Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-18

had been rudely condemned i'm her own
house by those who shared her hospital
lily. Jesus regarded the motives OF all
concerned. as well the significance and
far-reaching consequences Of the decd
With authority He said. Let her alone"
a sharp rebuke tverse - for their inter-
ference. Then came the explanations
Mary had wrought good work"
tMatt.. xNvi:1o). 1t was the outpourinS Of
heart full of love and there is no con-
demnation proper to those who love Je-
Sus. Besides. the amounting was prophet
ic. so Christ declared. a preliminary to
His burial Mark. Xiy:S). performance
beforehand of what was usually done af-
ter death. mark. XVIII. AS To the poor.
they might at any time receive aims
Werse -. but Jesus would soon be gone
and this was the last opportunity to show
affection for Him. Still further to COM
mend the act of Mary and to encourage
her. Jesus Informed the company that
what She had done would he told in dis
tant lands mark. xiv %. to her Immortal
praise. by successive generations.
CURIOSITY.-The words of Jesus
closed the incident, and the narrative OF
the sacred writer next deals with OUT
ward conditions and surroundings Ow-
ing to the simplicity Of oriental life there
was less seclusion in the home. People
were not regarded rude If they came I'M
invited wherever any unusual event might
awaken interest Hence the Jews of
Bethany, possibly some from other places.
knowing that Jesus was a guest at ST.
mons house. gathered about and even
pressed into the court. They may have
interrupted the conversation just de-
scribed. They were brought together
chiefly out of curiosity. Verse o. They
desired TO see Lazarus, who. a short time
before, had been called back from death
They would satisfy themselves that he
did truly live. and they would witness
the remarkable spectacle of former
dead man sitting in the presence OF the
One to whom he owed his life. There
was nothing reprahensible in this Most
men in our day would be moved by
similar spirit.
ENMITY.-M who thus came 70
see Lazarus and his illustrious benefac-
tor. convinced that the reported miracle
had been wrought believed in Jesus. and
went away from the house declaring their
faith in Him. Verse IL 1t is mposs-
Die to state the nature of their faith.
Probably 1t amounted to little more than
an intellectual assent to His Messiah ship
with indefinite notions of that But
this expression of popular approval.
whatever it was. awakened the jealousy
of the chief priests, who desired to re-
tain for themselves and for the institu-
lions OF religion whatever support the
people might give. But here WAS a d.
lemma. The living Lazarus was an I'M
answerable argument for the divinity of
Christine work attested the worker
John. xiv:1D, just a saved man is a
witness to the Savior duke xxiv:4SD
The enmity of the priests. which had long
determined on the death of Jesus was.
therefore. directed toward Lazarus who
was also named as victim Verse 100
CONCLCSION.--Our lesson presents
human society in miniature. Study the
elements: l. Here is the woman of
thoughtful care, who serves at table,
Martha, the practical housewife 9 Here
Is the man, once dead, now sitting quietly
at supper with friends. 3. Here is the
loving Mary, who honors her Master with
a precious gift. f. Here is the critic. who
processes virtue to hide his selfshness.
j. Here are disciples who are borne along
the moment drawn by his false pleading.
g. Here are the people, doubling. but
seeking, coming to see, going away to re-
port. 4. Here are the priests. with muir
der in their hearts, beholdng this scene
of loving service. of sweet communion,
of awakening faith. conspiring against
the innocent 8. Here is He who, all
through His earthly life. endured the
contradictions of 1ners Hebrews Xii:),
who defends womanly love and sacrifice
against mans deceitful accusation and
base greed, the Lord Jesus, the luster OF
whose character increases by contrast
with those about Him.