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[Illustration: Front Cover]
[Illustration: LITTLE ONES SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO HIM.]
MOTHER
STORIES
FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT
A Book of the Best Stories from the
New Testament That Mothers
Can Tell Their Children
With Forty-five Illustrations
PHILADELPHIA
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
ALTEMUS' MOTHER STORIES SERIES
* * * * *
MOTHER STORIES
A Book of the Best Stories that Mothers can tell their Children
MOTHER NURSERY RHYMES AND TALES
A Book of the Best Nursery Rhymes and Tales that Mothers can tell
their Children
MOTHER FAIRY TALES
A Book of the Best Fairy Tales that Mothers can tell their Children
MOTHER NATURE STORIES
A Book of the Best Nature Stories that Mothers can tell their Children
MOTHER STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
A Book of the Best Old Testament Stories that Mothers can tell their
Children
MOTHER STORIES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT
A Book of the Best New Testament Stories that Mothers can tell their
Children
MOTHER BEDTIME STORIES
A Book of the Best Bedtime Stories that Mothers can tell their
Children
MOTHER ANIMAL STORIES
A Book of the Best Animal Stories that Mothers can tell their Children
MOTHER BIRD STORIES
A Book of the Best Bird Stories that Mothers can tell their Children
MOTHER SANTA CLAUS STORIES
A Book of the Best Santa Claus Stories that Mothers can tell their
Children
Profusely illustrated and handsomely bound in cloth, with
ornamentation in colors
$1.00 PER VOLUME
COPYRIGHT 1906 BY HOWARD E. ALTEMUS
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE WISE MEN'S VISIT 7
THE ANGEL'S TIDINGS 10
JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 12
THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES 14
THE HOUSE BUILT UPON THE SAND 16
HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT 18
ANOINTING THE FEET OF JESUS 20
THE RICH FOOL 22
THE UNFRUITFUL TREE 24
SOWING THE SEED 26
THE ENEMY SOWING TARES 28
THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN 30
SEEKING FOR HIDDEN TREASURE 32
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE 34
THE PARABLE OF THE NET 36
THE MAN POSSESSED BY DEVILS 38
CURING THE INCURABLE 40
JAIRUS' DAUGHTER 42
THE TWO BLIND MEN 44
FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND 46
CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA 48
THE WOMAN OF CANAAN 50
PETER AND THE TRIBUTE MONEY 52
THE GOOD SAMARITAN 54
IMPORTUNITY REWARDED 56
THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT 58
THE GOOD SHEPHERD 60
THE LOST PIECE OF MONEY 62
THE PRODIGAL SON 64
PETER'S WIFE'S MOTHER CURED 66
THE UNJUST STEWARD 68
THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR 70
"AVENGE ME OF MY ADVERSARY" 72
THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX-GATHERER 74
THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD 76
THE BARREN FIG TREE 78
THE WICKED HUSBANDMAN 80
WITHOUT THE WEDDING GARMENT 82
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS 84
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS 86
MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND 88
JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN 90
THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER 92
TIMOTHY AND HIS MOTHER EUNICE 94
CHRIST BLESSING THE CHILDREN 96
[Illustration]
NEW TESTAMENT STORIES
THE WISE MEN'S VISIT.
The birth of Jesus Christ was announced by two remarkable events: the
coming of wise men from the East, and the appearance of angels to some
shepherds at Bethlehem.
The wise men were probably astronomers; and in watching the stars they
had seen one that had led them to leave their own country, and take a
long journey to Jerusalem. Most likely they rode on camels, and their
journey was a tedious one. But at last they reached Jerusalem, where
they inquired saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for
we have seen His star in the East and are come to worship Him."
Tidings of these inquiries were brought to King Herod, and when he
heard them he was much troubled. He was a wicked king; and feared that
if another king had been born, he would grow up and take the crown
away. Herod was also cruel and treacherous, and while pretending to
act rightly, often did many evil things. And now he intended to
destroy the infant King, who might one day take his sceptre away.
So he first sent for the learned men of the Jews, the chief priests
and scribes, and demanded of them where Christ should be born; and
when they had replied that it was to be in Bethlehem, he secretly
called the wise men before him, and inquired of them what time the
star appeared. After getting the information he needed, he dismissed
the wise men, bidding them to go to Bethlehem "and search diligently
for the young child; and when ye have found Him," said Herod, "bring
me word again, that I may come and worship Him also."
So the wise men left King Herod and Jerusalem, and journeyed onward
towards Bethlehem; and the star which they had seen in the East went
before them, till it came and stood over where the young child lay.
And when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, for
they knew they had found Him whom they had come so far to seek.
But the wise men did not bring Herod word where Jesus was; and he was
so angry that shortly afterwards he sent his soldiers, and slew all
the children under two years of age that were in Bethlehem and its
neighbourhood. He thought by so doing to kill Jesus among them, but
God prevented him from doing so.
[Illustration: THE WISE MEN BEFORE THE KING.]
THE ANGEL'S TIDINGS.
It was night. In the fields near Bethlehem a company of shepherds kept
watch over their flocks. Probably they were holy men, and often
thought of God in the stillness of the early morn. And now they may
have been thinking of the coming of the promised Messiah.
While watching their flocks, the angel of the Lord came to these
shepherds, and a dazzling light shone round about them. They were much
afraid; but the angel said, "Fear not; for behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord." And suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men."
When the angels had departed, the shepherds returned to Bethlehem; and
there, in a stable, they found the infant Jesus, lying in a manger,
watched over and cared for by His mother Mary and Joseph. And so great
was the surprise and joy of the shepherds that they went out and told
all they met of the wondrous things which they had seen.
Shortly after the visit of the shepherds, the wise men from the East
reached Bethlehem, and in a house they found Joseph, and Mary, and
Jesus. Then they fell down and worshipped Jesus, opening the treasures
they had brought, and offering Him precious gifts, gold and
frankincense and myrrh. But God warned them not to go back to Herod,
to tell him where the new-born King of the Jews was, and they returned
to their own country another way.
[Illustration: THE SHEPHERDS WORSHIPPING THE INFANT JESUS.]
JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.
When Jesus was twelve years of age, His parents took Him with them to
Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. Great numbers journeyed from
different parts to keep this feast; and travelled in companies or
caravans, the women and old men riding on asses or mules, and the rest
going on foot. Thus Joseph and Mary, with Jesus, left Nazareth, and
with many others journeyed to Jerusalem, where they kept the Passover.
When the feast was ended, as they returned homewards, Joseph and Mary
discovered that Jesus was missing; but supposing Him to have been
somewhere among the company, they continued their first day's short
journey. When, however, evening came, and the caravan halted, and
Jesus was nowhere to be found, His parents sorrowfully returned to
Jerusalem seeking Him. At last, on the third day, they went to the
Temple, and found Jesus sitting in the midst of the aged and learned
Jewish doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. "And all
that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers."
His parents were amazed when they saw Jesus in such company. But Mary,
while she rejoiced at finding Him, gently said, "Son, why hast Thou
thus dealt with us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee
sorrowing." Jesus replied, "How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not
that I must be about My Father's business?"
Jesus was the Son of God, and doing God's work was being about His
Father's business. Years afterwards He said, "I came not to do Mine
own will, but the will of Him that sent Me."
[Illustration: "SON, WHY HAST THOU THUS DEALT WITH US?"]
THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES
One day, as the crowds pressed round Him to hear the Word of God,
Jesus came to the Lake of Gennesaret and saw two boats drawn up on the
shore. Now one of these belonged to a man named Simon Peter, who was
at the water's edge washing his nets. Jesus entered into this boat and
asked Simon to push it off from the land a little. Then He sat down
and taught the people from the boat. And when He had done speaking to
them He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your
nets for a draught of fishes." Simon, answering Him, said, "Master, we
have toiled all through the night and have taken nothing, but as you
wish it I will let down the net again." And they let down the net into
the sea, but it enclosed so great a multitude of fishes that they
could not draw them up; and the net brake. Then Simon beckoned to his
partners, James and John, who were in the other boat, that they should
come and help them. And they came and filled both boats with the
fishes, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it he fell down before Jesus, saying, "Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he and all that were with
him were astonished at the marvellous draught of fishes which they had
taken. And Jesus said unto Simon, "Fear not, Simon Peter; from
henceforth thou shalt be a fisher of men." Meaning that he was to go
about winning souls for God, instead of being a fisherman.
And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all they
had and followed Christ.
[Illustration: THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES.]
THE HOUSE BUILT UPON THE SAND.
What a foolish man the builder of the house shown in our picture must
have been! Of course, when the wind blew and the waves dashed against
his house, it would fall. Look how the sea has washed the foundation
away, and how the roof is falling in! And the people; see how they are
fleeing to save their lives! And all this calamity because he built
his house upon the sand. But the other house, shown in the distance:
how firmly that stands! What a bold front it offers to the waves, and
how safely it resists the fury of the storm. Its foundations are sure,
because they rest upon the solid rock.
Jesus had been teaching the people. He had taught them many wonderful
truths, which you will find written in the fifth, sixth, and seventh
chapters of Matthew; and in closing He said, "Whosoever heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man who
built his house upon a 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 a rock. And every one that heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish
man which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and
the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it
fell, and great was the fall of it." The lesson Jesus sought to
impress upon the people by this parable was, that it is not enough
simply to hear what He says. Many will do that; but it is only those
who remember Christ's commandments and keep them, whose work will
stand when the time of trial comes.
[Illustration: THE HOUSE BUILT UPON THE SAND.]
HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT.
Jesus entered into Capernaum, a city by the Sea of Galilee, and while
He was there a certain Centurion, or captain in the Roman army, had a
favourite servant who was sick of the palsy and in great pain. When
this Roman heard of Jesus, he sought the Jewish elders and implored
them to go to Christ and beseech Him to cure the sick servant. And the
elders came to Jesus and besought Him urgently to do this miracle,
saying, "He is a worthy man, this Roman captain, for he loveth the
Jews and hath built us a synagogue."
So Jesus went with them, and when He had come near the house, the
Centurion himself came to meet Him, saying, "Lord, trouble not
Thyself, for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter my house. Speak
the word only, and this sickness shall depart and my servant be made
whole. For I am a man under authority of the Emperor, having many
soldiers under me, and I say unto this man, 'Go,' and he goeth; to
another, 'Come,' and he cometh, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he
doeth it. Wherefore, if I can so readily command my servants to do my
bidding, I know that if Thou biddest this sickness to go out from my
servant it will surely go."
Jesus marvelled at the man's words, and said to His followers,
"Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in
all Israel." And to the Centurion He said, "Go thy way; and as thou
hast believed, so be it done unto thee." And his servant was healed in
the selfsame hour, and when those that had been sent returned to the
house, they found the servant whole that had been sick.
[Illustration: CHRIST AND THE CENTURION.]
ANOINTING THE FEET OF JESUS.
On one occasion, a proud Pharisee, whose name was Simon, invited Jesus
to eat with him. But the invitation was a cold one. There was no kiss
of welcome, no water to bathe His hot and dusty feet, no perfumed
ointment for His head: nothing but a bare admission to a vacant place
at the table was granted to Jesus. But there He reclined, His left
elbow resting on a cushion, and His feet projecting beyond the edge of
the couch.
Now it happened that a poor, sinful woman was passing, who,
discovering that Jesus was in the house, timidly entered, and stood
behind Him. She had an alabaster box of ointment, and, as she looked
on Jesus, she wept. Her tears fell upon His feet; so, stooping down,
she tenderly wiped them away with her long hair; then she kissed the
Saviour's feet, and anointed them with the fragrant ointment. This was
done as a token of respect and love.
But an evil eye had noted the kindly act; and the proud Pharisee
thought within himself, if Jesus were the prophet He professes to be,
He would certainly have known that the woman was a great sinner, and
would not have allowed her to touch Him. But Jesus came to save
sinners. He loves them, though He hates their sins. He rebuked the
haughty Simon; and showed him how he had neglected the commonest rites
of hospitality towards his guest, while this poor woman had treated
Jesus with the greatest reverence. Then Jesus said, "Her sins which
are many are forgiven, for she loved much"; and He bade her go in
peace.
[Illustration: ANOINTING THE FEET OF JESUS.]
THE RICH FOOL.
There was a certain rich man who owned much land. And his fields and
vineyards were so productive that when the time of harvest came, he
had not room enough to store his corn and fruits. So after much
thought he said, "This will I do. I will pull down my barns and build
greater ones, and there will I store all my fruits and my goods. Then
I can say to myself, 'I have great store of goods laid up, enough for
many years; now I can take mine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.'"
But God said unto him, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be
required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast
hoarded?"
Jesus says it shall be so with all those who set their minds upon
storing up riches in this world, rather than laying up treasures in
heaven by pleasing God and working in His service. Death will come
when they least expect it, and they will have to leave all their
earthly riches, and go where no treasure has been laid up for them.
And He said unto His disciples, "Take no thought for your life, what
ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on; for the life
is more than meat, and the body more than raiment. For all these
things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth
that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of
God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, for it is
the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what ye have
and give alms; provide yourselves a treasure in the heavens that
faileth not, where no thief approacheth, or moth corrupteth."
[Illustration: THE RICH FOOL.]
THE UNFRUITFUL TREE.
A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and
sought fruit thereon, but found none. Then he called to the gardener
who attended to his vineyard, and said to him, "Behold these three
years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none. Cut it
down. Why does it encumber the ground?"
The gardener answered him and said, "Lord, let it alone this year
also, till I shall dig about it and manure it. And if it bear fruit
then, it is well; but if not, then, after that, thou shalt cut it
down."
In this parable the vineyard means the world, and the fig-tree ungodly
people whose lives do not produce good works--do not produce fruit in
the service of God. The Lord of the vineyard, that is, God, would
destroy such people, but Christ intercedes in their behalf, that time
for repentance may be given. "He is not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance." Christ came and
sought to change men's hearts, and make their lives fruitful for God.
The warning has been given, and when the Lord of the vineyard comes
again to seek good fruit the unfruitful trees shall be destroyed.
Am I a barren tree, dear Lord?
A cumberer of the ground.
Oh! give me grace to fruitful be,
And in Thy work abound.
[Illustration: THE UNFRUITFUL TREE.]
SOWING THE SEED.
A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell by the
wayside and was trodden down, and birds came and devoured it. And some
fell upon a rocky place, where there was not much soil, and as soon as
it sprang up it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some
fell among thorns and weeds, and they sprang up with it and choked it.
But other fell on good ground, and sprang up bearing ears, some with
thirty, some sixty, some a hundred seeds.
When Jesus had told this parable, His disciples asked Him to explain
it to them. He said that the seed is the Word of God. The wayside
signifies the people who hear the Word but do not understand it, and
Satan comes and takes all thought of it out of their hearts as quickly
as the birds devour the seeds. The rocky places without much earth
denote those who, when they hear the Word, receive it with great joy
and profession of faith; but it never takes deep root in their hearts,
and when they are tempted they fall away and the good seed in their
hearts is withered up. The thorns and weeds are the pleasures and
riches of this life, which root so deeply and strongly in men's hearts
that the good seed has no chance, and is soon killed off.
But the good ground is the hearts of good people, who remember God's
Word and try, every day of their lives, to do as He wishes us to do,
and to live holy and useful lives. The seed falling upon their hearts
becomes strongly rooted and grows up vigorously, bearing good fruit.
What shall be said of _your_ heart, my young friend? Is it like the
wayside? the rocky place? the thorny ground? or like a good field that
has been well prepared for the seed?
[Illustration: SOWING THE SEED.]
THE ENEMY SOWING TARES.
A certain man sowed good seed in his field, but in the night, whilst
men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went
his way. When the wheat-blade had sprung up and showed the ear, then
appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came to
him and said, "Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence
then come these tares?"
He said unto them, "An enemy hath done this." Then the servants asked,
"Shall we go, then, and gather them up?" But he said, "Nay, lest
whilst you gather up the tares, you root up the wheat with them. Let
both grow together until the harvest, and in that time I will say to
the reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares and bind them into
bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
Jesus' disciples asked Him to explain this parable to them, and He
said: "The field represents the world, and He that sowed the good seed
is Christ Himself. The good seed is the Word He preached; the wheat
plants are the good people who believe in Christ and do as He teaches.
The enemy who sows the bad seed is Satan, and the tares that spring
from them are wicked people who follow the promptings of the evil one
in their hearts. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers
are the angels of God. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned
in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world with wicked
people. Christ shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out
of His Kingdom all things that offend and them that do evil, and shall
cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing
of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father."
"For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offences purge away;
"Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast,
But the fruitful grain to store
In His garner evermore."
[Illustration: THE ENEMY SOWING TARES.]
THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN.
Christ said that the kingdom of heaven could be likened unto leaven
(or yeast), which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour,
till the whole was leavened.
Now, this leaven, or yeast, is composed of tiny little plants, each
one so small that it cannot possibly be seen by the sharpest eye
except through a very powerful microscope. So small are they that it
would require three thousand of them, placed close together, side by
side, to make up the length of one inch. Like all other plants they
require food, and they find this in the dough they are placed in. You
know that all things are made up of atoms of chemical substances so
wonderfully blended together that only the chemist can separate them,
and when he has separated them they appear very different. Well, in
flour there are certain things so blended, and the yeast-plant takes
one kind of substance as food, and in doing so sets free another
substance called carbonic acid gas. This gas bubbles up and makes the
heavy dough spongy and light. If it were not for these tiny bubbles of
gas your bread would be as heavy and close as suet pudding. This is
the reason why yeast is put into dough for making bread or cake. One
of the most remarkable things about this yeast is, that when it gets
into any substance that contains its food, it at once begins to give
off buds, which, in a few moments, become full-sized and break away.
So rapid is this increase, that if a single yeast-plant were to be put
into a great mass of dough it would very quickly leaven the whole
mass.
And so it is with the love of God. When once it gets into our hearts
it will keep on growing until all our life is filled with it, and we
try in all things to please Him.
[Illustration: THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN.]
SEEKING FOR HIDDEN TREASURE.
The people of Canaan, both in ancient and modern days, have made a
practice of hiding their treasures. This they have done to secure them
in times of danger. When invaders flocked into the land, the people
buried their gold and jewels, and fled. And often they died, or were
overtaken by their enemies and killed, so that they were unable to
return and regain their buried riches. Earthquakes also have taken
place, destroying towns and villages, and burying all the riches in
them beneath their ruins. Thus there is much hidden treasure in
Canaan, and numbers of the inhabitants spend their time seeking
diligently and anxiously for it.
Our artist shows us a man who is thus seeking. He has heard that in
old times a great treasure was hidden in a particular field. So he
digs away patiently in various places until, at last, he finds out
that what he heard is quite true. He is sure the treasure is _there_;
and his desire is to become possessed of the field, so that he may
obtain the buried riches. He is willing to sell all that he has if by
so doing he may buy that field. So he hastens home, and gathers
together the whole of his property and sells it. Then he takes his
money to the man who has the land for sale, and buys the field of him.
Thus he becomes possessed of the treasure he has sought after. Jesus
says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that treasure. It is so
precious, that when a man finds out its value, and knows how it can be
obtained, he will be willing to give up everything he has for it--all
his companions, pleasures, sins, riches--indeed everything he
possesses, in order to gain this great treasure.
[Illustration: THE TREASURE HID IN A FIELD.]
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.
Very similar to the parable of the Hidden Treasure is this one of the
merchant seeking goodly pearls.
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly
pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold
all that he had, and bought it."
In the picture we see the merchant on the sea-shore, where he has
waited for the landing of these sailors from another country. He asks
them if they have any goodly pearls for sale, and one man opens his
box and takes out this "pearl of great price." It is just the kind of
pearl the merchant had been seeking, so he quickly produces his two
bags of gold and offers them to the man for his pearl. But the man
smiles. "What! part with so large and so beautiful a pearl for two
bags of gold?" He could not think of it. The pearl is again placed in
its box, and the merchant has to go away disappointed. But the longing
to have that pearl is too great. A thought occurs to him. He will go
home and sell all that is his, and the money he shall thus obtain,
added to his two bags of gold, will surely buy the precious jewel.
And so it is with men when they seek that pearl of pearls, the
forgiveness of God. They will give up a great deal in order to obtain
it, but they find that God requires them to give up everything that is
sinful or worldly. And if their hearts are really set upon obtaining
it, they will do as this merchant did, and part with everything that
would hinder them from coming to God, or walking in the way that leads
to heaven.
[Illustration: THE MERCHANT SEEKING GOODLY PEARLS.]
THE PARABLE OF THE NET.
These fishermen have just returned to shore with their net full of
fish. Now this is not a casting-net, which is thrown out from the boat
and drawn in again, but a drag-net which is of great length, and which
is drawn constantly through the water until it is well filled with
fish. It is then hauled up to the shore, and the fishermen sit around
it, and take out the fish. Many of these, of course, are unfit for
food, or not liked. They cast those into the sea again, but the good
fish which they can sell for food are carefully placed in vessels
brought for the purpose.
Christ said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast
into the sea, and gathered every kind (of fish): which, when it was
full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into
vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the
world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among
the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth."
At another time Jesus taught His disciples the same truth; when He
spake of His coming and of the gathering of all nations before Him,
the good entering into eternal life, but the wicked being cast away.
"When the Son of Man shall come in His glory," said Jesus, "and all
the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His
glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from
the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats
on the left."
[Illustration: THE PARABLE OF THE NET.]
THE MAN POSSESSED BY DEVILS.
One day Jesus came with His disciples in a boat to the country of the
Gadarenes, near Galilee. They landed near the tombs, that is, caverns
cut into the rock, where the dead were buried. And there met them a
man, who, for a long time, had been possessed by many unclean spirits.
He lived in the tombs and wore no clothes. He had been so fierce and
wild that his friends had been obliged to chain him up, but he had
burst his fetters, and the devils had driven him out to the tombs.
Jesus bade the unclean spirits to come out of the man. And when the
man caught sight of Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him,
saying, "What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God most
high? I beseech Thee to torment me not."
And Jesus asked him his name. And he said, "Legion," because many
devils were in him. They besought Jesus that He would not make them go
into the sea, but would let them enter into a herd of swine that were
feeding on the cliffs close by. He suffered them to do so, and the
devils went out of the man and entered into the pigs, and the whole
herd ran violently over the cliff into the water and were drowned. And
when the herdsmen saw what was done, they fled into the city and told
all the people. Then the people came out to Jesus, and they saw the
man that had been possessed, clothed and in his right mind, sitting at
the feet of Jesus. And they that had seen it told them by what means
the man had been healed, and they were afraid. The man out of whom the
devils had departed, besought Him that he might stay with Jesus, but
He sent him away, saying, "Return to thy house, and show what great
things God hath done unto thee." And he went his way and published
throughout the city what great things Jesus had done unto him.
[Illustration: THE MAN POSSESSED BY DEVILS.]
CURING THE INCURABLE.
Jesus went into Capernaum, followed by a great crowd of people, and
among them was a woman who for twelve years had suffered from a
disease which no doctor could cure, though she had consulted many, and
spent all her wealth upon them. She had said within herself, "If I
could but touch His garment I should be made well." So she pressed
through the crowd, and put out her arm and touched the hem of His
garment, and immediately she was made well.
Then Jesus, turning round to His disciples, said, "Who touched Me?"
But they all denied that they had done so, and Peter and they that
were with him said, "Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee,
and yet Thou sayest, Who touched Me!" They were surprised that Jesus
should make such an enquiry, seeing that so many were crowding round
Him, and pressing against Him. But Jesus said, "Somebody hath touched
Me, for I perceive that healing virtue hath gone out of Me."
When the woman saw that Jesus knew what she had done, and that she
could not be hidden in the crowd, she came trembling, and, falling
down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people why she
had touched Him, and how she had been healed at once. And He said unto
her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. Go
in peace, and be healed of thy illness."
Jesus wishes us to trust in Him. We suffer from a terrible
disease--the disease of sin, which no doctor can cure; but Jesus will
heal us and take away our sin if we trust in Him.
[Illustration: CURED BY TOUCHING HIS GARMENT.]
JAIRUS' DAUGHTER.
Jairus was one of the rulers of the Jewish church, or synagogue, and
he had a daughter who had been very ill and was now at the point of
death. She was an only daughter, and was twelve years of age. So
hearing that Jesus was near, he came to Him, and, falling down before
Him, implored Jesus to come and see her.
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did His disciples. Soon
there came running to them a messenger from the ruler's house, who
said to Jairus, "Thy daughter is already dead; do not trouble the
master." But when Jesus heard it He turned to Jairus and said, "Fear
not. Only believe, and she shall be restored to life."
When they came to the ruler's house they saw the minstrels and many
people who were making much noise and lamentation for the dead girl,
as was the custom. Jesus said unto them, "Make way; weep not, for the
maiden is not dead, but sleepeth;" but they laughed Him to scorn,
knowing that she was dead. And He put them all out of the room, all
but Peter and James and John, and the mother and father of the maiden.
Then He took her by the hand, and called to her, saying, "Maid, arise."
And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; and He commanded
her parents to give her food.
Her parents were astonished when they saw their daughter raised to
life and able to eat, but Jesus charged them that they should tell no
man what He had done. But the fame of the miracle He had wrought went
abroad unto all that land.
[Illustration: JAIRUS' DAUGHTER.]
THE TWO BLIND MEN.
When Jesus had left the house of the ruler Jairus, there followed Him
two blind men. They called out to Him, "Thou Son of David, have mercy
upon us."
Then Jesus looked at them, and asked if they really believed that He
had power to cure them and give them back their sight. And they said
unto Him, "Yea, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, and said unto them,
"According to your faith, so be it unto you." And immediately they
opened their eyes and were able to see. Jesus charged them to let no
man know what He had done. But when they were departed they spread His
fame abroad over all that country.
Another time Christ and His disciples were coming away from Jericho,
followed by a large crowd of people. And there was sitting by the
wayside a blind beggar, Bartimeus by name; and when he heard the noise
of the multitude, he asked what it meant. They answered him, "Jesus of
Nazareth passeth by." Then he cried out in a loud voice, saying,
"Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." The people tried to keep
him from calling out, but he would not be quiet. He was determined
that Christ should see him. And Jesus stood still, and commanded them
to call him. So he arose and cast away his outer garment and came to
Jesus. When Jesus asked what he would have done to him, he answered,
"Lord, that I might receive my sight." And Jesus said unto him, "Go
thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." And he received his sight at
once, and followed Jesus, praising Him.
[Illustration: THE TWO BLIND MEN.]
FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND.
One day Jesus went on board a ship and sailed to another part of the
coast, where He and His disciples might have rest. For the people in
the cities crowded them so closely that they did not even have time to
eat. They landed, and went into a desert place; but the people had
seen them depart, and marked which way the ship sailed. Then they all
flocked out of the cities and came on foot to the place where Jesus
was. When Jesus saw what a great number of people had come, He had
compassion on them, and spoke to them, and healed their sick. But in
the evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, "This is a desert
place, and the day has gone; send the people away, that they may go
into the villages and buy food."
Jesus was too kind to send them away hungry like that. He said, "They
need not depart; give ye them food to eat." But they said to Him, "We
have here but five loaves and two fishes, which we have just purchased
of a lad." He said, "Bring them to Me." Then He told the people to sit
down on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fishes,
and, looking up to heaven, blessed them and broke them into pieces.
The disciples carried the bread and fish to the people and they all
ate and had plenty, although there were about five thousand men,
besides women and children. And yet, when the disciples took up the
fragments that were left, these fragments filled twelve baskets. How
kind was Jesus! He not only taught the people and healed their sick,
but He fed them when out in the desert place and hungry.
[Illustration: FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND.]
CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA.
When the people had seen the miracle that Christ did in feeding so
many with so few loaves, they felt sure that He was one of the old
prophets that had come again, and they would have taken Him by force
to make Him king. So He sent His disciples by boat towards Capernaum,
and He went, alone, up into a mountain to pray.
When it was dark, the disciples found themselves alone upon the sea,
opposed to strong winds, which tossed the boat upon high waves. Then
Jesus went out to them, walking upon the waves; but when the disciples
saw Him they thought it was a spirit, and cried out with fear. But
Jesus said, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." Peter answered
Him, saying, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the
water." And He said, "Come," and Peter stepped over the boat's side
and walked on the water towards Christ. But when he saw the angry
waves around him and heard the roaring of the winds, Peter was afraid
and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me." And Jesus,
stretching out His hand, caught him, and said, "O thou of little
faith, why didst thou fear?"
When Jesus and Peter had got into the boat, the wind dropped, the sea
became calm and the waves still, and immediately they were at the
place where they wanted to land. Then they worshipped him, saying,
"Truly Thou art the Son of God." And they came into the land of
Gennesaret, where the people knew Him and brought to Him all that were
sick, or blind, or lame, that they might touch His garment and be made
well.
[Illustration: CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA.]
THE WOMAN OF CANAAN.
Jesus came unto the borders of Tyre and Sidon, where the people were
not Jews, but Gentiles. And there came to Him a woman of Canaan, who
cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou son of
David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." She besought Him
to cast out this evil spirit from her daughter. But He answered not a
word, and His disciples counselled Him to send her away. Then He told
her He was not sent unto the Gentiles, but unto the lost sheep of
Israel; meaning the Jews. This was said to try her faith. Then she
came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, help me." But He said, "It is
not meet to take the children's food and to cast it to dogs;" meaning
that His help was due rather to the Jews than to the Gentiles. And she
said, "Truth, Lord, yet the dogs sometimes eat of the crumbs which
fall from their masters' table;" meaning that, though she was a
Gentile, she believed in Him as the Son of God.
Then Jesus answered, and said unto her, "O woman, great is thy faith;
be it unto thee even as thou desirest. Go thy way; the devil has gone
out of thy daughter." And when she was come to her house she found her
daughter made whole and laid upon the bed.
Jesus, with His knowledge of our hearts, knew the faith this poor
woman had, and tried it so that it might shine the brighter. Then He
granted her the blessing she had asked Him for; and how she must have
rejoiced when she reached home and found her daughter quite well and
restored to her right mind.
[Illustration: THE WOMAN OF CANAAN.]
PETER AND THE TRIBUTE-MONEY.
It was a part of the Jewish law that all strangers passing among the
Jews should pay to the priests of the Temple an offering to the Lord,
or tribute-money as it was called.
Soon after our Lord's Transfiguration He came to Capernaum, together
with His disciples. When they had entered the city, there came to them
the priests who usually collected this tribute-money, and they said
unto Peter, "Doth not thy Master pay tribute?" And he answered, "Yes."
But when they had come to the house, Jesus said to Peter, "What
thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do they take tribute; of their own
people or of strangers?" And Peter answered Him, "Of strangers."
Jesus saith unto him, "Then their own people are free; but lest we
should offend them by not paying, go thou down to the sea, and cast in
thy hook and line, and take up the first fish that taketh the hook
into his mouth. And when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a
piece of money there. Take it and give it unto the priests as tribute
for Me and for thee." And Peter went down to the sea and cast in his
line, and took a big fish. And when he had opened its mouth he found
the piece of silver, and took it to the men in payment of the tribute.
This tribute was collected to pay the expenses of the Temple worship.
Jesus sought to show that, as He himself was the Son of God, the King
for whose service the tribute was paid, He might justly be exempted
from paying it; yet to save giving offence He miraculously provided
the piece of money to pay tribute for Himself and Peter.
[Illustration: PETER AND THE TRIBUTE-MONEY.]
THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
As Jesus was talking to His disciples, a certain lawyer stood up and
asked, "Who is my neighbour?" And Jesus answered by telling them this
story:--
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among
thieves, who robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, and, wounding
him, left him on the road half dead. By chance there came a priest
that way, and, as a teacher of religion to men, he should have stopped
to help the poor man. Instead of this, he pretended not to see, and
passed by on the other side of the road. Then there came by a Levite,
who also, as an official of the church, should have given help. But he
merely came and looked on the injured man, and passed on the other
side as the priest had done.
Afterwards there came by a Samaritan, and, when he caught sight of the
wounded Jew, he went over to him and was very sorry for him. Now the
Jews hated the Samaritans, and were their enemies, so that it would
not have been surprising if he, also, had done as the priest and the
Levite did. But, no! Though it was his enemy, he could not pass him by
and leave him on the road, perhaps to die. He examined his wounds and
bound them up; doing all that he could to soothe them. Then he lifted
him carefully on his own beast, and brought him to the nearest inn,
and took care of him through the night. The next day, when the
Samaritan departed, he paid the man who kept the inn, and said to him,
"Take care of this poor man until he is well, and whatever it may cost
for his lodging and food, that I will pay thee when I come again."
"Which of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell
among thieves?" The lawyer answered, "He that showed mercy unto him."
Then said Jesus, "Go, and do thou likewise."
[Illustration: THE GOOD SAMARITAN.]
IMPORTUNITY REWARDED.
One day Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray. So
Jesus taught them the prayer we all know so well, beginning with "Our
Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name." But Jesus told
them it was not enough to pray: they must not get tired of praying,
even if they failed to receive quickly the things they asked for. They
must keep on asking, until God in His own time and manner should grant
them what He saw to be good. This great lesson Jesus taught them by
the following parable:--
"Which of you shall have a friend," said Jesus, "and shall go unto him
at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a
friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set
before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not,
the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot
rise and give thee. I say unto you," said Jesus, "though he will not
rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his
importunity (continued asking) he will rise and give him as many as he
needeth."
Then Jesus told His disciples, and He tells us too, "Ask, and it shall
be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you." For, said He, "every one that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." If we
ask for those things that God sees to be good for us, we may certainly
expect to receive them. Let us ask God to keep us every day; and to
give us such things as He knows will be for our good.
[Illustration: IMPORTUNITY REWARDED.]
THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT.
A certain King took account of his servants and began to reckon what
they owed him. And there was brought to him one that owed him nearly
_ten million dollars_. But as he had not the money to pay, the King
commanded that he should be sold, together with his wife and children
and everything that he had, that payment might be made. Then the
servant fell down before the King and worshipped him, saying, "Lord,
have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Then the King had
compassion on his servant, and loosed him, and forgave him his debt.
But when that servant had gone out from the presence of the King, he
found a fellow-servant who owed him a little over _fifteen dollars_,
and he laid hands on him and seized him by the throat, saying, "Pay me
that which thou owest." And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet
and implored him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee
all." And he would not have patience, but cast his fellow-servant into
prison till he should pay the debt.
When his other fellow-servants saw what had been done they were very
sorry, and came to their King to tell him all about it. Then the King
called the unmerciful servant to him, and said, "O thou wicked
servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant,
even as I had pity on thee?"
And the King was wroth, and delivered him up to the tormentors, till
he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise, says Christ, shall our Heavenly Father do also unto us if
from our hearts we forgive not every one that trespasses against us.
"Forgive us our trespasses, _as we forgive them that trespass
against us_."
[Illustration: THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT.]
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
In one of His beautiful parables, Jesus compares Himself to a
shepherd. "I am the good shepherd," says He, "the good shepherd giveth
his life for the sheep." And Jesus tells how the hired servant who
cares for nothing but his wages, runs away when the wolf comes; but
how the faithful shepherd, when robbers threaten his flock, or wild
beasts attack them, defends his sheep bravely, often laying down his
life for their sake. Jesus also speaks of how the shepherd knows his
sheep by name; and how, when he goes before them, they will follow
him, because they know his voice, but that they will not follow
strangers. And the Bible, speaking of Jesus Himself, says, "He shall
carry the lambs in His bosom," or His arms, like the kind shepherd is
doing in our picture.
Now, why does Jesus call Himself the "good shepherd," and the Bible
speak of Him as carrying the little lambs? Is it not because He loves
us; because He knows each one of us; because He gave His life for us
when He died on the cross, and has gone to heaven showing us the way
thither; because He calls us to follow Him; and because He is so
willing to lead even the tiny ones, and shield them from harm, just
like the good shepherd carries the poor wee lamb? But Jesus asks one
thing of us in return for all His kindness and care, and that one
thing is our love. Are we giving Him our love now? Are we asking Him
to lead us, and keep us safe from harm? May we seek to follow Him and
to know His voice.
[Illustration: THE SHEPHERD AND THE LAMBS.]
THE LOST PIECE OF MONEY.
Jesus had been preaching to a crowd of publicans and sinners. The
publicans of those days were the collectors of taxes for the Romans,
and it was a constant complaint against them that they exacted more
from the people than they had any right to do. So they were looked
upon as wicked men, although they were not all bad. Now the Scribes
and Pharisees, who made a great show of religion, so far as outward
forms went, were greatly shocked at seeing Christ sitting with
publicans, and said, "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with
them."
Then Jesus asked them, "What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep,
and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after the lost one, until he has found it? And when
he has found it, he lays it upon his shoulders and takes it home,
rejoicing; and calls together his friends and neighbours, saying unto
them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need
no repentance.
"Again, what woman if she has ten pieces of money, and loses one, does
not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she
finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends
and neighbours, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece
of money which I had lost.'
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of God's
angels over one sinner that repenteth."
[Illustration: THE LOST PIECE OF MONEY.]
THE PRODIGAL SON.