Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-11


the parable VI the good shepherd our les
son for April -. Jesus departed from Jcru-
selem. Proceeding in northeasterly di-
rection. He crossed the Jordan. entered
Perea and came at length into the region
where John had baptized John. x:4oD
This movement was doubtless made to
escape frou the intrigues Of the priestly
party. ther being no safety for Him in
Judea. Lehn. Ni:S) II was evident that
ultimately He must die as He had pre-
dicted MATT. Xvi:2n. and He was willing
thus to by down His If, John. XII. Isl.
but His fime had not get come lie had
not beg, long in that retreat when a
messenger from the sister John. xi:a,
brought word that His loved friend. Laza-
rus Of Bethany. was sick. After two
days sverse ID Jesus set out with the
apostfs for Bethany Meanwhile Lazarus
died. bf which fact Jesus became aware
befor beginning the journey. Oversees II
and - Pausng little way outside of
the village. perhaps to avoid the crowd
possibly at the entrance Of the place of
burbl He had an interview with Martha
(veSes 2o-20. who had gone forth to
meet Him. Her return and call for Mary
tve'sc 2sl introduce the present lesson.
ANALYSIS.-The persons mentioned
in this passage-Lazarus. his sisters. their
Jewish friends and Jesus-enter into va
rious relations in the course of the mar
rstive. AS the scenes change the
thoughts and feelings and peculiar char
acteristics OF each appear the study of
which will he both interesting and profit
able. The first part oversees 10. 80 repre-
sents Mary and friends: the second
part Oversees :::2-:;0 Mary and Jesus ::
I
jesus; the fourth part oversees H-44
Jesus and Lazarus: the fifth part
oversees ~. 46) 1.-The Jews and Jesus.
The principal actors in these sections are:
First and second. Mary: in the third
Martha: in the fourth Jesus in the last
the Jews. They are brought into these
associations by the death of one whom
all loved. Our part is to learn what we
may from each under these trying cir
cumstances. There is no other event in
human history that puts equal test upon
man and woman. none moro involving
the character and mission of Christ.
SISTERS.-Mary and Martha. be-
loved by Jesus John. xi:5>, the one re-
firing and meditative, the other active
and practical duke x::9-4O. display
their natural dispositions on this occa-
sion. Martha fastened to meet Jesus
while Mary sat at home until summoned.
Verse 20D The latter was overwhelmed
with grief. that friends sought to COM
fort her verse Oh. while the sister seem
ingly needed no consolation. Mary broke
forth into violent weeping Verse 33). and
showed more reverence for Jesus by fall
ing at His feet. orientaIists always
do In the presence of superiors duke. VS..
Xvii:16) But Martha was calm and self
possessed. And yet the two women. so
unlike. were in substantial accord. Their
Confidence n n - ho
lief that had He been present oversees 81
22D their brother would not have died in
which statement there was an implied
reproach for His delay verse - and a
confession that now they expected moth
ing from Him. Martha expressed hope
lessness more fully by suggesting at the
grave that the decomposition of the body
had begun, as if she deemed His command
to remove the stone unnecessary. il not
improper. Their joint request to sec
where their brother was laid (verse 34)
covered the only thought that remained
that Jesus would share their sorrow by
viewing the resting place Of the dead.
JEWS.-Mary's neighbors appear first
as sympathizing friends. most beautiful
and commendable relation. Rom. xii:1:.,
They sat with her in the house. followed
when she left it, and united in her demon
stration of grief Verse 33o They nex1
questioning wonder in the presence of
Jesus. They regarded his weeping (verse
36) evidence of love for Lazarus and
probably they had heard. because 1t must
have been widely published that Jesus
was ardently attached to the family
John. xi::1D But. remembering the cure
of the blind man. they were confused
Could not Jesus have prevented this
death? So they whispered among them
selves. That question implied that. like
the sisters. they had no hope of any favor
from Christ. Indeed it is quite proba BILE
that some of them raised the question
with a sheer. as If to cast contempt upon
Him. They may have thought that at
last His pretensions OF power were dissi-
pated: that in the presence OF His dis
ciples He stood poweTless in tears But
a change came when Lazarus was re-
stored to life. Some-pro ba bly, those who
had previously witnessed Christs works
John. xi', viii:31 -32)-believed in Him
Others fastened TO report to the Phari-
sees. who. fearing Christ's pooula rity.
sought His destruction. Verse 4SD
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 ID Through all His
ministry he sought to develop their faiti,
John it'll: Niv:1D by many impressive
lessons. In like manner He urged the sis.
tiers TO believe oversees -. 40p His weep
ing was not through weakness. nor did it
proceed alone from the sorrow or sympa-
thy of bereavement. His grooming fverse
Isl was caused by the evidence of unbeief
for no one of all He loved most deemed
that possible which He proposed TO do.
1t was more in anger or indignation
Mark. ii:0 that He beheld those gather