleepy1 and finally all fell asleep4 ,they slept until midnight1 when suddenly they were awakened by the shout1 ',here comes the bridegroom6 ,come out to meet him6' ,then all the girls got up and began trimming their lamps4 ,the careless1 foolish ones said to the wise and thoughtful ones3 ',come1 let us have some of your oil4 ,our lamps are going out4' ,but the wise bridesmaids answered them1 ',no1 each one of us has brought just enough oil for her own lamp4 ,if we should divide our oil with you1 then none of us would have enough to keep her lamp burning and we should all be in the dark together4 ,you must go to the store and buy for yourselves6' ,illustration3 ,the coming of the bridegroom ,so1 in the middle of the night1 while the bridegroom was coming1 those foolish women had to go to the town1 and wake up the oil-sellers and buy more oil4 ,while they were on their way buying oil1 the bridegroom and his party came2 and the bridesmaids who were ready went with them to the marriage-supper4 ,when they were all inside the room1 the door was shut to keep out strangers who had no right to enter4 ,after a time1 the rest of the bridesmaids came and found the door shut4 ,they called out to the bridegroom3 ',oh1 sir1 oh1 sir6 ,please open the door for us6' ,but he answered them1 ',i tell you1 ,i do not know who you are6' ,so1 said ,jesus1 ,i say to you1 keep on the watch1 and be ready at all times1 for you do not know either the day or the hour when your ,lord will come4 ,illustration3 ,watch-tower ,the ,parable of the ,talents ,,chapter #hc ,,the ,,second of the three parables with which ,jesus closed his long talk to his disciples on the ,mount of ,olives was ,the ,parable of the ,talents4 ,in some parts it was like ,the ,parable of the ,pounds1 given to the crowd at ,jericho only a week before1 but in other parts it was different4 ,in that parable1 there was a king1 going to a distant city to have a kingdom given to him4 ,in this parable1 it was a rich man going on a long journey4 ,in the parable of the ,pounds1 all the servants began with the same amount of money2 in this parable1 they received different amounts1 one of them five times as much as another received4 ,in the parable of the ,pounds1 one gained ten times1 the other five times what had been given to him2 and they obtained different rewards1 one the ruler over ten cities1 another over five4 ,but in the parable of the ,talents1 each faithful servant doubled what he had received1 and both had the same reward4 ,but we will give the parable of the ,talents1 and you can see how it differs from the parable of the ,pounds4 ,jesus said3 ,when the ,son of ,man comes1 it will be as when a man returned from his journey into a far country4 ,before starting out upon his journey1 this man called together his servants and gave his money into their charge4 ,to one he gave five talents1 to another two1 and to another one4 ,each talent was worth about two thousand dollars1 so that the first servant had ten thousand dollars1 the second four thousand dollars1 and the third two thousand dollars4 ,to each man was given as much as his master thought that he was able to take care of4 ,they were to use the money and gain with it until their master should come home again2 and then bring it with their gains to him4 ,after dividing his money1 the man went away4 ,at once the servant who had the five talents or ten thousand dollars1 went to trade with his money1 and made with it ten thousand dollars more1 or twenty thousand dollars in all4 ,the second servant1 who had two talents or four thousand dollars1 also used his money carefully1 and doubled it1 making eight thousand dollars4 ,but the third servant1 to whom had been given one talent1 or two thousand dollars1 instead of making use of his master's money1 went away and dug a hole in the ground1 and put the talent into the hole and left it there4 ,after a long time the master of the servants came home again1 and called for his servants1 to see what each had gained4 ,the one who had received the five talents came with bags of gold in his arms4 ,he said3 ',my lord1 you gave me ten thousand dollars4 ,here they are1 and ten thousand dollars more1 which ,i have gained with your money4' ',well done1 you good servant6' said his master4 ',you have done well in small things2 now ,i will give you great things2 come and share your master's feast6' ,then came the second servant1 to whom had been given two talents4 ',my lord1' said he1 'you trusted me with four thousand dollars4 ,see1 here it is with four thousand dollars more that ,i have gained for you6' ',well done1 you good servant1' said his master4 ',you too have done well in small things2 now ,i will give you great things2 come and share the feast with me6' ,then came the servant to whom had been given one talent1 two thousand dollars4 ,in his hand was the same bag of gold that he had received1 and no more4 ',sir1' he said1 ',i knew that you were a hard man1 reaping where you never sowed1 and taking grain that you did not harvest4 ,so ,i was afraid1 and hid your money in the ground4 ,look1 here is what belongs to you4' ',you lazy1 worthless servant6' said his master4 ',you knew1 did you1 that ,i reap where ,i did not sow1 and that ,i take grain that ,i did not harvest8 ,if you knew that ,i am such a man as that1 you should have put my money into the savings bank2 and then at least ,i might have had my own money with some gain added to it4 ,illustration3 ,you lazy1 worthless servant6 said his master ',therefore1' the master went on1 'take away the talent from this man1 and give it to the one who has brought me the ten talents1 the twenty thousand dollars2 for that shows that he is fitted to take care of it4 ,for to every one that has1 more shall be given and still more4 ,but from him that does not have1 even that which he has shall be taken away4 ',and as for that good-for-nothing servant1 turn him out of doors from the feast1 into the darkness outside2 there those who cannot come into the feast shall wail and gnash their teeth4' ,from this parable1 as well as the parable of the ,pounds1 it is plain that by every one who has1 the ,lord meant every one who cares for and makes use of what he has2 and by him who has not he meant the one who makes no use of what he has4 ,whoever uses rightly what he has1 whether money1 or knowledge1 or powers of mind1 or the chance to do good1 will find more and more of it2 and whoever neglects what he has will surely lose it4 ,illustration3 ,flagellum or scourge ,the ,last ,great ,day ,,chapter #hd ,,after ,,the two parables of ,the ,bridesmaids and ,the ,talents1 ,jesus still with his disciples on the ,mount of ,olives1 gave one more parable2 a picture of ,the ,last ,great ,day4 ,he said3 ,when the ,son of ,man shall come again to earth1 in all his glory as ,king1 and with him all the angels of ,god1 then he will take his seat upon his royal throne2 and before him shall be gathered all the people of the world to be judged4 ,at that time he will send out his angels and they shall divide the great multitude into two parts1 as a shepherd divides his flock1 putting the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left4 ,then the ,king shall say to those on his right hand3 ',come1 you who are blessed by my ,father4 ,come1 and take the kingdom made ready for you ever since the beginning of the world4 ,for1 when ,i was hungry1 you gave me food2 when ,i was thirsty1 you gave me drink2 when ,i was a stranger1 you opened your doors and took me into your homes2 when ,i had no clothes1 you gave me clothing2 when ,i was sick1 you cared for me2 when ,i was in prison1 you came to visit me4' ,then the good will answer1 ',when was it that we found you hungry and gave you food8 ,or thirsty and gave you drink8 ,when did we see you a stranger1 and took you into our homes8 ,or without clothes1 and gave you clothing8 ,when did we see you sick1 or in prison1 and went to visit you8' ,and the ,king will answer them1 ',i tell you1 as often as you did any of these things to one of these my brothers who believe in me1 even the least of them1 you did it to me4' ,then the ,king will turn to those on his left hand1 and will say to them3 ',go away from me1 you whom ,god has cursed1 to the everlasting fires which have been kindled for the ,devil and his angels1 the wicked spirits4 ,there shall be your home forever6 ,for ,i was hungry1 but you never gave me food2 ,i was thirsty1 but you never gave me drink2 ,i was a stranger1 but you never opened your doors to me2 ,i was in need of clothes1 but you never gave me any2 ,i was sick and in prison1 but you never cared for me4' ,then these will answer him3 ',lord1 when did we ever see you hungry1 or thirsty1 or a stranger1 or without clothing1 or sick1 or in prison1 and did not help you8' ,and he shall answer them1 ',in very truth ,i say to you1 that as often as you did not help in their need these my brothers who believe in me1 even the very least of them1 you did not help me4' ,so these will go away to suffer punishment forever2 but those who have done the right will go to life everlasting4 ,it was now late on ,tuesday afternoon1 and ,jesus with his disciples went down the ,mount of ,olives to ,bethany4 ,on the way he said to them3 ,you know that two days from now is the ,feast of the ,passover4 ,on that day the ,son of ,man will be given up to his enemies2 and they shall put him to death upon the cross4 ,but1 although he had spoken of this many times1 even now they could not believe it4 ,they went together to ,bethany1 to the home of ,martha and ,mary and ,lazarus4 ,illustration3 ,you1 my ,lord1 shall never wash my feet6 said ,peter4 ,unless ,i wash you1 answered ,jesus1 you are not one of mine4 ,washing the ,disciples' ,feet ,,chapter #he ,,tuesday ,,had been a busy day for ,jesus1 as we have already seen2 but ,wednesday must have been a quiet day1 for none of the four gospels tells us of any events taking place on that day4 ,jesus knew that in two days more his sufferings were to begin1 and he needed ,wednesday1 his last full day1 for rest and for talking with his ,father in heaven4 ,on ,wednesday1 therefore1 ,jesus was alone with ,god1 not talking much with his disciples4 ,on ,thursday evening was to be held by all the ,jews the great ,feast of the ,passover4 ,this kept in mind the day1 more than a thousand years before1 when the ,israelites went out of ,egypt and became a free people4 ,at that time each ,israelite family in ,egypt killed a lamb1 roasted it1 and ate it1 their last meal in ,egypt2 and with it they ate unleavened bread1 that is1 bread made without yeast2 somewhat like soda biscuit4 ,in memory of that day1 the families of ,israel went up to ,jerusalem every year in the spring and ate a dinner of roasted lamb with unleavened bread1 which they called ,the ,feast of the ,passover1 because on that night in ,egypt the angel of death passed over the homes of the ,israelites1 while he brought death to the families of ,egypt4 ,on ,thursday morning1 ,peter and ,john came to ,jesus in ,bethany and said3 ,master1 where shall we make ready the passover feast for you8 ,go into the city1 answered ,jesus1 and you will meet a man carrying a jar of water2 follow him1 and into whatever house he goes1 say to the man living there1 ',the ,teacher says1 ,i must eat the passover at your house tonight with my disciples--where is my room8' ,and this man will show you a large room upstairs2 there make ready all things for the supper4 ,peter and ,john went from ,bethany into the city as they were told2 they met the man with the water jar and followed him to the house4 ,there they found the owner of the house1 and spoke to him as ,jesus had said4 ,this man may have been a follower of ,jesus1 glad to have his ,master take a meal at his house4 ,he led ,peter and ,john upstairs into a large room1 with tables standing1 and around them couches for the guests4 ,then the two disciples went into the market and bought a lamb4 ,this they carried upon their shoulders to the ,temple4 ,there it was killed and its blood was poured out at the foot of the great altar4 ,the lamb was then roasted in an oven2 and after sunset it was brought to the supper room and placed upon the table4 ,beside it were the flat biscuits of unleavened bread1 and also some vegetables of a slightly bitter taste1 to be eaten with the lamb4 ,late on ,thursday afternoon ,jesus and the rest of his disciples left ,bethany4 ,jesus alone knew that this was his last farewell to that home and its loving people2 but he said nothing1 not wishing to alarm them4 ,among his followers on that afternoon was ,judas ,iscariot1 knowing that he had sold his ,master to his enemies1 and that the thirty silver pieces were even then in his money bag4 ,jesus knew it1 too1 but he said not a word of it1 either to ,judas or the disciples4 ,they went around the ,mount of ,olives1 crossed the valley1 and came through one of the gates into the city2 then found their way among the streets on ,mount ,zion to the house where in the upper room the supper was all ready for them4 ,here1 as many times before1 arose a little quarrel over the question as to which of the twelve disciples should sit at the guest table with ,jesus1 for that table was the place of honor4 ,jesus stopped the dispute by saying to them what he had said before3 ,he that would be greatest among you1 let him take the lowest place2 and he who would be chief1 let him become your servant4 ,but there is no need for you to be anxious about places4 ,you have stood by me through all my trials1 and ,i will give you all high places in my kingdom1 for you shall sit on twelve thrones1 each of you over one of the tribes of ,israel4 ,but ,jesus in teaching his disciples lowliness of mind and unselfishness of spirit1 did not stop with words4 ,he taught them by an act which made them wonder4 ,just before the supper1 he rose from the couch where he was lying1 took off his robe and outer garments1 then tied a towel around his waist1 poured water into a basin1 and began to wash the feet of the disciples as they were reclining around the tables1 their heads toward the tables1 their feet away from them4 ,jesus came first to ,simon ,peter1 and stood at his feet1 holding the basin of water4 ,peter looked up at him1 and saw that the ,saviour was preparing to wash his feet4 ,what1 ,master6 said ,peter4 ,are you going to wash my feet8 ,you do not understand now what this means1 said ,jesus1 but you will learn after a time4 ,you1 my ,lord1 shall never wash my feet6 said ,peter4 ,unless ,i wash you1 answered ,jesus1 you are not one of mine4 ,then1 ,master1 said ,peter1 if that be so1 wash not only my feet1 but my hands and my head6 ,he who has already bathed1 said ,jesus1 is clean1 and needs only to wash his feet4 ,and you are clean--but not every one of you4 ,in those words not every one of you1 he was thinking of ,judas1 the traitor1 who was there with the others4 ,so ,jesus washed ,peter's feet and wiped them dry with the towel around his waist2 and he went around the couches1 washing the feet of every disciple1 even the feet of wicked ,judas4 ,when he had finished1 he took off the towel1 and put on his outer clothes1 and took again his place at the table4 ,do you understand the meaning of what ,i have done to you8 said ,jesus4 ,you call me your ,teacher and your ,lord1 and you are right1 for ,i am both ,teacher and ,lord4 ,well1 if ,i1 who am your ,teacher and your ,lord1 have washed your feet1 you ought to wash each other's feet4 ,i have set you an example1 that you should do what ,i have done to you4 ,i tell you truly1 a servant is not greater than his master1 nor is a messenger greater than the one who sends him4 ,if you know all this1 you are happy if you do them4 ,illustration3 ,after taking the piece of bread1 ,judas at once went out into the night ,then ,jesus went on1 saying1 ,when ,i say 'you' ,i do not mean all of you2 for there is one of you eating with me now who will give me up to my enemies4 ,truly1 truly1 ,i tell you one of you shall betray me6 ,illustration3 ,then ,jesus took up the cup and blessed it1 and gave it also to his disciples4 ,as ,jesus said this his face showed that he was in deep trouble4 ,the disciples looked at each other1 not knowing of whom ,jesus was speaking4 ,they too were filled with sorrow1 and began to say to him1 all around the table1 ,is it ,i1 ,lord8 ,one of you that puts his hand into the same dish with me1 answered ,jesus1 is the traitor4 ,the ,son of ,man goes from earth1 as has been written of him in the ,scripture1 but woe1 woe to that man who betrays his ,lord6 ,it would have been well for that man if he had never been born6 ,next to ,jesus at the table was reclining one of the disciples1 ,john1 whom ,jesus loved greatly4 ,simon ,peter made signs to ,john1 which meant1 ,find out who it is that he is speaking of4 ,so ,john leaned back on ,jesus' shoulder and whispered3 ,who is it1 ,master8 ,it is the one1 answered ,jesus1 to whom ,i shall hand this piece of bread1 after dipping it in the dish4 ,jesus dipped the bread into the dish holding the roasted lamb1 and handed it to ,judas ,iscariot4 ,at that moment the spirit of evil went fully into the heart of ,judas4 ,jesus said to him3 ,what you are going to do1 do at once4 ,but no one at the table understood what these words meant4 ,as ,judas kept the purse for the company1 they thought that ,jesus was telling him to buy some things for the feast1 or perhaps to give some money to the poor4 ,after taking the piece of bread1 ,judas at once went out into the night4 ,the ,lord's ,supper ,,chapter #hf ,,while ,,they were eating the passover meal1 ,jesus took a loaf of bread1 and holding it in his hand1 with his eyes lifted to heaven1 spoke a blessing upon it4 ,then he broke it and gave a piece of it to each of the disciples4 ,as he gave it to them1 he said3 ,take this1 and eat it2 this means my body which is given for you4 ,then he took a cup of the wine1 and blessed it1 and gave this also to his disciples1 saying3 ,drink from this1 all of you2 this means my blood1 the blood of the new covenant1 which is poured out for many1 to take away their sins4 ,i tell you1 from this time ,i will never again drink the juice of the grape1 until that day when ,i drink it new with you1 in the kingdom of my ,father4 ,in the old times1 an agreement or promise was called a covenant1 and when it was made a lamb or a goat was killed for an offering1 and laid upon the altar to be burned4 ,the blood of the offering was poured out on the altar2 and this was called the blood of the covenant4 ,jesus meant to tell his disciples that soon his blood would be poured forth as the sign of ,god's promise to take away sin from those who believed in him4 ,you have seen at some services in the church a table covered with a white cloth4 ,when the cloth has been taken away1 you have seen plates of bread and cups of wine4 ,the minister gives the bread to the people1 and repeats the words of ,jesus1 ,take1 eat2 this is my body which is given for you4 ,and afterward as the wine is taken1 he says1 ,drink ye all of this2 for this is my blood shed for you4 ,this service is called ,the ,lord's ,supper1 and it is held to keep in our minds the thought of the last meal that ,jesus ate with his disciples4 ,my dear children1 said ,jesus after the supper1 ,i am to be with you only a little longer2 then you will look for me1 and as ,i told the ,jews ,i tell you now1 where ,i am going you cannot come4 ,i give you a new commandment1 to love one another4 ,as ,i have loved you1 you are to love each other4 ,by this every one will know that you are my disciples1 by your loving each other4 ,lord1 said ,simon ,peter1 where are you going8 ,i am going1 answered ,jesus1 where you cannot follow me now2 but you shall follow me after a time4 ,why cannot ,i follow you now1 ,master8 asked ,peter4 ,i am ready to lay down my life and die for you6 ,will you lay down your life for me8 said ,jesus4 ,i tell you truly1 ,peter1 before the cock crows twice tomorrow morning you will three times declare that you have never known me4 ,but ,peter again said most earnestly1 ,if ,i must die with you1 ,i will never deny you4 ,and all the disciples who were present said with ,peter that they would never forsake their ,lord1 even unto death4 ,the ,vine and the ,branches ,,chapter #hg ,,jesus ,,saw that his disciples were greatly disturbed at his words1 as he spoke of going away to some place where they could not go with him1 and leaving them alone among people who were his enemies2 especially as he told ,peter that he would soon disown his ,master1 and that all the rest of the disciples should leave him to suffer alone4 ,jesus tried to comfort them in their fears and their sorrows4 ,do not be troubled in your hearts1 he said to them2 trust in ,god1 and trust in me1 and in my words4 ,in my ,father's dwelling-place there are many homes4 ,i am going to prepare a place for you2 and when ,i have prepared it1 ,i will come back and take you to be with me there1 so that you may be where ,i am4 ,and you know the way to the place where ,i am going4 ,master1 said ,thomas1 we do not know where you are going2 and how then are we to know the way8 ,i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life1 answered ,jesus4 ,no one ever comes to the ,father in any way except through me4 ,if you knew me1 you would know my ,father also4 ,you know him now1 and have seen him2 for you have seen me4 ,master1 said ,philip1 let us see the ,father2 that is all that we want4 ,have ,i been with you all this time1 ,philip1 answered ,jesus1 and yet you do not know me8 ,whoever has seen me has seen the ,father4 ,what do you mean by saying1 ',let us see the ,father'8 ,do you not believe that the ,father and ,i are one1 that ,i am in the ,father and the ,father in me8 ,the words that ,i speak are my ,father's words2 and the works that ,i do are my ,father's works4 ,i tell you truly1 that whoever believes in me shall do the very works that ,i do2 and he shall do even greater works than these4 ,i am going to the ,father1 and whatever you ask the ,father in my name that ,i will do1 that the ,father may be honored in the ,son4 ,if you ask anything in my name1 ,i will do it4 ,if you love me1 ,jesus went on1 you will do whatever ,i have told you to do2 and ,i will ask the ,father to give you another ,helper to be with you always4 ,that ,helper is the ,spirit of ,truth4 ,the people of this world cannot have the ,spirit1 because they do not see him nor know him4 ,but you know him1 because he is always with you1 and is within you4 ,i will not leave you alone in your sorrow2 ,i am coming to you4 ,a little while longer1 and the world will see me no more2 but you will see me1 for ,i am living1 and you will be living1 too4 ,he who has my commands and keeps them in his heart is the one who loves me2 and he who loves me will be loved by my ,father2 and ,i will love him and ,i will make myself known to him4 ,then said one of the disciples named ,judas--not ,judas ,iscariot the traitor 7he had gone out71 but another ,judas1 the brother of ,james--,how is it1 ,lord1 that you are to make yourself known to us and not to the world8 ,if any one loves me1 answered ,jesus1 he will obey my word2 and my ,father will love him2 and we will come to him and make our home with him4 ,he who does not love me will not obey my words2 and the word to which you are listening is not my own word1 but the word of the ,father who sent me4 ,i have told you all this while ,i am still with you1 but the ,helper1 the ,holy ,spirit1 whom the ,father will send to you to take my place1 he will teach you all that you need to know and he will bring to your mind all that ,i have said to you4 ,peace be with you6 ,my own peace ,i give you4 ,i do not give my peace to you as the world gives its 'peace4' ,do not let your hearts be troubled2 do not be afraid4 ,you heard me say that ,i was going away and soon afterward coming back to you4 ,if you loved me fully1 you would be glad that ,i am going to the ,father1 for the ,father is greater than ,i am4 ,i have told you all this--that ,i am going away--before it happens1 so that when it does happen1 as it will very soon1 you may still believe in me1 and believe that ,i am coming again4 ,illustration3 ,i am the vine1 and you are the branches ,then ,jesus gave to his disciples another parable1 ,the ,vine and the ,branches4 ,he said3 ,i am the true vine1 and my ,father is the vine-grower1 the ,master of the vineyard4 ,you1 my disciples1 and all who believe in me1 are the branches of the vine4 ,if the vine-grower finds on his vine any branches that bear no fruit1 he cuts them off1 for they are of no use4 ,if he finds branches that bear fruit1 he trims them and cleans them1 so that they may bear better fruit4 ,you are already clean through the word that ,i have spoken to you4 ,keep united to me1 the vine1 and ,i will keep united to you4 ,just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself when separate from the vine1 no more can you bear fruit unless you stay united to me4 ,remember1 ,i am the vine1 and you are the branches4 ,he who keeps himself in union with me1 and keeps me in union with himself bears rich fruit4 ,but apart from me you can do nothing4 ,if any one does not stay united to me1 he is thrown away1 just as a branch would be1 and he withers up2 then the worthless1 withered branches are gathered and thrown into the fire and are burned4 ,if you stay united to me1 and my teaching stays in your hearts1 you may ask whatever you wish1 and it shall be yours4 ,as you bear rich fruit and prove yourselves my disciples1 my ,father is honored4 ,as my ,father has loved me1 so ,i have loved you2 stay in my love4 ,if you keep my commands in your hearts1 you will stay in my love1 just as ,i have kept my ,father's commands in my heart and dwell in his love4 ,the ,last ,words of ,jesus to ,his ,disciples ,,chapter #hh ,,jesus ,,went on giving his last talk with his disciples1 in the room after the supper4 ,among other things1 he said3 ,this is my last command to you4 ,love one another as ,i have loved you4 ,no one can give greater proof of love than by laying down his life for his friends4 ,you are my friends if you do what ,i command you4 ,i do not any more call you 'servants'2 for a servant does not know what his master is doing2 but ,i have called you 'friends1' for all things that ,i have learned from my ,father ,i have told you4 ,it was not you who chose me1 but ,i have chosen you1 and appointed you to go and bear fruit that shall last1 so that the ,father may give you whatever you ask in my name4 ,this is what ,i command you1 to love one another4 ,if the world hates you1 remember that it hated me first4 ,if you belonged to the world1 the world would love its own2 but because you do not belong to the world1 since ,i have chosen you out of the world1 the world hates you4 ,remember what ,i said to you1 ',a servant is not greater than his master4' ,if they have tried to do me harm1 they will try to do you harm too4 ,if they hold to my word1 they will hold to yours also4 ,it is written in the ,holy ,book1 ',they hated me without any cause1' and that word has come true in me2 for they have indeed hated me when there was no cause for it4 ,but when that ,helper comes1 he whom ,i will send to you--the ,spirit of ,truth who comes from the ,father--he will speak for me2 yes1 and you shall speak for me1 for you have been with me from the very first4 ,i have said these things to you now1 so that in the times to come1 knowing these things you will not be discouraged nor fail4 ,they will put you out of their churches2 yes1 there is coming a time when if anyone kills you he will think that he is pleasing ,god4 ,they will do these things because they have not really known my ,father1 nor known me4 ,but ,i am telling you of these things now1 that when the time comes1 and you find the rulers and the people your enemies1 you will remember ,i told you1 and will be ready for these things4 ,illustration3 ,in a little while your sorrow shall be turned into joy1 and your joy shall never be taken away from you ,i am telling you the truth2 it is best for you that ,i go away2 for if ,i do not leave you1 that ,helper1 the ,spirit of ,god1 will not come to you2 but if ,i go away1 ,i will send him to you4 ,when he the ,spirit of ,truth comes1 he will lead you into all truth2 and he will make known to you what is to come4 ,in a little while you will not see me any longer2 then after another little while you will see me again4 ,these words seemed to the disciples hard to understand4 ,they said to each other3 ,what does he mean by telling us1 ',in a little while you will not see me2 then after another little while you will see me'2 and ',i am going to the ,father'8 ,what does he mean by 'a little while'8 ,jesus knew that they wanted to ask him2 and he said to them1 ,are you trying to find out what ,i meant in saying 'a little while and ye shall not see me1 and then a little while and ye shall see me'8 ,i tell you truly1 that in a very little while you will be weeping and sorrowing1 while the world around you will be glad4 ,then in a little while again1 your sorrow shall be turned into joy1 for you shall see me again1 and your joy shall never be taken away from you4 ,jesus meant them to understand that in a few hours he would be taken from them and placed upon the cross to die2 that he would be buried1 and all these things should give them pain and sorrow4 ,but in a few days he would rise again from the grave1 and then they would be glad and happy1 with a happiness that should never pass away1 even though he should again1 after that1 leave them and go to the ,father4 ,after saying these things1 ,jesus lifted up his hands to ,god and prayed4 ,in his prayer he gave thanks to ,god that he had been able to finish the work that had been given him to do4 ,he prayed also for his disciples1 that they might all be one in heart1 and love each other1 and that they might be kept faithful to the end4 ,he prayed1 too1 not only for those his disciples1 but for all who through their words should come to believe in him as the ,saviour of the world2 that they all might be of one heart1 loving each other2 one with ,jesus1 and one with his ,father4 ,when ,jesus had finished his prayer1 they all sang a hymn together1 and went out of the supper room into the silent streets of the city4 ,they walked toward the ,mount of ,olives1 as if expecting to return to ,bethany1 the place from which they had come in the afternoon4 ,with the disciples1 as they went out of the house1 was a young man whose name was ,john ,mark4 ,he may have been the son of the man at whose house ,jesus and his disciples had eaten the supper4 ,if that be so1 then his mother's name was ,mary1 just like the name of ,jesus' mother1 though she was not the same woman4 ,long afterward1 this ,john ,mark wrote one of the four gospels1 telling of the life of ,jesus1 ,the ,gospel of ,mark4 ,illustration3 ,olive tree and oil press ,illustration3 ,jesus1 leaving his three disciples to watch at the entrance to the ,garden of ,gethsemane1 went farther inside to pray4 ,in the ,garden of ,gethsemane ,,chapter #hi ,,during ,,the week of the ,passover1 while the city of ,jerusalem held three or four times as many people as usual1 the gates in its walls were kept open day and night1 although during most of the year they were closed at sunset4 ,it was near midnight on ,thursday when ,jesus and his disciples1 coming from the supper room1 passed through a gate in the eastern wall just north of the ,temple4 ,they went down into the valley of the brook ,kedron1 and crossed the brook upon a bridge4 ,on the further side of the valley1 they came to an orchard of olive trees1 called the ,garden of ,gethsemane4 ,jesus had often visited this garden1 for it was a quiet place2 and he loved to pray under the shadow of its olive trees4 ,the orchard had a wall around it2 and at its gate ,jesus said to his disciples3 ,sit here1 while ,i go and pray inside the garden4 ,he took with him three of his disciples1 ,simon ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john his brother1 and with these three went into the garden4 ,the disciples began to notice that their ,master was now showing the signs of deep sorrow1 as if full of grief4 ,he said to the three disciples3 ,my heart is sad2 sad even to death2 stay here and watch4 ,then he went forward a little way1 and fell with his face upon the earth1 and prayed to the ,father3 ,oh1 my ,father6 ,my ,father6 he cried4 ,thou canst do anything6 ,take this cup away from me1 ,i pray6 ,yet1 ,i do not ask to have my own will1 but only what is thy will4 ,the cup of which ,jesus spoke was the terrible suffering that was very soon to come upon him4 ,in those last moments1 as he saw his trial and death drawing near like a black cloud1 his spirit shrank4 ,so earnest was his prayer1 that the sweat stood upon his face in drops of blood4 ,just then came an angel from heaven1 standing by his side to cheer and help him4 ,illustration3 ,ancient olive tree1 in the garden of ,gethsemane ,he rose up1 and walked to the place where he had left the three disciples4 ,they had fallen asleep1 being overcome with the trouble which they felt in knowing that soon they were to lose their ,master4 ,jesus spoke to ,peter1 ,simon1 are you sleeping8 ,could you not watch with me for a single hour8 ,watch and pray1 all of you1 that you may be kept from being tempted4 ,i know that your spirit is willing1 but your bodies are weak4 ,again he went away1 and prayed in the same words3 ,my ,father6 ,my ,father6 ,thou canst do anything6 ,take this cup away from me6 ,yet1 ,i would not have my own will1 but thy will4 ,coming back1 he found them again asleep1 for their eyes were heavy and they could not keep them open4 ,when awaked1 they did not know what to say to him1 for they were ashamed of being found asleep a second time4 ,jesus left them1 and prayed for the third time4 ,in this prayer he said3 ,oh1 my ,father1 if this cup cannot be taken away2 if ,i must drink it1 then thy will be done6 ,he went once more to the three disciples1 and found them asleep1 just as before4 ,he now said to them3 ,you may as well sleep on now1 and take your rest2 for it is too late for you to help me4 ,my time has come6 ,the ,son of ,man has been given into the hands of wicked men4 ,come1 get up1 here is the traitor close at hand6 ,and at that very instant1 while he was speaking these words1 the traitor1 ,judas ,iscariot1 burst into the garden1 with a crowd of men1 armed with swords and clubs4 ,these men had been sent by the chief priests and the rulers to seize ,jesus4 ,spies had been watching near the house while ,jesus was talking after the supper1 and others watching at the gate when ,jesus passed out of it4 ,word had been sent to the chief priests that ,jesus was in the garden1 and while he was praying to his ,father1 these men1 led by ,judas ,iscariot1 were hurrying to that place to make ,jesus their prisoner4 ,the men who had come to seize ,jesus were not sure that in the night time1 even though the full moon was shining1 they would know him among his disciples4 ,they said to ,judas3 ,how can we tell in the dark1 under the trees1 who is the one for us to take hold of as prisoner8 ,you watch me1 said ,judas1 and when ,i go up and kiss a man1 seize him1 for that one whom ,i shall kiss will be the man you are looking for4 ,illustration3 ,judas ,iscariot1 burst into the garden with a crowd of men1 armed with swords and clubs4 ,so ,judas went into the garden1 where by this time all the other disciples were gathered around ,jesus4 ,he came rushing up1 saying ,master6 ,master6 and kissed him1 just though he were glad to see him4 ,judas1 said ,jesus1 do you betray the ,son of ,man with a kiss8 ,then he went forward to the band of men who were standing with their lanterns and torches1 their swords and spears4 ,for whom are you looking8 he said to these men4 ,for ,jesus of ,nazareth1 they answered him4 ,i am he1 said ,jesus4 ,at the instant when he said this1 they went backward1 as if frightened1 and fell upon their faces on the ground4 ,again1 after a moment1 he asked them3 ,for whom are you looking8 ,and again they answered1 ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,i have already told you1 said ,jesus1 that ,i am he4 ,if you are looking for me1 then let these men go away4 ,for even in that hour ,jesus was thinking not of his own safety1 but of his disciples4 ,the delay of a few moments gave to the disciples some courage4 ,they began asking3 ,master1 shall we strike with the sword8 ,simon ,peter1 not waiting for an answer from ,jesus1 drew a sword which he had brought with him1 and with it struck one of the high priest's servants2 a man named ,malchus1 and cut off his right ear2 for by this time the band had risen to their feet and were drawing near4 ,jesus said3 ,let me at least do this2 and he touched his ear2 and at once his ear was made well again4 ,put up your sword1 said ,jesus to ,peter4 ,those who take the sword shall die by the sword4 ,do you not know1 that with a word ,i could call upon my ,father1 and even now he would send me twelve armies of angels to keep me safely8 ,the cup which my ,father has given me1 must ,i not drink it8 ,then he turned to the band of men who had come to take him4 ,do you come out to arrest me as if ,i were a robber1 with swords and clubs8 ,day after day ,i was with you in the ,temple1 and you did not lay your hands upon me4 ,but now your time has come1 and the dark ,power has its way4 ,then the disciples1 finding that they could do nothing to protect ,jesus1 ran away and left him alone4 ,the men of the band put chains upon ,jesus1 and led him away4 ,but ,john followed the company1 and ,peter also1 anxious to see what would be done with their ,lord4 ,the young man ,john ,mark was also following him1 when one of the band tried to seize hold of him by his clothes4 ,he left the linen cloth wrapped around him in the hands of the man1 and slipped away with only his undergarments upon his body4 ,jesus ,before ,annas ,,chapter #ij ,,the ,,men who took ,jesus as their prisoner were the policemen of the ,temple1 led by their chief4 ,with them were some of the priests and officers1 and a crowd of the lowest people1 who had been gathered from the streets by the rulers4 ,all these formed together a noisy and disorderly mob1 dragging ,jesus out of the ,garden of ,gethsemane and into the city on ,mount ,zion4 ,two of the disciples1 ,peter and ,john1 followed1 keeping close to the crowd1 but outside of it1 their hearts filled with alarm for their ,master4 ,the ,temple policemen brought ,jesus1 all tied with ropes and chains1 to the house on ,mount ,zion1 inside the wall of the city1 where lived one of the chief priests named ,annas4 ,annas had once been the high priest1 that is1 the great priest at the head of all the priests2 but the ,roman rulers of the land had taken his office away from him1 and made ,caiaphas1 whose wife was the daughter of ,annas1 high priest in his place4 ,many of the people believed that the ,romans had no right to take his office away from ,annas1 and still looked upon him as the true and rightful high priest4 ,annas was a man of great power1 feared by many2 and therefore the men who had seized ,jesus brought him first to the house of ,annas4 ,in the house were met a number of the chief rulers and members of the great council of the ,jews4 ,jesus was brought in before them all4 ,annas asked ,jesus to tell him what he had taught1 and who were his disciples4 ,jesus answered him3 ,my teachings have never been in secret2 ,i have always been open and public in my words4 ,i spoke everywhere in the churches and in the ,temple1 where the people go to worship4 ,why do you ask me what ,i have said8 ,ask the people who heard me2 they know what ,i said4 ,illustration3 ,priests and officers taking ,jesus from the ,garden of ,gethsemane ,as ,jesus spoke these words1 one of the police officers standing by struck ,jesus a hard blow with his hand1 saying3 ,is that the way that you answer the high priest8 ,jesus answered him calmly1 ,if ,i have said anything that is not true1 prove it2 but if ,i have spoken the truth1 why do you strike me8 ,when ,jesus was taken into the house of ,annas1 ,john followed the crowd inside1 for ,john knew the high priest1 and he was not afraid to go into his house4 ,but ,peter stood outside in the street4 ,then ,john spoke to the woman who had charge of the door1 and asked her to let in the man standing outside1 and she opened the door for ,peter4 ,the rooms of the house stood around an open court1 and ,peter stood in the court among the servants and policemen4 ,it was cold1 and they had made a charcoal fire in a brazier--that is an iron pan standing upon either three or four legs4 ,around this fire the people gathered2 and ,peter stood in the court among them1 holding his hands over the fire to warm them4 ,the woman who kept the door looked sharply at ,peter1 and said3 ,are you not one of this man's disciples8 ,peter was alone among the enemies of ,jesus1 for ,john had gone into the room where ,jesus was standing before ,annas and the other rulers4 ,peter felt a sudden fear come over him1 and to this woman's question1 he answered3 ,no1 ,i am not6 ,poor ,peter6 ,already he had begun to deny his ,lord6 ,annas knew that he had no right to act as judge upon ,jesus4 ,all that he could do was to examine ,jesus1 listen to what he might say1 and try to find in his words some ground for his enemies to bring charges against him4 ,so after a little1 ,annas sent ,jesus1 all bound as he was1 to ,caiaphas1 who was the high priest by law4 ,illustration3 ,jesus brought for trial before ,caiaphas1 who in anger tore his clothes and flung up his arms1 denouncing ,jesus because he declared himself to be the son of ,god4 ,jesus ,before ,caiaphas ,,chapter #ia ,,the ,,high ,,priest ,caiaphas1 before whom ,jesus was now brought for a regular trial1 had been in office many years4 ,he was a shrewd1 sharp man1 caring very little about right or wrong1 but always ready to do whatever would please the ,jewish leaders1 without giving offence to the ,roman rulers4 ,you remember that after ,jesus raised ,lazarus to life1 and many people were believing in ,jesus1 it was this ,caiaphas who said1 ,no matter whether ,jesus is innocent or guilty1 whether he is good or bad1 the easiest way for us to avoid trouble is to kill him2 and that we must do4 ,that showed the spirit of ,caiaphas the high priest4 ,the houses of ,annas and ,caiaphas were not far apart1 and may have been in the same group of buildings on ,mount ,zion4 ,the officers and policemen took ,jesus into the large hall in the high priest's house where all the members of the ,jewish council that could be brought together so suddenly were gathered4 ,it was a little after midnight when ,jesus was made prisoner in the garden1 and it must have been between four and five o'clock on ,friday morning when ,jesus stood before ,caiaphas and the council4 ,peter had come with the crowd1 and was in the court of the high priest's house4 ,john was not there1 but had gone to the house in ,jerusalem1 where ,mary the mother of ,jesus was staying1 to bring to her the terrible news that her ,son was in the hands of his enemies1 and to try to give her comfort4 ,so again ,peter was left alone in the midst of a throng opposed to ,jesus4 ,by the law of the ,jews1 no one could be put to death unless two persons could be found to tell of a wicked act that they had seen him do1 or wicked words that they had heard him speak2 and also1 the accounts of these two witnesses must agree4 ,the rulers looked for witnesses to come and speak against ,jesus of what they had seen and heard4 ,they did not care whether these witnesses speaking against ,jesus spoke the truth or spoke lies2 all they wanted was to have them agree in their words4 ,there were many who spoke falsely against ,jesus1 but what they said did not agree4 ,after a time two men stood up1 and said3 ,we ourselves heard this man say in the ,temple1 ',i will destroy this ,temple made by the hands of men1 and in three days ,i will build another made without hands4' ,but even those witnesses did not agree in their account of what ,jesus had said4 ,you remember1 that three years before1 in the ,temple1 ,jesus had said1 ,destroy this temple and in three days ,i will raise it up4 ,but he was speaking not of the ,temple of the ,jews1 but of himself as the temple of the ,lord1 and of his own death and rising from the tomb4 ,you see how these men changed the words of ,jesus in the telling of them4 ,now1 the ,jews had agreed that for any man to speak of destroying the house of ,god was very wicked2 and that whoever should speak of such a thing must be put to death4 ,so in the words of these two men1 even though they did not agree1 and were false1 ,caiaphas and the council saw a chance to carry out their purpose of putting ,jesus to death4 ,the high priest ,caiaphas stood up1 and said to ,jesus in a very loud and fierce manner3 ,what have you to say of the things spoken by these witnesses8 ,have you no answer to give8 ,but ,jesus stood silent and would not speak a word4 ,he knew that speaking would not help him1 for their minds were made up to kill him1 whatever he might say4 ,after a moment of waiting ,caiaphas spoke again4 ,illustration3 ,judas filled with remorse returns the thirty pieces of silver ,are you the ,christ1 he asked1 the ,son of that ,blessed ,one8 ,then ,jesus spoke out1 once for all3 ,i am1 he answered1 and what is more1 you will all see the ,son of ,man sitting on the right hand of ,almighty ,god1 and coming in the clouds of heaven6 ,at this the high priest became furious4 ,in his anger he tore his clothes1 and flung up his arms and cried3 ,what awful1 awful words6 shouted the high priest4 ,why this man makes himself equal to ,almighty ,god6 ,we need no more witnesses2 he has spoken his own doom4 ,what shall be done to a man who calls himself ,god8 ,then with one voice all the council said1 ,he deserves to die1 and the sentence of death upon ,jesus was given4 ,then they began to spit in his face and to strike him4 ,they threw a covering over his face1 and after striking him1 would say1 ,are you a prophet8 then tell who it was that struck you6 ,illustration3 ,the potter's field ,all this time ,peter was in the court of the building1 and through the open door he could see ,jesus standing in the inner room4 ,one of the young women servants looked closely at ,peter1 and finally said3 ,you were one of those with ,jesus1 the ,nazarene6 ,i don't know what you are talking about1 said ,peter in answer2 and he went away from the group into the hall outside4 ,just then the cock crew1 and ,peter heard it4 ,illustration3 ,as ,peter was speaking1 which was his third denial of his ,master1 the cock crew for the second time4 ,at that moment ,jesus turned and looked on ,peter1 who instantly repented and went out and wept bitter tears4 ,again the woman who had noticed him began to tell those standing near1 ,that fellow is one of them6 ,but he denied it again4 ,after a little another man said to ,peter3 ,you surely are one of this fellow's men6 ,why1 your very accent shows that you come from ,galilee6 ,you speak your words like a ,galilean6 ,then ,peter began to curse and to swear2 and he said1 ,i don't know the man you are talking about1 and have never seen him6 ,as ,peter was speaking1 the cock crew for the second time4 ,and at that moment the ,lord ,jesus in the inner room turned and looked on ,peter1 standing outside the open door4 ,then all at once flashed upon ,peter's mind what his ,lord had said on the evening before1 ,before the cock crows twice tomorrow morning you will three times deny that you have ever known me4 ,and ,peter went away1 and as he thought upon it all1 he was full of sorrow and wept bitter tears4 ,but ,simon ,peter was not the only man in trouble that morning4 ,there was one whose trouble was far deeper4 ,that man was ,judas ,iscariot1 who had sold his ,lord for money4 ,when he found that the chief priests and the council had given sentence of death upon ,jesus1 ,judas saw how wicked he had been1 and that through his guilty act1 ,jesus was to be slain4 ,he brought back to the ,temple the thirty pieces of silver that had been given him1 and threw them down upon the floor1 saying3 ,i have done wrong in betraying an innocent man6 ,take back your money6 ,what difference is that to us8 answered the priests4 ,that is your affair1 not ours4 ,judas went away1 and in his sorrow became wild and hung himself4 ,the next day he was found hanging dead4 ,the chief priests did not know what to do with the money that he had brought back4 ,they said3 ,it would never do to put that money among the gifts of the people to the ,temple1 for it is the price of blood4 ,they finally decided to take the money2 and with it bought a piece of ground as a burial-place for strangers in the city4 ,they bought it of a man who made pots and jars of earthenware2 and it was named ,the ,potter's ,field4 ,but by all the people it was called ever after ,the ,field of ,blood4 ,illustration3 ,the ,field of ,blood4 ,purchased with money ,judas received4 ,illustration3 ,pilate came down and sat upon his throne as a judge1 and said3 ,what is the charge which you bring against this man8 ,jesus ,before the ,roman ,governor ,,chapter #ib ,,although the high council of the ,jews had given sentence upon ,jesus that he should be put to death1 they could not kill him without the consent of the ,roman governor1 ,pontius ,pilate2 for long before this the ,romans had taken away from the ,jews the right to put any man to death4 ,so1 very early in the morning1 before sunrise1 the chief priests and rulers brought ,jesus to the castle where the governor was staying4 ,his home was in the city of ,csarea1 nearly sixty miles away1 on the sea-coast2 but at the time of the ,passover1 when the city was crowded with people from every part of the land1 he usually came to ,jerusalem to see that it was kept quiet and in order2 and at this time he stayed in a castle north of the ,temple1 called ,the ,castle of ,antonia4 ,the ,jews had condemned ,jesus to die1 because1 as they claimed1 he had said that he was the ,son of ,god2 and that claim according to their laws was a high crime1 deserving of death4 ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and as ,god's ,son they should have honored him and obeyed his teachings4 ,but they knew very well that ,pilate would not care for their law1 and would not order ,jesus put to death merely because ,jesus had said that he was the ,son of ,god4 ,so they undertook to find something against ,jesus which was contrary to the laws of the ,romans2 and the charge which they resolved to make was that ,jesus had spoken against the ,roman rule1 and had declared that he himself was the ,king of the ,jews4 ,he was1 indeed1 a king1 but not such a king as would be against the ,romans or their government4 ,the ,jews came to the castle1 and standing outside1 called for ,pilate to come from the room where he was sleeping1 and give judgment upon a law-breaker whom they had brought to him4 ,they hoped that ,pilate would do as they wished1 without looking closely into the matter4 ,he came down1 and sat upon his throne as a judge1 and said3 ,what is the charge which you bring against this man8 ,if he were not a wicked man1 one who has broken the laws1 we would not have brought him to you1 they answered4 ,well1 said ,pilate1 if he has broken the laws of the land1 take him to your own court and punish him4 ,we found this man1 said the ,jewish rulers1 everywhere leading the people away from their rulers4 ,he forbids them to pay the tax to the ,roman emperor1 ,csar1 telling the people that he is ,christ1 the ,king of the ,jews4 ,he ought to be put to death for stirring the people up against the government1 and we ask you to give sentence against him4 ,pilate began at once to be very suspicious of these ,jewish rulers4 ,he knew that they themselves hated the ,roman power1 and that they would never wish to have anybody punished for opposing it4 ,he looked at ,jesus1 standing bound and helpless among them1 and he thought that this man could not be a dangerous enemy4 ,pilate said to them3 ,bring this man to me4 ,i wish to speak with him4 ,jesus was led up to the foot of the steps to ,pilate's judgment throne2 and ,pilate asked him1 ,are you the ,king of the ,jews8 ,jesus answered the governor1 ,do you ask this of your own accord1 or did others tell you that ,i am a king8 ,illustration3 ,jesus was led to ,pilate1 who questioned him privately3 ,are you the ,king of the ,jews8 ,do you take me for a ,jew8 asked ,pilate4 ,your own people and the priests have brought you before me1 saying that you have claimed to be a king4 ,now tell me1 what have you done8 ,my rule as a king does not belong to this world1 said ,jesus4 ,if my kingdom were of this world1 my men would fight to keep me from being given up to the ,jews2 but my kingdom is not here on the earth4 ,then you are a king6 said ,pilate4 ,you speak the truth1 ,i am a king1 said ,jesus4 ,i was born for this3 ,i came into the world for this1 that ,i should speak in behalf of the truth4 ,every one who is on the side of truth listens to my words4 ,truth6 ,what is truth8 said ,pilate4 ,then he went out of the hall and spoke to the ,jewish rulers3 ,i do not find anything wrong in this man4 ,this decision of ,pilate made the ,jews very angry1 for they had hoped that he would approve their sentence without asking many questions2 and now they found that he was willing to set ,jesus free4 ,pilate thought that ,jesus was a harmless man1 perhaps not quite right in his mind in believing that he was a king4 ,but the rulers would not cease their charges against ,jesus4 ,they said to ,pilate1 ,this man stirs up the people everywhere1 and makes trouble4 ,he began in ,galilee2 and now he has come here4 ,what1 said ,pilate1 does this man come from ,galilee8 ,then he belongs to the rule of ,king ,herod2 and ,herod is now here in ,jerusalem4 ,take him to ,herod1 and let ,herod decide his case4 ,this ,pilate said merely because he wished to avoid deciding it himself4 ,he knew that ,jesus had broken no law1 and should be set free2 but he did not wish to displease the ,jewish rulers1 and he thought to rid himself of the matter by sending ,jesus to be tried before ,herod1 the ruler of ,galilee4 ,jesus ,before ,herod ,,chapter #ic ,,herod1 to whom ,jesus had been sent by ,pilate1 was the ruler of ,galilee1 the northern part of the land1 and of ,perea1 on the east of the river ,jordan4 ,jesus had lived in ,galilee nearly all his life2 and lately had been through ,perea1 preaching1 so that ,herod had been the ruler over ,jesus for years4 ,herod was not really a king4 ,his title was ,tetrarch1 which means1 the ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom2 and he was so called because when his father1 ,herod the ,great1 died1 he received as his share one-fourth of his father's kingdom4 ,but he was generally called ,king ,herod1 because the people knew that it pleased him to be looked upon as a king1 rather than the quarter of a king4 ,this was the ,herod who had caused ,john the ,baptist to be killed1 on account of his promise to the young girl who danced at his feast4 ,that shows what sort of a man ,herod was--weak of will1 fond of pleasure1 and caring very little whether his acts were right or wrong4 ,like thousands of other people1 high and low1 ,king ,herod had come to ,jerusalem to take part in the ,feast of the ,passover2 for ,herod was a ,jew1 and kept the ,jewish feasts2 while ,pontius ,pilate1 the governor of ,judea1 was a ,roman1 and worshipped the idols of ,rome4 ,herod was highly pleased to have ,jesus sent to him for trial1 partly because ,pilate and ,herod1 rulers of lands next to each other1 had not been friendly1 and this act1 the sending of ,jesus for trial1 showed that ,pilate wished to have ,herod as his friend4 ,also1 while ,jesus was living in ,capernaum and teaching all through ,galilee1 ,herod had heard much about him4 ,you remember that some time before this1 when they told ,king ,herod of the many wonderful works of ,jesus1 how he made the sick well1 gave sight to the blind1 and even raised the dead1 ,herod said1 ,this must be ,john the ,baptist whom ,i killed1 come to life again4 ,although ,herod did not live in ,jerusalem1 but in ,galilee1 he owned a fine house in that city1 called a palace2 and in this palace he stayed while in ,jerusalem4 ,into the great hall of this palace ,jesus was brought by the soldiers of ,pilate2 and the high priest ,caiaphas came with them1 also many of the ,jewish priests and rulers1 to speak against ,jesus4 ,herod was very glad to see ,jesus1 the prophet and wonder-worker of whom he had heard so much4 ,he wished to see ,jesus work a miracle1 and commanded him to do it1 for he supposed that ,jesus1 being in his power1 for life or death1 would be very desirous of pleasing him4 ,but as you know1 ,jesus never worked his miracles merely for people to look at them4 ,he would make the sick people well or give hearing to the deaf1 because he pitied them in their trouble2 but when ,herod spoke to him1 calling upon him to do some wonderful work1 ,jesus stood still1 and would do nothing4 ,herod asked ,jesus many questions1 but ,jesus would not answer them1 and remained silent4 ,the king did not know what to do with such a prisoner1 who would not speak a word1 even to save his life4 ,all this time1 while ,jesus was silent1 the priests and the rulers stood around him1 charging ,jesus with wickedness of all sorts1 disobedience to the laws of the land1 and trying to make himself a king in ,herod's own country4 ,but ,jesus answered nothing to all their charges against him4 ,herod thought to make sport of ,jesus4 ,as they said falsely that ,jesus claimed to be ,king of the ,jews1 ,herod sent for a splendid mantle1 such as kings wore1 and had it placed on ,jesus4 ,then they bowed low before him1 and called him king1 mocking him as one who pretended to royal power4 ,but in the midst of the crowd of mockers stood ,jesus1 calm and still1 paying no attention and looking as though his thoughts were elsewhere4 ,herod knew very well that ,jesus had done nothing worthy of death2 that he was a good man1 and harmless4 ,he would not do what the priests and rulers urged him1 over and over again1 to do1 to command that ,jesus should be put to death4 ,so1 after holding ,jesus up to contempt for some time1 he sent him back to ,pilate1 all dressed as ,jesus was in the royal robe4 ,illustration ,jesus ,sentenced to ,death ,,chapter #id ,,when ,,pilate sent ,jesus to ,king ,herod1 he felt relieved1 for he was unwilling on one hand to order ,jesus1 an innocent man1 to be put to death2 and on the other hand1 he did not wish to offend the ,jewish rulers by setting ,jesus free4 ,he thought that he had gotten rid of his difficulties1 when suddenly he found ,jesus brought back to him1 and the priests clamoring as before1 that he should be put to death4 ,pilate very unwillingly sat down again upon his throne1 compelled to hold the trial of ,jesus once more1 and unable to avoid making a decision upon his case4 ,just as he was about to begin the new trial of ,jesus1 a message from his wife came to him1 which added to his anxiety and his alarm4 ,pilate's wife sent this word to him3 ,my husband1 ,i ask you not to allow any harm to come to that good man2 for this day ,i have been very unhappy on account of a dream about him4 ,this message made ,pilate all the more desirous not to yield to the ,jews and put ,jesus to death4 ,he thought of a new plan to save the life of ,jesus2 and with this in mind he said to the chief priests and the leaders3 ,illustration3 ,the soldiers took ,jesus into the guard room1 tied him to a pillar1 and beat him with heavy whips4 ,you brought before me this man charged with the crime of trying to lead the people to rise up against the government1 and ,i have looked into his case1 and have found the charges false4 ,he has not done the things that you accuse him of2 and there is nothing wicked in his acts1 so far as ,i can see4 ,nor has ,herod found any fault with him1 for he has sent him back4 ,he has done nothing that demands death4 ,but he deserves some punishment for causing all this excitement and stir4 ,i will order him to be well beaten1 and then set free4 ,but with one voice1 they all cried out1 ,away with this fellow6 ,to the cross with him6 ,don't release him3 release to us ,barabbas6 ,it was a custom that at the ,feast of the ,passover1 as a sign of the gladness of the time1 to set free some prisoner1 whatever man in prison the people should call for4 ,there was at that time in the prison a man named ,barabbas1 who had led a party of ,jews against the ,roman rulers1 and in the fight had killed a man4 ,he had been condemned to die1 but the people did not think any the less of him because he had fought against the ,romans1 whom they also hated1 and whom they would gladly drive out of the land if they were not afraid of their power4 ,the crowd began calling out to ,pilate to do as had been done every year1 and set free some prisoner4 ,are you willing1 asked ,pilate that ,i should free this man ,jesus1 the ,king of the ,jews8 ,but the chief priests and the ,jewish rulers went around among the crowd1 and persuaded them to ask1 not for ,jesus1 but for ,barabbas4 ,and the people shouted out1 as if they were all one man3 ,we will not have this man2 we will have ,barabbas6 ,this was not what ,pilate had looked for4 ,he had thought that according to the custom of the feast he might set ,jesus free and still please the people4 ,he said to the crowd3 ,what then shall ,i do with ,jesus1 the man whom they call ,christ8 ,send him to the cross6 ,let him die on the cross6 they roared with all their might4 ,illustration3 ,they put on ,jesus a cloak of scarlet and wove together a wreath of thorns and pressed it on his head until the blood streamed out2 they beat him with the reed1 and in mockery bowed before him saying3 ,long live the ,king of the ,jews4 ,why1 what wicked thing has he done8 asked ,pilate of the crowd4 ,i find nothing on his part that deserves death4 ,i will have him beaten1 and let him go6 ,then1 at ,pilate's command1 the soldiers took ,jesus into the guard room4 ,they stripped off all his clothes1 tied him to one of the pillars1 and beat him with heavy whips1 which tore into his flesh4 ,to mock him1 as one who called himself ,king1 they put on him a cloak of scarlet color2 they wove together a wreath of thorns1 and pressed it on his head until the blood streamed out2 they placed in his hand a reed1 as if it were a scepter held by a king2 they fell down on their knees before him1 and said to him3 ,long live the ,king of the ,jews6 ,they struck him with their hands1 over and over again2 they beat him with the reed2 and they spat in his face4 ,pilate thought that if the people could see ,jesus as he was1 crowned with thorns1 and covered with blood1 they would feel pity for him1 and not call for him to be put to death4 ,he said to the ,jews3 ,i will bring him out for you to see2 but understand1 ,i cannot find anything wrong in him4 ,then they brought ,jesus out on the steps of the palace4 ,his face was stained with blood2 on his head was the wreath of thorns2 and on his shoulders was the scarlet cloak4 ,and ,pilate said to the crowd3 ,see1 here is the man6 ,but if ,pilate hoped that the sight of ,jesus1 so woeful and sad1 would arouse the pity of the people1 he soon found himself mistaken4 ,led by the chief priests and their officers1 they cried out with loud voices3 ,to the cross with him6 ,let him be crucified6 ,to be crucified was to be fastened with nails on a cross1 which was then stood up1 and left standing until the suffering man was dead4 ,this was what the crowd of ,jews before ,pilate's palace called upon him to do with ,jesus who had done no harm1 but only good6 ,pilate answered them3 ,you can take him and crucify him1 if you choose4 ,i will have nothing to do with it2 for ,i can not find that he has done anything wicked4 ,the rulers of the ,jews answered ,pilate3 ,but we have a law2 and by our law he must die1 because he has made himself out to be the ,son of ,god6 ,when ,pilate heard that1 he was still more afraid1 for there seemed to him something strange in this man ,jesus4 ,he did not know what to do4 ,he went inside the palace and took ,jesus with him4 ,where do you come from8 said ,pilate to ,jesus4 ,jesus gave him no answer4 ,pilate said to him3 ,you will not speak to me8 ,don't you know that it is in my power either to set you free1 or to send you to the cross1 just as ,i please8 ,you would have no power over me1 answered ,jesus1 if it had not been given you from one who is above4 ,god gave you that power to use for the right and not for the wrong4 ,there is one man whose sin is greater than yours2 and that is the high priest who brought me to you6 ,jesus meant to have ,pilate understand that he was only a weak man1 yielding to the will of the high priest1 and that he as the governor should have a mind of his own and do only what was right in ,god's sight4 ,all this made ,pilate the more anxious not to put ,jesus to death1 but to set him free4 ,but the rulers of the ,jews shouted aloud to him3 ,if you set this man free1 who has called himself a king1 you are no friend to ,csar1 the emperor at ,rome6 ,anyone who calls himself a king sets himself above the emperor who is over us all6 ,illustration3 ,pilate washed his hands1 and holding them out1 called to the people3 ,my hands are clean from this good man's blood6 ,this is your doing1 not mine6 ,pilate knew that ,csar the emperor was very jealous and would be very angry if he knew that any man was trying to make himself a king4 ,very unwillingly1 ,pilate made up his mind that it would be safer for himself to let ,jesus be put to death1 rather than to make the emperor at ,rome his enemy4 ,so ,pilate again took his seat upon the throne1 and had ,jesus brought before him4 ,it was now the time of sunrise1 six o'clock in the morning4 ,pilate said to the ,jews3 ,here is your king6 ,kill him6 kill him6 yelled the ,jews4 ,crucify him6 ,crucify him6 ,this fellow is not our king1 shouted the priests and rulers4 ,we have no king but ,csar the emperor6 ,pilate tried to show the ,jews that the act of putting ,jesus to death was their deed1 not his4 ,he sent for a basin of water1 and in presence of them all washed his hands4 ,then holding out his hands1 he called out to the people3 ,my hands are clean from this good man's blood6 ,i tell you that he has done nothing to deserve death6 ,this is your doing1 not mine6 ,this blood be on us1 and on our children who come after us1 answered the ,jews4 ,then ,pilate1 sitting on his throne1 gave sentence that it should be as they wished1 that ,barabbas1 a robber and a murderer1 should be set free1 and that ,jesus1 who had done no harm1 but only good1 should be sent to the cross4 ,illustration3 ,denarius of ,csar ,jesus ,led to ,calvary ,,chapter #ie ,,in ,,our ,,time1 and in all well-governed lands1 when a man has been sentenced to death1 he is taken to prison and kept there safely for a few days1 that he may prepare to die4 ,no one is allowed to do him harm2 good food is given him to eat1 and he is allowed to live his last days in peace4 ,but in the old times1 when ,jesus was among men1 prisoners appointed to die were treated with the greatest cruelty4 ,they were mocked and beaten and spit upon for an hour or more1 and then they were led away to death4 ,so it was with ,jesus on that day4 ,after the soldiers had treated him shamefully1 they took off the scarlet robe and put on him his own clothes4 ,then they laid upon his wounded shoulders the heavy beam of his cross1 and led him from ,pilate's palace through the streets of ,jerusalem toward a hill outside the city wall4 ,this hill was called in the ,hebrew tongue1 the language of the ,jewish people1 ,golgotha1 a word meaning ,skull-place4 ,in the language of the ,romans1 the word meaning ,skull-place was ,calvaria1 and from this word the place where ,jesus was crucified has been called ,mount ,calvary4 ,it is not certain where was the true ,mount ,calvary1 the place of ,christ's cross4 ,for a long time it was believed to be a little hill on the west of the city2 and over that hill was built in the after years a great church1 called ,the ,church of the ,holy ,sepulchre1 because inside that church they show not only the place where people thought that the cross stood1 but also the tomb or sepulchre in which ,jesus was buried4 ,to this church thousands of people go every year1 thinking that they can see the very places where the ,saviour died and was buried4 ,but most of those who have studied carefully all that can be known about the city of ,jerusalem and the hills around it1 have believed that the true ,calvary was not where the great ,church of the ,holy ,sepulchre now stands1 but at some other place4 ,many think that it was a rounded1 grass-covered little hill just outside the city on the north4 ,the side of this hill looking toward the city is very steep1 and in it are two great caves4 ,as one stands on the city wall and looks at this rounded hill1 with the two holes in it1 he thinks of a skull--which is a man's head without the skin and the flesh1 and with two eye-holes4 ,this hill may have been called the skull-place1 because it looks so much like a skull4 ,on this skull-like hill it may be that ,jesus was crucified4 ,illustration3 ,church of the ,holy ,sepulchre1 sometimes claimed to be built upon the site of ,calvary ,illustration3 ,turning to the women weeping over him1 ,jesus said3 ,women of ,jerusalem1 weep not for me but weep for yourselves and your children6 ,jesus walked through the streets of the city loaded down with the heavy beam of his cross on his shoulders4 ,the soldiers were dragging him on1 and some were driving him forward with blows1 when suddenly1 worn out with suffering1 and fainting from loss of blood and want of food1 he sank down upon the ground1 unable to carry his load any further4 ,just then a man coming from the country into ,jerusalem1 met the soldiers and the crowd with ,jesus4 ,this man was named ,simon4 ,he was not ,simon ,peter1 the disciple of ,jesus1 but another ,simon1 who had come from a city far away in ,africa1 called ,cyrene4 ,the soldiers seized this man1 and made him help ,jesus in carrying the cross1 until they came to ,calvary4 ,following the soldiers who had been commanded to crucify ,jesus1 was a crowd of ,jewish priests and scribes1 the teachers of the law1 and a multitude of the lowest of the people1 all shouting aloud their rejoicing that ,jesus was to be put to death1 just as if he had been the wickedest man in all the land4 ,but among these were a few friends of ,jesus1 and some of the women who had known him and loved him1 and were now weeping over the wrongs done to him4 ,jesus turned and spoke to these women3 ,women of ,jerusalem1 do not weep for me1 but weep for yourselves and your children6 ,for the time is coming when they shall say1 ',happy are those who have no children to suffer and to die4' ,in those days they shall call out to the mountains1 ',fall on us1' and to the hills1 ',hide us4' ,if this is what they do now in the beginning1 what will they do then in the end8 ,even in those terrible moments ,jesus was not thinking of himself and his own sufferings1 but the sorrows that would soon come upon others4 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,jerusalem ,there is a story told of ,jesus on the way to ,calvary1 which is not found in any of the gospels1 and may not be true4 ,it is said that a good woman1 named ,veronica1 was standing by the street when ,jesus went by4 ,seeing his face covered with sweat1 and dust1 and blood1 she went to him and wiped his face with a napkin4 ,when she looked at her napkin1 she found that on it had been printed the portrait of ,jesus2 and she kept it ever afterward as her greatest treasure4 ,they led ,jesus out of the gate in the city wall1 and up the side of the hill ,calvary1 wherever that hill was4 ,there they laid the cross upon the ground and stretched ,jesus out upon it4 ,they drove nails through his hands and feet to fasten his body to the cross4 ,then they lifted it up with ,jesus upon it1 and dropped the lower end of it into a hole so that it would stand upright4 ,with ,jesus they had brought two other men1 who had been robbers1 and sentenced to die by the cross4 ,these two men they crucified with ,jesus1 one on his right hand and the other on his left1 and ,jesus between them1 as if he had been the most wicked man of the three4 ,jesus knew that the ,roman soldiers who fastened him to the cross were not his enemies1 as the ,jews were1 but were only obeying the orders that had been given them by their officers4 ,he prayed to ,god for them4 ,father1 said ,jesus1 forgive them1 for they do not know what they are doing6 ,it was nine o'clock on ,friday morning when ,jesus was placed upon the cross2 and he hung there living for six awful hours1 until three o'clock in the afternoon4 ,illustration3 ,when ,jesus saw his mother1 and beside her the disciple whom he loved1 he spoke from the cross to her3 ,woman1 there is your son4 ,then he said to ,john3 ,son1 there is your mother4 ,jesus on the ,cross ,,chapter #if ,,it ,,was the custom of the ,romans when they put to death any man upon the cross1 to place on the cross above his head a writing1 telling what the man's crime was4 ,pilate commanded that the writing above the head of ,jesus should be ,,this ,,is ,,jesus ,,of ,,nazareth ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,jews4 ,it was written in the language of three different peoples2 in ,hebrew1 the tongue spoken by the ,jews2 in ,latin1 the language of the ,romans2 and in ,greek1 the language spoken by all in that part of the world who were not ,jews4 ,these words told a great truth1 that ,jesus was a king1 and they told it to all the earth1 although very few people believed it then4 ,now1 all over the world are millions upon millions of people who serve ,jesus as ,lord and ,king4 ,when the priests and rulers of the ,jews read this writing upon the cross they were greatly displeased1 for they did not like to have ,jesus called a king4 ,the priests went to ,pilate in his palace and said to him3 ,will you not change the writing upon the cross of that man8 ,let it not be1 ',the ,king of the ,jews4' ,please change it to1 ',he said1 ,i am ,king of the ,jews4' ,but ,pilate answered them1 ,what ,i have written1 ,i have written4 ,he meant that whatever he had placed upon the cross must stand there unchanged4 ,it was also the custom of the ,romans when a man was crucified to give his clothes to the soldiers who fixed him on the cross4 ,four soldiers were in charge of the cross4 ,these men divided the clothes of ,jesus among them1 each taking one garment4 ,but one garment was left over1 the shirt of ,jesus4 ,this was all woven in one piece1 not sewed together2 so the soldiers said3 ,let us not tear it1 but cast lots to settle whose it shall be4 ,they threw upon the ground little square pieces of ivory having spots upon them4 ,these squares were called dice4 ,each soldier threw one ivory piece2 and they counted the spots on the side that was uppermost4 ,the soldier whose piece showed the highest number took the shirt of ,jesus as his own4 ,one of the disciples of ,jesus was standing near1 and saw the soldiers dividing the clothes of ,jesus1 and he thought of the words in the twenty-second psalm1 as a prophecy or foretelling of what should happen to ,christ4 ,these were the words of the psalm1 written many hundred years before3 ,they shared my garments among them1 ,and over my clothing they cast lots4 ,the soldiers having done their work1 sat down around the cross to watch it4 ,a great crowd of the priests and scribes and people stood around the cross1 looking at ,jesus hanging there4 ,some of them spoke spitefully to ,jesus1 shaking their heads at him1 saying such words as these3 ,ah6 you would destroy the ,temple and build it again in three days1 would you8 ,then come down from the cross and save yourself if you can6 ,and some of the priests and scribes called out1 ,he saved others2 but he can not save himself6 ,if he is1 as he said1 ',christ1 the ,king of ,israel1' let him now come down from the cross in our sight4 ,then we will believe on him4 ,he trusts in ,god1 said others2 now let ,god help him1 if he chooses2 for he said1 ',i am the ,son of ,god4' ,one of the two robbers who were hanging on the crosses beside ,jesus called out to him1 joining in the abuse3 ,are you not the ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel8 ,if you are1 why don't you save yourself and save us with you8 ,but the crucified man on the other side of ,jesus rebuked him3 ,have you no fear of a just ,god8 he said4 ,you are suffering the same sentence as this man4 ,and you and ,i are suffering only what we deserve for our deeds2 but this man has done nothing wrong4 ,then this man from his cross said to ,jesus1 ,jesus1 do not forget me when you come into your kingdom4 ,and ,jesus answered him1 ,i tell you truly1 this very day you shall be with me in the heavenly land4 ,at this time1 near the cross of ,jesus1 was standing ,john1 his disciple1 the one disciple that ,jesus loved1 and with him was ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 also her sister and two other women named ,mary--,mary the wife of ,clopas1 and ,mary ,magdalene1 or ,mary of ,magdala4 ,when ,jesus saw his mother1 and beside her the disciple whom he loved1 he spoke from the cross to her3 ,woman1 there is your son4 ,then he said to ,john3 ,son1 there is your mother4 ,and from that time ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 lived with the disciple ,john1 as though he was her own son4 ,it was now noon1 and ,jesus had been upon the cross three long1 terrible hours2 the sun beating with its rays upon his head4 ,just at noon a sudden darkness came over the sky and the earth1 and the darkness did not pass away until three o'clock4 ,this darkness alarmed the people1 and those who had been speaking to ,jesus words of contempt1 now stood still1 full of fear4 ,at about three o'clock1 ,jesus called out with a loud voice these words3 ,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,why hast thou forsaken me8 ,these are the opening words of the twenty-second psalm1 written many hundred years before as a prophecy of what ,christ should suffer4 ,it may be that ,jesus spoke those words to show that all his suffering had been foretold long before4 ,jesus in speaking those words used the old ,hebrew tongue1 the language in which the psalm was written4 ,in the old ,hebrew the words1 ,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 were ,eloi6 ,eloi6 ,but the language had changed so greatly since the psalms were written that the people who heard him did not understand the words4 ,some said1 ,he is calling upon ,elijah the prophet to help him6 ,then ,jesus spoke again and said3 ,i am thirsty4 ,there was standing by a jar full of vinegar4 ,one of the men took a sponge1 soaked it in the vinegar1 fastened it on the end of a stick1 and placed it on the lips of ,jesus4 ,this also had been foretold in the sixty-ninth psalm1 in the words1 ,in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink4 ,as soon as ,jesus tasted the vinegar1 he said3 ,all is finished4 ,then1 after a moment's pause1 he spoke with a loud voice to ,god3 ,father1 into thy hands ,i give up my spirit6 ,and with those words his head dropped forward1 and ,jesus was hanging dead upon his cross4 ,illustration3 ,the people on ,mt4 ,calvary looking at the dying ,jesus were filled with fear1 and went back to the city in terror at the darkness and earthquake4 ,just at the moment when ,jesus died1 suddenly there was an earthquake2 the ground was shaken1 the rocks were torn apart1 and many of the tombs around ,jerusalem were opened4 ,in the ,temple on ,mount ,moriah1 a wonderful event was seen4 ,the great veil that hung between the ,holy ,place and the ,most ,holy ,place was suddenly torn from the top to the bottom1 as if by a mighty unseen hand1 so that the priests in the ,temple could see what none of them1 except the high priest1 had ever seen before1 the inside of the ,holy of ,holies4 ,the people who were standing on ,mount ,calvary1 looking at the dying ,jesus1 were filled with fear4 ,they beat upon their breasts with their hands1 and went back to the city in terror at the darkness and the earthquake4 ,the ,roman captain1 who was in charge of the soldiers around the cross1 said3 ,surely this was a good man1 a son of ,god6 ,you know that the ,sabbath among the ,jews was kept on the seventh day of the week and that it always began at sunset on the evening before4 ,it was on ,friday that ,jesus was crucified1 and three o'clock on that afternoon4 ,the ,jews did not wish to have the men upon the three crosses hanging there upon the ,sabbath1 for that day1 the ,passover ,sabbath1 was kept especially holy4 ,the ,jewish rulers came to ,pilate and asked him that the men should not be left upon the cross over the ,sabbath1 but that they should be killed and their bodies taken away4 ,they did not know at that time that ,jesus was already dead4 ,pilate gave orders to the soldiers to have the men killed4 ,this they did by breaking their legs1 as they hung upon the crosses4 ,as they saw that ,jesus was no longer alive1 they did not break his legs4 ,but one of the soldiers1 to be sure of his death1 drove his spear into the side of ,jesus1 to strike his heart4 ,john the disciple was still standing there watching beside the cross to the very last1 and he wrote in his gospel many years afterward that he saw both water and blood pour forth from the side of ,jesus1 out of the wound made by the spear4 ,the ,tomb in the ,garden ,,chapter #ig ,,you ,,remember that from the garden of ,gethsemane1 very early on ,friday morning1 ,jesus was brought before the high council of the ,jews for trial1 and that by the council it was ordered that ,jesus should be put to death as one who falsely claimed that he was ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel4 ,but not all the members of this council were enemies of ,jesus4 ,a very few of them were his friends1 but in secret1 not daring to speak for him or to vote for him1 for fear of the rulers and the people4 ,one of these secret friends of ,jesus was ,nicodemus1 the ruler who had come to see ,jesus at night three years before1 on his first visit to ,jerusalem4 ,another was a good man named ,joseph1 a rich man1 who lived at a place called ,arimathea1 some miles out of ,jerusalem1 in the country4 ,this man1 ,joseph of ,arimathea1 did a very bold thing4 ,he went to ,pilate in his palace1 and asked ,pilate to allow him to take down from the cross the dead body of ,jesus1 and to bury it4 ,to us this may not seem a brave act1 but it was1 for the ,roman rulers were very suspicious of anybody who appeared to be the friend of one who had been condemned to death4 ,some time before this1 when a man asked the governor for the body of a man who had been put to death1 the governor ordered that his friend should also be slain as an enemy of the ,romans and the governor's enemy4 ,it might be said that ,joseph of ,arimathea took his life in his hands when he asked ,pilate for the body of ,jesus4 ,illustration3 ,in the side of a rocky hill was a cave which ,joseph of ,arimathea had hollowed out for his own tomb1 and there they laid the body of ,jesus4 ,but ,pilate was not angry with ,joseph2 and at heart he was not an enemy of ,jesus4 ,pilate was surprised to learn that ,jesus was already dead1 for sometimes upon the cross men lived several days of terrible pain4 ,he sent for the ,roman captain who had been in charge at the cross1 and asked him if ,jesus the ,nazarene was dead4 ,when the captain told him that ,jesus was dead1 he allowed ,joseph to take away the body and do with it as he pleased4 ,then ,joseph1 with some of the disciples of ,jesus1 carefully and tenderly took down from the cross the body of ,jesus2 and after the manner of ,jewish burials at that time1 wrapped it round and round with long strips of linen cloth4 ,they also tied a napkin over the face of ,jesus4 ,nicodemus came to help in the burial1 bringing with him the weight of a hundred pounds in fragrant and costly spices1 aloes and myrrh1 which they laid in the linen cloth around the body4 ,near the place where ,jesus was crucified was a garden belonging to ,joseph of ,arimathea1 and in the side of the rocky hill was a cave which ,joseph had hollowed out for his own tomb4 ,no dead body had ever been buried in this tomb2 and there they laid the body of ,jesus4 ,then they rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb1 and left it4 ,near by1 at this time1 were some of the women who had come with ,jesus from ,galilee2 looking on while the body of ,jesus1 whom they had loved so fondly1 was laid in the tomb4 ,one of these women was ,mary ,magdalene1 or ,mary of ,magdala by the ,sea of ,galilee1 a woman from whom ,jesus had driven out evil spirits more than a year before4 ,another woman was ,mary1 the wife of ,clopas2 and another was named ,salome1 who may have been the mother of the disciples ,james and ,john1 and the wife of ,zebedee the fisherman4 ,these women noticed carefully the place where the body of ,jesus was buried4 ,on the next morning1 which was the ,jewish ,sabbath day1 the chief priests and leading men among the ,jews came to ,pilate and said to him3 ,we remember1 sir1 that while this man who deceived the people was alive1 he said1 ',after three days in the tomb ,i will arise again4' ,now1 then1 give orders that the tomb where he is buried be kept under guard for three days4 ,for if it be not watched1 his disciples may come and steal his body out of the tomb and hide it2 then they will tell the people1 ',he is risen from the dead1' and the last false report will do more harm than the first1 that he was the ,king of ,israel4 ,take a guard of soldiers1 said ,pilate1 and make it just as sure as you can4 ,so they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the great stone at the door4 ,also they placed a guard of soldiers in front of the tomb1 with orders to stay there for three days4 ,on one side of the rounded skull-like hill which may have been ,calvary1 where ,jesus was crucified1 there has been found a very ancient tomb1 which may have been the place of the ,saviour's burial4 ,no one can be sure of this2 but we may be certain that either in this tomb1 or in one like it1 not far away1 ,jesus was buried4 ,the ,risen ,christ and the ,empty ,tomb ,,chapter #ih ,,it ,,was ,,friday evening at sunset1 only three hours after ,jesus had died upon his cross1 when the stone at the door of the tomb was rolled against the door1 and the body of ,jesus was left alone in its resting place4 ,all day on ,saturday1 the ,jewish ,sabbath1 and through that night1 the body lay in the tomb1 watched by ,roman soldiers4 ,but early on ,sunday morning1 before the sun rose1 something wonderful took place such as had never been seen from the beginning of the world and never has been seen since that day4 ,there was a great earthquake1 shaking the ground around the tomb1 as an angel from heaven came down4 ,his face and his form shone with dazzling brightness like lightning1 and his clothing was white as snow glittering in the sun4 ,the soldiers on guard trembled as they saw the angel1 and fell down on the ground as if they were dead2 and after a little while rising up1 crept away in their fear1 and left the garden4 ,the bright angel laid his hand on the stone at the door of the tomb1 paying no attention to the seal upon it1 and rolled the stone away4 ,as he stood at the open door of the tomb1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ walked out from it1 no longer dead but living1 and living never to die again4 ,the grave clothes were not now wrapped around his body1 and the napkin had been taken from his face4 ,illustration3 ,the women at the empty tomb listened in fear and wonder to the words of the angel3 ,he is not here2 he has risen6 ,if the ,roman soldiers were still there1 they could not see ,jesus1 for a change had come over him1 and he was now seen only by those whom he wished to see him and by no others4 ,and he could suddenly appear and disappear as he chose4 ,he could be seen suddenly in one place1 and then a moment after could be seen just as suddenly in another place miles and miles away4 ,he could pass through closed doors just as if they were wide open2 and after being seen by his friends could vanish out of their sight4 ,a few moments after the earthquake1 and after the risen ,christ had come from his tomb1 a few women came from the city to the tomb1 bringing some more spices and perfumes to place around his body4 ,those women were ,mary ,magdalene1 and ,mary the wife of ,clopas1 and ,salome1 and a woman named ,joanna1 and perhaps others4 ,they may have felt the earthquake shock1 but they did not know the wonderful things that had taken place1 and supposed that the body of ,jesus was in the tomb4 ,as they came near1 they said to each other3 ,who will roll away for us the great stone at the door of the tomb8 ,but when they came to the tomb1 they found the stone already rolled away1 and the tomb open4 ,mary ,magdalene came a little before the others1 and was the first to see that the tomb was open1 and looking inside she saw that it was empty4 ,she took but one glance1 and then1 without waiting for the others1 ran away to tell some of the disciples of ,jesus that the tomb had been opened and the body of ,jesus taken away1 for she did not know that ,jesus had risen and was living4 ,a moment after ,mary ,magdalene had gone away1 the other women came to the tomb4 ,they1 too1 saw that the stone had been rolled away1 the tomb was open and the body of ,jesus was not there4 ,but these women saw what ,mary ,magdalene had not seen1 a young man with shining face and long white robe1 seated on the right side of the place where the body of ,jesus had been laid4 ,they were frightened as they looked upon him1 for this young man was the angel who had rolled away the stone4 ,but he calmed their fears1 saying to them3 ,do not be afraid1 you are looking for ,jesus the ,nazarene1 who has been crucified4 ,he has risen2 he is not here6 ,look6 this is the place where his body was laid2 and you can see it is empty6 ,but go1 find his disciples1 and ,peter1 and tell them that he will go before you into ,galilee1 to the mountains4 ,there they will see him1 as he said to them before he died4 ,so these women1 like ,mary ,magdalene only a few minutes before1 went away from the tomb to find some of the disciples4 ,they found ,peter and ,john1 and told them the news that the angel had given to them4 ,peter and ,john at once hurried to the tomb4 ,john was younger than ,peter1 and came to the tomb first4 ,he saw the stone rolled away and the tomb open1 and stood at the door1 hesitating1 uncertain whether to go into the tomb or not4 ,but ,peter1 who came a moment afterward1 did not hesitate4 ,he rushed past ,john into the tomb1 and saw that it was empty4 ,it was like ,john1 the thoughtful one1 to wait at the door of the tomb2 and it was like ,peter1 the quick and hasty one1 to rush straight into the tomb4 ,after ,peter walked into the tomb1 ,john followed him inside4 ,they saw that the grave-place was empty2 but they saw no angel4 ,john noticed that the grave-clothes were lying in a heap on the floor1 just as if ,jesus had slipped out of them1 without unrolling the long bands2 and that the napkin which he had seen bound about his face had been carefully folded and was lying by itself4 ,all these things showed that the body had not been taken away suddenly or in haste4 ,illustration3 ,peter and ,john hurried to the tomb2 seeing that it was empty they were convinced that ,jesus had risen4 ,peter1 the excitable1 was not a thinker1 and just looked at these things and wondered4 ,but ,john1 the thoughtful disciple1 looked at these things--the stone rolled away with its seal broken1 the empty tomb1 the grave clothes in an orderly pile1 and the napkin folded carefully4 ,then it flashed upon his mind for the first time that his ,lord had risen alive from the tomb6 ,and at that moment came to him the words of ,jesus spoken more than once1 that he must die1 and on the third day would rise again from death to life4 ,of all the eleven disciples of ,jesus--for now that ,judas was dead1 they were no longer twelve1 but eleven--,john1 the disciple whom ,jesus loved the most1 was the first one to believe that ,jesus had risen1 and he believed it before he had seen his living ,lord4 ,as yet no one had seen ,jesus living4 ,two disciples had looked into the empty tomb1 and the women1 except ,mary ,magdalene1 had seen the angel1 but none of them had seen ,jesus2 and all of them1 save ,mary ,magdalene1 went away1 wondering and scarcely knowing what to think4 ,jesus and ,mary ,magdalene ,,chapter #ii ,all ,,the ,,four gospels agree in saying that the first person who saw ,jesus ,christ living after his death on the cross was ,mary ,magdalene2 that is1 ,mary of ,magdala1 a town on the ,sea of ,galilee2 a woman from whom a year before ,jesus had driven out evil spirits2 and who in love for what ,jesus had done to her1 followed him1 and helped him with her gifts1 for she was a rich woman4 ,when the other women1 with ,peter and ,john1 went away from the tomb1 ,mary stayed there1 weeping and sobbing2 for she had not seen the angel who said that ,jesus had risen1 and did not know that he was alive4 ,as she stood weeping at the door of the tomb1 she looked inside4 ,there she saw two angels sitting at the empty grave-place1 one at the head1 the other at the feet1 where the body of ,jesus had been lying4 ,woman1 said one of the angels1 why are you weeping8 ,because they have taken away my ,lord1 answered ,mary1 and ,i do not know where they have laid him4 ,just then something caused her to turn around1 and she saw a man standing near her4 ,it was ,jesus1 but she did not know him2 for after rising from his grave ,jesus showed himself in differing forms1 and people could not know him until he allowed them4 ,woman1 said ,jesus to her1 why are you weeping8 ,who is it that you are looking for8 ,mary thought that this strange man was the gardener4 ,she said to him3 ,oh1 sir1 if you have carried him anywhere1 tell me where you have laid him1 and ,i will take him away myself4 ,mary6 said ,jesus4 ,and as he spoke her name1 she knew him2 and fell at his feet1 clasping them in her hands4 ,my own ,master6 was all that she could say1 in her joy at seeing him alive once more1 whom she had last looked upon dead1 hanging on the cross4 ,do not hold me1 said ,jesus1 for ,i have yet to arise and go to my ,father in heaven2 but go to my brothers1 my disciples1 and tell them that ,i shall soon rise up from the earth and go to my ,father and your ,father1 to my ,god1 and your ,god4 ,mary ,magdalene went and found the disciples1 and said to them1 ,i have seen the ,lord6 telling them also what he had said to her4 ,after ,mary ,magdalene had gone away from the tomb1 the other women--,mary the wife of ,clopas1 ,joanna1 and ,salome--came back from having seen the disciples1 and having told them what the angel had said1 that ,jesus had risen4 ,as they drew near the tomb1 ,jesus went to meet them4 ,welcome6 he said to the women4 ,they ran up to him1 fell on their faces1 and clasped his feet1 just as ,mary had done1 for they felt joy and fear mingled as they saw him4 ,do not be afraid1 said ,jesus1 go tell my brothers to go to ,galilee and they shall see me there4 ,so these women went again to find the disciples and give them the news that ,jesus was really living1 and that they had seen him4 ,all this was on ,sunday morning--the first ,easter-day4 ,illustration3 ,mary ,magdalene turned and answered the strange man whom she thought was the gardener3 ,oh1 sir1 if you have carried him anywhere1 tell me where you have laid him4 ,mary6 said ,jesus4 ,and as he spoke her name she knew him4 ,on that morning1 when the soldiers who had fled from the tomb recovered from their terror1 they went to the chief priests and told them about the earthquake and the angel who had rolled away the stone4 ,the priests had a talk with the rulers of the city2 then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers1 and told them to say to everybody3 ,the disciples came at night1 while we were asleep1 and broke open the tomb1 and stole the body of ,jesus4 ,they knew that a soldier had no right to sleep while on guard2 and the rule of the army was1 that any soldier who slept on his post should be put to death4 ,but the rulers said to them3 ,if the governor hears about this1 we will satisfy him1 and see that no harm comes to you4 ,so the soldiers took their money and did as they were told4 ,and the story that the body of ,jesus was stolen from the tomb1 was told among the ,jewish people and believed by them4 ,illustration3 ,coins struck by ,pontius ,pilate ,illustration3 ,then ,jesus began to show them in all the ,old ,testament books1 how all the prophets had foretold the things that should take place with ,christ when he should come4 ,a ,walk with the ,risen ,christ ,,chapter #ajj ,,when ,,jesus was seen after he rose from the tomb1 it was called an appearance because ,jesus appeared to someone4 ,his first appearance1 as you have read1 was to ,mary ,magdalene2 his second appearance was to the other women2 and his third appearance was to two men walking out into the country on that first ,easter morning4 ,those two men were not among the twelve disciples of ,jesus2 but they had believed in him as the ,christ1 the ,king of ,israel4 ,one of them was named ,cleopas2 the name of the other has not been given in the gospel by ,saint ,luke1 where this story is told4 ,the two men on that morning were walking out from ,jerusalem to a village called ,emmaus1 which was six or seven miles from the city4 ,as they walked1 they talked together of ,jesus1 of his death1 his burial1 and of a report which had just come to them1 that he was living again4 ,while they were walking and talking1 they suddenly saw another man walking with them4 ,this stranger was ,jesus1 but they did not know him2 just as ,mary ,magdalene did not know ,jesus when first she saw him4 ,he said to them3 ,what is it that you are talking about1 as you walk along8 ,they stood still1 with sorrowful faces2 and ,cleopas answered this stranger4 ,what6 said ,cleopas1 do you live all alone in ,jerusalem1 since you seem not to have heard of the things that have taken place there in the last few days8 ,what things do you mean8 asked the stranger4 ,why1 about ,jesus of ,nazareth1 they answered4 ,have you never heard of him8 ,he was a wonderful prophet1 to whom ,god gave power in his words and his deeds before all the people4 ,but the chief priests and our rulers seized him1 and gave him up to be sentenced to death1 and crucified him4 ,but it was our hope that he was to be the one to set ,israel free from its enemies1 and reign as our ,king4 ,and now1 this is the third day since he died1 and this morning some women of our company have brought to us news that greatly surprised us4 ,they went to the tomb at daybreak1 and found it open1 but did not find his body within it4 ,they told us that they had seen some angels1 who said that ,jesus was alive6 ,at once some of our men went to the tomb1 and found it just as the women had said1 the tomb thrown open and the body gone2 but they did not see ,jesus4 ,o1 foolish men1 with hearts so slow to believe1 after all that the prophets have said in the ,holy ,book6 said the stranger1 who was the risen ,jesus4 ,do you not know that ,christ was bound to suffer all these things before he could enter his glory as the ,son of ,god8 ,then he began to show them in all the ,old ,testament books1 how ,moses in the law1 and ,david in the psalms1 and all the prophets in their writings1 had foretold the things that should take place with ,christ when he should come2 and that all these things had come to pass with ,jesus1 showing that ,jesus of ,nazareth was in truth the ,son of ,god and the ,king of ,israel4 ,while they went on talking together1 they drew near the village of ,emmaus1 to which the two men were going4 ,the unknown ,jesus seemed as if he was going further2 but they urged him to stop4 ,stay with us1 they said to him1 for it is getting toward evening2 the sun is already about to set4 ,illustration3 ,after his resurrection ,jesus appears to ,simon ,peter4 ,and ,jesus went with them to the village and into the house4 ,they sat down to supper2 and the stranger took the loaf of bread1 blessed it1 broke it1 and gave it to them4 ,in that instant1 their eyes were opened1 and they knew who he was1 ,jesus their ,master6 ,but in that moment he vanished out of their sight4 ,how our hearts burned within us1 they said to each other1 while he was talking to us on the road and explaining to us what is said in the ,holy ,book6 ,then they immediately rose up from the table1 and went back in haste to ,jerusalem4 ,they found some of the disciples and others in the upper room at ,jerusalem1 where ,jesus had taken his last supper with his disciples4 ,before ,cleopas and his friend found a chance to tell their story1 those in the room said to them3 ,the ,lord has really risen1 and has appeared to ,simon ,peter6 ,then the two men from ,emmaus told how the stranger had walked with them on the road1 and had told them many things out of the ,old ,testament2 and how they had suddenly known that he was ,jesus1 while he was blessing and breaking the bread4 ,these were the third and fourth appearances of ,jesus1 the third to ,simon ,peter2 but what ,jesus said to him has not been written2 and the fourth1 to ,cleopas and his friend on the road to ,emmaus4 ,two ,sunday ,evenings with the ,risen ,christ ,,chapter #aja ,,the ,,meeting place of all who believed in ,jesus1 after his death on the cross1 seems to have been the upstairs room1 where ,jesus had his last supper4 ,there they met from day to day2 and it was to this place that the two men came from ,emmaus with the report of their meeting with ,jesus4 ,on the evening of ,sunday1 the first ,easter day1 the followers of ,jesus were gathered together in this room4 ,ten of the eleven disciples of ,christ were there1 ,thomas being absent2 and with them were the women and a number of others who were believers in ,jesus4 ,the doors leading to this room were shut and locked1 for they feared the ,jewish rulers and people4 ,they were talking together of these reports that had come to them of ,jesus having risen and having been seen1 when all of a sudden they saw ,jesus himself standing in the middle of the room4 ,he said to them3 ,peace be to you6 ,at the first sight of him1 they were frightened1 for they thought it was not ,jesus alive whom they saw1 but the ghost or spirit of ,jesus dead4 ,why are you so startled8 said ,jesus to them1 and why do doubts come to you8 ,look at my hands and my feet4 ,it is ,i1 myself4 ,feel me1 and look at me2 a spirit has not flesh and bones1 as you see that ,i have6 ,illustration3 ,jesus looked at ,thomas and said to him3 ,look at my hands and put your finger there1 and look at my side and thrust your hand into it4 ,with these words he showed them his hands and his feet1 with the holes left by the nails on the cross still in them4 ,even yet1 they felt the sight of ,jesus was too good to be true1 and could scarcely believe that it was their ,lord living4 ,he said to them3 ,have you here anything to eat8 ,they brought to him a piece of broiled fish2 and he ate it while they looked on4 ,this was not because he was hungry and needed food1 for he no longer needed anything2 but simply to show them that he was really living4 ,then at last they were afraid no longer1 and believed fully that their ,lord was with them living2 and their hearts were full of joy4 ,jesus said to them again3 ,peace be with you2 as the ,father sent me forth1 even so ,i send you forth4 ,then he breathed on them1 and said1 ,receive the ,holy ,spirit of ,god6 ,i give you power that if you take away the sins of men1 they are taken away from them1 just as if ,i myself forgave them2 and if you do not take away their sins1 then the guilt of their sins shall stay upon them4 ,after talking with his followers for a time on that evening1 ,jesus disappeared as suddenly as he had come4 ,this was his fifth appearance on that day1 the day of his rising from the tomb4 ,but1 as we have seen1 ,thomas1 one of the twelve disciples of ,jesus1 was not with the others on that evening1 and being absent did not meet the risen ,jesus4 ,the other disciples said to him3 ,we have seen the ,lord6 ,but ,thomas would not believe them4 ,he thought that they were all mistaken1 and said3 ,unless ,i see in his hands the mark of the nails on the cross1 and put my finger on those marks of the nails2 and unless ,i can put my hand into the wound made by the spear in his side1 ,i will not believe that he is alive6 ,a week later1 on the next ,sunday evening1 they all met again in the upper room2 and at this time1 ,thomas was present4 ,though the doors were shut1 ,jesus came again and stood among them1 with the words as before3 ,peace be with you6 ,he looked at ,thomas and said to him3 ,look at my hands1 and put your finger there2 and look at my side1 and thrust your hand into it4 ,do not longer refuse to believe that ,i am alive1 but believe in me4 ,thomas answered him3 ,my ,lord1 and my ,god6 ,is it because you have seen me that you have believed in me8 said ,jesus4 ,blessed are those who have not seen1 and yet have believed6 ,you remember that ,john1 the beloved disciple1 believed that ,jesus had risen when he looked into the empty tomb1 and before he had seen him alive4 ,this meeting with the disciples on the second ,sunday evening was the sixth appearance of ,jesus after rising from the dead4 ,the ,breakfast by the ,sea ,,chapter #ajb ,,on ,,the ,,night before the death of ,jesus1 at the supper he had said to the twelve disciples1 ,after ,i have risen from the dead1 ,i will go before you to ,galilee4 ,and after rising from his tomb1 he had said to the women1 ,go and tell my disciples that ,i will meet them on the mountain in ,galilee4 ,this mountain was ,kurn ,hattin1 near the ,sea of ,galilee1 where in the year before1 he had preached his great ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,the word that ,jesus would show himself to all who believed on him1 on this mountain in ,galilee1 led the followers of ,jesus from all parts of the land to go to ,galilee and to this mountain4 ,they waited near that place for some days without seeing ,jesus4 ,one morning seven of the eleven disciples of ,jesus were on the shore of the ,sea of ,galilee4 ,these seven men were ,simon ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 ,thomas1 ,nathanael 7who was also called ,bartholomew1 which means son of ,tolmai71 and two other disciples1 whose names have not been given4 ,while they were standing by the lake1 ,peter felt a longing for his old work as a fisherman1 and he said to the others3 ,i am going fishing4 ,he thought that while they were waiting for ,jesus to come1 they might also do some work4 ,the other six men said3 ,we will go fishing with you4 ,illustration3 ,at daybreak they saw a man standing on the shore1 who called to them3 ,throw out your net on the right side of the boat and you will catch some fish4 ,they went out in the boat1 and fished all night1 but caught nothing4 ,the next morning1 just as the day was breaking1 they saw a man standing on the shore4 ,boys1 called out this man1 have you caught anything8 ,no1 they answered him4 ,throw out your net on the right side of the boat1 said the stranger1 and you will find some fish4 ,they threw out the net as the man told them1 and at once it was filled with large fish1 so full that they could not at first haul it in4 ,then ,john1 the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 said to ,peter3 ,that is our ,lord6 ,when ,simon ,peter heard that this man on the shore was the ,lord ,jesus1 he slipped on his coat--for he had taken it off while working--and leaped into the water to swim ashore4 ,the other disciples came ashore in a smaller boat1 dragging the net1 full of fish2 for they were not more than a hundred yards from the beach4 ,when they landed on the shore1 they saw a charcoal fire burning1 with some fish cooking upon it and some bread beside it4 ,jesus said3 ,bring some of the fish that you have caught4 ,peter went to the boat and pulled the net ashore1 full of large fish4 ,they counted them afterward1 and found that they numbered one hundred and fifty-three2 but although there were so many1 the net was not torn anywhere4 ,jesus said to them3 ,come and have breakfast4 ,they sat down on the beach beside the fire2 and ,jesus passed the bread around to them1 and also the broiled fish4 ,this was now the third time that ,jesus was seen by his disciples after rising from the dead2 for he had already appeared to them on two ,sunday evenings in ,jerusalem2 and in all1 this was the seventh appearance of ,jesus after his rising from the dead4 ,after they had eaten their breakfast1 and were still sitting together1 ,jesus said to ,simon ,peter3 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 do you love me more than the others8 ,why1 ,master1 answered ,peter1 you know that ,i am your friend4 ,then1 said ,jesus1 feed my lambs4 ,there was a moment's pause1 and then ,jesus a second time asked ,peter3 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 do you love me8 ,yes1 ,master1 he replied2 you know that ,i am your friend4 ,then1 said ,jesus1 be a shepherd to my sheep4 ,then1 a third time1 ,jesus asked him3 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 are you my friend8 ,peter felt hurt that his third question was ,are you my friend8 and not ,do you love me8 and he answered3 ,master1 you know everything6 ,you know that ,i am your friend6 ,then feed my sheep1 said ,jesus2 and he went on1 ,i tell you in truth1 when you were young you put your own girdle around your waist1 and went wherever you chose4 ,but when you grow old1 you will stretch out your hands for someone else to put a girdle around you1 and you will be taken where you do not wish to go4 ,then ,jesus added1 ,follow me4 ,as ,peter on the night of his ,master's trial had three times denied that he knew ,jesus or was his disciple1 so now ,jesus wished him to say three times before them all that he was his friend4 ,and when he had spoken this three times1 the ,lord said to him1 as he had said long before by the ,sea of ,galilee1 ,follow me4 ,thus ,simon ,peter was again given his old place among the disciples of ,jesus4 ,what ,jesus said to ,peter about stretching out his hands and being carried where he did not wish to go1 was spoken as a prophecy or foretelling of the manner by which ,peter should die for the sake of ,christ4 ,nearly forty years after that time1 when ,peter was an old man1 he was put to death at ,rome by being crucified as ,jesus had been4 ,it is said that when he was about to be fastened upon the cross1 he said to the soldiers1 that one who had denied his ,master as he had1 was not worthy of dying in the same manner as ,jesus had died2 and he begged them to set up his cross with his head downward toward the ground2 and thus ,peter died4 ,but to go back to that breakfast by the ,sea of ,galilee1 after those words had been spoken by ,jesus to ,peter1 he looked at ,john1 who was standing near4 ,peter and ,john1 though very different in their natures1 loved each other greatly4 ,in the story of ,jesus and his disciples1 and in the days that came after1 we find that almost always ,peter and ,john were together4 ,seeing ,john1 ,peter said to ,jesus3 ,master1 you have told me about myself2 now tell what this man shall do4 ,but ,jesus said to ,peter3 ,if ,i choose that he shall wait until ,i come back to earth1 what has that to do with you8 ,do you follow me1 as ,i said4 ,john1 the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 lived a long time after that day4 ,when all the rest of the twelve disciples of ,jesus had died--nearly all of them were slain by enemies of ,christ--,john was still living4 ,and from these words of ,jesus many thought that ,john would not die4 ,but ,jesus did not say that ,john would not die4 ,he only said that if he chose to let ,john live until he1 ,jesus1 came again1 it was not ,peter's matter1 but the ,lord's4 ,illustration3 ,he rose into the air1 higher and higher1 until a cloud covered him from their sight1 and ,jesus the ,lord of glory was seen no more4 ,jesus ,rising up from ,earth to ,heaven ,,chapter #ajc ,,soon ,,after the appearance of ,jesus to the seven disciples by the ,sea of ,galilee1 a great meeting was held of many who believed in ,jesus1 on the mountain1 in ,galilee1 where ,jesus had told them to come together4 ,it is said that at this meeting more than five hundred people who were followers of ,jesus gathered in one place4 ,there ,jesus showed himself to the whole company4 ,when they saw him they bowed down to the ground before him2 but even then some of them were in doubt whether they had really seen the ,lord4 ,at that time ,jesus drew near to this company and said to them3 ,all power as the ,son of ,god1 and the ,king of ,god's ,kingdom in heaven and on earth has been given to me by my ,father4 ,i command you1 therefore1 to go and preach the gospel to all the world1 and make disciples of all nations and in all lands4 ,those who believe on me1 baptize in the name of the ,father1 and the ,son1 and the ,holy ,spirit2 and teach them to obey all the commands that ,i have given you4 ,whoever believes on me as his ,saviour shall be saved from his sins2 but whoever will not believe1 shall suffer the guilt of his sins4 ,and these powers shall be given to those who believe2 in my name they shall drive out evil spirits2 they shall speak with new tongues2 they shall take up poisonous snakes in their hands and shall suffer no harm2 if they drink any poison it shall not hurt them2 they will place their hands on sick people1 and they shall become well4 ,and ,i will be with you all the time1 even to the very end of the world4 ,after this there was a ninth appearance of ,jesus to ,james2 not ,james the brother of ,john1 but another ,james who was the son of ,joseph and ,mary1 and a younger brother of ,jesus4 ,what was said at that appearance has not been told1 but from that time ,james was one of the foremost followers of ,jesus1 and for many years a leader in the church at ,jerusalem4 ,long after this1 ,james wrote one of the books in the ,new ,testament1 the ,epistle of ,james4 ,jesus was seen from time to time during forty days by his disciples and followers4 ,we know of ten times in all when ,jesus appeared2 but there may have been other times of which no mention is made in the gospels or in the other writings of the ,new ,testament4 ,his tenth appearance1 as far as we know1 and his last1 may have been at the upper room in ,jerusalem1 forty days after he had risen from his tomb4 ,at that time he said3 ,when ,i was with you1 ,i told you this1 that everything written of me in the books of ,moses1 and the psalms and the prophets must come to pass4 ,then he opened their minds to understand what was written in the ,old ,testament4 ,thus1 he said1 it is written that ,christ the ,king of ,israel must suffer1 and die1 and rise again the third day1 just as has come to pass4 ,and now you are to go forth and preach that men must everywhere turn from their sins to ,god1 and be forgiven of their sins through the power given to me4 ,and you are to begin your preaching here in ,jerusalem1 the very place where ,i have been crucified4 ,i will soon send down on you the ,holy ,spirit whom my ,father has promised4 ,but wait in this city until the power comes upon you from on high4 ,illustration3 ,where two or three are gathered together in my name1 there am ,i in the midst of them4 ,then the risen ,christ led them out of the city to the ,mount of ,olives4 ,no one except those who believed in him could see him1 for he was unseen to all other people4 ,as he drew near ,bethany he lifted up his hands and blessed his followers4 ,while they were looking at him1 and his hands were held out1 he rose into the air1 higher and higher1 until after a time a cloud covered him from their sight1 and ,jesus the ,lord of glory was seen no more4 ,while they were looking upward1 two men dressed in shining white1 angels of ,god1 were seen standing beside them4 ,these angels said to the followers of ,jesus3 ,men of ,galilee1 why are you standing here looking up towards the heavens8 ,this ,jesus1 who has been taken from you1 will come again to earth in the very same way that you have seen him go up to heaven4 ,so ,jesus ,christ was taken up to heaven1 and there sat down on his throne at the right hand of ,god4 ,he sits there still1 watching over his people until the day shall come for him to return to earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,obvious punctuation errors repaired4 ,text uses ,caesar in the introduction and ,csar in the stories4 ,there were hyphenation differences between the text usage and caption usage4 ,for example1 the text uses no hyphen on today while one of the captions does hyphenate it4 ,page #ca1 his changed to this 7,upon this altar a7 ,page #ef1 ,caesarea changed to ,csarea 7from ,shechem or ,joppa or ,csarea7 ,page #bbh1 word do removed from text4 ,original read 7do you give them7 ,page #cec1 ,zacc eus changed to ,zaccheus 7rich man named ,zaccheus7 ,page #dee1 portr t changed to portrait 7portrait of ,jesus7 ,page #dgb1 is added to text 7this is the place where7