The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-01
JOHN XII: 32-45

at the grave that the decomposition of
the body had begun, as II she deemed
His command TO remove the stone un-
necessary, if not improper Their joint
request to see where their brother was
laid (verse gD covered the only
thought that remained-that Jesus
would share their sorrow by viewing
the resting place of the dead Matt,
XXyiii:6).
JEWS.--Mary's neghbors appear
first as sympathizing friends, a most
beautiful and commcndable relation
| tRom., Nii:15,. They sat with her in
the house, followed when she left it,
and united IN her demonstrations Of
grief (verse 3S). They next assumed
the attitude of admiring and question:
ing wonder in the presence of Jesus.
They regarded His weeping Verse 36)
as evidence Of love for Lazarus, and
probably they had heard, because it
must have been widely published, that
Jesus was ardently attached to this
! family John, Ni.5). But, remembering
! the cure of the blind man, they were
| confused Could not Jesus have pre-
| vented this death? SO they whispered
| among themselves. That question inn
| piled that like the sisters, they had
no hope of any favor from Christ. In
| deed, it is quite probable that some OF
| them raised the question with a sneer,
| as if to cast contempt upon Him. They
may have thought that at last His pre-
| tensions of power were dissipated: that
in the presence of His disciples He
stood powerless in tears. But a change
came when Lazarus was restored to
| life. Some-probably those who had
previously witnessed Christs works
| John lies; ii21-32)-believed in
! Him. Others hastened to report to the
| Pharisees, who, fearing Christ's popu-
larity,' sought His destruction (verse
| 4S).
| JESUS.-From beginning to end a
! definite purpose was in the mind of
Jesus. He permitted the death which
| He could have prevented, that the "Son
might be glorified" (verse ~, and that
| the apostles might believe (verse 15).
| Through all His ministry He sought to
| develop their faith John ii:11; xiv:1D
| by many impressive lessons. in like
| manner He urged the sisters to believe
! oversees 20, t0) His weeping was not
| through weakness, nor did it proceed
| from the sorrow or sympathy of be-
| reavement. His groaning (verse 3S)
| was caused by the evidence of unbelief,
for no one of all He loved most deemed
| that possible which He proposed to do.
1t was more in anger and indignation
! mark, iii:5; viii:12; ix:19) that He
heheld those gathered about Him. a
distress which displayed itself after
ward John Xii:2O and assumed anoth-
er form at the end OF His career duke,
XiX:4l Mark. Xiv:19). But, dismiss
ing these emotions, Jesus stands at the
open sepulcher, once more to manifest
| His glory, He first entered into COM
munion with the Father (Heb, v.O,
| speaking what was designed for those
near Him. Matchless words these!
| With uplifted eyes huke, Xviii:13) He
expressed thanks that lie was heard
| in heaven. and the desire that the dis
! ciples might believe He had been sent,
| this last the great thought of His life
| (John. viii:1G; Xvii:2D. Then, with a
| loud voice, lie cried. Lazarus, come
| forth" And, behold, the dead lives!
The sepulcher is empty. The tears of
sorrow are exchanged for rejoicing.
J The family is complete again. Jesus is
vindicated Usalm, XXxiii:9),
! LAZARUS.-Little is known of this
} good man on whom the power Of