fruitful fields. There are four species of tares in Palestine. The
seeds are poisonous to man and to beasts, producing serious sickness
and sometimes death. They are, however, harmless to fowls and are
sold as food for poultry. It is customary to gather out the tares
when the grain is nearly ready for harvest. Then the women and
children go into the fields and carefully remove not only the tares
but all the weeds as well.
[End illustration]
{23}
Jesus was ever replying, "The kingdom of God is not outward, with
courts and armies and a great parade. It is inward, and means obeying
the will of God." So Jesus lived in that busy world of his day, but
few understood him. At last, because he would not be the kind of a
Messiah they wanted, they crucified him. About forty years after this,
the busy, proud people attempted to fight the Romans. They were
defeated, and Jerusalem was taken. The temple was burned, the stone
walls were thrown down, and the Jews were killed or sent away. So the
story of Palestine and of its great hope ends very sadly for the Jews,
who so looked and longed for their freedom. But we shall always love
the land where the Lord Jesus lived and the people among whom he
worked, because he loved them so much himself.
{24}
[Illustration]
Map of Palestine at the time of the New Testament.
[End illustration]
{25}
IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold;
Peace on the earth, good-will to men.
From heaven's all-gracious King;
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lonely plains
They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow!
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
Oh, rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing.
For lo, the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years,
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
--_Edmund H. Sears_.
{26}
BRIGHTEST AND BEST
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid.
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining,
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edam, and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure:
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid.
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
--_Reginald Heber_.
{27}{28}
[Illustration]
BETHLEHEM.
From a picture owned by the Detroit Photograph Company,
and used by its kind permission.
This picture shows the town, looking in
from the Church of the Nativity.
[End illustration]
{29}
THE THREE KINGS.
There came three kings, ere break of day,
All on Epiphanie;
Their gifts they bare all rich and rare,
All, all, Lord Christ, for Thee:
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are there,
Where is the King? O where? O where?
The star shone brightly overhead,
The air was calm and still,
O'er Bethlehem fields its rays were shed,
The dew lay on the hill:
We see no throne, no palace fair,
Where is the King? O where? O where?
An old man knelt at a manger low,
A Babe lay in the stall;
The starlight played on the infant brow,
Deep silence lay o'er all.
A maiden bent o'er the Babe in prayer:--
There is the King! O there! O there!
--_Christmas Hymn of the 16th Century_.
{30}
JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns:
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground:
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
--_Isaac Watts_.
{31}{32}
[Illustration]
BETHLEHEM.
The large building to the left is the Church of the Nativity.
"See how far upon the Eastern road
The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet.
O run, present them with thy humle ode,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;
Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet,
And join thy voices with the angel quire
From out his secret altar touched with hallow'd fire."
--_John Milton_
{33}
How the Lord Jesus Spent His Boyhood.
{34}
PERSONS OF THE STORY.
_The CHILD JESUS_.
_Joseph_.
_Mary_.
_King Herod_.
_Angels, wise men, shepherds, soldiers, teachers in the temple_.
PLACES OF THE STORY.
_Bethlehem of Judaea_.
_Jerusalem_.
_Egypt_.
_The village of Nazareth in Galilee_.
{35}{36}
[Illustration]
THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY AT BETHLEHEM.
Used by special permission of the Detroit Photograph Company.
This marble star marks the place of Jesus' birth according to the
belief of many.
[End illustration]
{37}
I
THE NATIVITY
_How the Lord Jesus Was Born in a Stable_.
(In the days of the Roman Emperor Augustus, a census of all the people
of the empire was taken. Everyone went to his own city to be counted
in the census. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll
himself with Mary.)
And it came to pass while they were there that she brought forth her
firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and
keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord
stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and
they were much afraid.
And the angel said unto them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there
is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying,--
{38}
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased."
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see what has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us."
And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe
lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made public the saying
which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it
wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these sayings, and pondered them in her heart. And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
{39}{40}
[Illustration]
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
By W. A. Bouguereau (1825-1905)
"Thou wayfaring Jesus, a pilgrim and stranger,
Exiled from heaven by love at thy birth,
Exiled again from thy rest in the manger,
A fugitive child 'mid the perils of earth.
"Cheer with thy fellowship all who are weary,
Wandering far from the land that they love;
Guide every heart that is homeless and dreary
Safe to thy home in thy presence above."
--_Van Dyke_
{41}
II
THE WISE MEN
_How They Came from Afar to See the Lord Jesus_.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is he who is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the
east, and have come to worship him."
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of
the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is
written by the prophet,--
'And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor,
Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and inquired of them
carefully what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem,
and said, "Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and
when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and
worship him."
And they, having heard the king, went their way; and {42} lo, the
star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and
stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and
saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and
worshiped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him
gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a
dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their
own country another way.
{43}{44}
[Illustration]
THE REPOSE IN EGYPT.
This picture shows the Holy Family resting on the long journey to Egypt.
They are within the borders of the land of the Pharaohs, and are
passing the night in the shadow of one of the great sphinxes
[End illustration]
{45}
III
A JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF THE PHARAOHS.
_How the Lord Jesus Was Taken to Egypt, How He Was Brought Back, and
How He Lived in Nazareth_.
Now when the wise men had departed behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child
and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell
thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
saying,--
"Out of Egypt did I call my son."
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that
were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old
and under, according to the time which he had carefully learned of the
wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the
prophet, saying,--
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she would not be comforted, because they are not."
{46}
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise and take the young child and
his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that
sought the young child's life."
And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into
the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over
Judaea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and
being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into Galilee, and came and
dwelt in a city called Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong, becoming full of wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon him.
{47}{48}
[Illustration]
THE BOY JESUS ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM.
By O. Mengelberg
"Oh! say not, dream not, heavenly notes
To childish ears are vain,
That the young mind at random floats
And cannot reach the strain.
"Was not our Lord a little child,
Taught by degrees to pray,
By father dear and mother mild
Instructed day by day?"
--_John Keble_
[End illustration]
{49}
IV
THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS
_How the Lord Jesus Went to a Feast at Jerusalem for the
First Time_.
And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the
Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the
custom of the feast; and when the feast was over, as they were
returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents
knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's
journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem,
seeking for him.
And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking
them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his
understanding and his answers.
And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto
him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I
sought thee sorrowing."
And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that
I must be in my Father's house?"
And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them. And he
went down with them, and came to {50} Nazareth; and he was subject
unto them: and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men.
The New Testament tells us very little about the boyhood of Jesus,
but fortunately we know from other sources much of the life of
children in Palestine in those days. Among the earliest memories of
the boy Jesus must have been the tender voice of his mother, as she
sang or repeated to him the beautiful songs which we call psalms,
and told him those wonderful stories of the heroism and faith of his
ancestors, of which we read in the Old Testament. When he was five
or six years old, he began to go to school. There he sat on the
floor with the other little children of the village, forming a
semicircle about their master. He was taught at school to read and
write, and to repeat from memory large portions of the Old
Testament. He no doubt had a boy's gladness in freedom and play when
school was out. It must have been very pleasant to sit in Joseph's
shop, and watch the shavings curl from the plane, to see the wood
fashioned into various shapes of usefulness. When he grew older he
learned the carpenter's trade in this shop. Every Jewish boy had to
learn a trade. The home life was very simple. The family was poor,
and it was not always easy to make both ends meet. Jesus no doubt
helped his mother about her work, especially in drawing water from
the village well. Every Sabbath he went to the village church, or
synagogue, as it was called, and listened attentively to the
service. In the village he often caught glimpses of the outside
world, for Nazareth was on one of the main caravan routes. Here he
would see merchants from the far East, strange, bearded, swarthy men
with trains of camels, laden with bundles of precious merchandise,
rugs, and gems, and sweet smelling sandal wood. Here he might see a
company of Roman soldiers, marching under command of a centurion,
short, stern men, helmeted, with shining armor, sword, and spear, in
perfect discipline, showing the pride of the race which had
conquered the world by force of arms. Here he saw, too, the poor and
the suffering, the beggar, the outcast.
{51}{52}
[Illustration]
FINDING OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE.
Holman Hunt (1821-1910)
From a photograph belonging to the Forbes Library, Northampton,
Mass., and used by special permission.
[End illustration]
{53}
He began to see, no doubt, as a boy, how much the world needed a
saviour, and he began to form his resolution to be a hero, not a
hero like the Roman soldier, but a hero of peace, one who should
help and uplift humanity. So the days of his boyhood passed, in
study, and work, and play, as he steadily grew toward manhood.
Every year three great feasts were kept by the Jews. The greatest of
these was the Passover. People who could do so, left their homes,
and journeyed to Jerusalem, the great sacred city of the Jews, to
keep this feast; so that all the houses of the city were full of
guests, all the villages near by were crowded with people, and the
hills about were covered with the tents of those who could find no
shelter in the houses. Women and little children were not required
to take the hard journey, though they sometimes went. The journey
had to be made on foot, or on the backs of horses or mules, the men
carrying their food with them, and stopping at night where the dark
found them. When they could arrange it, groups of friends and
neighbors liked to go together, for company and safety. It was then
often a happy journey, though it was never easy, and much as the
boys looked forward to it, they often found that it was tiresome to
tramp all day over the hills, and that they did not sleep as well at
night on the open ground, with the cold stars looking down at them,
as they did in their own beds at home. Yet the boys liked to go.
Boys no doubt liked to "camp out" then, as they do now, and there
was always a touch of adventure; the possibility of meeting robbers,
or wild beasts. Besides, it was taking a part in man's work; for
they were sometimes allowed to go when they were twelve years old.
When they reached this age, they were to "keep the law," as their
fathers did, and that made them feel like men. So it must have been
a great day for Jesus, when he, now twelve years old, was allowed
for the first time to start by his father's side, while his mother
rode on an ass beside them, for the long walk of sixty miles in the
soft spring air, over the hills to the city and the temple of which
he had heard so much.
{54}
IMMORTAL LOVE
Immortal love, forever full,
Forever flowing free,
Forever shared, forever whole,
A never-ebbing sea.
Blow, winds of God, awake and blow
The mists of earth away!
Shine out, O Light Divine, and show
How wide and far we stray!
We may not climb the heavenly steeps
To bring the Lord Christ down:
In vain we search the lowest deeps,
For Him no depths can drown.
But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
A present help is He;
And faith has still its Olivet,
And love its Galilee.
The healing of His seamless dress
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch Him in life's throng and press,
And we are whole again.
Through Him the first fond prayers are said
Our lips of childhood frame,
The last low whispers of our dead
Are burdened with His name.
O Lord and Master of us all!
Whate'er our name or sign,
We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call,
We test our lives by Thine.
--_John Greenleaf Whittier_.
{55}{56}
[Illustration]
A CARPENTER SHOP.
From a photograph taken by Prof. Lewis Bayles Paton of Hartford
Theological Seminary, and used by his kind permission.
This is a most interesting picture of an Eastern carpenter's shop.
Some of the young workmen look very keen and intelligent. So the boy
Jesus must have looked in the little shop of Joseph at Nazareth.
[End illustration]
{57}
JESUS, I MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shalt be:
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought and hoped and known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and heaven are still my own.
Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like man, untrue;
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate, and friends may shun me,
Show Thy face, and all is bright.
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure;
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.
Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
O 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
O 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
--_Henry Francis Lyte_.
{58}
AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer, though they die;
They view the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thine armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
--_Isaac Watts_.
{59}{60}
[Illustration]
NAZARETH.
The village of Nazareth itself lies in a basin, but from the hills
all about it the most extended view can be obtained. The scenes of
many of the most thrilling episodes in the history of Israel are in
sight. In Jesus' time it was near the great caravan roads, and the
center of a busy civilization.
"It was not as a rustic preaching to rustics that our Lord went
about. He went forth in a part of the Roman empire full of Roman
civilization, busy and populous."--_Walter Besant_
[End illustration]
{61}
How the Lord Jesus Began to Win the Love of Many People.
{62}
PERSONS OF THE STORY.
_The LORD JESUS_.
_John the Baptist_.
_The Disciples of Jesus_.
_Mary, the Mother of Jesus_.
_Nicodemus, a great teacher at Jerusalem_.
_A woman of Samaria_.
_A king's officer_.
_The Evil One_.
_Pharisees, Sadducees_.
_Soldiers, a wedding party, money changers, priests, Samaritans_.
PLACES OF THE STORY.
_The Jordan River. The Wilderness_.
_Cana in Galilee. Jerusalem. Samaria_.
_Galilee_.
{63}{64}
[Illustration]
THE LOWER FORDS OF THE JORDAN.
Photograph taken by Mrs. Frank L. Goodspeed of Springfield, Mass.,
and used by her kind permission.
This fine picture shows the traditional place of the baptism of
Jesus. The river has been at flood, as often happens in its
impetuous torrent, and quantities of driftwood are shown along
its banks.
[End illustration]
{65}
I
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
_How John Preached to the People, and How the Lord Jesus Was Baptized
by Him in the River Jordan_.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of
Judaea, saying, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For
this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying,--
'The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Make ye ready the way of the Lord,
Make his paths straight.'"
Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern
girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then
went out unto him the people of Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the
region round about Jordan; and they were baptized by him in the river
Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his
baptism, he said unto them, "Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to
flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of
repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham
to our father': for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones
to raise up children unto Abraham.
{66}
"And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree
therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he
who cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to
bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: whose
fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his
threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the
chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
And the multitudes asked him, saying, "What then must we do?"
And he answered and said unto them, "He that hath two coats, let him
impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do
likewise."
And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him,
"Master, what must we do?"
And he said unto them, "Extort no more than that which is appointed
you."
And soldiers also asked him, saying, "And we, what must we do?"
And he said unto them, "Do violence to no man, neither take anything
wrongfully; and be content with your wages."
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized
by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, "I have need to be
baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?"
But Jesus answering said unto him, "Permit it now: for thus it
becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."
{67}
[Illustration]
JESUS TAKING LEAVE OF HIS MOTHER.
By Bernard Plockhorst
This picture shows Jesus taking leave of Mary before beginning his
ministry.
[End illustration]
{69}
Then he permitted him. And Jesus, when he was
baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of
God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo,
a voice out of the heavens, saying,--
"This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased."
{70}
II
THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS.
_How the Lord Jesus Fought with a Great Foe_.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness during forty days, being tempted
of the devil. And he ate nothing in those days: and when they were
completed, he hungered.
And the devil said unto him, "If thou art the Son of God, command this
stone that it become bread."
And Jesus answered unto him, "It is written. 'Man shall not live by
bread alone.'"
And he led him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a
moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, "To thee will I give all this authority,
and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to
whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship before me,
it shall all be thine."
And Jesus answered and said unto him, "It is written, 'Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.'"
{71}{72}
[Illustration]
THE WILDERNESS OF THE TEMPTATION.
This wild and desolate region accords very well with our ideas of
the place of the temptation of Jesus. The great cliff in the picture
faces a narrow ravine not far from Jericho
[End illustration]
{73}
And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the
temple, and said unto him, "If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself
down from hence: for it is written,--
'He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee:
and,
'On their hands they shall bear thee up,
Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.'"
And Jesus answering said unto him, "It is said, 'Thou shalt not tempt
the Lord thy God.'"
And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was
with wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
{74}
III
THE FIRST DISCIPLES.
_How the Lord Jesus Began to Win the Love of His Friends_.
One day after Jesus had returned from the wilderness, where he had met
the temptation, John the Baptist saw him approaching, and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world! This
is he of whom I said, 'After me cometh a man which is become before
me: for he was before me.' And I knew him not; but that he should be
made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing with water."
Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; and
he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of
God!"
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them,
"What seek ye?"
And they said unto him, "Rabbi (that is, Master), where abidest thou?"
He saith unto them, "Come, and ye shall see."
They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him
that day: it was about the tenth hoar.
One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew,
Simon Peter's brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and
saith unto him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, Christ).
{75}{76}
[Illustration]
JESUS AND THE FISHERMEN.
By Zimmermann
[End illustration]
{77}
He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, "Thou art
Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas" (that is, Peter).
On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth
Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from
Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, "We have found him, of
whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth,
the son of Joseph."
And Nathanael said unto him, "Can any good thing come out of
Nazareth?" Philip saith unto him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, "Behold, an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
Nathanael saith unto him, "Whence knowest thou me?" Jesus answered and
said unto him, "Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the
fig tree, I saw thee."
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King
of Israel."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, I saw
thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater
things than these. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the
heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of man."
{78}
IV
THE FIRST MIRACLE.
_How the Lord Jesus Went to a Wedding_.
The third day after Jesus had started for Galilee with his new
friends, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of
Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, with his disciples, to the
marriage.
And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said unto him, "They
have no wine."
And Jesus said unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine
hour is not yet come."
His mother said unto the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do
it."
Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' custom
of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Jesus said unto them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled
them up to the brim. And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear
unto the ruler of the feast."
And they bore it. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now
become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which had
drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,
and said unto him, "Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when
men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the
good wine until now."
This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
{79}
V
AT THE PASSOVER.
_How the Lord Jesus Went Again to Jerusalem, What He Did, and the
Friends He Made There_.
And the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep
and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and he made a scourge of
cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen;
and he poured out the changers' money and overthrew their tables; and
to them that sold the doves he said, "Take these things hence; make
not my Father's house a house of merchandise."
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many
believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the
Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said to him, "Rabbi, we
know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
signs that thou doest, except God be with him."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
{80}
Nicodemus said unto him, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the
Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, 'Ye must be born
anew.' The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice
thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is
everyone that is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, "How can these things be?" Jesus
replied to him, "Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not
these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do
know, and bear witness of that we have seen; and ye receive not our
witness. If I told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall
ye believe, if I tell you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended
into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man,
which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever
believeth may in him have eternal life."
(This is the end of the story of the Lord Jesus and Nicodemus. What
follows is added by the writer of the gospel.)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God sent not the Son {81} into the world to judge the world; but
that the world should be saved through him. He that believeth on him
is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because
he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. And
this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men
loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
For every one that doeth ill hateth the light, and cometh not to the
light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth
cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they
have been wrought in God.
{82}
VI
JESUS AT JACOB'S WELL.
_How the Lord Jesus Made Much of Two Days in Samaria_.
Afterward Jesus left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he
must needs pass through Samaria. So he cometh to a city of Samaria,
called Sychar, near to the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son
Joseph: and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied
with his journey, sat by the well.
It was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw
water: Jesus saith unto her, "Give me to drink."
For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. The
Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, "How is it that thou, being
a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have
no dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God,
and who it is that saith to thee, 'Give me to drink'; thou wouldest
have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."
The woman saith unto him, "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and
the well is deep. Whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou
greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank
thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?"
{83}{84}
[Illustration]
JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA.
By Heinrich Hofmann
"Sweet was the hour, O Lord! to thee
At Sychor's lonely well,
When a poor outcast heard thee there
Thy great salvation tell.
There Jacob's erring daughter found
Those streams unknown before,
The water brooks of life, that make
The weary thirst no more."
--_Sir Edward Demey_
{85}
Jesus answered and said unto her, "Everyone that drinketh of this
water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I
shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him
shall become in him a well of water, springing up unto eternal life."
The woman saith unto him, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not,
neither come all the way hither to draw."
Jesus saith unto her, "Go, call thy husband, and come hither."
The woman answered and said unto him, "I have no husband."
Jesus saith unto her, "Thou saidst well, 'I have no husband': for thou
hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband:
this hast thou said truly."
The woman saith unto him, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem
is the place where men ought to worship."
Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when
neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the
Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we
know: for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is,
when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth:
for such doth the Father seek to be his worshipers. God is a Spirit:
and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
{86}
The woman saith unto him, "I know that Messiah cometh (which is called
Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things."
Jesus saith unto her, "I that speak unto thee am he." And upon this
came his disciples; and they marveled that he was speaking with a
woman; yet no man said, "What seekest thou?" or, "Why speakest thou
with her?"
So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith
to the men, "Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did:
can this be the Christ?"
They went out of the city, and were coming to him. In the mean while
the disciples prayed him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But he said unto them,
"I have meat to eat that ye know not."
The disciples therefore said one to another, "Hath any man brought him
aught to eat?"
Jesus saith unto them, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me,
and to accomplish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and
then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes,
and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest. He
that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal;
that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. For
herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you
to reap that whereon ye have not labored: others have labored, and ye
are entered into their labor."
And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of
the word of the woman, who testified, {87} "He told me all things that
ever I did." So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him
to abide with them: and he abode there two days. And many more
believed because of his word; and they said to the woman, "Now we
believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves,
and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world."
{88}
VII
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
(At another time, Jesus, who had been so kindly treated by the
Samaritans, told this story to show how everyone ought to treat others
kindly. This is how he happened to tell the story):--
A teacher asked Jesus, to test him, what he should do to inherit
eternal life. Jesus answered, "What does the law say?"
The teacher replied, "The law says, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.'"
And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou
shalt live."
But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "And who is my
neighbor?"
Jesus made answer and said, "A certain man was going down from
Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and
beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain
priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on
the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the
place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he
was moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound up his wounds,
pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and
brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
{89}{90}
[Illustration]
"INN OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN"
From a photograph taken by Louis L. Tribus, Consulting Engineer and
Commissioner of Public Works of the Borough of Richmond, City of New
York, and used by his kind permission.
This is the traditional site of the "Inn of the Good Samaritan," on
the pilgrim road the "Ascent of Blood," which leads from Jericho to
Jerusalem. When taken upwards, a more hot and heavy way it is
impossible to conceive--between blistered limestones and rocks, and
in front the bare hills piled high, without shadow or verdure. There
is no water from Jericho till you reach the roots of the Mount of
Olives. Curious red streaks appear from time to time on the stones,
and perhaps account for the sanguinary names which attach to the
road,--but the crimes committed here make these doubly deserved.
[End illustration]
{91}
And on the morrow he took out two pence, and gave them to the host,
and said, 'Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I,
when I come back again, will repay thee.'
"Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that
fell among the robbers?"
And he said, "He that showed mercy on him."
And Jesus said unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise."
{92}
VIII
JESUS AND THE KING'S OFFICER
_How the Lord Jesus Went Back to Galilee, and How He Healed the Son of
a King's Officer_.
And after the two days in Samaria he went forth from thence into
Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in
his own country. So when he came into Galilee, the Galilaeans received
him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast:
for they also went unto the feast.
He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water
wine. And there was a certain king's officer whose son was sick at
Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judaea into
Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down,
and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore
said unto him, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise
believe."
The king's officer saith unto him, "Sir, come down ere my child die."
Jesus saith unto him, "Go thy way; thy son liveth." The man believed
the word that Jesus spoke unto him, and he went his way. And as he was
now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. So
he {93} inquired of them the hour when he began to recover. They said
therefore unto him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left
him."
So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto
him, "Thy son liveth": and himself believed, and his whole house.
{94}
IX
THE CHOOSING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES.
_How the Lord Jesus Gathered About Him the Men Who Were to Be His
Closest Friends_.
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew the
brother of Simon casting a net in the sea: for they were fishers. And
he said unto them, "Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of
men."
And straightway they left the nets, and followed him.
And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets. And
straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the
boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude
resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw
Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith
unto him, "Follow me." And he arose and followed him. And it came to
pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and
sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many,
and they followed him. And the Pharisees, when they saw that he was
eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, "He
eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners."
{95}
And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, "They that are whole have
no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners."
And he went up into the mountain, and called unto him whom he himself
would: and they went unto him. And he appointed twelve, that they
might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to
have authority to cast out demons: and Simon he surnamed Peter; and
James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he
surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder: and Andrew, and Philip,
and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of
Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who
also betrayed him.
{96}
The Glorious Company of the Apostles
Simon Peter.
Andrew.
James.
John.
Philip.
Bartholomew.
Thomas.
Matthew.
James "the less".
Thaddaeus
Simon the Zealot.
Judas Iscariot, the traitor.
{97}
_Simon Peter_. Brother of Andrew. Fisherman. Residence Bethsaida. One
of the leaders of the apostles. Said to have founded the church at
Rome and to have suffered martyrdom under Nero.
_Andrew_. Brother of Simon Peter. Fisherman. Residence Bethsaida.
Tradition says he was crucified at Patrae by the proconsul AEgeas.
_James_. Brother of John. Son of Zebedee. Fisherman. Home Bethsaida.
Beheaded by Herod Agrippa only fourteen years after the crucifixion.
The first of the "glorious company of the apostles" to join "the noble
army of martyrs."
_John_. "The beloved Disciple." Fisherman. Brother of James. Son of
Zebedee. Home Bethsaida. Reputed author of Gospel of St. John, the
Epistles of John and the Apocalypse. Said to have lived to an extreme
old age, dying a natural death at Ephesus.
_Philip_. Fellow townsman of Peter and Andrew, and probably, like
them, a fisherman. Said by tradition to have been crucified head
downwards in the reign of Domitian.
_Bartholomew_. Native of Cana of Galilee. Tradition says that he
suffered martyrdom in India.
_Thomas_. "The Doubter." Occupation unknown. Residence unknown.
Tradition says that he was sold as a slave to an Indian merchant; that
he preached the gospel there with great effect and died a natural
death at an advanced age.
_Matthew_. "The Publican." A customs officer near Capernaum. Author of
the Gospel of Matthew. Nothing is known of his subsequent life or of
his death.
_James_. The son of Alphaeus. Called "the less." No details of his
history are known.
_Thaddaeus_. Occupation not known. Thought to have lived at Jerusalem.
Tradition says he preached the gospel in Africa. Fate unknown.
_Simon, the Zealot_. No details are known of his life.
_Judas Iscariot_. The Traitor and Betrayer of Jesus. Iscariot means
"the man of Karioth." He was the only Judaean among the apostles. He
committed suicide by hanging after the crucifixion.
{98}
{99}
OH, WHERE IS HE THAT TROD THE SEA?
Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
Oh, where is He that spake?
And demons from their victims flee,
The dead their slumbers break;
The palsied rise in freedom strong,
The dumb men talk and sing,
And from blind eyes, benighted long,
Bright beams of morning spring.
Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
'T is only He can save;
To thousands hungering wearily,
A wondrous meal He gave:
Full soon, celestially fed,
Their mystic fare they take;
'T was springtide when He blest the bread,
'T was harvest when He brake.
Oh, where is He that trod the sea?
My soul, the Lord is here:
Let all thy fears be hushed in thee;
To leap, to look, to hear,
Be thine: thy needs He'll satisfy:
Art thou diseased, or dumb?
Or dost thou in thy hunger cry?
"I come," saith Christ, "I come."
--_Thomas T. Lynch_.
{100}
JESUS, SAVIOUR, PILOT ME
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me,
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them "Be still!"
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea.
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee!"
--_E. Hopper_.
{101}
JESUS CALLS US
Jesus calls us: o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."
Jesus calls us, from the evil
In a world we cannot flee,
From each idol that would keep us,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."
Still in joy and still in sadness
We discern our own decree;
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
Softly, clearly--"Follow Me."
Thou dost call us! may we ever
To Thy call attentive be;
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Rise, leave all, and follow Thee.
--_Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander._
{102}
HAIL TO THE LORD'S ANOINTED.
Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
Great David's greater Son;
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes with succor speedy
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.
For Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever;
That name to us is Love!
--_James Montgomery_.
{103}
How the Lord Jesus went about doing good, teaching and healing,
and how He grew in favor with the people.
{104}
PERSONS OF THE STORY.
_The LORD JESUS_.
_A Roman Captain and his servant_.
_The Disciples of Jesus_.
_Peter's mother-in-law_.
_A widow of Nain and her son_.
_Jairus, his wife and little daughter_.
_John the Baptist_.
_Herod_.
_Herodias and her daughter_.
_A little lad with loaves and fishes_.
_Multitudes of people, lepers, palsied, and those having all
manner of diseases_.
PLACES OF THE STORY.
_The "Mount of Beatitudes_."
_Capernaum_.
_The region of Galilee_.
_The lake of Gennesaret_.
_Gadara_.
_The city of Nain_.
_The Jordan_.
_The prison in the "Black Fortress" of Machaerus_.
_The banquet hall of Herod_.
{105}
I
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
_How the Lord Jesus Taught the People the Way of Right Living_.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he
had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and
taught them, saying,--
THE BEATITUDES.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they
shall be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall
reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of {106} evil
against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you."
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but
to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the
world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a
lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth
unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven."
THE NEW WAY OF RIGHT LIVING.
_Be Right in the Heart, and Not in Outward Appearance Only_.
"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not
to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from
the law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall
be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and
teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I
say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter
into the kingdom of heaven."
{107}{108}
[Illustration]
LOOKING NORTHEAST FROM THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES TO
CAPERNAUM AND THE SEA OF GALILEE.
Copyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.
"Kurn Hattin," the "Horns of Hattin," a double-peaked hill four
miles back from the sea and about eight miles southwest from
Capernaum, is the traditional location of the mountain from which
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
[End illustration]
{109}
_It is a Sin to Get Angry_.
"Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not
kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment':
but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall
be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother,
'Worthless fellow,' shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever
shall say, 'Thou fool,' shall be in danger of the hell of fire. If
therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy
gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary
quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer,
and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no
means come out thence, till thou hast paid the last farthing."
_It is a Sin to Swear_.
"Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'Thou
shalt not perjure thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine
oaths': but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven,
for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool
of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair
white or black. But let your speech be, 'Yea, yea; Nay, nay': and
whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one."
{110}
_It is a Sin to Be Revengeful_.
"Ye have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth': but I say unto you, Resist not evil: but whosoever smiteth
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man
would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy
cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with
him two. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow
of thee turn not thou away."
_It is a Sin to Think Evil of Others_.
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
unto you. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how
wilt thou say to thy brother, 'Let me cast out the mote out of thine
eye'; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out
first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly
to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
_The Right Way is to Love Your Enemies_.
"Ye have heard that it was said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and
hate thine enemy': but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for
them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in
heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them {111}
that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the
same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than
others? do not even the Gentiles the same? Ye therefore shall be
perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
_The Right Way to Do Good Deeds_.
"Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of
them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
"When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as
the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may
have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their
reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who
seeth in secret shall recompense thee."
_The Right Way to Pray_.
"And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have
received their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine
inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in
secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. And
in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they
think that they shall be heard {112} for their much speaking. Be not
therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have
need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye:"--
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
"Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
In earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever, Amen."
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and
it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and
he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf,
will give him a stone; or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a
serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him?"
{113}{114}
[Illustration]
JESUS PREACHING THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
[End illustration]
{115}
THE GOLDEN RULE.
"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,
then so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."
_The Right Way to Be Rich_.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and
rust doth consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for
where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also."
_Trust God, and He Will Take Care of You_.
"The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be right, thy
whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole
body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee
be darkness, how great is the darkness!
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the
other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.
"Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall
eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for {116} your body, what ye
shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than
the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not,
neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father
feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? And which of
you by being anxious can add one cubit unto his stature? And why are
ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how
they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you,
that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and
to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O
ye of little faith?
"Be not therefore anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What
shall we drink?' or, 'Wherewithal shall we be clothed?' For after all
these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be
anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
_God Wants Deeds, Not Words_.
"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be they that enter in
thereby. For narrow is the gate, and strait the way, that leadeth unto
life, and few be they that find it.
{117}
"For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor
again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For each tree is
known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a
bramble bush gather they grapes. The good man out of the good treasure
of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out
of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
"Not everyone that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
"Many will say unto me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
Did we not prophesy in thy name,
And by thy name cast out demons,
And by thy name do many mighty works?'
And then I will profess unto them, 'I never knew you;
Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'
"Everyone therefore who heareth these words of mine,
And doeth them,
Shall be likened unto a wise man,
Which built his house upon the rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
And the winds blew, and beat upon that house:
And it fell not, for it was founded upon the rock.
"And everyone who heareth these words of mine,
And doeth them not, {118}
Shall be likened unto a foolish man,
Which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
And the wind blew, and smote upon that house;
And it fell, and great was the fall thereof."
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words,
the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he
taught them as one having authority, and not as their
scribes.
{119}{120}
[Illustration]
RUINS OF THE SYNAGOGUE AT CAPERNAUM.
From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund,
and used by special permission.
[End illustration]
{121}
II
THE ROMAN SOLDIER'S FAITH
_How the Lord Jesus Healed the Captain's Servant_.
And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed
him, and he entered into Capernaum.
And a certain Roman captain's servant, who was dear to him, was sick
and at the point of death. And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent
unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and save
his servant.
And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, "He
is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him: for he loveth our
nation, and himself built us our synagogue."
And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house,
the Roman captain sent friends to him, saying unto him, "Lord, trouble
not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my
roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but
say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set
under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one,
'Go,' and he goeth; and to another, 'Come,' and he cometh; and to my
servant, 'Do this,' and he doeth it."
And when Jesus heard these things, he marveled at {122} him, and
turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, "I say unto you,
I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant
whole.
{123}
[Illustration]
Map of Palestine showing Christ's Journey to Jerusalem.
by E. R. Hooker
[End illustration]
{124}
{125}
III
DAYS OF SERVICE
_How the Lord Jesus Healed Many People_.
_A Sabbath Day at Capernaum_.
On the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And they
were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as having
authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he
cried out, saying, "What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of
Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the
Holy One of God."
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him."
And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came
out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among
themselves, saying, "What is this? a new teaching! with authority he
commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."
And the news went out straightway everywhere into all the region of
Galilee round about.
And when they were come out of the synagogue, they came into the house
of Simon and Andrew, with James {126} and John. Now Simon's wife's
mother lay sick of a fever; and they told him of her: and he came and
took her by the hand, and raised her up; and the fever left her, and
she ministered unto them.
And at even, when the sun set, they brought unto him all that were
sick, and them that were possessed with demons. And all the city was
gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick with
divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and he suffered not the
demons to speak, because they knew him.
And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out,
and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. And Simon and they
that were with him followed after him; and they found him, and said
unto him, "All are seeking thee."
And he saith unto them, "Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that
I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth."
And he went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching
and casting out demons.
_Healing a Leper_.
And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to
him, and saying unto him, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and
touched him, and said unto him, "I will; be thou made clean."
And straightway the leprosy departed from him, and {127} he was made
clean. And he strictly charged him, and sent him out, and saith unto
him, "See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to
the priest, and offer for thy cleansing the things which Moses
commanded, for a testimony unto them."
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread abroad
the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into a
city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from
every quarter.
_The Man Let Down Through the Roof_.
And when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was
noised that he was in the house. And many were gathered together, so
that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door:
and he spoke the word unto them. And they came, bringing unto him a
man sick of the palsy, borne by four. And when they could not come
nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and
when they had broken through it, they let down the bed whereon the
sick of the palsy lay.
And Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son,
thy sins are forgiven."
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in
their hearts, "Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can
forgive sins but one, even God?"
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned
within themselves, said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your
hearts? Which is easier, {128} to say to the sick of the palsy, 'Thy
sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk'?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to
forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee,
Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house."
And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before
them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God,
saying, "We never saw it in this fashion."
_The Two Blind Men_.
And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying
out, and saying, "Have mercy on us, thou son of David."
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and
Jesus said unto them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"
They say unto him, "Yea, Lord."
Then touched he their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it
done unto you." And their eyes were opened.
And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, "See that no man know it."
But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
_The Throngs About the Master_.
And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great
multitude from Galilee followed: and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem,
and from Idumaea, and beyond Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great
multitude, {129} hearing what great things he did, came unto him. And
he spoke to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him
because of the crowd, lest they should throng him: for he had healed
many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they
might touch him. And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him,
fell down before him, and cried, saying, "Thou art the Son of God."
And he charged them much that they should not make him known.
{130}
IV
THE MIRACLE AT NAIN
_How the Lord Jesus Raised a Widow's Son from the Dead_.
And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called
Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. Now when
he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out
one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow:
and many people of the city were with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto
her, "Weep not."
And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still.
And he said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." And he that was dead
sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God,
saying, "A great prophet is arisen among us": and, "God hath
visited his people." And this report went forth concerning
him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.
{131}{132}
[Illustration]
JESUS PREACHING BY THE SEASIDE
[End illustration]
{133}
V
THE GREAT TEACHER
_How the Lord Jesus Told the People Stories by the Sea_.
And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there was gathered
unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, which
was on the sea, and sat in it; and all the multitude were by the sea
on the land. And he taught them many things in stories, and told them
in his teaching,--
_The Story of the Sower_.
"Behold, the sower went forth to sow: and, as he sowed, some seed fell
by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it. And other seed
fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway
it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun
was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered
away. And other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up,
and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other seed fell into the
good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought
forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."
And he said, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Afterward he
explained the parable to them thus):--
"The sower soweth the word. And these are they by {134} the wayside,
where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh
Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. And
these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places,
who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy;
and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then,
when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,
straightway they stumble. And others are they that are sown among the
thorns; these are they that have heard the word, and the cares of the
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things
entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And those are
they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and
accept it; and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a
hundredfold."
_The Story of the Growing Grain_.
And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed upon
the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed
should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit
of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the
ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the
sickle, because the harvest is come."
_The Story of the Mustard Seed_.
And he said, "How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what story
shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when
it is sown upon the earth, {135} though it he less than all the seeds
that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh
greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that
the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof."
{136}
VI
THE TEMPEST
_How the Lord Jesus Stilled the Storm, and Did Miracles by the Sea_.
And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, "Let us go
over unto the other side."
And leaving the multitude, they took him with them in the boat. And
other boats were with him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and
the waves beat into the boat, that the boat was now filling. And he
himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him,
and say unto him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?"
And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be
still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, "Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?"
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, "Who then is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the
Gerasenes. And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met
him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his
dwelling in the tombs: and no man could bind him, no, not with a
chain; because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and
the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in
pieces: and no man had strength to tame him. And always, night and
day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting
himself with stones.
{137}{138}
[Illustration]
HOUSETOPS AT TIBERIAS, LOOKING OVER SEA OF GALILEE.
[End illustration]
{139}
And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him; and
crying out with a loud voice, he saith, "What have I to do with thee,
Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me
not."
For he said unto him, "Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the
man."
And he asked him, "What is thy name?"
And he saith unto him, "My name is Legion; for we are many."
And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the
country. Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of
swine feeding. And they besought him, saying, "Send us into the swine,
that we may enter into them."
And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered
into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in
number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.
And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the
country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass. And
they came to Jesus, and beheld him who was possessed by demons
sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion:
and they were afraid. And they that saw it declared unto them what
{140} had happened to him that was possessed with demons, and
concerning the swine. And they began to beseech him to depart from
their borders. And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been
possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him. And he
suffered him not, but saith unto him, "Go to thy house unto thy
friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee,
and how he had mercy on thee."
And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great
things Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled.
And a woman who had been an invalid for twelve years, and had suffered
many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and
was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things
concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
For she said; "If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole."
And straightway she felt in her body that she was healed of her
disease.
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power proceeding
from him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who
touched my garments?"
And his disciples said unto him, "Thou seest the multitude thronging
thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'"
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the
woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came
and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And he said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in
peace, and be whole of thy disease."
{141}
VII
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO DIED
_How the Lord Jesus Brought to Life Jairus' Little Daughter_.
And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side,
a great multitude was gathered unto him: and he was by the sea.
And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name;
and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, and beseecheth him much,
saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee,
come and lay thy hand on her, that she may be made whole, and live."
And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they
thronged him.
While he was on the way, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's
house, saying, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master
any further?"
But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the
synagogue, "Fear not, only believe."
And he allowed no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and
John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of
the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing
greatly.
And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, "Why make ye a tumult,
and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth."
{142}
And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth,
taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with
him, and goeth in where the child was. And taking the child by the
hand, he said unto her, "Talitha cumi"; that is, "Little girl, I say
unto thee, Arise."
And straightway the little girl rose up, and walked; for she was
twelve years old. And they were greatly amazed. And he charged them
much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something
should be given her to eat.
{143}
VIII
LEARNING TO SERVE.
_How the Lord Jesus Sent His Disciples Out to Tell of Him_.
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two
and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and he
charged them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a
staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but to go
shod with sandals: and, said he, "Put not on two coats."
And he said unto them, "Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide
till ye depart thence. And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and
they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is
under your feet for a testimony unto them."
And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast
out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed
them.
{144}
IX
THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDE
_How the Lord Jesus Invited the Multitude to a Supper, and How, Having
Won Great Fame, the People Would Have Made Him King, but He Refused_.
And the apostles gathered about Jesus; and they told him all things,
whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught.
And he saith unto them, "Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest
awhile."
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much
as to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desert place. And the
people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran there together
on foot from all the cities, and arrived before them.
And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on
them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began
to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his
disciples came unto him, and said, "The place is desert, and the day
is now far spent: send them away, that they may go into the country
and villages round about, and buy themselves something to eat."
But he answered and said unto them, "Give ye them to eat."
{145}{146}
[Illustration]
FISHING BOAT ON THE SEA OF GALILEE.
"He who shall search for cities famed of yore,
Few wrecks will find on lone Tiberias' shore:
Where stood tower-crowned Chorazin, men forget;
A palm tree marks thy site, Gennesaret.
Tiberias, Herod's pride, still flaunteth fair,
But not the cross, the crescent triumphs there."
--_Nicolas Michell_
{147}
And they say unto him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of
bread, and give them to eat?"
And he saith unto them, "How many loaves have ye? go and see."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said unto him,
"There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves, and two fishes: but
what are these among so many?"
And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the
green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to
heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves; and he gave to the disciples
to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And
they all ate, and were filled. And they took up broken pieces, twelve
basketfuls, and also of the fishes. And those who ate the loaves were
five thousand men.
And straightway he told his disciples to enter into the boat, and to
go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sent
the multitude away. But when the people saw the sign which he did,
they said, "This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the
world."
Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him
by force, to make him king, withdrew into the mountain himself alone.
And when even was come, the boat in which his disciples had embarked
was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And seeing them
distressed in rowing, for the wind was against them, about the fourth
watch of the night {148} he came unto them, walking on the sea; and he
would have passed by them: but they, when they saw him walking on the
sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out: for they all saw
him, and were troubled.
But he straightway spoke with them, and said unto them, "Be of good
cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
And he went into the boat with them; and the wind ceased: and they
were sore amazed.
{149}
X
JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.
_How the Heroic Friend of Jesus Was Basely Murdered,
and How the Two Men Had Loved Each Other_.
(Before Jesus began his preaching, a man named John had begun to tell
the people that God would soon send them a great prophet. He himself
seemed to the people to be like one of the old prophets. His dress and
his way of living were simple, and he spoke as though God were
speaking through him. How he preached, and how he baptized Jesus,
telling his disciples that this was the man of whose coming he had
been speaking, has all been told in a previous chapter. After the
baptism John watched the career of Jesus with great interest. Before
long John was seized and cast into prison. He became despondent, and
began to doubt if Jesus was indeed the one of whom he was sent to
tell. He sent messengers to Jesus, and Jesus sent back a comforting
and reassuring message to the prisoner. Jesus loved John and spoke in
the highest terms of his work and character. This chapter tells of the
relations between the two men after Jesus' baptism, and how John met
at last a shameful death.)
_John Acknowledges the Leadership of Jesus_.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also
was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there:
and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into
prison.
{150}
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples
with a Jew about purifying. And they came unto John, and said to him,
"Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne
witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, except it have
been given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I
said, 'I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.' He that
hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom,
who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the
bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must
increase, but I must decrease."
_Imprisoned, John Begins to Lose Faith_.
For a time he continued to preach good tidings unto the people; but
Herod, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for
all the evil things which Herod had done, added yet this above all,
that he shut up John in prison.
And the disciples of John told him in prison of the works of Jesus.
And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord,
saying, "Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?"
And when the men were come unto him, they said, "John the Baptist hath
sent us unto thee, saying, 'Art thou he that cometh, or look we for
another?'"
In that hour, he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits;
and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.
{151}{152}
[Illustration]
CHRIST AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.
By Guido Reni (1575-1642)
[End illustration]
{153}
And he answered and said unto them, "Go, and tell John what things ye
have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the
poor have good tidings preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever
shall find no occasion of stumbling in me."
_Jesus Speaks of the Greatness of John_.
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto
the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness
to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out to see? a
man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are gorgeously
appareled, and live luxuriously, are in kings' houses. But what went
ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a
prophet. This is he of whom it is written,--
'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
Who shall prepare thy way before thee.'
"I say unto you, Among those who are born of women there is none
greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is
greater than he."
"Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what
are they like? They are like unto children who sit in the marketplace,
and call one to another; who say, 'We piped unto you, and ye did not
dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.' For John the Baptist is come
eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, 'He hath a demon.' The
Son of man is come eating and {154} drinking; and ye say, 'Behold, a
gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and
sinners!' And wisdom is justified of all her children."
_The Cruel Murder of John_.
When a convenient day was come, Herod on his birthday made a supper to
his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and
when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased
Herod and those who sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the
maiden, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."
And he swore unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give
it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."
And she went out, and said unto her mother, "What shall I ask?"
And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked,
saying, "I wish that thou forthwith give me in a platter the head of
John the Baptist."
And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his promises,
and of those who sat and feasted with him, he would not reject her.
And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and
commanded to bring the head of John: and he went and beheaded him in
the prison, and brought his head in a platter, and gave it to the
maiden; and the maiden gave it to her mother. And when his disciples
heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a
tomb.
{155}
O LOVE DIVINE
O Love Divine, that stooped to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,
On Thee we cast each earth-born care:
We smile at pain while Thou art near.
Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year;
No path we shun, no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near!
When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is changed to fear;
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,
Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!
On Thee we fling our burdening woe,
O Love Divine, for ever dear;
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying, Thou art near!
--_Oliver Wendell Holmes_.
{156}
O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE
O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong;
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way;
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live!
--_Washington Gladden_.
(Used by the kind permission of the author.)
{157}
THE ELIXIR
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything
To do it as for Thee.
Not rudely, as a beast,
To runne into an action,
But still to make Thee prepossest
And give it His perfection.
A man that looks on glasse,
On it may stay his eye,
Or if he pleaseth, through it passe,
And then the leav'n espie.
All may of Thee partake,
Nothing can be so mean
Which, with his tincture (for Thy sake),
Will not grow bright and clean.
A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws,
Makes that and th' action fine.
This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold,
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for lesse be told.
--_George Herbert_.
{158}
I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
The living water: thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's Light;
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.
--_Horatius Bonar_.
{159}
How, while He was still teaching and healing, many
began to turn against Him, and He, seeing
that He must suffer to save the
people, took up the
journey to the
cross.
{160}
PERSONS OF THE STORY.
_The LORD JESUS_.
_The Disciples_.
_A man born blind_.
_A woman who was a sinner_.
_A Syro-Phoenician woman and her daughter_.
_Lazarus_.
_Mary_.
_Martha_.
_Zaccheus_.
_Bartimeus_.
_Scribes, Pharisees, lawyers_.
_Afflicted people, little children, priests, officers_.
PLACES OF THE STORY.
_The Sea of Galilee_.
_A rich man's feast_.
_The country to the north of Galilee_.
_Caesarea Philippi_.
_The "Mount of Transfiguration."_
_Bethany_.
{161}
I
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
_How the Lord Jesus Tried to Turn the Minds of the People to Things
Higher Than Crowns and Kingdoms, and How They Could Not Understand_.
When the Lord Jesus disappeared from the multitude, after he had fed
them by the sea, they sought for him, and not finding him, they
themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto
him, "Rabbi, when earnest thou hither?"
Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek
me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and
were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food
which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto
you."
They said therefore unto him, "What must we do, that we may work the
works of God?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent."
They said therefore unto him, "What then doest thou {162} for a sign,
that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? Our fathers ate
the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread out
of heaven to eat.'"
Jesus therefore said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, It
was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father
giveth you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is he
who cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
They said therefore unto him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread."
Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me
shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But
I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. All that
which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to
do mine own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the
will of him who sent me, that of all those whom he hath given me I
should lose none, but should raise them up at the last day. For this
is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholdeth the Son, and
believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at
the last day."
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the
bread which came down out of heaven."
And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and
mother we know? how doth he now say, 'I am come down out of heaven'?"
{163}{164}
[Illustration]
THE LORD JESUS
By Heinrich Hofmann (1824-
[End illustration]
{165}
Jesus answered and said unto them, "Murmur not among yourselves. No
man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him: and I will
raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they
shall all be taught of God.' Everyone that hath heard from the Father,
and hath learned, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the
Father, save he which is from God, he hath seen the Father. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. I am the
bread of life. Your fathers did eat the manna in the wilderness, and
they died. This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a
man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came
down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live
forever: yea, and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the
life of the world."
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is
a hard saying; who can hear it?"
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said
unto them, "Doth this cause you to stumble? What then if ye should
behold the Son of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit
that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have
spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you
who believe not."
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and
who it was who should betray him.
And he said, "For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can
come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father."
{166}
Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with
him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, "Would ye also go away?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the
words of eternal life. And we have believed and know that thou art the
Holy One of God."
{167}
II
THE ENEMIES OF JESUS
_How the Leaders of the People Had Already Begun to Turn Against the
Lord Jesus and to Dispute His Teaching_.
_Conflict About the Sabbath_.
There was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in
Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of
those who were sick, blind, lame, withered. And a certain man was
there, who had been thirty-eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus
saw him lying, and knew that he had been ill a long time, he saith
unto him, "Wouldest thou be made whole?" The sick man answered him,
"Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the
pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
Jesus saith unto him, "Arise, take up thy bed, and walk." And
straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.
Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews said unto him who was
cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up
thy bed."
But he answered them, "He that made me whole, the same said unto me,
'Take up thy bed, and walk.'"
{168}
They asked him, "Who is the man that said unto thee, 'Take up thy bed,
and walk'?"
But he that was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had gone away, a
multitude being in the place.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, "Behold,
thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee."
The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made
him whole. And for this cause did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he
did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father
worketh even until now, and I work."
For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because
he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father,
making himself equal with God.
At another time he was going on the Sabbath day through the
cornfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears
of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, "Behold, why do they on the
Sabbath day that which is not lawful?"
And he said unto them, "Did ye never read what David did, when he had
need, and was hungry, he, and those who were with him? How he entered
into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the
showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and
gave also to those who were with him?"
And he said unto them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for
the Sabbath: so that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath."
{169}
And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who
had his hand withered. And they watched him, whether he would heal him
on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the
man who had his hand withered, "Stand forth."
And he saith unto them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good,
or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill?"
But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them
with anger, being grieved at their hard-heartedness, he said to the
man, "Stretch forth thy hand." And he stretched it forth: and his hand
was restored.
And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took
counsel against him, how they might destroy him.
_Conflict About the Treatment of Sinful People_.
And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. And he entered
into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.
And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that
he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster cruse of
ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his
feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hair of her head, and
kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the
Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying,
"This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what
manner of woman this is who toucheth him, that she is a sinner."
{170}
And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have something to say
unto thee."
And he saith, "Master, say on."
Jesus said, "A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five
hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing with which
to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him
most?"
Simon answered and said, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most."
And he said unto him, "Thou hast rightly judged." And turning to the
woman, he said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into
thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wet my
feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no
kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my
feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my
feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are
many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is
forgiven, the same loveth little."
And he said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven."
And they that were at the feast with him began to say within
themselves, "Who is this who even forgiveth sins?"
And he said unto the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
_Conflict About the Wonderful Deeds of Jesus_.
There was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb:
and he healed him, insomuch that {171} the dumb man spoke and saw. And
all the multitude were amazed, and said, "Is this the son of David?"
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man doth not cast
out demons but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons."
And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, "Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house
divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan casteth out
Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom
stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons
cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the
Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon
you."
{172}
III
A LONG JOURNEY
_How the Lord Jesus Traveled to the North to be Alone with His
Disciples, and How the People Still Thronged Him_.
And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and
Sidon.
And he entered into a house, and would have no one know it: but he
could not be hid. Soon a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean
spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. Now the
woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that
he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.
And he said unto her, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not
fitting to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs."
But she answered and saith unto him, "Yea, Lord: even the little dogs
under the table eat of the children's crumbs."
And he said unto her, "For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone
out of thy daughter."
And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the
bed, and the demon gone out.
And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon
to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis.
And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in
his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him.
{173}
[Illustration]
RUINS OF THE CASTLE AT CAESAREA-PHILIPPI.
A magnificent fortress at the head of the Jordan.
From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and used by
special permission.
[End illustration]
{175}
And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his
fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and
looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, "Ephphatha," that
is, "Be opened." And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue
was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he
charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And
they were beyond measure astonished, saying, "He hath done all things
well: he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."
In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had
nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,
"I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now
three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting
to their home, they will faint in the way; and some of them are come
from far."
And his disciples answered him, "Whence shall one be able to fill
these men with bread here in a desert place?"
And he asked them, "How many loaves have ye?"
And they said, "Seven."
And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took
the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke the bread, and
gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before
the multitude.
And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed {176} them, he
commanded to set these also before them. And they ate, and were
filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven
baskets. And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away. And
straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into
the parts of Dalmanutha.
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking
of him a sign from heaven, trying him. And he sighed deeply in his
spirit, and saith, "Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say
unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." And he
left them, and again entering into the boat departed to the other
side.
And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them
more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of
the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
And they reasoned one with another, saying, "It is because we have no
bread." And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, "Why reason ye,
because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand?
have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears,
hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I broke the five loaves
among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took
ye up?"
They say unto him, "Twelve."
"And when the seven among the four thousand, how many baskets full of
broken pieces took ye up?"
And they say unto him, "Seven."
{177}
And he said unto them, "Do ye not yet understand?" Then understood
they that he bade them not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of
the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and
beseech him to touch him. And he took hold of the blind man by the
hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his
eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, "Seest thou aught?"
And he looked up, and said, "I see men; but I behold them as trees,
walking."
Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked steadfastly,
and was restored, and saw all things clearly. And he sent him away to
his home, saying, "Do not even enter into the village."
{178}
IV
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS
_How the Lord Jesus Spoke Sad News to His Disciples_.
And Jesus went forth with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea
Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them,
"Who do men say that I am?"
And they told him, saying, "John the Baptist: and others, Elijah; but
others, One of the prophets."
And he asked them, "But who say ye that I am?" Peter answereth and
saith unto him, "Thou art the Christ."
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began
to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be
killed, and after three days rise again. And he spoke the saying
openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But he turning
about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, "Get thee
behind me, Satan: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the
things of men."
And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto
them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall
lose it; and {179} whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
gospel's shall save it. For what doth it profit a man, to gain the
whole world, and lose his life? For what should a man give in exchange
for his life? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in
this sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him,
when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And
he said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them
that stand by, who shall in no wise taste death, till they see the
kingdom of God come with power."
And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he
would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples,
and said unto them, "The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of
men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days
he shall rise again."
But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Sometime later Jesus again tried to make them understand. Then they
were going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they
were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the
twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto
him, saying, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall
be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall
condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: and
they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him,
and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again."
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V
THE TRANSFIGURATION
_How the Disciples Caught a Vision of the Lord Jesus' Glory and How
They Were Afterward Taught a Lesson in Faith and Service_.
Soon after he spoke of what he must suffer Jesus took with him Peter,
and James, and John, and brought them up into a high mountain apart by
themselves: and he was transfigured before them: and his garments
became shining, exceeding white; so as no fuller on earth can whiten
them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were
talking with Jesus.
And Peter saith to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and
let us make three lodging places; one for thee, and one for Moses, and
one for Elijah." For he knew not what to answer; for they became
greatly afraid.
And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out
of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son: hear ye him." And suddenly
looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with
themselves.
And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that
they should tell no man what things they had seen, until the Son of
man should have risen again from the dead. And they kept the saying,
questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead might
mean.
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And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about
them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the
multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him
saluted him. And he asked them, "What question ye with them?" And one
of the multitude answered him, "Master, I brought unto thee my son,
who hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him
down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth and pineth away: and I
spoke to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not
able."
And he answereth them and saith, "O faithless generation, how long
shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto
me."
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, at once the spirit
tore him grievously; and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming.
And he asked his father, "How long is it since this hath come unto
him?"
And he said, "From a child. And oft-times it hath cast him both into
the fire and into the water, to destroy him: but if thou canst do
anything, have compassion on us, and help us."
And Jesus said unto him, "If thou canst! All things are possible to
him that believeth."
Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, "I believe;
help thou mine unbelief."
And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked
the unclean spirit, saying unto him, "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I
command thee, come out {182} of him, and enter no more into him." And
having cried out, and torn him much, the demon came out: and the child
became as one dead; insomuch that most said, "He is dead." But Jesus
took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him
privately, saying, "How is it that we could not cast it out?"
And he said unto them, "This kind can come out by nothing, save by
prayer."