Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-21
JESUS AMOUNTED AT BETHANY.
John. 12.1-11.
Golden Text: "She hath done
what she could. Mark. 14,s.
By Rev. H. T. Stevenson.

DIV heV. q. i. StC VAoOA'
The raising of Lazarus. which was
considered in the Easter lesson, aroused
the Masters enemies. SO that theS
planned to put Him to death. Jesus
retired for a short season from Bethany
to Ephraim, in the wilderness OF
Bethayen. thirteen miles north OF Je-
rusalem. There he carried on His work
until the time for Him to be deliv-
cred up was at hand. He set His face
toward Jerusalem as He crossed the
Jordan and journeyed through Perea
to comfort the new disciples that had
responded to His call for recruits and
had publicly confessed their faith In
Jesus as the Messiah. He recrossed
the Jordan at the Jericho ford. and in
response to the cry of blind Bartimaeus
had given the poor blind beggar sight:
Jesus then supped with Zacchaeus and
won the rich publican for His cause.
Although the Master had repeatedly
warned His disciples of His coming
death. He found that they were quar-
reling over the positions of power that
they anticipated would be distributed
at Jerusalem. They were looking for
an earthly kingdom
The village of Bethany was the
largest community between Jericho and
Jerusalem. Is only h snort Walk
from the quiet village over the Mount
of Olives. that hides 1t from the ma
tion's capital. across the Kedron valley
and up the steps or hillside to Zion
or the Temple. The Master came to
Bethany six days before the Passover
that would bring an end to His career
in the flesh. For the remaining days
of His ministry Jesus needed the bene-
fits of the home life. so He accepted
the invitation of the family that He
their q al o.
nificant that it was not until His end
was approaching that the Lord, who
during His ministry had no place to
rest His weary head, came to enjoy
the privileges of the home life. In the
house of His friends. with its sweet,
unruffied fellowship. domestic joy and
refinement. the Master found the peace
full privacy and rest that He needed in
which the world could not intrude had
charm for the Christ and He ap-
preciated the privileges of the Bethany
home.
Most writer's agree that Jesus arrived
In Bethany upon Friday and that the
incidents of the lesson related by John
occurred upon Saturday after the close
OF the Sabbath. There Is no doubt but
ina mat TINS supper at which Jesus and
His disciples were entertained by some
or His grateful and devoted followers.
who had witnessed His recent works
and who were not afraid to express
their gratitude in the face of the oppo-
sition of the Sanhedrin Is identical with
the one that Matthew and Luke have
recorded as being given in the MASTER
honor at the house of Simon the leper
In trying to harmonic the differences
In the accounts of the synoptics and
John some have suggested that Simon
may have been Martha's husband, since
she was serving the table as il she were
the hostess. Others have suggested that
he was the father of the three friends
who loved Christ and desired to ex-
press their appreciation of the restora-
ton of Lazarus, who was one of the
guests. The difference in time is due to
the fact that the synoptic writer's bring
in the story parenthetically, out of its
chronological order. because of it's logi-
cal connection with Judas plans for
betrayal
The outstanding incident of the sup
per story Is the Unreasonable irrepres-
sible expression of love made by Mary,
who with keen, womanly intuition ap-
pears to have realized that Jesus was
going to be crucified. In the approach
ing dark hour her sympathetic spiritual
appreciation Of the Lords trials de-
manded some expression. Words in
such an hour are almost useless. Orui-
nary action would be insufficient. There
was the need of something extraordi-
nary and she followed the impulse OF
her soul The beautiful ministry of
Mary to Jesus Is the choicest memorial
of the loss of herself in the depths of
her love and the unconscious disre-
gard of the cost in the lavish honor she
bestowed upon her cherished guest.
when she poured n precious flask of
perfume upon the head and feet of her
Lord.
Judas Iscariot protested against the
beautiful expression of Mary's devotion
and love, claiming that 1t might have
been sold for at least $50 and given to
tba moor His remonstrance had the
specious appearance of charity and
economy. He succeeded in stirring up
others, for Matthew records the dissent
of the disciples and Mark tells how
some of the disciples "hao Indignation
within themselves"
The criticism Of Judas serves as a
fashlight, and shows up the selfish.
sordid soul of the arbitrator. stand
ing outside the circle of love. with
ewes blinded to the significance OF a
life Of sacrifice and generosity. His love
for money had made him a thief In
handling the funds of che treasury