The Republican., 1906-10-25

Jesus Amounted in Bethany.

Jesus had worked His greatest
miracle under the very caves of
the ecclesiastical establishment.
1t was accepted as a challenge,
and steps were Immediately taken
to compass His death. His hour
not yet having come. the Master
retired TO Ephraim, twenty miles
away, near the wilderness or
sparsely populated country. There,
IN company with His disciples,
He passed the time in physical
and spiritual recuperation. A
price was practically set upon His
head, for the chief priests and
Pharisees had given notice that if
any one knew where He was he
should give information in order
that the arrest might be made.
With mingled motives of curiosi-
ty, admiration, and opposition the
people who had come to Jerusalem
in large numbers to attend the
Passover, made quest for Jesus.
For the time He eclipsed both
temple and ceremony. AS the
days passed they began to say to
each other in their disappointment,
rs it possible he is not coming to
the feast at all?" But when the
time was fully come, the Master
resolutely set His face toward that
slaughter-house of the prophets
Jerusalem. He was fully cogni-
zant Of all the peril of going to the
city at this juncture.
IT was in this instance that one
significant incident like a shaft of
light fell across the inky blackness
in which His life closed. It was
that high and loving courtesy
shown Him in the home in Beth
any. They banqueted Jesus.
They made a supper in His honor
and in grateful recognition of His
merciful deeds.
In the noblest villa OF the suburb
of Jerusalem, the table with its
damask coverings, was set in hol-
low square, as the custom was. 1t
was surrounded by richly uphol-
stored couches. Shaded lamps
cast their full radiance upon the
goodly scene. Eye, nostril, ear,
and palate were delighted. Color.
fragrance, music, and viands
matched these several organs of
sense. According to Oriental Gus
tom, the house was open and the
interested villagers hung like an
animated fringe around the table,
sharing with the invited guests
sight Of cheer and gladness. On
either side of Jesus reclined the
trophies of His power-Simon
whom he had healed of leprosy,
and Lazarus whom He had revived
from death. Noble and beautiful
women graced and adorned the
scene and hour.
One significant and timely deed
lifted this feast to the level of a
sacrament. Out of her boudoir
Mary brought the most precious
thing it contained-an Oriental
cruise of alabaster, filled with
genuine liquid perfume, very prec-
ious, the seal Of which had never
been broken. Her unspeakable
gratitude would fain express itself
in a deed Of reverence and love.
Unstintedly she poured the costly
liquid upon Jesus head and feet
using her luXurant tresses for :
towel. In a moment every recess
OF the house was filled with the
subtle and delicious fragrance.
But as may be expected in every
human gathering, which of neces-
slty must contain some whose
ethical evolution is retarded or
stunted, an apple of discord was
thrown into this feast of love. It
came from the very hand that was
filching from the common purse
OF the apostles. Judas stole the
livery of charity in which to serve
his own cupidity. He affected
benevolence that he might cover
his own grasping spirit. Some of
the apostles were evidently infect
ed with his carping spirit, and at