AFTER THE two parables of "The Bridesmaids" and "The Talents," Jesus
still with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, gave one more parable;
a picture of "The Last Great Day." He said:
"When the Son of Man shall come again to earth, in all his glory as
King, and with him all the angels of God, then he will take his seat
upon his royal throne; and before him shall be gathered all the people
of the world to be judged. At that time he will send out his angels and
they shall divide the great multitude into two parts, as a shepherd
divides his flock, putting the sheep on his right hand and the goats on
his left. Then the King shall say to those on his right hand:
"'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Come, and take the kingdom
made ready for you ever since the beginning of the world. For, when I
was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink;
when I was a stranger, you opened your doors and took me into your
homes; when I had no clothes, you gave me clothing; when I was sick, you
cared for me; when I was in prison, you came to visit me.'
"Then the good will answer, 'When was it that we found you hungry and
gave you food? Or thirsty and gave you drink? When did we see you a
stranger, and took you into our homes? Or without clothes, and gave you
clothing? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and went to visit
you?'
"And the King will answer them, 'I tell you, as often as you did any of
these things to one of these my brothers who believe in me, even the
least of them, you did it to me.'
"Then the King will turn to those on his left hand, and will say to
them:
"'Go away from me, you whom God has cursed, to the everlasting fires
which have been kindled for the Devil and his angels, the wicked
spirits. There shall be your home forever! For I was hungry, but you
never gave me food; I was thirsty, but you never gave me drink; I was a
stranger, but you never opened your doors to me; I was in need of
clothes, but you never gave me any; I was sick and in prison, but you
never cared for me.'
"Then these will answer him:
"'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or
without clothing, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?'
"And he shall answer them, 'In very truth I say to you, that as often as
you did not help in their need these my brothers who believe in me, even
the very least of them, you did not help me.' So these will go away to
suffer punishment forever; but those who have done the right will go to
life everlasting."
It was now late on Tuesday afternoon, and Jesus with his disciples went
down the Mount of Olives to Bethany. On the way he said to them:
"You know that two days from now is the Feast of the Passover. On that
day the Son of Man will be given up to his enemies; and they shall put
him to death upon the cross."
But, although he had spoken of this many times, even now they could not
believe it. They went together to Bethany, to the home of Martha and
Mary and Lazarus.
[Illustration: "You, my Lord, shall never wash my feet!" said Peter.
"Unless I wash you," answered Jesus, "you are not one of mine."]
Washing the Disciples' Feet