JESUS' LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM.
People of God behold; thy Savior is nigh to thee!
He is come who was promised thee long ago.
Oh! hear him, follow his guidance
Blessing and life will he bring to thee.
But blind and deaf Jerusalem has shown herself;
She has thrust back the hands held out to her in love;
Therefore also the Highest has turned away his face,
And lets her sink to destruction.
Jesus, accompanied by all his disciples, set out to pay his last visit
to Bethany. Peter, with his staff in hand, walked with John beside the
master. Judas was present, with disheveled locks and haggard look,
James the Greater and James the Less, and Andrew and Thomas, and the
rest of the disciples.
Then Jesus spoke unto them and said: "You know, dear disciples, that
after two days is the feast of the Passover. So now let us make one
last visit to our friends in Bethany, and then go to Jerusalem, where
in these days all will be fulfilled which has been written by the
prophets concerning the Son of Man."
The disciples understood not his saying, and after some questioning
among themselves Philip ventured to address Jesus, saying unto him,
"Has the day then really come at last when thou wilt restore the
kingdom to Israel?"
Jesus looked upon Philip with tender compassion, and said unto him,
"Then shall the Son of Man be delivered up to the Gentiles, and shall
be mocked and spat upon and they will crucify him; but on the third day
he will rise again."
Then said John in a voice that trembled with emotion, as the other
disciples gazed at each other in horror, "Dear master, what dark and
terrible words thou speakest. What are we to understand by them? Make
it clear unto us."
Then Jesus answered and said unto him, "The hour is now come when the
Son of Man shall be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a
corn of wheat does not fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone,
but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit. Now is the judgment of the
world. Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Then were the breasts of the disciples troubled, for they could not
understand what these things meant. Thaddeus said to Simon, "What does
he mean by this speech?"
Simon replied with a puzzled air, "Why does he compare himself to a
grain of corn?"
Then said Andrew unto him, "Lord, thou speakest at once of shame and of
victory. I know not how to reconcile those ideas in my mind."
Jesus said, "That which is now dark to you as the night will be as
clear as the day. I have told you before that you may not lose courage
whatever may happen. Believe and hope. When the tribulation is
passed, then you will see and understand."
Thomas answered and said unto him, "What I cannot understand is that
thou shouldst speak of suffering and of death. Have we not heard from
the prophets that the Messiah shall live forever? What can thine
enemies do unto thee? One single word from thee would annihilate them
all."
Jesus said unto him, "Thomas, reverence the secret counsels of God
which thou canst not fathom."
Then, turning to the others, he said, "Yet a little while is the light
with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you."
By this time they had approached near the village of Bethany, and there
met them one Simon, after whom there came Lazarus, who was raised from
the dead, with Martha, his sister, and Mary Magdalene, the latter tall,
dark, with long black hair, in dark blue dress with a yellow mantle.
Simon pressed forward; he was an old man and he hastened to meet Jesus.
"Welcome, best of teachers, O what joy that thou shouldst honor my
house with thy entrance. Dear friends, be also welcome," he exclaimed;
but he was startled to hear the reply, "Simon, for the last time I,
with my disciples, lay claim to thy hospitality."
Simon replied in grief, "Say not so, Lord. Often still shall Bethany
afford thee brief repose."
By this time Lazarus drew near; he was of less than middle stature and
silent, as if his sojourn in the other world left him little to speak
of in this. "See," said Jesus, "there is our friend Lazarus."
"My Lord," cried Lazarus, embracing him, "the vanquisher of death,
lifegiver and Lord, I see thee once again and hear the voice that
called me from the grave."
Then hastened the Magdalene to his side, and kneeling down, "Rabbi,"
she exclaimed; Martha also said, "Welcome, Rabbi."
Then Jesus blessed them, saying, "God's blessing be upon you!"
Then Martha asked, "Wilt thou Lord, grant me the happiness of serving
thee?" while the Magdalene timidly inquired, "Wilt thou despise a token
of love and gratitude from me?"
And Jesus replied with tenderness, "Do, good souls, that which you
purpose to do."
Then said Simon, "Best of masters, come under my roof and refresh
thyself and thy disciples."
So Jesus entered into Simon's house, exclaiming, "Peace be upon this
house," to which the disciples added, speaking together, "And to all
that dwell therein." Then said Simon, "Lord, all is ready, set thee
down at table and bid thy disciples sit down also."
Then Jesus sat down to meat, saying, "Let us now, beloved disciples,
enjoy with thanks the gifts which our Father in heaven bestows upon us
through Simon, his servant. O Jerusalem, would that my coming were as
dear to thee as it is to these, my friends! But thou are stricken with
blindness."
"Yes, Lord," remarked Lazarus; "O best of masters, dangers threaten
thee. The Pharisees are anxiously wondering whether thou wilt come up
to the Passover. They are eagerly watching for thy destruction."
Simon said, "Stay here, Lord; here thou art safe."
Then Peter interposed with an entreaty, "Lord, it is good to be here.
Remain here, in the seclusion of this house, served by faithful love,
till the gathering storm be passed."
But Jesus rebuked him sternly, saying: "Get thee behind me, tempter.
Thou savorest not of the things that are of God, but those that be of
men. Can the reaper tarry in the shade while the ripe harvest awaits
him? The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister
and to give his life a ransom for many."
Then the dark-browed Judas spoke, uttering this time the thought of
all. "But, master, what will become of us if thou givest up thy life?"
A chorus of approval burst from all the disciples, "Ah, all our hopes
would then be destroyed."
"Trouble not yourselves," said Jesus, "I have power to lay down my life
and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received
of my Father."
And lo, while they were yet speaking, Mary Magdalene silently
approached Jesus, carrying in her hand a bottle of ointment of
spikenard, very precious, which she poured over his head as she
murmured but one word, "Rabbi." And Jesus also said but one word,
"Mary," but his tone was full of tenderness and love.
As the perfume of the ointment filled the room the disciples spoke
among themselves. "What an exquisite odor!" said Thomas, leaning past
the others to look.
"It is real oil of spikenard, very costly," said Bartholomew.
Thaddeus added, "Such an honor has never been shown to our master."
But Judas could not contain himself. He growled from his distant seat,
"To what purpose is this waste? The money might have been much better
expended."
"Yes," said Thomas, "I almost think so, too."
Then Magdalene, heedless of the murmurs of the disciples, knelt down
and anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her long black tresses.
Jesus, after a little while, noticing the muttering down the table,
asked, "What are you saying to each other? Why do you condemn that
which is done only from grateful love."
[Illustration: "Knelt down and anointed Jesus' feet."]
The Magdalene knelt back, sheltering herself as it were behind her Lord.
Judas blurted out impetuously his dissatisfaction. "To pour out so
much costly ointment, what wasteful extravagance!"
"Friend Judas," said Jesus, "look at me. Is what is done for me, thy
master, waste?"
Judas said, "I know that thou lovest not useless expense; the ointment
might have been sold and the poor helped with the money!" Hearing
Judas' answer he half turned away and looked wearily upward, folding
his hands.
"Judas," said Jesus somewhat sternly, "hand upon thy heart now. Is it
only pity for the poor which moves thee so much?"
Judas replied, "At least three hundred pence could have been got for
it. What a loss both for the poor and for us."
Then Jesus answered and said, "The poor you have always with you, but
me ye have not always." Then he said, "Let her alone, she has wrought
a good work on me, for in that she has poured out the ointment upon me,
she has anointed me for my burial. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever
the gospel will be preached through the whole world, there shall also
this which she hath done be told for a memorial of her."
He then said to the disciples, "Let us arise"--and then turning to
Simon, his host, he said, "I thank thee, benevolent man, for thy
hospitality, the Father will repay it unto thee."
"Say nothing of thanks, master," said Simon; "I know what I owe to
thee."
Then Jesus arose and said, "It is time to go hence. Farewell all ye
dwellers in this hospitable house. My disciples, follow me."
Peter said unto him, "Lord, wherever thou wilt, only not to Jerusalem."
Jesus answered, "I go where my Father calls me. If it please thee to
remain here, Peter, do so." Then Peter declared, "Lord, where thou
abidest there will I also abide; whither thou goest there go I also."
Jesus said, "Come then."
The disciples arose and clasping their staffs were ready to depart.
Then Jesus turned to Mary Magdalene and Martha and said, "Remain here,
beloved! Once more, fare ye well. Dear, peaceful Bethany, never more
shall I tarry in thy quiet vale."
Simon, sore troubled in speech as he heard these words, said unto him,
"Then wilt thou really depart hence forever?"
Mary Magdalene threw herself at his feet and said, "Alas, I am filled
with terrible forebodings. Friend of my soul! My heart--oh! my
heart--it will not let thee go!"
Jesus said unto her, "Stand up, Mary. The night cometh and the winter
storms come blustering on. But be comforted. In the early morning in
the garden of spring, thou wilt see me again."
Lazarus exclaimed, "Oh! my friend, my benefactor!"
"Alas!" cried Martha, "thou art going; and comest thou back nevermore?"
Jesus said, "The Father wills it, beloved. Wherever I am I bear you
ever with me in my heart, and wherever you are, my blessings will
follow you. Farewell."
And behold as they turned to go, there met them Mary, the mother of
Jesus, with her companions. Mary had a white mantle round her head,
from beneath which her long dark hair hung down. She hastened to her
son, crying, "Jesus, dearest son, I hastened after thee with my
friends, in eager longing to see thee once more before thou goest, all
whither?"
Jesus clasped her hands gently and replied, "Mother, I am on the way to
Jerusalem."
"To Jerusalem," said his mother. "There is the temple of Jehovah,
whither I once carried thee in my arms to offer thee to the Lord."
"Mother," said Jesus in solemn sadness, "the hour is come when
according to the will of the Father I shall offer myself. I am ready
to complete the sacrifice which the Father demands from me."
"Ah," cried Mary with bitter and piteous cry, "I foresee what kind of a
sacrifice that will be."
John and Mary Magdalene had joined the mother of Jesus, and the two
Marys standing together united their lament.
"How much we had wished," said the Magdalene, "to keep back the master
and make him remain with us."
"It is of no use," said Simon gloomily, "his purpose is fixed."
Then said Jesus to his mother, tenderly beholding her, "My hour is
come."
All the disciples cried, "Oh, ask the Father that he should let it pass
by."
Then all the women said, "The Father has always listened to thee."
But Jesus said: "How is my soul troubled, and what shall I say?
Father, deliver me from this hour! But for this hour came I into the
world."
But Mary hearing him, exclaimed as in a trance, "Oh, venerable Simon,
now will be fulfilled that which thou once prophesied to me, 'A sword
shall pierce through thine own soul!'" And as she spoke Mary Magdalene
gently supported her from falling.
Jesus said in terms of gentle reproach, "Mother, the will of the Father
was also ever sacred to thee." His word rallied her courage and she
replied, "It is so to me still. I am the handmaid of the Lord. What
he requires of me I will bear patiently. But one thing I beg of thee,
my son."
"What desirest thou, my mother?"
"That I may go with thee into the fierce conflict of suffering, yea,
even unto death!"
"Oh, what love!" exclaimed John, who stood tearfully beside the two
Marys, wistfully looking for some ray of hope to illumine the darkness
beyond.
Jesus embraced her lovingly. "Dear mother, thou wilt suffer with me,
thou wilt fight with me in my death struggle, but thou wilt also
rejoice with me in my victory, therefore be comforted."
"Oh, God!" she cried in heartrending accents, "give me strength that my
heart may not break."
"We all weep with thee, thou best of mothers," said the holy women,
adding their tears to those of the mother of Jesus.
"I will go with thee, my son, to Jerusalem," said Mary.
And the holy women declared they also would go with her.
But Jesus, holding her hand, tenderly forbade her: "Later you may go
thither, but not now. For the present stay with our friends at
Bethany. I commend to you, O faithful souls, my beloved mother, with
those who have followed her here."
Eagerly the Magdalene accepted the charge.
"After thee," she exclaimed, "there is no one dearer to us than thy
mother."
But even at the eleventh hour Lazarus interposed one last word of
entreaty: "If only thou, O master, couldst remain!"
Not noticing this, Jesus said, "Comfort ye one another. After two days
you may come up together to Jerusalem, to be there on the great day of
the feast."
Mary said: "As thou wilt, my son."
But the holy women said: "How sadly will the hours pass when thou art
far from us."
Then Jesus spoke to his mother and said, "Mother, mother, for the
tender love and motherly care which thou hast shown to me for the three
and thirty years of my life, receive the warmest thanks of thy son."
And stooping down he kissed her. Then raising his head, he said, "The
Father calls me. Fare thee well, best of mothers."
Mary asked him: "My son, where shall I see thee again?"
And Jesus replied: "There, beloved mother, where the Scripture shall be
fulfilled: 'He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and he opened not
his mouth.'"
Mary sobbing, cried aloud, "Jesus, thy mother, oh! Oh, God, my son!"
Half fainting she was held up by the holy women, who exclaimed, "O
beloved, faithful mother!"
The disciples departed, muttering, "We cannot endure it. What will be
the end of all this?"
Then burst from their lips the despairing cry, "Alas, what affliction
lies before us all?"
But Jesus said, "Sink not in the first conflict. Hold fast by me."
And the disciples repeated, "Yea, master, fast by thee."
Lazarus and the women looking back after Christ as he passed out of
sight, exclaimed, "Ah! our dear teacher," while Simon said, "He brought
happiness to my house."
Simon then turned tenderly to Mary and said: "Come, mother, and
condescend to enter in." "One consolation remains to us in
tribulation," said Mary Magdalene, and Martha added, "To have the
mother of our Lord with us." Turning to the other women, Lazarus said,
"And you, beloved ones, come with us, we will share our woe and tears
together."
All then together went into the house, Mary Magdalene supporting the
mother of Jesus.
* * * * * *
Now as they came unto Jerusalem they looked down upon the whole city
which lay before them. Then said John unto Jesus, "Master, behold what
a splendid view of Jerusalem from this spot!"
Matthew said, "The majestic temple, how splendidly it is built."
Jesus was troubled in spirit, and after gazing for a moment over the
city, clasped his hands in grief and cried, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, O
that thou hadst known even in this thy day the things that belong unto
thy peace! but now they are hidden from thine eyes!"
Jesus wept.
His disciples beholding him weep were amazed. At last Peter ventured
to say, "Master, why grievest thou so sorely?"
Jesus answered, "My Peter, the fate of this unhappy city goes to my
heart."
Then said John, "Lord, tell us what shall this fate be?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, "The days will come when her enemies
will make a trench about her walls and close her in on every side, and
lay her even with the ground. She and her children within her walls
will be dashed to the earth, and not one stone will be left upon
another."
Andrew, giving expression to the general consternation, asked,
"Wherefore shall the city have so sad a doom?"
Jesus said, "Because she hath not known the day of her visitation.
Alas! she who hath slain the prophets will kill the Messiah himself."
Then spoke all the disciples together, "What a terrible deed!"
James, the elder, said, "God forbid that the city of Jehovah should
bring such a curse upon herself."
And John with pleading voice added, "Dearest master, for the sake of
the holy city and the temple, I beg of thee go not thither, so that the
opportunity may be wanting to those evil men to do the worst."
"Or," said Peter, "go thither and display thyself in all thy majesty,
so that the good may rejoice and the evil tremble."
"Yes," cried all the twelve eagerly, "do that."
Philip said, "Strike down thine enemies!" and all added earnestly, "And
set up the kingdom of God among men!"
Jesus answered, "Children, that which you desire shall come to pass in
due time, but my ways are appointed to me by my father, and thus saith
the Lord, 'My thoughts are not as your thoughts, and my ways are not as
your ways.'"
Then, as if to cut short a useless discussion, he said, "Peter!" Peter
replied, "What wilt thou, Lord?" and the Lord continued, "It is now the
first day of unleavened bread, in which the law commands that we should
eat the Passover; you, both Peter and John, go forward and prepare the
Passover that we may eat it in the evening."
Peter and John, who stood the one on the left and the other on the
right, asked, "Where wilt thou, Lord, that we prepare the Passover?"
Jesus said, "When you come into the city there shall meet you a man
bearing a pitcher of water, follow ye him and wheresoever he shall go
in, say ye to the good man of the house, 'The master says, Where is the
guest-chamber that I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' and he
will show you a large upper chamber furnished and prepared; there make
ready the Passover."
"Thy blessing, O best of masters!" said Peter. He and John knelt on
either side of their Lord, Jesus placed his right hand on the head of
John and his left hand on the head of Peter, exclaiming, "God's
blessing be with you!"
Peter and John having departed, Jesus said to the others, "Accompany me
for the last time to the house of my Father."
Then Judas, who had for some time past stood apart, came forward and
said, "But, master, allow me; if thou wilt really leave us, make some
arrangement for our future support. Look here," he added, pointing to
the small bag almost empty of coin, which he carried in his girdle,
"there is not enough here for one day more."
Jesus looked upon him and said, "Judas, do not be more anxious than is
needful."
But Judas went on muttering and looking not at his Lord, but at the
bag, "How well the value of that uselessly wasted ointment would have
lain therein! how long we could have lived on it without care!"
Jesus reproved him, saying, "You have never lacked anything hitherto
and, believe me, that what is necessary will not fail you in time to
come."
Judas said, "But, master, when thou art no longer with us our good
friends will soon draw back, and then we shall be left in sore
distress."
Jesus said unto him, "Friend Judas, beware lest thou fall into
temptation."
The other disciples who had listened to this conversation then
interrupted, saying altogether, "Judas, trouble not the master so much."
Judas retorted, "Who will take thought if I do not? Have I not been
appointed by the master to carry the bag?"
"Thou hast," said Jesus, "but I fear----"
"And I also fear," interrupted Judas, "that soon it will be empty and
remain so."
Then Jesus went close up to him and said gravely and gently, "Judas,
forget not thy warning. Arise, now let us go hence, I desire to be in
the house of my Father."
Jesus then, followed by his disciples, excepting Judas, passed on to
the city.
Judas, being left alone, said to himself, "Shall I follow him any
longer. I do not much care to do so. The master's conduct to me is
very inexplicable. His great deeds allowed us to hope that he would
restore again the kingdom to Israel. But he does not seize the
opportunities that offer themselves, and now he constantly talks of
parting and dying, and puts us off with mysterious words about a future
which lies too far off in the dim distance for me. I am tired of
hoping and waiting. I can see very well, that with him there is no
prospect of anything but continued poverty and humiliation,--and
instead of the sharing, as we expected, in his glorious kingdom, we
shall perhaps be persecuted and thrown into prison with him. I will
draw back. It was a good thing that I was always prudent and cautious,
and have now and then laid aside a trifle out of the bag in case of
need. How useful I should find those 300 pence now which the foolish
woman threw away on a useless mark of respect. If, as seems likely,
the society is about to dissolve, they would have remained in my
hands--then I should have been safe for a long while to come. As it
is, I must consider the question, where and how I can find subsistence."
As he stood alone under the trees, perplexed and troubled, Dathan
appeared in the distance, and, spying Judas, said to himself, "The
occasion is favorable. He is alone and seems much perplexed. I must
try everything in order to secure him."
Then stepping forward he laid his hand upon the shoulder of Judas,
exclaiming, "Friend Judas!"
Judas started as if a serpent had stung him and striking his head with
his hand cried, "Who calls?"
"A friend," said Dathan; "has anything sad happened to thee? Thou art
so absorbed in thought?"
Judas, staring wildly, asked, "Who art thou?"
"Thy friend, thy brother," cried Dathan.
Judas, staring backward, exclaimed: "Thou art my friend, my brother?"
"At least," said Dathan, "I wish to be so. How is it with the master?
I also would like to become one of his disciples."
Judas said, "One of his disciples?"
"Why?" said Dathan, "hast thou then forsaken him? Are things not well
with him? Tell me that I may know how to act."
Then Judas said unto him, "Canst thou keep silence?"
"Be assured of that," said Dathan.
"Then," answered Judas, "it is no longer going well with him. He says
himself his last hour has come." And then Judas rapidly ran over the
various predictions of disaster which he had heard from the lips of
Jesus. "I intend to forsake him, for he will yet bring us all to ruin.
See here," said he, producing the almost empty purse, "I am treasurer,
see how it stands with us."
"Friend," said Dathan, shrugging his shoulders, "I shall remain as I
am." At this moment six of Dathan's companions came up.
Judas, alarmed, asked, "Who are these? I will not say another word."
"Stay, friend," said one of the newcomers, "you will not regret it."
"Why have you come here?" asked Judas.
"We were going back to Jerusalem and we will bear thee company if it
please thee."
Judas, suspiciously eyeing them, asked, "Do you also perhaps wish to go
after the master?"
Then said the traders, "Has he gone to Jerusalem?"
"For the last time," said Judas, "so he says."
"What!" said they, "for the last time? Is he then never going to leave
the land of Judea again?"
"Why do you ask me this so eagerly?" said Judas, "do you wish to become
his followers?"
"Why not?" said the traders with a laugh, "if the prospects are good;"
and Dathan added, "Explain to us, Judas, the meaning of thy words that
he would bring you all to ruin."
And Judas replied: "He tells us always to take no thought for the
morrow, but if today anything happened we should all be as poor as
beggars. Does a master care thus for his own?"
"Truly," said the traders, "the lookout is bad."
Then Judas related once more the story of Mary Magdalene's waste of
precious ointment. "And at the same time this very day he permitted
the most senseless waste which a foolish woman was guilty of, thinking
to obtain honor; and when I found fault with this I only met with
reproachful words and looks."
"And thou canst still care for him after that?" said the traders
contemptuously, "and art still willing to remain with him? Thou
shouldst take thought for thine own future; it is high time."
"So I have been thinking," said Judas, "but how can I find a good
opening?"
Then said Dathan, "Thou hast not long to seek, for the fairest
opportunity is awaiting thee."
"Where? How?" said Judas eagerly.
"Hast thou not heard," said the traders, "of the proclamation of the
council? Such a good opportunity of making thy fortune thou wilt never
find again thy whole life long."
Judas' eyes gleamed. "What proclamation?" he asked.
The traders said, "Whosoever gives information as to the nightly resort
of Jesus of Nazareth shall receive a large reward."
"A large reward!" said Judas.
"Now who," said they, "can earn it easier than thou?"
Dathan muttered to himself, "We have nearly attained our end."
The traders pressed Judas anew, "Brother, don't neglect this good
fortune."
Judas said hesitatingly, "A fair opportunity. Shall I let it slip?"
Then struck in Dathan, "The reward is not all. The council will look
after thee in the future. Who knows what might not yet come of it for
thee!"
"Consent, friend! Strike the bargain," cried all the traders together.
Judas hesitated one moment and then clasped Dathan's hand, saying,
"Well, be it so."
"Come, Judas," said Dathan, "we will bring thee straightway to the
council." But Judas said, "No, I must first go after the master, and
so obtain information in order to make things sure."
Dathan said, "Well, then, we will go to the council and report you in
the meantime. But when and where shall we meet?"
"In three hours you will find me in the street of the temple," replied
Judas.
Judas then shook hands all around with the traders. "Done!" exclaimed
Judas, as Dathan and the traders left him.
Judas was now alone. He walked to and fro under the trees and said to
himself: "My word is given; I shall not repent of it. Shall I avoid
the good fortune which is coming to meet me? Yes, my fortune is made.
I will do what I promised, but will make them pay me in advance. If
then the priests succeed in taking him prisoner, if his reign is
over--I have assured my own prospects and will besides become famous
throughout all Judea, as a man who has helped to save the law of Moses,
and shall reap praise and glory. But if the master should gain the
victory, then--yes, then I will cast me down repentant at his feet, for
he is good. I have never seen him drive the penitent from him. He
will take me back again and then I shall have the credit of bringing
about the decision. Anyhow, I'll take good care to leave a bridge
behind so that should I be unable to go forward I can return. The plan
is well thought out. Judas, thou art a prudent man. And yet I feel a
little afraid to meet the master, for I shall not be able to bear his
keen, searching look, and my comrades will see by my face that I am
a----No, I will not be that. I am no traitor! What am I going to do
but let the Jews know where the master is to be found? That is no
betrayal. Betrayal is something more than that. Away with these
fancies! Courage, Judas, thy future is at stake."
Judas, who had started with horror when he first mentioned the word
traitor, resolved to play his appointed role and departed to find Jesus.