world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and the he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John dil no miracle but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.

Reader! art thou yet a faithful follower? Rejoice in the care of thy heavenly Shepherd.-Art thou a wanderer? remember, he is ready to seek thee and bring thee back to his fold. Be wise, and return to Him. He alone can open to you the kingdom of Heaven!

CHAPTER XI.

MARCH 24, JULY 23, Nov. 19.

WEDNESDAY BEFORE Easter, morning, from ver. 45.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5

5 Jesus so loved all men, even his enemies, that he "died for all." But he loved the family of Lazarus, ever as a friend *.

6 This delay seemed to argue an indifference, very inconsistent with friendship. (See ver. 15.)

disciples, Let us go into Judæa him, Master, the Jews of late

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his again. His disciples say unto sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the

9 True courage is never deterrei from its duty by danger. In the dark hour of fear God's Providence is as the sun to guide us safely.

Thus has our Lord for ever honoured friendship by his own example; sanctifying that sympathy of feeling and sentiment, which maketh brethren, friends.

night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. "These things said he and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; out of sleep. Then said his shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, 8*.) unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith

11 Do we sometimes think "Jesus still remaineth afar off," not regarding our sorrows and our prayers? -Lo! He forgetteth not! but I go, that I may awake him disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he 13 So welcome is death to the righteous, that, like Stephen, they are said to sleep.

Then said Jesus unto them 15 Deliverance from trial is often deferred in mercy, that it may in the end be more striking, and more confirmatory of our faith.

16"That we may die with Him.”— that is, with Jesus: for the Jews sought to stone Him there. (See ver.

unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me: shall never die. Believest

27 This was the answer of faith." thou this? 27 She saith unto She comprehended not the saying to him, Yea, Lord: I believe its full extent; but she acquiesced. that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, The Master is come, and

This proposal of Thomas was worthy of a faithful disciple; ready to lay down his life for his Master's sake. How strikingly was this fidelity rewarded, when our Lord vouchsafed to the inquiring disciple the memorable proofs, that he was indeed risen from the grave in his identity. (See John xx. 27.)

32 The repetition of this complaint, rendered the result more impressive, (See ver. 15 and 21.)

calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping, which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, 35 Thus the mourners' tears are Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus sanctified. Jesus himself wept. wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then 41 And will not the Father hear the they took away the stone same intercessor when he pleads for us now? from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

:

44 Jesus was God. None could restore life, but he who gave it.

and his face was bound about

Ver. 45. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus

did, believed on him.

46 But

46 The caviller is never satisfied.

some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them

what things Jesus had done. " Then gathered the chief

47 Even his enemies could not deny that the miracles were wrought.

priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation *. And one of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he would shew it, that they might take him.

CHAPTER XII.

MARCH 25, JULY 24, Nov. 20.

THEN Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made 2 Jesus mingled in society without him a supper; and Martha hesitation. served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

* Meaning that the people would proclaim Him as the Messiah, their promised prince and then the Romans, under the pretext that sedition was excited, would at once destroy their place-or temple-and their nation.

7 The custom of anointing the body was a token of honour *.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone against the day of my burying hath she kept this. with you; but me ye have not always.

For the poor always ye have
Much people of the

Jews therefore knew that he was there and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that whom he had raised from

they might see Lazarus also,

10 Guard against envy-let it have no place in your heart. Jesus was delivered for envy.

the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and

13 The palm tree is an emblem of victory and peace. The use of it on this occasion, foreshadowed the conqueror over death and the grave.

16 The prospective interpretation of a prophecy may be erroneous; but when it is accomplished, the accom plishment renders it clear to all.

cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should

*This custom indicated also a lingering hope that the body would rise incorruptible. Jesus condescended to accept in his own person, a fulfilment of all these holy offices of affection.

The heathens are often termed Greeks-the Greek language being the most generally used among them. These Greeks were "proselytes of the Gate" converts to the Jewish religion, and permitted to join in the worship of the God of Israel.